What are the "little things" the accountants think we'll never miss when they're gone

[Shoalwater]

Many of us loyal Princess cruisers were taken a bit aback when Shogun announced he was abandoning Princess for other lines. Several responded with comments that in general echoed Steve's message. This got me to thinking what changes we have seen after 31 Princess cruises, and why we're also experimenting with Viking Star. Before I get flamed...my list is about what has been eliminated, and not making a value judgement about any particular item. We're not totally abandoning Princess either, just wondering what specific things are now gone.

 

I will also echo the observations made in Shogun's thread about the lack of enforcement of the printed dress code at dinner in the MDR. I like casual, but really...a tank top, hip hugging ratty Bermuda shorts with underwear riding above the low beltline, and floppy sneakers, no socks among a group of four 20-something males at dinner? No complaints about what a person wants to wear, but a complaint about where they are wearing it and contravening the "rules". Sorely out of place IMHO.

 

My starter list of those little things the cost accountants sitting in their comfortable, windowed, ocean side conference room in Santa Clara might have drummed up that we wouldn't miss if they cut them out are (I made up the window, ocean side bit for jocularity :D). What are yours?:

 

• Catholic priest on-board for Christmas and Easter.
  
• Dropping the bridge instructor/coordinator on longer cruises and letting the passengers run it themselves.
  
• Eliminating the little souvenir wine glass from the wine tasting.
  
• Not having nibbles (nuts, pretzels, etc.) on the tables at the Captain Circle party.
  

Edited November 10, 2015 by Shoalwater

[klenklen]

On our April Caribbean Princess cruise I noticed the salad bar lacked the usual assortment of nuts. On the Regal in December and look forward to their salad bar.

[cr8tiv1]

I'm glad someone else is thinking about the small stuff that added to the enjoyment of the cruise. Here's a sampling of what I wrote to Princess in a review.

 

My Elite amenities came in a doggie bag (not the cute net bag)

No Chocolate Strawberries or Profiteroles on Formal night

Limited ballroom dancing venues or opportunities

Park West (need I say more?)

Three Princess Theater Shows down to two and shorter

Fewer guest lecturers

Fewer entertainers (has anyone noticed that there are more and more single acts?

[Renmar]

Just off the Star Princess.

 

 

Elite amenities came in netted baggie.

Chocolate covered Strawberries and other can be ordered free of charge on formal night if Elite.

No shortage of nuts etc. during Captain Circle night.

Yes for shorter shows and yes there are more single entertainers.

 

Theo

[Maddle]

My biggest complaint is the lack of a Catholic Priest for Easter and Christmas. I think this is a grave disservice to their crew as well as their Catholic guests.

 

I always found many people at the daily services and certainly at the holiday service when a priest was on board. The last Christmas Cruise that I was on with a priest he spoke at length about the participation at services of the crew.

 

Maddle

 

PS: I think dropping the bridge instructor and pushing out ballroom dancing is also a disservice to the guests.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Maddle

[skynight]

Here are a few:

 

Big Things

Royal Class ships have widely discussed poor design features that directly effect passenger’s (Princess’ customers) on board enjoyment.

Royal Class ships from the customer’s view are understaffed for the increased passenger load.

Elimination of true 14 day Caribbean cruises.

30 min. shows, woefully too short.

 

Little Things

Unfriendly messages from the home office, such as the staggered boarding messages, which can be interpreted as 'we don't have enough staff so you adjust your vacation time and plans to match our limited staff.' Not a good message.

 

Constant reminders from the trivia staff to only take one piece of paper and one pencil when everybody knows you require more to participate. Is the CD budget that tight?

Ship’s contest prizes that have gone from inexpensive and nice, to cheap and not so nice.

Elimination of the shower soaps and shampoos in favor of the pump containers.

The experiment on the Grand for the 2016 Alaska season where you have to pre-pay to book tours. There goes the use of OBC to purchase tours, when I guess this will go system wide.

Princess promises free laundry for Elite status passengers. That is one of the most cherished marketing tools they use to get you to return to their brand. But, then they frequently can’t staff up to fully deliver on what they promise, even when they are fully aware before sailing of the number of Elites on board.

The inability to recognize and adjust the Captain’s Circle “party” to a series of events that are real smaller parties instead of sales presentations, plus the lack of venues on Royal class ships to handle parties of any size.

[WISH84]

My biggest complaint is the lack of a Catholic Priest for Easter and Christmas. I think this is a grave disservice to their crew as well as their Catholic guests.

 

I always found many people at the daily services and certainly at the holiday service when a priest was on board. The last Christmas Cruise that I was on with a priest he spoke at length about the participation at services of the crew.

 

Not trying to "start something" here.. but in today's world, I can understand why a major corporation plays it safe and does not have a Catholic Priest on board for any occasion.

 

While it wouldn't bother me (I'm not Catholic) where does it end? Jewish Rabi, Methodist? Southern Baptist? Muslim? ;)

[Thrak]

For my part I only started cruising in 2011 and am only Platinum so most of the things that long-time cruisers miss were already gone when I started and, of course, there has been no erosion of Elite benefits for me as we aren't (yet) elite.

 

I'm just so very happy I am able to cruise. I guess we are still in the "honeymoon phase" of cruising. :)

[sonomaphil]

not trying to "start something" here.. But in today's world, i can understand why a major corporation plays it safe and does not have a catholic priest on board for any occasion.

 

While it wouldn't bother me (i'm not catholic) where does it end? Jewish rabi, methodist? Southern baptist? Muslim? ;)

 

 

+1 :)

[Linerguy]

Not trying to "start something" here.. but in today's world, I can understand why a major corporation plays it safe and does not have a Catholic Priest on board for any occasion.

