lives to cruise

Wow, that is sad. After a year build up and then only having X number of cabins that got the ***** and they didn't even work. Just sad and a terrible roll out of a new technology.

I just got home from the 11-26 to 12-03 sailing on the regal. We had the medallions and basicly nothing worked. We traveled with two other couples and we all wound up just leaving the medallions in the cabins.

 

The tag along screens just showed general information such as what was available on each deck or sales promos. The last day I saw some screens that showed tag alongs but they were just generic demos.

 

Cabin access worked for one person out of 7.

 

Social Ocean worked for a few people but not us.

 

Ocean Ready never worked

 

No one was able to order anything through their smartphone or tablet.

 

Everyone who had a medallion at check in was given a lanyard to replace the wristband. The lanyard had a holder for the Medallion and a sleeve for the cruise card.

I guess I'm a little confused. besides the long overdue better internet, what 'new features' will the ***** experience bring if you are not part of the ***** experience?

From my understanding, you will still be able to use the Ocean Ready program on your smart phone or tablet to order breakfast, make reservations and numerous other things. The new Ft Lauderdale terminal will be fun to see and experience. The new and fast Wifi. Pretty much all of the other aspects of the upgrades but you just won't get a Medallion to open your cabin door and you will have to get up off your pool lounger to get your own drinks. I can live with that. ;)

I am on this cruise too and just got the email from Princess that my room C301 will not be in the ***** grouping which really sucks because that is the main reason I booked this cruise at this time. To experience the *****. Not a very happy camper right now.,

O.k., now that I have gotten over the initial disappointment let me back track a little and say that I am looking forward to experiencing the other new features and I will be on a terrific cruise and on vacation so what is not to like! :)

Well, I although not having the ***** is disappointing I will be looking forward to experiencing all the new other enhancements and the WiFi and hey, I will be on vacation and on a terrific cruise so that will be wonderful.

I'm on that one as well. We booked specifically because we wanted to experience the Medallion Class. Hope they are up and running.

I am on this cruise too and just got the email from Princess that my room C301 will not be in the ***** grouping which really sucks because that is the main reason I booked this cruise at this time. To experience the *****. Not a very happy camper right now.,

Just got the email from Princess that my stateroom will not be ***** which really bites because that is the reason I booked this cruise.:(

I board on Sunday and will do a live from thread and we are medallion.

Thanks! Will be watching for it. Have a terrific cruise.

Anyone currently on the Regal who is using the medallion, how are things working,improving?

I am very interested in this too since we will be sailing in January. Hope some report back.

This is wonderful! Thank you for posting it.

I really don't have time to read all 17 pages right now so I'll add my own tips and "secrets" here and hope they're more helpful than redundant. :) DH & I have cruised Princess 10 times, including a 3 week "grand Mediterranean" on the Royal this past May/June, and we know we've learned a *lot* since our first 7-night Caribbean journey back in 2005.

 

 

• Use clear mailing/packing tape to secure their luggage tags to your handles. Completely enclose them in the tape. Impossible to rip or tear and if they get wet the printing is still legible.
  
• Room stewards have access to luggage scales. Don't bring yours along unless you just like carrying excess gadgets!
  
• We tip our room steward at least 50% when we first meet him/her. If it's a really long cruise we tip again at the mid-point, and always on the last night.
  
  • Ask your steward if he'll be onboard for the whole cruise. Sometimes, on longer cruises, their 2-month vacation starts during one of the legs.
    
  • Show them as much kindness as possible, and ask sincerely about their families, hobbies, etc. They work insane shifts! Typically, their shifts are 4 hours on/2 or 4 hours off, throughout the days and nights. They often work other jobs on the ship, too. If you show genuine interest in them they will usually do anything legal to make you happy.
    
  • We sometimes nominate our steward for the Princess equivalent of "employee of the month." We don't drop the card in the box at Customer Service; we leave it for the steward. We cite very specific ways that person has gone "above and beyond" to make our trip more memorable or stress-free. One a steward peppered our whole bed with chocolates as his way of thanking us, so you know they truly appreciate sincere compliments.
    

   

  [*]We haven't needed quarters in the self-serve laundries in many years. Cruise cards only. I think Pacific Princess may need quarters still but you can get them from the Purser. Again, don't carry unnecessary weight unless you prefer to do so.

  [*]Liquor, wine, and beer is BOG$1 from 3-4 PM in Crooner's. I think there's another bar that serves them, too. There's another BOG$1 at 11 PM, I think (we're never awake that late!)

