Cruise Raider

I disagree with that. It isn’t 15 drinks they expect you to consume but they put a limit on it. You wouldn’t go to a land based all you can eat buffet and expect to pay for one when two are actually eating.

So, we are onboard right now and just checked. I do have access to my next cruise later this month. None of the others have showed up on the app. I have heard there are things that are possible to complete on the website now, though.

Count us in that group that rarely eats in the MDR. If we go, it’s usually for lunch.

We just got onboard and it did make us both log in but now, it stays up. And you are correct, we don’t log out.

Princess probably set that limit so people with the package were not buying their friends drinks. They probably break even at about 6 drinks and it’s still a bargain for passengers. IMO

It is in the app under ‘explore the ship’ map. the little door alcoves indicate where you walk in the door and the head of the bed is opposite that. So, if your door alcove is on the left as you are facing it, the head of your bed faces forward, as in D407. This map used to be for all ships on the old app, but you could only see it for other ships than the one you’re on while on land. Since it was in the old app, I know they can apply it to the new app for all ships or at least have it available at the future cruise office when picking a cabin. BTW, I think that for the inside cabins, the bed just faces the center.

We had gotten some half off cruises that had to be booked while you are onboard. Now, they seem very secretive or even a little angry when you ask about the list of those sailings. While they are really not any good sales left onboard, I know there are some from time to time.

It certainly doesn’t offend me .. I think if you pay for your cruise, how you choose to enjoy it, that is definitely your prerogative. I was simply responding to the post that said that anyone that drinks more than they think is socially acceptable is an alcoholic. It’s just not true! Indulge all you want, I will not judge you .. not even for one minute!

I agree .. I like wine with my lunch and dinner but move onto club soda after dinner for the most part. But, even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t make me an alcoholic. I’ve never tried to ‘get my money’s worth’ by drinking 15 drinks a day. I want to feel ok the next day when I get up .. but we all have our tolerance levels to alcohol. We never come close to that level just because we have the package.

I don't eat pork or beef so would like to have a protein option available in the MDR for breakfast rather than just eggs. And I love potatoes but can’t justify it to my physician why I would eat those triangle tater tots. I’ve stopped going to the breakfast for that reason. And yes, 9:00 AM is so early to wrap it up. I now order the chicken noodle soup in my cabin .. it’s always so different but it’s usually really good. Just a nice light warm breakfast to start my day.

I do remember that! Coolest thing ever!

I do miss that so I try to book early. I need a specific type of cabin .. I know, I know .. I don’t really need it but I like it like it more when I can pick exactly which way the bed faces. It’s a sleep thing for me. So, if I can’t sleep well, why bother to book? I hope that test fails miserably!

I never have heard that or even feel that way about drinking when we get the package. I bet I don’t drink anymore on a cruise than I do at home. The only thing I order on a cruise that I wouldn’t make at home is a cappuccino and not even very morning. One could say the same about people that are gluttonous with the food. We ask for small portions because we don’t like to stuff ourselves silly.

I am retired and do live close to the Port of San Francisco, so yes, that makes it not only much easier for me to get to the ship but can be very flexible with my dates, as well. Covid and being in lockdowns here in the area taught me that if I don’t live my life now, someone (or something) is right around the corner trying to try to take that away. But, retirement is great but I foresee being priced out of their target demographic soon enough. We do cruise for the ship experience and rarely go into the ports of call. I think our biggest joy of all is getting to know the crew. We are not foodies by any means. We love great wine, though .. and all the activities, entertainment and events on the ship. I do like the on demand service on the TV, although we rarely turn it on .. maybe just for the wake show. Because we really don’t like to fly, that limits our choices on what cruises we will do. Anything from the west coast is ok .. further than that, we really don’t go.

I agree that I don’t like the cabin selection so much now with the nonrefundable deposits if you choose your own cabin unless it is not in the lead in category. Who thinks to make it all this complicated? I also missing putting a hold on a cabin until my CVP can book it for me. I had a problem with a promo showing recently but a day later, they pulled it. What a mess. I learned that because I have a lot of cruises booked, they don’t feel it necessary to give me a promo code. Sorry, that’s just not right! I am pretty much over it (not fully .. 🤣) but it’s too bad that I am not offered the perks and benefits just because they know they already have me hooked. The things I love about cruising, I absolutely love .. so that beats out any negatives.

I agree with you on some of these for myself and kudos for coming up with such a great list. BTW, the pub lunch is back, it’s just in the MDR now because it is extremely popular. Ceramics at Sea would be fun but at least they do have crafts nearly every sea day. I particularly liked the napkin folding, the skull masks and the paper flowers. I just wish they’d bring back the chicken tacos on the room service menu. They could feed me cheaply for nearly every meal.

Of note, one of the questions on the survey had asked if there should be a package offered for zero alcohol beverages, on a scale of 1-10. I rated it of an importance of 5, as we sometimes travel with friends that don’t drink alcohol. It also asked if me if the alcohol should be unlimited. Now, we drink a fair amount on a cruise but could never imagine breaking the 15 drink limit. Again, I gave that one a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Once I’ve logged in, it automatically opens for me without entering everything again. My DH was logged out yesterday but he hardly ever opens his app.

