Anyone just off Emerald??Few Questions

[zaks pack4]

We are sailing on Emerald this coming Saturday (3/17) and the comments here have led me to just put a deck of cards in my carry-on bag so DH and I can play cards if the shows are that lacking. :( Also, had been looking forward to the gelato in IC - why has that not been fixed since it seems to have broken about 2 months ago??

We have a port-intensive itinierary, so I guess we will be tired at the end of the day, but ... several evening options will certainly be missed. We always had enjoyed the comedians in Explorers.

But, being on a cruise is always a good thing. Hope our weather has improved over what most of you just went through.

[chris0424]

bambam,

 

Who were the performers on your cruise? We also enjoyed the non staff performers. The cruise director was a joke. My husband and I constantly jokes about trying to spot him on the cruise. His staff did everything and we only really saw him on the morning show. I seriously think their experiment with the shows is a disaster. I know it ruined the experience for us and if they implement it ship wide, we will make other arrangements next year.

[pmpkn1957]

This will be my fifth cruise on Princess (on the 3/17 sailing with remidog, OP and others).

I am quite concerned about all the negative posts I have been reading about the entertainment, food quality, muts, etc. Seems like the original reason I loved sailing with Princess (back in 2000 was our first cruise on the Grand), are all failing now. We are a couple in our mid 50's and enjoyed everything Princess had to offer....always looked forward to getting to Platinum stage, but doesnt seem to matter.

 

After this sailing, I will reconsider going to RC...

 

I do feel, however, that 75% of the trip is attitude...I make my own good time with our sailing mates, and learn that nothing is 100%...if the food isnt good in the MDR, Ill head to the Steakhouse or the buffet/caribe cafe...entertainment not good? take 20 bucks and head to the casino or go to the hot tub...BUT, I do believe that if they cut back too much, it will directly affect how I will feel about future sailings with Princess...I truly am upset with all that Ive read, and hope its not as bad as I have been reading on the boards

[pmpkn1957]

We are sailing on Emerald this coming Saturday (3/17) and the comments here have led me to just put a deck of cards in my carry-on bag so DH and I can play cards if the shows are that lacking. :( Also' date=' had been looking forward to the gelato in IC - why has that not been fixed since it seems to have broken about 2 months ago??

We have a port-intensive itinierary, so I guess we will be tired at the end of the day, but ... several evening options will certainly be missed. We always had enjoyed the comedians in Explorers.

But, being on a cruise is always a good thing. Hope our weather has improved over what most of you just went through.[/quote']

 

I call Princess today to see if the Gelato machine was fixed yet..was told to call back tomorrow and they will tell us if it is...if not, I will ask why it is that its two monthes now and still not done...wondering if it was to costly to provide for only $1.50 and reconsidering not putting the gelato station back in

[bambam26]

Chris-

I have to think now? lets see we had a magician that was awesome but I can't recall his name he talked about his young family and he was a comedian also very very funny! Beatlemaniacs, very good! Steve Morris, music and comedy he was the best! Another older comedian that was also really funny, and an illusionist that was amazing! Sorry I don't recall the names maybe others will be able to name them for me. The Cruise director was the worst I have ever seen in 7 cruises, but like I said the cruise staff was exceptional!:)

[CDay]

The mentalist was Wayne Hoffman. He was mind-blowing. Al Katz and Steve Moris commedians. Motor City, What a Swell Party and Boogie Shoes production shows, Beatlemaniacs were very good.

 

The CD must be related to a big wig at Princess HQ. That is the only explanation for how he can keep his job. :rolleyes:

[chamima]

Ok -so I'm waiting to get flamed here. I didn't think Lee was that bad. :o

I think the CD's job is more scheduling than entertaining passengers and the schedules were decent. We eat late traditional so the 10:15 shows were (as usual) not full. Lee DID listen to passenger feedback and change them from 10:00 because many people couldn't make it from dinner to the show in time. The 30 minute shows were NOT good but I think that's a corporate decision and don't blame Lee for that. There were 3 late night (11:15) shows in Club Fusion which I personally haven't seen before and really appreciated! (Also, a 4th impromptu staff show that was cute but kind of fell flat)

The MUTS schedule was sort of baffling. Captain America and Mr. Popper's Penguins at 10pm but more adult, more first run movies during the day either on MUTS or inside at the Princess Theater. :confused: :confused:

Having the steel drum player in the piazza was, to me, a strange choice also. I LOVE listening to him outside but the acoustics in the piazza caused an almost painful echo. There WAS a good piano player on board (he was in Adagio most evenings) so why he wasn't playing in the piazza was puzzling.

 

The food and service in the dining room were wonderful!!! Some of the best we've had. But the buffet (especially for lunch on port days when your only other choice was pizza if you were a vegetarian.) was really lacking!

It was too bad the gelato machine was broken (as it seems to have been for months!)

