robthens

On my May Discovery cruise the buffet was self serve.  The buffet under "normal" times is not my first dining option.  The thought of touching anything on that buffet makes my stomach roll.

“On the Bayou”  is one of our favorite shows.  Have seen it in the main theater and in Universal Lounge.

I would be thrilled to see it again!

I was very disappointed on my last cruise in May on the Discovery the production show was cancelled.  Some of the performers were ill (covid I'm sure) 

When I read through these posts, I felt compelled to put in my $.02, $.20, $2.00+…..

I have traveled to over 40 countries including Cuba where the average salary is $24 a month.

Yes, I know Cuban housekeepers & restaurant workers have the coveted jobs & the people receive government allotments (1/4 of a chicken, rice, beans, & 4 eggs per person per month & don’t forget powered milk until age 7)

Third world country workers in the travel industry are often supporting multigenerational families.  The past few years have been especially hard. The pandemic has been hard on all of us. 

I have always rewarded good service in foreign countries and in the US.

Do I donate to local charities with my money and my time?  YES

Does it make me feel good to give a generous tip when someone does a good job? YES

Do I care that they might use my tip money to buy an IPhone?  No

Do I tip at an “all inclusive”?  YES   Do I think I get better service by doing it?  YES

When I cruise, do I give extra to the people that have provided me good service?  YES

Have I ever not given a tip?  Yes  In Dublin on a private tour, the driver felt it necessary to tell us “all that was wrong with our US government ”  Did we tell him why he wasn’t getting a tip?  YES

Do I occasionally give a $1.00 thank you tip to the McDonalds Teenager at the drive thru window?  Yes  ….  Just proud they are working & trying to earn money!

As a 70+ widow I think if you can afford to go out to eat or take a vacation you should be able to tip!

Ship  Discovery Princess

Class  Royal Class

Deck  Caribe

Stateroom #  C739

Category Penthouse Suite

Port/Starboard/Bow/Stern Starboard Aft

Connects With Cabin # n/a

Accessible No

Quiet Yes very 

Balcony Size Enormous, and wraps around the corner, with sliding doors from both the living room and bedroom opening onto the balcony, a small dining table with 2 chairs, and 2 loungers with a small side table. It's partially covered, which is nice for getting out of sun or rain.

View Unobstructed

Privacy Issues  Because balcony is only partially covered, majority of the balcony can be viewed from above

Wind A little at times, but not bad at all.

Soot None 

Problems None

Comments We loved the enormous balcony, and the separate living area. The bathroom is divided into a large room with double sinks, enormous glassed in shower plus a tub, and a second smaller room with a sink and toilet. Just can't say enough about the amazing bathroom.  Top quality bath amenities. 

Also, there was ample storage, both for hanging clothes, and on shelves and in the many, many drawers all around the cabin. There were also plenty of electrical outlets and charging ports, including in the base of the bedside lamps. 

Mini fridge was stocked with "Elite" assortment.  Ice bucket was filled twice daily as well as fresh fruit basket replenished upon request.  In room canapes were available every night.  Surprised with chocolate covered strawberries one day and bonbons another.

Laundry was picked up each morning and normally back the same day.

Bed and pillow choices were very comfortable and linens were changed every day.  Room was also serviced twice a day.

Private concierge area available for suite passengers.  Stocked with beverages, cheeses and amuse-bouche selection. Arrangements were made with concierge to have luggage picked up on the last night and taken to airport and checked in for us.

Just back from Discovery Princess.  This was my first time to be in a full suite, which entitled me to Club Class dining.  In my opinion if dining is a priority for anyone, Club Class is worth every penny.

We had a separate entrance.  There was never a wait regardless of the time we arrived. 

We were personally greeted and escorted to our table.

Our party of three was seated at the same table with the same wait staff.  Each night the Club Class head waiter came and told us the items that were offered that were not on the menu (one starter and one main)   Cocktails and wine were promptly delivered.  It was the closest thing to "fine dining" I have every experienced on any cruise.

We LOVED it!

Did a search with no results.....  Which dining room has Club Class dining?

Hope I can make this clear...... I had Princess information on two different documents   

One was successful in getting my OBC  

shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com      This email worked

and

SBPCL@princesscruises.com   .  This email did not work

Faxing did not work for me.  A princess rep told me to email to the one that worked  

Was also told email was the best way to get credit processed.

Maybe one document was old.... maybe one was b4 covid...  maybe one had covid  lol

We stockholder want our OBC  That is the only reason we bought this stock years ago.

After several attempts, I finally have my shareholder benefit credit to my account on the upcoming cruise.

Steps to success:

--- scanned copy of shareholder statement and Carnival shareholder benefit request form 

--- attached it in a PDF file & emailed to Princessl @   'shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com' 

Things that didn't work - faxing(2times) -  emailing to sbpci@princesscruises.com - calling Princess @ corporate shareholder extension #

I hope this will help!

The Carnival shareholder benefit request form has the following:

  Booking number

  ship name

  Sailing date

  First and last name

  Your telephone number & email address

Application must be received 14 days prior to cruise departure date.

After I was successful in emailing form, credit was applied in 5 days.  Request form states "requests will be handled with 7 days"/

After several attempts, I finally have my shareholder benefit credit to my account on the upcoming cruise.

Steps to success:

--- scanned copy of shareholder statement and Carnival shareholder benefit request form 

--- attached it in a PDF file & emailed to Princessl @   'shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com' 

Things that didn't work - faxing(2times) -  emailing to sbpci@princesscruises.com - calling Princess @ corporate shareholder extension #

I hope this will help!

