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Princess Cruise LA to Tahiti in Nov - Tahiti Forum

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Princess Cruise LA to Tahiti in Nov

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4 replies to this topic

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 Cruise Articles - Cruise Reviews :  Tahiti - With Princess Cruises

A tahitian princess rainbow.

Just another exotic morning for Tahitian Princess cruise passengers who signed up for the “Snorkel Safari and Ray Ballet”. “Besides raw sardines, what else is for lunch?” I ask Mati, our copper toned boat captain who sports long curly dreadlocks, shark teeth earrings, and a tiny thong.

“Maybe YOU. See those sharks?” he gestures. The sharks circle us, lazily

But nobody can bear to leave the warm turquoise/cobalt/sapphire South Pacific Ocean. We’re too dazzled by schools of yellow butterfly fish, swarming over pink and gold corals. Blue lipped clams smile up at our masks. The iridescence is hypnotic. The moist breeze, languid. A rare wildness. Worth being Shark Bait.

Another glistening day, we explore Muri Lagoon, off the island of Rarotonga.

Captain Tama motors our thatched roof glass bottom boat over a shallow white sea bottom.

“We’re docking at a deserted beach to prepare you for lunch,” he announces. “Only kidding! Although these are called The Cook Islands, we did not eat Captain Cook, as some believe. We only ate the missionaries … and they were rubbery.”

Properly welcomed, he drops us off on a sliver of perfect ivory sand, dotted with pink shells, pearly coral, and shaded by tall green coconut palms. Some cruisers work on their tans, others play with pink parrotfish and yellow angelfish.

With a blow on his giant conch, Captain Tama calls us for lunch. Laid on braided palm leaves is a feast for famished sunworshippers: grilled swordfish, potato salad, coleslaw, French baguettes, watermelon, starfruit and bananas.

“Manuia!” Captain toasts us. “Tahitian for “cheers!”

A sublime picnic on a Robinson Crusoe beach. Guaranteed to unwind even the most devoted Workaholic.

Back onboard Tahitian Princess, Food & Beverage Supervisor Giuseppe Renda knocks at our Stateroom #6009.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lieb,” he says “Please can you give us ten minutes alone with your balcony?”

Warren and I depart of our cozy cabin for a twilight stroll on top deck. Giuseppe and his army of waiters swarm into our room. What are they up to?

“Did you enjoy your special Balcony Dinner?” Giuseppe returns hours later to ask.

Are the twinkling stars bright enough? Is our lucky charm the silver moon?

There’s so much to do onboard ship. Computer, photography and gourmet cooking classes. Ping pong tournaments, line dancing, bridge, fruit carving lessons, golf putting, Art auctions, wine tastings, pottery, water volleyball… Not to mention fascinating lectures on Tahiti, Huahine, Rarotonga, Raiatea, Moorea and Bora Bora….

But again and again, I’m lured to the Lotus Spa. A beautiful British Masseuse named Jennifer Terris is an expert in body smoothing, soul soothing treatments. She promises to rid me of all my Type A Modern Civilization Disorders.

My first treatment involves a fragrant ginger and lime concoction. My snaky skin becomes newborn baby soft skin. Then Jennifer rubs my body with oil from the rare apetahi flower, found only “in the mountains of Raiatea” she tells me. As if this doesn’t transform me into Cleopatra, I’m then treated to a deep tissue massage so relaxing, I can barely float back to my cabin.

Walking in, Warren asks,“Why do you smell like a garden?” Before falling into blissful sleep, I say, “Do not wake Cleopatra, darling.”

Like a butterfly, I flit back days later to Jennifer, the WonderSpa Woman. This time, she brushes me with a thick gooey green paste only Popeye would appreciate. Ocean seaweed. Wrapped like a burrito in thin blankets of aluminum foil, I’m left alone to contemplate this hardship duty. Although I’m usually claustrophobic about closed in spaces, after 20 minutes, I feel …. nurtured and renewed.

After two treatments at the Lotus Spa, I become a sea nymph. I’m now living in the Pacific Ocean with purple lipped clams. I’m the one waving happily to silly snorkellers who wish they could be me.

One minute they’re swirls of luscious whipped cream in a cobalt sky. Next, the clouds form into my fluffy white cat Sage, sadly meowing “Mom, when are you coming home? (Guilt is everywhere.)

One afternoon, I’m astonished to see a chorus line of fanciful Angel clouds flying overhead on their way to a Heavenly cocktail party.

“Wait for me!” I think. “Aren’t I invited too?”

“Silly girl,” the Angels murmur. “Don’t you get it? Heaven is all around you, dear one. Especially on that cruise ship.” Photos courtesy Princess Cruises

Princess’s Adventures Ashore program ranges from four wheel drive safaris, to shopping/culture tours, hugging dolphins, to high adventures like night diving with giant manta rays.

