Gwendy

I found hygiene measures on Enchanted, April, very lax. Quite often in buffet there was no hand sanitiser on arrival. I am hesitant to use the wash basins as they are on a tile floor and the floor is usually wet and slippery. Quite often in lady’s toilets there was no hand wash or the tap was inoperable. All solved of course by carrying your own sanitizer, but I’m not sure everyone does this.

Had to pick up our medallions in April from Barcelona, after flying from Australia. My son who was on his first Princess cruise had his medallion and holder, ordered pre cruise, ready for him. Me as Elite, no medallion, had to get a cruise card to board, and go to Purser’s desk immediately to get my medallion. My son was highly amused as I had told him as Elite I would have faster boarding. Lol

Be careful if you travel a lot, you can fill your passport up with useless stamps and not have enough empty pages to meet a country’s requirements. Buy a small notebook and get the unofficial stamps in there.

I would not advise going to Tokyo on turnaround day. Too many things could go wrong. We found lots to do in Yokohama. It is a lovely city.

It depends his long the cruise is and where it is going. As a single I have come close to that figure on a 54 night cruise from London (Dover) to Australia. The itinerary included many places I had not been to before and as a single traveller was not likely to get there unless on a cruise.

Stayed in Yokohama, 3 days prior to cruise. Took a tri to Sankien gardens, very beautiful, walked long waterfront. Went to a large shopping centre and ate like a local. Also went to Tokyo for one day but that wouldn’t be in your plans, probably too long a time, same for Disneyland. Google what to do in Yokohama, I found taxis reasonable, I hope they still have the lace covers on the seats. it was easy to get around, the red brick house was a shopping, eating venue, there is a fabric museum and a noodle museum. As an extra I found the Japanese people extremely friendly and helpful, most had a working knowledge of English as opposed to my total lack of Japanese.

But they had to perform the task first, parenting 101. They didn’t get the ice cream BEFORE they completed the task.

Just take any magnet, I only use them to hold paper notes. I usually take the ones I get in my junk mail from local tradies.

In 10 years being Elite we were upgraded from inside to obstructed ocean view once. Don’t question why just enjoy it.

Congratulations, I thought she had died and gone to upsell heaven. Lol

Leaving myself open for flaming, but here goes. I equate tipping in advance to a bribe.

Have been wiping airplane seats, screens, remotes, arm rests for years. One person laughed at me, then covid came along. I do the same in the cabin, including the bathroom. On a long cruise tend to repeat every 5 days or so.

Have used Vacation planner twice from Australia. Disinterested and useless are about the kindest things I can say.

Gatsby is huge. Formal night in dining room for some people is for one woman, baggy singlet top with shorts and thongs, for her partner baggy tshirt with a hole in it and shorts. Most people make an effort to dress nicely, same as if you were going to dinner in a restaurant. Suits not needed for men, good shirt and tie, for women, long pants and nice top or dress.

On Pacific Encounter last week, I bought some candles in Fiji, when getting back on ship I was pulled up at scanning station and told, “these are not allowed on ship, I should confiscate them, but I won’t, just make sure you do not use them in your cabin”. I had no intention to use them on the ship as they were going to be used as gifts and with over 60 cruises, I know the rules BUT how many first time cruisers had candles or the demographic of P&O who think rules are not for them had them. my point is they should have been taken and kept for collection when we disembarked. Trusting everyone to do the right thing is a dangerous situation.

Dress standards are long gone. Jus5 wear what you feel comfortable with. No staff will challenge you, too concerned about rating on survey. I personally still like to make an effort, but that’s my choice.

Loved how pre covid lots of people would blow the whistle regardless of who had used it before. Lol

When we cruised with CMV, the Columbus was the former Pacific Pearl so we felt right at home. We did part of the world cruise from Singapore to London, in 2018. Price was excellent and itinerary also great. I loved the Pacific Dawn so nice to see it getting a rerun.

Still have to do RAT before boarding P&O on Monday

I have cruised with 8 different cruise lines, all have good and not so good factors. Fir me I chaise itinerary and price as main deciders. Royal Caribbean is excellent for young people, but it’s worth a change every now and then. P&O Aust, Princess, RCL, Carnival, Cunard, MSC, Celebrity, CMV (went broke during covid)

Just back from Mediterranean on Enchanted Princess. Very few staff and passengers wearing masks. No requirement to wear them, no Covid test, it was like it never happened.

54 night cruise, 3 of everything, ship clothes, port clothes, evening clothes. I have done 2x54 night cruises and have no idea what people at my dining table wore. When you travel on your own and fly to port you learn very quickly to pack lightly.

Last two cruises on Encounter, Nov 2022 and Jan 2023, Waterfront was abysmal. Very poor service, long wait to get seated and get food, drink order wrong. However being optimistic I am hoping some staff training has been undertaken and next week’s cruise to Fiji it will all be good. No matter, better than cooking at home and I am on a cruise so should be fine.

Princess also does emuster, watch video in room, go to muster station, sign on back of stateroom door tells you where to go, get marked off,. Done. P&O scan card, Princess you scan your medallion. All very civilised from the crowded mess years ago.

Have been Elite with Princess for over 10 years, often cruise solo at approximately double the cost. Never had an upgrade. Occasionally cruise P&O., out to South Pacific, about once per year, have had 3 or 4 upgrades. Bookings have been through cruise line or direct from on line supplier. Doesn’t seem to make any difference. I too think the upgrade fairy has list her wings.