daydreamer16

Agreed, we didn’t upgrade to premiere since we only have one or two glasses of wine with dinner. Also, on the Grand, Alfredo’s is the only casual option. We love the service on Celebrity but we chose our cruises based on itinerary so we’ll continue with Princess but maybe not as often as in the past.

I’ll ask tonight, thanks! Will report back!

I have not seen any sommelier on this ship & I did mention to our waiter that we’re going to Vines every night because the wines by the glass are terrible. I am not a wine snob & like a variety of wines. Also, wine service in the MDR is like going to a cheap restaurant. We are just off Celebrity on 3/24 and even if you order a cheap glass of wine, the sommelier takes your order & pours from the bottle at your table. At least you are sure of what your getting!

Currently on the Grand Princess with the plus pkg & very disappointed with wines in the mdr. Yesterday I saw a waiter carrying a tray with 14 glasses of wine to 2 tables. Reds & white of different hues, but no tag or receipt as to what each was. All I could think of was, no way that waiter knows which of those areCabernet Sauvignon , Pinot or Malbec etc☹️ We’ve been going to Vines each night before dinner to pick up a glass!

Yes, we travel to Mohegan because of that reason. We also visit our grandchildren since they live in Connecticut 🤣

Currently on the Grand Princess, with the Plus Pkg & the bars will pour you a double and only charge for one drink. This has been a first for us on Princess!

Currently on the Grand Princess & we had problems with MDR from day one. We haven’t been on Princess since Fall 2019, so definitely out of the loop on dining! On previous cruises we just went down to the anytime dining & got a beeper. Never waited more than 30 minutes. On the Grand we boarded in Auckland, cruise originated in Sydney. First day I contacted guest services & asked about dining & she said you better start making reservations! It’s a 22 day cruise so I tried online but could only make reservations for 6 nights, various times & dining rooms. The first night no reservation, was told 2 hour wait at first dining room. Went to different room waited 10 minutes & saw many unoccupied tables. Next day went to guest services & complained about the system. Was told they would keep a table empty all night if it had been reserved at 6:00 & 7:30 that’s the way the computer system operates! Excuse was guest could be tired from excursion & might or might not show up so they keep table open. I don’t know much about the restaurant business but on dry land I think a restaurant would go out of business if that was their model! After our visit to guest services we got a table for 2 not later tha 7pm. For reference was on the Celebrity Edge in March out of Sydney. We ate a one of the MDRs ( there are 4) every night & never waited for a table for 2. It was the first time in any cruise ( Celebrity & Princess) that we did not wait even once. We usually eat around 6-6:30 so prime time!

So we leave this Saturday on the Grand Princess & yesterday I got an email from the Hilton saying that they are canceling all of the day pass reservations for April since the resort is fully booked. Good luck with your trip!

Have you tried Viator? I see Hobbiton on their site. Auckland is too far for a shore excursion. We went to Hobbiton yesterday & it’s great especially if you’re a fan. We left from Auckland & it was about 8 hrs r/t. We board the Grand Princess on Saturday.

Thanks!

So we are boarding the Grand in Auckland with the majority of passengers boarding in Sydney 4 days earlier. I'm thinking the wait shouldn't be too long? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I haven't been on Princess for awhile, can you use OBC if you book online?

Thanks for the info. We are planning to go to the Victoria Market on Easter Sunday, so hopefully I'll find something there. I already checked that they will be open that day but closed on Friday. We have theater tickets for the afternoon so we'll go there first thing that morning. Thanks again, Denise

Do you know if Pellegrino or Perrier are included with the Plus Beverage pkg? Thanks

I'll be in Melbourne for 4 days prior to flying to Auckland, maybe you can suggest some place there? Denise