Hi there!
Here’s a quick review of my cruise on the REGAL PRINCESS.
This was my 35th cruise and my second on the REGAL PRINCESS, which I first discovered in 2017 during a Caribbean cruise.
A few months ago, we received an email from PRINCESS changing the itinerary—DUBLIN and EDINBURGH were replaced by two Scottish islands. We were a little disappointed, but since we’d never sailed around the UK, we didn’t really know any of the ports anyway.
The itinerary was:
SOUTHAMPTON
AT SEA
KIRKWALL
INVERGORDON
AT SEA
STORNOWAY
GLASGOW
BELFAST
AT SEA
CORK
AT SEA
PORTLAND
LE HAVRE
SOUTHAMPTON
A 13-day/12-night cruise for 1350 € per person in a guaranteed deluxe balcony cabin.
PRINCESS assigned us a balcony cabin on deck 8 with a large balcony. We ended up happy with our cabin, even though we’d initially preferred a higher deck.
I’ll admit I hesitated to choose this cruise because of the weather—I love sunshine and good weather—but the desire to discover new ports won out, especially with the promise of heading to Corsica afterward to soak up some sun again 😉
On PRINCESS, as Catherine mentioned, there’s no card—everyone has a medallion! I loved this system, which unlocks your cabin door as you approach. It’s really well thought out!
We took the EUROSTAR from Lille to London, then a train from London to Southampton the day before. We stayed in a nice IHG hotel near the port.
EMBARKATION
It’s Friday, August 1st. After a good breakfast and a quick check-out, we realize our UBER app isn’t working in England ;(. We have to go back to reception to ask for a taxi because, even though the hotel is close to the port, the ship is still over 2 km away—hardly ideal with luggage!
The problem is that many hotel guests also requested taxis... so we wait a good 30 minutes before ours arrives!
We get to the REGAL PRINCESS pretty quickly but are shocked to see a huge line outside!!! We hadn’t seen that in over a decade! Not the best start! 🙁
TO BE CONTINUED!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
I’m thrilled to be joining you on this cruise around the British Isles. I hope you’re as excited as I am about my Norway cruise.
The only time in my 62 cruises that I chose a guaranteed cabin, I bitterly regretted it—and I didn’t sail with that company again for 11 years... It was with Princess. The cabin was poorly located, in bad condition, and the bed was sunken. They were completely unhelpful and refused to do anything for the entire cruise.
From the start, you’re luckier than I was. 😉
Hey friends!
Thanks for your encouragement! ;)
BOARDING CONTINUED
So here we are, stuck in a long line!! The photo I posted is misleading because the line in front of the door curves just before it, with an even longer line outside than expected!!! Seriously, the worst boarding we’ve ever had on an American cruise line . Luckily, it’s not raining!!!
The line moves slowly, but once we’re inside, things speed up: passports, check-in, getting our medallion, then another wait. Finally, security, and as a finishing touch, a photo op we decline—it’s already long enough!
In total, it took about 1 hour and 15 minutes 😕—we’ve definitely had better experiences!
THE CABIN
Just so you know, balcony cabins on PRINCESS are smaller than elsewhere. To get a similar size, you’d need to book the “DELUXE BALCONY” category. As mentioned before, we chose a guaranteed cabin, so we’re on Deck 8 with an atypical cabin—it has a larger balcony than the others because there’s a technical room below. It wasn’t bothersome except for 2 or 3 times when it made some noise. My mom was assigned a cabin on Deck 16, which is super convenient since it’s on the same deck as the pools and buffet.
The bathroom is smaller than on CELEBRITY and has a shower curtain—kind of a bummer!!!
But there’s a handy closet at the cabin entrance.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you—what a surprise to see two separate beds! As soon as our cabin steward introduces herself, we tell her we’d prefer one bed. She says that same morning, she’d changed the double bed into two singles based on our preference???? I check the app, and sure enough, it’s marked that we prefer two beds??? Anyway, the issue was resolved that same evening! ;)
The medallion is super practical—I love this system! It’s really well thought out.
It automatically unlocks your door when you arrive, but that’s not all! Everywhere you go, you’re identified. For example, at the restaurant entrance, they know who’s at the counter and call you by name. In some areas of the ship, you can order a drink via the app, and they’ll bring it to you because they know your location!
The ship leaves Southampton at 4 PM, heading north to the first Scottish island, KIRKWALL.