ScholarShip@Sea programs include Culinary Arts, Visual/Creative Arts, Photography, and Computer Technology. For more information visit Princess Cruises at http://www.princess.com/

Established in 1998, free Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine offers information on different types of cruises and cruise articles and reviews covering all parts of the world, the latest in cruise news, cruise lines profiles, and information on cruise ports and terminals, as well as cruise tips and advice, cheap cruise deals, cruise food and recipes from cruise line chefs, opinions and perspectives from cruise industry leaders and CEOS, how to go about planning a cruise, safety tips about cruise ship crime, and a chance to vent your own opinions at the Prow’s Edge cruise forums and cruise message boards.

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• Princess Cruises

Grand Princess to Tahiti - take the plunge or skip it?!

By Graycruise , August 10, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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Looking at the 2024 Grand Princess to Tahiti from LA for 33 nights...but not sure about the ship, given its age and not-so-great recent reviews - but the itinerary is amazing.... So, would you go for it or take a pass, given the ship.

Would love to hear from some recent Grand travellers!  We aren't fussy people, looking at a balcony or mini-suite - don't need a whole lot of bells and whistles!

Appreciate the input!

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Do you want to go?  Do you love the itinerary?  Is there another option?  If Y, Y, N, I'd take the chance.

Hopefully the ship will be fine. We're booked on Grand Princess for 63 days starting September 26.

I've sailed on the Grand 15 times the latest in Dec 21 and June 22. Thought she was in fine shape. Go for it, she is one of my favorites.

We were on the Grand this year for 20 days. Nothing wrong with the ship. Sure she a little bit older in the fleet and doesn't have all the bells and whistles the newer one has. We had a ball sailing on the Grand Princess. 

I go for itinerary first and then if the ship can stay a float and get from A to B then its a go for me 🙂  

I went to Tahiti on the Crown and it was a dream come true. I'm sure you can find some charm on the Golden. Go. Look what is happening around the world. I was looking forward to Maui. Take the opportunity.

I have sailed a similar RT L.A. cruise on the old Star Princess and enjoyed it. Realize that there are 23 sea days and 9 ports, 10 port days, with an overnight in Papeete. Two times there are 5 sea days in a row and at the end there are 8 straight sea days. You really have to enjoy sea days. There will also be very seasoned cruisers on board. People that have sailed basically everywhere. The crowd will be older, people with lots of leisure time.

Before booking I would suggest you look into a crossing from Sydney, Australia to the west coast. I know it's a Loooooong flight from Ontario. These crossings go to many of the same Pacific ports, plus New Zealand and other ports closer to Aust/NZ. There should be a few less sea days. I sailed a cruise from Australia to LA and loved it. Took a tour in Australia before boarding.  

snoozecrooze

I have to say that whether a ship will be just fine or might encounter an issue during your cruise is something that's wholly unpredictable. She's getting up there in age but she's still very comfortable and quaint. I think if you have your heart settled on the itinerary and the overall experience, I would just go for it.

I also agree with other posters who have suggested a transpacific from Australia to the West Coast (or vice versa) if you still want to stick with Princess. You'll still get a flavor of the Pacific islands but might also have some newer vessels to choose from (though that's also no guarantee for nicer ship condition either). 

Another alternative is Holland America's 35-day Marquesas itinerary on the Koningsdam. Those are just as popular.

We are doing a 32 day (22 sea days) in April, 2024 on the Sapphire and looking forward to it!  Haven’t been on that ship yet.

spookyfudge

44 minutes ago, MustangGT said: We are doing a 32 day (22 sea days) in April, 2024 on the Sapphire and looking forward to it!  Haven’t been on that ship yet.

That’s awesome! I absolutely love the Sapphire. It has the complete wrap around promenade with cushioned loungers.  It just feels like “ home” on that ship for me.  I was on her last September for 10 days and it was great. 

Have a great cruise!

1 minute ago, tonit964 said: That’s awesome! I absolutely love the Sapphire. It has the complete wrap around promenade with cushioned loungers.  It just feels like “ home” on that ship for me.  I was on her last September for 10 days and it was great.  Have a great cruise!

We are excited!  The full promenade was a definite selling point!

We did the 32 day Sydney to Vancouver cruise on the Grand this past April.  We had a great time.  The ship could use some cosmetic updating in some of the common areas but the lack of updates did not detract from our cruise experience.   Staff/service was very good.  We thought the restaurants/food were very good, but this can be a subjective opinion. 

We liked our cabin on the Aloha deck towards the aft.  Easy access to the aft terrace pool and easy access to Lido deck and Lido buffet restaurant.  Would book this cabin location again.

Also, liked the wrap around promenade deck for walking, which is missing on the newer princess ships.