  • Save those raffle tickets you collect at the BOG$1 events! I won the "grand prize" of a $150 bottle of Cabernet on our last cruise! (And, yes: it was really worth $150. In fact, I couldn't find it online anywhere for less than $165!)
    

   

  [*]If you enjoy Scrabble on sea days or in the evenings, either bring a travel game or get to the library on embarkation day and check one out. While it's an unwritten thing, people don't play and then return the games: they take them back to their cabins, apparently. The travel versions are a little pricey but you can use them during more than just cruises.

  [*]We don't bother with travel alarms anymore. Wake-up calls are free, and our smartphones are easy to program, even when there are multiple time changes.

  [*]$.99 camping ponchos are your friend!

  [*]The whole cabin is metal, so magnets will stick well to the walls. Bring magnets or magnetic clips. I use them to hold my BOG$1 raffle tickets, Captain's Circle party invitations, specialty restaurant reservations, coupons, instructions...anything I don't want to get lost in the mounting pile of paper that gets stuffed in the door "mailbox."

  [*]A trip to Dollar Tree yielded 3-packs of small plastic bins. We bring anywhere from 3-6 depending upon length of cruise and cabin type. They are handy for collecting change, rocks or shells, raffle tickets, the "good night" candies, wine bottle corks, your little repair kits (sewing, eyeglass, etc.), and so much more!

  [*]If you visit the Effy jewelry store and you're celebrating a special occasion, let them know. They'll have a "special gift" for you, usually a large signature key ring or the like.

  [*]Know that if you pre-purchase a photo package for a cruise that's sold as a 7-, 14-, or 21-night (etc.) series of cruises (aka back-to-backs, or B2B, B2B2B, etc), there will be an extra charge for the second (and third, etc.) legs if you want photos from those as well. They rolled out this practice in the middle of our most recent cruise so, after multiple people complained, we were given photos from all 3 weeks with no extra charges. But I'm sure they'e made this policy clearer by now.

  [*]Don't get your cruise card wet multiple times, and don't keep it in a pocket with your smart phone. They *will* be rendered useless. You can get a replacement, of course, but it's a PIA, especially if you're on a busy cruise.

  [*]If you're female and traveling to Europe (and probably south America, too) do yourself a favor and buy a cut-proof, locking-pocket, RFID-blocking cross-body bag. Sad to say, pickpockets and scammers abound in all the popular tourist spots in Europe. The worst we've seen or experienced was in Barcelona; it was also bad in Rome and Paris. DH carried his important papers, a bit of cash, and a credit card in a neck wallet worn under his shirt. The better tour operators will alert you to the latest/most prevalent scams.

  [*]Shorex: are Princess shorex more expensive than most independent tours? Yes. Are they worth it? IMHO, it depends. If we're in a country where we don't speak the native language and/or the excursion requires a lengthy bus or van ride away from the port, yes. That late arrival guarantee is worth its weight in gold. In most Caribbean ports? Maybe... We have done both and been satisfied with both. The very best we experienced were on our most recent cruise, the 3-week Med trip. We were immersed in the histories and cultures of the regions, countries, and cities we visited, and there was never any worry about getting back to port on time. Just one example: we visited many Greek islands, and one had an especially popular but somewhat out-of-the way shorex. Our tour guide had an advanced degree in history and her driver knew the insanely twisty-curvy mountain roads so well we never felt afraid. We were taken to spots where we could take award-winning photographs, get locally-made crafts, food, and drink, and all while learning the detailed history unique to that one spot. We pulled up to the port just in time for the final ships horn, giddy with what we'd seen, heard, tasted, and experienced. That, to us, is an exceptional shorex, and we routinely get that with Princess.

  [*]Those shallower balconies on the Royal-class ships? Not an issue unless you want to fit more than 6 people out there for an extended time. For 2 people? Just having the outside space is all we need.

  [*]The "red carpet/starboard, blue carpet/port" rule doesn't apply on Royal-class ships. LOL

  [*]You will never hear laundromat noise after 10 PM, even if your cabin door is directly across from the laundry. You will rarely hear any such noise the rest of the time.

  [*]Mid-ship cabins on Royal-class ships that are very near the elevators likewise won't be bothered by excessive noise. We never heard even a ding.

  [*]Anyone can use the Enclave pool even if they have no other Enclave access.

  [*]The Ultimate Ship Tour (UST) is worth every penny if you can swing it, once per class of ship if possible. The Captain leads you through the inner workings of the ship, deferring to the chiefs of each shop operation, and you ultimately end up on the bridge with free-flowing champagne, canapes, and multiple photo ops. You will learn and see so much! After the tour a package will be delivered to your room. It will include photos, photo frames, plush robes, personlaized stationery, an apron, and other goodies as each ship allows. Extra return-trip luggage space necessary! We absolutely love USTs.

