louden

Thank you Sali ! We love to visit your historical city. Try to get there every summer on our way to the Geneseo Air Show and beautiful Finger Lakes.

Hope there are no more snow squalls headed your way.

Cheers Louden

6 minutes ago, Rocking Waves said:

I also sent an email and did receive a personal phone call the next day which allowed me to follow up on my concerns and reasons why I felt the chair and table were important, at least for some people.  I didn't ask and wasn't told why this change but they were definitely hearing that was a serious concern for some people.  We had a full discussion and I offered some different solutions.  Clearly some find the chair and table in the way but for others, it makes for a more comfortable space as well as providing proper seating other than on the bed for two adults for a variety of reasons.   It is not my role to run their business but I appreciated the opportunity to express my thoughts, which I believe were heard.  What is decided in the end remains to be determined but some sort of choice would be ideal if it could be done without making life too much more difficult for the room stewards, who already have a lot to do.

I also received a call from "Katie" in the Corporate office.  She was calling to acknowledge receipt of my email, essentially a copy of my earlier posting here.  She simply stated that my concerns would be reviewed  by "seniors".   I restated my concerns about the changes over the years and the fact that the "barrel" chairs were getting a lot of discussion on CC.  There was no other discussion.

We were on the Emerald in November and were told changes in the upcoming dry dock would be similar to those done to the Caribbean Princess.  For example the Horizon Court would be updated to become The Market Place, the  Cafe Caribe  would become Planks and Steamers and I suspect the Lido Grill and Pizzeria would be renamed as well.  As a mentioned above that is what were led to believe.

Cheers

Louden

3 minutes ago, hllwdcruiser said:

 

Out of curiosity I just revisited the Princess site and checked out Regal's cabin photos. It appears the new photos do not feature the barrel chair nor the table. In addition, there looks like there are new chairs on the balcony that seem to not have the ability to recline. The diagrams, however, have not been updated and still do include the chair and table.

Good photo.  Reason why there are no reclining chairs is that on the Royal class the balcony is too narrow for them.  Hence my statement of "largest number of useless balconies on the sea".

7 minutes ago, gwhitti said:

While we’re talking about bad Princess cutbacks, throw in the loss of HH BOGO +$1. That is the one we miss the most. Many complained directly to Princess and got the same “blowoff” form letter vaguely promising better things to come. But they never came as we suspected. Of course the discussion included those who didn’t miss/want the BOGO Just as some don’t care about a chair. Come on folks support each other and things may change. 

Well said.  I forgot about that take-away since the last two cruises have included "sip and sail".

7 minutes ago, gwhitti said:

While we’re talking about bad Princess cutbacks, throw in the loss of HH BOGO +$1. That is the one we miss the most. Many complained directly to Princess and got the same “blowoff” form letter vaguely promising better things to come. But they never came as we suspected. Of course the discussion included those who didn’t miss/want the BOGO Just as some don’t care about a chair. Come on folks support each other and things may change. 

Well said.  I forgot about that take-away since the last two cruises have included "sip and sail".

1 hour ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Not really a rant but concern because Princess is posting photos and cabin descriptions of what you get but that is apparently no longer true?  Removing furniture that we used from staterooms and not being forthcoming in their advertising is classic bait and switch.   Maybe people do not mind being lied to by a corporation but we do!

 

I do understand the other cruisers who are not happy about this new change.  When you are 30 plus days on cruises then we need and prefer some cabin time and I am not going to spend the whole time in the cabin laying on a bed.

 

We are booked on several long cruises plus part of a world cruise and supposedly have a cabin with a couch which also is apparently not true anymore on the Pacific Princess.  

 

We have cruised Princess for a long time and always found them to be very accommodating and customer centered.  I get the sense this may be changing and if they do not want to do business in a honest way then I am sure Oceania, Holland, Cunard, etc. and many other cruise lines are very happy to receive our money and we will get the type of cabin comfort we desire.

 

IMHO it would be much better if Princess were forthcoming and  just let everyone know what is going on instead of having it ooze out on CC!!

 

These are our issues and we are contacting them to get clarity and understanding and are not complaining to be just complaining which is my understanding of what a rant is?

Thank you.  You make a very good point.  We typically book our cruises 18+ months ahead.  On our last cruise aboard the Emerald, 32 days from Vancouver, LA, Hawaii, Tahiti then return to LA we had a B4 premium aft corner balcony.  These are very large.  They used to be furnished with two recliners and ottomans, 2 straight back chairs and a large table.  The latest configuration was simply two partial recliners and a very small table barely able to support two drinks.  Why should I pay for a premium balcony with so little functionality?

