Crown Princess Review
Worst Vacation Possible - Prison on the Sea
Rating by category
Additional details
We booked this cruise to spend time with family and visit places we’ve never been. However, the ship was old and falling apart and caused us to miss Dublin and be late to Liverpool. We didn’t even get to stop at Guernsey at all, and the captain announced it as though it was a good thing we “get to” spend another day at sea. In every case the time spent at each port was much too brief.
The smell of sewage came up from our shower drain, water soaked the carpet in the halls, a toilet that didn't always flush, broken elevators, bit up by something during sleep with new red marks each morning, internet that didn't work. Four of us were crammed into the tiny cabin and it was torturous, but there was nothing we could do so we tried to make the best of it. With such an incredibly small shower, it was a wonder why so much space was taken by a thick folded metal stool double zip-tied hanging from the handrail inside. The gym was old with broken equipment. For all the technology they’re adding with touch-screens and their new “medallion,” the ship itself is still a dump.
The “entertainment” was embarrassing, with the target audience being over 90 years old no longer of sound mind. I watched three shows to be nice to other family who wanted us to go with them, but each show was awful. Ship activities consisted of those you’d see at a retirement home, like bingo. Unfortunately we witnessed a Zumba class right in the middle of a main open area, and we will never be able to un-see it. We felt generally trapped without anywhere nice we could go, and it was like a prison on the sea.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Tiny and uncomfortable. Previous guest's food in the fridge. Balcony was filthy, sticky tables and chairs. Gross. The smell of sewage came up from our shower drain, water soaked the carpet in the halls, a toilet that didn't always flush, broken elevators, bit up by something during sleep with new red marks each morning, internet that didn't work. With such an incredibly small shower, it was a wonder why so much space was taken by a thick folded metal stool double zip-tied hanging from the handrail inside. For all the technology they’re adding with touch-screens and their new “medallion,” the ship itself is still a dump.
Port Reviews
Southampton
After a long flight we were made to wait quite a while to board. A very long wait at the airport, a long bus ride, followed by another long wait in another line. Then we learn that we had to surrender our passports, which was not good. (We wanted to leave the ship completely, so maybe that's why Princess takes them away, so we're completely trapped in the prison of the sea.) To make things even worse, they made a mistake and didn't print my card and had to give me a temporary card, instructing me to go find a specific place on ship where I could get one printed. However, since I didn't have my card, I was grilled by every single person in every single area as I boarded. This wasn't my mistake, yet I was certainly paying for it. After passing 2 or 3 people, I was not permitted to board the ship until someone went to get me a card.
Cobh (Cork)
Our family went on the excursion to House of Waterford Crystal & Lismore, and it was pretty good. The guide was excellent. The only problem was our visit was much too short.
One of the best meals we had was at The Munster Bar across the street from Waterford Crystal. They have a Guinness and Steak Pie and fresh fish and chips that are outstanding.
I would love to go back to this area without the restrictions of a cruise ship.
Liverpool
Due to Princess Cruises mechanical problems we were late to Liverpool. We paid for a hop on / off bus to take us around Liverpool and ran out of time, so we didn't get to see much or do what we'd planned.
Greenock (Glasgow)
We took the excursion tour, "Best of the Scottish Highlands." It was a beautiful drive and we had some time to walk around. Definitely want to return without the limitations of the cruise.