CruiseCrabs

We don’t use Princess at all after my parents had a really bad hotel experience a few years ago with them. We find that Uber/Lyft/taxi is more convenient then their crowded port transfer, too.

On 11/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, Stromer1969 said:

 

Ok, so we had a special day planned for the Azores as our son studied abroad in Portugal and the Azores and had become friends with a local guide who was going to take us around the island.  When we got onboard we saw the $19.24 port tax credit so we immediately went to guest services to ask if there were any changes or the itinerary (as you generally never see credits before you visit a port).  They told us no but when the captain came on this morning we weren’t very happy as we investigated online (see link below) and it seems quite clear that the chances of us being piloted into Ponta Delgado were slim to none.  Unfortunately, the friend/local guide was already on route to the port as he lives on the other side of the island and we couldn’t even contact him as we have iPhone and he has an android.  When we went to guest services the supervisor claims the $19.24 was for something else and we’d be credited additionally for missing this stop.  I’d like to believe him but we have some doubts given the clear “mandatory stoppage”. on the first day of each planned strike. In my heart of hearts I hope there was no deception but not too sure. 

https://mykn.kuehne-nagel.com/news/article/25ff3381-d77c-4d63-971b-4bcbbecd8146

 

Most European countries use WhatsApp for communication and have for years. I assure you that if you had leveraged the app, you could have been able to connect with the person. Email works cross-platform as well.

Lots of things can cause a cancelled port so no port is ever a guarantee so we mitigate planning challenges and consider port changes or cancellations part of the adventure. Overall, nobody wants itineraries to change (especially key refueling and provisioning ports) so I’d hazard to guess they tried to figure out how to make it happen to no avail. Keep in mind, too, that the ship may not know everything corporate knows and not every department has all of the info you may think they do.

The wines and single-bite “pairings” aren’t really worth the time and effort if you have to pay for the tasting and the staff works from a script that they may or may not get right each time. If Princess wanted to be serious about the tastings, they would have a tight, progressive tasting with quality wines and wineries represented (bonus points for the regions you are sailing, in some cases), and, if they want to squeeze a buck, have the ability to direct ship wines you like from the wineries to your home (where legal). The Vines tasting (save for the blending one) were always great but the dining room tastings aren’t great, sadly.

With Princess sailing ships with differing amenities and restaurants, leadership has created an impossible task for their guest relations team: providing clear information. You have the two new ships attempting to reintroduce class structure,  360 on only one ship, Vines on some ships (and being somewhat phased out in terms of what should happen there, etc. Add to that the ever-shifting plus and premiere packages—which really should be a handful of add what you need packages rather than what they are now. I feel for people who are new to Princess. We have paused sailings for a bit while Padgett and co figure out their stuff or leave.
 

The two, new ships look beautiful but we miss the ability to reasonably anticipate what the experience will be. Padgett is destabilizing the brand identity, disenfranchising the existing customer base, and is seemingly making decisions—marketing and product—that suit his preferences, not an identified target customer. It is sad to see and I hope this all works itself out soon. 

Post pandemic, we have surmised that most (like us) have struggled to fit into the formal attire. 😉 We chose festive but not truly formal for the last few post-pandemic cruises—especially since they were California and Florida launched—but there’s a goal to get back on track squeeze back into the good stuff for the next cruise out of Southampton. My husband misses pretending he is James Bond for the evening and I have a couple of dresses purchased for cancelled cruises that need their promised debut.

That said, dressing up for a formal night can be fun but don’t do it if it isn’t fun for you. Formalwear police do not exist. Only judgy people who have no business judging others do.

I’ve found that people with projects tend to pop up spontaneously whoever you can find light, refreshments, and some light entertainment. Our last Royal class didn’t have an official meetup but many of us (a needle felter, a tatter, and two knitters) found ourselves together in Crooners often mid morning. I love the seats with windows out to the promenade that are in the hall but so many people use those for perpetual naps that those are hard to get!

24 minutes ago, photomikey said:

It is delicious irony when someone says (in a tone dropping with sarcasm) "enjoy the rarified air up there",  then a half a sentence later signs their comment "The Countess".

“Now how many in recovery, how many diabetics, and how many who just aren't so addicted to alcohol that they need 10 drinks a day?” Was what you previously posted. It’s clear how you feel about alcohol. There’s a myriad of possible reasons why but not one is anyone’s business.

