Debi

The Princess was marginal. The previous cruise had been on Crystal - so I'm not sure it had a chance, but I have to say, on that particular cruise - the staff was not very friendly, and our room was not kept well. Food was fine. The horrid one was a transatlantic during Hurricane Camille - 'nuff said....

Eschew

Thanks Debi. Tranatlantic could be a handful in roughwater.
This is what I am finding with all the mass market lines: the food, the staff, the service, everything is "acceptable" (or marginal?) The only constant is that they are very inconsistent. Based on the price paid on the mass market lines, I feel I am getting good value.
People often compare the ships food to fine dining restaurants and give them stars. Wrong! At best, the mass market cruise line's food is better than your typical convention center / hotel banquet meals. No more, no less. The speciality restaurants on a shp maybe the exception.
You are right in saying taht it's not fair to compare Princess to Crystal as they are totally different in mamy ways.

Debi

Eschew - you are SO right.... in the places I've lived, if you want to go to a really nice restaurant - you're going to pay over $100 for a couple for dinner. I have actually never expected a cruise ship to give me that kind of experience. I will say, Crystal actually did, and the specialty restaurant I went to on Princess was quite nice - that was the highlight of that trip. But, the food in general - on all of them - was fine. It was better than going to TGI Fridays or most of the nationwide chains (some of which are quite decent) - and normally, the service is really good. I have spoken to passengers who said "I paid alot of money for this cruise, and it has to be perfect", and their definition of perfection seemed to be the equivalent of staying at a Ritz. Now, I haven't stayed at near enough Ritz's, but the ones I've been to were wonderful - and VERY expensive - alot more per night than most mass cruises. Back to the OP - I loved the write-up, and the thought process she went through, and I thought she had such a valid point....

Eschew

I am just a every day guy and I really dislike people who behaves badly (snobbish). Most people with real big money are really nice people and don't behave like that. It's the pretenders that are snobbish.

I worked for the Four Seasons Hotel back in the mid 70's and have openned a couple of property for them as part of the advance management team, so I do know a thing or two about fine Hotels and fine food.

People wants to get perfection for $500 on a 7 day cruise? Well, at $500, you will be lucky to get one room night and maybe a good dinner at the Four Season / Ritz Carlton. Sorry ... no comparison here.

For people who have not experienced the Four Seasons experience (and price), they just don't understand what a true 4 or 5 stars represents.

Rosemary4126

Gail, I just love your attitude and had to tell you that.

Thanks for the great report.

karens

Hi all. It is interesting reading this thread, b/c I am just getting ready to post my impressions of the Norwegian Pearl, which we cruised to Alaska. I had read so many negative things, and we were so happy with our experience.

I am amazed by the things some people complain about. While cruising the glaciers, we went to the front of the ship. There were many lounge chairs stacked up and tied down because it gets quite windy. A few chairs were out, but most people stood or sat on the ground. One woman very loudly complained that it was atrocious that the chairs were not out ordered her husband to tell the employees to "get off their lazy asses and get some chairs out here". Her indignation and attitude were way out of line. If it were me, I would un- tie one of the chairs and help myself. But I guess some people expect to be waited on. Oh brother.