dasha05

DUH - that's what the DNU is for. Don't upgrade me for any reason. I wouldn't label someone "whinging" ("whining") because Princess involuntarily "upgraded" them. They marked their reservation as "DNU" and unless there's a issue with the room itself (unusable, etc.), Princess should ask the cruiser if they want the upgrade.

Some people don't understand, do they.....:D no matter how much you tell them.

The OP is from the US so some of what you've mentioned isn't relevant for him.

 

My hubby actually didn't mind the ship's coffee on our last cruise' date=' even though he did treat himself to a specialty coffee now and then. I don't drink the stuff so I couldn't comment either way.[/color']

 

 

 

It would be interesting to know the name of this "cruise director" as it is not standard for a cabin steward or waiter to be able to keep any tip to himself if you do remove the autotip. Maybe he thought you were keeping it on. And yes, the crew members who are in the tipping pool are required to turn in any tips to his or her supervisor in order to check the list of those who have removed the autotips. If your name isn't on that list, the extra money is returned back to the crew member (who actually may tip out his helpers too).

Why is that exactly ? :confused:

Thanks for the Heads up. Will be keeping an eye on my next room booking with Princess Cruises, even though we will definitely be ticking the "NO Upgrade " box through the travel Agent....;)

Hi Wilfros. I just finished a cruise on the Diamond Princess. I got EXACTLY what you want. You can go up to any bar at anytime and get a mock tail or Soda by showing your card with a little sticker on it, which you will get when you purchase the drinks package . They don't like you getting 2 drinks for yourself at anytime. But if you finish the first drink, you can go anywhere at anytime and get another, just show the card sticker. The soda comes in a reasonable size plastic cup with ice. But you can ask for a "Larger" cup, and you will receive. I didn't receive any soda in a can. I know you can purchase a CAN separate to the deal, but don't know if you can request soda in a can with the sticker (didn't ask), which some people do prefer. I had no issues with the taste of the soda. The mock tails were very nice indeed, and the missus and I ,tried them all. But, the best was the "sundae thick shakes" with whipped cream and cherry on top. THE KIDS will love them and so will you. We didn't have any alcohol, as we had heaps of mock tails. When having breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can request any soda or mock tail, they will bring, just show your sticker. Might have to ask for the mock tail menu though, if you forget which is your favourite like we did. The only place you cant get a drink from is inside the Princess theatre, as its too awkward for the staff. Just get drink before you go in.. :) ive got a few hints that can save you some time and $$$ if you can message my email.

"Cant" is the wrong word used here. I meant to say, don't expect to get a drink inside the Princess theatre when its packed. I would never expect staff to walk through hundreds of people to get me a drink. ;)

Since you removed the automatic gratuities, your room steward could not keep what you gave him and he had to put it into the same pool that all the automatic gratuities go.

 

You may have thought you were rewarding him, but you were not.

We removed gratuities near the end of the cruise. The staff member is allowed to keep the tip to himself. The advice we received , came directly from the "Cruise Directors" mouth, in a private 20 minute conversation we had with him regarding numerous things. I cant see the Cruise Director lying ,nor can I see the staff member handing over the money I directly gave him. :)

You liked the thick shakes? I found them lacking - there was something weird about the milk they used.

They didn't put milk in mine. It was 4 scoops of chocolate ice-cream , put in a blender, mixed, put in a large plastic cup (which was layered with chocolate topping, then whipped cream and a cherry on top. :)

NO, I didn't like them.......I LOVED THEM.. :D

I am looking for any tips i can get on cruising, be it packing or the best meals or the best place to go on the ship. We are booked on the Ruby feb 10-15. We are taking our 2 kids (11,7) and want to make this really memorable for them so they enjoy it and we can go on more cruises. Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Plunker. My wife and I are both 36 with a 14y/o son.

Biggest tip : go with a relaxed attitude , and remember that its a ship and sometimes, something's go wrong. It never did for us.