There was an electrical issue on the Grand during our cruise.  The ship lost power to the an aft section (1/7 of the ship) on all decks for a 5 day period.  Major inconvenience for those who had a cabin in that section as they had to be moved to a different section/cabin.  Was a relatively minor inconvenience for us as our cabin was not in this section.  Princess did compensate all passengers with a future cruise credit of 50% of cruise fare paid for this cruise, which I thought was more than reasonable compensation (has covered 90% of the cruise fare, including Plus, for 2 additional cruises we booked for this upcoming winter).

I would have no hesitation in booking the Grand again.  Also, enjoyed the itinerary.  Good combination of sea days and port days.

I was on the ship December of 2021 and I thought it was fine. I would choose it over the Crown or Ruby.

3 hours ago, MustangGT said: We are excited!  The full promenade was a definite selling point!

Not only is it a full wrap-around Promenade but it's extra wide with room for full loungers and enough room still left for the walkers. Absolutely love those extra wide Promenade decks.

7 hours ago, Graycruise said: Looking at the 2024 Grand Princess to Tahiti from LA for 33 nights...but not sure about the ship, given its age and not-so-great recent reviews - but the itinerary is amazing.... So, would you go for it or take a pass, given the ship.   Would love to hear from some recent Grand travellers!  We aren't fussy people, looking at a balcony or mini-suite - don't need a whole lot of bells and whistles!   Appreciate the input!

I love the Grand Princess. 

5 hours ago, snoozecrooze said: Another alternative is Holland America's 35-day Marquesas itinerary on the Koningsdam. Those are just as popular.

These ports interest me. Shame have to fly all the way to the US.Would love to see something done from Australia that does similar ports.

8 hours ago, Graycruise said: Looking at the 2024 Grand Princess to Tahiti from LA for 33 nights...but not sure about the ship, given its age and not-so-great recent reviews - but the itinerary is amazing.... So, would you go for it or take a pass, given the ship.   Would love to hear from some recent Grand travellers!  We aren't fussy people, looking at a balcony or mini-suite - don't need a whole lot of bells and whistles!   Appreciate the input!

The ship is ok.  Older ship

3 hours ago, icat2000 said: These ports interest me. Shame have to fly all the way to the US.Would love to see something done from Australia that does similar ports.

The Coral Princess is doing 35-day Hawaii/Tahiti/South Pacific this September and next March, all from Australia! 

I don't think these itineraries are coming back when Crown and Diamond go down to Australia, though 😞

7 hours ago, tonit964 said: That’s awesome! I absolutely love the Sapphire. It has the complete wrap around promenade with cushioned loungers.  It just feels like “ home” on that ship for me.  I was on her last September for 10 days and it was great.  Have a great cruise!

Wouldn't count on cushioned loungers on the Promenade deck.  Was on the Diamond Princess ( sister to Emerald) and mid cruise ( a 9 day cruise) they removed the cushioned loungers which were in high demand and replaced them with straight backed cushionless chairs !!

On 8/11/2023 at 6:11 PM, snoozecrooze said: The Coral Princess is doing 35-day Hawaii/Tahiti/South Pacific this September and next March, all from Australia!    I don't think these itineraries are coming back when Crown and Diamond go down to Australia, though 😞

Unfortunately going to Japan on Royal Princess just afterwards so can't do that cruise. I'm hoping they revisit that itinerary in the future.

We are booked on this awesome 33 day Hawaii/Tahiti/Fiji itinerary and have no concerns with the Grand Princess age or condition.  We sailed a similar itinerary on the Star Princess in 2019 just before it was sold.  We were on the Grand in 2016 and honestly I dont really see much difference between all of the Princess ships Ive been on.  Here on the West Coast we normally get the older ships so guess that's what I'm used to.  Recently sailed on the Ruby and after a while they look pretty much the same.  What I look for is the size, (dont want too big) a walk around promenade and a pool in the aft.  That back pool becomes my balcony when booking inside cabins.  The price for this 33 day itinerary is very reasonable when compared to the 32 day Hawaii/Tahiti.  I would say if the ship is the only thing holding you back go ahead and book it, can always cancel if something better comes along. 

• 2 months later...

On 8/10/2023 at 2:52 PM, Graycruise said: Looking at the 2024 Grand Princess to Tahiti from LA for 33 nights...but not sure about the ship, given its age and not-so-great recent reviews - but the itinerary is amazing.... So, would you go for it or take a pass, given the ship.   Would love to hear from some recent Grand travellers!  We aren't fussy people, looking at a balcony or mini-suite - don't need a whole lot of bells and whistles!   Appreciate the input!

I'm looking at this one as well, but beginning Oct 31 and ending Dec 4? in 2024. Looking for the best deals, promotions, etc. I can find, and praying I can save up the $$. I'm a solo traveler, and am hoping other solo travelers will be on the ship, willing to get to know one anther, hand out, share tables at meals, etc. Just got of the NCL Sun to Alaska with tons of solo travelers. We'd all meet up in one of the clubs and then our ship's host would arrange for big (or little) tables together so all the solos could eat together each evening, if they so chose. That was such a great help! Does Princess do anything like that for solo travelers? Also, due to length of the cruise, I'm assuming there will be few children on board. Is this assumption of mine accurate? Thanks for any advice or hints y'all may have for this fairly newbie!

