We have been on Princess Cruise previously in 2013 (Sapphire Princess) and really enjoyed our cruise great food and amenities , we felt cared for with nice communal areas and good restaurants so felt confident that it would be of a similar standard for an enjoyable cruise. What a let down!
On a positive embarkation was easy and staff were very helpful.
I agree with previous review on this ...
We took this cruise because it had a full transit of the Panama Canal. This was the last cruise with this itinerary for the season. A Panama Canal transit had been on our bucket list for a long time, but it has taken many years for a cruise with a schedule that made it doable considering our work schedules. We have cruised with many lines and this was our first (and only) cruise with Princess. ...
We chose this cruise because it was a complete transit of the Panama Canal. The cruise had 5 stops plus a full day transiting the canal. Stops were Puerto Vallarta and Huatulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama City, Panama; and Cartagena, Columbia.
We booked local tours through Travel Advisor for all ports but Puntarenas which we booked through Princess. The Princess tour in ...
Embarkation was a nightmare. We waited for quite some time even after having a 10:30 check-in time. We waited until almost 1:00 to get on the ship. Check-in was a long time then getting through the metal detectors was a long time. Other cruise lines seem to process passengers quicker and more efficiently.
We had a Suite cabin on Deck 14. The cabin was great! Lots of room and the cabin was ...
This was an interesting itinerary with a fair number of sea days so I was looking forward to a bigger ship with lots of activities to fill the time. Unfortunately this was an unwelcoming and underwhelming experience. This was my second cruise with NCL and it seems the nickel and dime tactics have just gotten worse since COVID. Nearly everything onboard came with an extra fee, to participate you ...
Whoever said NCL is having major issues on the Joy had a very different experience than my wife and I. Yes, embarkation was a little chaotic. First we were mistakenly told we’d have access to the specialty lounge (i confirmed by email b/c we had a suite, but not the Haven, and the email said yes, we could access the specialty lounge.) This was bad info sent to us by NCL, apparently. Then, after ...
What I enjoyed:
I really thought that the food in the restaurant was good for the most part and the service was excellent. Waiters really catered to your neeeds and were very personable. The director of the restaurant was very professional and accommodating. The cleaning crew for the cabins were super friendly and did a great job. The Pizza is excellent and the coffee is also pretty good. With ...
Not enough Gluten Free food. Way too much East Indian food, but it was good but not Every single day! One day of Mexican good and it was bad! A joke. The chocolate mouse jiggled, conscestency of jello and literally No taste. Not chocolate, tho dark, just bla.
Carne asada or carne A Sad Duh! was 3 thin slices beef with a blob of spinach on top. Mexican night dinner in dining room had tacos, a ...
This ship is definitely for the older generation - 45+. NOT a ship for kids. I think there were only 6 kids on our cruise, so warning...if you want the kids to have fun, not a good idea to select this ship. The destinations are not for kids/teens either. It is an older ship, but upgraded with nice decor and is very well maintained. ALL employees were extremely great! When you cruise please ...
Our cruise to the Panama Canal on Emerald Princess did not disappoint, it was a great ratio of at sea days vs port days. The embarkation and disembarkation both ran smoothly. The staff were exceptional, especially our cabin steward. On day 1 he got extra hangers for me and removed the small table, replacing it with an extra chair. Our balcony stateroom was faded and the age really showed but it ...