joeecco

The world voyages seem to still include NZ ports. Will this change? 

Sorry to hear your cruise has been cancelled. What was the dates and itinerary, did they give you a reason why it was cancelled? 

Hi all

looking at flying from Manchester for the far east in January 2024, but have noticed that the flight is scheduled to arrive at 12:25 with the ship due to sail at 14:00. this is the case for all of the Manchester flights - does anyone know why it’s so tight or is it an oversight on Tui’s part? 

Hi all

Can anyone advise if you can book the enclave suite onboard Sky for half a day - and on sea days? 
 

thanks 

Am I correct in saying that the pre departure test no longer needs to be medically observed? 
 

All the website layout has changed and I can’t appear to find the wording ‘medically observed’ anymore. 
 

Hoping someone may have spoken to Princess to confirm this before I call them? 

19 minutes ago, Airwavey said:

Currently holding station off the coast of Isle of Wight waiting permission to enter for docking. More on this later. UPDATE - 10.40 and expect to Dock 11am.

 

We left Ålesund on Wednesday in 30 knot winds, and they used 2 tugs for additional control of the ship. 

 

The Captain explained this over the tannoy and warned of big swell out in ocean, several metres, and strong wind. As we anticipated, therefore, it was somewhat a "interesting" night at sea that night. Ship was bouncing and rocking all over the place, and quite noticeable up here on deck 

 

The 8.15pm showing of 5Skies was basically full around 8pm.

 

A very brave choice of show/topic - computer gaming - given the type/age profile of the passengers. We've seen somewhere, pre-cruise, that it was part of Princess's drive to getting a younger clientele, but I can't see how a blockbuster contemporary show will itself attract a younger clientele - who choses a cruise because of a 1 night show??? 

 

It was very slick and high tech though and quite professional. Don't think they had the best choice for make lead singer though. 

 

The ship arrived in Bergen on Thursday at 7am as planned - with a notified all back on board of 1.30pm.

 

We were off the boat by 7.10 and headed straight for the Bryggen old buildings area. It took us about 25 minutes to get there as the ship was docked at the Dock furthest away. But being there before 8am meant it was empty of tourists, great for photos. 

 

After that we put in another 9 miles around Bergen (another 15 caches). We did return to Bryggen when the shops were open. We also decided not to take up too much time with a sit down fish/shellfish meal at the fish market but shared a hot smoked salmon baguette which was delicious. 

 

We were back on board by 1pm.

3 tour buses rocked up late at 1.45, and it was 2pm by the time all the passengers were on board (takes some quite a time to get from bus to gangway). 

But at 2pm Captain notified us that we were still 2 passengers short. They finally ran down the dockside at 2.10.

 

The final formal evening was lovely. The MDR menu was a real push-out - eg tomato bisque, beef wellington, lobster tail, duck breast with noodles - and even the chocolate special really did look the part tonight. 

 

Friday's Sea day was a general laze between the occasional event eg quizzes, eating - there's always eating isn't there - hot tub/swim and lazing in cabin. 

 

Where our cabin is, S210 on deck 16, with a glass walled corridor outside our room looking on to the Retreat Pool has been a lovely position. We took a walk around the ship on Friday to places we haven't been eg laundromat, Wedding Chapel, and remarked how enclosed it felt in the inside between-cabin corridors. 

 

Also I think the Retreat Pool and its 2 hot tubs above is little found by most passengers even though it is open to all.

 

The info we needed for disembarking was under our door on Friday wake up, as was a new Disembarkation Video on the ship TV. All seems to make sense. 

In summary

Packed bags outside your room by 8pm latest - ours were ready and moved along the corridor by our steward by around 6pm. And they were gone from corridor by the time we returned from dinner.

The luggage tag is colour and number coded and we will use this for finding luggage in the terminal. 

We have a time to go to an onboard holding area eg ours is designated to the Take 5 Jazz Bar, from which we will be called down. At the time all this was happening during Friday morning our notified vacate room time was by 08.30 and go to Jazz for an expected 9.50 call for disembarkation. Breakfast service available in World Market and Estrella. 

