Princess cheapening out

[sue gill]

im fine without the extras just need good attiude and good service

[GUT2407]

The only one I'd call cheapening out, is the tote bag.

 

The others may be changes you don like but can't see them as cheapening out.

 

The complaints I read, lost daily about the advertising amaze me, don't you get "junk mail" at home?

[redcruzer]

I disagree. My DH and I definitely don't cruise for the cruise director. We really couldn't care less who it is. That doesn't make or break the cruise at all for us, but to each their own.

[GUT2407]

I disagree. My DH and I definitely don't cruise for the cruise director. We really couldn't care less who it is. That doesn't make or break the cruise at all for us, but to each their own.

 

I don't do much that the cruise director is involved in, so it oesnt Nother m either, I can see why some are interested.

 

I'm surprised more aren't concerned about who is head of hotel, but I suspect it's be cause CD is more visible.

[Griller]

The only one I'd call cheapening out, is the tote bag.

 

The others may be changes you don like but can't see them as cheapening out.

 

The complaints I read, lost daily about the advertising amaze me, don't you get "junk mail" at home?

 

Yes, and at least half of the junk mail I get at home is from Princess or Cunard, and most of the rest is from cruise agencies selling Princess cruises.

I haven't yet read anything ever from Princess junk mail as I always book late, and online.

Actually I blame these glossy brochures for giving passengers unrealistic expectations of a mass market cruiseline and a perfect cruise, which, once they get on board, is usually good but something rather less than the brochure led them to believe.

[sissylala]

We were on 10 day Mexican River, and saw cutbacks.

No Princess orchestra band, recorded music for Pre dinner dancing

No tote bags, when ask about it they say didn't order them

Our waitress had a total of 20 ppl assigned to her, Dinner took at least 2 hours to complete. Cutting back on wait staff?

[Dudleydog73]

We were on the Golden last month in Alaska and can tell you the CD absolutely sets the tone for everything onboard. We started out with Maraschal as our CD and he absolutely ran things with the passenger's fun in mind. Halfway through in Skagway he disembarked to head to his new contract on the Pacific Princess and Tim Donovan embarked as the new CD.

 

When Tim got on we had no more Wake Show questions of the day nor did he even check the Wake Show shout out box for 3 days. He literally sucked the life out of the ship.

 

I was so disappointed that we got screwed with him halfway through our cruise and wish that Princess allowed the CD we started with to end the cruise with us.

 

We also got the totes, so the answer that this was a supply issue is probably the reason you didn't get them.

Edited October 17, 2015 by Dudleydog73

[Putterdude]

Got one on the Royal Princess this week.

 

 

Yes, and we got one on the Royal last month.

[tml1230]

or sometimes the cruiser makes the difference.

 

amen to that!!

[Happy2cruise]

Or sometimes the cruiser makes the difference.

So true;)

[West Coast Gal]

Just got off a one day on Holland, haven't been on Holland in 2 decades . . .NOW I remember why! Thank goodness it wasn't a full week AND thank goodness for Princess. While I will admit that as they get cheaper and cheaper they will lose people to Celebrity and RC . . .It definitely won't be to Holland

[sanmarcosman]

Just got off a one day on Holland, haven't been on Holland in 2 decades . . .NOW I remember why! Thank goodness it wasn't a full week AND thank goodness for Princess. While I will admit that as they get cheaper and cheaper they will lose people to Celebrity and RC . . .It definitely won't be to Holland

What's happened to HAL?

[cr8tiv1]

I've been away from the boards. Just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Crown Princess. Yes, the CD makes a HUGE difference. We had Bob L. Except for coming on (Princess Theater stage), I did not see him at all. Venues were double booked and even Customer Service could not tell me which entertainer would be in the Wheelhouse. On another night, The Princess Showband was switched out from the Wheelhouse to the Explorer's Lounge. Again, no announcement at all.

 

Poorly planned daily activities. He did a talk about life on a cruise ship at 12:30 on a sea day. 11:30/Pub lunch and 12:00/MDR lunch. When do we eat or go to his lecture. I asked if it would be on television and he said probably not. How were we to know if it would be shown? Not.

 

I really miss a great CD (everyone has their favorites). These are just a couple of many.

[BratDet]

if they truly cut out wake show prizes...

 

We were on 10 day Alaska/Golden with Marashal the CD (loved him) and not only did we win 2- one dollar casino prize thingy..

my husband won a set of Caroloha bamboo Classic queen size sheets that go for a about 165$ when we redeemed the coupon...

 

I have to tell you...they are amazing!!!!

 

Bernadette

[shredie]

I've been away from the boards. Just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Crown Princess. Yes, the CD makes a HUGE difference. We had Bob L. Except for coming on (Princess Theater stage), I did not see him at all. Venues were double booked and even Customer Service could not tell me which entertainer would be in the Wheelhouse. On another night, The Princess Showband was switched out from the Wheelhouse to the Explorer's Lounge. Again, no announcement at all.

 

Poorly planned daily activities. He did a talk about life on a cruise ship at 12:30 on a sea day. 11:30/Pub lunch and 12:00/MDR lunch. When do we eat or go to his lecture. I asked if it would be on television and he said probably not. How were we to know if it would be shown? Not.

 

I really miss a great CD (everyone has their favorites). These are just a couple of many.

Yes, he phones it in. I have had him on three cruises now, and he has gotten no better. I guess he's the substitute for vacationing CDs on the west coast. He definitely comes across as a a substitute teacher. He does those talks to sell his book. I have not bought one.

[Hlitner]

We sure can't compete with 36 Princess cruises (only have 18 and 226 days). But have to wonder about a post that speaks to missing tote bags and and no morning Trivia Question on the Wake Show!) It kind of hurts one's credibility that these things even get mentioned. We will be on the Regal in a few days and will be very curious to see if we share your observation on the Dining Room staff.

