4 Nights Pacific Coastal Cruise

Enjoyed Our Mexican Cruise on Discovery Princess

My wife and I (both 66) enjoyed our Mexican cruise on the Discovery Princess, our first on this large class. The ship was in excellent shape for being two years old and never seemed crowded except in the buffets and getting an elevator usually took some time. We flew into LAX in the morning, took an Opoli ($46) to the port, and got in the long line after checking our luggage. After getting through security and verifying our medallion, we were on the ship about noon. I immediately went to the Sanctuary only to find the week all booked except for lounge chairs on two port days. I reserved chairs for the morning of the Puerto Vallarta stop. Then we went to Gigi's for our first casual lunch included with our Plus package, the other being lunch at Ocean Terrace Sushi. Both were very good but the line at the latter can be long due to its small capacity. At 1 p.m. we went to our cabin, a premium deluxe balcony on Caribe deck. Two weeks before departure we were told our upgrade bid for a mini-suite was denied but were offered an upgrade from a deluxe balcony on the back side of Marina deck for $50. So glad we got this, as the location was likely quieter and the balcony twice as big, a square rather than a rectangle. There was some television noise from the cabin next to us one night. We mainly ate breakfast and lunch in the buffet and dinner in the main dining room (Ketchikan MDR). The buffet is huge and a bit confusing, with offerings doubled along the length. Seats and beverages were hard to obtain. The MDR service was variable, with drinks taking awhile to get. As with our dinner in Rudi's, the fish and seafood were often overcooked and even dry. The pizza at the Slice and offerings at the International Cafe were always good. I often got a latte at 7 a.m. at the bar by the Live! theater where there was never a line. We had done this cruise years earlier and have stayed at resorts at the three stops, so were not interested in tours. At Cabo, we got tickets at 10:40 a.m. for the tender but was at lunch in the MDR when our number was called, so caught one later when we were ready. We just walked around a little in the chaos on shore then returned to the ship. In Mazatlan we walked the blue line to the theater then to the cathedral and big indoor market, taking a pulmonia back to the ship for $8. In Puerto Vallarta I walked to the large Chedraui grocery store nearby and bought tequila for $12. Our Sanctuary morning was great, as we were the only ones for quite awhile. By 11:30 a.m. only 10 people were there. We enjoyed drinks, edamame, and sesame tuna salad and the hot tub. Princess needs to change its policy on this nice space as goes nearly empty. Reservations should not be taken for all week by one party and a no-show charge should be implemented. But Princess is getting full revenue from this space as it is, so I doubt the policy will change soon. During the week we went to two outdoor hot tubs with only us in them and there seemed an abundance of chairs by the pools. I went to two of the shows in the theater but left soon after as I'm not interested in musicals, especially when it was the same singers the second time. We did enjoy the comedians and trivia shows but wish there were some alternatives such as magicians, etc. We were disappointed to see that the Wake Show seems recorded far in advance and lacks any information of value. This cruise, our first in several years, featured more upcharging, including in the MDR. With the Plus package we usually had about six drinks each a day but only one premium dessert all week--mango gelato and not the huge sundaes. This, along with the included gratuity for staff and two casual meals we had, seemed to be a good decision. The ship encountered some turbulence the last night but otherwise the trip was very calm. Disembarkation, getting our luggage, and customs went fast, and we were at the airport by 9 a.m. after taking a cab for $65. Like anywhere, there were some rude people (attempting to get in the elevators before everyone exited) and there are lots of scooters, so bring some patience and realize there are 3,666 or more passengers aboard. It's not easy taking care of so many people, but the staff did a great job and we appreciate the service we received. We'll be back on this ship next March when it sails to Fiji. Be sure to check out the Facebook groups on various Princess topics!

Amazing experience for our 50th aniversary

From the moment we stepped aboard the Discovery Princess, it was clear that this cruise would be an unforgettable journey. This ship is a true masterpiece of comfort, and luxury, The crew aboard the Discovery Princess were nothing short of exceptional. From the attentive housekeeping staff to the ever-smiling waitstaff, every member of the team made us feel valued and cared for. Even though so many were away from their families during the holidays. (Many are gone 9 months out of the year). Their professionalism was matched only by their genuine kindness and enthusiasm, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout the trip. It was evident that they take immense pride in delivering an outstanding guest experience. The culinary offerings aboard the Discovery Princess were nothing short of spectacular. Each meal was a celebration of flavors, textures, and creativity, crafted by a talented team of chefs who clearly pour their hearts into their work. From the dining at the Crown Grill, the 360 experience (which was our favorite and the absolute best). to the innovative dishes at Sabatini’s and Rudi’s every bite was wonderful ( we up graded to Premier Package). The buffets and casual dining options were also wonderful as there were so many diverse dishes.

Fabulous, but more attention needed in ADA cabins

I can totally recommend the holiday cruise on Princess Discovery! The vibe was incredible, the food was amazing, and the entertainment was top-notch. We were very pleased with the service from our room steward, and the Reserve Collection dining experience couldn’t have been better. Our cabin was wheelchair friendly and had lots of storage space and room to maneuver. Our only recommendation to Princess is that they find some way to keep the cabin door open while entering and exiting the room. Our steward provided a doorstop which was helpful, but either a magnet behind the door, or a push-button door opener would have been ideal. Also, the bed rail they provided was a lightweight plastic device that did not help my husband to get in or out of bed, and probably would not have stopped him from falling out. Princess needs to pay a little more attention to the needs of its disabled guests for them to get full enjoyment of the experience.