I was on the Grand for Christmas for 2021 and I still love her. I had no issues with the ship.

We sailed the Grand Vancouver to Auckland last October. The ship was in very good condition. We had previously sailed on her many moons ago during her first year of operation.  We enjoyed the cruise but 2 ports were cut making too many sea days together for our liking.   Wasn’t keen on the buffet.  Found to very “Samey” for our liking after Royal class buffets but we only used it for a quick breakfast and a light lunch.  Other than that we really enjoyed the ship 

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Princess Cruises

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Find a Cruise on Princess Cruises

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Cruising with Princess

Princess Cruises' claim to fame may be its starring role in the 1977 hit TV series "The Love Boat," but since its Hollywood debut, the cruise line has continued making waves with enriching onboard activities and versatile itineraries. Princess' 15-ship fleet traverses the globe, with popular sailings covering  Alaska ,  Mexico ,  Europe , Hawaii and the  Caribbean , among other locations. Princess Cruises' fleet, which departs from several U.S. cities, including  Los Angeles  and Fort Lauderdale, Florida , features both midsize ships and larger ships, so you can select your ship according to your style and size preferences.

Whatever ship you choose, you can count on a refined atmosphere and personalized service, with approximately one crew member per every two or three passengers. Cruises last between two and 116 days and feature everything from specialist-guided stargazing to stage shows to "Movies Under the Stars" poolside screenings.

When the ship docks, you can choose from a variety of shore excursions, including guided sightseeing tours in  Barcelona, Spain , and rum tastings in Barbados . Prefer extra time for land exploration? Select sailings offer Cruisetours, vacation packages that allow you to spend a few extra nights in a destination before or after your cruise.

Book a Princess Cruises cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Flexible dining times and a variety of culinary options

Wheelchair-accessible cabins available, with special features like lowered closet railings and bath distress alarms

Groups can coordinate their travel plans with Celebration Group packages

Some onboard amenities not covered by cruise rates

High-capacity ships can usher in heavy crowds

Shore excursions can be pricey

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Princess Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

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Before You Book

• Princess Cruises requires a 20% deposit for all cruises. Final payment is due 75 to 90 days before your departure date, depending on your specific cruise.
• Cancellation fees vary by cruise duration and whether or not you purchase the cruise line's Vacation Protection or Platinum Vacation Protection package. For voyages lasting 6 to 24 days, you'll receive a full refund if you cancel and notify Princess at least 90 days prior to your scheduled departure date. For voyages lasting 25 days or longer, you must notify Princess at least 120 days in advance for a full refund. For more information regarding cancellation penalties, visit Princess'  Passage Contract  page.
• With Princess Cruises' EZair program, you can view competitive airfare prices. Princess guarantees that you'll reach your cruise's next port for no additional cost if you miss your original departure port due to a flight delay or disruption. Note: Fees may apply if you change your original flight reservation fewer than 45 days before your scheduled departure date.
• To coordinate medical and special needs services, contact the Health Services Team at [email protected] before your departure date. Requests for special medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and scooters, must be noted when booking your cruise. You can bring your own equipment or reserve it through Special Needs at Sea. Guests should also fill out Princess' mobility questionnaire at least 60 days before departure. This form indicates which device(s) they will need during their cruise.

Before You Board

• For cruises that begin and end in the United States, you must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document at check-in. Acceptable documents include your passport, a government-issued photo ID and a U.S. passport card. Travelers may also bring an original birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID for these "closed-loop" voyages. Princess strongly recommends you bring your passport in case you decide to disembark the ship before reaching your final destination. You will need a valid passport for international cruises, as well as a visa for select international port destinations.
• Vaccination requirements vary by cruise destination. Check the  World Health Organization (WHO)  and  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  websites for the necessary vaccines and current travel health notices.
• Travelers can check in for their cruise up to 75 days prior to embarkation through the MedallionClass app on their mobile device. From the app, you'll be able to upload all necessary information to help streamline the embarkation process on the day you leave. Cruisers who do not complete check-in through the app will check in on embarkation day (which will be a slower, more manual process). Visit Princess' website for more details.
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• Reservations for specialty restaurants are suggested and can be made in advance through the MedallionClass mobile app.

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I cruised on the discovery princess, here’s my review of the voyage.

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When some think of cruises, a picture of cheesy, matching family T-shirts comes to mind. Perhaps you think of long lines at the buffet and loop-de-loop water slides that never seem to end on the lido deck. For some, this image isn’t relaxing, but not all ships are created equal.

