We're Elite with Princess, Club/Reserve Mini Suite Level and sail with them 2-3 times a year and just returned from a 7 day Calif Costal Cruise. I have no problem rating Guest Service at 5 Stars throughout this cruise and our 2 previous cruises in 2022.
Despite having access to the Club/Reserve Dinning Room, we've noticed that since the Covid reopening Princess's food quality and variety has dramatically declined. One evening we ordered the steam clam entrée, when our waiter brought it to us he apologetically asked it we'd like another serving. Looking at our bowl we saw that we each exactly 5 small clams for our main entrée. The maitre d' for the Reserve Dinning room rarely walked through our area, just once or twice checking with the wait staff but never talked with the guest as I would have happily shared by thoughts with him.
The dinning room and buffet menu offerings/variety has been reduced. Gone are BBQ ribs/chicken, fried chicken or pork chops. The best way to describe the food quality is "reimagined leftovers" with some jazzed up pre-packaged prepared foods. This is most noticeably during the first 3-4 sail days. We tired the buffet for lunch once and found the soup to be cold, dry fish, and the vegetable offerings over gray and cooked. The specialty restaurants (Crown Grill & Sabatini's) were wonderful, as they should be for $39-$34pp premium surcharge.
The bed and bed linens and pillows were very comfortable. But, the towels did not feel like premium towels.
But, the couch sagged on both ends and was to uncomfortable to be sat on. Also the bottom cushions did not fit properly and kept sliding off the couch. Overall, the cabins are dated and tired and need to be updated.
Our schedule port time in Victoria was suppose to be 6AM to 12PM but it was reduced to 6AM to 11:30. Realistically this allow 2 hrs. ashore allowing, 9AM to 11AM with 30mins to get back to the ship.
This was a wasted stop and charge of port fees and taxes to the passengers. Poor planning on Princess's part. As we were leaving Oceania was arriving.
Princess Platter mentioned a port shuttle but didn't provide any price or shuttle location. Luckily there were volunteers to answer questions and direct people that were interested.
In the end, to reach the town is a 20-25 min easy walk and after walking the 3-4 block of shops you're headed back to the ship, unless you stop for lunch.
Lots to see and do and very walkable for Chinatown, Gastown and lots of restaurants. Highly recommend Fly Canada attraction right there at the terminal and buy tickets online in advance and save a few dollars.
Very walkable with lots to see and do on your own. A 15-20 min walk to Pikes Place & Market, the aquarium is right down from the terminal and a must see is the Chihuly Glass Museum and Garden (at base of Space Needle) about a 25-30 minute walk from the terminal