Regal Princess- not happy so far...

[bobby3334]

Agree. Mike

 

 

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[jagsfan]

I think the main point about spa staff being contractors is that removing autogratuities doesn’t affect them. I think most of agreed that any spa employee who makes rude or denigrating comments to a passenger should be reported to Princess.

 

 

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[MrMan]

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Edited August 29, 2018 by MrMan
Double post

[CruiseVA]

On the Royal/Regal, when you are going to the IC or any activity in the Atrium, and you have a forward cabin. Going to the forward elevators you have to pass by the Spa counter. Most times there are ladies standing there glaring at you as you walk by...like shaming you into their services

 

That's odd, when I go by them I give them a big smile & a Good Morning/Afternoon/whatever - they're always with a big smile & Good whatever back.

[moki'smommy]

That's odd, when I go by them I give them a big smile & a Good Morning/Afternoon/whatever - they're always with a big smile & Good whatever back.

Different situation, but I found the spa ladies to be quite rude on the Golden last week when I went up for the tour and drawing. Needless to say, I didn't go back or book anything.

[CruiseVA]

Yeah, the cab driver was rude to me so I stiffed the waiter at the restaurant he drove me to.

LOL - nicely said

 

Haven’t received anything back from my complaint, so I just took all the gratuities down to $0. Tip my waiter and room lady personally instead. Yeah rest of cruise is good.

 

I'm going to pile on - Well done - seriously, theses people are paid a pittance, they rely on tips to get a somewhat decent wage. Obviously you need the $ more than them.

[moki'smommy]

Every cruise line that I've been on uses Steiner to run their spa. The deals, drawings for prizes, etc. are always the same. The main differences are port day specials which depend on how booked the spa is on those days. And they always cost 2-3 times what the same thing costs in my city.

 

Question--there is an "automatic" 18% gratuity on all spa services. Can you remove all or part of that if you are unhappy with the service? I was never a big spa user, but that was the final straw--haven't paid for a spa service since.

[jagsfan]

Every cruise line that I've been on uses Steiner to run their spa. The deals' date=' drawings for prizes, etc. are always the same. The main differences are port day specials which depend on how booked the spa is on those days. And they always cost 2-3 times what the same thing costs in my city.

 

 

 

Question--there is an "automatic" 18% gratuity on all spa services. Can you remove all or part of that if you are unhappy with the service? I was never a big spa user, but that was the final straw--haven't paid for a spa service since.[/quote']

 

 

 

Interesting question. I’ll bet the gratuity can’t be removed.

I remember way back when there was at least one other company providing spa services, and the hard sell wasn’t quite as hard.

I did use the Canyon Ranch spa on QM2, and don’t remember being pushed to buy.

 

 

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[NSWP]

“stewart “ started when a cruising newbie posted about his experience and mentioned “Stewart” cleaning his room. It was probably at least 10 years ago. People picked it up poking fun at him. Or her, but I doubt it.

Kind of like “mustard station”.

 

Gotcha, :rolleyes: like 'Horizontal Court.' I should have known the answer to my queries, been on here so long. lol.

 

Thank you.

[NSWP]

He doesn’t say. But he mentions Brisbane sailing so I am guessing Australia. Mike

 

 

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Figures, thank you.

[caribill]

Gotcha, :rolleyes: like 'Horizontal Court.' I should have known the answer to my queries, been on here so long.

 

And the Mustard Drill on embarkation day.

[HappyCruiserettu]

My cruise experience is less than half of yours, but on every Princess cruise I have been on, when a birthday or other event is a celebrated, it is the cabin steward who puts the balloons and the sign on/near the cabin door.

 

My wife and I have seen many of the "Congratulations" signs and balloons, and have received some ourselves, but we have NEVER seen them being put up. They just appear. We wouldn't have any idea who is responsible for the decorating.

[NSWP]

And the Mustard Drill on embarkation day.