The lovely Discovery Princess , the second newest cruise ship among Princess Cruises’ fleet, is one of the most elegant I’ve voyaged on — and I’ve been on 10+ cruises (read: best cruises I reviewed ). So, you can say I’ve become quite the cruise critic over the years.

While each cruise ship has something unique to offer, I can honestly say my experience setting sail on the Discovery Princess was my favorite cruise yet.

RELATED : Princess unveils its new Sun Princess ship

As part of the itinerary’s Pacific Wine Country Tour for an April 2024 sailing, I embarked from the Los Angeles port in San Pedro, CA and then traveled to San Diego; San Francisco; Astoria, OR; and Victoria and Vancouver, Canada. The best part was experiencing Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley on one of Princess Cruises’ excursions, but more on that later.

To assemble an in-depth review of my experience, I divided this piece into a few sections: who it’s good for, activities and entertainment, food and drink options, excursions and special features. Consider this your all-in-one guide. After all, I did plenty of research myself — a discovery , if you will — via YouTube videos, Discovery Princess Facebook groups and by way of the easy-to-use Princess app. Not to mention, since I’ve cruised on other lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, NCL and Royal Caribbean, you’ll find some comparison notes as well.

Even better, this cruise vacation was with my high school best friend, Veronica, who has never been aboard a cruise ship. It was such a unique experience seeing all that Discovery Princess had to offer with her first-time perspective, which is infused within this review as well.

Who it’s good for

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Most cruise lines are designed for whatever you’d like your vacation to be, whether it’s solo travel, couples traveling, a best friend cruise (I’m representing this demographic here) and family trips. Aboard Discovery Princess, I even saw a 20+ family reunion. The possibilities are endless, and some sailings may yield older or younger demographics depending on the itinerary, length of the cruise and other factors.

Veronica and I are both in our early 20s, and we found the Discovery Princess to cater to an older crowd, as we saw many middle- and senior-aged couples. However, we scouted a handful of young adult couples, just not nearly as many as you’d find on more “ family-friendly ” cruise lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

However, this isn’t a dealbreaker in the slightest. A cruise is what you make of it, and we enjoyed trying top-of-the-line specialty restaurants, heading to Broadway-production-style shows, booking excursions for each port we docked at and relaxing in the Lotus Spa , the latter being a true R&R highlight. Pro tip: pick up a Miami Vice or your favorite cocktail at one of Discovery’s bars before heading to The Enclave, the spa’s modern, state-of-the-art relaxation centers with a jet pool, two different sauna rooms and heated lounge chairs. You definitely won’t be sorry.

Because Discovery Princess was my first trip with Princess Cruises, I can’t speak if the slightly older clientele is characteristic of the cruise line at large or this specific itinerary. Granted, it was a wine-centric itinerary at the end of April, so I wasn’t expecting to see many passengers younger than 21-years-old on each deck. Additionally, we didn’t sail in peak summertime months when school’s out and more family vacations may take place.

While I certainly remember way more families aboard other cruise lines, that’s not to say Princess isn’t family-friendly. There’s a variety of entertainment options, which you’ll find on the stateroom patter (otherwise known as a printed itinerary) each evening, placed at the foot of your bed by a stateroom attendant. Or, you can follow along on the Princess app.

Activities and entertainment

One of the highlights from the Discovery Princess ship is, without question, the activities and entertainment that I’d say is world-class. I grew up going to theaters, Broadway shows and local productions and it was clear as day that the variety of shows featured well-versed actors, performers, dancers, singers and a legitimate crew to put together the lighting, choreography and the entire setup from start to finish.

If heading to shows isn’t entirely your thing, that’s OK, too; Discovery Princess had a multitude of game shows, comedians, dance and deck parties (sometimes, dance parties on the deck), trivia and more. Below, I ran through some of the activities and entertainment options Veronica and I experienced during our April 2024 sailing:

Production Shows at Princess Theater

One of the most memorable experiences aboard Discovery Princess was heading to the Production Shows during the eight-day cruise. Show times and type may vary depending on the sailing, though you can expect two Production-level shows. These mimic the vibe exuded on Broadway.

Aboard Discovery, I went to the “Spotlight Bar” show, where the full cast sang radio, sing-along hits in front of a bar scene. The group dances and individual ballads were nothing short of phenomenal. As much as I loved watching the first Production-level show, I adored the “Rock Opera” show, a fusion of 80s rock with opera-style performances. Think: “The Greatest Showman” meets Cyndi Lauper. The costumes, set and overall segue from song to song was unparalleled; I didn’t want it to end.

Additionally, Princess Cruises has two show times for its Production-level shows: one at 7:30 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. This works out well, that way you have options to work around your dinner reservations or late-night activities, like the after-hours comedian or DJ.

Aside from Production Shows at Princess Theater, there were two to three other shows performed by soloists Willis White and Nick Petris who paid homage to music icons Lionel Richie and Michael Bublé, respectively. Both were excellent and entertaining. Princess Theater also hosted a magician one night, though we didn’t attend.

