Not choosing Princess for next cruise…..

[Sea Hag]

On 3/8/2023 at 3:32 AM, datone said:

I've already made the decision not to cruise Princess next time.   I never ever thought I would say this but the loss of Elite perks has really annoyed me.    The free internet is gone for a start.  I know you get a 50% discount but buying it for the whole cruise works out quite expensive.   The very least they could have done is allow you to buy a package of so many minutes to use for the whole cruise so that way you can just spend 10 minutes a day or so checking emails.   I don't go on a cruise to spend the day on the web.   Last cruise there was no priority boarding, and their so-called priority tendering was calling only 20 numbers at a time.   The nightly chocolates are gone, the tote bags are gone, the elite toiletries are no more and the OBC for 20+ cruises is gone too.   Just small things but at least you felt they appreciated your loyalty.  I don't really care about the free laundry which is one of the few remaining perks left.   And now that you cannot exchange your mini bar for coffee cards is very disappointing and the final straw, as I don't drink alcohol or soda.  The entertainment on our last cruise was poor, and I am at the stage of feeling it's all too familiar and craving for something different.   So it's off to Royal I go next month to see what they are like.   Whilst Princess had been my first choice, I am now going to consider other lines because the advantages to stay with Princess are slowly disappearing.

I'm not necessarily going away mad, but I am cancelling a September 2023 cruise with Princess in favor of on on HAL. We were on the Sky a couple or three weeks ago, and while we had a good time there were some things that bothered one or the other of us to a greater or lesser degree. I was over losing the internet minutes a long time ago. Moved on from that. But taking away the mini bar swap for two coffee packages was pretty annoying. Added to that, we had a few questions/issues that we needed to go to customer service for. Our questions/issues were never really addressed and actually met with a definite degree of snark. I never realized that part of what we pay Princess for is snark. I've moved on from this, but my hubby is still seething. I never thought he could be pried away from his favorite cabin on the Royal class ships, but he didn't actually need any prying. He told me that he couldn't see any reason to stick with Princess anymore. Don't know what we'll end up doing in the future, but this is where we are right now.

[Sea Hag]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:44 AM, texswamper said:

The last 2 weeks, we did Bottecelli for a change of scenery and I would never do it again as the waiting area for lining up is insane with so little space.  It was chaos beginning at 4:40 to get in for 5pm every night.  Dine My Way is nothing but stressful for passengers and crew alike.  According to the food services director, they don't love it either.  

We hit this insanity on the Ruby as well trying to get into Botticelli. What you say about that is totally accurate. Never, ever again. 

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

We are platinum with Princess and last January sailed on the Emerald Princess to the Panama Canal. We were very disappointed with this cruise. At that time, we decided to take a break from Princess and didn’t even purchase a FCC. Since then we have taken a river cruise with Avalon and tried Viking Ocean from Bergen to Barcelona. We also found things that disappointed us with both lines. And with the price we paid to cruise on Viking we determined we were one and done with them. Maybe we are too picky, but I don’t think that’s the case. I do believe food quality has dropped with everyone. We have now booked another Princess cruise on the Sky. We decided to not let one bad experience keep us from sailing with Princess. Hopefully, we will have a great experience. I do believe that the medallion is one of the best features any cruise line has introduced. 

[Sea Hag]

1 hour ago, Poulsbo Cruisers said:

I do believe that the medallion is one of the best features any cruise line has introduced. 

I think you and I are in the minority on this. I like the medallion a lot.

[LouCoop]

1 hour ago, Poulsbo Cruisers said:

We are platinum with Princess and last January sailed on the Emerald Princess to the Panama Canal. We were very disappointed with this cruise. At that time, we decided to take a break from Princess and didn’t even purchase a FCC. Since then we have taken a river cruise with Avalon and tried Viking Ocean from Bergen to Barcelona. We also found things that disappointed us with both lines. And with the price we paid to cruise on Viking we determined we were one and done with them. Maybe we are too picky, but I don’t think that’s the case. I do believe food quality has dropped with everyone. We have now booked another Princess cruise on the Sky. We decided to not let one bad experience keep us from sailing with Princess. Hopefully, we will have a great experience. I do believe that the medallion is one of the best features any cruise line has introduced. 