I check the weather, and it’s really not great—a storm is even mentioned 🙁... We packed rain gear, and I even have a handy rain poncho from our Norway trip. Fingers crossed, thinking weather forecasts aren’t always reliable. Looking back, I should’ve crossed them harder... 🏴☠️
TO BE CONTINUED!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
to be continued!
AUGUST 1ST – DAY AT SEA
We’re heading to the buffet for lunch this morning. The buffet layout can be pretty confusing the first time, but we know the ship well—there are several aisles, and after a few days, you quickly get your bearings. The flow is smooth, and there are plenty of food choices... I’ll dedicate a whole chapter to dining later...
After this hearty breakfast, we decide to take a walk on the upper decks—bad move! They’re closed due to wind... yeah, it’s windy, but we’ve dealt with worse! What a letdown! How about a quick dip in the adults-only pool? Second bad move—it’s closed because of the wind too 😕 It’s so frustrating not being able to do much, ugh.
Still, I usually love days at sea, but not when we’re this limited on activities
Early afternoon, the captain makes an announcement! You should know—surprise captain announcements are NEVER good news!!
The weather forecast wasn’t wrong—storm FLORIS is heading our way! 🏴☠️ We won’t be able to avoid it, but according to the captain, we’ll change our route to minimize the impact!
Strong winds are expected, making it impossible to keep all the planned stops.
So here’s what’s decided: two Scottish stops are canceled—
- INVERGORDON
- STORNOWAY
Which means we won’t see Loch Ness 😕
The two stops are replaced with a day at sea and LIVERPOOL.
Tomorrow’s stop in KIRKWALL is still on.
We’re disappointed, but honestly, I get that there wasn’t much choice... that’s the risk when you pick destinations with such unpredictable weather...
TO BE CONTINUED WITH THE STOPS! !
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Still here following you 😎
For those who want a spacious cabin, note the mini-suites—they’re not full suites, but a much larger balcony cabin with a big walk-in closet facing the bathroom, all at a reasonable price.
Thanks for this new report!
For the stopover in Invergordon that we did in 2012, there wasn’t much to see apart from the lake, "Loch Ness," which is just like any other lake, and a wooden shop on the shore selling souvenirs.
Have a great Sunday! Guylène
STOPOVERS
KIRKWALL
KIRKWALL is the main town of the Orkney Islands (Scottish islands located north of the United Kingdom).
I had prepared my stopover: either we’d take a taxi to visit the west coast, with its spectacular cliffs, arches, and beautiful panoramas if the weather was nice, or we’d head into town.
It’s raining! So the question doesn’t even arise.
According to my prep, we were close to the city center... not at all, we had to take a free shuttle to get there.
The rain stopped, but it was just waiting for us to stick our noses outside to start up again
We had to wait for the shuttle outside—there were a few shelters, but not enough. Luckily, we were equipped with rain jackets, rain ponchos, sweaters...
Finally, we’re on the bus—the trip takes about ten minutes. The color of the grass reminds me of what we saw in Iceland—it’s a particular shade of green.
Once in the city center, we head toward a small shop where they sell beanies. I buy one because I’m cold!
We make our way to the imposing St. MAGNUS CATHEDRAL. It has a very distinctive style, made of red brick with the cemetery around it.
We walk all the way around—different views are interesting.
The rain has stopped! Feels good!
Next to the church, there’s the old Earl’s Palace and the Bishop’s Palace. Their ruins tell the story of ecclesiastical power and the nobility of Orkney’s past.
We decide to pay and go inside. An interesting stroll through the different rooms and views of the castle—they’ve added various period games you can play to make the visit more fun.
Off to the Orkney Museum... we forgot it’s Sunday and it’s closed ;(
Oh well, there are still the shopping streets and stores. The town isn’t big, and not all the shops are open. The iconic souvenir is the emblematic bird of the islands—the puffin, also called the Atlantic puffin.
After walking the few streets of the city center and doing a bit of window shopping, we head back to the ship. In the end, we escaped the worst—the rain didn’t come back, and the sun even peeked out. We leave Kirkwall with the sun shining, making the most of these moments, because tomorrow we’ll meet FLORØ.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Two years ago, we were luckier than you with the weather in Kirkwall. We took a great taxi tour that was really interesting, visiting the cliffs and many other sites with a very friendly driver.
I’m sharing this gentleman’s website in case it might interest someone.
https://www.craigiestaxis.co.uk/
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for this interesting info—since the town isn’t very big, it’s definitely a good idea to get moving here when the weather allows it...
