Not Terribly Live From the Sky Princess Moroccan Passage

[*Miss G*]

Well, my first Princess “Live” thread has begun closer to the end of the trip, rather than the beginning, but better late than never.  We received notice a few days before sailing that we wouldn’t have internet so it was no surprise when it didn’t work.  Princess is obviously well aware of the problem but I don’t actually buy their story as we have not experienced outages like this on Holland America TA’s.

 

 

Boarding was congested and chaotic.  Even though we arrived at our specified check-in time of 12:30pm, the lines from the inside to the outside were HUGE.  We laughed at the signs to maintain social distancing; impossible as we were herded via two snaking lines through various checkpoints. 

 

As this is my first Princess cruise I have no idea if this is typical or not but, man, was it crazy.  First checkpoint was passports and covid tests; then through Security; then actual check-in where we showed passports, vaccination documents, and covid tests; then to pick up Medallions.  

 

Per Princess policy, we each brought a corkage-free bottle of wine onboard.  Despite that, we were also sent to the person at the pay-for-corkage desk where he glanced at the wine, then at us, then told to proceed. 

 

Lots of people in the terminal to direct us onboard but where we entered the ship by the Casino on Deck 5.… no one.  We looked around in confusion, expecting someone to help with directions but not a soul around.  We wandered a bit until we found some elevators and made it to our rooms.  After all the travel hurdles we were happy to be on the ship.

[JF - retired RRT]

There are usually people directing you to the elevators as soon as you board.

Sorry for the confusion. At least, you made it to your cabin.😁

[*Miss G*]

Internet, when we have it (twice in the last 10 days), is excruciatingly slow so I will try to get as much posted, as possible, while I can.

 

 

Our original itinerary was:

 

 

Sailaway was Saturday, March 12th, at 4:30pm, although we actually left at 7:16pm due to 200+ passengers with delayed flights.  It was nice that we waited for them as our next stop would be The Azores.

[*Miss G*]

I am traveling with my parents, who live in Canada, and my sister, who lives in England.  To round things out, I live in the US.  🙃  This made for some very convoluted travel challenges as I began this trip with a drive to Canada in order to help my parents navigate covid tests, airports, and luggage.

 

Canada requires a negative covid test to enter so my drive began with a trip to CVS.  Thankfully Canada had recently dropped the mandatory (and longer and more-expensive) PCR-type tests in exchange for rapid antigen.  Here is the morning view from my hotel room where I stayed midway to Canada.  My drive for the next six hours would be through fog, wind, rain, sleet, and snow. 

 

[*Miss G*]

THE ROOM

 

The Sky Princess is a beautiful ship.  We each have a mini-suite  a few doors away from each other (“each” as in my parents share a room and my sister and I share another room).  We love the color scheme and the heavy drapes which can be pulled across the living room area to separate it from the bedroom area.  This is a nice touch.  The additional TV comes in handy as I am an early riser and can pull the drapes to turn it on when I want to know what time it is or just to have the Bridge Cam on.

 

 

And, omg, the beds.  The beds are amazing.  So comfortable, which is so very rare when traveling.  The only issue is that they are very narrow when separated into twins, so I have a bit of fear of falling out.  Cunard and Holland America’s twins have not been this narrow, but they have not been this comfortable either.  Comfort wins out.

 

 

The bathroom is a bit small for any stateroom with the word “suite” in it, but quite adequate.  Only one sink but it’s a good size.  There is a bath with a shower and three corner shelves.  The shaving receptacle fits a North American night light perfectly.  I got this LED sensor light from the dollar store.

 

 

And now we come to my gripes with people who design bathrooms for travelers, and people who approve those designs, whether they be bathrooms on ships, or bathrooms in hotels.  Personally, I feel these designers and approvers should be forced to use them for a week in order to fully appreciate what they have done.

 

Let’s start with the sink.  The sink is a good size, however the tap/faucet is at the top corner and the water comes out maybe an inch or two from the edge of the sink.  This means that, when you wash your hands, most of the water falls onto the counter and not the sink.  This also means that the majority of the sink has no purpose.  I guess they could have converted that unused space into more counter but, hey, I am not the designer.  Maybe it’s effective for mutants with giant hands.  Somewhat.