Could you tell us what you disliked about Viking Ocean? We are also avid Princess cruisers but where thinking of trying out the Viking Ocean, so really would be interested on your input. Thanks.

[billco]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:44 AM, texswamper said:

We were on the Ruby 1/8-15 and then again 2/26-3/12 ( just got off this morning 🙂 ) and sadly, those pictures give an accurate depiction of dinner lines.  Our first week we did 5pm every night in Da Vinci but literally got in line about 4:35-4:40 just to be at the front of the line to get in and get started.  The last 2 weeks, we did Bottecelli for a change of scenery and I would never do it again as the waiting area for lining up is insane with so little space.  It was chaos beginning at 4:40 to get in for 5pm every night.  Dine My Way is nothing but stressful for passengers and crew alike.  According to the food services director, they don't love it either.  

We have been on the Discovery Princess for the past four weeks on 5 B2B cruises. Prior to the cruises we made Dine My Way reservations for a table for two at 5:00 PM. The first night we decided we liked our servers, so we reserved our table number for the rest of the cruise. Each night we maneuver through the crowd assembled outside the entrance and walk directly to our table. Sometimes the headwaiter will spot us and escort us to our table or the Hostess will ask us for our table number and tell us to go right in. Last night I realized that part the of the crowd was a line of people who had reservations. There are reasons the servers like us to pick a table number. The tables get filled sooner and they are more likely to get a tip. For us this has all the pros of traditional dining - Same servers and time each night - and none of the cons - being seated at a table for an entire cruise with people we are not compatible with. BTW, at 4:30 we have a glass of wine and a snack at the Elite/Platinum Lounge and then go to the MDR at 5:00. Vista Lounge is above Ketchikan MDR. Sometimes, we hear some negative comments as we cut through the crowd.

Edited March 15, 2023 by billco

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

1 hour ago, LouCoop said:

Could you tell us what you disliked about Viking Ocean? We are also avid Princess cruisers but where thinking of trying out the Viking Ocean, so really would be interested on your input. Thanks.

What we liked: Beautiful ship and cabins. Uncrowded with impeccable service. No kids, no casino, no pictures and no art auction. 
 

What we didn’t like: Entertainment left a lot to be desired. Included excursions were not very good. Wifi was very slow. Food was okay to good, but not what we were hoping for on a luxury cruise. 

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

2 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

I think you and I are in the minority on this. I like the medallion a lot.

I do too. I don’t understand how you thought I didn’t like it from what I wrote. 

[Sea Hag]

1 minute ago, Poulsbo Cruisers said:

I do too. I don’t understand how you thought I didn’t like it from what I wrote. 

I completely understood what you wrote. When I said that you and I are in the minority on this, I meant that most people seem to hate it. But you and I like it. That puts us in the minority. Sorry that wasn't clear.

[caribill]

1 hour ago, billco said:

We have been on the Discovery Princess for the past four weeks on 5 B2B cruises. Prior to the cruises we made Dine My Way reservations for a table for two at 5:00 PM.

 

I assume that is when the dining room opened up and at that time 100% of the tables are available, so it is not hard to have the same table for the entire cruise as you arranged.

 

But if you make a reservation for every evening at 7:40 PM, there may be zero tables available when you arrive, much less the same one every evening being available when you arrive.

[Mittens101]

On 3/7/2023 at 1:35 PM, dandonna said:

We are Elite status so obviously love Princess but this was by far our worst cruise experience. We sailed 2/20 for a 10 day Panama Canal cruise on the Caribbean Princess.

Onboard we met a first time Princess couple who are Celebrity cruise regulars and after our experience on this cruise we committed to May cruise on Celebrity. I will post that review once we return.