The Mock tail/ soda drinks package was great

You don't have to pay gratuities if you don't want to, sign the waiver at the pursers desk when you board the ship.

We tipped our room steward and the person who done a great job looking after our son , as they deserved it.

Our son who's 14 had a fantastic time

Take a powerboard for your room

The powerpoint in the room is American power point.

The money in the casino is American

We did the Ultimate ship tour and loved it

The free coffee was terrible. We purchased the coffee card, and the coffee for this was heaps better quality.

anything else you would like to know? :)

Ok !! I think I need to clarify here. Perhaps I used the wrong name but I am talking about the mocktail, soda and Icecream package, not the newly introduced booze package.

 

The reason for my question is that I think I will enjoy trying different mixed drinks but if I don't like this one or that one I would like to be able to return and try another. The fun of this package would be in the ability to experiment.

 

Thanks to all who responded.

Hi Wilfros. I just finished a cruise on the Diamond Princess. I got EXACTLY what you want. You can go up to any bar at anytime and get a mock tail or Soda by showing your card with a little sticker on it, which you will get when you purchase the drinks package . They don't like you getting 2 drinks for yourself at anytime. But if you finish the first drink, you can go anywhere at anytime and get another, just show the card sticker. The soda comes in a reasonable size plastic cup with ice. But you can ask for a "Larger" cup, and you will receive. I didn't receive any soda in a can. I know you can purchase a CAN separate to the deal, but don't know if you can request soda in a can with the sticker (didn't ask), which some people do prefer. I had no issues with the taste of the soda. The mock tails were very nice indeed, and the missus and I ,tried them all. But, the best was the "sundae thick shakes" with whipped cream and cherry on top. THE KIDS will love them and so will you. We didn't have any alcohol, as we had heaps of mock tails. When having breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can request any soda or mock tail, they will bring, just show your sticker. Might have to ask for the mock tail menu though, if you forget which is your favourite like we did. The only place you cant get a drink from is inside the Princess theatre, as its too awkward for the staff. Just get drink before you go in.. :) ive got a few hints that can save you some time and $$$ if you can message my email.

Cant decide. Both look good.

Was looking at the East Australia/Asia or the West Australia/Asia cruises with Princess or one of the Europe Cruises, Rome, Venice ect ect.

Would be interested to hear from people who have done both or any of these cruises, and some advice which you may have....:)

I, too, adopted this idea.

Then hubby had to turn round at Venice airport and go back home again leaving me with 2 suitcases and him no clothes. :eek:

My shoes and posh outfits were in his suitcase and there was no way i was letting him take them home with him! :D

NOW THATS FUNNY !

Love this thread. A lot of things I wouldn't have thought of. Will be leaving Australia for the first time, for Singapore and this thread is greatly appreciated. Of course , we wont be taking EVERTHING on this LIST . But , at least there is a list to pick stuff to take. CHEERS :D

Thankyou ! have added you as a contact. I know I will have eventually a few questions. Just sinking my teeth into things now.. :) Always good to know people from other countries ...

Hi Banditoo ! :) just wondering who were the tour guide group you went with ? Just organising my trip now and would be happy to hear some advice from you . cheers

THANKS WIDEBAY ! im planning a family holiday to Singapore. Have never travelled outside Australia , and decided I liked Singapore to be our first destination. Have heard a lot of good things. Will look into your helpful list. cheers..

BUT, DO HAVE 1 QUESTION FOR YOU,

What are the best months of the year to go to Singapore ?

helenb ! sounds like your a good parent . well said. couldn't have said it better myself. :)

NO ! if you buy the "alcoholic beverage card", you certainly wouldn't have the need to purchase the coffee card or the mock tail/ thick shakes card. Its either, your going to get drunk, OR going to relax. Id usually get drunk at least once on the cruise, but was having such a good time watching drunk couples fighting , didn't need to.. ;)

I was just on the Diamond Princess interior cabin. Shower IS SMALL. Being a Carpenter and Joiner, wanted to pull the tape measure out as I was very surprised. I would estimate it would be 700mm x 700mm and a height of 2200mm. Anyone who is a bigger person will have trouble. It didn't bother us as, id done my home work before I went on the trip. Generally, if I get the "Heads up" on things, they don't bother me. Its when I get a shock not knowing is when I get real ****ty....

