Triptkr

We think a full suite is worth it depending on the ship.  The newer ships are not created equal with the older class ships in our opinion.  Older ships balconies are larger for full suites, newer ships balconies are not guaranteed to be large.  It takes a lot more detective work to know what you're getting balcony-wise on the new ships.  

Obviously to us, the balcony is very important.   

Same thing happened to us.   Haven't tried calling, will wait until we're onboard, I guess.  I'm sure they'll be eager to get our cc number then.

I fail to see why so many think that just because the deposit is $25.00 -- upon cancellation they somehow owe back more than that ($75.00).   

Is this stated somewhere...small print?  

1 hour ago, Meander Ingwa said:

What brand of ginger pills are used?   I love ginger and eat and drink it regularly , pills would be most practical.  I assume there will be lemon ginger tea in the buffet and drink services on Viking

I just go to a local health store and get ginger tablets there.  Sorry, don't have the brand name -- just make sure to check ingredients.   From my experience, I don't remember seeing ginger tea onboard Viking Ocean vessels.   Mighty Leaf brand has a good ginger turmeric tea that would probably be worth bringing along.

We have gotten in the habit of always bringing along ginger tablets.  I take two with water before the ship leaves port...at each port.  Also if upon waking (to a day at sea) the seas are a bit turbulent I take a few more ginger tablets.  We have also learned to NOT have an empty stomach on the days when the seas are rocky.  As much as I don't want to eat then, I make myself have a little bread or crackers and it really seems to help me.    

These are things that have helped us.

@katlew,

Thank you for keeping all of us in the loop of your situation.  For myself, I appreciate hearing how Viking has handled the whole mess...vouchers, refunds, etc.  Whether they have or haven't refunded and whether it's in voucher or cash, it's helpful for the rest of us to know so we can make the correct decision for our future vacations.

If you don't mind, please continue to keep us apprised if Viking changes or adds anything to the compensation package once you get home.   

10 hours ago, ldtr said:

Viking had a ship with even a worse problem off the coast of Australia also needing cleaning before they will let the ship dock.  It was turned away from several ports.  Not just a CCL issue.  Maybe they have tightened up on enforcement this year.

Yes, this was an issue with a Viking ship.  However, have you heard how Viking is handling the situation?   Totally black and white from Princess.  

They are refunding everyone their money back plus 50% voucher.

On 11/10/2022 at 10:56 PM, jeromep said:

On the Grand Class ships, Sabatini's is a much nicer location for suite breakfast than Crown Grill.  Much lighter and brighter atmosphere.  Much more appropriate feeling in the morning than the dark woods and darker environment of the Crown Grill.

Agree.  We just got off the Emerald and it's the same situation.   Didn't care for aft deck 16 on rough sea days but LOVED it on calm days at sea.  I appreciated the calm feeling.

For foods...you can pretty much order anything for breakfast.  Some items may take some prep work so if you can, give the maitre'd a days notice. We asked for macadamia nut pancakes and were told we would have them the next day...and we did!   Very yummy!  Also had crepes another morning and were not disappointed. 

2 hours ago, justafem said:

Want to hear an even worse dilemma?  Hubs and my upcoming cruise, not only do we have princess plus and 2 minibars (suite gets an extra one), we also have $660 onboard credit.  It's a 10 day cruise, no way we can specialty dine every night, or they'd have to take me off the ship in a wheelbarrow.

 

 

Can you help me with this one...you noted that a full suite gets two mini bar set-ups.  That's what I thought too but so far can't find where it says that on the 'full suite benefits' pdf. Where does it say two set-ups?

Thanks!

Is it possible to switch out the mini bar with one coffee card and half a mini bar set-up?

You are going to have so much FUN in your Penthouse Suite!!!  Congrats!  Have you had a suite before with Princess?  Either way, enjoy yourself, make sure you know all the perks that come along with the Suite experience so you can make sure to get them.  Breakfast at Sabatini's (or Crown Grill depending upon which ship you're on) is superb as is all the other things that make Suite-Life awesome.   

We've been on two Viking Ocean cruises and have three more on the books...so that speaks volumes.   I would wager your onboard experience will be AWESOME!!!!

My frustration when it comes to Viking is the same as it has been since we booked our first cruise.  That being that their customer service via phone can not be depended upon to be accurate for most things.  You'll get three answers to the same question if you ask three different people on 1800Viking.   

Viking Ocean onboard is an awesome experience...calm atmosphere, welcoming and each employee goes out of their way for you.    Go and enjoy, just do your homework about questions that you have prior to boarding your ship.  CC is a good source.

What time does Sabatini's open for breakfast?

7 minutes ago, prmssk said:

This isn't just an old ship vs. new ship problem.  I sail other lines and never have I heard problems to this extent and this ongoing with any of their older like I have with this and other Princess ships.  I commented to one of my travel companions who mostly travels Princess while I was on the Caribbean Princess at how many public toilets and faucets were out of use and her response was that it's just normal.  That is not normal on other lines that maintain their ships better.  And I'm not saying other cruise lines never have maintenance issues but they just aren't this widespread and go unresolved for so long.

