floridarob

Everything says it has to be in carry on, has anyone had it in their checked luggage and was there any problem?

Coming straight from the airport and it will be buried in my luggage, I won't have a carry on. Don't want to seem like a lush walking into the terminal with only a bottle of wine in my hand, lol

10 hours ago, jon81uk said:

they are conscious choices by a company to treat staff better. 

Only time will tell.... do you remember how cruising used to be in the 70's-00's ?

Big corporations do what they do inevitably...... 

On 4/27/2023 at 9:49 PM, cantgetin said:

She gushed about how much better VV was for crew than the previous line.  Their satisfaction is reflected in how they treat us.

Give it time....it'll become like the other lines for the staff. The other lines are how they are, because of YEARS of experience. There is a reason, no matter how stupid it sounds to us why they do many things....other stuff is just what's happens when you have up to 80 countries represented working together 😉

On 5/2/2023 at 4:06 PM, ulster-cruiser said:

We purchased 900$ worth of bar tab and received 300$ worth of bonus which I can see in the add ons.

Seemed like a lot, then I noticed Ireland 😉

I'm on this cruise as well...Not only overnight in Boston for 4th of July...but is Canada Day July 1st, Halifax will be wild...Canada celebrating 150yrs

The Fireworks are on the Charles River, not sure we'll see them from the ship...;)

Also, they cannot all get together and agree to eliminate or limit their loyalty programs. That would be an anti-trust violation in the US.

They won't "get together"

One will do it and the others will follow..... just like the airline industry has recently done to stay "competitive".

Like I said, cruise lines lag years behind in their decisions.... think about it Elites, how much do you spend once onboard, I listen to stories all day long on cruises about how many OBC's you have and how cheap the cruise was.... do you think they are making money on us? They already know the real money is from 1st time or occasional cruisers....

Honestly I can't see the cruise lines doing these perks for ever, not the way it seems people cruise so many times a year.

When I worked onboard we use to joke that the cruise line was about 8 yrs behind corporate America in their thinking (not a bad thing)

Elites typically spend the least onboard even when having all the free onboard credits.... blue cards spend the most, because is their 1st time and haven't learned "the system" yet of what not to waste money on.

I think they will eventually fall into line with what the airlines now do and base it on revenue.... I use to get Gold and Platinum every year with the airlines without spending a ton of money (a few Asia trips was all it took). Now I am LUCKY to barely make silver, however I am close to a million miler which will get me gold status for life, unless they eliminate that too, lol

I know everyone will say that they should reward their "loyal" pax, but what other options do we really have in this market/price.... 3 main companies, almost just like the airlines, cell phone companies, banks, etc..... if we don't like it and change who we travel with....they will lose some and win some new passengers , acceptable gains/losses.

And in the end we will just accept it.... like how we have gotten used to baggage fees, cell phone insurance/deductibles, NSF fees, wire fees, etc....

Sometimes UST wasn't held because not enough people signed up.... whenever someone came up and asked for ships specs or something technical about engines/thrusters, I knew they'd be interested in this tour. Most have no idea about it and after I explained it to them, they signed up.... after the tour they'd come to see me so excited that I told them about it.... one of the things I liked about working on the ship.... seeing people enjoying themselves having a good time, life is short....

I really think that phrase should replace "Come Back New".

OMG, that is too funny.... could become a standard slogan for many travel and service industries today as they all are brainwashing us to believe in is "bottom line"

I usually get some fruit from the buffet, cantaloupe or watermelon, cut it into pieces and take it to a bartender I like and ask them to mix it in the blender with some ice and a little sugar water.

Another option would be to bring a blender and do it yourself, I just bought an Oster blender last month on Amazon for $11... cheap enough you could leave it behind..... or find out the port agent of where you are embarking and have it shipped there, will be delivered to your Cabin around sailaway time

Was on the ship in July and my 1st thought was that it was "tired".

Was nice but def showed its age/ I use to be in hotel management so maybe I am a little more critical to detail.

They also knew the ship would be sold, didn't just happen overnight.

The rooms are well maintained and mattresses were changed while I was on (although I couldn't feel the difference). But the public areas are showing wear & tear.

You will get to know most of the crew because of its size but don't expect much nightlife or casino action, lol

as one of my best friends would say.... "1st world problems"

Yes, is true also...

I use to go to the crew mess because they have a soft serve ice cream machine and even as an officer couldn't have soft serve at the pax ice cream place (one of those 3 stripes and above thing I think it was or standing order) but was told (not by crew) but by my boss to stay out, was weird but I've come to the conclusion they didn't want me to see some of the crap they gave crew...

I was pretty outspoken to people about doing more for crew... many of the crew had asked my to apply for P&T manager (human resource) I laughed because the company would never want someone, that cares about crew morale and welfare, like me in that position, lol

On the first leg of the South America Grand cruise; January 2013, the cutoff was 693. This was a 49 day cruise with 3 legs; 19 - 13- 17. The cutoff numbers just kept growing since everyone from the first cruised stayed on.