 

 

The sink does not hold water.  It has a plug but it doesn’t seal.  The bath plug, however, does seal.  This comes in useful when you want a bath, but not so useful when you’re having a shower.  Unless, of course, you are happy wading around in water whilst standing under it.

 

The shower is great…. If you’re 3 inches wide.  I’m sure there must be a reason why designers think it’s a great idea to mass shower, shelving, condiment dispensers, and safety rail directly under and beside the shower head but I don’t know what that reason is.

 

 

Sorry.  CC has decided this picture needs to be sideways no matter how much I try to change it.  You don’t really have to lie on the wall in order to shower.  Or maybe you do.

 

As you can see, the shower is about 6” from the wall and the condiment dispensers and handrail take up about 4” of that space.  This means that you are literally leaning into the dispensers in order to fit under the shower.  Not the most comfortable of situations.

 

Okay, rant at designers now over, the shower has great water pressure.  I like that I can set the temperature — and have the water come out at that temperature — every time I shower.  Unless, of course, it gets accidentally rotated hotter or colder, so watch out for that.  Also watch out for someone changing the direction of the shower head.  This morning I noticed that the temperature setting had changed, so I set it back before turning on the shower.  Unfortunately, I hadn’t noticed that the shower head was pointed straight at me, so when I turned it on, I took that great water pressure full force.  While standing beside the sink.  In my pajamas.  As I had just woken up, and hadn’t had my morning coffee, I had one of those moments where I stood directly in the spraying water, flailing my arms about in shock and surprise.  Since my pajamas were now soaking wet, I don’t know why I didn’t just get in and turn the water off, but it was early morning and I hadn’t had my coffee.  Instead I went around the stream of water and came at it from behind… in order not to get my pajamas wet.  Go figure.  As I was now rather irritated, I spent the remainder of my shower bitching about shower designers and this post is now the result.  Sorry.

[dickinson]

Thanks for posting.  Can't wait for more!  As an FYI we have never been in a mini suite but have been in a balcony on the Regal and Royal.  I don't remember the faucet being in the corner but in the back, just where it should be. 

 

Edit to add - my memory is poor.  DH says our faucet was at the end too, just at the other side.  We never noticed much of a problem though.  We are all different.

Edited March 24, 2022 by dickinson

[*Miss G*]

CIELO DINING ROOM

 

Before we set sail, we chose a private table for the four of us in the Cielo Dining Room.  The reservation process on the app went quite smoothly but reality was quite different.

 

Embarkation day was hectic, as I had dropped my parents and sister, with the bags, at the terminal then back to the airport to return the rental car.  I jumped in a taxi with a member of the Haitian mafia who wanted $25 to get me back to the port.  I told him I’d give him $20 cash and that was it.  Following the lengthy check-in process we were not up to changing for dinner so we went to the Lido Market instead.

 

On the second night we changed for dinner and arrived at our specified reservation time.  The line went up the stairs to the next deck… and this was for people with reservations!  It was bedlam and guests were angry.  When we finally made it to the check-in we were told our table number and to just come right in from now on.  A server lead us to our table but there were already people seated there so she sat us somewhere else and told us this would be our table from now on.  We had a pleasant evening with our server, Mil Oliver, and he said he would see us tomorrow.

 

Tomorrow came and we checked in for Table xxx, told yes that is correct and to head right in.  Except there were already people seated at Table xxx, as well as at the first reserved table we didn’t sit at.  Following much confusion on the part of everyone, (including an accusation that we hadn’t yet had dinner in the Cielo Dining Room and that was why they gave our table away) we were lead to another table and told this would be our table from now on and to head right to it.  (You can see where this is going.)

 

On the next night we had our same table!  We loved our server, Gabriel, and the drinks steward, Fedrico.  They will see us tomorrow night.  Success!  All will run swimmingly from now on. 

 

On the 4th night we checked in for Table xxy, told that yes, we were correct and to head right in and there were people already seated there.  Again, much confusion and we were taken to the opposite side of the dining room and the opposite side of service.  Sadness.

 

On the 5th night we checked in for Table xxy and told to wait because there were people already seated there.  We were taken to another table.  Sigh.

 

Night 6, same again.  No one cares anymore.  Get here earlier, they said, and you can maybe have that table.  Or maybe that general area.  Even though we told you it was your table, it’s not.  Take it or leave it.  Do Princess cruisers really put up with this?  If they are trying to make you feel unwelcome they are doing a really good job.

