CU64

On 8/31/2018 at 8:41 AM, Kate-AHF said:

Andee, we all have issues. Every one of us. And in order to live in the world, every one of us finds coping mechanisms. When traveling outside of those known mechanisms, it's beholden on each of to research how that's going to work. You've posted that you've made a mistake in booking this cruise, but yet have stated you can't extract yourself from it. There is nothing that anyone here can offer you to help, and I can't figure out what it is that you expect from the people on this board. I just have this mental image of you getting more and more irritated and unhappy during your trip every time you pass a Christmas tree on board. That's so tragic to me - you are going on my dream itinerary.

 

I guess I do have some advice, as someone who also came within a hair's breadth of being a widow. Take this cruise as a celebration that your husband is still with you and the progress he has managed, and that you have been gifted with the opportunity to sit on your balcony and hold hands while cruising past the Chilean fjords. Ignore everything else.

You are a saint 

Would not stay or pay for Aqua. PERIOD. YES, possible bad locations especially A2.

i think BLU is way overrated & a reason to charge more money. My experience in CC is always good, even priority seating. Would rather spend money on Specialty Restaurants. I buy pass to Persian Gardens for length of trip.

On 10/21/2018 at 6:03 PM, Hlitner said:

We generally cruise S Class ships and are fine with Concierge as long as we are not paying extra.   On our last cruise we were able to get a C3 cabin for the same price as a regular balcony and it looks like our next booking will be similar.  DW and I do not consider the Concierge thing to be worth anything...although we like having the footstools on our balcony.

 

As to Aqua, we used to do a lot of Aqua but quickly tired of Blu.  The menus in Blu got boring (they did not change for years) and our inside joke was how many ways they could make short ribs, braised lamb shanks, etc.  which all tasted the same.  We finally realized that it made more sense to book a regular balcony (or a free upgrade to Concierge) and buy a dining package that allowed us to make Murano our normal restaurant.  It usually ends up less costly then the AQ cabins and Murano is just in a totally different class then Blu.

 

Hank

Totally agree about Blu

As mentioned by another poster, cheese can be high in salt.

 

Another bad suggestion was the one about drinking bottled mineral water (San Pellegrino was mentioned).

 

Mineral water can have a hefty dose of sodium in the water.

Cheese was a suggestion for protein if eating fruits & vegetables. The body needs salt. The FDA steared everyone wrong for 20 years with that pyramid where fat was practically removed from diet & replaced with sugar & carbohydrates, resulting in Type 2 diabetes epidemic.

Common sense would be good.

Fruits and vegetables always work as well as cheeses.

Salt will not be a problem unless you eat processed & packaged foods. Stick with fish and a main menu meat.

Docs often warn against salt but refrain from saying stay off sugar!!!

Ours was in Club Fusion as well. We went a couple of times and there was literally no one else there and we had to go to the bar to order drinks. The waitstaff was there but service was practically non-existent. We didn’t go back.

We were on this cruise & I did not read the invite on the left side. Sushi night, we went up to Sywalkers. Directed to Club Fusion. When asked why the change, “too many.”

Big difference in ambiance from Skywalkers to Club Fusion, for ME. Did not go back. Another indication of either corporate overall change in policy, and/or the tacky/cheapness I observed on this cruise.

Last week on Emerald, requested twins in balcony as we would sleep better on 12 day cruise. DH hated being up against the wall. Offered to switch but no.

Asked cabin steward next day to push beds together but keep the twin sheets configuration. Little more work for him but he was happy to do it. Tipped him 5 just that day.

Worked well.

Grey ring is from a rubber tube that runs along the inside rim of the toilet.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone while I probably should be working.

Never seen it before on any cruise line. Never mentioned it to cabin steward as he was great in every way. Thanks for the information.

Embarkation easy, arrived 1:30. minisuite ready but shocked to see grey rings inside toilet. Suspected some plumbing issue without replacing toilet. 8 days in, grey rings got less dark. Balcony railing severely chipped & nicked, looked like other ones down the line were better.

