Back from Emerald 1/18/16

[Aboat1]

We were also on the 1/18 cruise. We are "Loyal Royals" and tried Princess just to compare the 2 lines. Princess blows Royal out of the water in the food category! Some food venues on Princess are open 24 hours unlike RCCL that shut down at 10 pm.

 

Our meal at the Crown Grill and Crab Shack were among the best we have ever had a sea.

 

We also believe that Princess has a higher crew to guest ratio. We were impressed by the cleanliness of the ship. You never saw dirty glasses or dishes setting anywhere. Bar service was outstanding.

 

Our cabin attendant left a little to be desired, but our room was clean. Towels would double as sandpaper! Top sheet was torn and shredded in spots. Had to have maintance service our shower twice for drain problems. Finally got it to drain.

 

Princess has a very strange policy regarding handicapped guests that will prevent us from sailing them again. We are heartbroken about that. Guest services actually yelled at me for "Not understanding"

 

LOVED the casino! Bar service there was outstanding. Machines actually paid something! We didn't come home richer but sure had a great time!

 

Truly wish we were able to sail with them again.

[ar1950]

...........................

 

Princess has a very strange policy regarding handicapped guests that will prevent us from sailing them again. We are heartbroken about that. Guest services actually yelled at me for "Not understanding"

 

....................................................

 

Truly wish we were able to sail with them again.

 

Just curious as to what that policy is. :confused: My mother uses a walker and we noticed a lot of folks with mobility issues on our Hawaii cruise this month on the Ruby. We were constantly impressed with the crew members going out of their way to aid those folks if needed, which at times included my 89 year old Mom.

Edited January 27, 2016 by ar1950

[catwoman6226]

Princess has a very strange policy regarding handicapped guests that will prevent us from sailing them again. We are heartbroken about that. Guest services actually yelled at me for "Not understanding"

 

.

 

Could you please provide some details about your statement? A friend and I, both of whom are mobility impaired, and are sailing with Princess next month in an accessible cabin, would be very interested to know what prompted your comment. Thanks.

[mamaboss]

Same here. Would be curious to know what they did or didn't do for you. I travel with my 90 year old mom in a wheel chair and everyone has always went out of their way to make her cruise smooth as possible without us asking.:confused:

[Aboat1]

Sure. I am challenged when it come to walking long distances. When we docked at Grand Turk there was no wheel chairs or trams available to take handicapped people TO the reception center. A worker from the Island saw me struggeling to get up the pier and went to the reception center to try to get someone to bring a wheelchair to help me. He was told (as I was later) that I must first make it all the way to the reception center on my own before they could help me! After 45 minutes I made it. They then provided a wheelchair and returned me to the ship with no problem.

 

That made absolutely no cense to me. I addressed it with Guest services and was actually yelled at! They (She) raised her voice at told me and all those around me "You just don't understand!". She was right I don't

[floridalover5623]

I was on the four day and found the food to be very good. Our service in Anytime was better than on most of our cruises. We never had to wait for a table, but we did agree to join others. There were very long waits for two tops. I do not understand reserving tables being allowed in Anytime Dining. The tables sit empty far too long being held for specific times.

 

Magic to Do is a must see and for this show you do have to arrive quite early. The comedian (Miguel Washington) also deservedly drew a large audience.

 

That's a problem with Princess allowing reservations. It really does slow down the DR service at the expense of everyone else. :(

[ar1950]

Sure. I am challenged when it come to walking long distances. When we docked at Grand Turk there was no wheel chairs or trams available to take handicapped people TO the reception center. A worker from the Island saw me struggeling to get up the pier and went to the reception center to try to get someone to bring a wheelchair to help me. He was told (as I was later) that I must first make it all the way to the reception center on my own before they could help me! After 45 minutes I made it. They then provided a wheelchair and returned me to the ship with no problem.

 

That made absolutely no cense to me. I addressed it with Guest services and was actually yelled at! They (She) raised her voice at told me and all those around me "You just don't understand!". She was right I don't

 

Exact reason my Mom originally got her walker. We would highly recommend getting one if you have that issue.

 

As far as the voice raising, I think some of those folks just get in the habit of doing it when talking to so many people who's native language is not English. I think it may tend to carry over to everyone that they speak with. Not an excuse, but, just saying. And I don't understand the wheelchair situation you ran into either.