 

So guess what?  We now go down at 5:00pm with fingers crossed we will get our table.  Or, rather, their table.  They have certainly made it clear it’s not ours.

[c-boy]

😐 wow !

[*Miss G*]

Embarkation Day had gale force winds; one of the many reasons a number of folks never made it onboard.  Those howling winds and waves stayed with us for the next few sea days, even causing havoc on the balcony.

 

 

The ship feels a little tippy, even with only 9-12 ft swells.  I am used to tippy ships, but usually only when the waves are much bigger.  I am guessing it is due to the size as this is the biggest ship I have sailed on.

 

By Tuesday (Day 4) we are past Bermuda and the skies are clearing.

 

 

 

On Day 6 we have diverted course away from The Azores, our first port of call and only two days from now.  The Captain tells us there is a storm in the area so the weather prevents us from visiting.  Gabriel wonders what will happen to the passengers who were flown there to meet us when they missed the ship.  I am guessing they are on their way to Funchal.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

This was our exact experience in Cielo the week prior!! (March 5-12) !

We had a reservation for 6 PM for every night.

The thing that got me was how the hostess told us this would be our table all week and remember where it was. 🤣

 

When there were other people at our table on the third night, and the table number had been removed and replaced with a different number, the same confusion ensued.
 

Fortunately every night we just had to explain that our real Table was no longer our table and please find us another table for two, which they were able to do. We got there every night about 5:50. But when we left at 7 o’clock the line was out the door and winding down by the elevators like you said. 
 

We really liked our original server. I think this is the situation people are hinting at with Dine my way issues. You no longer are guaranteed the same server even when you try. It must bum out the servers out as well, because creating relationships (and maybe working for an extra tip ??) really isn’t in the cards when the guests keep changing tables. 

[phabric]

Enjoyed reading your reviews. Looking forward to more.

[In Toronto]

Love this review!

[arizonaperson]

8 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

CIELO DINING ROOM

 

Before we set sail, we chose a private table for the four of us in the Cielo Dining Room.  The reservation process on the app went quite smoothly but reality was quite different.

 

Embarkation day was hectic, as I had dropped my parents and sister, with the bags, at the terminal then back to the airport to return the rental car.  I jumped in a taxi with a member of the Haitian mafia who wanted $25 to get me back to the port.  I told him I’d give him $20 cash and that was it.  Following the lengthy check-in process we were not up to changing for dinner so we went to the Lido Market instead.

 

On the second night we changed for dinner and arrived at our specified reservation time.  The line went up the stairs to the next deck… and this was for people with reservations!  It was bedlam and guests were angry.  When we finally made it to the check-in we were told our table number and to just come right in from now on.  A server lead us to our table but there were already people seated there so she sat us somewhere else and told us this would be our table from now on.  We had a pleasant evening with our server, Mil Oliver, and he said he would see us tomorrow.

 

Tomorrow came and we checked in for Table xxx, told yes that is correct and to head right in.  Except there were already people seated at Table xxx, as well as at the first reserved table we didn’t sit at.  Following much confusion on the part of everyone, (including an accusation that we hadn’t yet had dinner in the Cielo Dining Room and that was why they gave our table away) we were lead to another table and told this would be our table from now on and to head right to it.  (You can see where this is going.)

 

On the next night we had our same table!  We loved our server, Gabriel, and the drinks steward, Fedrico.  They will see us tomorrow night.  Success!  All will run swimmingly from now on. 

 

On the 4th night we checked in for Table xxy, told that yes, we were correct and to head right in and there were people already seated there.  Again, much confusion and we were taken to the opposite side of the dining room and the opposite side of service.  Sadness.

 

On the 5th night we checked in for Table xxy and told to wait because there were people already seated there.  We were taken to another table.  Sigh.

 

Night 6, same again.  No one cares anymore.  Get here earlier, they said, and you can maybe have that table.  Or maybe that general area.  Even though we told you it was your table, it’s not.  Take it or leave it.  Do Princess cruisers really put up with this?  If they are trying to make you feel unwelcome they are doing a really good job.

 

So guess what?  We now go down at 5:00pm with fingers crossed we will get our table.  Or, rather, their table.  They have certainly made it clear it’s not ours.