So why was this bad cruise bad?

1) This ship looks and feels old. Our balcony & cabin furniture were all beaten up in L256. The room smelled very musty and just needed to be refreshed.

2) Dinner waiting times were a joke. If you had a 6pm in the main dining room you stood in a line of 30 people for a minimum of 20 minutes. Here is the kicker if you didnt have reservations you could go to the 

line on the right and be seated immediately? Why make reservations??? 
3) The medallion app is a joke. It says you can order a drink and have it delivered anywhere in the ship. No not true! We tried it at the spa outdoor pool, we tried it on deck 7 walking area, we tried it on the putting green we tried it in club fusion. It doesnt work and not only that but it self cancels???

4) Do not get a massage on a Princess cruise. Not only are they overpriced but the masseuse spent the entire 75 minutes trying to upsell my wife on every salon service? She paid for a relaxing massage not a sales pitch. Sorry Princess but I am sharing this scheme with everyone all the time!

5) Absolutely terrible steak quality in the Crown Grill not only did I hate my steak but the couple next to me said it was bad then the table across from me also hated their steaks? What is with the quality? I loved going to the Crown Grill in the past no more.

6) Our toliet water twice kept running? Nothing stuck in the toliet but some kind of water pressure problem. No apology no acknowledgment nothing just fixed cleaned and left. Not the Princess I am used too.

7) No deck party anymore? It would have been perfect considering the weather and the fact a crowd outdoors is safer when it comes to Covid or Noro than indoors. Instead they called it a Love Boat gold white  piazza party which consisted of live music but nothing else that ran for 40 minutes but nothing happened other than some ballroom cruise group who just danced. Didnt see anyone in gold or white?? Yawn.

So you may be reading this and saying no

problem for me and that is fine but for a 17 time Princess cruiser this was a disappointment. Yes we will go on another Princess cruise in the future but definitely a different ship. For now Celebrity and MSC will get our business for our next 2 cruises. If Princess wants us back they need to step it up if not we just move on. I filled out the survey and would welcome a conversation but that doesnt seem to happen.

I wish all of you fantastic cruises  this year and beyond.

 

We were loyal princess customers for over 15 years. Our cruise in November was so disappointing. I booked Royal Caribbean for our cruise this year and celebrity for next year. I hope to return to princess one day, but right now the wounds are still open. I am so disappointed in what princess has become. 

[EDVM96]

48 minutes ago, Mittens101 said:

Our cruise in November was so disappointing. I booked Royal Caribbean for our cruise this year and celebrity for next year.

Find the error(s).

Edited March 16, 2023 by EDVM96

[PescadoAmarillo]

On 3/13/2023 at 1:15 PM, MissP22 said:

At that time there's no problem getting a fixed reservation. There were the same couples all around us each night at they usual locations.

I believe, but don't know for sure, that standing reservations during their busy time make it much more difficult. 

Of course not, but that’s exactly why I don’t understand why DMW says that there are none available. It’s clearly wrong, but that’s my point. 

[CruiseCrabs]

7 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

I think you and I are in the minority on this. I like the medallion a lot.

We like the medallion for drink and food orders and have named it onboard Door Dash. Navigation prompts to get you around the ship and the find your family functions are wonderful, too. However, the app needs a diet. There’s a lot of fluff that is on there at the expense of refining things like the clunkiest activity schedule ever.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Of course not, but that’s exactly why I don’t understand why DMW says that there are none available. It’s clearly wrong, but that’s my point. 

I had a Navigator mess up our dining reservations that I made last year.  After several days and probably around 10 hours on the phone it is still a mess.  DMW always says that there are no 5:00 PM time slots available and gives me options starting at 8:00 PM.  I’m really looking forward to this cruise but so far it has not been enjoyable.

[donaldsc]

In today's world I don't understand why so many people have brand loyalty when almost  every company doesn't have any customer loyalty.  In my opinion brand loyalty w/o any company is for suckers. My attitude is that when you make a mistake and don't treat me right you have one chance to fix or or I am gone.  In other words - twice is enough.