 

There were many, many wonderful things about the Emerald and we'd sail on her again in a heartbeat. (Even though we're sick of the same ports - hence being on board on port days. ;) ) There were also many things we never got to do in our 20 days so I think it's hard to say entertainment was lacking. Nothing is perfect and if you focus on the positive you'll have a great cruise!

[PescadoAmarillo]

We found the food and service to be excellent, except, as Karen said, the lunch buffet. I've mentioned this before on this board and was jumped on, so I take great comfort that Karen (who also loved the food) also found it lacking. I generally went to the IC and brought food up to the buffet area or got pizza (and, before this cruise, I had never eaten a piece of pizza on a ship). But I wouldn't say that the food in general was bad...it was excellent.

 

Again Karen reinforces my belief that late diners aren't as displeased with the new entertainment times as earlier diners. I simply can't stay up for an 11:15 comedy show in Club Fusion, and wonder why it can't be scheduled earlier when Club Fusion is mostly empty all evening.

[zaks pack4]

I call Princess today to see if the Gelato machine was fixed yet..was told to call back tomorrow and they will tell us if it is...if not, I will ask why it is that its two monthes now and still not done...wondering if it was to costly to provide for only $1.50 and reconsidering not putting the gelato station back in

pmpkn1957 -

Thanks for giving Princess a call about the gelato machine. Were you able to reach them today?

I think we are on the same cruise...coming up this Saturday! :D

Patty

[Katiekakes]

We also just got off the Emerald after a 20 day back to back. We had a very enjoyable cruise, but felt Princess needs to do something about the entertainment. We were not so much disappointed in the length of the shows, but many times after a show we could not find any other entertainment to go to. Club Fusion had some entertainment going on, but it was difficult to see performers because of the layout of the room. We miss the Vista Lounge, and the entertainment it offered. We also were disappointed in the movies offered at MUTTS. Too many repeats. With that said, we were very satisfied with the service, food, and friendliness of the crew.

[micbri]

We left the Emerald March 7 after the 10-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary. We had anytime dining and loved the food, especially after a few days when we were served by Marian and Serhyi and stayed with them the rest of the way. We also enjoyed breakfast in the dining room or ordered up as room service, the pub lunch and the odd foray into Horizon Court or Cafe Caribe. And Daisy and the International Cafe crew were fantastic.

 

We thought that Steve Moris was excellent and the Beatlemaniacs and Evolution were pretty good, but after that the pickings, entertainment-wise, were pretty sparse. We did not like having the comedian in Club Fusion when the Explorers Lounge is a better fit for a standup act. We also thought 30-minute comedy or stage shows were too short. Also, on several occasions we found nothing to do for a couple of hours in the evening while waiting for a show or a movie. We can spend an hour around the pool or in the casino but two hours or more is a bit much. We were also very disappointed there was no party with live music in the Piazza the second formal night.

 

I realize some of these changes are coming down from Princess HQ but I do have to say that Lee and his deputy were almost invisible with the exception of announcing the big acts in the theatre. A bit more interaction with the passengers would have been appreciated, but the rest of the CD staff did a good job.

[Solorca1]

The MUTS schedule was sort of baffling. Captain America and Mr. Popper's Penguins at 10pm but more adult, more first run movies during the day either on MUTS or inside at the Princess Theater. :confused: :confused:!

 

This concerns me a bit, as I was really looking forward to watching The Artist and the Descendents. Were either of them shown in MUTS at night?

[chamima]

This concerns me a bit, as I was really looking forward to watching The Artist and the Descendents. Were either of them shown in MUTS at night?

 

They weren't available in Feb when we sailed but my suggestion would be to put in a request (in writing!!!!) to the CD the very first day of your cruise! Specify that you mean MUTS at night.

 

(Or ,even better, if you know someone on the cruise before yours (doing the 2 cruises as a B2B) have them request it for your cruise so, in case the schedule is done in advance, they can add it.)

 

I don't know if this will work but you have nothing to lose!

[SRQfireman]

I wonder if anybody knows how long this ace CD is going to be on there...

I hope his vacation if coming up soon before I get on.....unless alot of people aren't being fair, he sounds like he needs to be in another profession.

If anybody sailing soon can find out when he's outta there, that would be good

And I have to admit......I am real concerned about this 30 Min show deal they're doing on there !! I have sent 2 emails to Princess with no reply. Doubt it'll do any good, but I sure hope the trial period ends real soon. In reading these boards, there are very few positive votes for this the best I can tell

[pmpkn1957]

pmpkn1957 -

Thanks for giving Princess a call about the gelato machine. Were you able to reach them today?

I think we are on the same cruise...coming up this Saturday! :D

Patty

 

Hi Patty...

 

Yes I called them and the customer rep told me they couldnt find out...I asked her if since the machine has been out since January, are they going to cancel the gelato station...she told me no...that sometimes its a matter of getting a part that may take a long time...three monthes for a part? hmmmmmmmmm

guess we wont know till we get on....

