travelin.sisters

Post 15a: Dining–Night 1 Ketchikan MDR 

The food was generally very good (but not superb) on the Discovery. The first night we ate in the Ketchikan main dining room & it was a very disappointing experience. We have cruised enough to know that first night dining service is always a little slow & disorganized. This was beyond that by far.  With 6:20 reservations we were seated a little before 6:40. However, at a table for 5 there was one bread plate & 2 water glasses. We were given a basket with 4 pieces of bread & no water. When I could finally get the waiter’s attention to ask for water, he said they had to wait for them to be washed. He finally took our order but did not ask about allergens. I did tell him about my sissy’s allergens & he advised her she needed to change her order, there was no offer to have a head waiter assist which is Princess’ standard when dealing with allergies.  It took until 7:30 & asking 3 people for my BIL to finally be able to place a drink order. When we did receive our food, we got things we didn’t order & didn’t get things we did. The worst was instead of the safe dish my sister ordered; she received one soaked in her allergen. Fortunately, I was able to recognize that it was not what she could eat as dishes were just plopped on the table without any indication of what they were. The food that we did receive was tasty & well prepared, but it was by far the worst meal service we have ever had on a Princess cruise.

rum infused pina colada chilled soup

classic Caesar salad

seared garlic prawns

french onion soup (sadly deficient in the cheese/bread topping)

when they finally did bring us water glasses, they weren't even dried!

Bahamian seafood stew (reportedly delicious)

grilled pork tenderloin

cajun fried chicken (delivered to my sister with pepper allergies!)

dessert time!

bananas foster

strawberry cheesecake

Princess loveboat dream (the sad red new version, not the chocolate new version)

lychee, raspberry & rose mousse

thank you for this, we were on the Discovery just before Christmas & loved the ship & the crew! glad you are also having a great cruise

I have carried my medallion in a holder that I clip to my phone case & had no trouble with interference, but I also have no problem with my car fob working there. 

we keep the reservations as they are, but move people around in the cabins as we want...you can have the medallions set to open more than one door just go to the guest services desk with a person from each cabin & they do it in the computer...not sure about the plus

1 hour ago, whataboutport said:

I know CA has been getting huge waves recently. How was the motion in the ship? We sail on her in a few weeks and it will be my kid's first time on a ship. When I was a kid I did this itinerary and I got sea sick on the way back up to LA. 

we cruised before the big waves arrived, there was some rocking but not bad

new page, here is the list of posts so far:

Post 1: Discovery Princess California Coastal–December 19-23. 2023 (p 1/# 1)

Post 2: Boarding & Embarkation Lunch (p 1/# 4)

Post 3: Christmas Decorations & Getting Settled (p 1/# 6)

Post 4: Exploring the Discovery Princess–Starting at the Top: Deck 19–Vista (p 1/# 7)

Post 5: Deck 18–Sky (p 1/# 9)

Post 6: Deck 17–Sun (p 1/#10)

Post 7: Deck 18–Lido (p 1/#11)

Post 8: World Fresh Market (p 1/#12)

Post 10: Middle Decks (p 1/#13)--aak there was no post 9!!! like a cruise ship that goes from deck 12 to 14 with no 13 😕

Post 11a-h: Deck 7–Promenade (p 1/#21, 22, 24 & 25–p2/#27-30)

Post 12a-d: Deck 6–Fiesta (p 2/#32, 33, 38 & 39)

Post 13a-f: Deck 5–Plaza (p 2/#42-47)

Post 14: Deck 4–Gala (p 2/#48)

50 minutes ago, greenbeanie said:

We are taking the 7-day Pacific Coastal in April; first time on Princess.  Yours was an awesome review and very helpful, thanks!

 

I'm a dedicated aqua fitness exerciser (and aqua instructor) and simply have to get in the pool on every cruise, every day!  So knowing the water depth is important - if over 4.5 foot I need to have a noodle to use like a hobby horse thru my legs.  (I do my workouts in the morning when a pool isn't busy.)

 

Did you notice the water depth on the various pools?