Edited January 27, 2016 by ar1950

[Aboat1]

Exact reason my Mom originally got her walker. We would highly recommend getting one if you have that issue.

 

As far as the voice raising, I think some of those folks just get in the habit of doing it when talking to so many people who's native language is not English. I think it may tend to carry over to everyone that they speak with. Not an excuse, but, just saying. And I don't understand the wheelchair situation you ran into either.

 

How kind of you about voice raising! BUT....it was at the end of a short conversation when she "raised" her voice. In reality....she was screaming at me!

 

In regards to the walker. I own one! And a scooter! Only need it when walking long distances and even then need to take frequent breaks. It would be ineffective at a pier with no where to stop and rest. Other cruise lines have w/c available when you get off the ship. We will just have to stick with them.

 

Even now my mind is boggeled that they can push you down the pier and not up the pier!

[Woobstr112G]

OP;

 

thanks for taking the time to post your review. Glad you enjoyed the cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[ar1950]

How kind of you about voice raising! BUT....it was at the end of a short conversation when she "raised" her voice. In reality....she was screaming at me!

 

In regards to the walker. I own one! And a scooter! Only need it when walking long distances and even then need to take frequent breaks. It would be ineffective at a pier with no where to stop and rest. Other cruise lines have w/c available when you get off the ship. We will just have to stick with them.

 

Even now my mind is boggeled that they can push you down the pier and not up the pier!

 

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. My Mom used her walker and had no issues with stopping on the way up the pier. No problem, she just stopped as needed. No one tried to push her off of the pier when she stopped. I'm thinking that you missed the boat (pun intended) when you did this port.

[Kag1526]

My DH and I were also on the same cruise.

 

We really liked the entertainment. Much better then our last cruise to Alaska.

 

We found the buffet less good then last time though, food was cold often and my husband got annoyed that they kept the bacon back and you had to ask for it.

 

The lines were long for anytime dining. I don't know if most on my last cruise did traditional or what because there was very little line last time, however the line did move well. I never got a pager, only time I would have had to was if I choose to not share a table one night (we prefer not to) but we just choose to share. Service inside was a bit slow which is the main reason we prefer not to share, dinner moves faster on our own because you don't have to wait for everyone to finish each course or if one group orders extra courses from what you wanted.

 

Definitely agree that most were older, we are trying another line partially due to this as we may enjoy one that caters less to the 60+ crowd since we are under 35.

[floridalover5623]

We found the buffet less good then last time though, food was cold often and my husband got annoyed that they kept the bacon back and you had to ask for it.

 

 

That is weird. I heard some else say the same thing. I've never see it before & can't imagine why?

[Seacreature101]

That is weird. I heard some else say the same thing. I've never see it before & can't imagine why?

 

Regarding the bacon thing:

 

Another example of all the different things and different opinions that happen on the same cruise. :) We were able to serve our own bacon and as much as we wanted. Weird. :eek:

[Aboat1]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. My Mom used her walker and had no issues with stopping on the way up the pier. No problem, she just stopped as needed. No one tried to push her off of the pier when she stopped. I'm thinking that you missed the boat (pun intended) when you did this port.

 

Can you tell me where your Mom was able to sit down? They must have removed the seats the day I was there! Never did I say anyone tried to push me off the pier. Please get back to the topic of this thread. Thank You:D

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2304168&page=2

Edited January 27, 2016 by Aboat1

[Host CJSKIDS]

Sure. I am challenged when it come to walking long distances. When we docked at Grand Turk there was no wheel chairs or trams available to take handicapped people TO the reception center. A worker from the Island saw me struggeling to get up the pier and went to the reception center to try to get someone to bring a wheelchair to help me. He was told (as I was later) that I must first make it all the way to the reception center on my own before they could help me! After 45 minutes I made it. They then provided a wheelchair and returned me to the ship with no problem.

 

That made absolutely no cense to me. I addressed it with Guest services and was actually yelled at! They (She) raised her voice at told me and all those around me "You just don't understand!". She was right I don't

 

It's very unfortunate that you the situation in the wheelchair. On one of our cruises my husband was having serious knee issues and we had to read our sailing documents. This is part of the Wheelchair Notification that is on the cruise Travel summary of the documents.

