Princess cheapening out

[EddieCruzer]

We are currently aboard the Regal Princess for the Canada New England run. The best thing I can say is that the weather has been fantastic. T-shirts and shorts were more the order of the day. Temperatures have been in the 70’s. Horizon Court is the best buffet we have ever seen. The choices are amazing and most have been delicious.

 

Now for the downside:

• No Princess tote bags.

• Grapevine wine tasting – they stopped giving the cordial glass and the samples of wine were about 2 tbls each. All 5 offerings did not even add up to ONE glass of wine.

• They did have the Pop Choir, but no after party or champagne.

• No morning trivia question on The Wake Show

• The only prize given out at any of the trivia games was a bottle of “ship(t) champagne” as they called it.

• If you would like a decent seat, or seats together in the theatre, better get there 45 mins ahead of time. Seating is totally inadequate for the size of the ship. The only production show worth seeing was Fiera.

 

So much wasted paper with junk in the Patter and mailbox. Our garbage can was filled daily with it.

 

Crew does not seem real happy on this ship either. Dining room staff was the worst we have ever encountered. Seems like they are being worked to death.

 

Just passing along our observations after 36 cruises with Princess.

[joybook]

Can't say that I have had 36 cruises with Princess but wife and I have had quite a few. Nothing you have mentioned would greatly concern us. :)

[snoodqueen]

I agree with the OP. While none of these things will make or break my cruise, they were nice extras. Do I need another Princess tote? Not really but it was the gesture. On my cruise in September the wine tasting was more expensive and no frosted shot glass, though we did get a decent amount of wine for each tasting. They are cutting back on all the little niceties that we've come to expect. How much does it cost them for the free drink awarded for the trivia question anyway? It made the morning fun trying to answer it. Now I don't even watch the Wake Show since it's just one long commercial for art auctions, shops and the spa. I'm Elite but sailing Royal next year because Princess offers less and less to entice me back.

[Pam in CA]

I think most of the OP's concerns are the responsibility of the CD and his/her staff. The wine tasting is probably the Maitre D' or Hotel Manager. From what I could see, they aren't a result of Princess policy changes. Another ship or even CD could be a completely different experience.

 

A few years ago, I was on a T/A on the Crown and several times, the Patter wasn't delivered until the next morning (even after checking at Midnight.) The next day, there were constant PA announcements with corrections and additions. I commented to someone that I thought the CD wasn't doing his job and the person insisted that the CD didn't write or print the Patter. While he didn't, it was done by his staff, was his responsibility and he was the one on the PA. Most of the time, a CD won't affect the enjoyment of your cruise but when they do poor planning or managing, IMHO, they can very much affect your cruise experience.

Edited October 16, 2015 by Pam in CA

[iceleven]

I think most of the OP's concerns are the responsibility of the CD and his/her staff. The wine tasting is probably the Maitre D' or Hotel Manager. From what I could see, they aren't a result of Princess policy changes. Another ship or even CD could be a completely different experience.

 

A few years ago, I was on a T/A on the Crown and several times, the Patter wasn't delivered until the next morning (even after checking at Midnight.) The next day, there were constant PA announcements with corrections and additions. I commented to someone that I thought the CD wasn't doing his job and the person insisted that the CD didn't write or print the Patter. While he didn't, it was done by his staff, was his responsibility and he was the one on the PA. Most of the time, a CD won't affect the enjoyment of your cruise but when they do poor planning or managing, IMHO, they can very much affect your cruise experience.

 

I totally agree.

[antsp]

Not sure if the cd is to blame for no trivia question in the wake show, just left the emerald and wasn't one on there neither, the wake show is quite painful now as it is just a load of adverts. As for all the junk mail you get I now leave it in my mail slot outside, even when it's left inside the cabin. It just proves a point really.

[Putterdude]

What no tote bag??? :rolleyes:We have finally found a use for all of ours, they work great for keeping things in the deep freeze, roasts in one, pork in an other and on goes.

[caribill]

How much does it cost them for the free drink awarded for the trivia question anyway?

 

It has been a while since that was a prize.

 

On my last couple of Princess cruises the prize was a coupon for a free turn at the Casino Vault game. That is the one you try to position a rod to go through a hole and knock down a prize.

[innervlsrtxcl]

It just proves a point really.

[Griller]

Not sure if the cd is to blame for no trivia question in the wake show, just left the emerald and wasn't one on there neither, the wake show is quite painful now as it is just a load of adverts. As for all the junk mail you get I now leave it in my mail slot outside, even when it's left inside the cabin. It just proves a point really.

