Grand Princess Review
Z0nker
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s
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Sail Date: Sep 2016
Cabin: Mini-Suite with Balcony
A perfect cruise. We boarded in San Francisco on a warm sunny day and the city views from the decks are amazing - you could see the Financial District, Bay Bridge, Coit Tower, Ferry Building, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. If we had never left port it would still have been a great cruise.
We live within driving distance and parked at 55 Francisco, a short three block walk from the boat. They charge $18/day for indoor parking. I dropped my wife off at the traffic circle by the dock, but lots of folks just rolled their suitcases over from the parking garage. If you walk to the end of Francisco and cut across the little park you'll be across the street from the cruise terminal. Can't miss a boat that big.
Embarkation at the new Pier 27 cruise terminal was a breeze - friendly, efficient service and very little waiting. Princess let's you bring as much wine as you like, but you have to carry it on (do not put booze in your checked baggage). There's a table where you show them what you have; first two bottles are free, then $15 corkage after that. The wine sold on the ship bears typical restaurant prices and is a fairly mediocre selection, so if you have some good stuff at home, bring it. They put small labels on the bottles for which you've pay corkage so you can bring them into the restaurants at no extra charge. The "free", untagged bottles are best consumed in your stateroom.
Cabin Review
Mini-Suite with Balcony
Cabin MB
The mini-suite was fantastic, worth the upgrade. We've never had such a large bathroom on a ship and the extra vanity space is a treat. The shower temperature was perfect every time and there was always plenty of pressure.
We made good use of the walk-in closet, having brought suits and dresses so we could class it up a bit. The mini-suite has a large living room area with a separate TV - nice for relaxing or having a meal in the room. When the weather is right, you can also do room service breakfast on the spacious balcony. The mini-suite balconies hang over the side of the ship, right above the survival craft, so you have an unobstructed view all the way fore and aft. When you look up, you see sky. You can also see the balconies on decks above and they can see you, so if you step out in your jammies, be aware.
D606 is quiet, and close to midship so you get a smooth ride and aren't far from the elevators.
Port Reviews
Los Angeles
Princess offers lots of L.A. and Hollywood trips like studios tours, Beverly Hills and Grouman's Chinese Theater. We've done all that so we opted for low budget and walked over to the Queen Mary, where your cruise cards get you in for free. We explored the ship for hours from top to bottom, The engine room is a marvel of sophisticated complexity.
San Francisco
We live within driving distance and parked at 55 Francisco, a short three block walk from the boat. They charge $18/day for indoor parking. I dropped my wife off at the traffic circle by the dock, but lots of folks just rolled their suitcases over from the parking garage. If you walk to the end of Francisco and cut across the little park you'll be across the street from the cruise terminal. Can't miss a boat that big.
Embarkation at the new Pier 27 cruise terminal was a breeze - friendly, efficient service and very little waiting,
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