That was all OK... Until around 9.00pm, during dinner, on Friday night. And then the Captain made an announcement 

 

The Captain had tried to go fast to make time to get us into port by 5.30. Because he had been informed by port authorities that the Channel would be closed at 5.30 because of the - ANNUAL! - Round the Island yacht race. Expected docking time now 11.30.

As a result those with Princess ongoing travel arrangements eg flights, will have new arrangements made by Princess including possible overnight on Saturday. Those travelling independently will need to make new arrangements. Don't expect to make any Heathrow flights before 5pm or Gatwick before 5.30. Making cabin ship telephone free for use, and WiFi too though only use this if you need too so as to allow bandwidth for those who need to sort out new arrangements.

 

Essentially everything pushed back by 4 hours. 

 

The queue at Guest Services, which we could see from the Piazza whilst having coffee, was horrendous. 

 

This morning, Saturday, new info was beneath our door. Our new time was now to vacate room by 1pm and meeting time 2.05pm.

Around 9am this morning Captain updated us again. We may get in slightly earlier. And as of now, 09.56, he had just said - in what was a decidedly curt and unapologetic manner - that he anticipates 11am docking. 

 

And all because of a yacht race WHICH PRESUMABLY HAS BEEN IN THE DIARY FOR MONTHS!!! 

 

For us it just means we set off to drive back to Devon 4 hours later. For independent flight passengers the consequences for many will be horrendous. 

 

As we finish some random things we have found out in the last couple of days that would have been useful to know earlier:-

- can get free "lemonade" (American "home made" style with lemon bits in) rather than plain water.... and glasses of cola

- oaty biscuits to go with the cheese, if you ask

- the grey terminals either side of Customer services gives you a print out of your account so far

- if you ask you can get a baked potato with MDR meal

- MDR menu a starting point eg can get starter AND pasta and main and pud,.... and mix/match other items

- Breakfast tea comes from a thermos and can be stewed, but have seen others get it as tea bag in a cup which is more controllable. Or bring a tea bag down from room and ask for hot water to make at table 

 

Other observations peeps may find useful:-

- Haven't used our electric adapter, which works with any known electrical sockets, plus has 4 USB B and 1 USB C socket. The only power we have used has been from the USB B outlets built into the bedside lamps which we've used to charge phone, camera, power brick (Photo of sockets) 

- WiFi - Using straight Google as browser was best. Firefox, DuckDuckGo - crappy, Twitter - crap, Facebook - crap. Still think it is vastly oversold and overpriced at $100+. 

- Room was well soundproofed - from the corridor outside, from the balcony /sea outside, and from next door rooms either side - hardly heard a peep . Even the chairs being set out on the open deck above barely noticed

- Television Live had the following available channels 
BBC World News
BBC - Random programmes with no selection/choice eg Dr Who, Doctors, Father Brown, Bargain Hunt... 
Sky News
Sport 24
Sky Sports News
CNBC - business news
Prime One - no idea, random dramas?
National Geographic
Bridge Cam - need to be on this to normally hear disembarkation messages

- World Market - no trays, have to hand carry all or do return journeys.

- If you keep a manual list of your spend to x-reference to your account print out your job will be easier if you note where you made that sirens eg Estrella, Vista Lounge, International Cafe etc. All our billing was accurate

- the room temperature control was very responsive. Could go from cold room to warm room very quickly

- from what we could see on returning to boat crew smoking is far aft, deck 4? - level with keel of the lifeboats. 

 

Our last bill printout last night was $748 (after deducting paid for gelato and my Medallion accessory ). That is for alcoholic drinks, tea/coffee speciality, and daily Crew Appreciation. In addition we separately paid $105 (?) for a single WiFi.

 

Someone earlier said it would have cost us £840 - say $1030 currently - at the old £30 pppd rate to go Premier. So $750 actual spend has saved us a bit of money, ~$280. Or around 28 extra alcoholic drinks?? But we accept that on the package we would have probably willingly have had more to drink, so can in hindsight see the value in it... especially as you don't need much extra drink to make it worthwhile..