 

DON

[caribill]

10 hours ago, Poulsbo Cruisers said:

I do believe that the medallion is one of the best features any cruise line has introduced. 

 

As a replacement for the cruise card, the Medallion is fine.

 

For me the best two new features that a cruise card did not have and the Medallion has:

a) Unlocking your door as you approach it. Very convenient whether or not you are carrying something.

b) Using interactive screens around the ship to locate a traveling companion who is away from you

[MissP22]

3 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I had a Navigator mess up our dining reservations that I made last year.  After several days and probably around 10 hours on the phone it is still a mess.  DMW always says that there are no 5:00 PM time slots available and gives me options starting at 8:00 PM.  I’m really looking forward to this cruise but so far it has not been enjoyable.

I'm not sure what a Navigator is but for our next cruise I tried to make reservations for the 5 PM slot, entire cruise, and it indicated that only other times were available. I went to making reservations for each day & yes, it was available. 

Not that I believe it makes much difference at that time but I'll play their game.

[CruizinSusan70]

We don't keep all of our eggs in one basket, instead we prefer to primarily sail on the newest ships that various lines offer.  This way we tend to have less problems occur.  25 nights on the NCL Prima, 14 nights on the Discovery Princess, 28 nights on the Carnival Mardi Gras, 5 nights on the Carnival Celebration, 12 nights on the Celebrity Apex, all occurred over the past 14 months.  And of the 13 future cruises currently booked, the oldest ship is the 6 year old Majestic Princess which we'll spend 14 days on in Alaska in a few months.

Bottom line.  All of the lines are doing cutbacks and as a consumer we're receiving less value for our vacation dollar, but it doesn't feel as bad if you're cruising on a shinier toy instead of a possible rust bucket.

[MissP22]

32 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

All of the lines are doing cutbacks and as a consumer we're receiving less value for our vacation dollar, but it doesn't feel as bad if you're cruising on a shinier toy instead of a possible rust bucket.

You've got that right. 😄

No use in taking any chances.

[datone]

14 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

Our questions/issues were never really addressed and actually met with a definite degree of snark. I never realized that part of what we pay Princess for is snark. 

The snark is real.   On our last Princess cruise we boarded on the 26th January.   The next day we came back to our cabin just before lunchtime to find a letter stating that we should visit the Guest Services Desk as there was an issue with our credit card.   So off we go to Guest Services to find out that our credit card wasn't valid as the expiry date was Feb 2023 and they wanted another credit card which we didn't have.   After trying to patiently explain that it was good to the end of February 2023 we asked to speak to a supervisor.   He was the most rudest person I have ever come across on Princess.   Actually told me that he had already spoken to us about this the night before.   I don't know how this was possible when that would have been the 26th and the letter was dated and received on the 27th.   I said no you haven't and he was most insistent I had already spoken to him as he remembered my name?   I actually ended up saying to him "are you calling me a liar" and he virtually implied I was lying as he was adamant I had spoken with him the night before.   I certainly would have remembered doing so.   No need for the rudeness and smirking.   In fact - put a damper on the whole cruise.   He then told me if I didn't have another credit card we couldn't put anything on our onboard account as the card wasn't valid.   He then came up with the solution that I should put my card in the money machine they had on board, withdraw some cash and put that on my account.   So he's asking me to use my card in their machine, which he says is not valid, and get cash out!   Didn't make sense at all.     Gave up trying to solve the issue, got some cash out at the first port,  and put some on my card.   It was their loss - our onboard bill was only $54.   Had wine and soda so just drank that in public places including taking my own wine to the dining room.   I know you are not supposed to do that and the first time I have, but I was just so fed up with the whole thing.  If Princess treat me like crap I'm not going to stick to the rules.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

On day 5 of a 10 cruise, I’m sitting on my B category balcony on the Oceania Riviera getting ready to sail into stirrup cayes. This is a basic balcony category with no priorities or special perks. 
 