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
PORT STOPS (continued)
Before telling you about this second stop, I’ve got to talk about our second day at sea with FLORIS!
We’re dreading this day—I get seasick and I don’t like feeling the ship move too much.
There’s a lot of wind and overcast skies, and once again the outer decks and the adults-only pool are closed . It’s really frustrating because there’s not much to do except eat, read, or play board games.
The wind and rain pick up in the afternoon, the spray rises all the way to the upper deck, and we feel like we’re in a flying pea-soup fog. The wind howls loudly, even with the balcony door tightly shut.
The ship tilts a little, but in terms of pitching, nothing dramatic. I still take my pills because I’m sensitive, but it’s a relief that nothing looks too scary. The captain comes on to tell us the wind is very strong but we’re sailing safely.
The storm starts to calm down in the evening, and we have a good night’s sleep.
GLASGOW
The weather isn’t great—it’s not warm, but at least it’s not raining.
The ship docks in GREENOCK, and we have to take the train to get to GLASGOW. The trip takes 45 minutes.
I’d planned this stop, so we follow the schedule .
The station is in the city center, but it takes us 30 minutes to reach St. Mungo’s Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Scotland. It’s pretty, and its catacombs are definitely worth seeing. After the visit, we head to the necropolis, which overlooks the religious building. There are some impressive tombs, and it offers sweeping views of the city.
Now we head to the heart of the city center, George Square, and we’re in for a nasty surprise— the whole square is under construction and surrounded by metal sheets, blocking any view!!! Great, right in the middle of summer! They really know how to welcome tourists .
Next, we head to the Gallery of Modern Art, then stroll through the pedestrian streets (Buchanan Street).
Then we see the famous statue of the Duke of Wellington.
Fun fact: The city center, where the Duke’s statue is located, was undergoing major roadworks. With little effort, locals had access to more than one cone at hand! To prevent injuries from pranksters climbing the statue and to protect this historic monument, the Glasgow city council tried repeatedly to remove the cone. But their efforts were in vain—because within just a few hours of it being taken down by the police, the cone would reappear on the statue. The motto: Keep the cone!
Finally, we take a break in some luxury shopping arcades where we stop for a drink.
Last visit of the day: Kelvingrove Museum.
There’s a subway in GLASGOW that loops around—you just have to choose the right direction to get to the nearest stop as quickly as possible.
It’s a magnificent and free national museum, one of the most important in Scotland.
We loved this visit!
We take the subway again—there’s a stop near the station—and the train takes us back to GREENOCK. We really enjoyed this visit despite the construction! But as a huge cherry on top, we saw the sun .
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Thanks for sharing! I see we’ll have the same stop in June 2026 with CFC.
Looks like it got pretty rough—good to know so we can pack some motion-sickness pills just in case.
Have a great day! Guylène
LIVERPOOL
So here’s our substitute stop—we couldn’t prepare anything, so I’m checking out points of interest online before we head out.
This is the Beatles’ city! They’re everywhere—in shops, statues outside, and there’s even a dedicated museum. You really can’t miss them! 😉
We decide to start by walking along the docks to the museum we want to visit.
The stroll is pleasant—no rain, everything’s going well...
When we arrive at the museum, we get a nasty surprise: we can’t buy tickets on the spot. You *have* to book them online and reserve an entry time.
So we book for late morning—the next available slot is in 1 hour and 15 minutes!
We head back to wander along the port and browse the shops while we wait...
The person filtering at the entrance is really unpleasant—they won’t let my mom sit on the low wall, so we have to wait standing up. 😕
Finally, we’re called in! We grab an audio guide in French, and the visit quickly immerses us in the Beatles’ world, from the band’s creation to their peak. Posters, various objects, recreated streets—even the Yellow Submarine is there!
It’s an interesting and enjoyable visit, so I definitely recommend booking online!
Now we’re leaving the docks for the city center—pedestrian streets, beautiful monuments, a public garden, the national museum...
Everything’s walkable—it’s a really pleasant city to explore! In the end, this substitute stop turned out to be a great surprise!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
BELFAST part 1!
After the Beatles' city, we've now arrived in the city where the TITANIC was built.
We preferred taking a taxi rather than the paid shuttle offered by PRINCESS. It's a scam—they refuse to use their meter and charge £20 for the ride. It's about 5 km, which isn’t worth it! Anyway, we noticed that many taxis tried to scam us in the UK 😡—better to be very careful with the change they give you.
