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Princess Cruises, Diamond Princess
Overall Rating


4 out of 5
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    JON's Review

  Date: 21 Dec 2010
Cruise Line:
Princess Cruises
Ship:
Diamond Princess
 
Cruise Date:
03 Nov 2010
Itinerary:
SINGAPORE TO BEIJING DIAMOND PRINCESS
 
Comment:

 Cannot praise Jetline Cruises enough for overall standard of hotel trips guides etc and the price.

Main problem on board was the poor entertainment and lack of interesting onboard activities especially during the sea days which were at times rough and cold.Plus embakation nightmare in Singapore although Jetline made it a lot easier for us - like a cattle market.Many compaints from other nationalities.The other problem was disembarking in China .For some reason Princess decided to disembark Jetline passengers in groups from 6.30 to 9.30 which meant many were waiting for nearly three hours in the coach.  As  with all cruises these days the main object on board was to get you to waste as much money as possible. Drinks were not too expensive  (except wine) but are subject to 15% service charge and there is even a space to add gratuities if you are really stupid.Free icecream to be fair. The subject of the 'compulsory' tips was spoken about on the ship.If you want to pay an extra £12 per day per person fine -if you don't go to reception and ask to have them removed. It's your choice.Be prepared for a big change in temperature 90 at the start to near freezing at the end.Make the most of the outdoor cinema early on as you won't sit there in the freezing cold.I did one night wrapped in blankets and the staff come round with milk and hot cookies.Thought I was back in the nursing home.

We had a couple of nights in Singapore (great place to visit)at the York and  three nights in Beijing at the Metropole organised thru Jetline. Both hotels were very adequate and especially in Beijing well situated.Jetline guides provided in China were excellent .Would advise if you have breathing or mobility problems be prepared. Air quality is bad and there is a lot of walking especially for Great Wall Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City but are must see things.It gets very cold as well. Don't fill your cases as you can buy anything you want at the Silk and Pearl Markets - may be copies but pretty good ones at the price.Don't pay more than a quarter/third of asking price max- you can go lower.

Very enjoyable "holiday" but hard work at times.All the ports are well away from the city centres except for Nagasaki.Cannot say for Ko Samui as we could get there  due to floods. Saigon/Bangkok are two hours by coach  which were the only boat trips we did .£65 Bankok and I think abot £40 for Saigon which all considered was good value,especially Bangkok which includes river trip lunch Golden Buddha Royal Palace. These two trips would be very difficult to do on your own.

Princess laid on free courtesy buses for all the other ports. Five stars.

Ship was overall very good for food staff and helpfulness.Downside was poor entertainment in theatre which was improved on the second half of the trip. Onboard activities were rather mundane.

 

 

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