We have sailed extensively on the Ruby up to Alaska out of San Francisco. I think you will be cruising out of Vancouver, though. We love the Ruby and her staff. We always book a midship (un)obstructed ocean view cabin on deck 8 for Alaska but, if your budget allows for it, a balcony on an Alaskan cruise is the absolute best. You can oftentimes see whales along with your morning coffee. We tend to use the promenade deck for the day in Glacier Bay. That way, we aren’t limited to one side of the ship. Sometimes, the naturalist will be out there pointing things out while the Glacier Bay Rangers do the announcements over the PA from the bridge. There won’t be many announcements when at the Glaciers. If you are up in Skywalkers when the rangers are disembarking from Glacier Bay, it’s fun to watch them jump onto their pilot boat from the ship. They will most likely give you the bystanders a wave. The shows are usually at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. We usually eat dinner early and catch the 7:30 show. At 8:30 PM, there is usually a game show in the Explorers lounge and there are usually comedians and bands in that same lounge later or down at Vista Lounge/Club Fusion. There will likely be music in the piazza and alternates with a set up at Crooners. There will also be music in the Wheelhouse, alongside the Gastropub. Onboard, they might bring on a totem pole carver, which is not to be missed if you see it on your schedule, Libby Riddles, the Skagway Puppies in the Piazza and maybe some other local entertainers. All are so good and so very interesting! The naturalist talks are also a highlight for us. There was a lecture about clouds one time and we thought it might be a snooze fest but it was quite good! For a great laugh, definitely go to the marriage match game show. The yes no game show is also entertaining. If they do it on your cruise, the getting to know the Captain and/or senior officers interview is quite good and the navigational talk is also very interesting. They may even have an Alaskan menu with more fish and crab items and at the bars, they may bring on some ‘glacial ice’ for the drinks. ? If you like good wine, go to Vines. If the wine you choose is over the $15 limit, you can simply pay the difference +18%. They will even pour it for you in a nice glass if you are drinking it there. The casual dining options included in your plus package are the Gastropub or a charcuterie board with crudities and chocolate truffles at Vines. I think all of your other questions have been answered by others.

Other than the skyrocketing prices (but that’s with everything, not just the cruise lines), I like cruising more now than pre-Covid. We used to cruise about 4 times a year but since the return to service, we now go an average of every month. But, come to find out, that has bitten us in the butt as the promos don’t apply to us with so many bookings on our schedule. We eat less so really appreciate the smaller portion sizes. I detest being wasteful. But, I also don’t like drinking out of paper coffee cups, just real cups please, real wine glasses and decent wine, please. I don’t like that Canyon Road swill. 😆 I do love the abilities of the app, even though it can have some quirky little glitches. No more elite lane for security or for check in. The security one has been gone for a long time, though. I do love all the entertainment and activities, especially the enrichment speakers as well as the increased officer engagement with the guests. I also love the more relaxed dress code. I do wish all ships had more casual dining options at lunchtime.

We cruised on the Diamond last year and thought the food was top notch, especially in Sabatini’s. We only went to the buffet to get a late night snack but thought it was very good. We are not foodies so, I may not be the best judge. But, I do like the buffets on the Royal class ships so much more so than on the Grand and Crown class ships. I really didn’t care for the Diamond Princess and I wouldn’t be a fan of the Brazilian restaurant. The Japanese favorites menu sounds like it is right up my alley, though. I would try another ship as I think they offer different experiences.

I would love that elegant chic nights vs the formal nights. In all honesty, that’s what it has turned into anyway. My DH used to dress in a tux and me in a formal gown. That turned into a black suit, dress shirt and tie and a nice dress. It is now a dress shirt with tie, black khakis and for nice paints and a sparkly top. We have had good luck when we’d go to the dining room where the restaurant manager would save the same table for us every night but that was before the ships were getting filled to capacity. We rarely hit up the MDR for dinner anymore. I have a pretty severe reaction to strong perfumes and so, would prefer not to be seated close to someone that has doused themselves in it.

Bravo .. I would love to see the ability to get a discount on the packages or perhaps a free upgrade to the premier if we purchase the plus. I love that suggestion! We are ones that never ever use our mini bar! I would like to be able to trade that in for something I would actually use. Although, when we have our white elephant gift exchange at Christmas, you can’t count on the one from us being a box of 40-50 mini bottles of liquor. 🤣 But, a BOGO specialty dinner or a sanctuary pass for half day would be very nice. Although, since those are already very popular items, not sure if that would be a viable suggestion. I also love the menu being available on the app ahead of time. We actually saw that in 2022 but not on all cruises.

We use a plastic mushroom container from the grocery store .. it fits over the lights we’ve seen on the Crown class ships quite well. I also use those containers for the little items in my nightstand and one over at the desk. So, when they are packed, they fit into one another and easy to fill with socks and such in my luggage. On the Royal class ships, they have different sized lights outside the bathroom but I am thinking they’ve disabled those lights between the closet and bathroom on the Discovery. ?? I am sure they installed those lights due to safety purposes but they are ridiculously bright and go on and off all the time when the seas are rough. We take a small hockey puck sized motion light for in the bathroom, the same kind we use at home and the light is dim enough to allow us to go right back to sleep after a nighttime trip to the bathroom.

Yes, Yes, Yes!