UST Review on CB

[tkq]

My DW and I participated in the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Caribbean Princess this past week. The tour is $150 per person and was held on Thursday, a sea day. We met at 8:30 am and was told the tour would last about 3 hours and 15 minutes. It was led by on the CD staff while each are we visited had a person from that area explain and answer questions. We visited the Theater and toured backstage and the dressing rooms. Very impressive at the size of the stage, the 4 stories of lift above the stage to hoist the sets, etc. Next we visited the area where anchors and tie lines are stored. We continued next to galley where the executive chef took us around. They provided drinks and snacks and a decorative bread souvenir. Very impressive operation. We then went to the storage area and saw one of the 20 massive refrigerators/freezers. Saw the vegetable prep area along with the butcher shop. Next it was off to the laundry area, print shop, photo lab, engine control room and medical center. The final stop was the bridge where we met the Captain and the 3rd watch officer. After the tour we went to the wedding chapel for champagne and snacks.

 

Overall the tour is fantastic. As you proceed on the tour you travel the corridors that the staff use. You pass by a lot of their cabins (you think yours is small - there are doors about every 4 feet with two names on each door). They provide lots of facts and answer questions. A staff photographer is with you taking group photos. You are not allowed to take your own photos. After the tour your gift consists of a plush robe (not the waffle robes), a picture frame, photos from the tour and an apron all placed neatly in a blue, reusable princess bag. It is delivered to your room later in the day.

 

When we arrived on board we placed our names on the list. We received notification on Monday morning that we were selected. There was a total of 15 people but two did not show up. You do have to sign a waiver before going on the tour. You also have a security officer with you the entire time.

 

Here is my only complaint and it has to do with the CD staff. Half way through another CD member took over as our guide had an event to participate in. He rushed us through every area. After two questions or so he would interrupt and say it was time to move on. We completed the tour in 2 hours and 30 minutes, 45 minutes early from the stated time. Very frustrating that that this CD staff is not very passenger focused (see my review of the CB out of Houston 11/15). Sad when they feel annoyed to have to be with the passengers.

 

Despite this, I would do the tour again in a heart beat. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Holomoku]

We did the UST on our T/A on the CP. Ours was mostly the same except that it ran over the time limit as no rush was placed on the questions and our stop on the Bridge is where we had cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with the Capt. and were allowed to ask questions of all save the Helmsman and Officer of the Deck.;) We spent at least 1/2 hr. on the bridge or more. It was all very impressive.:D

[Ellipooh]

I guess I'm surprised that you're taken through the crew quarters. Don't get me wrong, I'm as curious as the next passenger but I expected a modicum of privacy would be afforded to them.

 

Thanks for the review. The rest of the UST sounds wonderful, I'm especially interested in the kitchens. I hope to take this tour on my cruise in April.

[Holomoku]

I guess I'm surprised that you're taken through the crew quarters. Don't get me wrong, I'm as curious as the next passenger but I expected a modicum of privacy would be afforded to them.

 

Thanks for the review. The rest of the UST sounds wonderful, I'm especially interested in the kitchens. I hope to take this tour on my cruise in April.

 

Sign up at the desk as soon as you get on board, we signed up before going to our cabins that trip.;)

[Holomoku]

I just thought of one other difference, we also received from the Chef a Chef's White Jacket with the Princess logo on it. I have used mine when I BBQ for friends. It is very heavy but yet comfortable in the heat over here. We did not have room in our suitcases for the two jackets and the robes so we had to ship them home. Well worth it though.

[jrzebird]

I did the UST on the CB last year. We did not go into the crew living quarters. We passed a corridor where they are located, but didn't go inside. We also got to climb into the stacks, behind the Sea Witch logo. I think that was one of my favorite parts! Apparently, they don't do it every time. It depends on weather and sea conditions. We had a great pictured taken there. We also had our snacks and drinks on the bridge and got to spend at least half an hour there.

 

I'm sorry you didn't get more time in the laundry area, print shop, engine control room or medical center. Each one of these stops was memorable and informative.

 

One day I'll do this tour again, when I don't have to fly home with a giant robe!

 

Maureen

[Cruzin-K]

My DW and I participated in the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Caribbean Princess this past week. The tour is $150 per person and was held on Thursday, a sea day. We met at 8:30 am and was told the tour would last about 3 hours and 15 minutes. It was led by on the CD staff while each are we visited had a person from that area explain and answer questions. We visited the Theater and toured backstage and the dressing rooms. Very impressive at the size of the stage, the 4 stories of lift above the stage to hoist the sets, etc. Next we visited the area where anchors and tie lines are stored. We continued next to galley where the executive chef took us around. They provided drinks and snacks and a decorative bread souvenir. Very impressive operation. We then went to the storage area and saw one of the 20 massive refrigerators/freezers. Saw the vegetable prep area along with the butcher shop. Next it was off to the laundry area, print shop, photo lab, engine control room and medical center. The final stop was the bridge where we met the Captain and the 3rd watch officer. After the tour we went to the wedding chapel for champagne and snacks.