 

While it wouldn't bother me (I'm not Catholic) where does it end? Jewish Rabi, Methodist? Southern Baptist? Muslim? ;)

 

I don't see it as trying to "start something"; I think it's a very practical way of looking at the situation.

 

An inter-denominational service is the way to go....but then I'm sure someone would whine about that, too.

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Printed TV guide,

 

Flower guy gone, have to order from book at front desk, expect next step no flowers

 

 

yours Shogun

[WISH84]

I don't see it as trying to "start something"; I think it's a very practical way of looking at the situation.

 

An inter-denominational service is the way to go....but then I'm sure someone would whine about that, too.

 

Just trying to play it safe Russ, just trying to play it safe. LOL

[Linerguy]

"30 min. shows, woefully too short"

 

Make that, "mercifully" short.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Linerguy

[cubfan63]

One of the complaints was the elimination of "nibbles" on the tables during the Captain's Circle party.

 

Given the issues that have occurred with Norovirus, leaving food out for anyone to dip their (washed and unwashed) fingers into is probably not a good idea anyway and may be the main reason for elimination.

 

There is food in so many other venues, i don't think this is a huge loss.

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Mainly a Brit only one,

 

but Princess used to take care of us on last day in Ft L as we have night flights to UK, free meal, hotel stay trip to mall,

 

then they charged now they do not offer anything.

 

Same in Europe we used to be able to stay late on ship have lunch etc before going to airport

 

now off with other passengers

 

yours Shogun

[cruzsnooze]

Many of us loyal Princess cruisers were taken a bit aback when Shogun announced he was abandoning Princess for other lines. Several responded with comments that in general echoed Steve's message. This got me to thinking what changes we have seen after 31 Princess cruises, and why we're also experimenting with Viking Star. Before I get flamed...my list is about what has been eliminated, and not making a value judgement about any particular item. We're not totally abandoning Princess either, just wondering what specific things are now gone.

 

I will also echo the observations made in Shogun's thread about the lack of enforcement of the printed dress code at dinner in the MDR. I like casual, but really...a tank top, hip hugging ratty Bermuda shorts with underwear riding above the low beltline, and floppy sneakers, no socks among a group of four 20-something males at dinner? No complaints about what a person wants to wear, but a complaint about where they are wearing it and contravening the "rules". Sorely out of place IMHO.

 

My starter list of those little things the cost accountants sitting in their comfortable, windowed, ocean side conference room in Santa Clara might have drummed up that we wouldn't miss if they cut them out are (I made up the window, ocean side bit for jocularity :D). What are yours?:

 

• Catholic priest on-board for Christmas and Easter.
  
• Dropping the bridge instructor/coordinator on longer cruises and letting the passengers run it themselves.
  
• Eliminating the little souvenir wine glass from the wine tasting.
  
• Not having nibbles (nuts, pretzels, etc.) on the tables at the Captain Circle party.
  

 

I'm not Catholic so no loss

I don't play bridge, no loss there

wine tasting glass I miss

Nibbles? Who needs more food?

 

There is no dress code rule, it's only a suggestion.

[PenguinLife]

Shogun, I have to wonder if some of that may be due to newer immigration laws, also many of these complaints I see, like the shower shampoo dispensers can also be seen as being more environmentaly friendly.

[elliair]

One of the complaints was the elimination of "nibbles" on the tables during the Captain's Circle party.

 

Given the issues that have occurred with Norovirus, leaving food out for anyone to dip their (washed and unwashed) fingers into is probably not a good idea anyway and may be the main reason for elimination.

 

There is food in so many other venues, i don't think this is a huge loss.

 

That has been the excuse whenever noro is on board.

 

I see only one day service in cabins which is fine with me. We tell our steward on the first day not to come into our cabin in the evening. We like to enjoy our wine on the balcony in the evening and not be bothered by the room steward.

 

Less offerings at the buffet and duplicate dishes disguised as something else. Saw this on the Star on every cruise.

[OCruisers]

Nothing of any importance in a bad way on Princess has changed for us. :)

 

LuLu

[CineGraphic]

If someone is so religious that they feel the need to have a priest around during Christmas or Easter, one has to ask why they are sailing during such holy days. :D

[iceleven]

"30 min. shows, woefully too short"

 

Make that, "mercifully" short.

 

I don't find them up to the entertainment caliber where I would want them any longer than they currently are.

[skynight]

One more thing to mention

Get rid of the all day MUTS and in warm weather go back to the live deck bands.

[Kinkacruiser]

I'll echo Thrak's comment "I'm just so very happy I am able to cruise".

I have absolutely no complaints about the standard of service on board and the quality of Princess cruises generally.

[MrMan]

I would challenge this group to ask if all the "little" items are things anyone under 50 would want. This is the generation Princess has to attract to survive. I suspect this demographic never even considers picking a cruise for bridge, captain circle nibbles, on board florist etc. In fact they don't want traditional dinning, would rather go to a specialty restaurant or gastropub than sitting with the same people at the same time every day, etc. It's a different world out there for the good or bad, but this is the future and woe to those businesses who ignore it. Especially if this is the group that pays for the ancillary revenue generating activities, bars, casinos, specialty restaurants, excursions etc.

Edited November 10, 2015 by MrMan

[Shoalwater]

and excellent points. Remember, "...my list is about what has been eliminated, and not making a value judgement about any particular item.". I know it's hard to avoid value judgements about whether this or that is good or important to someone, but I was just trying to just understand what had dropped off the table so to speak. As for a non-denominational church service versus a Catholic mass its understandable why a non-Catholic would equate them. Ask a Catholic about the difference (real presence) that may not be apparent to some.

 

• Our last 2 cruises chocolate covered strawberries were not on the list of canapes on formal night.
  
• Forgot to list the absence of a sommelier.