 

We are leaving an additional tip for room steward though still confused if this currently goes to him or if he has to hand it in to a pool. 

 

So, that's it for now.

Will we cruise again? Maybe. It's still not our holiday of choice, we are more rucksack/no luggage in hold of plane/doing it independently type of travellers. But maybe if there was a v. cheap offer, to somewhere interesting, in the sun, we might do again. That said we are "planning" an Antarctica cruise for Xmas/New Year this year. And here's to 3 weeks backpacking in Albania in September.

 

Happy to answer any follow up questions

 

NB - "Why are some of our photos upside down? “
I wish I knew. They are all the correct way up in my phone album but some turn when I post. Sorry! And it won't let me upload the ones I've chosen today. 

Could you please share which evenings were the formal evenings? Thank you

6 minutes ago, wowzz said:

2023

Thank you Wowzz! Panicked then. Although it’s a bit worrying that they’ve cancelled 2023 sailings already..

7 hours ago, Gettingwarmer said:

Sad you can’t go. Our cruise was amended today and we had an email. The other Baltic cruise on Sky in September has also been cancelled and changed to a Mediterranean cruise. 

September 2022 or 2023?.. 

If anyone gets talking to the cruise director, it would be great to hear the plans for future sailings and the reason for changes. We’re a group of 10 so desperately trying to find out to get our table booked with enough time before the shows. 

1 minute ago, Eglesbrech said:

Not quite a typical sea day as we have the Jubilee celebrations but the only sea day one I have (we only had 2 and the other was binned) but it will give you an idea of activities etc.

Thank you!! 

51 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

8.15 and 10.15 this trip.

Oh! I wonder why it changes? Trying to book restaurants to catch the first show 

Did I read that the show times in the theatre are 7:30 and 9:30 every night? 

19 hours ago, lynxie said:

I was on this trip with my husband and I’m pleased to confirm that it was absolutely wonderful – no complaints whatsoever. The staff, food and general ambience were all excellent and we felt very safe. More people were wearing masks than we expected especially in the lifts and whilst walking around the ship. We were on a sailing that was only 45% full however, and although this probably contributed to the speed of our drink ordering and lack of waiting times in the restaurants at times it did feel a little under populated (if that’s possible). All the ports were as expected and we enjoyed them all, again, we were blessed with good weather so that may have made a difference! If you have any specific questions I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

 

Our opinion on the medallion is that it’s better with than without though there were glitches at times. Wi Fi surprisingly good thought the cruise.

So pleased you had a wonderful time.

could you please share any info about Helsinki port - did Princess offer a shuttle to the centre and if so what was the cost? Thank you

Just now, Eglesbrech said:

I’m not that technical so I’ll ask my oh if he can do it for you re the patter.

 

Im sure that Princess will have it sorted by August. So many people are complaining on here head office will be well aware there is an issue by now and hopefully address it for future cruises.

Thank you that’s very kind.

yes hopefully, it’s not acceptable at the current standard. I’m sorry your cruise is being impacted.

Thank you for starting this live, we are looking forward to hearing all about your holiday. 
we get married onboard in August so we’re very nervous to here of your issues so far.. 

if you get a chance, could you please post pictures of the ‘what’s on’ patter for a typical day and night on a sea day? Thank you. 

Hi all

can anyone advise if you are allowed to downgrade your cabin to lower the cost of the cruise? 
 

if so, do they do this based on the current live prices or based on what the new cabin price would have been when you booked originally? 
 

is there a way to do this online? 
thank you 

4 minutes ago, Stokie33 said:

If no one manages to get you any pics of the wedding chapel we are on Sky 04/06 and the wedding chapel is next door to the suite lounge so will be able to get you some then, sorry it’s over a month away I couldn’t convince my hubby to book any more cruises😂

Aw that would be absolutely fantastic, thank you ever so much! Hope you have a fantastic cruise x

Just now, ozscotart said:

I think there was an episode of Susan Calman on Sky Princess at a wedding recently. On channel five I think. 