ANYWAY... we get dropped off in front of the stunning City Hall.
Gorgeous and imposing!
My mom decides to take the red bus to see the city since she’s tired. We head to the covered market, unfortunately closed that day. We walk through some typical downtown streets and make our way to the TITANIC Museum.
It’s out of the way, so we take a bridge and walk along the docks.
Same issue as in LIVERPOOL—no entry possible without booking a time slot. There are no slots left before 3:30 PM, so we hesitate but book anyway. The problem is that the museum isn’t really close to the city center, so we’ll have to come back...
Tickets in hand, we take a taxi back to the center—a shopping mall with a dome where you can overlook BELFAST.
A bit of window shopping, and we go up to enjoy the panoramic view. Here, the points of interest are spread out...
We take another taxi to the botanical garden, which is also free. It’s AMAZING! Greenhouses, large gardens, incredible flowers, and squirrels playing hide-and-seek—we loved this place. We end the visit by grabbing a little ice cream and savoring it on a bench.
We pass by the university again—it’s really pretty.
And we randomly find a taxi that looks bored ;). Off we go to the TITANIC Museum!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
BELFAST part 2
We arrived a little early at the Titanic Museum, but no big deal—we managed to find a spot in the museum café and sat down for a drink.
Prices are sky-high, as usual...
We started our visit with a French audio guide, which is really well done—each room has a number. The museum traces the history of the Titanic from its construction to the shipwreck. There are impressive photos and videos, and a large section explaining the ship’s construction, where many people lost their lives 😕. Some parts are more interactive, where you become part of the action, like having to quickly place a rivet—it’s not easy, but it’s a fun hands-on experience 🙂. Then there’s a line for a kind of ride that takes you through the Titanic’s scaffolding and construction. You can see images and short explanatory films as the ride progresses—it’s INCREDIBLY well designed!
Back on solid ground, we continued the visit by focusing on the crew and all the people who boarded the ship. You can take your time learning about certain passengers’ stories—some saved up for years to be able to leave, while others were looking to start a new life and try their luck elsewhere...
Then we reached the final part: a tour of the first-, second-, and third-class cabins, followed by a 4D film that makes you feel like you’re on this magnificent ship. Unfortunately, it then shows the collision with the iceberg and the hour-by-hour sinking...
All the names of the people on board are engraved—some survivors and others who weren’t so lucky 🙁.
Original objects are on display, like recovered glasses, clocks, and various small items, etc... Finally, the conclusion explains why the Titanic met such a tragic fate.
TO SUM UP: one of the most beautiful museums we’ve ever seen! It’s a must-visit in BELFAST!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
HEY THERE! `
I’m back for the rest of the story—I know some of the stops (don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything cute with Loch Ness—it’s not even a little charming). `
But I’d love to know how you two manage to get prices like that… Between you and Catherine, I’m amazed by the rates you’re quoting. Which agency do you book with?
Hi Isabelle,
Belfast will be a first for us next time, since CFC just canceled the cruise we were supposed to take with stops in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Portsmouth....
As usual, we traveled with the help of your reviews.
Thanks for sharing! Mum49
So sorry for you!
Looks like they frequently cancel itineraries 😕
Given their recurring issue with filling up, wouldn’t you be tempted to book closer to departure for a good deal?
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Hello Isabelle,
I agree with you, but since we wanted a cabin with a shower, it was difficult to book so close to departure because most cabins have a bathtub, which isn’t practical for us two "seniors aged 86 and 74." Only the interior cabins have showers, and a few ocean-view cabins (10), plus showers in 2 balcony cabins and 1 shower in a mini-suite—unless I’m mistaken, as it’s not easy to see on the deck plans.
The cruise "Escape to Southern England" from 11/04/26 to 16/04/26, departing from and returning to Dunkirk, was replaced by "Tulip Festival" with stops in Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) for 2 days, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. We’re going to do this one with our eldest daughter, son-in-law, and their 2 kids, for whom it’ll be their first cruise.
For the June cruise, we’ve received several proposals from our agency Croisiland, and we’re going to keep the same dates but choose a different itinerary. I’m waiting for the firm confirmation to book.
Have a great weekend! Guylène
I caught up with a good coffee and I’m ready for the rest!
However, the boarding was really chaotic, which is unusual for Princess.