Hahaha, EXACTLY... I usually go ask the next day after we leave what the cutoff is and was shocked when it was 500 on 1 and about 800 on another.

I get cruising is fun, but I've found 3 weeks at a time is my personal limit to when I am ready to leave (as I'm sure some of the crew want me to leave too, lol)

But recently (maybe the low pricing?) some people are staying on the same ships for 1-4 months....

No room service for the majority.

But these guys yes.....

 

Captain

Staff Capt

General Mgr

CD

 

 

The crew will hit their own ethnic restaurants whenever they can.

I think you are pretty much on the money.... generally 3 stripes (& equivalent) and above can do what they want.

There are 3 crew dining areas on the grand class ships.

Officers & officer equivalent = has Waiters and the same menu as pax and a small buffet in case you are in a rush, minus Lobster on lobster night

Staff= Buffet (better than crew mess but can also go to pax buffet, pizzeria and hamburgers when not overly crowded) only and serve yourself staff would be photo, spa, casino, , boutiques

Crew mess= everyone else... like someone said , depends on time of day and chef.... lots of people get screwed here because mostly rice :-/

Also most crew, some need previous permission can goto specialty dining depending on service loads but pay the cover fee.

Every ship has standing orders from the Captain that will outline which places even officers (under 3 stripes) can go to ....

Some HGM's have rules as well, such as no pax elevator use

I'm sure I've forgotten something, lol

Perhaps most galling to me as someone who spent many years in an executive position with a major national corporation as well as successfully running companies of my own later in life is the fact whoever it was that responded on behalf of Princess did not have the courage or the common courtesy to append their name to the communication, but merely hid behind the genetic "Captain's Circle Department". Once again, in my view, a deplorable exercise in Public Relations.

 

As is the problem with all major companies today as I can tell. Whether it be mass cruise lines, airlines, hotels, mobile phone companies, banks, insurance, grocery stores, etc, etc, etc......

Do they really care? I call it the Ford Pinto scenario (there are more recent examples, this just sticks in my head) They are willing to loose customers because there are always new customers (Sears wishes probably) But executives don't plan on becoming a Sears, JC Penny , Circuit City.... they think they will always be needed. But even when companies close, jobs are lost but the top dogs still get their payout.

Just a rant but times are much different today with all the mergers and less competition, no?

It was execucar that we made arrangements with. I think next time I will try to use Uber or Lyft instead.

Lyft has pulled out of Houston.... they didn't like the restrictions the city placed on them (permitting/background checks) to be able to operate.

yes you have to get off and clear immigration and customs. Note you are not allowed to take anything off to leave ashore. Last year we tried to take some stuff off for a friend we were meeting and the agent said we were not allowed. We had to return it back to our cabin. Then we were able to go ashore. Other times we have had to prove that there was nothing in our knapsack out of the ordinary. Technically we are not allowed to leave anything in the US until we get off completely at the end of the entire voyage.

 

We have had the experience take all of 15 minutes to clear the ship and get a zero count and as longs as two hours when they had to completely sanitize the ship and we were allowed back on but we all had to stay in club fusion until the cleaning was done.

I've gotten off in the walk off group 1st thing in the morning when I wanted to do that while on b2b's. You take your customs form and declare anything that needs to be declared..if anything at all... the only difference when doing this vs getting off with the other b2b people is you need to wait until the ship is ready for general boarding, just can't get right back on with the group. No biggie really, because you already will have your new key and in transit card to show people when going through the terminal.

A majority of people working at the pursers desk are on 1st or 2nd contract and what they don't know, they make up or go by what they have been told... not much practical experience sadly

When I worked on the Golden at the desk, I used to recommend this tour to anyone that asked for a "facts" sheet about the ship because this meant they had an interest in this type of stuff. They would ALWAYS come back after and thank me.

Also, if you have a balcony, the Balcony Dining Experience (I've never done it myself) has had great reviews from guests.

Capt. Lubrano looks, acts and walks more like a soccer player or boxer to me and has a VERY pretty wife.

Someone mentioned Marco Fortesse (sp?).... he is now a Fleet Captain and I have cruised with him many times as a passenger, so many funny stories and pictures together.

Ahhh, but talking about the price of the UST... sure you can get the free tour of the galley and backstage, but doesn't compare to the personalized feel of this tour. Just figure the cost (if you were to buy) the 5 photos, chef coat, robe and the other stuff... the tour is practically a zero cost and there is not a rule that you must take the stuff with you ;)

If it was free then everyone would do it.... reminds me of all the people at the Capt Circle party or Champagne waterfall having the free stuff but would never think of buying a drink, lol

Thanks for everyones help... Booked Ocean

I've never done any of the ports on either cruise...

I am USUALLY a night person and like to stay up late drinking but since both have many port days, I might not be able to do that.

