The kids menu was the usual burgers nuggets pizzas etc so they were happy. I noticed that we had early 6pm seating in the Golden lobster restaurant, so I went to see if we could change to the later 8. Buffet food to open all day with assorted food selections. This was our first trip on the Preziosa. One of our multilingual staff will meet you at the exit of the airport and take you to your bus, which will take you directly to the berth of the ship. Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown within the same cabin category. Our cruise took us from Genova to Malaga, Casablanca, Lisbon, Barcelona and Marseille and back to Genova with three in-between days on the sea.
The ship was beautiful but not many windows in bars and coffee shops. Some cruise crew are quite arogant. The sauna you have to pay for. A good thing about the buffet was the all day pizza which is delicious! The disembarkation was well explained both personally if someone attended the information session but also in the daily programme. Most of them were young or middle aged and didnt seem to even need the lift! The buffet area is the only place you can get snacks from till 2am. Wife and I were having cocktails at the bar and the music suddenly stopped because they were going on a break. I have my luggage so what else do I do but pay for the shuttle? I got off 1 day early, and on that day we were told we were 30 min.
For suites a basket of fruit is provided at embarkation, and replenished daily. I was on the ship for 15 days and the same cold breakfast buffet was offered everyday. Quite frequently cards were mixed up during bar service causing further problems. The cruise director, Darren was there and I asked to speak to him. We did get priority boarding thank god as some passengers took hours to board the ship. The food presented often did not match the descriptions on the menu.
This is the first time when checking in, you do not produce a credit card for validation. Good musicians and comfortable lounges along the ship however music was sometimes too loud. The risottos and the beef Rossini were particularly good. We travelled with a five and a six year old who only went to the children's club once as they found it confusing as they cannot speak Italian or German. For all cabins continental breakfast is complimentary from 7.
The pork was rancid and the vegetables were always overcooked and so salty that you could not eat them. This was a big problem for us as we had all planned to convene on each others balconies to enjoy afternoon teas and coffee; also, to enjoy pre-dinner drinks. Food in main restaurant was beautifully presented and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were supposed to get two days in Amsterdam but instead, we got in at 10am and the ship was now leaving early, the following morning at 9am. However, we were very disappointed with some aspects of the cruise. Even better, the price appeared to be really good for the length and destinations of the trip. They also cancelled Belgium but went back to it two days later.
Overall cleanliness of ship and bathrooms were good. The amenities on the boat, though beautiful, were almost impossible to enjoy due to crowds and poorly behaved children. . Drinks package - We chose not to have a drinks package as we felt that they were not value for money. I then paid good service at the dinner and room directly to the waiters. Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates, prices, or amenities included in the fare.
Saw a much better show with singers and dancers. I am a solo traveler, but that is no excuse. They called his office and said the office would call me and set up an appointment. We were constantly late getting into ports and the process for disembarking was horrendous. However the cruise line is actively expanding with cruises to Dubai and Caribbean cruises leaving from Miami. Three of us went in on a wine package, one ordered wine by the glass and the 5th person drank beer. This 390 foot long waterslide takes its daring passengers through a series of twists and turns, as well as out over the side of the ship in a section made with clear plastic so you can see the ocean below you.
The Buffet is below par, we kept away. Very slow service, wrongly deposited bottles of wine, bread service only by request and slow. There was little variety and uncomfortable seating, since the number of diners that crowded the buffet left no open tables. We did not see much of the cabin steward but our room was always neat and tidy when we returned. Catch a movie in the 4D Cinema.