bandp407

Find it hard to believe, but just heard on utube that there is no live music on the Sun Princess!! 

Find this hard to believe, but just heard this from a utuber. There is no live music onboard! Can anyone onboard comment? 
 

many thanks & enjoy the cruise! 

1 hour ago, MaryBethV said:

I did a trip report on our 2020 Sky Princess cruise (link in my signature) if you need to do some pre-cruise research - the Enchanted will be very similar to the Sky. We've been watching videos on the Sun Princess. It looks like such an interesting ship & half the fun for me is having a new ship to explore, so that might be in our future!

Agreed & thank you again! Happy Cruising! 

53 minutes ago, MaryBethV said:

There was not any pre-dinner music that we found and we missed that. Coming from Princess where there was a string quartet (that played during the day and before dinner), and other music (a pianist, a guitar/vocalist, etc) that played in various venues before and after dinner throughout the ship... we really noticed the lack of anything similar on HAL. The only live music during our Rotterdam cruise was in the music walk area or in the theater (ALL very high volume) in the evening after 7pm (if I remember correctly). There was a grand piano in the Ocean Bar area on deck 2 that sat unplayed all week which was sad.

 

They did have ballroom dancing in the BBKing area during the day at least once (maybe more) during the day. I know my MIL and FIL went to that - so I will ask them about it and get back with you.

Thank you so much MaryBeth! Regarding the pre dinner music, what you describe is what we remember from our 2019 and earlier HAL sailings. We were hoping it had changed. 
 

In addition, thank you for describing Princess. We are booked on our 1st Princess, the Enchanted in August. We then have the Sun booked for the end of January. Sounds like music will not be lacking! 
 

Following along- great review. We are seasoned cruisers contemplating returning to HAL  & the Rotterdam. We enjoy evening shows and dancing, so look forward to seeing the dailies . Yes, Always enjoyed BBKing on previous sailings , but that was it. Was there any pre dinner music?? Don’t see anything on the embarkation day planner.  
 

your photos and review are amazing! 

44 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I am sincerely sorry your DH got sick and hope for a speedy recovery.

 

As to my opinion or suggestions - Given his history of catching illnesses onboard I have to wonder if the cause is a lowered immunity system as opposed to anything wrong with the cabin or the ship itself.  I have sailed over 90 cruises, 80 of which on Celebrity.  I would say that on virtually 100% of them I noticed a slight musty odor.  Perhaps he has some kind of allergic reaction that leads to illness?  Perhaps he is catching viruses from other cruisers?  Every cruise I have been on in the past year is 100% full - and sometimes even more than 100% (due to multiple people in cabins).  Anytime you are going to be around 3,000+ people (staff and crew) there will be a certain percentage that are sick, coming down with something, or getting over something and still potentially contagious.

Thank you for your good wishes! So far nothing is pointing to an allergic reaction. Agreed, the ships have been packed . We are as careful as one can be. Pending our dr visits this week we will make a decision about our April Silhouette sailing. Hopefully we will decide to go!! 

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

Just curious how that would help?

Lets look at situation.

Since Covid no air is recirculated inside the ship - fresh air comes in one side and out the other.

Incoming air is filtered by an enhanced system that removes impurities including viruses that are smaller than the Covid virus.

The ships crew live in more confined areas than any passenger and yet few get sick.

The air in your cabin is replaced up to 12 times an hour so how would a small air purifier that might work in a sealed environment cope with that volume of air?

I thank you so very much for explaining this. I was not aware of how often the air is recirculated. This is the kind of information I was hoping to receive by posting this. I guess I am groping for a cause and solution. My husband’s first two illnesses - the flu and then Covid, well that is life. It’s the last 2 on Reflection that have us thinking it was the cabin. There was a musty odor each time we entered the cabin on both sailings. Deck 8 starboard balcony cabins. He is being tested for a whole variety of things. 
Thank you again for your input. 

6 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

 I have one running in my room right now I’m constellation—they bring me distilled water for it—- 

 

humidified air is good for my persistent nosebleeds but may not have helped in the OP’s case

I am now thinking more along the lines of bringing an air purifier! 

Has anyone used a portable humidifier in the cabin? Are they even permitted? 

3 hours ago, Tierun said:

I’d suggest on your future sailings spend as much time on the balcony as possible. Also masking with an N95/KN94 mask in public places. Lastly, talk to your physician about ways to strengthen DH’s immune system. Since he’s falling ill, but you’re not suggests that he might have a weakened immune system. Something to consider as we age.

