Princess Cruises
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We cruised with Princess very happily…
We cruised with Princess very happily before the pandemic. The food used to be excellent and the service really good. However we went on a cruise in May returning on 1 June. First of all everything really needs to be done via an app even when you are on board. My tablet would not download the app as microsoft said it was not safe so everything was more complicated. The website said they had covid protocols in place with a requirement to wear face masks in some situations. This made us feel safer and was one of the reasons we booked with Princess. It clearly stated (along with a letter in our cabin) that on water shuttles masks were compulsory. They were not an we were two of a very small minority wearing them. This madeus feel really uncomfortable as waer shuttles are very crowded. There was no enforcement or even request at any time, although almost all staff wore them all the time. Enhanced cleaning was promised but did not materialise. We were asked what we would like and requested a daily clean and an evening turn down service. We got a cursory clean and no further visit apart form the first night, except to leave an activity leaflet for the next day. The cushions and bed runner disappeared on the first night into a cupbaord and never appeared again throughlut the cruise. Orange juice rings were not cleaned from they appeared to the end of the cruise. A shelf was covered in dust when we embarked and was not cleaned during the whole voyage and our steward was hardly ever seen. I left towels on the floor one evening as they were wet, expecting them to be changed, but they were still there when we returned to our stateroom after dinner. The food was awful- sometimes inedible. We were both served chicken on one evening which was raw and bleeding in the middle. it was taken away and we were not offered an alternative meal or given any apology. Apart form a staple of salmon fish varieties ones werei have never heard of and one evening i ordered king prawns which came stuck into a bed of mashed potato. I could go on but breaks fasts and lunch were similarly poor when they used to be brilliant. No more gala menus-petit four, sorbet, etc. We were never offered coffee. Several wines in our package, which was limited anyway, were not available. No more flowers in stateroom, bag, pen, pad and nightly chocolates, which helped to make a cruise a special experience. Although there were talks on ports leaflets with maps did not appear to be available unless you booked a shore excursion. I completed the feedback form on our return but it did not allow me to give much of this detail. I therefore wrote on 8th June to customer services but have had nothing but an acknowledgement. I subsequently wrote to a senior exec but have had no response. Clearly they do not value customers anymore which is a terrible shame as they used to be brilliant. we are really sorry the standards have deteriorated so much