 

We put all the paper that comes in the bottom drawer of the desk in the cabin, after 10 days its stuffed full. A lot of spa and socalled art advertising.

Just had 2 back to back cruises on CB, and moved cabins. The first steward we had provided everything like tote bags, ice, elite toiletries, wineglasses, etc etc automatically, the second one didn't, we had to ask her and then it arrived in the cabin.

In the main dining room for dinner we had great waiters mostly and timely service, but in one area of one dining room it took so long to order and be served that we left after the soup having been there 90 minutes and avoided those waiters for the rest of the cruise.

Just goes to show how 2 cruisers on the same cruise can have different experiences.

Edited October 16, 2015 by Griller

[pompeii]

We were just on the Regal for the TA before it started Canada/NE, and there were tote bags and also champagne after pop choir (I was in two of them and there was a "champagne party" after both.)

 

Can't comment on the wine tasting or the trivia questions, but I do agree that you had to get to the theater about 20 mins before showtime to get seats for the early show. The late show always had plenty of seating.

 

Our CD was Martyn Moss and he was very, very good. He was always out and about on the ship and his after show wrap-ups were a hoot.

[FawnRiver]

Just off the Island Princess and there were no such shortfalls that I noticed.

 

Got a tote bag, didn't watch the wake show but DH went out for activities on the sea days and brought back a bunch of Princess swag (water bottle, hat, t-shirt and a deck of cards). Dining room staff was really good, they didn't even push the wine tasting (mind you, we were in the Med so why taste wine onboard when you're going to source - I don't know if they even bothered with it, to be honest).

[sue gill]

we are on the regal on oct. 24. we were on the emerald princess last dec. I was so mad I almost went on rc this time my daughter is going on a different cruise line. what was the problem? attiude of the entertainment staff. they acted like they hated their job. they wouldn't even hook up the wii for the posted wii golf game . the staff member said there was only 5 people here and she wasn't going to all the trouble to hook up the game if there wasn't at least 8 people . just stuff like that all cruise long. please princess PLEASE be reading this and talk to your staff . im love all the dumb cruise games. I work hard all year im paying for you time so on oct 24 let the fun begin .SO BAD ATTIUDES!!!!!!!!! oh and it okay about the prizes but I still want the joke of the day

[New York Nana]

We are currently aboard the Regal Princess for the Canada New England run. The best thing I can say is that the weather has been fantastic. T-shirts and shorts were more the order of the day. Temperatures have been in the 70’s. Horizon Court is the best buffet we have ever seen. The choices are amazing and most have been delicious.

 

Now for the downside:

• No Princess tote bags.

• Grapevine wine tasting – they stopped giving the cordial glass and the samples of wine were about 2 tbls each. All 5 offerings did not even add up to ONE glass of wine.

• They did have the Pop Choir, but no after party or champagne.

• No morning trivia question on The Wake Show

• The only prize given out at any of the trivia games was a bottle of “ship(t) champagne” as they called it.

• If you would like a decent seat, or seats together in the theatre, better get there 45 mins ahead of time. Seating is totally inadequate for the size of the ship. The only production show worth seeing was Fiera.

 

So much wasted paper with junk in the Patter and mailbox. Our garbage can was filled daily with it.

 

Crew does not seem real happy on this ship either. Dining room staff was the worst we have ever encountered. Seems like they are being worked to death.

 

Just passing along our observations after 36 cruises with Princess.

 

I, too, am currently on board the Regal. Two of your comments I can speak to.

During our Roll Call Meet and Greet, the CD (Martyn Moss) explained that the lack of Princess totes was due to their supplier in NY did not deliver them in time.

He also explained it was a company decision to not hold the Wake Show trivia question. Although Richard Joseph had it this summer in Alaska.

We have had the MOST enjoyable wait staff team in the early traditional DR. We have found all our encounters with staff to be pleasant and helpful.

We are not as traveled as some (this is #10 for us), but we have found very little to fault. Yes, many 'sales ' fliers in our box, but that's expected. For every pax who is not interested, there are those who are. We learned at the CC party last evening there are approximately 1500 'blue' cards sailing this trip.

We enjoy watching the Wake show to find out some information about our ports and such. And we find the Assistant CD, Simone, to be quite funny.

