Grand Princess, Princess Cruises

This is the forth time we had been on Princess and we have also been on a number of other vessels operated by other lines. We are in our early 50s, mobile and a happy outlook (well that’s what we say) Princes is Princess – a fantastic product with great staff who make the cruse go so well. The issues we had were simply the way they tried to gouge you for extras. We had a balcony suit which was 100% but surprised at having to pay extra for what we thought were going to be free access public areas (solarium) and for the pre booked tours. We booked the tours before we left and thought we had a fixed price however the account appeared and they had been increased. There was a lot of discussion on this with the Tour Centre quoting the fine print which only served to sour what was a fantastic trip. To be fair they latter reversed these and reinstated the original pricing BUT watch out for this. We expected great shows being a larger ship but these were very disappointing and not up to the standard we had experienced on other ships in the Princess fleet.

Mediterranean Medley-24th April-8th May 2010. Being platinum (7 cruises on P&O and 1 with Princess on Grand Princess) was a great help, as we did not have to stand in the Enormous queue. Cabin nice, food good. Painted Desert well worth the $20, Sabatini's good as well. The entertainment was not so good. I did not see the ships company sing and dance as you could never get in, but other people said they where very good. Drinks were very expensive. $22 a bottle for the cheapest white wine + your 15% on top $25.30 so that’s nearly £20. When getting off the ship on tender at Algehero, it took for ever to get off, we got our tickets at 09.50 and we did not get on a tender till 11.40, not good. Cannes was better, and nicer than Monte. Cadiz beautiful. Unfortunately Livorno was shut (Labour Day). We didn't do Rome as we’ve done it, so walked round Civit. Found a great Chinese restaurant near the station, lovely food and a litre of Frizzante 6 Euro's. Brill! Algehero was very nice wished we'd had longer there. Gib, nice to have a full day there. Over all a good holiday.