Cabin Review

We did this trip for our 25th anniversary. Thanks to the Princess staff for the lovely banner and balloons.

Cabin L228

Cabin was comfortable and our steward Gomez was excellent. Bed was comfortable to sleep in but pillows were poor. One feather, one foam. I dislike feather but foam was not firm enough for me.

Bathroom was extremely tight and neither of us are large people.

Plenty of hanging space but not many drawers. Small fridge in cabin.

Two USB ports but neither worked.

Windows in need dire of cleaning, very annoying when going through the fiordlands. Also deck balcony glass impossible to see through and as you sit at a low level very annoying.

The buffet marketplace is well set out so people have areas to go for what they want. Food choices ever changing and difficult to get to try everything or you would explode.

Food is enjoyable, plenty of choices for all tastes. Just lacking seasoning but that is understandable due to the numbers aboard.

Dining rooms are well decorated and spacious. Found food to be bland and either under cooked or over cooked.

I have dietary requirements and tried to speak to the maître de as requested on the first and second nights in dining room. This did not happen and I was given food I am allergic too.

After this everything was sorted out for me in the dining room.

Harmony restaurant was enjoyable and worth the money. People we met liked the Le Mer food.

Lots of small food places to get burgers, hotdogs, ice cream, noodles.

Bakery cakes looked superb but were sometimes not quite as tasty as they looked.

Loved Alfredo’s on deck 6. Great pizza and veal tortellini.

Drinks packages are available but you need to work out for yourself if they are worth it. We didn’t buy one.

Plenty of places to sit and read, have a drink, or play games.

Laundry facilities on are all decks 7-15 at rear of boat. Some are larger than others. Very easy to use as you swipe your ships card to buy tokens for washers and dryers and powder, bleach and dryer sheets. Could do with more dryers though as wash takes 30-35mins and dryers 40-45mins. Causing a backlog waiting for dryers.

The ship itself is clean and quite pretty. Crooners lounge was always good for a quiet pre dinner drink. Crown Grill was more pub like and livelier. Did an English pub lunch on two occasions which we never tried.

Hollywood adults area on deck 17 at front was relaxing. The pool and hot tubs were lovely. Lounge area lacking enough of the comfortable loungers.

Smoking area is outside on 17 starboard and if you forgot and went out the wrong doors you got a face full of smoke.

Main pool area is spacious but busy on a sunny day.

Liked the skywalk.

Overall the ship was well appointed and enjoyable and we would sail on her again.

Crew were overall polite but not overly friendly like other cruises we have been on.

Downside.

Usual problems with finding a seat at certain entertainments.

Atrium activities and Princess Theatre shows especially. Something needs to be done as some people were saying they had seen the early show and went again. This left people standing in the aisles which blocked those sitting at the back. Surely a ticketing system using your cruise card could be designed so you could only get in once unless there was space. Spoke to a staff member but felt I was being humoured. Another staff member did come and move those standing in our view.

Would travel on this ship again.

TAURANGA

Ship actually docks at Mt Manganui so you need to get shuttle or taxi into Tauranga itself.

Just walked off ship. Nice seaside area with good coffee shops. We walked to the top of Moturiki Island then had a coffee.

WELLINGTON

Went on free shuttle into town. Rode cable car to top of hill then walked down through Botanical gardens. Stopped for a cup of tea in the rose garden then caught shuttle bus back to ship after a ride around Wellington.

AKAROA

You tender in at this port so allow time if you book a private tour.

We had organised to ride a V8Trike with Marty. We did the 1hr ride which was great. We then had lunch in town, lovely fish and chips and green lip mussels. Very easy to walk around this small quaint town.

DUNEDIN

Unfortunately we did not make this port due to a fog bank which caused us to miss the tide to get into dock.

FIORDLANDS

Cruising through the three sounds on a beautiful sunny day was wonderful.

The ship cruises one way through DUSKY and DOUBTFUL sounds then has to do a turn in MILFORD sound.

HOBART

We booked a ship shore excursion to Mt Wellington and the Botanic gardens.

We had to clear customs here which held the tours up by a small amount of time.

Whilst enjoyable and I thought good value for money, I felt hurried in the gardens and we lacked time on Mt Wellington. The tour was booked as Mt Wellington then Botanic Gardens and we planned to spend extra time at the gardens then make our own way back to ship. This obviously didn’t happen.

DAYS AT SEA are relaxing days or there was plenty going on if that is your choice.