Well said, Cruisin Chick.......

:):)

My wife (36y/o) myself(36y/o) and our 14 y/o son Just finished a 8 night cruise on the Diamond Princess. My son gave the teen club 8/10..He had a great time meeting new people his age and he stuck with them after the teen club closed for the entire cruise . We hardly seen him. But is a good idea from Princess to separate the older teens, as they tended to carry on a bit and swear a lot. Which caused some of the older passengers to cringe a bit.. :)

I would advise not to take your stroller INTO the Horizon court buffet area where you pick up the food. I thought this was common knowledge for any parent. But obviously not. Some lady pushing a stroller, trying to navigate around 50 people is not on. Stay outside with the stroller and get someone to get your meal for you. And yes, im a parent. :) Apart from the stroller issue, children are no problem.

I was surprised when we purchased the coffee card, didn't know you also get FREE cups of good quality tea. A lot of types to choose from. They do not punch the card for tea, ONLY coffee. Also , crap coffee is available for free . The Mock tail card was well worth it as it also enabled our son to get thick shakes . Both these cards are well worth the money.

Alcohol on the ship is expensive, but they do need to make money.

My Wife and I are both 36 from Australia. We have a 14 y/0 son. Just finished a 8 night cruise on the Diamond Princess. Yes, they had 2 Comedians. The first was very funny and I think was American. Big overweight guy(but used this to his advantage). The 2nd was an Australian (steve) who done a comedy/magic show. BLOODY TERRIBLE. Mind you, some passengers who were not Australian, loved it. To me , it was school kid magic without much humour. The Comedian Danny Bhoy from Scotland has been our favourite for a long time.

The food in the Buffet was fantastic. Looked great, smelled great, tasted great. It was also nice to see the kitchen where they make all this food was absolutely crystal clean stainless steel. We had done the Ultimate Ship Tour , so we got to see it. It was good eating all this lovely food knowing it was prepared in such a clean environment. Only thing was, in the buffet, the food was much the same. BUT, it didn't matter as they had on most days, "special meals" , such as Mexican Day ect , in a different part of the ship. I did hear a few compliments saying how nice the food was in Sabatini's( extra charge) though, but we didn't go their. Overall we had a great time. Already booking next cruise, Singapore to Sydney 2015. :) hope this helps.

We just finished a cruise in December 2013 to Hobart & Port Arthur..

In Hobart-

Get on the Red decker Bus . Takes you all around the city. $25 for adults and $15 child. Its a hop on hop off bus. But they have a few, so wait for the new one as its a lot more comfy. Good commentary by the driver. But be aware it stops at 3.30pm.

We had a heap of laundry and were pleased that there is a laundry/café only 5 minutes walk from the port. We ended up taking the entire suitcase and got it washed(20 min) and dried(35min) for around $13 total. On our ship it was around $100. The café didn't look up to our standards so we went elsewhere to have lunch and spent the savings on lunch and a good bottle of red while waiting for the washing. . But there were heaps of food/coffee shops to choose from . Was also good grabbing the basics that the ship didn't have from the local shops, newspaper, magazines, chewing gum ect.. Very relaxing atmosphere.

Port Arthur -

Was annoyed that id left my wallet on the ship as there was a thumping BBQ happening on shore. Smelled fantastic, and it would have been nice having different food than what the ship was providing. A lot of ruins to see. Only issue is departing. The port Arthur staff didn't have the manpower to organise so many people getting to the dock. Dock had to be shared with the local ferry , so it took a while(1 hour line-up) to get onto the ship again. But being us, didn't bother us in the slightest. But be aware, when in the Queue , there is NO shelter if it rains. YOU WILL get wet.

:):):)