Some travel experiences exceed the hype, while others fall flat. Julie and I have traveled a lot, but we had yet to hop across the pond. So, we were excited to see Europe for the first time on a Princess British Isles cruise.
How was our experience? Well, it was a mixed bag. We will share our cruise’s good, bad, and ugly in hopes that it helps you with your Europe cruise planning.
Disclosure: We received gifted products from adidas that we are sharing in this post. All opinions are our own.
Service
Grade: Good
The service on the Princess British Isles cruise was commendable. From the cruise director to the dining staff to the excursions desk, the entire team was exceptional. They were professional, friendly, and always ready to assist.
I have a shellfish allergy, so the assistant manager shared the following night’s menu every evening, allowing me to place my order and ensuring no cross-contamination. When we ordered morning room service, they consistently delivered our breakfast a few minutes early. The line moved quickly when we had excursion questions, and the staff provided helpful expert guidance.
Food
Grade: Bad
I need to elaborate here. The cuisine in the sit-down dining rooms was tasty, and the service was excellent. Although the morning room service was timely, the food was not fresh. I told Julie, “It is sad when the best part of your breakfast is the bran muffin.”
How was the food in the buffet-style dining area? The dishes were hit-and-miss. Some tasted divine, while others completely missed the mark. I acknowledge it is challenging to create quality food for large groups. However, some of the dishes did not pass the test.
Julie and I went on a Princess Alaska cruise two years ago, and the food was excellent, so our expectations were high. Unfortunately, the British Isles cruise food was inconsistent and paled compared to our previous experience.
Accommodations
Grade: Good
Cruisers often ask about accommodations. Julie and I had such a fantastic experience with an aft room on our Alaska cruise that we chose one for the British Isles cruise. Ship accommodations typically feel cramped, but our room felt slightly more spacious than usual.
For Alaska’s Inside Passage, we had breathtaking views on both sides, an unforgettable experience. While a British Isles cruise does not yield many narrow stretches with land on each side, having an unobstructed view and privacy was still lovely.
Julie studied the ship’s floor plan and selected a room on floor 9. Her homework paid off, giving us an awning and a more spacious balcony than the rooms on levels 8 and 10.
Entertainment
Grade: Good
Julie and I are kids at heart, spoiled by the high-quality entertainment on our past Disney cruises. It is unfair to compare a Princess cruise to Disney, but I must. The Disney cruise entertainment is excellent, and the Princess cruise entertainment is good.
In full disclosure, Julie and I did not attend every performance. What we did see was good. We talked to many other cruise passengers about this topic for different opinions. Overall, people enjoyed the entertainment, which included various acts like magic, comedy, cooking demonstrations, dancing, and singing. Some did not care for it at all. Our consensus is that the entertainment is good, but has yet to reach the excellent level.
Countries
Grade: Good
What should have been great veered off course. The original plan was to depart from Southampton, England, and to make stops at Cork and Dublin, Ireland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Holyhead, Wales; Glasgow, the Orkney Islands, and Edinburgh, Scotland; and a final stop at Le Havre so passengers could visit either Paris or Normandy, France.
Julie and I were excited to visit six European countries and especially looked forward to Paris and the Orkney Islands. Inevitably, neither happened. A labor strike caused us to miss France altogether, and gusty winds led to us missing out on the Orkney Islands.
Instead of France, we went to Portland, England, and received another day at sea rather than visiting the Orkney Islands. I understand the cruise line cannot control when labor strikes occur and that safety is the top priority. However, the Orkney Islands should be removed from the itinerary since only one of every two or three ships can dock there safely.
Missing out on Paris, the anticipated crown jewel, dampened our spirits. Some of our fellow passengers eagerly wanted to see Normandy to honor family members who served in World War II. It meant a lot to them, and the lost opportunity was visibly crushing. My heart goes out to them. Although we expected six, seeing five countries was an excellent experience. The moral of the story is to be flexible and expect changes whenever you take a cruise.
Excursions
Grade: Bad
Although Julie and I enjoyed some excursions, we spent more time on a bus than exploring. We usually travel independently, having lots of freedom to explore. I knew the cruise excursions would limit this ability, but it proved frustrating. The bus often drove by something with unique natural beauty or historical significance without stopping. We darted through national parks, not experiencing them. It took everything I had not to scream, “Stop the bus! Let me out!”
We also spent more time eating and shopping than visiting primary points of interest. I acknowledge the cruise line must cater to a group of people with varying ages and physical abilities. We chose the excursions that would best accomplish our goals. Ultimately, we needed more flexibility and time.
The moral of the story is to decide how to visit Europe based on your travel style. Cruise excursions are for you if you want to drive by the highlights. Otherwise, flying across the pond and renting a car is best.
Tour Guides
Grade: Ugly
A tour guide can make or break an excursion. Most of the tour guides from our Princess British Isles cruise were good. However, two lousy experiences lead me to give an ugly grade. One of our tour guides was a young man who either just started or couldn’t care less about his job. When he shared information, which was not often, he read straight from the binder with an apathetic tone.
Another couple on the cruise, whom we are proud to call friends, had a horrible tour guide experience at Edinburgh Castle. In our case, the guide gave us headphones and shared insightful information as we walked. What about our friends? Their tour guide ditched the group to go shopping when they got off the bus. Considering how much cruise passengers pay for a unique experience, that is poor service.
Weather
Grade: Good
I expected our weather to be bad. The United Kingdom is known for cloudy and rainy conditions. We visited during an unexpected “heat wave.” Remember that term is relative to your experience, so it was still somewhat cool. We only had one day of rain when exploring on land, a pleasant surprise.
History says you should plan for wet weather. I suggest packing a rain jacket and layers for your Princess British Isles cruise. For layers, I love my adidas hoodies. They are warm and comfortable, providing better movement than other brands I have tried.
Bus Ride to the Airport
Grade: Ugly
Upon disembarking the ship, Julie and I took one last excursion to Stonehenge. After the excursion, the bus driver took everyone to the airport. That is when things took a turn.
Unfortunately, he dropped us off at the wrong terminal. Although he recognized the error, the driver refused to take us to the correct terminal. Beyond a poor impression and a bad taste as the final memory of the cruise, some passengers required canes or wheelchairs. It was a lengthy walk across areas of construction and high traffic. Although the bus driver is not an employee of Princess, it is ultimately a reflection of them. We were disappointed in the service and the lack of compassion. I am confident this act cost Princess some future business.
Plan Your British Isles Vacation
If you dream of visiting Europe, a cruise is an excellent way to sample various countries and determine which ones you want to explore further. Whether a Princess British Isles cruise is for you depends on which factors are most important to you. Julie and I enjoyed our vacation, seeing many new and fantastic places. Unfortunately, a few occurrences marred the experience a bit. I hope our honest review helps you when comparing cruise lines for your British Isles cruise.
Soon, I will share more information about our European adventures. Until then, safe travels.
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
