Discovery Report part 1

[laktex]

Our first cruise since 2019. Left UK late November to Vancouver, picked up our daughter, Grandson (3 years old) and Son-in-Law, flew down to Santa Ana for 3 days in Disneyland before embarking Discovery at San Pedro.

One of the simplest check-ins, medallion pick up, security and on board ship in about 15 minutes. This is undoubtedly the newest ship we have been on and is evidenced by just how clean and smart the hull is. We came straight to our rooms and I bet we were in them by 12:30. Quick visit to Skagway dining for a quick lunch and then a little trip around the ship - she really is very tastefully done - in fact in places I would dare to suggest it almost feel like Cunard which is my favourite line. Bags received and unpacked by about 2:30 and then had to sort out our free embarkation dinner. We did this through Vanessa in the Concierge Lounge - she was brilliant and all five of us booked in Crown Grill for an early 6:00 pm dinner - which proved delightful - a mixture of steaks between us - porterhouse - filet mignonette and rib-eye - all pretty good.  

 

Forgot to mention we took little one up to the Kids Club - Tree House - and got him signed in - it truly is a delightful large area on deck 17 and the girls up there greeted him with loving care. It has proved to be a great venue for him and he constantly asks to go there whenever time permits including after dinner on most evenings before bed time at 8:30 / 9:00 ish.

 

Breakfast first morning at Sabatini’s - calm, relaxing as usual with what is virtually an a la carte menu that if they have got it you can have it - a great way to start the day.

Lots to do on the first (sea)  day, finding one’s way around - trying to fit is the variety of things to do.  Little one wanted the pool and here I suppose is my first annoyance - the music is simply too loud for me and similarly so if a film is playing - there are however other places to go but not for the youngster to swim.  So from here you can see the Sky Suite balconies and for me I would not consider them - a balcony overlooking the pools with all that loud music - definitely not my style - Ill stay with our aft suite preference and listen to the sound of the wake. Our balcony on Aloha Deck is not very deep so if I came on Discovery again I would look for a different deck - Dolphin looks the deepest and more akin to some of the experiences we have had on other older Princess ships.  

 

The Concierge Lounge is a lovely benefit. As already mentioned, Vanessa was a brilliant organiser for anything we needed - the calm for a coffee, drink or nibble is brilliant - in some ways, but not all, its better than Cunard Queens Grill lounges on Victoria and Elizabeth - I guess some will disagree with that.

 

Dining in the Club Class area of the MDR is pretty good - again a calmer area and a few specials on the menu. I would rate the food pretty good and the service excellent.

My favourite bar is perhaps Bellini’s - Mickee and Joaquin are great bartenders.

 

Well I am signing off now - got to get ready for this “EXPERIENCE” stuff tonight.

 

[LACruiser88]

Can you tell me if Francisco Patricio is still the DRO (Maitre'd) onboard?  I heard he was leaving in December.

 

Thank you in advance.

[sirclean]

Make sure to visit Mikee and Jaquim in the Bellini Bar (deck 7)!

If you do, try a Toasted Almond and tell him that the folks from Thanksgiving week recommended it and THEM!

 

How is the Wifi Speed now?  Over Thanksgiving week, it was unusable!  I hope that it has improved!

 

We also had issues with NoroVirus.  Are they enforcing hand washing or just hoping for the best?

 

It is a fine ship and I hope that you are enjoying your trip!!

[startedwithamouse]

Be sure to experience 360 - it's the BEST!  The food and experience is, well, there's nothing like it! 

Rafal is so energetic!  Wait staff presentation and attentiveness is over the top.

 

[dides]

9 hours ago, laktex said:

Well I am signing off now - got to get ready for this “EXPERIENCE” stuff tonight.

 

Is that the 360 experience? If so, would love to know how you got the invite since us Brits don't usually get phone calls from the Princess team in the US.

[laktex]

9 hours ago, dides said:

Is that the 360 experience? If so, would love to know how you got the invite since us Brits don't usually get phone calls from the Princess team in the US.

We did not get any communication before we left UK but as I mentioned the service in the Concierge Lounge (for full suites) is excellent and they kindly arranged our invitation.  Definitely, definitely  do the experience if you can.

[laktex]

17 hours ago, sirclean said:

Make sure to visit Mikee and Jaquim in the Bellini Bar (deck 7)!

If you do, try a Toasted Almond and tell him that the folks from Thanksgiving week recommended it and THEM!

 

How is the Wifi Speed now?  Over Thanksgiving week, it was unusable!  I hope that it has improved!

 

We also had issues with NoroVirus.  Are they enforcing hand washing or just hoping for the best?

 

It is a fine ship and I hope that you are enjoying your trip!!

WiFi (as usual) is very variable. Today it’s a little slow - but I’ve downloaded a couple of big work files so I am not displeased. Not heard of any covid - frankly regular hand washing is good advice even pre covid.

[dides]

15 minutes ago, laktex said:

We did not get any communication before we left UK but as I mentioned the service in the Concierge Lounge (for full suites) is excellent and they kindly arranged our invitation.  Definitely, definitely  do the experience if you can.

Ahh thanks. No we missed it by a few weeks as we did the Discovery coastal from Vancouver to LA in September and won't be doing a West Coast trip for a while now (the jet lag was awful lol!). Just interested to see how it might work.

Edited December 9, 2022 by dides