The ship was coming out of dry dock to commence this cruise, and, owing to unanticipated problems in dry dock, did not come out until a day late. There was simply an email from Princess (the evening prior to when we were otherwise scheduled to embark) informing that we'd be embarking a day late, and it was up to us to make arrangements for an extra/unanticipated day in Fort Lauderdale. There were no follow-ups to assure as to progress or likelihood in making the new embarkation date/time, and we felt there should have been.

My party and I also felt that the offered compensation was grossly inadequate. Besides missing one day of the cruise, we also missed what to us was the most important port of call, Aruba. We'd specially purchased (and lugged along with us) new snorkeling gear, anticipating great wreck diving. Instead, the Aruba stop was canceled, and we missed that intended highlight of the cruise, and all our extra gear was for naught. I believe, at the least, Princess should have pro-rated compensation by the quantity of port calls missed, rather than by quantity of overall cruise days missed.

Regardless, one great highlight in the trip was Captain Michele. That guy was totally awesome. His personality, enthusiasm and accessibility (he was constantly walking about among the guests, and seemed delighted to repeatedly stop and chat with you) were extraordinarily cool. He announcements on the PA system were a delight. I wish all captains could be so terrific.