 

Overall the tour is fantastic. As you proceed on the tour you travel the corridors that the staff use. You pass by a lot of their cabins (you think yours is small - there are doors about every 4 feet with two names on each door). They provide lots of facts and answer questions. A staff photographer is with you taking group photos. You are not allowed to take your own photos. After the tour your gift consists of a plush robe (not the waffle robes), a picture frame, photos from the tour and an apron all placed neatly in a blue, reusable princess bag. It is delivered to your room later in the day.

 

When we arrived on board we placed our names on the list. We received notification on Monday morning that we were selected. There was a total of 15 people but two did not show up. You do have to sign a waiver before going on the tour. You also have a security officer with you the entire time.

 

Here is my only complaint and it has to do with the CD staff. Half way through another CD member took over as our guide had an event to participate in. He rushed us through every area. After two questions or so he would interrupt and say it was time to move on. We completed the tour in 2 hours and 30 minutes, 45 minutes early from the stated time. Very frustrating that that this CD staff is not very passenger focused (see my review of the CB out of Houston 11/15). Sad when they feel annoyed to have to be with the passengers.

 

Despite this, I would do the tour again in a heart beat. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Thanks very much for this info. I had been planning to sign up to do this on the CB next week. I think I'll mention when I'm putting my name down, that I hope the same person doesn't lead the tour as it was rushed on your cruise and I expect that for $150, we won't be treated like an inconvenience by the crew.

 

If the same thing happens on my tour, I'll be writing to Princess to complain. Just sayin' The whole reason the CD staff has a job, is because of the passengers and if they don't like their job, they always have options. ;)

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing your review/comments.

 

Keith

[dleighb]

Some members of our group are very interested in this tour (okay, that would be me) along with the Dining thing (okay, that would be others) that I've now forgotten the name of.

 

Which desk do you go to sign up? Can you request both at the same time? I've heard that you need to request these pretty immediately on boarding. As we're driving, I'll hope that we aren't the last to board because we can't get into the parking lot because of fog delays.

 

Dana

[tkq]

Let me clarify. We did not go inside the quarters but walked past a lot of them on the way to different areas. The doors of each room are very close together leaving the impression they are not big. There are name tags on each door.

[tkq]

You sign up at the passenger services desk. They say it is a litter system. We were notified two day later.

[BassettMom]

I had signed for the tour on my CB cruise but wasn't able to go. I got a letter telling me it was cancelled since not enough people had signed up. I've done the UST on the Sapphire and loved it and wanted to do in on the CB so I was diasappointed it was cancelled. Hopefully I'll be able to do it on the Star.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

Edited November 26, 2013 by BassettMom

[Cruzin-K]

My DW and I participated in the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Caribbean Princess this past week. The tour is $150 per person and was held on Thursday, a sea day. We met at 8:30 am and was told the tour would last about 3 hours and 15 minutes. It was led by on the CD staff while each are we visited had a person from that area explain and answer questions. We visited the Theater and toured backstage and the dressing rooms. Very impressive at the size of the stage, the 4 stories of lift above the stage to hoist the sets, etc. Next we visited the area where anchors and tie lines are stored. We continued next to galley where the executive chef took us around. They provided drinks and snacks and a decorative bread souvenir. Very impressive operation. We then went to the storage area and saw one of the 20 massive refrigerators/freezers. Saw the vegetable prep area along with the butcher shop. Next it was off to the laundry area, print shop, photo lab, engine control room and medical center. The final stop was the bridge where we met the Captain and the 3rd watch officer. After the tour we went to the wedding chapel for champagne and snacks.

 

Overall the tour is fantastic. As you proceed on the tour you travel the corridors that the staff use. You pass by a lot of their cabins (you think yours is small - there are doors about every 4 feet with two names on each door). They provide lots of facts and answer questions. A staff photographer is with you taking group photos. You are not allowed to take your own photos. After the tour your gift consists of a plush robe (not the waffle robes), a picture frame, photos from the tour and an apron all placed neatly in a blue, reusable princess bag. It is delivered to your room later in the day.

 

When we arrived on board we placed our names on the list. We received notification on Monday morning that we were selected. There was a total of 15 people but two did not show up. You do have to sign a waiver before going on the tour. You also have a security officer with you the entire time.

 

Here is my only complaint and it has to do with the CD staff. Half way through another CD member took over as our guide had an event to participate in. He rushed us through every area. After two questions or so he would interrupt and say it was time to move on. We completed the tour in 2 hours and 30 minutes, 45 minutes early from the stated time. Very frustrating that that this CD staff is not very passenger focused (see my review of the CB out of Houston 11/15). Sad when they feel annoyed to have to be with the passengers.

 

Despite this, I would do the tour again in a heart beat. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Just wanted to add a few comments because I just went on this tour on the CB this past week.

 

We were not rushed. We had three full hours on the tour, and we never had to leave any area until everyone's questions were answered. There were two women and ten men on the tour and we spent the most time in the engine control room and the bridge. :rolleyes: :D

 

We did not get champagne and snacks. As soon as the bridge tour was over, we were escorted to the door and that was that :(

 

We were allowed to take photos on the bridge, but not in the other areas. I had a small camera with me that I kept in my pocket, just in case. Turns out I got a couple good shots on the bridge, but the lighting really wasn't that great.

 

We received a chef's jacket, not an apron.