Enchanted Princess Aug 5 - 26, Rome to Rome: live?

[CanuckCurlers]

Thanks for your Istanbul memories. We do have a rug making tour included but don't have a real need for one. The Grand Bazar is where we will be on our own. It wasn't our first choice of tours but others were sold out early. We do have our vaccine shot booked for tomorrow, our Dr. does a clinic once a month and pharmacies also have them, no lack of vaccines here. They did say the duo of a flu and Covid shot is not in the near future, if at all.  I'm also looking forward to your release from isolation as your reviews have been great.

[Crystabel]

Still laughing about your description of the Love Boat Dream! 

[Dghand]

Doing the Rome to Barcelona 14 night from 15 Sept.

I am concerned about the new boarding system. As I live in the UK I can't get my medallion posted to me so I will be allocated the Blue Lane. There is also no optional boarding times, you arrive when it suits you.  What happens if 3000 passengers decide to board early, can this new system accommodate this or will it lead to chaos?

Anyone experienced the new system?

 

 

[Bridgestone66]

Just got an email saying it cost to eat at Alfredo pizza now.  Under their new casual plan princess will charge 14:99 to eat at their “casual” dining options.   How can they change this after we purchased ticket….   I am missing something?

[Caligirl33]

1 hour ago, Dghand said:

Doing the Rome to Barcelona 14 night from 15 Sept.

I am concerned about the new boarding system. As I live in the UK I can't get my medallion posted to me so I will be allocated the Blue Lane. There is also no optional boarding times, you arrive when it suits you.  What happens if 3000 passengers decide to board early, can this new system accommodate this or will it lead to chaos?

Anyone experienced the new system?

 

 

We will be joining the ship on 9/23. Even though we are from the US we too will be in the blue lane as we have to pick up our medallions at the port. I am not too worried about which lane or what time I arrive. I figure the ship won’t leave until we are all aboard! 

[dickinson]

2 hours ago, Bridgestone66 said:

Just got an email saying it cost to eat at Alfredo pizza now.  Under their new casual plan princess will charge 14:99 to eat at their “casual” dining options.   How can they change this after we purchased ticket….   I am missing something?

There are a few threads on here about the changes.  Most don't like it nor how it was implemented.  How can they do it?  Well the fine print says they can.  Oh, and the $14.99 is for a three course prix fix meal.  Everything is a la carte pricing so you can just purchase pizza for whatever price they are charging which should be less than $14.99.

[trinitygirl]

Hi everyone, I just had dinner in Gigi's what for its worth, and it was delicious.  I had the minestrone which is delicious, and I meddled around with the Princess pizza and ended up with more veggies - totally yum.  The only thing on the menu that has prices are the speciality pizzas which cost $8.50 on top of the $14.99 dining fee.  It turns out that they are charging everyone the fee, and then people like me who are 'grandparented out' (because we started our cruises before 12 August) will (apparently) see the fee magically disappear from our accounts.  I have my doubts and will be keeping my eye on my account to make sure.

 

I experienced the new boarding system - our party had all booked the earliest slot and then it disappeared.  I also changed from Green Lane to Blue Lane because my medallion had to be collected at the port.  We rocked up at the time we had originally planned, and the whole thing was seamless - we had dropped off our luggage, checked in, collected and medallions and made it to the waiting area in less than 10 minutes, and were on board 10 minutes after that.  So I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you.  They seem to know what they are doing in that regard.

 

[Oxo]

21 minutes ago, trinitygirl said:

Hi everyone, I just had dinner in Gigi's .  The only thing on the menu that has prices are the speciality pizzas which cost $8.50 on top of the $14.99 dining fee.  It turns out that they are charging everyone the fee, and then people like me who are 'grandparented out' (because we started our cruises before 12 August) will (apparently) see the fee magically disappear from our accounts.  I have my doubts and will be keeping my eye on my account to make sure.

 

 

 

The way I read and interpret your statement is that in addition to the $14.99 there is an added cost of $8.50 for a specialty pizza?

 

If so, what pizzas are not considered speciality pizzas?

 

Double mark up. 

From free to fee and then additional fee for specialty pizza. 

 

RCI and Carnival are going to charge extra for a second entree in the MDR in addition to steak and lobster. So, that will be next. LOL

[trinitygirl]

Good evening everyone, and greetings from my rebooted vacation.  Yesterday was my first day of freedom, and it was a sea day and I loved every minute of it.  They didn't release me until I rang them at 9.30am so my plan for a morning walk evaporated, but I had a great morning anyway.  I went to a general knowledge quiz in Princess Live and did very badly at it (Covid atrophy), then watched a fun game of giant Jenga between crew and passengers in the Piazza.  I booked a massage for today, and changed my shore excursion for Thursday - its so much easier to do that those things face to face (as long as you time it when there is not a queue).  I spent four delightful hours up in the Sanctuary (I thought it was going to end early because at 2.30 my lounger ran out of shade, but they picked it up and moved it under the main sail area and boom, back in business.  I had drinks in the Platinum/Elite lounge with Cruise Critic friends before dinner, and dinner with my pre-isolation dining companions, and then went and watched the champagne waterfall from that little seating area just behind the platform so this time around I could see everything.  By then I was wiped out, and when I got back to my cabin it was to discover that we had to put our clocks back an hour overnight, so yay, I got an extra hour to sleep.  And sleep I did, the first good nights sleep since I got sick a week ago. 