As for me, I’m not a huge fan of Princess cabins (even the superior ones) because they’re a bit small and the shower curtains in the bathroom don’t close properly. I slightly prefer Celebrity or Royal cabins.
My last cruise with Royal Princess was a real success, despite a canceled port stop, and I’m ready to give them another try.
I’m looking forward to the rest of your review, especially your conclusion on Princess, since I’ve read recently that their service has declined even more.
HEY Alfred!
Thanks for following along!
It’s kinda weird they still have shower curtains on such a modern ship...
You’re right, the cabins are smaller.
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Here are the last 3 stops:
CORK, Ireland
The REGAL PRINCESS docks at Cobh.
The train station is 100m from the terminal, we take the direct train to Cork, the journey takes 45 minutes.
The city center isn't very far from the station, I don't know if there was much else to see, but this city was a bit disappointing. We couldn't visit the cathedral because there was a funeral. We spent the morning there.
We then went back to have lunch on the ship and took a stroll in Cobh, which is a lively little town with colorful facades and, this time, a pleasant surprise!
The afternoon is bright, which makes the visit even more enjoyable!
Since my mom couldn't visit the TITANIC museum in BELFAST, we decided to check out the one in Cobh. While the one in BELFAST is incredible, the one in Cobh is a total letdown!! Don’t waste your time or money!
We visited the cathedral and wandered through the little streets, then walked back along the seaside promenade and did a bit of shopping to finish off—it was really nice!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
PORTLAND
Portland is a peninsula located in the south of England, connected by a bridge to the British island.
A free shuttle takes you to the charming seaside resort of WEYMOUTH.
A small port, colorful facades, a very large beach, and in the center, a few pedestrian streets—I loved it!
Since the weather was nice, we decided to take a taxi to explore the granite coast, the cliffs, and the famous arch "DURDLE DOOR."
First stop at WEST LULWORTH, a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay with trails to explore the area.
Second stop at DURDLE DOOR, accessible via a steep path—Mom waited at the top because it was too difficult, especially on the way back! It’s worth breaking a sweat—it’s so beautiful!
Originally, we wanted to make a third stop, but I’ll admit we were wiped out! We asked the taxi to take us back to WEYMOUTH to grab a drink on the pier and stroll around the lovely seaside resort a bit more.
This is a stop I’d happily do again!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
LE HAVRE
We decided to go to HONFLEUR—we already know it, but it’s been a long time since we last visited. I thought we were close to the bus station, but no such luck! So we took an UBER to the bus station, then caught the 9:30 bus. The trip takes about 45 minutes.
The weather is GORGEOUS! And I’m THRILLED 😎
We rediscovered the lovely port, the beautiful facades, the pedestrian streets, and all the charm of this town where it’s so pleasant to wander. There are some really beautiful shops—it’s a feast for the eyes! We decided to head to the beach we hadn’t seen before, about a 30-minute walk from the center. Since the weather was nice, we could sit on the sand and look at the sea—I never get tired of it!
The sun is shining, it’s so pleasant!
You could say the weather kept getting better and better during this cruise—we started with a storm and ended with a beautiful summer day. It feels amazing!
We took the bus and a taxi back to the ship.
It’s 3:00 PM, and the buffet is still open!
Isn’t that a great transition to the next chapter? 😉
TO BE CONTINUED: DINING ON BOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS!
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
DINING ON BOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS
A factor that’s so important on a cruise—dining!
Back in 2017, we ate really well on board.
I’d say that 8 years later, the quality has dipped a bit, but overall, it’s still good.
THE BUFFET
We often went to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. I checked out the dinner options a few times—they’re decent but not as good as the main dining room.
There’s a ton of choice for breakfast: hot and cold options, loads of variety. A special shout-out for their little quiches, which were always super appetizing. But a HUGE RED CARD for the fruit juices—I’d call them UNDRINKABLE!
During one port stop, I bought some juice boxes to have with breakfast.
We splurged once and ordered fresh orange juice for $10—worth it!
Other than that, everything at breakfast was good. The pastries were decent quality.
It was also really nice that they went table to table offering water, the undrinkable fruit juices, coffee… the hot chocolate was good, though!
For lunch, the opening hours were pretty generous, so we could often have lunch on board. Again, lots of choices, and it was tasty! We had delicious creamy mussels several times, new dishes every day, and multiple carved meats—not just one like on most cruise lines. Seriously, we were spoiled!