 

So the 'Stewarts' assist with the 'Mustard Drill' assembling in the 'Horizontal Court.' Copied.:p

[MCC retired]

So the 'Stewarts' assist with the 'Mustard Drill' assembling in the 'Horizontal Court.' Copied.:p

 

 

 

[emoji106][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

 

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[billyhosencone]

I’m from Brisbane yes.

Just got off the boat today. For us, 6/10.

Yeah yeah “do some research”- we are not dumb/ have travelled ALOT. we had a window of time to see these countries, and the only convenient way was to cruise on the Regal. We are 29 and 31, and I think this is aimed at + 50s? Average age was definitely 50-80 bracket. The outside activities really were a joke, the court was closed 75% of the time, I’ve already talked about the “shooting range”, and it was always too windy to play table tennis (nobody’s fault). Like I said it started off bad with the spa experience. I think the itinerary ON the boat was poor, and spare time we had was spent in the casino (their plan?) as there was literally nothing to do- game shows had 10 people in them, anything else was just a ploy to make you buy stuff, bingo was ok but was only on twice. We stopped in Helsinki for around 6 hours (yes a small place) but was not long enough to do anything, and was more or a “teaser” to most places and you would get a lap of the city in but that’s about it. Back on the boat, any sea days you may be lucky enough up top to watch the same Sheryl Crow concert for the 3rd time at 200db. So we found ourselves watching ESPN (once again, on a repeated loop) or down at the roulette table...

Glad we got to dip a toe in these countries but will drive next time,..

[Hlitner]

I’m from Brisbane yes.

Just got off the boat today. For us, 6/10.

Yeah yeah “do some research”- we are not dumb/ have travelled ALOT. we had a window of time to see these countries, and the only convenient way was to cruise on the Regal. We are 29 and 31, and I think this is aimed at + 50s? Average age was definitely 50-80 bracket. The outside activities really were a joke, the court was closed 75% of the time, I’ve already talked about the “shooting range”, and it was always too windy to play table tennis (nobody’s fault). Like I said it started off bad with the spa experience. I think the itinerary ON the boat was poor, and spare time we had was spent in the casino (their plan?) as there was literally nothing to do- game shows had 10 people in them, anything else was just a ploy to make you buy stuff, bingo was ok but was only on twice. We stopped in Helsinki for around 6 hours (yes a small place) but was not long enough to do anything, and was more or a “teaser” to most places and you would get a lap of the city in but that’s about it. Back on the boat, any sea days you may be lucky enough up top to watch the same Sheryl Crow concert for the 3rd time at 200db. So we found ourselves watching ESPN (once again, on a repeated loop) or down at the roulette table...

Glad we got to dip a toe in these countries but will drive next time,..

 

Ahhh so now we do have a much better understanding of your issues. You are right that Princess is not for you at this time of your life. There are many different cruise lines and each makes their own decisions as to the type passenger they want to attract. For you, a cruise on one of the larger RCI ships would probably be a smart move. Celebrity is simply not targeting your kind of "wants" as it has traditionally marketed to a more "laid back" crowd who is not seeking lots of activities. When we return to a Princess ship after a day in a port we are happy to relax in a lounger with our own music (quietly heard through ear buds) and our Kindles. The last thing we want is to hear is loud "rap" blasting out of the deck speakers. We have learned to find our own spots on Princess ships that insulate us from the blaring of MUTS. As to roulette, we understand the bad odds of that casino game which is normally avoided by serious gamblers (not us). The best description we ever heard of Roulette is that its a "drain on your wallet." Now Craps and Blackjack are a different story (for some).

 

Hank

[happy cruzer]

spare time we had was spent in the casino (their plan?) as there was literally nothing to do, from the OP...

 

 

I think this is where you lose credibility. There are things to do, perhaps just not to your liking - that is why research to set expectations has been mentioned. Normally, weather permitting, there are pool games, MUTS of different movies, putting contests, etc. There usually is a mixology competition. Games in the atrium. Music in various spots with dancing, shows, including comedy. Trivia contests. You do have look at the patters and be on the same schedule as the rest of the ship. Now if those are not what you are looking for then you do need a different vacation, either ship, cruise line or land based.