Pretty much what my mom experienced in January on The Majestic with the dining  room and it was only two of them. They got pretty much the same exact runaround. And pretty much the people at the podium at the front of the restaurant really don’t care. Princess needs to bring back the traditional dining ,it worked at least from my experience. And those people that did not want traditional they could just show up ( Anytime dining)and be shown to an empty table ,but who knows if we’ll see that again .

Princess wake up!!

I am enjoying your review glad you somewhat have Internet access on this voyage.

Edited March 24, 2022 by arizonaperson

[h-sar]

Love your writing style! Looking forward to reading a lot more of your upcoming adventures.

[Thrak]

13 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Do Princess cruisers really put up with this?  If they are trying to make you feel unwelcome they are doing a really good job.

 

No. Never. This is due to the idiots that decided everything had to be done in their worthless app. In the past dining has been simple and, as far as we have been concerned, flawless. It''s mind boggling that things have become so incredibly screwed up. You can count on it that the crew are not happy about this stuff either.

[LunaSeaRetreat]

Thank you for your review.  We had to cancel this cruise and the following one a month before for health reasons.  So sorry your cruise isn't going well.  Hopefully things will get better soon.

Cynthia

[azbirdmom]

Haven't seen an update for a while.  Did you lose the internet again?  Hope you've made the rest of your ports.

[*Miss G*]

On 3/24/2022 at 3:37 PM, ColoradoMom!! said:

This was our exact experience in Cielo the week prior!! (March 5-12) !

We had a reservation for 6 PM for every night.

The thing that got me was how the hostess told us this would be our table all week and remember where it was. 🤣

 

When there were other people at our table on the third night, and the table number had been removed and replaced with a different number, the same confusion ensued.
 

Fortunately every night we just had to explain that our real Table was no longer our table and please find us another table for two, which they were able to do. We got there every night about 5:50. But when we left at 7 o’clock the line was out the door and winding down by the elevators like you said. 
 

We really liked our original server. I think this is the situation people are hinting at with Dine my way issues. You no longer are guaranteed the same server even when you try. It must bum out the servers out as well, because creating relationships (and maybe working for an extra tip ??) really isn’t in the cards when the guests keep changing tables. 

 

They did the same with the table number for us too!  On the first night when someone else was seated at our assigned table, the lady took 338 off that table and put it on our new table which was 340 and said that’ll take care of it.  😂  I’m sure that only added to the confusion.

 

And you’re right about the tip.  If we’d hadn’t fought for the same table/servers, there is no way we would have left a tip being shuffled around all over.  The evening meal is one our favourite things about a cruise because that’s when we all get together and talk about what everyone did all day.  The servers get to know your likes and dislikes, and whether you have a bottle of wine going or not, and all is well.  Or, rather, it used to be, I guess.

 

 

On 3/25/2022 at 12:06 PM, LunaSeaRetreat said:

Thank you for your review.  We had to cancel this cruise and the following one a month before for health reasons.  So sorry your cruise isn't going well.  Hopefully things will get better soon.

Cynthia

 

We are loving our cruise!  Sorry you had to cancel and I hope the health reasons are improving.

 

 

17 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

Haven't seen an update for a while.  Did you lose the internet again?  Hope you've made the rest of your ports.

 

Yes!  We lost the internet right after my last post, and never got it back!  Really hard to do a “Live From” thread without internet.  😒 Thanks for checking back!

[*Miss G*]

BEST CONNECTIVITY AT SEA

(No, Really)

 

As you can tell, we lost internet right after my last post last Thursday, never to be seen again.  I am now writing this from my hotel room on disembarkation day.  Carnival Corporation Chief Experience Officer, John Padgett, has complete confidence in it, however, so I should too.  Best connectivity at sea.  It says so right here:

 

Best Connectivity at Sea

 

The Medallion App also has best connectivity.  Here it is working its little heart out.  Aw bless.  🥰

 

 

The TV mostly works too.  Except if you want to order something; that doesn’t work.  Also, if it doesn’t want to be in the menu option you have chosen it will jump back to something else.  Sometimes we will just give up and watch the bridge cam because, apparently, that’s where it wants to be.

[*Miss G*]

TIME (🎶 is flowing like a river… 🎶 to the sea… 🎶 to the sea 🎶)

 

Today is Saturday, March 19th.  I was looking forward to my first visit to The Azores but, instead, we have another sea day.  That makes 7 of them so far.  When you are at sea for 7 days you get excited about seeing something other than water.  

