paulatsea

48 minutes ago, MacMadame said:

People are part of the system though. If the system leads to too many mistakes by humans, changes should be made.

 

But why? 

 

When it comes to things like this, Princess is going to look at ROI. It costs them almost nothing when two people with a package get the wrong drink associated with them. Hardly anyone complains. If someone without a package gets put on the package instead of paying, that does cost them. But how much?

 

I assume that this situation is not causing Princess enough $$ and/or aggravation to have them change anything. A handful of people coming to GS to complain each cruise (or even each day) is probably not enough to get them to implement a more elaborate and costly (body cameras for every staff member? big cost) system. They also have to factor in the complaints when it takes longer to order drinks.

 

I'm finding the thread amusing. 😉

 it’s not right to have any incorrect charges - being charged for someone else’s purchases is unacceptable in my opinion even if it’s a small amount - and it could be fraudulent as well as a genuine mistake.

It’s sloppy.
With a medallion system there doesn’t need to be any errors at all if they are always tapped or swiped for every transaction - this takes very little time.

I lose faith in organisations that charge incorrectly - it gives me the impression that other things are not done correctly and accurately.

the Face ID was just an idea - I expect everything will be biometric eventually.

interesting thread - must admit I was surprised and disappointed to read here how common these charging mistakes seem to be.

Touch ID or Face ID to verify every purchase.

Mandatory.

Face ID probably easier as they have them on the system.

All serving staff have body cameras to verify.

Just a thought.

My first princess coming up soon in 37 days from Southampton  -  I am from London UK- looking forward to using the gadgets and wizardry.

I hate it when I get incorrect charges.

Interesting  !!
I found one segment just googling 2008 Aurora cruise -which I assume you have done - I am not allowed to post it here as it’s from a travel agent website.

may be possible to piece together by days and weeks of searches !

This will be difficult I think - maybe some collector has some brochures on eBay ?

Have you asked P&O if they keep historic data ?

YouTube videos  ?

Why ?? !!

52 minutes ago, Martha1974 said:

Cielo would be our first choice too (although I’d be perfectly happy with either of the others). We usually stop for a pre-dinner drink at the Crown Grill bar and when finished I get my glass of wine to take down the aft staircase with me. Have never had to queue for a table (for context we sail in Europe and eat at 7:30) and have always been able to get a 2-top without feeling overcrowded by the tables around us. Usually do 3-4 courses and can be in and out in less than 90 mins. 

Thanks Martha -

I’ve booked for 7:30 at soleil day 1,3,4 and cielo for day 2 and 5.

We are going to Norway 5 nights May 19 from Southampton - we live in London UK.

I couldn’t get a decent time at estrella - only early like 6:30 or later from 8:50 - but understand things will change nearer the date or onboard - but will probably go to estella  for breakfast and check it out.

I realise I am being a bit OCD about all this - but that’s just me !!! 

As it’s a short cruise I don’t want to make too many mistakes and dinner is important to us -as are pre-dinner drinks so I really appreciate all this feedback.

We normally do p&o Aurora or Arcadia adults only - but princess looks like a higher quality product all round hence giving it a go !

2 hours ago, Pink-belle said:

The food is the same, service and ambience is theoretically the same, but will obviously depend on the teams working and your fellow dinners.
We tend to favour Cielo, the isolated one on deck 6, purely because we usually book aft rooms, and partake in the loyalty lounge which is the floor above. 
 

Soleil is convenient for Vines pre dinner drinks, I have found people have a tendency to head for Estrella, often queues here when not at the others.

Estrella is also the restaurant that hosts lunch on sea days and Embarkation. As it has the Reserve Collection seating area. 

Thank you 

Thank you snaxmuppet, devonuk and karatemom2. Very helpful. 

Hi - struggling to find a definitive answer to this for sky princess - new to princess but not to cruising.

Have read above replies but still don’t get it.

Tried YouTube videos and most just mention “main dining room” without being specific about which one they are showing.

Is there any difference in decor , layout or food or ambience between these 3 restaurants 

i.e Soleil, Cielo and Estrella  - besides location - what Is the difference.

are the menus different ?

Is the seating and layout different ?

Is the ambience different ? 
Are some busier than others etc

Be very grateful for any advice.

3 hours ago, Capt Pugwash said:

Hi Paulatsea - you wont have any problem getting the Singapore entry card. You do it on-line 72 hours before the day of entry. I'm a techno-dinosaur  but found it extremely simple to do. You get the visa via email within minutes of completion. Hope this helps?

Thanks 🙏 what about the other countries ? Do Marella tell you what you need to do ?