Yes, thank you. Doctors are checking everything. 

10 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

It’s just so hard to nail down a definitive cause because in all the scenarios you’ve described you and DH had to have encountered a variety of possible exposure sites. I’m reminded from countless clinical experiments over the years that correlation does not equal causation. Not very helpful in your situation, I know. I’m so sorry DH is having a rough time. Prayers for a speedy recovery. 🙏 

Many thanks ! Not being able to pinpoint may bring our cruising days to a very sad end. How many times do we run the risk of another illness for him. 

25 minutes ago, Tierun said:

OP, might I ask what type of cabin were you staying in, inside, OV, balcony, etc.

We were in a balcony cabin on all of the cruises.

8 minutes ago, JLMcruise said:

Sorry for your husband bouts with illness. Why don't you visit your doctor and get their professional opinion.  A medical professional would be the best to consult rather than getting opinions from cruise critic. Hope all goes well with your hubby!

We are seeing numerous doctors . Just wanted to put this out there …… 

4 minutes ago, CruisingTheWaves said:

No fun. I came home with the flu after disembarking Edge back in 2019. I was very sick, but caught it with tamiflu just in time. Missed an extra week of work. A week or so later, horror started. Essentially what happened is the flu caused my immune system to go into overdrive, and my digestive tract attacked itself. I went through 2 months of pain and exhibiting scary symptoms waiting for a doctor appointment in which they told me I’d developed a type of proctitis due to the flu and my body’s reaction to the infection. I was losing weight, I couldn’t eat anything without having a terrible flare. I managed to make it go away over time with natural remedies but it was so scary; I’ve never been so sick and I was only 34. Not the first time I came home sick from a cruise, but it was the worst. I hope your husband feels better soon.

Thank you for your good wishes. I too am very sorry for what you went through. As we and those around us are saying - perhaps it’s time to stop cruising! I am so torn and very sad. 

1 minute ago, bandp407 said:

Thank you so much! Yes, my brother said something similar- may not have been the cabin , but the ship in general. It’s just very sad and leaving us with a difficult decision going forward. Cruise or not cruise! 🥲🥲🥲

My DH turned 80 in September. This was going to be our year of “ let’s cruise “!  

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

It’s just so hard to nail down a definitive cause because in all the scenarios you’ve described you and DH had to have encountered a variety of possible exposure sites. I’m reminded from countless clinical experiments over the years that correlation does not equal causation. Not very helpful in your situation, I know. I’m so sorry DH is having a rough time. Prayers for a speedy recovery. 🙏 

Thank you so much! Yes, my brother said something similar- may not have been the cabin , but the ship in general. It’s just very sad and leaving us with a difficult decision going forward. Cruise or not cruise! 🥲🥲🥲

1 hour ago, jwlane said:

So he didn't leave the ship on either cruise?

No , we never left the ship! Yes, we were so careful onboard! This visit so crazy & unfortunate! 

4 minutes ago, jwlane said:

So he didn't leave the ship on either cruise?

We quarantined on both the Flu & Covid. Spent 3 days in the cabin. 

17 minutes ago, 1Virgo said:

Sorry to hear your DH is still ill.   It does make you wonder about the vents and filters.   Speedy recovery 

Many thanks! Everyone that hears he got sick again after cruising- why are you still cruising!!! They don’t understand our love of it. 

Fellow Cruisers, 

DH  and I recently returned from an 8 night Reflection sailing and again DH ill with a horrific cough. Fine the entire cruise but started coughing on disembarkation day. We were on deck 8 and yes did smell a mild musty odor. Housekeeping Dir had the AC filter changed and had the return vacuumed. Yes, full of dust. Nearly 2 weeks later he is still ill and has seen a pulmonologist. Tests have been done. 
 

we also sailed on the Reflection end of November, deck 8, and similar, developed into Bronchitis. Did not report the musty odor this time& it was worse!! Stupid Me!! 
 

We have the Silhouette booked for April and at this point not  sure if we will go. Last year he got the Flu on Beyond and this summer on Equinox he got Covid. And now this!!! It was our 40th cruise and obviously we love cruising BUT !!! 
 

Is it the cabin AC for our last 2 on Reflection? Should we bring a humidifier? Any and ALL suggestions will be much appreciated! 
 

Many thanks! 
 