If I do the Royal, I will stay in Copenhagen for 2 nights the weekend after the cruise... Ocean would be fly in/out.

Tough decision but I appreciate the input about things like sailing in/out of a port being pretty and because the ship is small can get closer....

I'm trying to decide between 2 very similar cruises pricewise, or so they seem... once I figure in the air and staying 2 nights in CPH after the Royal... going directly home after the Ocean.

The Ocean does do the Kiel Canal though and both overnight in St Petersburg.

Ocean is 14 days Royal is 11 days.

Royal leave from Copenhagen- Easy to get to the port from airport

Ocean leaves from Dover.... never been to any of the ports they are doing.

So it now depends on the feedback I get from you guys... will be booking inside cabin (I'm not rich)

Thanks!

Ocean Itin=

14 Day Scandinavia & Russia Collection Roundtrip from London (Dover), England

Starting in London (Dover), England; with stops in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Kiel Canal, Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Copenhagen, Denmark; London (Dover), England

Royal Itin=

11 Day Scandinavia & Russia Roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark

Starting in Copenhagen, Denmark | with stops in Oslo, Norway | Gothenburg, Sweden | Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany | Tallinn, Estonia | St. Petersburg, Russia | Helsinki, Finland | Stockholm (Nynashamn), Sweden | Copenhagen, Denmark

nothing near the bed, (except 220v that the table lamps plug into)

just the outlet at the vanity and behind the TV

Thanks all for your feedback. The youngest is almost 3 yrs old and frankly might rather want to jump into bed with parents rather than be all by her lonesome in an upper bunk! What about the configuration of just one bunk above for the older sibling and still moving the twins together below?? Would that work or still be tight? Talking about an ocean view down on plaza deck if anyone has experience with that configuration??

Like everyone said, the upper beds on this deck are attached to the wall. So even if there were only 2 people in a room like this, putting the lower bunks in a queen configuration is uncomfortable because whenever you get up, you'd be hitting your shoulders or head on the extruding upper beds.

The upper decks that have them lower out of the ceiling are better.

Don't know what makes me reply again, but after reading those threads mentioned above my head hurts.... we know guests ALWAYS remember putting the deadbolt on or not forgetting ANYTHING and being sure that their stateroom steward stole something, or have other desires to get in the room and seeing them naked, ***?

Here are the comments from those threads that make sense... I know what I posted, cut & pasted from VingCard (The door lock manufacturer) operating instructions must be wrong, but at least these few posters KNOW what they were talking about.

Not to make anyone feel bad, but we all read some posts here and think to ourselves.... these people haven't a clue, and I usually do well by just ignoring them. But for some reason since I am a nerd and totally get the workings of various hotel door locks, this bothers me, lol

I even messaged some senior officers on Facebook to confirm my beliefs, I've been off ships for almost 4 yrs. (but cruise regularly as a pax, 50th Princess cruise coming next month) They confirmed that the "Metal key" opens a door with the deadbolt on.

Here's the knowledgeable posts:

Originally Posted by EdmPair View Post

I work the lock trade and this thread describes something well outside the design for hotel function locks. I have read all 4 pages to be clear and I see it as unacceptable that a cabin attendant would open a door when the deadbolt is engaged. (My comments are based on typical model function but since the world is a big place, it can not speak to all brands. And yet, the two cruises I have been on used hotel type locks I have seen in local buildings.) The idea from the lock makers was that each passenger would get a key or two which have an expiry date/time. If you snuck back onto the same ship the next day, your key will be dead automatically. The staff cards will not expire but are collected when they leave the ship and could be disabled if lost. Housekeeping staff are given a key card for an area but how much of the ship any one card can open would depend on how it is programmed. A housekeeping supervisor could open any cabin. Usually, these two levels would not override a deadbolt. Remember any card use is recorded and can be traced in an audit.

Senior managers and security could open any cabin in an emergency even if the deadbolt is thrown. I want to correct a few people who think the attendant can tell the deadbolt is pulled back by any card. The card use does not make any different noise just an unauthorized card can not open the deadbolt. Security has a key too but those are even less used than a master card. The idea of needing a large number to sweep the ship in an emergency sounds plausible on one level, but if you think of any event when that is needed, it is plausible staff would run to a station to get a visibility vest or coloured hat or such. It is in those locations such cards could be handed out. I too have seen the photos of staff during the Costa Concordia sinking and they all had vests. A fire sweep of cabins would be after general alarm and again new uniforms would be used.

Working in the trade, giving all cabin staff a maser key to every cabin and the ability to override the deadbolt, is just too many people. You can maintain security better in a smaller group and this seems a 'big hammer solution to put in a thumb tack.' I will ask Princess of it next time I sail.

AND

At the major chain hotel I work at we have only one emergency key that will override a deadbolt. The housekeepers have no access to this key, only management and is only ever used in an extreme emergencies.

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