LIVE from Discovery Princess - March 27th, 2022 - 7 Day Mexican Riviera Inaugural Sailing

[Astro Flyer]

3 hours ago, wallyj said:

It has also been reported if you are on a B2B on the same ship, the coffee package will rollover to the next sailing if you have not used all 15.

That is my experience & confirmed any remaining specialty coffees will rollover to our next Discovery cruise being B2B.

[Astro Flyer]

Tonight is Italian Night but either the ship, CC or both won’t allow me to post screen shots. 🥴

 

 

[RSS from SF]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiaO4NzWF3g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvXnGxyM4mY

 

Above are YouTube links to day one and day two.  Do a search later today and hopefully day 3 will be there and subsequently during the rest of the week

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Thank you very much @SNJCruisers!

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[Astro Flyer]

Is anyone else onboard having problems with DMW reservations?
 

We made the same time (1800) at Skagway up until boarding & when onboard it was at Ketchikan at 1800. Checked on TV (app not working) to discover that tonight & tomorrow it’s at 1820 in Ketchikan. I don’t know how many regularly check DMW but they’re making changes without ever informing us.

[Cruise Raider]

5 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Is anyone else onboard having problems with DMW reservations?
 

We made the same time (1800) at Skagway up until boarding & when onboard it was at Ketchikan at 1800. Checked on TV (app not working) to discover that tonight & tomorrow it’s at 1820 in Ketchikan. I don’t know how many regularly check DMW but they’re making changes without ever informing us.

 

We've had that issue as well ... but, we've been lucky enough to have cruised on sailings that haven't been so packed so they've always allowed us to eat where we want.  I don't like eating in that aft dining room on deck 6.  

[SNJCruisers]

For those of us not familiar with the layout, what is the exact difference between the Skagway and Ketchikan dining rooms, besides being aft and mid on deck 6?  The only problem I can see is that it looks like the aft dining room is only accessable via decks 5 or 7 via stairs or elevator.  

[caribill]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

For those of us not familiar with the layout, what is the exact difference between the Skagway and Ketchikan dining rooms, besides being aft and mid on deck 6?  The only problem I can see is that it looks like the aft dining room is only accessable via decks 5 or 7 via stairs or elevator.  

This is the same ship layout of all Princess ships since the Grand class started.

 

The aft deck 6 dining room is only accessible from the aft stairs and elevators.

 

If you are mid-ship or forward on decks 5 or 6 and need to go to the aft dining room, you need to go up to deck 7, walk aft, and then take the stairs or elevator down one deck.

[trbarton]

On 3/26/2022 at 11:11 PM, scottsdalelove said:

 

 

So we promised in the Discovery Princess Roll Call that Christy and I would be posting live updates daily on the cruise, reviews, photos, and videos…so here it is!!

 

It is 9pm, the Saturday Night before the cruise, and I am writing this from our Balcony at the Double Tree San Pedro while enjoying the view of Discovery Princess. Discovery Princess (DP) is berthed at the seldom used Berth 50 which is across the marina from the Doubletree. If you don’t know where Berth 50 is (almost no one did) search for the “SS Lane Victory” and you will find it. Lane Victory is a WW II era cargo vessel at the end of Miner street in San Pedro. It was moved a couple hundred feet down the way to give a place for DP to be berthed for all of her spring 2022 voyages (until she repositions for Alaska this summer). There wasn’t room for DP at the traditional cruise terminal due to her length and also due to the fact that too many cruise ships are berthed in LA compared to previous seasons. 

 

The port has released plans about possible expansion to add more capacity for more cruise ships in the area where DP currently is but that is a long way out. Until then, Princess has sent messages to us all directing us to park or get dropped off at the old berth 93 (the terminal featured in the Love Boat TV show) with your luggage. There you will check in and luggage will be drop off and then shuttles will take everyone down to Berth 50 for boarding. There will be special arrangements for anyone with mobility issues per the statement they sent us all. They say do NOT go directly to the ship yourself as there are no facilities to house you or check you in. Just a security tent to scan carry on bags as you get off the bus and then you walk up a ramp onto the boat similar to when you are in port on a pier.

