This was our 5th cruise with Princess and our 22 cruise overall. We have found Princess to be good in the past. Not top of the industry but certainly not bad. This cruise was not up to what we have experienced in the past.
I think because this ship spends it's time in the very warm South Pacific it has caused the ship to have developed a mouldy smell in many of the common areas. The main theater being one of the worst spots on the ship.
Also there is quite a bit of paint rusting in spots, exterior carpet on the deck lifting up and some of the wooden hand rails having started to rot.The ship is not falling apart but these things did stand out and are usually not seen on other cruise lines of this caliber. we have cruised on.
First time we have taken an inside cabin. Didn't feel it was worth an extra $1,000. a person to have a balcony in the wide open Pacific Ocean. Not much to see but blue water. Cabin was fine. Seperated the beds and found we had ample room.