Game Shows at Princess Live!

Another sit-back-and-relax moment aboard Discovery was the schedule of game shows from the first to last evening on the cruise. Sometimes, game shows can be corny, but the Princess crew truly knew how to entertain.

Veronica and I attended a few, including “Top, Middle or Bottom” where passengers took turns selecting Jeopardy-style tiles and either passing through to the next column (a checkmark), receiving one of three X-es (a firecracker symbol) or a trivia question (a question mark). It was a pretty suspenseful guessing game and one that kept us pretty entertained.

Another game show we attended one evening was called “Majority Rules,” where we’d answer somewhat controversial questions like, “Who’s the best female singer?” or “What’s the greatest film of all time?” As the name suggests, the majority rules, and each “team” tallies up their points to crown the ultimate victor.

The vibe of the game shows was the perfect after-dinner activity. Many cruisers sat in armchairs with a drink in hand, just relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. The best part? Most game shows were hosted by the cruise director. Kristoff, if you’re reading this, we love you .

Comedy Shows at Vista Lounge (nicknamed “Laugh Lounge”)

For fans of stand-up comedy, Discovery hosted quite a few comedy shows, divided among three comedians on my particular sailing. These shows were hosted at Vista Lounge, a sophisticated and snazzy venue space, though the backdrop transforms into a brick-style background with a neon “Laugh Lounge” sign in cursive, apropos of the crew’s production team.

Some comedians starred on Comedy Central and popular Late Night shows and had us laughing to no end. Whether it’s your first cruise or you’re a four-times-a-year cruiser, the banter and jokes made about cruising pet peeves is witty, relatable and entertaining.

Most of all, I loved the variety of comedians aboard Discovery. On a previous Carnival cruise, there was only one comedian who, although was great at improv comedy and picking on audience members, didn’t inspire me to see all seven of his shows. The comedians aboard Discovery were proof that live entertainment on this ship is purely unforgettable.

The Dance Competition

Slightly hidden on the itinerary, the Princess Dance Competition allows passengers and crew members to be selected at random in the cruise’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.” Spoiler alert: this was one of my favorite moments from the cruise. I ended up participating, dancing with a crew member from the buffet team and ended up *winning* the whole competition. And yes, I ended up doing a split. There’s something I didn’t think I’d do on a cruise ship…

Other activities and entertainment

From regular perusing of the daily itinerary, there are additional activities to enjoy. Discovery ensured that there were enough options to choose from on both sea days and days at port. On some other cruise lines, there was next to nothing to do in the afternoons, so this was a nice touch.

Below, find a sampling of events and activities you may expect to experience aboard Discovery Princess:

• “Deal or No Deal” show: Similar to Bingo, which was also offered aboard Discovery, game cards for Deal or No Deal were being sold. As an audience member, you have quite a few chances to win the ultimate prize, following along as the show goes on.
• Casino : Many cruisers enjoy spending time at the casino, whether it be individual slot machines or Blackjack and Roulette tables. I enjoyed spending some time at the Casino, but keep in mind this is only open during times at sea due to port laws and regulations.
• Fitness classes : Discovery offers a gym-grade fitness center with professional equipment and even pilates, barre, yoga and HIIT classes you can sign up for.
• Line dancing : On Discovery, there’s a ton of line dancing happening in The Piazza, the main epicenter of the ship. This exists on other cruises I’ve sailed on as well, but this sailing took it to the next level.
• Afternoon tea : During sea days, Discovery hosted an afternoon tea at 3:00 p.m. in one of the three main dining rooms. Complete with finger sandwiches, teas and handhelds, passengers loved the experience. We skipped it on our cruise only because one of our excursions in Victoria, Canada was having high tea at a mansion.
• Cocktail experiences : Around 4:45 p.m. or so, Discovery hosted cocktail experiences every few days. This sip-and-learn activity is hosted at one of the main bars and a bartender will walk you through crafting tips, different flavor pairings and, of course, mixing drinks right in front of you.

Food and drink options

An incredible, standout feature aboard Discovery Princess was its wealth of well-varied food and beverage options. If you’ve been on a cruise before, you know you’ll never go hungry, but this ship’s prized dining room service, quality and flair was a step above other cruises I’ve been on.

Main Dining Room

Discovery Princess has three main dining rooms: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, all named after locations in Alaska, one of the ship’s most-traveled-to destinations. Each passenger or passenger group will be assigned one of the three main dining rooms to eat at each evening with different times as well. Wonderfully, there was much flexibility at each dining room if you preferred to dine a bit earlier or later than your scheduled time.

Compared to other ships, the food in the main dining rooms was much better and closely on par with the multitude of specialty dining options you’ll find on board. You’ll find at least one formal night (aka, lobster night for seafood fans) where nearly everyone is decked out in cocktail attire to take professional photos and enjoy a delicious menu. Production-level shows are usually this night as well.