 

The Double Tree San Pedro is a little older but it is nice hotel in an otherwise residential area with little to do for out of town visitors in the immediate area. When you book on the hotel website you can choose a rate with a park and shuttle option available so you can leave your car here for the week while on the cruise and be shuttled to the pier and back. I’ve been told there are limited “spaces” each week for this and I’m not sure if you can get it ala cart if you book without so call the hotel to see if you are interested. 

 

There is also a restaurant in the lobby with interior and exterior dining. They are open for breakfast lunch and dinner and have a bar. Hours were 6am-10pm in the restaurant for breakfast lunch and dinner with views of the marina (and DP!!). Breakfast and dinner entrees are around $20 each +/- and the service was good enough. 

 

After dinner we took a ride down to Miner St and took the video below of the ship. Beautiful ship!!! We will try to post everything timely as I know people are curious/interested! Bon Voyage to my fellow passengers!!! See you all aboard in 12 hours!!!! 

 

 

Joseph and Christy

Scottsdale, AZ

Interesting video especially with apparently only crew onboard & all of those balcony staterooms with the lights on. 
 

I heard that their was a couple honored as the 1st passengers to board the ship, Mr & Mrs Smith. Do you know if they were the actual 1st persons to board the ship or they were just picked out?
 

Tom😀

[cruisingram1]

5 minutes ago, caribill said:

This is the same ship layout of all Princess ships since the Grand class started.

 

The aft deck 6 dining room is only accessible from the aft stairs and elevators.

 

If you are mid-ship or forward on decks 5 or 6 and need to go to the aft dining room, you need to go up to deck 7, walk aft, and then take the stairs or elevator down one deck.

Why is Juneau dining room not being used? I'm guessing not a full ship? But why not use the more convenient one and save Ketchikan for last if it's so inconvenient. 

[GoDucksNation]

When we were on the Majestic last month they were using one of the dining rooms for the crew

[trbarton]

1 hour ago, cruisingram1 said:

Why is Juneau dining room not being used? I'm guessing not a full ship? But why not use the more convenient one and save Ketchikan for last if it's so inconvenient. 

Another reason I heard was because the ship was not full. 
 

Tom😀

[startedwithamouse]

15 hours ago, PharmDisney said:

I apologize if I missed it in the thread, but can anyone tell me if Churchill's is open for cigar smoking? Thanks!

We don't see it on the Princess event listings sheet under Dining,  Bars and Lounges. Maybe there's not a Churchill's?

[startedwithamouse]

4 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

We've had that issue as well ... but, we've been lucky enough to have cruised on sailings that haven't been so packed so they've always allowed us to eat where we want.  I don't like eating in that aft dining room on deck 6.  

We're 1,000 under capacity...

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, trbarton said:

Another reason I heard was because the ship was not full. 
 

Tom😀

Crew dining area. 

[Fletch1]

15 hours ago, wallyj said:

Hi @bonsai3s, Princess discontinued the coffee ‘cards’ around the end of summer 2019 saying all coffee cards would ‘expire’ . It has been reported some ships ‘might’ still honor left over punches, but Princess did announce this change with many months notice.

 

Princess does not issue physical ‘cards’ anymore. The new Coffee Package is now loaded onto your Medallion, thus if you do not use all 15 punches during your sailing, they are forfeited, as there is no rollover as in the past. It has also been reported if you are on a B2B on the same ship, the coffee package will rollover to the next sailing if you have not used all 15.

 

Personally, I prefer the old coffee card system. 

[Fletch1]

11 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Tonight is Italian Night but either the ship, CC or both won’t allow me to post screen shots. 🥴

 

 

Love Italian night.....my favourite night of all. That special garlic/chili pasta dish cooked in the dining room is just yum! Do they still do that? 

[SNJCruisers]

6 hours ago, trbarton said:

Interesting video especially with apparently only crew onboard & all of those balcony staterooms with the lights on. 
 

I heard that their was a couple honored as the 1st passengers to board the ship, Mr & Mrs Smith. Do you know if they were the actual 1st persons to board the ship or they were just picked out?
 

Tom😀

 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

On 3/29/2022 at 6:06 AM, CruisingJs said:

I also found the bed to be very hard.  My room steward was nice enough to put a mattress topper on it for me yesterday like we used to get before they changed to the new mattresses.