On 3/16/2024 at 12:42 PM, Capt Pugwash said:

Just returned from Fascinating Far East cruise on Discovery 2. You will love your cruise on Marella. No problem ordering multiply drinks and treat yourself to Kora La and Surf and Turf - fantastic dining and service.

Captain - did you find it difficult getting visas - I’m thinking of doing this trip in 2026. And did you need any vaccinations ?

hope it’s ok to jump in on this thread with my question.

Thanks 🙏 we will miss your daily reports.

4 minutes ago, paulatsea said:

Yes from me - we stopped there on a transatlantic some years ago - and loved it.

fantastic place.

 

Read a book called “the pirates daughter” by Robert Girardi and some of it was set in the Azores - so I had always wanted to go there. Love to go back some day.

24 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

Are the Azores worth a visit in your opinion?

Yes from me - we stopped there on a transatlantic some years ago - and loved it.

fantastic place.

I am on the Rotterdam 4 nights Aurora - boarding when you get back on Friday.

It’s been a great blog - thanks.

I would be interested to know how your throat is after you get back - and hopefully a brief review of your Cunard trip.

Best wishes.

I predict your sore throat will get better the day you arrive back in Southampton.

2 hours ago, Brummijam said:

Hi Sam.

I am sure you will have a great time, the itinerary’s are usually quite good and the food and drinks onboard are more than acceptable. Fellow passengers are mainly friendly and the staff are the aces in marellas pack.😉

I agree  - marella has always been good for us. All inclusive and always fantastic staff. Good flights and transfers. Very well looked after. Easy to get a nice table for breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant and not cramped.

Thanks very much - I’m looking at either 2025 or 2026 (special occasion job)- Marella customer service said they would let me know when then 2026 itineraries are released.

Originally I had definitely wanted to do the far east one - but due to the restrictions on vaping and carrying vapes via the airport at Singapore I’m not sure I can do it - pathetic I know ! If one of the Asia ones started at a place where I could get my IQOS vape onto the ship from the airport  I would do it - they are not allowed at Singapore Thailand , Australia and even India ! Perhaps things will change.

So the Barbados and transatlantic looks good - and also less long haul flying involved.

Don’t like this — it’s too quiet !

Thanks for your comments shipmates.

I wish they went to Southampton now - it would make things much easier.

Are the passengers on these cruises older or different to the ones on the usual Mediterranean type Marella cruises ?

The reason I ask is that we don’t like a too much noise and rowdiness !! I expect being adults only helps a lot ?

23 minutes ago, Vitalsign said:

All repositioning cruises whatever ship have always and are adult only cruises

Thanks - I didn’t realise that.

Stupidly I have only ever looked at Marella Explorer 2 cruises -  so I have missed out on these.

Hi - we prefer adults only itineraries/ships :

2025 - Looking at some of the far east and the transatlantic coming back from Barbados in April - website says these are adults only cruises - but they are not on explorer 2 which I thought was the only adults only itinerary ship - these are on voyager and discovery I think.

We have given up on explorer 2 as it’s too shabby now - but I didn’t realise other Marella ships have occasional adults only itineraries.

Has this always been the case and is it just for far east and transatlantic ?

Be grateful for any clarification as these cruises look excellent.

22 hours ago, bobstheboy said:

I have booked the wifi essential package for my 35 night Iona cruise next Jan for £235. What speed is the norm with this package and is it good in all areas, cabin, lounges, sky dome ect ?

They have starlink now on all ships.

I had the top package on my last cruise and it was very fast - same as at home - about 30 + mbps everywhere - including the cabin.

Others have told me the essential package is also very good but I don’t know the speed - I have booked essential for next time as I am sure it’s good enough from what I have heard.

Starlink is a massive improvement.

(This was on Aurora so I imagine same on all ships) 

Thanks very much !! Just booked WiFi for next 3 Cruises’s - great deal.

If you start coughing I would take the antibiotics straight away - if you have 5 days worth that’s probably enough.

My last sore throat (very bad like yours) stopped and then the cough started and I needed antibiotics.

Hope you improve.

Actually If it was me I would probably take them now - my wife would also disapprove - because the last 3 times sore throat was followed by chest infection.

19 hours ago, SeaJane said:

We have a tracker on our vehicle so we know where it is kept. We generally have longer cruises and my husband regularly checks on the location etc whilst we are away. 

So do I - and I agree - CPS has always  been good for us. 

I often wondered why some people in various threads have asked which captains are working - now I know why ! 
Our last cruise on Aurora in December had Captain Love - and he was excellent - came around the bars often and took the time to stop and talk to as many as he could and kept us informed.

Hope he takes over soon Selbourne.

Thanks again for updates.