 

 

Best Wishes to you and your wife and hope you get what you are looking for.

[JF - retired RRT]

Balloons on our door for my husbands Birthday got removed quick smart.

Who needs them,nice for children of course

Cheers Carole

(y)(y)

[voljeep]

we bring our own decorations for our room and door - it's not much, and if it "walks away" - well, hopefully it was given to a kid...

 

less than $5 usually for the door, same inside...:cool:

[JF - retired RRT]

there was literally nothing to do- game shows had 10 people in them, anything else was just a ploy to make you buy stuff, bingo was ok but was only on twice.

Interesting.

I've never been to a game show that had 10 people. We usually can't find any empty seats.

Interesting about the bingo...only twice? On the cruises we've been on, it seems to be offered every day.

If you want to avoid the "buy stuff" ships; try Viking, Regent, Crystal. Of course, but you'll have to get off your wallet. The ships that have gambling, art auctions, bingo, etc. use those sell, sell, sell activities to keep the fares down.

[bobby3334]

You are correct about the age problem....most that cruise on Princess at this time of year are “baby boomers “....about 55 to 72. Of course there are exceptions. Certain lines cater to an even older group....Mike

 

 

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[richsea]

I’m from Brisbane yes.

Just got off the boat today. For us, 6/10.

Yeah yeah “do some research”- we are not dumb/ have travelled ALOT. we had a window of time to see these countries, and the only convenient way was to cruise on the Regal. We are 29 and 31, and I think this is aimed at + 50s? Average age was definitely 50-80 bracket. The outside activities really were a joke, the court was closed 75% of the time, I’ve already talked about the “shooting range”, and it was always too windy to play table tennis (nobody’s fault). Like I said it started off bad with the spa experience. I think the itinerary ON the boat was poor, and spare time we had was spent in the casino (their plan?) as there was literally nothing to do- game shows had 10 people in them, anything else was just a ploy to make you buy stuff, bingo was ok but was only on twice. We stopped in Helsinki for around 6 hours (yes a small place) but was not long enough to do anything, and was more or a “teaser” to most places and you would get a lap of the city in but that’s about it. Back on the boat, any sea days you may be lucky enough up top to watch the same Sheryl Crow concert for the 3rd time at 200db. So we found ourselves watching ESPN (once again, on a repeated loop) or down at the roulette table...

Glad we got to dip a toe in these countries but will drive next time,..

Did you do ANY research prior to your cruise? You say you are an experienced traveler, yet you obviously don’t realize that not all lines are the same. You complain about the time in port. Did they change it for some reason? Or did you just not realize that most cruises stop in port for only so many hours. The spa person should be fired if you are accuratein your reporting. Everything else seems to be a lack of researchon your part.

[kitkat343]

If you want to avoid the "buy stuff" ships; try Viking, Regent, Crystal. Of course, but you'll have to get off your wallet. The ships that have gambling, art auctions, bingo, etc. use those sell, sell, sell activities to keep the fares down.

I was just going to post something similar. Walking past the spa can be mildly annoying as they try to pitch me things (along with wine packages, ship photographers and "special sales" outside the stores). I don't love being subjected to these sales pitches on vacation, but do recognize that the reason why cruising is so affordable is that other people purchase these services and that subsidizes my fare.

 

I can understand the OP's frustration but please note that if you have kids, you might want to rethink the quieter ships. Princess has an excellent kids club, and you will be so tired after a day of touring with children you'll just be grateful for the daycare and ability to get some time to rest and relax. But for now, I think other lines might be more enjoyable for you and your fiancé.

[jagsfan]

Times sure have changed. When we were engaged and first married, we just wanted to be together.

A cruise would have been so romantic, just the two of us, walking in the moonlight, dancing to slow music, sitting in a cozy bar.

We just didn’t want to do things like rock climbing.

That came farther down our road.

I sure hope OP finds a cruise that gives him a couple of days in each port instead of 6-8 hours.

 

 

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[keithm]

(y)(y)

Yeah, we never put anything on our door. Just too cornball for us.