A HUGE thank you to all who have provided us with such valuable information! In many ways re the dining, chairs,  music, it sounds much like Celebrity. 
 

A friend just asked where we are going on this cruise. I said I wasn’t sure, but it doesn’t matter!  We cruise for the ship , service, quality food, entertainment, good music, and simply love being at sea! 
 

Thanks to all of you , we are excited for our upcoming Princess Cruises!  

Bon Voyage! 
 

1 hour ago, Mangrove Snapper said:

 

Me too.  Our trip isn't until the fall, and not fully paid, but I've already booked the MDR through the app for every night.  This is our second time with Princess. 

Very interesting- I will get back on when I have some time. Thank you!

3 hours ago, joeyjeremiah said:

I did a 20 day B2B on the enchanted over Christmas and New Years. 

 

1) Yes, unlike celebrity boarding is a general window and not specific times. Suites and Platinum/Elite have priority boarding so when the ship starts embarkation they will be the first to board. Everybody else boards in the order of arrival. Last cruise we were travelling with guests who didn't have priority so we didn't use our status to get priority boarding so we could board together and we were onboard just after 11:00 am. However our shuttle dropped us off at 9:45 am so we were in line for awhile before boarding they started processing people at 10:30.  So if you want to be one of the first onboard you can be even without status however if this isn't important I would suggest arriving at 11:30 or so where there should be less of a wait and you can still get onboard early enough. This is all assuming there aren't any immigration delays which can delay embarkation.

 

2) Reserve your table for 2 in the app for the time you want. Once you get onboard speak to the maitre d and request same table with same waiter for every night. I had 6:00 pm reserved and he told me he couldn't guarantee it for that time that I could go earlier or later if I wanted same table and waiter. However he ended up moving us after the first night to a different section and seated us at the same table with the same waiter every night of our cruise. We did let them know when we had other dinner plans though so they didn't think we just didn't show up. So you may need to be a little flexible but they are very accommodating. At 8:00 pm you shouldn't have an issue. 

 

3) Yes, you can only make dinner reservations after you are paid in full (so if you pay early you can reserve early). Specialty dining can get busy but you should still be able to book what you want, you might have to be a bit flexible with times. You will have no issue getting s dining room reservation. Once onboard you can always see about changing dining reservations but there can be waitlists for specialty dining. Crown Grill was completely booked our entire cruise so if you didn't book in advance you weren't getting in. 

 

4) There will be more kids in August but not as many as you see on RCI or NCL. As for loungers if you don't mind being away from the pool a bit (1 deck up) there are often lounge chairs available even if you arrive later in the day. The adults only pool area is smaller, pool is pretty shallow, loungers are hit and miss in this area. 

 

5) Yes there are a reasonable amount of tables outside so you should be able to find one. Keep in mind thought some of these are on the aft deck and the smoking area is deck 17 aft so depending on how many people are there and the wind the smoke can waft down. We preferred to eat inside near the window.

 

6) A lot of the musicians rotate throughout different venues on the ships. So you will need to watch the daily patter and just check out the various band and venues and see what you like best. But often we saw people dancing in the piazza, this seemed to be a favourite for the dancers.

 

I'm sure you will have a great cruise.

Thank you so much for your time & comments! I am reassured with all of the information that has been provided! Yes, as to the dining room that is exactly what we do on Celebrity- see the Maitre’D. 

3 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

On Enchanted there is the retreat pool, deck 17 forward. It's mostly an adult area and fairly quiet. The lounges around the pool fill up quickly but on deck 18 there are a lot of places to sit.

We are fine if a deck above the pool- thanks much! 

3 hours ago, skynight said:

Regarding the Sun Princess. I would wait a month or two and then ask for some comments. The initial sailing is February 18th, this coming Sunday. The Sun's design is totally different than previous Princess ships.

Boarding. There are green and blue lanes. If you complete all the pre-boarding information in the Princess app or on the PC web version your medallion will be mailed to you and you are ready to board. Those in the blue lane have to make a quick stop at the check in desk to pick up their medallion. Typically people begin arriving at the pier around 9:30am. Priority boarders, elites and full suite passengers, are held in one area. Others are in a different area. When boarding begins the priority boarders go first. The the others. Once it starts it goes very quickly.  Actual boarding usually begins somewhere around 10:30/11:00am. 

 

Thank you. Yes I saw that the Sun has been delayed. Will wait for comments to be posted.