Food at the buffet was disappointing. My sister is a vegetarian. The cruise line did request this information prior to our cruise, and she did fill out the form. Still, selections at the buffet (especially at lunch) were very limited. The grill did offer a veggie-burger but cooking it on the same grill with hamburgers prevented her from being able to eat it. A dish or two comprised of brown rice, beans or soy based food would have helped. Vegetarians need protein, and it was not easy to get, particularly at lunch.
Except at breakfast, milk was never out at the buffet. You could get milk only by asking a server to stop serving, go to wherever milk was stored, and bring one out. Not a comfortable thing to request as others waited in line to be served. Because I prefer 2% milk (not available on the ship), everyday I would mix full milk with fat free milk.
Regardless of the Princess brochure's claims about "world-class chefs creating exceptional dishes", I'm sure they know the quality of the food served on their ships is mediocre. Princess should low key how great the food is when preparing brochures. Words like "A feast for the senses" are misleading. I guess we should be thankful - no weight gain on this cruise.
Commercialism - From the constant reminders about Art Auctions, the ship's all day TV version of the "Home Shopping Network", the many times the photographer had a camera in my face for a photograph I had no intentions of buying, there is altogether too much commercialism on the ship. I was particularly offended to hear the scary warnings concerning land tours. Book through Princess and the ship won't leave without you should the tour return late. The tour you book through Princess and the tour you book for l0-20% less independently is often the same exact tour.
The cruise line goes out of its way to ask passengers to recognize special people. Housekeeping, dining room servers, casino help, etc. all wore name tags with their first name in large letters. Everyone introduces themselves using only their first name. YET, on the special recognition forms, you request full names. We did the best we could.
Although I know my frustration manifests itself throughout this letter, its major purpose is to provide constructive input. Many Princess passengers plan and save for a very long time in order to go on a cruise - they should not be disappointed.