Keep in mind that there’s more to the packages than just alcohol and let’s all refrain from assuming things about those whom we do not know. Not everyone who drinks is addicted to alcohol and, honestly, it’s not anyone’s business how many drinks they do consume with a package. They chose the additional spend.
 

I think it is clear that drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you don’t remember your trip and abstaining doesn’t mean you remember it better, Lets not have another thread devolve into judgements and insults. I think we all vacation to escape that sort of stuff.

Every holiday is what you make of it. I’ve been on a transatlantic over Halloween a few years ago that had a few dress up but it wasn’t universal. This go-around, my husband and I are tool old to not have fun so I foresee some door decor and possibly some costuming, even though our next Halloween cruise is out of the UK and Halloween is a wee different there than in the US.

We bring a nice bar of soap for the shower, a small oil diffuser for the room, and either pack shampoo and conditioner or pick up Keratase shampoo and conditioner onboard. The communal toiletries—which are getting more and more common as locations reduce “single use” plastics—are simply gross in my opinion. Who knows who has put what in there or how old the product is, let lone what the ingredients are. Just ew.

On 8/17/2023 at 6:46 PM, SCX22 said:

This is just me, but I would propose somewhere that was special to both of them.  If both are very into cruising then, by all means a cruise ship is the best place.  Otherwise, I would pick somewhere else and somewhere where it doesn't cost $795 to ask a question.

It only costs $795 for some prepaid package. A smart man (or person—time are changing) will pop the question where and when it is appropriate, whether the hires out the details or takes on the strategic planning oneself. 

My DH and I were married on the Grand in 2018. The arrangements were via a third party entity and occasionally frustrating but, once onboard, the team was simply amazing and made the day very special.

In 2021, my now brother in law proposed to DH’s sister on Nee Year’s Eve. Princess happily helped him with flowers, a location, the photographer, and all of the officers pretended to have a “staff meeting” to be nearby so they could congratulate them. They do everything they can to make a moment special.

Go for the package or reach out to guest services onboard of you want help but we have been on excursions with surprise engagements and have seen them happen with little to no coordination. He needs to do what is right for her, not anyone else.

Tell him to go for it… from another Princess bride. 🍾🥂

On 6/27/2023 at 3:41 PM, antsp said:

What was everyone's thoughts on the Cirque show, will it be a up charge like msc

Post-pandemic, they tested the concept with some brief performances in the piazza that match the description, save for the potential for aerialists. If Princess does multiple 20-30 minute performances in a central space, it should not require an up charge. As for the new, configurable theater, it will be interesting to see what they design for that but I don’t foresee an up charge unless you mean a more expensive cruise. 😉

All of the spa services I have had were great and you can shut down the product sell fairly easily. I recommend the deep tissue massage to get rid of stress and aches right after embarkation.

It looks like they have moved it to their third party contractor for initial coordination: https://princess.eweddingcalendar.com/Wedding-Calendar-Request-Info. Based on my experience with a wedding, this may not be super ideal but it will give you someone you can talk to to coordinate details well before the event.

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

I would like to get back to the topic of the Sun Princess, deckplans, etc..

It seems that the only 'adult only' pool is at the Sanctuary.

Has anybody seen any information that shows that it is for both the regular Sanctuary AND the reserve wake-view reserved area as well?

The wake view infinity pool is open to all but the Sanctuary and new suite-only pool areas are different areas per se but adjoining from what I have learned this far and observed on the deck plans. This new app each to sailing classes will offer some crowd dispersion for pools and restaurants but we can only hope they have a plan for the public spaces available to all.

It’s in the Onboard Services section, you simply choose the vow renewal package that is right for you. Then, when you board, a guest services representative will meet with you to coordinate the details.

Congratulations on 50 years! 🍾
 

You can do a renewal of vows and she ship will make the moment very special. My parents’ 40th years ago was amazing with lots of surprises throughout their cruise.

On 6/9/2023 at 3:10 PM, LuvlyLibrarian said:

So I splurged and booked a keratin treatment during our cruise but I don’t know what to expect. Has anyone else done this on ship? Did it turn out alright? I haven’t had anything done with my hair in over a decade and it’s starting to get wiry and flyaway. 

