Home Sweet Home

No other city can beat this view!

Our final sea day delivered quite the dramatic farewell. Big swells and stronger-than-expected winds meant plenty of exhilarating motion on the ocean! With the open decks wisely closed and evening shows cancelled, it was a perfect excuse for some enforced quiet time in our cabin, catching up on truly "relaxing" activities like reading, watching Netflix, and, of course, napping!

The feisty weather also nudged our arrival back into Sydney by an hour and a half. The silver lining? We were treated to the iconic, stunning Sydney views as we sailed in with sunrise, rather than at some dark, ungodly hour. There’s truly nothing quite like sailing back into this magnificent harbour – I absolutely love it! However, this beautiful entrance also brought with it the bittersweet realisation that our cruise had sadly come to an end. While this particular voyage won't rank among my "top" cruise experiences, I genuinely cherished the time spent with my fantastic cruise buddy, and I managed to tick off many exciting "firsts" from my travel list!

Final Thoughts: Has Princess Cruises Redeemed Itself?

So, after this voyage, has Princess Cruises managed to turn the tide and fully redeem itself? The answer, I'd say, is a nuanced yes and no.

This cruise experience was undeniably an improvement compared to our previous sailing on the Royal Princess. The food, for one, was generally better. While it never quite hit the "excellent" mark, it was consistently good and never plunged into "bad" territory. Being on a longer cruise also changed the dynamic among passengers and how they sought to spend their time. People were more relaxed and friendly, spaces felt less crowded, and there was a wider array of activities on offer. Our waitstaff also appeared noticeably happier, and getting to know the crew emerged as a genuine highlight of the trip. And let's not forget, the drinks offerings remain a strong point for Princess! 

However, some aspects remain unchanged. The ships still felt old, dated and tired. Our cabins were tiny. Whilst there were many offerings in terms of activities, they weren't outstanding.

Would I Sail Princess Again?

The answer remains the same as before! I would consider sailing with Princess Cruises again, but only for the right itinerary and at the right price. It's a balance, and while this trip showed definite progress, there's still room for improvement to truly elevate the overall experience.

Stormy weather

Last chance to enjoy the bars

What a way to come home!

Thank you to my cruise buddy for an amazing trip!