I didn't notice the depth, I don't think they are very deep...pretty sure the wake view pool is pretty shallow

I was able to zoom on this (it is the adult only retreat pool)

OK that's it for the ship tour (except the galley which will be with the culinary show info)...time for a break...I will be back with all the food & menu photos form Sabatini's & the MDR, shows, & random thoughts...we didn't go ashore so there won't be any port stuff...see you soon, it might be Monday before I get back to this

Post 14: Deck 4–Gala

I only went to the Gala deck the day we were in Ensenada to make sure that our minors would not be able to get off the ship without an accompanying adult (they can’t). It is where disembarkation sometimes happens & houses the medical center (they let you take the towels ashore).

Post 13f: Deck 5–Plaza

Finally, after the elevator was the third of the main dining rooms, Juneau. I was told but didn’t check that this was where the games were kept (there is no library on the Discovery).

Post 13e: Deck 5–Plaza

The Piazza on the Discovery feels more open & airier & has more seating than the older smaller ships. They had everything from zumba classes, line dancing, entertainers, kids' events, games & more there throughout the cruise. 

At least one morning there was a bloody Mary cart in the Piazza.

Post 13d: Deck 5–Plaza

Continuing around the Piazza are Good Spirits at Sea, the internet cafe, the liquor & tobacco shop, Gelato & Salty Dog Gastropub. 

Post 13c: Deck 5–Plaza

Entering the central Piazza, you first find the International Cafe. I love the IC; it is great to have a place to grab a quick bite any time of day or night. I can't believe that I went on at least 5 cruises before I discovered this gem. The Discovery has a good selection of foods in their IC...my BIL always gets breakfast there & his specialty coffee. I almost always have a few cookies stored in a ziplock bag in my room form there & it is a great fast lunch if you don't want to face the WFM.

Post 13b: Deck 5–Plaza

Beyond the spa are the Guest Service & Shore Excursions desks. I much prefer this location for Guest Services, even on embarkation day it feels less crowded.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria is on the starboard side in this same area.

(Sabatini's review & food & menu photos & food & m later when I get to dining.)

Post 13a: Deck 5–Plaza

Taking the forward elevators down to the Plaza deck, you find the spa area.

not very good pix, but here is the price list

I did a pedicure & loved the view from the chair

looking forward to sharing in your adventure

1 minute ago, KarmaCruisers said:

So if I didn’t purchase the Plus/Premiere package; and I wanted to order room service, would I need to pay $15 (one-time OceanDelivery “activation” fee) AND $5 per order of room service?

or do I just pay the $5 per order of room Service?

thanks in advance!

if you order using the app it is a one time $15 fee even to your room...if you call room service it is $5 per order

Post 12d: Deck 6–Fiesta

Take 5 is on the portside next to the Casio. It is very nice not to have to walk through the smoky Casino to get to the lower entrance to the theater.

Between Take 5 & the theater is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge.

for those who smoke here is the list of locations:

Post 12c: Deck 6–Fiesta

Continuing forward starboard is the Casino.

1 minute ago, donswife said:

It is very subtle,  but I noticed that on the hallways I studied, the gold trim in the carpet pattern was on the forward side of the design. 

I will have to look for that in March

3 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

There is a terminal next to the soda dispenser. You would need a drink package and a swipe of the medallion to use it. 

I didn't try it to see if it would charge your account if you used a Medallion without a package.

Post 12b: Deck 6–Fiesta

Around the area above the Piazza from starboard to port you will find future cruise captain's circle representatives, Crooners bar, Ocean Terrace sushi, Effy, the photo & art galleries. I do like that the photo & art department take up way less of the ship space than on older ships & that they do not waste paper & ink printing hundreds of photos that just get tossed out.

Post 12a: Deck 6–Fiesta

Taking the aft elevators down to the Fiesta deck, you only encounter the Ketchikan main dining room. I did not get photos in that dining room.

Back up, forward & then down in the middle of the ship, is the Skagway dining room. This is where embarkation lunch, breakfasts & sea day lunches were served. The port side entrance is for reserve dining. 

Post 11h: Deck 7–Promenade

Finally, all the way aft is the Vista lounge.

Post 11g: Deck 7–Promenade

Next is the very spacious Crown Grill & Bar. Here, as throughout decks 5, 6 & 7 there is a lot of seating in small groupings. It never felt, even with a ship that was fuller than normal, like you couldn’t find a quiet spot to sit & enjoy time to yourself on this ship.