Looking forward to our cruise!!!!!!

 

Gail

[sonnenstrahl]

Patty, I guess they should have ice creme free at a different place??? That would be fare. :D

[remidog]

Thanks for your responses ....Anyone doing a "live from" on emerald?? anything else goin on???:o

[zaks pack4]

Hi Patty...

 

Yes I called them and the customer rep told me they couldnt find out...I asked her if since the machine has been out since January, are they going to cancel the gelato station...she told me no...that sometimes its a matter of getting a part that may take a long time...three monthes for a part? hmmmmmmmmm

guess we wont know till we get on....

Looking forward to our cruise!!!!!!

 

Gail

The day after tomorrow we will be on the Emerald!!!

Looking forward to 10 days of sun, warmth, beaches, relaxation, and maybe...gelato. :p

There usually is a gelato or ice cream available for dessert in MDR, anyway.

Patty

[SRQfireman]

The day after tomorrow we will be on the Emerald!!!

Looking forward to 10 days of sun' date=' warmth, beaches, relaxation, and maybe...gelato. :p

There usually is a gelato or ice cream available for dessert in MDR, anyway.

Patty[/quote']

 

Do "us" a favor for those of us sailing soon.....find out how long that cruise director is on there for if you would please. His "ratings" don't seem to be too good lately and I know I would prefer a different option (I can only hope) If you could scope that out and then post on here, that would be much appreciated

[pa-annie]

Do "us" a favor for those of us sailing soon.....find out how long that cruise director is on there for if you would please. His "ratings" don't seem to be too good lately and I know I would prefer a different option (I can only hope) If you could scope that out and then post on here, that would be much appreciated

 

Just got an New Information email from Princess which shows this fellow as our CD for the March 27th sailing.

 

 

 

Peter Tredgett

Cruise Director

 

Starting his career behind the scenes in stage management, Peter was an assistant stage manager for a provincial theatre in London. His love of amateur dramatics and aspirations to ?tread the boards? soon tempted him to pack his bags and head off into the sunset in search of the spotlight! He became a resident entertainer for Haven Warner Holidays UK, organizing activities, compering and performing in the shows at a resort on the south coast of England. From there, he went from the Greek Islands, where he was managing entertainment for a large hotel chain, to working in television back in the UK.

 

Peter first auditioned for Princess Cruises in 1996 and joined his first ship the Regal Princess soon after. In addition to being a member of the inaugural teams of the Grand, Sea and Ocean Princess, he has had the opportunity to sail on every class of vessel from Explorer to Grand class serving on 10 different ships within the Princess fleet from Alaska to Australia.

 

Peter says "he is good to his wife?he never goes home!" Peter has one son, Samuel.

 

Guess we don't need to worry about good-ole Lee Childers - Annie

[zaks pack4]

Anyone know if Lee C. is still the CD for our cruise tomorrow?

We will have a great time...no matter who the CD is. LOVE TO CRUISE and we will find plenty of fun things to do. ;)

[centralcalicruzer]

Anyone know if Lee C. is still the CD for our cruise tomorrow?

We will have a great time...no matter who the CD is. LOVE TO CRUISE and we will find plenty of fun things to do. ;)

 

I haven't heard from my stepdaughter (one of the Production Singers) that he is leaving soon, although apparently he won't be on board for the 3/27 sailing. FWIW, she likes him better than the other two cruise directors she has worked under for this contract, so I think it's just a matter of opinion. My daughter just sailed with her step sister and had a chance to get to know Lee and thought he was really nice, he even treated the two of them to Sabatini's one night as a thank you to my step daughter for all the additional work she does every cruise by playing a set in Crooner's that isn't part of her regular contract. And I thought he was pretty funny and personable on our 1/27 cruise. Although I didn't actually see him around and about the ship a lot, I really enjoyed his "Wake Show" every morning and he was funny when he was making announcements in the Princess Theatre. Since it was my first Princess cruise, I can't compare him to other Princess CD's in terms of availability or visibility around the ship, but I certainly didn't think he was bad enough to ruin a cruise for anyone!

[PescadoAmarillo]

I think that Lee is getting a bit of a bad rap here on CC. We had 4 different cruise directors this year on the Emerald, and Lee was NOT the worst. I won't mention who won that "honor" in our minds, but will say that our favorite wasn't even a full cruise director, he just filled for one cruise during a transition: Colin Banyard.

[zaks pack4]

Thanks for the information. Who the CD is certainly does not "make" a cruise for us. Personally, I would be more disappointed if the gelato machine is not fixed yet! :D

Anyone know what the recent movies at MUTS have been? Hoping to see The Descendants.

[jdfloyd]

Don't know if it's MUTS or not but for our March 27 sailing it our email said that The Descendents and The Artist will be available. Looking forward to seeing The Descendents!!!