These two details signaled a general tackiness with food, service, cheapness, on Emerald. Great table mates of 6 after first night. We all agreed. Three sent back their inedible, rubber lobster. Three Elite & 3 Platinum, all sensible accommodating travelers. Best dinner, stuffed trout....New dish, served at 7 for 5:30 seating.

So many things to mention, it would start to sound petty. Alaska and ports still great, as was Glacier Bay.

Anyone who has traveled as often as this poster should know by now to get a paper trail. Sorry he is now disappointed; hard lesson learned.

FYI you can purchase a single week pass to thermal suite for 99-129 for 7 days, more for 12. Suite cost not even close. As for CC, that convenience may be worth the Suite cost 4 you.

We are on same cruise, booked directly with Princess 2 years ago for Captains Circle price and NO Perks or OBC ......Reading about others who have “tons” of perks, we have to be reminded that those may have come with a “price.” 🙁

Red hook is in Brooklyn and in a very bad neighborhood.

Went out of Red Hook Sept 2017, Boarding QM2. Stayed in Brooklyn 2 nights prior. Brooklyn Heights & Promenade are great.....check out NU Hotel, Hilton, TripAdvisor hotel reviews.

Red Hook about 15 min by taxi or car. Brooklyn 45-60 min from JFK by car.

49 days at the Crown Grille? NO WAY! Come on guys. When you are talking a longer cruise I dismiss comparing CC costs to specialty dining. It just is not the same thing at all. I can only take Crown Grille once in a 7-10 day period. Their menu(besides your main meat) is not varied at all in my opinion. Besides if I do a Crown Grill, that is $29pp more per day. I have never paid more than $20pp(and that only once) for CC mini vs. mini in same location. One of my upcoming cruises it was only $9.

 

Therefore, I don't think comparing CC to Specialty Dining is a valid consideration. If you are talking money, it is cheaper to do CC (with the assumption that you will do specialty dining each night).

 

I don't care about the monies. I love the ease of CC dining and the care the CC staff give to me.

 

Pooh

Your stated costs for CC in a mini are only that low when ship is not full...I learned from Celebrity Aqua Class with Blu restaurant, which IS in a separate dining room, that sitting at a table for 2, with the food just ok.....a big hype for “healthier” food. Much prefer traditional dining with table for 6.

The cost for CC on Princess is 1K more than my minisuite & does not even compare to BLU on Celebrity.

There are plenty of other ways to eat on the ship that can offer convenience; we prefer to indulge in other venues.

Buy her a day pass for the Thermal Suite or better yet, for the week. Prefer that over a pedicure. Those hot stone beds are wonderful.

Thanks for all your input. Most of you are right in talking about the Vista suites, however, these are the only 2 suites left so that's my choice. I think we will go with the aft, even though it's more $, but the wads of $$ we are splurging for any suite, might as well have the better one. Gulp!

They put those Suites in the worst locations. Why would anyone get them for the money??? Just for a Suite?

Better off getting 2 balconies if you need Family room or a good minisuite for 2, IMHO.

Terminal 5 JetBlu from LAX last Sept, 2017, was terrific.

Easy off plane, got luggage, had car ordered there in 10 minutes to Brooklyn.

I have direct emails from Customer Relations and a call from Jan Swartz's rep telling me the Food & Beverage department eliminated it. It's official. They "may" replace it with something else in the future, but no details were known or given.

Thank you. How silly of them to remove one venue that gets people together.

It is gone now. Being eliminated on all Princess ships.

Do you have this confirmed by some authority on Princess?

Email me. We have covered balcony on E Deck. Your cost is probably quite a bit higher & we would not pay that. If it is really important to you, we might consider switching.

Blaier@earthlink.net

FYI this is a minisuite.

We have booked club class round trip to Alaska from LA. The only mini suites do not have covered balconies. This is problematic for us. The only alternative we see is skipping club class - any other suggestions? Thanks - Mary

Email me. We have covered balcony on E Deck. Your cost is probably quite a bit higher & we would not pay that. If it is really important to you, we might consider switching.