 

Your comment on theater seating is interesting and an old issue with Princess. We always had the impression that they designed their main theaters with too few seats on the Grand Class. When we were on the Ruby (last year) they had moved to 3 shows rather then 2 and shortened the show times to about 30-35 minutes. This helped alleviate the crowding problem for early diners. Since DW and I prefer to dine late (8pm+) we have never had an issue with show seating.

 

Hank

P.S. I read DW your post and she said "we have 40,000 (exaggeration) cruise ship tote bags and she would send you 1 or 2 if you pay the postage :)

Edited October 17, 2015 by Hlitner

[mr green]

Over the years Princess has made sooo many 'little cuts' that it has made my head spin, those by the OP, seem to be in keeping for a single year.

Take the Question of the day for example. My wife and I had a lot of fun with that, years ago ALL correct answers got a prize, on one cruise we got at least 10, we still find the odd prize hidden away at home.

Yes, Princess may be holding its price, but the Co. is taking a lot of fun out of cruising.

If we were not Elite, we might look elsewhere for a fun cruise.

 

john

[Hlitner]

Over the years Princess has made sooo many 'little cuts' that it has made my head spin, those by the OP, seem to be in keeping for a single year.

Take the Question of the day for example. My wife and I had a lot of fun with that, years ago ALL correct answers got a prize, on one cruise we got at least 10, we still find the odd prize hidden away at home.

Yes, Princess may be holding its price, but the Co. is taking a lot of fun out of cruising.

If we were not Elite, we might look elsewhere for a fun cruise.

 

john

 

It is not just Princess. It seems like many cruise lines have been playing the cut-back game and it almost gets silly. One major line recently stopped putting nightly chocolates on the pillow (and many passengers were upset). Another line we cruise who use to give really strong well made tote bags switched to flimsy totes made or a paper product. Decent bars of soap have been replaced by crap in liquid dispensers on some lines. We could go on and on. But when those type of things "take the fun out of cruising" perhaps you do need to look inward or elsewhere :). Perhaps you could go to a very expensive 5 Star Resort where you pay over $1000 a day and still have to pay extra for the internet :). Or perhaps you could go to an upscale Las Vegas resort where they advertise a price and later add on substantial "Resort fees." But life is just too short to sweat the small stuff.

 

Hank

Edited October 17, 2015 by Hlitner

[lovevacadays]

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 was going to post my thoughts but Pam's post pretty much says what I would say.

 

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.

 

Thank you for posting! I never take the tote bag off the ship when I leave. Perhaps I will next time. :):):)

[ar1950]

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

 

Actually the cost of the "wonderful merchandise and services" that are advertised by the "excessive use of paper" is paid for by the sale of said product. If they weren't making money on these items you wouldn't see all of the advertising. With everything that the cruise line does they need to show a net profit or they will change tactics. Business 101 these days, upsell, upsell, upsell.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thank you for posting! I never take the tote bag off the ship when I leave. Perhaps I will next time. :):):)

 

 

50th Anniversary edition. Collectors item.

[ar1950]

50th Anniversary edition. Collectors item.

 

OK, probably going to go for $5.00 (plus shipping of course) on ebay 20 years from now......???:confused:....:D

Edited October 18, 2015 by ar1950

[caribill]

OK, probably going to go for $5.00 (plus shipping of course) on ebay 20 years from now......???:confused:....:D

 

It is $2.99 there now for the 50th anniversary one. $4.00 for shipping.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Princess-50th-year-anniversery-shopping-bag-/171940912921?hash=item28087a1f19:g:~zgAAOSw37tV~ent

 

But the previous edition is there for $9.99 with free shipping.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Princess-Cruises-Lines-Blue-White-Tote-Bag-13-x-14-Double-Handle-Fast-Ship-/252121041864?hash=item3ab395cbc8:g:EqgAAOSwu4BVkJ2K

[keithm]

It is not just Princess. It seems like many cruise lines have been playing the cut-back game and it almost gets silly. One major line recently stopped putting nightly chocolates on the pillow (and many passengers were upset). Another line we cruise who use to give really strong well made tote bags switched to flimsy totes made or a paper product. Decent bars of soap have been replaced by crap in liquid dispensers on some lines. We could go on and on. But when those type of things "take the fun out of cruising" perhaps you do need to look inward or elsewhere :). Perhaps you could go to a very expensive 5 Star Resort where you pay over $1000 a day and still have to pay extra for the internet :). Or perhaps you could go to an upscale Las Vegas resort where they advertise a price and later add on substantial "Resort fees." But life is just too short to sweat the small stuff.

 

Hank

Celebrity stopped the nightly chocolates, but the resulting uproar got them back. Seems Celebrity DOES pay attention to Cruise critic pax. We've decided to try Princess, but We hope it's not a big step down from the Solstice class Celebrity ships or Cunard.

[Hlitner]

Celebrity stopped the nightly chocolates, but the resulting uproar got them back. Seems Celebrity DOES pay attention to Cruise critic pax. We've decided to try Princess, but We hope it's not a big step down from the Solstice class Celebrity ships or Cunard.

 

Not to fear. Personally, we think its a step up from Cunard....especially when it comes to the Lido buffet. As to Celebrity (we really like this line) we think the Grand-Class Princess ships are comparable (in many ways) to the S-Class X ships. Our vote is still out on the new Royal/Regal class ships although our curiosity will soon be settled as we board the Regal in 6 days.

 

Hank

P.S. Princess pizza is the best at sea :).

Edited October 18, 2015 by Hlitner