Just returned from sailing Grand Princess
 

My husband and I sailed Grand Princess March 4. This was our first Princess cruise (although we've sailed other lines in the past). <BR>We made our own airline arrangments and flew to Ft. Lauderdale one day prior. <BR>Since our small hotel was only 3 miles from Port Everglades, we embarked prior to Noon and were in our Caribe deck cabin by 12:15pm. The ship is beautiful (but very large). There is more than ample storage in our cabin and our balcony was very comfortable. After sitting on our bed, we realized the mattress was too soft. Our cabin steward put a board underneath while we went to dinner. <BR>Embarkation on Princess was the smoothest we ever experienced (as was disembarkation). Dining was superior - the executive chef and his staff are from Italy. We opted for Personal Choice Dining and would do this on future sailings. Dinner in Painted Desert was very good - for some reason I thought there was a $5 per person surcharge but we never were billed. <BR>Lounge chairs on Sun Deck were ample and very comfortable - even on 'sea days'. <BR>If booking a mini suite or a suite robes are provided. We did ask our steward for them the first day and he kindly obliged. Same for extra wooden hangers as well as extra sleeping pillows and towels. Service by all personnel we felt was way above par (compared to other ships we've sailed). <BR>The weather was beautiful and only one afternoon we had a bit of rain (a sea day). The new port at St. Martin is very convenient. Water taxis cost $5 per person, per day and you can hop on/hop off. <BR>We were a bit skeptical sailing such a large ship; the feeling on board is 'grand' and very personal. Fellow passengers ranged in age from 20's to 80's. <BR>We enjoyed sailing Grand Princess and are considering either Ocean or Golden Princess for a future cruise next March. <BR>If anyone is sailing Grand Princess in the future, you are in for quite a treat. The artwork and sculpture are breathtaking!

<BR>Yes, and so is the architecture, design, lighting and vegetation. <BR> <BR>Truly a work of art <BR> <BR>Paul

Hi...must have been like ships passing in the night (or morning) <BR> <BR>Sailed the 25th of Feb...absolutely beautiful ship. This was my second time onboard, first with my husband. <BR> <BR>We had a room with a balconey (L238) and were absolutely thrilled with it. To be able to see the daylight in the AM was wonderful. Hearing the waves crash against the side of the ship at night was so relaxing, along with the gentle rocking of the ship. I told my husband somebody should invent a bed that gently rocked you to sleep. <BR> <BR>Boarding was so easy, as was disembarking. <BR> <BR>We ate at the Painted Desert 2 times. Miguel our waiter was the absolute best. <BR>We did not take advantage of Personal Dining because quite frankly we ate in the dining room once. The rest of the time we ate at the Horizen Court. They seemed to serve the same food as the main dining rooms and we could partake of it at our own pace. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Doubletree Hotel on Seabreeze Ave for two days prior to trip. We chose this hotel because it was both on the ocean and the intracoastal and wanted to take advantage of some sightseeing while in FLL. <BR> <BR>The weather was beautiful. <BR> <BR>Of course, the trip to and from FLL was annoying but that is to be expected, especially since there was a storm brewing in the Northeast. <BR> <BR>I am thinking of sailing the NCL's Majesty out of Boston in July with my mother who is 77. However I'm a little wary of trying any other cruise line by Princess since I've had such a good experience with them. <BR> <BR>

We also chose the Doubletree because it was a lot cheaper than the others and the price just kept coming down the more I checked on their website.

Can anyone describe the feeling of seasickness on a vessel like this? Too much or too little rocking, etc.? Thanks!

Some people were seasick. One woman told me her daughter was holed up in her stateroom over the toilet. I've never felt seasickness so I can't describe it. <BR> <BR>I'm trying to get my 77 year old mother to go on a cruise but she insists she'll be seasick. I keep telling her that if she believes she will get seasick then she will. <BR> <BR>I saw a lot of people wearing patches so I would imagine that helps.

This was my first cruise and I felt fine the entire trip. My pharmacist recommended taking 2 capsules of ginger root daily a week prior to leaving and continue until you get home. So many other remedies may make you drowsy, plus, ginger is good for the digestive tract the pharmacist said. Ironically, after I got home I felt like the house was bobbing up and down but took the ginger root for 2 days and was fine. Other people did have patches on by prescription only. Some wore the cloth bands on their wrists. People that did get sick went for the $60.00 shot in the infirmary and in 3 to 4 hrs after a nap were better. The ship and staff were fantastic.

Thanks to all of you for posting your experiences on the Grand. I am getting more and more excited about my May 27th sailing. Regarding the Doubletree, do they provide shuttle service from the airport and to the Port? <BR>Thanks!

No, they don't provide a shuttle but again, the convenience of the hotel to the intracoastal and beach offset that...also I asked for a late checkout...so we were able to check out at 2 PM instead of the normal 12 and as a result didn't have to rush to the port....taxi cost I think $15...I just got the pics back from the Doubletree and I'm even more convinced it was the right choice...have fun....