One small downside: the desserts were a bit repetitive and just okay. The soft-serve ice cream wasn’t great—too bad!
Those who wanted to dine there for dinner also found plenty of options, though fewer new dishes than in the restaurant.
A unique feature on PRINCESS is how the buffet is organized into separate sections: one for fruits and desserts, one for sandwiches, salads, and raw veggies, and one for meat, fish, grill, etc. It might seem confusing at first, but you get used to it quickly. What’s smart is that the cutlery and napkins are already on the tables—so convenient!
We never had trouble finding a table for four. The flow was smooth, even on sea days—really nice!
SOME PHOTOS OF THE BUFFET:
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
THE RESTAURANT
We went there three times for breakfast, and it was really pleasant. The speed of service varied a lot—from perfect to painfully slow. The time you arrive definitely makes a difference: there are fewer people at the end of service, so it’s faster.
The food was good and varied, but unlike dinner, there’s more choice at the buffet. Still, it’s nice to be served at your table.
Like on other cruise lines, we missed the longer morning hours—you can only arrive until 9:00 AM.
For dinner, there are three options: the first seating at 5:30 PM, the second seating at 8:00 PM, or open seating.
We chose the third option. With open seating, you can reserve a time, but it fills up fast, so we only managed to book three times.
The main restaurant is divided into three smaller restaurants, depending on whether you choose a set dining time, open seating, or open seating with a daily reservation. The rooms are smaller than a single large restaurant, which is great because it’s much quieter!
No French translations for the menus—we’re getting used to it, but it can be tricky for those who don’t speak the language well enough. Like on all cruise lines, there are always some staple dishes available (beef, chicken, fish, pasta, etc.). I don’t know if it was because of the itinerary, but there was always FISH AND CHIPS available, and I was blown away by how good it was—the best I’ve ever had! The fish was thin and flavorful, not dry at all. I’ll admit, I couldn’t resist ordering it a second time! 😉
Overall, the quality was excellent. The meat was plentiful and really good.
The portions are generous. There’s often an American influence in the dishes, but you’ll definitely find something you like. The desserts are way better than at the buffet—no contest.
The quality of service varied. We never had to wait long for a table, but after that, it could take a while depending on the night. Overall, we were happy.
ONE DOWNSIDE: NO LOBSTER OR LANGOUSTINE on the last gala night—that was a letdown.
We didn’t see the point in eating at the specialty restaurants that cost extra.
Here are some photos of the dishes:
TO BE CONTINUED: the ship and onboard entertainment[;]
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Thanks for taking the time to detail the dining options—I’ve been really looking forward to this part! From what I see, the decline is pretty widespread, but it still seems quite decent and acceptable with Princess!
That said, charging $10 for fresh fruit juice is a bit much!
For my part, I never drink juice or tea on cruises (I avoid sugar for health reasons). But I do prefer eating fresh fruit—way more vitamins and healthier.
As for menu translations, sometimes the English version is better because the French ones are often poorly translated. That said, with a good translator on our phones, it’s an easy fix!
Nowadays, it’s becoming common not to offer lobster at the end of the cruise to encourage us to go to the specialty restaurants... What a shame!
So, in conclusion, Princess still offers a great value for money despite a few minor imperfections, right?
Hey Joseph,
I’ll save the value-for-money verdict for my conclusion 😉
On CELEBRITY, lobster’s still on the menu, but the quality of other dishes like the New York steak has dropped—it’s way better on PRINCESS...
When you say lobster’s no longer a thing, are there other cruise lines that have dropped it too?
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Hi Isa,
Once again, we can see that when it comes to dining, the experience can vary greatly from one ship to another within the same cruise line and even during the same season. While the guidelines may be the same, the execution depends on the Chef, the talents on board, and can lead to very different results.
Hey Isabelle,
You're right, the food really matters on a cruise 😉. Since I don’t know this company, I see it doesn’t look bad at all.
The dessert photo looks amazing—they’re so pretty! I’ll let you know if there’s still lobster on my next Celebrity cruise 😉.
Mich74
Hi Joseph,
I’m saving the value-for-money verdict for my conclusion 😉
On CELEBRITY, lobster is still served, but the quality of other dishes like the New York steak has dropped—it’s much better on PRINCESS...
When you say lobster isn’t really a thing anymore, are there other cruise lines that have also dropped it?