 

I generally agree that you shouldn't judge a whole cruise line by one cruise experience but sometimes that one cruise experience is actually a representation of how the cruise line handles problems and in this case how well they maintain ships.

 

After we sailed the Emerald in February, we cancelled our cruise on the Crown that was supposed to take us to Hawaii next year.  Our experience on the Caribbean in June just confirmed that was the right decision.

What was it about the Emerald that made you decide to cancel your Crown cruise?

9 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

 

@Triptkrits not deck 8, it’s deck 7

 

 

 

@HaveDogWillTravelIf you read the post--I was replying back to Nini...referring to the designated smoking location on Viking Ocean ships.  Which is on deck 8. 

I am well aware the Princess crew smoke on deck 7 aft.

1 hour ago, nini said:

Thank you for your feedback. So, no smoke from on top wafts down to any aft staterooms?

No.  None. If you look at deck plans, their designated smoking area for passengers is deck 8 starboard side towards the aft.   If there's an area for crew to smoke, passengers don't know about it.   

Princess Corporation...are you listening???

@HaveDogWillTravelThank you for posting the pictures that you did.  It's helpful to the rest of us in deciding how to handle our upcoming potential cruises with Princess.   As someone posted earlier, Princess has taken a stance...and it's obvious who they value more.  Helps me in my decision.

On 12/19/2021 at 12:27 PM, nini said:

Are you aware of outdoor smoking areas (crew or passengers) on Viking Ocean? Thx

The smoking area on Viking Ocean is outside and clear up top away from staterooms---imagine that[insert sarcasm].   We've been on two Viking Ocean cruises and never...never noticed cigarette smell anywhere.  Btw...Viking Ocean has a full promenade deck on all their ocean ships.  

I know you're asking about recent experience but I would book on the Island again---in a full suite.  We did a 10 day partial transit Panama Canal in December 2019---so awesome!!   The aft facing suites are great.   I missed the International Cafe onboard but being able to dine daily at Sabatini's(in the am) and have prompt service in Club Class made up for that.   

16 minutes ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

You can always request a lounger but I have only once had them bring it to a cabin that was not a full suite. I think they only did it because I’d been on the ship in a full suite for some time and had to switch to a caribe deck balcony due to lack of availability of a full suite for that leg. 
 

Here are some photos of Ruby aft facing PH balconies. Aloha deck is better than the caribe deck. These were taken this year. 
 

If you absolutely must take a mid ship PH and find there are no cushions on the chairs you should request them. If they are on the ship they will bring them. I have had to do this in the past on the rare occasion the cushion was MIA

A751

 

A751

 

C749

Beautiful pictures!!  Thanks for taking the time to post those. 

Going over some videos on youtube, I noticed this one and was sort of 'alarmed' of the furniture that is on the Penthouse Suite balcony. By that, I mean there wasn't any cushions on the chairs and more importantly (to me) was the lack of loungers.   This video appeared to be recent but I'd love for someone who has had a Penthouse Suite on one of the Grand Class ships to give their input of recent experience.  I'm including a screenshot of the balcony to show what I'm referring to.  According to the person who posted this video it was of stateroom R408 on Emerald Princess.

11 minutes ago, jebhoward3 said:

Note to self:   Pack PJ's that are suitable to wear in public.  Make and pack sign "Unable to sleep in cabin due to sewage issue's"

Then if they can not/do not fix sewage issue and will not put us in a replacement cabin go to public area to try to sleep at night.

I dunno.  One may get more prompt service if the PJ's aren't suitable for public viewage.

This is beyond ridiculous.  Please tell me you took pictures of the damage that ocured to your wife's shoes and the soggy carpet--I would have been clicking away!!   

I hope you write to the above provided email addresses and send any proof that you have that this took place.   Honestly, until more Princess customers start taking action Princess most likely won't change their behavior.  

On 7/18/2022 at 6:04 PM, Steelers36 said:

I had not heard of this issue lately and was thinking they had the crew back smoking below decks - or wherever it was before.  Such as what's wrong with the bow area perhaps?

On my other thread I started about this topic (to try to get the most up-to-date info), it seems that it is still happening.  I believe someone posted that had disembarked the Emerald July 9(or thereabout) that it was an ongoing issue.  According to others who had been onboard and 'experienced' the smoking issue the crew used to go to an interior room to smoke but Princess moved them so they'd have more space to social-distance.  [insert eye-roll]    

I'm happy to be corrected about this whole debacle--that the issue has been permanently rectified by Princess and is not longer affecting those who have staterooms in the aft portion of the ship--so if anyone has anything more up-to-date, feel free to tell me.  

On 7/19/2022 at 11:59 AM, Clay Clayton said:

Thanks! ! know the view will be great what I would like to see is the size of the balcony-it looks larger (deeper) than the standard ones. 

Yes!  I am very intrigued with the size of the balcony due to how the railing seems to tilt inward.  Looking forward to seeing your pics.  🙂