Had we known in advance we would have switched to a standard balcony.  We are now considering forgoing our balcony on this falls trans-atlantic and simply taking an Interior.

Perhaps if more customers voiced their displeasure Ms. Swartz and the bean counters would take notice. 

Not yet ready to jump ship just hoping for a change for the better.  However, adult all inclusive's are in our future.

1 hour ago, Colo Cruiser said:

 

 

.

Just what the cabin stewards need.  Moving chairs and tables on embarkation day. 

I have been following this thread for the last few days and now seems the time to express my opinions about what I consider to be the decline in the Princess "product".  Some may agree and I'm sure many will take issue but these are my thoughts.

Let me begin by saying we have been Loyal and Proud members of the Captain’s Circle for about 12 years.  Our first cruise was aboard the Caribbean Princess on a seven day Caribbean cruise.  We were impressed with the size of the ship, the wonderful selection of entertainment in numerous venues, great food and our wonderful balcony cabin.  However, what impressed us most was the friendliness and competency of the crew.  This one aspect of the Princess product is what has kept us coming back for 37 cruises since that time.  Our cruises have ranged from 2 to 32 day voyages in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, trans-atlantics, Panamas and Tahiti.

Since our first cruise we have witnessed a decrease in the appeal of the product.  Following is a series of events which we believe have lessened the enjoyment of the Princess product to the point where we are considering taking alternative forms of vacation:

•      The introduction of the Royal Princess.  Following great fanfare this ship was a huge dis-appointment.  Let me state the shortcomings that come to mind:

·        The largest number of useless balconies at sea.

·        The loss of the walk around promenade.

·        The loss of the aft pool

·        Both main pools adjacent

·        Useless water feature

·        Main theater without side isles.

·        No center staircase

·        Princess Live.

·        Vista lounge seating.

·        Loss of Wheelhouse lounge.

·        Loss of Skywalkers.

·        Did I mention the largest number of useless balconies at sea.

·        Continuing to introduce more of this class of ship

Note:  It is obvious that Princess noted some of these deficiencies since they attempted to correct some with the launch of subsequent ships of this class.

2.      Next came the butchering of the Island Princess

3.      The balcony furniture on the fleet was progressively replaced with less comfortable furniture.

4.      Balcony furniture went from 4 chairs to two without ottomans.  The large table was replaced with a small one barely large enough to hold two drinks.

5.      The Platinum/Elite lounge drink selection was changed to very unappealing choices.

6.      Increased drink prices and the loss of the Silver level wine card.

7.      A decrease in the quality and sophistication of the menu items in the dining rooms.

8.      Now the latest, the removal of the tub chair and table from the cabins.  Where am I to sit while my SO does her hair and makeup?  Dumb and dumber!

9.      Inconsistency of policy and practices between ships.

Enough complaining.  We have enjoyed our 37 Princess cruises and in fact have five more booked in the next 18 months.  As I stated at the outset what keeps us returning, avoiding the Royal class where possible, are the crew members.  From the bridge to the engine room they are outstanding.  However, changes to our travel plans are on the horizon.

It does make you wonder what Princess is thinking.  We were recently on the Emerald in a Premium Aft Corner balcony.  The balcony furniture now consists of two chairs and a small table.  We addressed the issue of no ottomans/footstools and only two chairs while on board.  We wrote to Corporate and copied Passenger Services.  We were pleasantly surprised to be visited in our cabin by two sympathetic senior officers.  They told us in the upcoming months they have been advised ottomans are being removed from all the balconies.  It is a shame to have such a lovely balcony and be unable to enjoy it comfortably let alone entertain fellow cruisers. 

Louden

"Lastly,. we do a lot of back to backs. After the first leg,. whatever alcohol or cigarettes you purchased are brought to your room the night before the first leg ends. You can keep it and use it for the second leg.

I know each ship is different. Some are stricter with the regulations than others. "

In our experience they have checked our account and when they see we are on the next cruise they only deliver on the last night of the second cruise. As you say things are not always the same ship to ship.

Louden

Should be 107 F here today. Last year at this time our area was in the middle of a multiple weeks long heat wave with temps over 100 every day and many days 110 and higher. We were camping in Jasper National Park on Canada Day and were so glad to be there instead of in the heat. We pulled into the campground and there was only one other site occupied. Within half an hour the place totally filled and people kept coming through looking for a spot. Since last year was Canada's 150th birthday we got free passes to the National Parks. Stayed in Banff and Jasper as part of a 7 week camping trip that took us clear up to Fairbanks, AK. Driving through Alberta, BC, and Yukon was absolutely beautiful.[/quot

 

Thanx for sharing your memories. We both have beautiful countries and people. Love to watch your TV specials for 4th of July!!