Blaier@earthlink.net

We carried a case of wine onboard Royal Princess 3/20/18 packed inside a rolling suitcase. We notified the security agents that it was wine, paid the corkage on 10 bottles at liquor desk, and enjoyed our wine in the dining rooms, buffet, and cabin throughout the cruise.

I was ready to carryon 6 wine, pay corkage at liquor desk, & get other glasses from Vines, if needed. Now I may reconsider case. Thank you all for this info. Not often we get to go on 12 day without flying 😎

From the Passage Contract:

 

Guests agree not to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind on board for consumption except one bottle of wine or champagne per person of drinking age (no larger than 750 ml) per voyage only in his/her

carry-on luggage.

A corkage fee of $15.00 U.S.D. per bottle (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to wine and champagne brought aboard by You and consumed in the ship's public areas. Any wine(s) or champagne(s) supplied by the Carrier to You as a gift are not subject to a corkage fee.

At embarkation, all luggage is subject to scanning and any contraband, including alcohol in excess of the allowed amount, will be removed and discarded. You may be required to attend an inspection if your luggage is locked.

Carrier shall not be responsible for any loss, cost, disappointment or damage of any kind as a result of any contraband or alcoholic beverages removed in violation of the one bottle policy. You agree to surrender alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop, or at ports of call, to Carrier, which will be delivered to Your stateroom on the last night of the voyage.

It pretty clear states that wine should be carried on, not checked. Now, reading the second part that I have highlighted, I can see where, perhaps there is an opening for you to check your wine, There have been numerous reports, here on Cruise Critic, from people who have been called to the "naughty room" because of wine that has been packed in checked luggage. If you are using that as a strategy to avoid paying the corkage charge, it is not going to work. They will charge you in the "naughty room." The minus, of course, is that your bag will not be delivered to your cabin. You will have to wait for them to get around to your room and notify you. Then you have go to their facility, and, then, after paying the corkage fee, you'll still have to schlep your bag to your cabin.

I plan on carrying on a case of wine for our Los Angeles-Alaska cruise the end of April. It's just not that big a deal to carry it on.

Now, if you have to fly to the port, then I can see the annoyance. Your wine has to be checked on the aircraft. If I wanted to fly with a case of wine to a port, I would by something like a "Wine Check." It can be checked on an aircraft, and it has wheels to easily drag onto the ship.

We know all the rules about corkage fees & are not trying to avoid. Not sure DH will want to carry a CASE onboard.

No flying or would not consider.

Assessing this or wine package; CC says often out of bottles.

Thanks for your info.

Those of you who have checked cases of soda or water, it appears they have arrived safely in your cabin,

We thought of bringing 6 with carryon & assume they might charge at checkin, after 2 for cabin, which is free if drinking there. Thought might want more for 12 night.

Any of you done this? Thanks.

Disembarkation from Mexico at LA. Waited one hour in line: why? 2 passengers had contraband in their cabin.

Blame the passengers or customs.

Why were you there at 9?

For me, it's the food. We were on the Regal Princess November, Christmas, and are currently on a b2b. The meals, although pretty good on the November cruise, have gotten worse with each cruise.

Alfredo's tomato sauce on my favorite spaghetti stuffed eggplant tasted like Franco American. My best meal this cruise was the first night prime rib as well as the salmon in the main dining room upon boarding. Fish has been tasting extra fishy. My chicken in Sabitini's was dry as well as tasteless. Not enough sauce on the side to give it flavor. My husband's veal was not bad. The buffet was hit or miss. First time ever, I had to salt my food. Crown grill tonight, so I'm hopeful.

We have a November cruise to the ABC islands which I'm considering canceling.

FYI watching food shows; All judges admonish contestants for not using salt. They put spices but no salt. The health craze has left out salt. Unless you eat a lot of packaged or fast foods, salt is not your problem.

I think this is happening on cruise food. Yes, it may not be the best, overall, but with selectivity & asking for more salads & vegetables in MDR, + food knowledge & what interests your palate, it can be done.

If you want to be served gourmet food, you will pay for it on luxury lines.....& may still have to salt.

We May be taking our own wine and interested if a gratuity is automatically added after corking fee charged?

Appreciate any information. Thank you.