On the NCL Sky, there was no lobster (except in the specialty restaurants). On the Royal Princess (in the Pacific), I didn’t get any either, and from what I remember, I don’t think I had any in 2023 on the Ovation OTS (also in the Pacific).
I asked a server about it, and he told me it depends on the destinations and the ships. For example: in the Caribbean, Princess still serves lobster before the end of the cruise. On some Royal ships, they even have all-you-can-eat lobster at the buffet on the first and last day. Go figure!
Thanks for the photos and their always interesting descriptions.
That fresh orange juice for $10 must be well digested by now.
Have a great evening! Guylène
On my last CELEBRITY cruise in February, there was indeed LOBSTER at the final gala evening, and it was really good.
However, we did notice a drop in quality for some dishes...
You’ll have to tell me about yours! 😉
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
hi joseph
it does seem complicated
during my only NCL cruise in the Mediterranean, no LOBSTER and low-end dishes at the restaurant 🙁
otherwise, I’d always had LOBSTER on American cruise lines...
But since they’re constantly lowering quality everywhere, soon it’ll probably just be a memory 🙁
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
For fruit juices, I can’t really judge—we don’t have them, too much sugar and no fiber, we prefer fresh fruit. As for the price, I totally agree with you; drink prices are prohibitive.
The pastries were of decent quality.
For us, the pastries were really mediocre, and the bread was too dry and poor quality, even when freshly baked.
One downside might be the desserts, which were a bit repetitive and of average quality here.
We had sublime desserts—excellent quality.
The soft-serve ice cream was lower quality, which is a shame!
For us, it was excellent. At the same outdoor buffet as the ice cream, there were also amazing pizzas.
Those who wanted to dine there also found plenty of choices, but fewer new dishes than in the restaurant.
We dined at the buffet because we felt there was more variety than in the restaurant, and there were new dishes every evening. Plus, there was always a seafood stand.
Absolutely, Catherine, there are significant differences between the various ships.
- Regarding the bread, it was really good at dinner in the restaurant, just like on many cruise lines—different types of bread were offered every evening.
At the buffet in the evening on the REGAL PRINCESS, you have the usual options that are available every lunchtime, plus a theme each night.
That said, I do admit it’s nice to be served and have everyone at the table in the evening after a day of sightseeing.
The soft-serve vanilla ice cream was honestly disappointing—it tasted like it was watered down 😕
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
There were several types of bread offered, always looking very appetizing... but none was better than the others. I concluded that it was the baker who wasn’t up to par. 😉
HELLO
Sorry for the wait—here’s the rest and the end of this travel journal! !😉
THE SHIP AND ENTERTAINMENT
The ship is lovely with lots of gilding and beautiful spaces. My only complaint is the lack of an indoor pool, which might be justified given this type of itinerary, and the smaller cabin sizes if you book a standard balcony cabin.
As for activities, it’s far from the entertainment on COSTA and MSC—it’s much quieter, and I don’t mind that at all. There are frequent trivia quizzes (knowledge or music-based) and short lectures about the ports of call, all in English.
Not much for kids! PRINCESS doesn’t really target families, though I think there were between thirty and forty children on board. They constantly hogged the pools and hot tubs .
Luckily, there was one pool and two hot tubs strictly reserved for adults—this area was amazing, and except for the two days at sea when they blocked access, we went there every day. It was so peaceful and relaxing! Pure bliss! And the pool was actually heated, which is essential on this itinerary. It was my favorite spot on the ship . You’ll notice in the photos the presence of cabanas that PRINCESS rents by the day—almost always empty, lol.
Several musical groups of different styles and good quality. In Ireland, they brought on a troupe of singers and dancers—it was really fun.
I do regret the lack of themed evenings.
Every night there was a show—we saw lots of singers, a magician, and the troupe three times. I wish we’d seen the troupe more—they put on the best shows! I’ve noticed the same thing on many cruise lines. I don’t understand why the troupe only performs one night out of four. What a shame!
CONCLUSION
POSITIVES:
- A beautiful ship
- A very good tonnage-to-passenger ratio, so you don’t feel the crowds
- Fewer kids than on Italian cruise lines
- Excellent dining options at the buffet and very good at the restaurant
- A great adults-only area with a heated pool and two hot tubs—so relaxing!