The first time I had keratin and a cut onboard the Royal. it was amazing. Glossy hair, easy styling. Six months later on a different ship, Ruby, it was a literal nightmare. The stylist didn’t apply the keratin solution correctly and burned my hair, breaking off a LOT of it and the result was anything but glossy.
 

My recommendation is to check in with the desk onboard and ask some questions about who will be doing your treatment rather thank book ahead and not know what you are getting.

Best case, you will have glossy, beautiful hair. Worst case, your year will be a broken mess. Personally, I’m not booking the service onboard anymore unless I ask a TON of questions.

We have found a few—catch and release is the norm unless they are very unusual—but I now make and hide crabs (see profile) on our cruises. The Ruby had 40 deployed over the course of 10 days and finished a few while onboard just before hiding.
 

I’m no sure how many end up in passenger hands. Because I haven’t started teaching people how to make them while I tested simplifying the process, they are rare but very popular with the crew. 

October is the only month that you may see consistent, pleasant weather in SF without a marine layer or cold winds. The coastal areas have their share of marine layer issues year-round and evenings still can be quite brisk on deck.

I once had an exchange student over a summer and she was headed to SF with the rest of the students and was convinced she did not need a jacket, She ended up buying TWO sweatshirts on that trip. If you don’t mind shopping, you can gamble without a jacket or sweater. 😆

7 hours ago, lakegirl16 said:

You mention being late to port?  Curious what ports were delayed?  I'm on next week and have an excursion Sitka I would hate to miss.  Thanks.

A medical emergency occurred shortly after sail away, changing the order of the ports because of the delay. Also, speed restrictions can cause delays. Booking external tours are always a bit of a risk so, when we do book externally, we look for ones that have 24-hour cancellation options to be safe. Then, you just have to hope the internet is working properly.

Tonight was an interesting dinner. We stopped by the Platinum/Elite lounge for a nibble and a sip and were grateful for it. The lounge had pasta salad, crudités, cheese, bruchettta, samosas, and various accompaniments available for gusts and the fresh mint martini was excellent.

Dinner, however, was not ideal. Our reservation was moved to the Botticelli dining room for one night (surprise) and the offerings weren’t super compelling.

My husband went with the run soup, which he enjoyed and the stroganoff that wasn’t anything to write home bout.

I did the clam chowder that was really odd, thin, and filled more with bacon than viable clams. The clams I did find may have been canned because they were so over cooked that they were mealy. My mai was the steamed clams and shrimp. i didn’t get a picture but I revived seven clams and a handful of bay shrimp in a clear, flavorless broth with a garlicky crouton. The clams were sandy (ew) and the broth had less flavor than anything I have ever tried onboard. We wrapped with the blueberry cobbler with vanilla gelato again. It’s a nice mix of acid/astringent to cut the sweet of the gelato.

Word to the wise, it’s a great night to plan for specialty dining. Nothing that was coming out oooked great.

Due to the aforementioned med emergency, out schedule is in a new order. We hit Endicott Arm tomorrow and have Crown Grill reservations for later in the evening once we defrost. We are already seeing seals and orca off the back of the ship so we are excited for the adventure ahead.

the duck glitched (typical). 

Worries about @Cruizin4us too.

Tonight, I had smoked duck appetizer and the tenderloin (‘which medium rare). Service in the section we were i. was sub par for the server but exemplary for the junior server. 

i’m onboard and concerned since slow internet doesn’t seem to be a problem. We did turn back to SF after sailaway last night to disembark a passenger in critical condition, heightening worry, but she may be simply having a grand time.

In the meantime, I’ll offer an assist.

I forgot to take my phone last night so I’ll have to post last night’s dinner later. Today, we did lunch in the DaVinci dining room. While seating was chaotic and service had some lag, I chalked it up to a full ship. 

I started with the grilled vegetable and cured meat appetizer. While it packed quite the garlic punch, it was lovely and balanced but a little oily. 

I followed with the meat tortellini in veal jus with sage butter. The tortellini didn’t feel house made but it was prepared perfectly (not over cooked) and the surprise was the fried micro sage on top.

Also, we have a cookie review! Chocolate chip cookies are available from the app and International Cafe… and likely the buffet. The IC cookies are warm but are so desiccated from sitting in the heat, I don’t recommend them. The  app cookies were soft and yummy but not warm. 

Mist cruisers seem to be first-timers with princess and are being ping-ponged around the ship with free giveaways so we are avoiding the crowds by zigging while they zag.