I paid $7000 including gratuities (but no beverage package) for 10 days rt Miami with stops in Bahamas, Bermuda (cancelled due to weather) Charleston and port Canaveral. 
 

My balcony has two loungers with thick beautiful cushions like the sanctuary used to have and two large wicker chairs with thick padded cushions. 
The bathroom has an amazing amount of storage, counter space and the shower is large enough for two people. 
the room has a comfortable loveseat and a desk with.a chair. 
it’s comparable to a mini suite on princess in layout snd price but far, far better. 
 

On Oceania the captain buys drinks through out the ship on the first full day of the cruise from 5-7 pm. Everyday there is a 2 for 1 happy hour from 5-6 and 10:30 to 11:30. 
 

You can bring on wine, alcohol and beer for consumption in your cabin. You pay $25 corkage if you take it to the dining room. 

 

Proper thin lipped white and red wine glasses are served in all venues (except pool deck) at all times including room service. I can finally stop traveling with my wine glasses!  
 

All your specialty coffees, cans of soda (stocked in your fridge), filtered Vero water, specialty teas are included. There’s a pool side venue with fresh made juices (spinach, cucumber ginger……..), smoothies in the morning. In the afternoon it serves incredibly smooth and creamy ice cream with waffle cones and all the toppings. 

With all of this included we have no need for a drink package. 
 

I was told by a crew member we have about a 1000 passengers. With a capacity somewhere around 1200 for this ship nothing ever feels crowded. No lines to speak of. 
 

Everyone, regardless of cabin category, gets a night in each of the 4 specialty dining restaurants. The Grand dining room is beyond wonderful and the Terrace Grill and Buffet have filet and lobster daily. GDR breakfast is twenty times better than the sabatini full suite breakfasts that I loved on princess. 
 

The included wifi is slow but if this posts you’ll know it works!  There’s only one per room so you have to share. 
 

Every chaise & chair on the open decks is cushioned and the loungers have terry covers. The entire ship is sanctuary level comfort, quiet and service. 

What this ship falls short on for me is the quality of bourbon and vermouth on board. I can’t get a good Manhattan as they only have martini and Rossi vermouth and the bourbon is either High 10, JD or Blanton. The Blanton of course is lovely but I’d never use bad vermouth in a cocktail made with it. Plus it’s a $25 premium pour and not included in the happy hour.   
 

There’s also no Stoli Elite or Ciroc Vodka. 

 

The wine selections by the glass are fine, not stellar but better than what my last 5 cruises on Princess since September has been. 

 

Other things I like better about Princess are:

Better cabin storage

Proper throw blankets for the balcony

Magnetized walls in the cabin

Pillows 

Entertainment 

 

I’ll always sail princess out of SF and of course the eclipse cruise. But I’ve already booked 2 more Oceania  cruises on the new Vista. I don’t think I’d like their R class ships this much. 

Edited March 16, 2023 by HaveDogWillTravel

[dickinson]

@HaveDogWillTravel  Enjoy your luxurious cruise!  Sounds wonderful.

[vantec]

8 hours ago, donaldsc said:

In today's world I don't understand why so many people have brand loyalty when almost  every company doesn't have any customer loyalty.  In my opinion brand loyalty w/o any company is for suckers. My attitude is that when you make a mistake and don't treat me right you have one chance to fix or or I am gone.  In other words - twice is enough.

 

DON

I totally agree with this!  We use to be so loyal to Princess and to Hilton, but that ended when almost all loyalty benefits from them have been removed.  We now shop around for the best buy for us.

[MissP22]

11 minutes ago, vantec said:

I totally agree with this!  We use to be so loyal to Princess and to Hilton, but that ended when almost all loyalty benefits from them have been removed.  We now shop around for the best buy for us.

It's getting harder each day to justify being loyal to just one cruise line. 

At the same time we hate to give up what little benefits it does provide and there well aware of that situation.