I am miserable.  This bed is so hard that it hurts.  My room steward added another topper (feather?).  It just smashes flat and the bed is so hard.  I have been sleeping maybe 3 or 4 hours a night.  Where did your steward find the old foam topper?  There is no way I can do this for two weeks.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

On 3/28/2022 at 7:17 AM, san diego sue said:

Having trouble posting.

Ship is beautiful. We arrived at the pier 93 terminal and it was pretty full at 10:15am. Shortly after boarding of buses began. Good we were Elite because we started boarding first. We were probably the third bus. We are on Starboard side of ship. Nice view of the boat Marina. Sailaway was gorgeous with warm weather.

My back was killing me all night on these new beds. I am going to pull the sheet and check what I am sleeping on. Feels like a pad under the sheet.Bed is hard. We have been on the Grand and Majestic recently and I slept like a baby. My Medallion is not working well on the ship. Only some functions work and some have the white screen. Worked better at home. Room Stewardess said there are issues. Internet is fine however but I had problem with Cruise Critic itself not showing I was logged in when I am. Hope this posts . I lost my previous post.

The mattress is so hard that it’s painful.  Did you figure anything out?  I am sleeping maybe 3 hours a night.  Not sure I can take it for two weeks.  Ugh.

[CruisingJs]

1 hour ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I am miserable.  This bed is so hard that it hurts.  My room steward added another topper (feather?).  It just smashes flat and the bed is so hard.  I have been sleeping maybe 3 or 4 hours a night.  Where did your steward find the old foam topper?  There is no way I can do this for two weeks.

I don’t know where he got it.  He said he had to talk to his supervisor to get one.  Yes, the bed is still hard but a little better.  What is up with the crackling pillows?  I am also not sleeping well.

[startedwithamouse]

2 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I am miserable.  This bed is so hard that it hurts.  My room steward added another topper (feather?).  It just smashes flat and the bed is so hard.  I have been sleeping maybe 3 or 4 hours a night.  Where did your steward find the old foam topper?  There is no way I can do this for two weeks.

Do you think some of the mattresses are from a different manufacturer?  We are sleeping the same, and this bed feels like the regular Princess bed. Not all cabins have the same?

[HaveDogWillTravel]

49 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Do you think some of the mattresses are from a different manufacturer?  We are sleeping the same, and this bed feels like the regular Princess bed. Not all cabins have the same?

Maybe it’s the category of cabin?  Different categories got different beds?  Idk. That seems like a big why?  Of course supply chain issues is the answer to everything these days. It’s so weird that the beds are different. I believe you all are experienced Princess cruisers and are accurately relaying what the beds are like. 
uggggh. I will have a sore back if I get a hard bed in 9 days 18 hours and 47 min (love that count down on the ap. Lol). But DH will be in heaven. 
Crinkly pillows?  Did you look inside the case?  Did some packaging material get left on the pillow?  So odd. 

Somewhere in the beginning of this thread someone mentioned they were told of a wine shortage. Did that end up being the case?  If possible would someone post wine menus please? 

 

if you don’t mind would you please ask how many are booked on the next 2 sailings?  
 

Many thanks to all on board for taking time out to help us out.

 

 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

3 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Do you think some of the mattresses are from a different manufacturer?  We are sleeping the same, and this bed feels like the regular Princess bed. Not all cabins have the same?

I don’t know but I have always loved the mattresses to the point where I thought about purchasing one.  It’s just strange that it’s hurting me this time?

[MsSoCalCruiser]

4 hours ago, CruisingJs said:

I don’t know where he got it.  He said he had to talk to his supervisor to get one.  Yes, the bed is still hard but a little better.  What is up with the crackling pillows?  I am also not sleeping well.

Thank you. I will talk to our steward again today. She is so helpful.  Just to make sure, was he given a foam topper?

[AnyMajorCruiseDude]

2 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I don’t know but I have always loved the mattresses to the point where I thought about purchasing one.  It’s just strange that it’s hurting me this time?

We purchased the princess bed at home. After reading these comments we checked the bed.  It is exactly the same.