Florida_gal_50

Unfortunately the only choices you have is pay, schlep or not drink. I think the fault lands squarely on the shoulders of those that chose to bring their weight in wine on a cruise. Not only did it cut into Hal’s profits but the poor stewards had to schlep all that wine to staterooms when people slapped a luggage tag on it. I just go with the cheapest package and I can usually find something I like. I drink white so that makes it easier I think.

You said there is nothing to do but pack it in and go to bed. I find that very, very hard to believe whether on the zuiderdam or the pinnacle ships. Sorry that confused you. Also I never said I had an all consuming job. I’m out of the house every day for 11 hours. Once I get to work it’s head down, no sitting or replying on cruise critic except for lunch time. I don’t take any breaks other than lunch because I’m super busy.

I was wondering about that too. I haven’t seen it. My last cruise was on the koningsdam in March.

Don't you pay more for wine in a restaurant at home? I know it's ridiculous where I live. I've never seen wine priced the same as the liquor store at any restaurant.

I think that the entertainment is so much better on the pinnacle ships then the old ships in the fleet. It’s been a few years since I’ve been on any other class so I tend to think of the pinnacle class as an absolute. I’d be happy to only sail on this class.

@jaspersmommyactually Canaletto is a part of the lido on every ship. There are no stand alone Canaletto restaurants on any of the ships. On the pinnacle ships it’s a little more blocked off for lack on a better word. I haven’t heard great things about the food on the zuiderdam. It’s too bad that it hasn’t gotten better. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Love that. I do have to wonder a little though when someone says entertainment is so important then picks hal. It’s kinda like me picking Disney and complaining about kids 😉.

Really, there seems to be lots of entertainment on the new ships. Have you been on one? Every time someone says they watch TV on a cruise someone has to say something about it? Why? You do you and I'll do me. I don't say anything about people that stay up all night and sleep until noon. I really don't care.

I’m the same as you. The only time I go to the always available would be if all the other choices sucked. That doesn’t happen too often for me but I don’t eat in the mdr a ton at night. I guess for some Big Macs and wieners and beans rule 😛.

That is terrible. Just think at how much business is being lost because of this. So many people just don't care about providing good service. You shouldn't have to beg for it.

Why be so judgmental? It’s a nightmare for me to be around a ton of people, pre Covid and now. I’m so incredibly tired because work consumes my life for 11 hours every day. I rarely sleep well on top of it. While I sleep marginally better now for years I averaged about 5 hours of sleep a night. Its an absolute treat to sit on my balcony drinking wine or to get under the covers and watch a movie. I really tire of the comments about watching TV or movies, and those that choose this. It seems to come from people who forget how much work takes out of you and just wanting to be.

Someone else mentioned adding stuff to their mini bar which is a good idea if you drink more one day than another. Why leave anything on the table you don't need to.

I was offered have it all for the second week of a two week b2b. That was on a Friday for a Sunday cruise. Price was $50 usd per day so I'm not sure I'd count on it being discounted. Caused all sorts of billing issues because it was last minute plus it was the koningsdam.

I enjoyed your thread very much. Agree with you on the food venues. I’m not a lido fan either.

Good points. I thought I’d read that Princess only has open dining, no traditional. This seemed to be in the last few months. I haven’t sailed with them since the start up so I don’t know.

Yup I agree. I’m still working but I don’t like to use company resources for non business reasons. Fax machines are not that prevalent in offices either. As a matter of fact I’ve yet to see one where I work now. Every time I’ve sent my request in via email it seems to take at least 2 weeks, others have said it was quick. I do hope they are getting caught up.

Interesting. I’m not sure. I’ve cruise on Princess quite a lot but not lately.

Nothing wrong with fish and chips on a regular menu. I don’t think that’s great on dressy night given the price that was charged for this cruise. I don’t find the menus to be that much different from the usual with a few better choices sprinkled in. I see still no “free” lobster unless I missed it. I’m enjoying your thread.

You better alert hal they are using the wrong terminology on their website. When you go to pick your ROOM it says room, not cabin. This isn’t the navy, it’s a cruise.

No one should have to explain what has happened to them or their choices. I refuse to answer questions that are no one’s business only to be questioned further. I’ll pick open every time over fixed. When they started open I was totally opposed to it. Now I wouldn’t choose anything else.

There is no reason to even mention this. I don’t know why this would bother anyone in the least.

Don’t you know you are supposed to eat anything put in front of you without complaint 🙄. You should also be belittled for your dining choices. Personally I’d rather not eat something that I don’t like but clearly that is not the standard. I do wonder what people eat at home. A while back people on cruise critic were raving about tomato pie. I’m a good cook and I’m always trying new things so I couldn’t wait to try it. It was so greasy after one piece I had to throw it out. It was one of the worst things I’ve ever tasted.

That is a longer, special cruise so I would expect to possibly see “special” things on it. That said it’s worth an ask.

They used to insist on fax because it was a privacy issue whatever that means. I don’t see how either one is private.

Yes, it was before covid. Have you tried to use it? I’m not doubting you but I can’t imagine what difference it would make to them. After all you can pre book shorex for have it all ahead of time, I understand obc and hia are different. I won’t be testing it because I have more $ than I can use on shorex.