Breakfast in the main dining room was also an enjoyable experience, where you can enjoy fresh juices, pastries, fruits and main courses. The menu was smaller than other cruises I’ve been on, but this wasn’t a dealbreaker.

The World Fresh Marketplace

The World Fresh Marketplace, otherwise known as the buffet, didn’t have a miles-long line like some other cruises I’ve sailed on. The options were diverse, delicious and perfect for a quick bite. Veronica and I loved the taco bar and pasta station, as well as the fresh fruit counter. Not to mention, the service is one of the best; waitstaff circles around tables to offer you fresh water, juice or soda on trays, making it extra convenient for your overall dining experience.

International Café

Located on Deck 5 next to The Piazza, International Café is a complimentary, luxury-leaning, grab-and-go counter where you’ll find fresh pastries (note: the almond croissants, heated up, are to die for), desserts and handcrafted sandwiches. This is also where you can grab lattes, cappuccinos and other beverages.

Veronica and I dined here nearly every morning before an early excursion because it’s delicious, in a great location and, overall, a quick venue. The service was top-notch and well-loved by passengers; plenty of people aboard grabbed a coffee and sat at one of the tables along The Piazza to enjoy live pianists, vocalists and other entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.

What’s more, the International Café is complimentary. On other cruise lines, each specialty coffee and pastry was an extra charge. This is a testament to Princess Cruises’ affinity for quality-first dining experiences.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar

The love I have for Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar is tenfold. Before dinner on some evenings, Veronica and I would head to this modern counter — located right above and overlooking The Piazza — to enjoy fresh crab, shrimp and spicy tuna rolls that are handmade right in front of our eyes. The quality was some of the best I’ve had. It’s a casual yet spectacular setting. Additional charges may apply depending on what you order.

Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo

Also one deck above The Piazza, Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo is another sit-down locale where you can enjoy live music surrounding you. This was the first food venue Veronica and I dined at for lunch on embarkation day and we loved the fresh Margherita and veggie pizzas, as well as the salads.

Uniquely, the pizza options are certified authentic Neapolitan pizza, much like its gelato on board (which is located on the same deck as The Piazza, and one of the only cruise ships to boast gelato that’s certified by the Italian government). Pretty iconic, to say the least.

360: An Extraordinary Experience

If you ask me about the most memorable experience aboard Discovery Princess of them all, it was what’s called 360. This isn’t just any specialty dining venue. For an additional charge per person (about $150 or so), the dining staff will take you through “a journey through tastes, sights, sounds, textures and scents,” per the cruise line.

This seven-course journey is both filling and fantastically put together. Without giving too much away, the meals are inspired by the Mediterranean and, according to the hostess Magdalena, “you won’t find this food anywhere else on board — even at the specialty dining venues.”

This 360 Experience is reserved for 13-year-olds and older, though my group had nobody younger than 21-years-old. For some, the idea of not knowing what you’ll be eating can be somewhat terrifying but rest assured, the team takes any dietary restrictions into account. For instance, Veronica has a shellfish allergy an they made an equally delicious substitute. If you take anything away from this review, book 360 .

The Catch by Rudi

Veronica and I enjoyed The Catch by Rudi , Discovery’s seafood specialty restaurant. Everything from the service to the presentation was extravagant and this was my favorite specialty restaurant on the ship. It’s a pure celebration of all things ocean.

Typical of other specialty restaurants you’ll find, you’ll choose one appetizer, one main course and one dessert. The cocktails at The Catch by Rudi were some of our favorites. My dish, called the Triple S Platter because it contained salmon, scallops and shrimp, was mouthwatering. There was even a hanging prawn on my plate when our waitress brought it out!

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can’t take New Jersey out of the girl. From someone who comes from a family making their own sauce each Sunday, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria was a much-needed dining option in my books. Here, you’ll actually find a five-course meal: an appetizer, a soup or salad, a pasta, an entree and a dessert. In short, come hungry.

The food and cocktails here were incredible and we loved the on-the-house rice balls the waitstaff presented to each table. It was so delicious that we ordered room service from Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria one evening as we watched Discovery sail away from one of our ports. It was heaven .

Sometimes, you just want a comfort meal, like lasagna or lemon chicken. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria 100% satisfied that craving for both of us, and we enjoyed every minute of our time here.

Crown Grill

Ah, we’ve landed at Discovery’s steakhouse. Ranked one of the best cruise ship steakhouses, per Princess Cruises website, Crown Grill features premium aged beef and fresh seafood items. Its open kitchen design and elegant setting make it a lovely choice. Not to mention, you can have a tasting of all of the sides.

Above all else, you’ll want to experience Crown Grill’s ribeye steak and filet mignon if you’re a lover of chops. The glazes, sauces, whipped butter and specialty salts (yes, you read that correctly) made the experience very upscale.

