You wanted to know so here it is!!
I booked the very best suite on the Dawn Princess to Alaska, 2002. For reference, I have also booked Cabin 8001 (oceanview outside CHEAPIE) on Celebrity Mercury (for 2 weeks around South America)Feb.2002 (and 5 other cruises) and DEFINETLY had a better experience on all the other cruise.
My personal experience-Princess Suite amenities SUCKED!!! I got NOTHING for my money except a bunch of chocolate covered strawberries and some extra room. Room service sucked. I ordered 2 glasses of iced tea and 2 Miller Lite beers. Got 2 Miller Lite's and 2 glasses. Called down to Room service, told them the problem, they brought 2 MORE MILLER LITE's. I never did get my iced tea.
Maybe it is my problem, but I feel a cruise is a time to do something out of the ordinary. I own a logistic company, Levi's and T-shirts are the order of the day. I want the fantasy of the romantic, Tuxedo dress up dinner and all that entails (sounds like "Urban Cowboy").
On my Alaska cruise-(Seward to Vancouver)(7 cruises previous so I am experienced) people actually thought T-shirts that had ALASKA in sequins were formal wear. There was one gentleman who actually had his pajamas on for FORMAL NIGHT. He was in the Atrium,during the time of Formal pictures, wandering around in his PJ's from home, with a robe, and thought he was properly dressed. Sleazy, Sleazy, Sleazy!!!
My husband made the acquaintance of the Captain only because "he was one of only three gentleman on the cruise with a dinner jacket on". Direct quote from the Captain.
Personal Choice Dining is the PITTS!!! Hope you booked something other than a large table. As a couple, we always like to meet other people. Generally pick a table for 8-10. On Princess, BECAUSE of PERSONAL CHOICE, people do what they feel like doing. No problem with that EXCEPT-if you originally booked FIXED DINING, you should NOT have the option of going anyplace you please. One night we were a table of 4, one night a table of 2 (we left after 30 minutes waiting for our tablemates), one night a table for 6. What inconsistency!!! The waiters could not give you great service, they never knew how many people may show up. We had a table one night where some people were eating appetizers and some people were eating the entre. What a joke!!! Rude people, not letting anyone know when they would be coming to dinner. IMHO, Personal Choice is a HORRIBLE premise unless you have your own group on the ship. If you are a single or a couple, WATCH out on FREESTYLE, PERSONAL CHOICE or whatever they call it. You may be eating by yourself at a table for 6-10.
Email if you need further info. We cruise 2-3 times a year. Only relaxation we get.
[This message has been edited by greatam (edited Mar 19, 2004).]