Tina G

I recently cruised on the Sapphire Princess to Thailand and Indonsia. There was a very good port adviser on board, and she emphasized that passengers should show respect by wearing conservative clothing which covered shoulders and knees. Yet, there were many passengers climbing on trhe tour bus dressed in shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. Their attitude was "You can't tell me what to do!"

I was embarrassed to be in the tour group with these jerks. I saw many locals giving them the side eye. I always try to respect local customs and traditions.

Anybody else bothered by this?

If you want to see Alaska, spend your money on the shore excursions. They are the best! Do go whale watching, unless you tend to get seasick.

Alaska dock areas have been over run with commercialized shops. They are not local. You will see the same stuff that they sell in the Caribbean islands. Don't buy expensive jewelry! Tee shirts and sweatshirts are OK. Your best souvenirs are your photos. Take lots of pictures.

Just curious...which ship are you on on the 8th? We're on the CB and haven't received our guaranteed cabin assignment yet.

 

 

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OK, Princess, I forgive you! We just got a visit from the Upgrade Fairy, and we're assigned to a mini-suite MD grade instead of the Balcony BE we paid for! :D

Ironically, Princess did NOT notify us of this! I heard it from my wonderful TA! Princess has not officially notified us, but it's on our booking.

Yep, we're on the Sapphire.

We went on a Christmas cruise some years ago to New Zealand and Australia. We met a lot of really nice Jewish people!

We are soon departing for a cruise in southeast Asia on the Sapphire. We are from the USA. The only reduced prices that were offered for our unique itinerary was one that included prepaid tips, a savings of more than $300. We are taking advantage of that program.

I believe that this is aimed at the Australian market. The Australians I have met are vehemently against paying ANY tips. This seems to be a part of their culture. When I am in Australia, I do not tip, since this is their custom.

Unfortunately, the no tipping custom does not follow them onto the Princess ship! There are many employees who do not want to work in southeast Asia because they get stiffed on the tips. Who can blame them? They need those tips to support their families back home.

It doesn't make any difference whether you pay your tips in advance, or at the end of your trip, but please pay them! Consider it a part of the cost of cruising.

This is our thirteenth Princess cruise, and I don't remember getting this much junk mail on our other cruises. I hope Princess reads this and takes notice. Holland America didn't bother us with all this junk mail! Yes, we check our booking every day, JIC.

What is this crap I'm getting in our email box from Princess? Every day I get a new notification that there is new information about my upcoming cruise. I am eagerly awaiting my cabin assignment, but NO - I just get this SPAM every day. No new information. This is very annoying!:mad:

This is why you use a travel agent to book a cruise. Without one, you have no one to advocate for you when there is a problem.

I have been having similar problems. Somehow, somebody mis-typed my number into the computer system, and they think I am a new cruiser, while my DH is still listed as Platinum.

Unless you want something that says "Princess" on it, you can get similar kits at Hobby Lobby. I believe they were needlepoint, not cross stitch. I still have some.

If this bothers you, then don't ever stay in a hotel on land. Most modern hotels use the same system. It is much more sanitary than using the old fashioned bedspreads. As for potential bedbugs - those can come in with anybody's luggage. DH always examines the headboard area looking for miniscule droppings. He has never found them. You are more likely to find bedbugs in a Florida hotel than on a Princess ship.

We always ask for the top sheet, too. Dh gets very hot, and can't stand the comforter. Sheets AND duvet covers are changed once a week.

Most unsanitary places on the ship - elevators, stair rails, public restrooms. The staff does try, but some passengers just won't wash their hands!

Here is a very favorable review written in October from an Asian point of view, containing many delicious details and pictures:

http://www.asianweek.com/2014/10/02/treated-royally-on-a-princess/

See you in January on the Sapphire,

Doug for TinaG

Yes, I use a bipap machine. Mine can use 220V as most of them can. You must check out your unit to see if it can use 220V. Look on the power supply area for voltage. I have not sailed on the Caribbean Princess but I have sailed on 10 other Princess ships. All had a 220 V outlet under the bed/lamp area. You will need to crawl under the bed to unplug the lamp. A flashlight will help you see. (You probably can get along without the lamp.) You will also need a plug adapter for British power (round posts) to US plug. Try Radio Shack. Forget about buying a converter at a foreign port. The voltage will still be 220V. Bring a 10-12 foot extension cord just in case.

Does anybody have experience with Gardens by the Bay in Singapore? It is very new, and it is hard to find information about it. Thanks.

We were looking forward to enjoying dinner in the Pinnacle Grill on our recent Hawaii cruise on the Veendam. What a disappointment! No lobster mac and cheese! No steak Diane! Never again! I really feel cheated.

The Veendam has a rather small showroom. On our Hawaii cruise in January, you had to arrive at least half an hour to forty-five minutes before the show to get a seat for the first performance, usually at 8:00PM. The second performance was at 10:00PM, and it was easier to find a seat, since many passengers didn't want to stay up that late.

Yes, there is a kids club on the Veendam. I'm not sure why you would make a statement based on your observations when you weren't there with children and not looking for the service.

 

As for food availability I'm not sure why you're not recommending room service. But based on the hours of the dinning rooms I think it's got a much coverage as most kids would need. If my kids are up past 11:30p we have a problem. :)

I'm not recommending the room service because I used it, and it was definitely sub-par. (Cold food, not cooked well. I would have sent it back if I was in the dining room, and I seldom do that.) I was addressing the OP's statement about expecting 24/7 food.

The kids club was there for younger children, but I didn't see anything for teens. Nor did I see any teenagers on board.

Most people give their room stewards something extra. The billed tips are really all that is necessary, though. These will be billed to your credit card. It is $12 per day per passenger. This makes it easy for new cruisers like you. It takes the pressure out of tipping.

I just returned from the Veendam Hawaii RT cruise. This will be a very different cruise from Carnival.

I'm not sure what you mean by 24/7 food available. Room service is available 24 hours, but I don't really recommend it. Here are the dining hours:

Rotterdam (main) dining room: Breakfast 8 - 9:30 AM

Lunch 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Dinner (Open seating) 5:00 - 9:00 PM

Lido Breakfast 7:00 - 10:30 AM

Lunch 11:30 - 2:00 PM limited menu until 5:00 PM

Dinner 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Late night snack 10:30 - 11:30 PM

Pizza 11:30 - 5:00 PM

Grill (hamburgers) 11:30 - 5:00 PM

Who told you there was 24/7 food?

I only saw four children (pre-school age) on the cruise, but lots of seniors in their 70s and 80s. I don't think there was a children's program. The cabins are very nice, with tub and shower in all but the inside cabins. The balcony was twice the size of any I have seen on other ships. It was a lovely cruise, but for kids? I don't think I would recommend it.

In our opinion, HAL is much more laid back than Princess. I like Princess, too, but the garage sales they have every day are ridiculous.

Somebody does buy this junk, though. That is why we can cruise as often as we do. We don't drink, don't gamble, and don't buy stuff on the ship. Somebody else can pay the profit cruise ships must make to stay in business.

I see these for sale on eBay frequently.

I have been on eight Princess cruises, and the big Bingo jackpot was not won by anyone on any of my cruises. Has anybody ever seen someone win one of the big jackpots? Just curious.