Whether you take excursions is entirely based on personal preference. On the Pacific Wine Country Tour aboard Discovery Princess , Veronica and I embarked on the following crew-organized options:

• San Diego, CA : City Drive & La Jolla Highlights
• San Francisco, CA : Sonoma Wine Country
• Astoria, Oregon : Willamette Valley Wine Country
• Victoria, Canada : High Tea at Pendray Mansion & City Highlights

From experiencing some of the best wine in the Pacific to learning the ins and outs of popular locations like San Francisco and Vancouver Island, we felt each tour was well-organized and worth the added cost. Among all the excursions on this particular voyage, we enjoyed Sonoma Wine Country the most because, after all, who doesn’t want to travel to Napa?

Booking excursions is simple to do so on the Princess app. Or, you can opt to check in regularly with the Shore Excursions desk on Deck 5 near The Piazza to ask any questions you may have. Veronica and I decided to swap our previously booked biking excursion in Oregon to experience more of wine country and the crew staff was able to reprint new tickets as the tour wasn’t fully booked.

If you aren’t able to book your first-choice excursion, I wouldn’t worried. While there aren’t guarantees, Princess will hold you on an organized waitlist. In fact, Veronica and I were on a waitlist for Sonoma Wine Country and luckily joined the tour.

Additionally, every excursion through Princess guarantees your arrival back on the ship as it departs. You’ve likely heard of “cruise horror stories” where certain cruise lines will leave you if you’re not back by the arranged on-board time. Even if an excursion is running a bit late (like mine in Oregon), rest assured the ship will not depart without you. If you opt to journey at a port on your own and you’re late, that may be a different story.

Special features

Without a doubt, Discovery Princess had a catalog of special features that I remember even after my cruise. Below, find them listed:

• MedallionClass : Instead of a stateroom card that serves as your ID and cabin entry, Discovery operates via a Medallion that’s a bit larger than a quarter and inscribed with your name. Whether you use the included lanyard or opt to buy a Medallion accessory, like a clip, this makes it so much easier to charge extras to your ship account (called your Folio). The Medallion serves as a tracker as well, so the service tends to operate quicker than other ships because of facial recognition, made possible by the photo you took on embarkation day or that you’ve uploaded to your Princess app profile. You can even enter your stateroom hands-free!
• The Enclave at Lotus Spa : For about $165 per person, you can enjoy unlimited access to The Enclave, the private resort-style room at the Lotus Spa where you’ll find a jet pool, saunas and heated beds. You’ll also have access to the Relaxation Room, a wonderful sanctuary for reading, meditating and enjoying ice water with cucumber or lemon. This made the trip feel a bit more higher-end than what may be offered on some older ships.
• Larger than usual staterooms : Veronica and I were at a balcony cabin which tends to be larger than interior staterooms. However, when I first entered our balcony cabin, I was blown away by how much space we had. Other cruise lines had extremely small bathrooms, showers and walking space near the beds. The ship’s design — featuring smaller staircase landings and hallways — allows the individual rooms to be a hair larger than most other ships.
• Smooth embarkation and disembarkation process : Largely in part by the MedallionClass experience, Veronica and I were able to disembark within 30 minutes. I’ve experienced hours upon hours of wait times at other cruise ports and was impressed by the swiftness to enter and leave the ship. Plus, Princess accommodates your preferred time on most occasions, especially if you have a flight booked.
• Ship size : You won’t feel like you’re at a shopping mall on Discovery. The ship occupies 3,660 guests instead of 8,000 or so I’ve experienced on other ships. This is the ideal size in my opinion and, considering a quite manageable passenger count, there was *so* much to do. You’re receiving the complete cruise experience sans the chaos, which we both appreciated.

The bottom line

Everything from the dining experiences to activities and overall service on the Discovery Princess made our voyage extremely memorable. Each step of the way, I felt as if I was on a luxury vacation, even though some experiences — like specialty dining and the Lotus Spa — were additional costs. The Production Shows, endless entertainment and accommodations deserve awards of their own, and I would surely set sail on another Princess Cruise again. Veronica, first-time cruiser, would, too!

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Description

Points of Interest

• Point Venus
• Tahara'a "One Tree Hill"

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Explore Tahiti's highlights on this half-day excursion. Your tour begins with a scenic drive to the Monument of Captain Bligh, erected by the National Geographic Society in the early 1960s to commemorate the naval feats of Captain Bligh. You'll continue along the scenic east coast of Tahiti, passing the famous Papenoo surfing beaches along the way. You'll drive to Tahara'a "One Tree Hill" for a spectacular view of Matavai Bay, and continue to Point Venus, where Captain Cook landed in 1769.

Special Notes:

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Taharaa Lookout 'One Tree Hill'

Visit to point venus, visit to arahoho blowhole, photo stop at faarumai valley, re-board motorcoach for return to ship.