OUR CRUISE: THE GOOD NEWS, THE BAD NEWS

THE GOOD NEWS

We were elated to be taking another Princess Cruise, our third. It was Thanksgiving 2013 and St. Louis was bitter cold. We couldn't wait to get to warm weather and blue water. We had previously taken this cruise (Caribbean Princess to Mexico, Honduras and Belize leaving from Florida and had loved it. We especially couldn't wait to get back to Honduras and Belize and hoped to recreate our memories of two years ago.

THE BAD NEWS

It was unusually cold in Houston where we boarded. The waters were so rough the ship couldn't leave that day-our wedding anniversary! We had to spend the night on the ship sitting in the port. We didn't let that get us down because we knew we'd eventually arrive at our favorite destinations. The next morning when we expected to leave, the waters were still too rocky. It was into the evening before the ship could get underway. As the anniversary balloons were deflating on our door decoration, so was our enthusiasm.

THE GOOD NEWS

After a day and three quarters, the ship was finally sailing. We had splurged on a balcony and were looking forward to being in our Princess robes, having our coffee each morning with the warm sun on our smiling unstressed faces. Life would be good.

THE BAD NEWS

It was so cold we couldn't stay on the balcony for more than five minutes at a time. We needed coats with hoods. It was like being back in St. Louis. We then found out that we would not be going to Honduras, one of the reasons we took the cruise in the first place. Too much time had been wasted parked in Houston and also now sitting at sea to avoid a storm in the direction we were supposed to be headed. It seemed we were on the cruise to nowhere but still looked forward to Belize. We'd have a blast in Belize! We'd find that same little outdoor restaurant that was tucked out of the way of the masses.

THE GOOD NEWS

We watched movies, ate, gambled (and lost) but tried our best to have good attitudes because to spend our money on this trip was a commitment to fun.

THE BAD NEWS

The next day we found out there would be no Belize. This is when the disappointment really set in. We were only going to two ports now, both in Mexico. One port was a substitution because our schedule was so messed up we no longer could get a position to stay at an original Mexican destination. There were no Movies Under the Stars because the plan was that passengers would disembark to ports of call. All the movies had come and gone and couldn't be shown again because of license agreements. We had done everything we found interesting and now were doomed to have nothing to do. Where was the fun? Where was the sun?

THE GOOD NEWS

We were hoping we'd have a good time in the two ports in Mexico and made plans to get off the ship to explore. We had "been there, done that" many times in Mexico so our enthusiasm was miniscule.

THE BAD NEWS

There was nothing to do in the Mexican ports. It was too chilly to sit on the beach drinking Coronas. We were crushed that we had wasted money and time on a vacation that turned out to be a non-vacation. Even the $70.00 agate necklace my husband negotiated for me in Mexico, (in hopes of boosting my morale), broke. It was actually colored glass, not buffed agates.

THE GOOD NEWS

We've loved our previous Princess Cruises and have sung their praises. They were at least better than the other two lines we had sailed years ago, until now. But, we decided to take a leap of faith and schedule another. This would require a $200.00 deposit.

THE BAD NEWS

We had to put our deposit into the door slot because the office was closed. To get a good deal on another cruise, we would have had to book before the morning of departure but no one was available to do that. I'm sure the crew was hiding because there were plenty of angry passengers. I hear that people who complained during the cruise got their port taxes refunded for Belize and Honduras. Of course, it was too late for us to receive anything but an apology from the customer service once I called from home to find out if there would be any compensation. The weather isn't Princess Cruise's fault. Now I know.

THE GOOD NEWS

We still have fond memories of other cruises.

THE BAD NEWS

It has been close to four months now and obviously I'm still not over it. I hope to be able to cruise again someday but until the sting is gone, I'll stick to land based vacations that don't require traveling on ships or boats to reach our destinations. We have two years to use our deposit or to get a refund. I predict I'll be chewing on that decision for a while.

Tricia Hogan