 

WHEELCHAIR NOTIFICATION

If you require the use of a wheelchair onboard or ashore, you must bring your own. Without exception, ship wheelchairs are reserved for emergency use ONLY and are not available for use during the cruise.

 

Did you not bring your scooter with you on the sailing? Again, sorry to hear you struggled.

[spyro1952]

Sure. I am challenged when it come to walking long distances. When we docked at Grand Turk there was no wheel chairs or trams available to take handicapped people TO the reception center. A worker from the Island saw me struggeling to get up the pier and went to the reception center to try to get someone to bring a wheelchair to help me. He was told (as I was later) that I must first make it all the way to the reception center on my own before they could help me! After 45 minutes I made it. They then provided a wheelchair and returned me to the ship with no problem.

 

That made absolutely no cense to me. I addressed it with Guest services and was actually yelled at! They (She) raised her voice at told me and all those around me "You just don't understand!". She was right I don't

 

I'm sorry you had that experience. Princess web site specifically states, and your travel agent should have known this if you used a TA, that passengers requiring wheelchair assistance during the cruise need to bring their own chairs or rent them from an outside vendor. The cruise line does not provide wheel chairs. Services provided at individual ports is varies depending on the services offered at that port.

My Mom is 91 and loves to cruise but due to very poor mobility, we bring her own wheel chair and it makes things very easy for her. We've always found that the crew go out of their way to assist her.

[Aboat1]

I'm sorry you had that experience. Princess web site specifically states, and your travel agent should have known this if you used a TA, that passengers requiring wheelchair assistance during the cruise need to bring their own chairs or rent them from an outside vendor. The cruise line does not provide wheel chairs. Services provided at individual ports is varies depending on the services offered at that port.

My Mom is 91 and loves to cruise but due to very poor mobility, we bring her own wheel chair and it makes things very easy for her. We've always found that the crew go out of their way to assist her.[/

 

Thank you for your response. However I fel that this has been turned into something I never intended it to be.

 

1) I know that the cruise line does not furnish wheelchairs.

2) I travel with my Husband and assistive devices.

3) I got into trouble on this pier, on that day. Out on that pier.

4) No one could help me unless I made it to the reception center.

5) Help was available at the reception center.

6) I was taken back to the ship AFTER I made it to the reception Center.

7) The crew on the ship will take you to the end of the gangway only. (I was told)

8) I am not a novice cruiser. Please take a look at the post in this thread. It is what I was used to.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2304168&page=2

 

I find the "One way " Policy absurd. And Stated that is why I can not sail with Princess. My choice.

 

If I had a heart attack on that pier would I have had to make it to the reception Center on my own for help? Maybe others should think about that.

 

This subject has been beat to death.

 

It is time to get back on subject. I loved Princess and thought the food was exceptional. Had a great cruise. Thank You.

[Aboat1]

It's very unfortunate that you the situation in the wheelchair. On one of our cruises my husband was having serious knee issues and we had to read our sailing documents. This is part of the Wheelchair Notification that is on the cruise Travel summary of the documents.

 

WHEELCHAIR NOTIFICATION

If you require the use of a wheelchair onboard or ashore, you must bring your own. Without exception, ship wheelchairs are reserved for emergency use ONLY and are not available for use during the cruise.

 

Did you not bring your scooter with you on the sailing? Again, sorry to hear you struggled.

 

Thanks, but I don't normally require the use of a wheel chair. I just had a bad day.

[Kag1526]

Regarding the bacon thing:

 

Another example of all the different things and different opinions that happen on the same cruise. :) We were able to serve our own bacon and as much as we wanted. Weird. :eek:

 

We were able to as well when we went on Tuesday. But on Wednesday and thursday they didn't have it out. Maybe because we came up later those days I don't know.

[SCHappilyRetired]

Regarding the bacon thing:

 

Another example of all the different things and different opinions that happen on the same cruise. :) We were able to serve our own bacon and as much as we wanted. Weird. :eek:

 

 

 

Do you recall which dining venue was open for lunch on embarkment day? Thank you!

[floridalover5623]

Do you recall which dining venue was open for lunch on embarkment day? Thank you!

 

Da Vinci.

[SCHappilyRetired]

Da Vinci.

 

Thanks Floridalover!