Princess Cruises - Star Princess

We were on the 'Chao Phraya Princess 5' and we liked it. The staff was kind and always helpful, the atmosphere was nice, and the food selection was was wide. We booked through a travel agency just one day ahead and paid 1100 THB per person. It was worth it. The 'Chao Phraya Princess 5' has two decks and we had a table at the upper deck. They filled the upper deck completely with guests (in my eyes it is the nicer and more scenic deck as long as it is not raining because it is a half open deck while the lower deck is window protected) and there were some more people on the lower deck but by far not as many as on the upper deck, yet they had the same wide buffet range there, too. All food, water, coffee, tea and a welcoming fruit beverage were free. Other drinks including alcoholic drinks would have to be paid additionally. A cocktail costs about 190 THB.

My husband and I did this cruise a few days ago, and I have to say it was not a positive experience at all. We got into the cruise as one of the first people and one of the female crew members stopped my husband and i as we went to sit down on the top deck. The staff asked for our tickets and we showed them the tickets, afterwards she showed us a seat at the far back of the top deck and next to the stairs which we did not have any views as there was a big piller next to the seat. There were no reservations for any seating on the cruise yet we could not sit where we wanted even after being one of the first few guests onboard. We later realised there were many groups of people who got priority for the best seats in the cruise. Unfortunately as a couple you get the worst seat in the cruise and the crew do not offer any explanation or apology. Because of being a couple and our seating position we were not able to see any of the entertainment happening at the front, on stage. There were dances and a band but we couldnt see or hear or know what was happening. The food was just plain. As a couple beware before you book into this cruise.

This is the third dinner cruise I have been on and this time, I was host to 7 other guests. The cruise started exactly on time at 7:30 PM and returned to dock at exactly 9:30 PM. The buffet display was good but food preparation was just so-so. The beef strips in gravy were so tough and fatty as to be inedible. The fresh prawns (previously frozen) were also tough and without taste. The welcoming fruit beverage drink was so little as to be an insult. And this is probably the least expensive offering, so why be cheap about it? After dinner coffee was not offered, but was available on request and a second cup again had to be requested. There are more minor complaints and one may say that they are picayune, but when there are so many, they affect the overall impression. You never tire of viewing the Chao Phraya skyline at night, but, putting that aside, the cruise was boring, boring and boring. There was zero attempt by any crew or cast member to get guests involved. So, about 60 passengers just sat there and listened (without enthusiasm) to a singer who was unable to accommodate the requests she received. We were about 60 passengers and were confined to the upper deck, as a private party took over the lower (and air conditioned) deck. I enjoyed my evening, but it was not because of anything that the River Star Princess did. I hope the cruise management takes these criticisms as constructive and acts upon them in a positive manner. But, I won't be back to find out.