  [*]The smallest ships have the biggest and best libraries. They also have the best onboard crafts programs, because there are fewer other entertainment options. Typically, there are craftsmen onboard who get free passage for providing free crafts lessons - supplies included - during sea days. We have participated in painting, weaving, cut-paper, ceramics, jewelry, fabric, and macrame key ring classes. All were fun and we came home with really unique souvenirs and gifts!

  [*]If ATD is your thing (it's ours), you can get the same wait staff almost every night if you're careful and inventive. Ask for your favorite table number! Often, it'll be available, and as your wait staff gets to kn ow you they'll anticipate your arrival and make it even more special. Let them know you'll tip well and/or write them up in the post-cruise survey and they'll jump through hoops for you. Make friends with the Maitre'd and he'll do everything in his power to seat you where you want to sit. It doesn't take much: small kindnesses, as long as they're sincere, go a long way!

  [*]Travel with other people who are Elite, of possible. They get preferential treatment, including dinner seating.

  [*]MDRs have excellent food!

  [*]All of our luggage always fits under the bed.

  [*]Guarantee cabins are excellent opportunities for free location upgrades.

December 10th.

I will be sailing on Jan 14th. I am hoping that we will get the Medallion.

Well we are getting the lanyard after all! We just got this email from Princess:

 

Dearazbirdmom,

 

We wanted to update you on the complimentary accessory you’re receiving as aguest on one of our Ocean preview voyages. To improve your experience, youraccessory will now be a unique lanyard that can hold both your Medallion, andRFID card. If you confirmed your address with us for shipping, the lanyard willbe sent to you in the mail prior to your vacation.

Thankyou for joining us on this exciting endeavor!

Princess CustomerService Team

That's great! When is your sailing?

Has anyone been able to get Ocean Compass to link to a current reservation?

 

https://ocean-compass-web.prod.ocean.com/no-journey

 

It will not allow me to enter my birthday in the profile info although it does in the link a reservation page. Our cruise is in June so I'm not a rush, just curious.

I have tried numerous times for my cruise in January and it states that it cannot find my reservation. I hope this isn't a view of things to come.:(

Bless your heart.

Don't you just love our Southern ways. ;)

Oh my lord! I am coming from another cruise line that does not have anything near what those room service menus have. Could make someone just stay in their cabin and eat all cruise! Just joking. :p

Thank you for posting the menus.

Thank you to everyone that has been reporting back to us. This really has been great information. I will be sailing the Regal 1/14/18 and am hoping to experience the Medallion. Thanks again

I will be a first time Princess cruiser in January 2018 and would love to try the Royal Tea Time. Would someone tell me how you sign up/reserve this? Thanks

Thanks for posting your comments. We will be sailing on Regal next January and are looking forward to this cruise.

I have been unable to login and I have been unable to search for cruises. I have had this happen before with the Princess website and the issues lasted a few months. That has to be horrible for buisness. I am using an iPad. Any suggestions? Thank you.

I just logged in using my desktop pc with no problems. It might be the web based site used for logging in from pads or phones might be having trouble.

They have been having technical problem since Thursday. Logging in is spotty but at times you can do it.

Wow, thanks so much everyone for all your input and tips. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I live in Georgia and the storm knocked my power out for a day and then cleanup took a while.

I am going to reread all your posts, do some more research and them maybe rent a camera or two to see what feels better to me.

Again, thanks so much!

Hi, I have a few point & shoot cameras and of course my smart phone but we will be cruising in Alaska next May and I want to take some spectacular pictures.

I have toyed with the thought of buying a DSLR but I am not that adept with taking pictures with them. I have also read about mirror-less cameras. Which are better?

Any an all help/advise will be appreciated.

TIA

Just curious if this was ever clarified now that the ship has sailed? Do the Havana suites have a true hammock or hammock chair?

They are a swing

Facebook. I'm living dangerously

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

:):):):)

"Habana"....that still cracks me up. I'm going to start using it. I wish I could see a real life version of the Habanas as well. Can't wait for people to start sharing their photos next week!!

mrsfuzzmo, if you go to the "site that cannot be mentioned" and look for a page called " Carnival Vista Pictures from Inaugural Cruise ", I have created it and am going to try to post as many pics as I can once on the Vista May 1st.

Seriously, No I don't see it, maybe because it is sold out, is it?

It is sold pout and yes, that is why you cannot see it. Pay no attention to rudeness. :)