After several attempts, I finally have my shareholder benefit credit to my account on the upcoming cruise.

Steps to success:

--- scanned copy of shareholder statement and Carnival shareholder benefit request form 

--- attached it in a PDF file & emailed to Princessl @   'shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com' 

Things that didn't work - faxing(2times) -  emailing to sbpci@princesscruises.com - calling Princess @ corporate shareholder extension #

I hope this will help!

My choice would be to fly into Seattle the day before and stay at the Mayflower Hotel.

Spend the day in Seattle.  Visit the Pike Place Market (nice lunch or dinner) and visit the

Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum.

I strongly suggest you go a day or 2 early to Anchorage and stay at the Captain Cook hotel and as another post mentioned the Snow City Cafe is amazing for breakfast and lunch.

 Another favorite eating spot in Anchorage is Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse.

Many have said the dining experience is part of the cruise.  Why do some have to pay to get a better dinner expierence?   I agree dinner should be special ; however,  when you pay the price of a suite, Princess has to offer addition incentives in order to make the price of a suite worth while. Why should an inside cabin have the same dining options as a penthouse suite?   Rational is the same as everyone gets a trophy.  As an Elite member, I paid my dues.  I earned extra perks. Same goes for suite passengers. They are paying for extra perks 

Love the aft facing cabins !!!

Thanks to you.... and others for the Cuba "pro's" responses. Good to know!:beer-toast:

I forgot to add..... music everywhere.

Not to hijack the thread a bit, but I don't get the Cuba love thing. IMHO, I chalk up the Cuba love for the uniqueness factor... "we went to Cuba...." Let's face it, for US folk, it has limited accessibility. That being the case, I believe that is NOT the case for other countries/regions. Canadians, Europeans, Asians, Ausies, etc all can visit, no? If I'm mistaken I truly apologize and likely deserve to be labeled the "ugly American." So why aren't they all already flocking to Cuba?

 

However, that being said, what is so compelling to go to Cubu? I mean aren't there tons of other likely more interesting and/or fun destinations out there? Heck just in the Caribbean alone it appears that these destinations would be ranked above Cuba. Maybe it's that forbidden fruit thing?

 

Sorry, if this sounded like a rant.. not meant to be. Maybe some of those wanting or "been there" folks can comment on the strong reasons to want to visit this island? It might also shed some light on why Princess may or may not add it to an itinerary.

Well, I will tell you the things we enjoyed.

- scenery (it is beautiful country)

- people (everyone is friendly & service was amazing)

- food (loved it)

- history (made me appreciate not living in a communist country)

- Cars, Cars, Cars

I know this isn’t your question but would like to make a suggestion.

If you want the Cuban expierence, consider a land tour rather than a cruise.

We love cruising & are elite with Princess but we chose a land tour of Cuba last year. It was amazing. We went with Vantage Travel. They arranged for our “educational” visa. All accommodations & tours were included as well as most meals.

The people were so friendly & yes, it is a poor country but we were never bothered by people begging (noticed another poster expierenced that)

Happy to answer any questions.

We thought the flightseeing to and from the Taku Lodge which is combined with a salmon bake at the lodge (that happens to be directly across from the Take Gacier) was excellent, so much so we have done it several times. That is a Princess excursion.

Taku Lodge excursion is amazing & salmon bake is great ! Worth the money.

If you ever had Kelvin Joy as CD you would understand.

Wouldn’t book a cruise just because Kevin was the CD but think he is the best. We have enjoyed being on two of his cruises.

Just FYI. I remember instructions said “no open toed shoes”

We really enjoy the production shows on Princess. Our all time favorite is "On the Bayou". Have seen it 3 times & I really hope it will be on our upcoming November Coral sailing.

The Ultimate Ship Tour was the most interesting thing we have done on the ship.

Would love to hear preferences of others.

Good afternoon,

In January 2018 we will be embarking onto Oasis of the Seas 1st time on such a big ship, I have heard that you need to pre-book seating for the theatre, could anyone please confirm this for us , as watching the show in the evening is one of the things we really do enjoy.

Any other hints and tips on how to get the best out of such a large ship would be very much appreciated, also is it a struggle to get a chair or lounger on deck on sea days in Caribbean

Thank you in advance for any help.

Yours gratefully,

Worrywort.

Love the Oasis. Pre-book the shows (which are the best we have ever seen)

Why wouldn't you want all of your IDs spelled like it is on your birth certificate. Makes life a lot easier.

Well you are exactly right. It would make life a lot easier.

I posted the following on another post:

Not to worry. If passport has correct spelling, you are fine. My drivers license has a completely different spelling. Actually my social security card & drivers license have the same first name spelling which is totally different than my birth certificate & passport.

Lol. It was an identity crisis when I was 19ish. It drives my DH "nuts"!!!

I'll answer to Jackie, Jacquelyne or Jacque

I recognize that lost luggage is really never funny but expirences regarding this might be interesting.

On our 2nd cruise, we arrived in Venice but our luggage didn't. This was a time when women packed an entire suitcase of shoes. (your shoes had to match every outfit)

We tried to make the best of the evening. We went on our own for a walking tour of Venice. Like our luggage, we got so lost. We wandered the street & finally got back to our hotel. Once in the room, I got on my knees & prayed "God, if you intended for me to enjoy the trip please let my luggage arrive". Prayers answered at about 11 o'clock. Luggage was delivered.

On our last cruise there were 2 middle aged men dressed as female nursery rhyme characters .

 

They both had full beards and disembarked from the ship in their attire.

This post has my vote for most "unique/bizarre".