Thank you but That was for Regal - plus we do not like her at all so can’t bring ourselves to give her the views 🤣 

43 minutes ago, Maizie_Mouse said:

For those that wanted to know Captain Heikki only on for the next cruise then he's off for 2 months and will be back on in 2 months. 

 

It's been really interesting & entertaining, shame they waited until the last day to do this. 

Thank you for all your insight. We get married aboard Sky in August. If it is near to you, and you don’t mind, would you possibly be able to take some pictures of the wedding chapel on riveria deck 14 as there are no pictures online and my fiancée is interested to see the room. Totally understand if not, it’s a cheeky request! 
 

We are hoping the mask mandate will become optional again before august, is there any word about this happening onboard? 

10 hours ago, pennib said:

Sorry, all, but the only way to “do” Venice is to take a 3 or 4 day city break, stay in Venice and be prepared to do a lot of walking. There is so much to see you couldn’t possibly do it in a day from a cruise ship. Also the thought of seeing a monstrous cruise ship parked almost by the main square fills me with dread. 

Guess we should all cancel the cruise and not bother then 🤣 if we all lived with that attitude we wouldn’t see anything. If we like it we’ll go back, if we don’t then we haven’t wasted annual leave on one place alone. Thanks though 👍

1 minute ago, Britboys said:

That is very fair of Marella. I'm on a Med cruise with P&O later this year and Venice has been replaced with Trieste. No obc and no mention so far of a free transfer. Fortunately for me, I have been lucky enough to visit Venice several times and have never been to Trieste, so am not that unhappy.

I guess there are far fewer available berths in Marghera so a lot of cruise lines have been affected.

I believe it is too. P&O are getting naughtier with things like this. We’ve never been to Venice before so we’d be furious if we were on the cruise you are but I’m glad it still works well for you. 
 

only thing that baffles me with our Marella cruise is the day before we are in Koper Slovenia which is just a 23 minute journey by road to Trieste. Our original times were departing Koper at 11pm for an 8am arrival into Venice. Now we have a 6am arrival in Trieste (great - makes up the time spent travelling there) but we are now departing Koper at 8pm 😂 This is normally a P&O trick to go as slow as possible to the next destination so I’m surprised to see this change. I thought we’d have left Koper even later than planned - hey ho it’s just an observation nothing for us to cry about haha. 

We were gutted at first but we have a 4 hour longer stay in Trieste than we did in Venice and they are providing free return transfers from the ship to Venice (2hrs 15 each way) so we are still happy with that. 
 

Plus they are crediting us £50 per adult onboard spend for the inconvenience which is more than fair. Especially from our experience with P&O, they’d have just said ‘sorry but never mind’ 🤣

We’re booked on her for the Baltic in September and have every faith that we will sail to the Baltic. Ports may change but I don’t believe they will cancel it.

Enchanted has had her Baltic season cancelled primarily because many US travellers were cancelling as SPB was the biggest reason to fly so far. Whereas Sky will be primarily U.K. citizens that will (in general) be happy to still sail the Baltic without SPB. 

3 minutes ago, Pink15 said:

Hi all. I am on Explorer at the moment (just leaving Lanzarote). There is no on-board testing for this itinery. You do have to do a temperature check every day. No doubt this will lead to a test for some people. Have to wear masks inside. Masks not required on tui flights.

Hope you’re having a fantastic holiday.

how many passengers are onboard? 
 

is there any word from onboard crew about when the mask mandate may be dropped?

we are in the first Adriatic sailing and they still haven’t released any protocols for testing etc for cruises out of Corfu. 

36 minutes ago, Riocca said:

As others have said it’s a great itinerary I appreciate Venice is iconic and a must see but we prefer some of the other ports. If you tender into Dubrovnik it’s the best way as you get right into the old town, if you dock it’s a bus ride in and the traffic can be horrendous.

Get up early for the sail into Kotor it’s stunning, Kotor itself is lovely and if you’re feeling energetic walk up to StJohn’s Fortress you have to pay a small fee but the view is stunning.

 

Wow yes certainly looks worth the walk, yes we are really looking forward to Kotors sail in! Thanks for the tips 🙂