I had heard many good things about Princess Cruise Line and I found the right itinerary and dates. Reality, a little disappointing. The Pacific Princess (a.k.a. reborn "Love Boat") is a small ship carrying 600+ passengers. Overall the ship is very nice. Few venues, public rooms elegantly appointed: Library reading room a la "Downton Abby-esque". I sailed on a back to back from Venice to Fort Lauderdale. Cabin on the first segment (6062) nice and comfortable and pleasant although Bathroom needlessly small and tight (One needs to step out to change ones mind). Second segment cabin (7033) the same. Main dinning room very nice: service excellent food nicely presented but a bit bland and sometimes insipid for my taste. Very disappointed with the food offering at the Panorama Café buffet. Breakfast & Lunch never very appetizing and I can eat most anything. Poor and limited selection and looked as if it was out far too long, perhaps because it is a small venue. The entertainment was nice, a few excellent others not so much. It was none the less enjoyable. Staff service, in all venues and areas, was very pleasant and attentive, no complaints. Although we skipped 3 ports, due to weather, the Ports and tours offered were very nice and well prepared and staffed. Price, not bad. Crossing the Atlantic was wonderful, 8 days. The sea was extraordinarily calm and pleasant weather: I enjoy sea days. The entertainment staff did a nice job keeping all entertained that wanted to be entertained. Good job!! I May, I'll be on the Regal, I will see how that goes. Hopefully better.
Except for the bathroom which is needlessly small, the room is a nice size. The balcony a nice size with 2 chairs and table. Ample storage and closet space, if you don't have steemer trunks. On the 2nd segment of my cruise I occupied cabin 7033, also the same. At both cabin locations I had excellent stewards/attendats.
Venice is always a favorite city and time of the year but especially dress for Christmas!!
Visited San Marino from here, very intersting. Then, the mosaics in Ravena. Well worth the visit.
Not as big as Pompeii but extremely interesting to see the magnitude of the devestation. Herculaneum was a seaside village burried by lava a rocks that now is 2 miles from the coast.