As far as the theater and seating, well they have been IMPLORING people to go to the second show where seats are plentiful. I can't imagine a large enough theater to accommodate 3600pax at one time!

These are simply our experience on board this week. We return to the Regal in January and anticipate as enjoyable experience.

[Colo Cruiser]

A company decision that there be no wake show trivia question?

Wow big board room decisions being made there. :eek:

 

We had Wake Show trivia questions for 2 weeks straight on our Coral cruise that ended last week.

 

We had tote bags.

 

Everything else listed is the same. Lots of paper waste in the cabin, which has been the case for years.

(they recycle everything, so its not something I worry about)

 

We go to the theater at least 30 minutes early all the time.

Thats been that way for years. Don't show up 5 minutes before a popular show and expect to get good seats/or seats at all for that matter.

 

Same prizes as always at trivia.

 

As far as Pop show champagne, who wants it? Its headache water. :(

[AKman2495]

We were just off the royal and what a difference a god CD makes. We got tote bags and the CD promoted the wake show questions frequently during the trip.

 

The entire crew and waitstaff was happy and anxious to serve.

 

I guess the CD does make a big difference.

[dorisis]

I agree with the OP. While none of these things will make or break my cruise, they were nice extras. Do I need another Princess tote? Not really but it was the gesture. On my cruise in September the wine tasting was more expensive and no frosted shot glass, though we did get a decent amount of wine for each tasting. They are cutting back on all the little niceties that we've come to expect. How much does it cost them for the free drink awarded for the trivia question anyway? It made the morning fun trying to answer it. Now I don't even watch the Wake Show since it's just one long commercial for art auctions, shops and the spa. I'm Elite but sailing Royal next year because Princess offers less and less to entice me back.

 

BUT....Princess still gives us the pillow chocolates, the veteran's OBC and lets us combine all our other OBCs RC and Celebrity do not. and for Elites we get a cabin OBC depending on the number of cruises.

[Griller]

BUT....Princess still gives us the pillow chocolates, the veteran's OBC and lets us combine all our other OBCs RC and Celebrity do not. and for Elites we get a cabin OBC depending on the number of cruises.

 

That all keeps me loyal and relatively tolerant as well

[capriccio]

What no tote bag??? :rolleyes:We have finally found a use for all of ours, they work great for keeping things in the deep freeze, roasts in one, pork in an other and on goes.

 

Got one on the Royal Princess this week.

 

Also glad that they have an early show - starting at 6:15, 6:30 or 6:45 in addition to the 8:15 and 10 :15 shows. Works out great for us because we go to the elite lounge first, then the show and then dinner.

Edited October 16, 2015 by capriccio

[XBGuy]

We are currently aboard the Regal Princess for the Canada New England run. The best thing I can say is that the weather has been fantastic. T-shirts and shorts were more the order of the day. Temperatures have been in the 70’s. Horizon Court is the best buffet we have ever seen. The choices are amazing and most have been delicious.

 

Now for the downside:

• No Princess tote bags.

• Grapevine wine tasting – they stopped giving the cordial glass and the samples of wine were about 2 tbls each. All 5 offerings did not even add up to ONE glass of wine.

 

So much wasted paper with junk in the Patter and mailbox. Our garbage can was filled daily with it.

 

Crew does not seem real happy on this ship either. Dining room staff was the worst we have ever encountered. Seems like they are being worked to death.

 

Just passing along our observations after 36 cruises with Princess.

 

I just want to add to your comments that I have edited above. My most recent cruise was on the Crown a week ago.

 

First off, it's great that you enjoyed good weather, that certainly enhances any situation.

 

I don't know enough about competitive buffets to make comparisons to the Horizon Court. However, I do have breakfast, there, every morning. In the afternoon, we may walk by and pick up a cookie, but that is usually it. :)

 

I did notice that they did not leave a tote bag in the room, but I learned that the room stewards had them and would give them out if requested. We had no need for another tote bag.