- Unlimited towels at the pool (not just one per person like on some cruise lines)
- A unique itinerary
- The medallion that replaces the cabin card is a really clever idea
- A very good value for money during high season
- Smooth and quick disembarkation
NEGATIVES:
- A long and poorly organized boarding process
- Very expensive excursions—you really need to plan your ports of call in advance
- An itinerary that changed several times, which seems common with PRINCESS
- No indoor pool
- No French translations, which might bother some people
- Standard balcony cabins smaller than on other cruise lines
- Too few themed dance evenings
- No lobster at the gala dinner
To wrap up, I’d say I’m overall satisfied with this cruise, even though I regret the two itinerary changes. I think the value for money is good or even very good (1350 € per person / 12 nights / August 1–13) for the length of the cruise and the peak summer season. I’d happily sail with this company again !😉
Thanks for following along!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate! 😉
Isabelle, amoureuse des croisières:
COSTA, MSC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, NCL, HAL, PONANT, OCEANIA, AZAMARA
A VENIR
CELEBRITY EQUINOX 09/11/2026 Grèce Italie Malte
Same on the Emerald—I was surprised and disappointed there wasn’t an indoor pool. They’re really nice to have on Nordic itineraries. I remember older ships having indoor pools that were beautiful and super comfortable.
A big thank you, Isabelle, for this great review.
I sailed on the Royal and the Regal and also found the value for money excellent, even when booking a mini-suite, which is a larger balcony cabin.
I loved the atmosphere and the shows, especially the two Beatles performances, the Irish dancing, and the bagpipe welcome in the Scottish ports 😎.
I agree with you about how often the troupes performing are minimal.
I was really disappointed by the quality of the buffets, but I see from your review that it has improved, which Catherine had already mentioned.
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hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
I’m looking to get in touch with someone who’s been on an Arctic Cruise aboard the ship POLARFRONT, operated by the French company "LATITUDE BLANCHE", for some info.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
Hi there,
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this cruise and its slightly unusual itinerary.
Also, what do you think about the price?
Good deal or too expensive?
Thanks
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling…
The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast.
We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person.
My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster.
We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride.
When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start…
After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed.
At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd.
With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect.
We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride…
We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation.
The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated.
They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲.
That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in.
Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc…
TO BE CONTINUED
Hi,
We received a promotion from our CFC agency offering cruises at up to 40-100% off, and among other details: CFC organizes parking for departures from Dunkirk.
"Unattended parking located about 12 minutes away, fenced off with barriers, at a rate of 10 € per day. Drop off passengers and luggage at the Model Pavilion, and a CFC shuttle will take you from the parking lot to the Model Pavilion every 15-20 minutes. Same for disembarkation. You can book through your agency or on their website. No refunds if the booking is canceled; payment is due at reservation."
Have a great day,
Guylène
PS: Personally, we’d rather keep our vehicle in a free, supervised parking lot and take a taxi to the Model Pavilion.
Hi there,
In June we’re taking a cruise called "Pearls of the Baltic" on board Renaissance CFC Cruises—with stops in Kiel (Germany), Gdańsk (Poland), Rønne (Bornholm), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Gothenburg (Sweden).
This layover in Gothenburg doesn’t really inspire me—could you tell me what’s worth seeing? Are there locals offering excursions around the area by van right when you leave the port, like you often see on Caribbean cruises?
I saw there’s a hop-on hop-off bus, but I’m not sure if there’s a stop near the terminal.
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Hi! On June 10th, we’re heading off on a 10-day Baltic Sea cruise with CFC Cruises’ *Renaissance*. We’ll be stopping in Copenhagen, and we’re planning to take the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses to explore the city with multiple stops. Could anyone tell me which quay cruise ships usually dock at and how to get from the quay to the nearest stop to board the tour bus? Thanks for your tips and suggestions!
After walking the few streets of the city center and doing a bit of window shopping, we head back to the ship. In the end, we escaped the worst—the rain didn’t come back, and the sun even peeked out. We leave Kirkwall with the sun shining, making the most of these moments, because tomorrow we’ll meet FLORØ.
CONCLUSION
POSITIVES:
- A beautiful ship
- A very good tonnage-to-passenger ratio, so you don’t feel the crowds
- Fewer kids than on Italian cruise lines
- Excellent dining options at the buffet and very good at the restaurant
- A great adults-only area with a heated pool and two hot tubs—so relaxing!
- Unlimited towels at the pool (not just one per person like on some cruise lines)
- A unique itinerary
- The medallion that replaces the cabin card is a really clever idea
- A very good value for money during high season
- Smooth and quick disembarkation
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!