Live from Sapphire Princess

Hong Kong to Singapore - Full Suite passenger

Horrible embarkation. 3 hours to board ship in Hong Kong with massive lines.

Yesterday all Passengers received an apology letter and $50 pp OBC.

Next day a free for all to drop off passports to ships immigration. Mass numbers of guests in long lines. No type of organization whatsoever. No priority line for suites or elites.

No hot water for two days. One flood in bathroom due to leaking pipe.

Strong sewer smell the last two days throughout ship.

Front desk personnel overwhelmed and not knowledgeable. Long lines of guests waiting for customer service.

Captains Club hostess not interested in discussing anything with us. She was on her computer during our conversation and offered no insight as to helping us resolve a few issues. Has been fours days since our discussion with her and no follow up.

Only one hair stylist on board to service 2,600 passengers.

Food in Sabatinis very good as is service for both breakfast and dinner.

Food In Sterling steak house not hot when served as food comes from buffet kitchen. Had to send back lamb chops as they were undercooked and chewy.

Club class dining excellent. No wait and fabulous service.

No communication to passengers for delays or change in shore excursions.

No phone directory to contact various departments of ship. Had to call 911 as front desk stopped answering their phone.

First shore excursion in Halong Bay a disaster. Captain got lost and we circled for 2 hours missing our kayaking time and late getting back to ship. Passengers on tour wanted to mutiny. Awaiting call from Shorex.

No wine packages. Vines wine bar is closed.

More later when better internet.

Hope others on board chime in. We have around 50 Cruise Critic members on board.

Thanks for the feedback.

It is a concern for us as we board on her in 2 months. I hope others on your cruise do chime in.

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It sounds like a lot of people were very unhappy. I hope things get a lot better.

Tony

Here's hoping that things improve. It sounds pretty bad, especially the hot water and other plumbing problems.

Please don't call 911 unless it is a real emergency. This really needs to be reserved for emergencies (medical, fire, etc...).

That does not sound good. My feeling is that you can usually just shrug and go on to the next thing, but this is a fairly substantial list of problems. in my experience, very unlike Princess to be like this. I wonder why?

Ohiodoglover

Oh no! We board on Saturday in Singapore:eek: Keep us posted ........ Has Vines been closed for the duration of your cruise? :loudcry:

Doesn't sound too good from your report. I board in about 3 weeks so I hope things improve. Can you tell me who the Captain and Cruise Director are?

We were considering a 37 day trip in 2019 on the Sapphire but with some further research on some of the ports, visas and your comments on the ship's organizational problems It is not looking too positive.

Ouch ...

Hope it gets better

Srpilo

Hope things get better. We travel on the Sapphire in March next year (our first cruise).

Hmmm...we were looking at a Midnight Sun cruise on the Sapphire next August, but after reading these comments, I’m thinking we might go with Viking. We were on the Sapphire 4 yrs ago and we were not happy with any dining on the ship,but everything else was ok.

OP;

I hope your cruise improves.....:):):)

Bob

Was the ship chartered for six months in China, and was this the first sailing back to a Princess product ? If so, maybe there was a significant or complete turnover in staff and crew.

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Not sounding great. We are on Sapphire next May/June, B2B - Scandinavia and Baltics.

I am sure things will improve. Refurb happening in March, before she leaves Asia for Europe.:')

BTW The OP said it took them 3 hrs to board as a full suite pax. Strange...Suites are first on.

Hmmm...we were looking at a Midnight Sun cruise on the Sapphire next August, but after reading these comments, I’m thinking we might go with Viking.

Where can you see the midnight sun in August?

OP, who was the captain?

Things going much better. Met with management. Transition from Asian market charter to International very challenging for crew. Port issues at embarkation not typical. Assured that issues are resolved internally. Very responsive staff addressing our issues. Kudos to Princess!

Captain is Paolo Ravera for those who inquired.

Please don't call 911 unless it is a real emergency.

But these are Full Suite passengers! They can do what they want.

Things going much better. Met with management. Transition from Asian market charter to International very challenging for crew. Port issues at embarkation not typical. Assured that issues are resolved internally. Very responsive staff addressing our issues. Kudos to Princess!

 

Captain is Paolo Ravera for those who inquired.

I hope they left some Sushi, Spring Rolls, Suntory Whisky and Sapporo beer on board, in the transition from Asian market back to International. :halo:;p

It is good to hear that issues are being sorted. Enjoy.

But these are Full Suite passengers! They can do what they want.

I reckon us Black Card people rule. We earned them. :cool:

Little off topic, but we're going to be on the Sapphire Princess in March next year with our toddler (will be 15 months old then). Does anyone know if Sapphire Princess has high chairs in the restaurants, cafe's and buffets?

Little off topic, but we're going to be on the Sapphire Princess in March next year with our toddler (will be 15 months old then). Does anyone know if Sapphire Princess has high chairs in the restaurants, cafe's and buffets?

Yes, they do. I saw them last week.

Thanks for sharing.

Where can you see the midnight sun in August?

Inside the Arctic Circle off coast of Norway. Norwegian Fjords cruise. We will be on the Sapphire for a similar cruise in June 2019.