 

I'm not sure what the "Grape Vine" wine tasting is, but I have attended multiple tastings that are offered in one of the dining rooms on "At Sea" days. These come with a tarriff of $25 or $9. It doesn't take a Phi Beta Kappa to figure out that the wines served at the $25 tasting are spendier than the ones served at the $9 one. My complaint is that I really don't learn anything at these tastings. The Maitre d' and some of the headwaiters "tag team" the presentation that seems to center around hoary wine "mythologies" (e.g., no white wines are ageworthy, inspecting the cork will tell you how the wine has been stored, "legs" will tell you the alcohol content) and jokes that seem aimed to titillate the sexagenarian ladies. That being said, my wife and I did attend one on our last cruise. It does break up the afternoon a bit, and who knows, some day I may share a table with sombody who is actually interested in wine. More thatn once we have been seated with people who, when introducing themselves, commented, "We actually don't care for wine." ??????????????????? :confused:

 

Regarding all the "junk mail," you have to remember that Princess (any cruise line) is "selling" to you 7 X 24. That's what that is all about. And who's kidding who, that is also the purpose of most of their television broadcasts--including, the "Wake Show." :eek:

 

The attitude of the service staff in the dining room is completely unacceptable. I hope you reported this to Princess. :mad:

[1012daisy]

I think most of the OP's concerns are the responsibility of the CD and his/her staff. The wine tasting is probably the Maitre D' or Hotel Manager. From what I could see, they aren't a result of Princess policy changes. Another ship or even CD could be a completely different experience.

 

A few years ago, I was on a T/A on the Crown and several times, the Patter wasn't delivered until the next morning (even after checking at Midnight.) The next day, there were constant PA announcements with corrections and additions. I commented to someone that I thought the CD wasn't doing his job and the person insisted that the CD didn't write or print the Patter. While he didn't, it was done by his staff, was his responsibility and he was the one on the PA. Most of the time, a CD won't affect the enjoyment of your cruise but when they do poor planning or managing, IMHO, they can very much affect your cruise experience.

 

I agree. The CD can make or break a cruise.

[Kinkacruiser]

We are currently aboard the Regal Princess for the Canada New England run. The best thing I can say is that the weather has been fantastic. T-shirts and shorts were more the order of the day. Temperatures have been in the 70’s. Horizon Court is the best buffet we have ever seen. The choices are amazing and most have been delicious.

 

Now for the downside:

• No Princess tote bags.

• Grapevine wine tasting – they stopped giving the cordial glass and the samples of wine were about 2 tbls each. All 5 offerings did not even add up to ONE glass of wine.

• They did have the Pop Choir, but no after party or champagne.

• No morning trivia question on The Wake Show

• The only prize given out at any of the trivia games was a bottle of “ship(t) champagne” as they called it.

• If you would like a decent seat, or seats together in the theatre, better get there 45 mins ahead of time. Seating is totally inadequate for the size of the ship. The only production show worth seeing was Fiera.

 

So much wasted paper with junk in the Patter and mailbox. Our garbage can was filled daily with it.

 

Crew does not seem real happy on this ship either. Dining room staff was the worst we have ever encountered. Seems like they are being worked to death.

 

Just passing along our observations after 36 cruises with Princess.

 

 

The more annoying aspect of this is that part of our fare pays for the excessive use of paper (mostly advertising)

[Mom33]

I, too, am currently on board the Regal. Two of your comments I can speak to.

During our Roll Call Meet and Greet, the CD (Martyn Moss) explained that the lack of Princess totes was due to their supplier in NY did not deliver them in time.

He also explained it was a company decision to not hold the Wake Show trivia question. Although Richard Joseph had it this summer in Alaska.

We have had the MOST enjoyable wait staff team in the early traditional DR. We have found all our encounters with staff to be pleasant and helpful.

We are not as traveled as some (this is #10 for us), but we have found very little to fault. Yes, many 'sales ' fliers in our box, but that's expected. For every pax who is not interested, there are those who are. We learned at the CC party last evening there are approximately 1500 'blue' cards sailing this trip.

We enjoy watching the Wake show to find out some information about our ports and such. And we find the Assistant CD, Simone, to be quite funny.

As far as the theater and seating, well they have been IMPLORING people to go to the second show where seats are plentiful. I can't imagine a large enough theater to accommodate 3600pax at one time!

These are simply our experience on board this week. We return to the Regal in January and anticipate as enjoyable experience.

 

Excellent point. :)

[Mom33]

We were just off the royal and what a difference a god CD makes. We got tote bags and the CD promoted the wake show questions frequently during the trip.

 

The entire crew and waitstaff was happy and anxious to serve.

 

I guess the CD does make a big difference.

 

Or sometimes the cruiser makes the difference.

[Bimmer09]

I, too, am currently on board the Regal. And we find the Assistant CD, Simone, to be quite funny.

 

Nana if that's the Australian Simone then she is a live wire and a hoot! She loves her job and doesn't phone it in, ever. I saw her on the CB in 2014.

 

Norris