 

Cheers louden

Happy Canada Day.I am still in UK tying up my late sisters affairs.I tried to get live from Ottawa on CBC.It told me was not available out of Canada :(:mad:.

Try https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/citeparlementaire-parliamentaryprecinct/camera-eng.html

Live from Parliament hill. Hope it works

Louden

Thank you to our American friends from our nation's capital Ottawa. Sweltering record breaking heat today. High of 97F and feeling like 116F Going to wish were on a lovely Princess balcony with a gentle breeze and a cool refreshment. Oh, a little early but Happy 4th of July!!

Cheers Louden

We are currently booked on a 2019 fall 14 day trans Atlantic cruise. Checked out the S & S. It was available on this cruise but the price since we booked has risen almost identical to the price of the beverage package. Also, we learned we would lose much of our OBC if we had this special applied. Happy to hear many of you have benefited from this promotion but for us we will be staying with our existing booking.

 

 

Cheers Louden

To clarify our previous post above, we would have had to pay the current price and lose OBC to take " advantage " of the S&S.

Louden

We are currently booked on a 2019 fall 14 day trans Atlantic cruise. Checked out the S & S. It was available on this cruise but the price since we booked has risen almost identical to the price of the beverage package. Also, we learned we would lose much of our OBC if we had this special applied. Happy to hear many of you have benefited from this promotion but for us we will be staying with our existing booking.

Cheers Louden

call Princess, yeah, good luck with that...:rolleyes:

 

actually call 5 times over 5 days and let the forum know how that turns out...;p

Not really expecting anything positive but can"t fault a girl for trying. Will let you know.

Cheers Louden

Checked on the “coffee card issue”.I was told by coffee staff that all cards will expire at the end of this calendar year as Princess is coming out with a new process.

Thank you for posting your review. Could not help but notice the above quote. If this is the case one can only hope Princess will offer some sort of OBC for cards that have never been used. Going to try to call Princess to see if they have any information.

Louden

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2503957

The above link will take you to the Roll Call for this cruise. Hopefully you will find some fellow cruisers who share your interest. Enjoy the cruise!

Louden

We may be alone in welcoming this concept, but we loved it on RC and I’m sure we would use it frequently on Princess.

 

Don’t think Princess isn’t already well down that slippery slope; several times on the Golden Princess DH ordered the hamburger served without a bun simply to get chewable beef. Many, many nights there wasn’t a beef entree option at all. He is a beef eater; I don’t eat meat, and neither one of us eats the kinds and amount of sides and desserts served in the Crown Grill. This allows him to eat a quality steak every night for a fraction of the cost of two of us dining in the CG.

I like the idea and fully agree with the above. My wife just can't eat the CG portions. We never have dessert there and I find the cost for two of us is not justified just so I can have a nice steak. I've said for years they should offer one or two premium options in the MDR at a modest cost say a maximum $10. That way we get to enjoy a room/table we're comfortable with and one us us gets to have a special dinner without impacting the other.

Hope they try it on the Emerald in October to Tahiti!

We really like the Royal class what do you object too?

 

Especially on deck 16 where you can watch the ocean go by under your feet.

How about ridiculous balconies, useless pools, useless water show, Princess live!. Princess new ships aren't even IN the game.

I just received another teaser ad for the Sky. It will feature the CG, Sabatini's (new configuration), Gastro Pub, Slice (pizza) and other unnamed features. However no deck layout as yet.

FYI I think I just found them on Cruisemapper.com Click on deckplans and enter Sky Princess.

Hope this works for everyone.

Cheers Louden

Oh I so hope the OP addresses that the ship got stuck for over an hour on a sandbar after we left Curacao ... thought we'd be wearing out the thrusters as the ship went round and round as if turning on an axis.

 

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We were on this cruise as well and had a wonderful time! We have submitted a review. In response to the above posting, the following morning Capt. Fortezze broadcast that the ship had " Swung the Compass " in preparation of our canal transit. He said it was a requirement of the Canal Authority.

Cheers Louden

It's our favorite location. It's very private back there and while the wake noise can be loud to some, it is relaxing to us. Smells, vibration and soot vary by ship. We've experienced none of those things aft on Grand Class ships.

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