 

Look!  Another Princess ship!!  And a freighter.  The freighter is less exciting than a Princess ship.

 

 

 

So let’s talk about time.  One of the highlights of this trip, for me, is the fact that I will arrive in England without having to deal with jet lag.  Time traveling is hard; especially when you are going in reverse.  So far we have set the clocks forward 4 times.  Thanks to that, and the issues in the Cielo Dining Room, we are now having supper at lunchtime.  Soon we will be having supper at breakfast as we have 4 more time changes coming: forward, forward, back, and forward.  Confused yet?  So are we.

 

[*Miss G*]

DAY 10

FUNCHAL, MADEIRA

 

It is Monday, March 21st and the Bridge Cam has captured the sunrise as we sail into the Port of Funchal, Madeira.  I rely on the Bridge Cam to capture anything in front of us because there is nowhere on this ship for the unwashed masses to view what’s ahead.  We are, however, allowed views to the port and starboard, and even a bit of aft.  Want to see forward?  That will cost you extra.

 

 

Today we are in port with the Aida Nova and a Portuguese Navy Patrol Boat.

 

 

Funchal is one of our favorite ports.  It is a beautiful little island full of amazing flowering things.  Very clean and very scenic.  We take the shuttle into town and enjoy a walk to the market and a visit to the Golden Gate Cafe.  They have free WiFi to enjoy with your Poncha Traditionale, both of which you are going to require if you are sailing the Sky Princess.

 

 

Today it is sunny and pleasant.

 

 

 

Also, today, we learn that the ship cannot get the clearances for our stop in Morocco so we will be visiting Gibraltar instead.  It is too late for me to change the subject heading so, from here on in, please consider this the Not At All Live From The Sky Princess Not At All A Moroccan Passage thread.  Thank you.  

 

Gibraltar is somewhere I haven’t been, and it’s solid land, so I’m okay with that.  If we’d made it to port we would have been the first cruise ship to arrive in two years.  I guess some other ship will get that dubious honor now.

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by *Miss G*

[Pink-belle]

You’re writing style is so enjoyable, I’m hoping you did have some fun on the ship, but I for one can’t wait for the next few days, really hoping it doesn’t include Covid! 

[*Miss G*]

EMERALD DECK 8 - FORWARD (the pointy end)

STARBOARD SIDE

 

Do not book these rooms!!!!  Not only is there a constant smell of cigarettes (why?), the boom boom boom from the Princess Theatre directly underneath you on Deck 7 will drive you mad.  All day.  Morning.  Afternoon.  Evening.  BOOM.  BOOM.  BOOM.  Thump.  Thump.  Thump.  It’s incessant.  The noise finally ends sometime around 10:30pm.  If you want somewhere to go for a bit of peace and quiet, and no cigarette smoke, these are not the rooms for you.  I did do some research, and mostly believed what I read, when someone said the theatre noise is not a problem.  IT IS.  Seriously.

 

Also, not quite sure how a physically-challenged person is to get by these carts that sit in the hallways every day.  I was getting off in port, one day, wearing a small backpack, when I got hung up on one of those pictures trying to get by a cart.  One step forward; two steps back kind of thing.  Good times.

 

 

Our room steward is a lovely lady named Mary Lou.  It was her first day on the Sky Princess when we met her.  Gabriel (Cielo Dining Room) says there are a lot of new crew onboard.

[*Miss G*]

26 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

You’re writing style is so enjoyable, I’m hoping you did have some fun on the ship, but I for one can’t wait for the next few days, really hoping it doesn’t include Covid! 

 

We had a blast!  We really did.  I mean, we’re on a cruise ship!  Life is good.  🛳 🥂

 

Oh!  You mentioned covid.  Are you boarding soon?  Yesterday, or the day before, we got a letter under the door telling everyone to wear the KN95 masks when indoors due to some Covid cases found amongst the crew and passengers.  I swear to God that one woman who got onto a packed elevator this morning had it in spades.  She seemed quite confused, and really really sick.  No idea what she’s thinking wandering around like that, coughing on everyone.  I hope she got checked out.

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by *Miss G*

[Retirement2016]

Did Princess provide Covid test yesterday on board the Sky Princess for passengers flying back to the US today?