No one had issued me with postcode or name for the dock we were using – I contacted the CarPark people who gave me the wrong info – not a great start.
(port guys very helpful) After setting sail, captain advised of our late arrival into first port on day 3 as there was an issue with an engine and/or generator…we were 2-3 hours late.
Ships excursion to North Cape from Honingsvag was good – except that there was no set-out plan to bring everyone back – some were left behind.
In fairness, Princess repaid everyone for the trip and the chaotic transport they had arranged.
Maybe because the captain had been in the trip too? After leaving Alesund for the Lofoton Islands, we were advised by the captain that the ship was deemed too large for the “Inside Channel” and so we were obliged to sail north (not south between mainland and islands) and sail around all the islands and access the port from the south – a four hour addition and therefore delay.
On our final evening, after dinner captain advised that as we could not reach Southampton before 0530 (scheduled arrival 0700) the shipping lanes would be closed to allow the “Around the Isle of Wight yacht race” to not be affected by large ships.
We cannot image that no one had measured the ship before deciding upon its itinery and that the Yacht race had not been planned in the last few days.
Anyone with a flight before 1730 that day was obliged to try to sort out an alternative.
The QE2 dock we arrived at on our return is not fit for purpose – old and tatty – just after picking up our bags, a fire alarm sounded, chaos ensued with everyone pushed outside for an hour before we could return to pick up our car keys.
No facilities available apart from a couple of really grotty toilets! The cruise ports were good and the Princess excursions between excellent and average.
Service good, Stateroom very good with huge balcony.
Meals not as varied as expected.
Princess App and medallion nothing like as good as advertised! As said in title, Sky Princess is too large for this itinery – commercial port we used in Bergen was horrible and was nowhere in particular for tourists to use or even find on foot! (no ships shuttle provided) We have planned to travel again with Princess but will not use this particular ship or its sisters.
