This was our fourth Grand Princess Cruise r/t SF-Hawaii, and if it were just for the experience itself, I would rate it as very good. But the main dining area, Horizon Court, has slid tremendously. Here as nowhere else has the penny-pinching made itself evident. Ever hear of place settings without spoons, and only tablespoons upon request? Like stirring your coffee with a knife or a stick? Eating jello with a tablespoon? Welcome to the Grand Princess. Enjoy dripping-wet chicken or tuna rolls, soaked with bad dressing? Ditto. What ever happened to the selection of tasty sandwiches? Why unripe fresh fruit? Lousy breakfast pastry? Indifferent cakes? Unimaginative and/or mushy cooked vegetables? Tough beef? Cold pancakes or french toast for breakfast? If there is a corner to be cut, Princess cuts it. It's the staff that pays; lousy food and set-ups engender rude customers who feel they should have their money's worth. You won't find it here. Reminds me of the old joke about the Catskills. "Lousy food."

"Yes, and so much of it!"

On the other hand, the pay-to-play dining is lovely (Crown Grill, Sabatini's) and dinner in DaVinci and Michelangelo remain very good almost all the time. Also the wonderful pizza restaurant still makes fabulous pies. Read more