 

This morning I jumped out of bed at 5.30am and headed up to deck 18 for my walk, and just as the Commodore promised last night, the sail into Kotor was gorgeous.  I got my 2 miles done by 6.30am by which time we were just arriving and getting positioned.   I had breakfast at the World Marketplace (and look mum, not a single hashbrown! go me) and then got changed and ready for my excursion,  I was booked to go on a Local Connect Tour, which was supposed to be about meeting a local olive oil producing family and learning about olive oil production.  I was super excited about it, and it was a huge let down.  they had three buses on the same excursion; at 9.30am we arrived at this old wooden shed which would have been fine if there was just one bus, but with three busloads it was packed to capacity.  there was no tour, no explanation of the process, and as far as I could tell, we didn't get to meet the family.  There was a long trestle table and eventually (I am not sure if we arrived earlier than they expected but it was a total disorganised mess) they put food and olive oil on it, and it was a total free for all.  I excused myself and went and sat on the bus (which had been left wide open without the driver) for the next half hour.   And that was that for the olive oil part of the excursion.  From there we drove (lots of hair raising hair pin turns on a very narrow road) to Budva where we went to a restaurant which, as the tour guide bluntly said, was only chosen because of its location - high up on a hill with an awesome view down over Budva) for an equally shambolic lunch - they had a buffet but absolutely no organisation, it was just a free for all.  Nothing was labelled and other than the tray of meats, nothing was identifiable either, it was total potluck.  After about 40 minutes we all got back on the bus and drove down the hill to the old town, where we had 45 minutes of free time.  The old town is very quaint - I have been there before and it was cool to see the beach I swam out years ago, from the patio of the restaurant at lunch time.  I had a lovely gelato and wandered around until heading back up to the meeting point.  We made it back to the port by about 2.15pm (last boat back was 2.30pm, but unlike many of my fellows I wasn't worried because the whole point of a Princess excursion is that you don't have to worry about being left behind). 

 

Back on board I went up on deck to take some photos as we sailed away, and listened to Xcite doing their thing - they are a great covers band. They have an 80s theme night in the Piazza in an hour and i am going to go have a listen/boogie.  Then i headed down the spa for my massage - port day special, 100 minutes for the price of 75, and I got them to add in my 10% platinum discount as well.  So right now i feel well oiled and relaxed.   Then I took my phone to the IT man and he was not able to do anything to make it start working.  It has been working perfectly; last night I changed the time before I went to bed and left it charging as always.  this morning its just dead, nothing doing whatsoever.  the IT guy did the same things I did to reset it but no result.  So ... no phone until the end of the cruise when hopefully either the Apple shop in Naples will be able to fix it.  I have realised that even if I buy a new one, I won't be able to restart the apps because my SIM card does not work over here so I won't be able to go through the security stuff.  Damn it.

 

I also went back to shore excursions, because it turns out our excursion to the Cinque Terre from Livorno has been cancelled.  So disappointing.  Can't book anything until Friday so time to stew over that.  And while I was there, I gave them feedback on today's disappointing excursion. 

And that's my news up to date.  Some photos:

 

my new posse at the Sanctuary once they moved me back into the shade:

 

Enjoying the entertainment in the Piazza last night (also, last photo with my phone!!):

 

Sailing and an out of Kotor:

 

View of the Enchanted as we climbed away from the port:

 

 

Old town Budva:

[trinitygirl]

7 minutes ago, Oxo said:

The way I read and interpret your statement is that in addition to the $14.99 there is an added cost of $8.50 for a specialty pizza?

 

If so, what pizzas are not considered speciality pizzas?

 

Double mark up. 

From free to fee and then additional fee for specialty pizza. 

 

RCI and Carnival are going to charge extra for a second entree in the MDR in addition to steak and lobster. So, that will be next. LOL

There are three pizzas on the speciality menu - they have items such as truffle, burrata and I think some special meats - sorry, no photo of the menu to share and as my phone is dead, so is my access to the app!    And because I have not ordered them, it may be that I am incorrect - it may be that if you pay the fee to dine there, the expensive pizzas are included, but somehow I doubt it.

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Great photos and thank you for all the information.  When you get a chance, can you check the app to see if the Gigi’s pizza is still included in room service delivery for 3 dollars?  Would really appreciate it!

[trinitygirl]

6 hours ago, Rick-n-MeMe said:

Great photos and thank you for all the information.  When you get a chance, can you check the app to see if the Gigi’s pizza is still included in room service delivery for 3 dollars?  Would really appreciate it!

There are three pizza on the room service menu, Margherita, pepperoni and vegetarian.  They are available 11-11 when Gigis is open.  They each cost $8.50.  These are NOT the same as the three speciality pizzas on the Gigi restaurant menu.  Note that unless your package includes room servide, you also now have a $5 room service delivery charge.  I am not sure I would be prepared to pay $13.50 for a half sized version of a pizza (during isolation i ordered from Gigi and noticed it comes in a box so is sized differently than in the restaurant). 

Edited August 16, 2023 by trinitygirl

[Rick-n-MeMe]

 

thank you Trinity Girl for the info!

[dides]

If you go back to Gigi's, would you be able to grab a pic of the menu? Would be interesting to see if they have broken down the prices for each course as well as charge $14.99 for a meal.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by dides

[Kmkub]

Thanks for the live. I absolutely love your writing style! In November, we are taking the ship back to Florida. I'm so excited for our first TA. We've been on Enchanted and loved it.

 

It is my understanding that those with PLUS package are exempt from all these stupid charges.

 

I'm glad you are feeling better. We no longer wear masks, but on the flights over - it's definitely N-95 for us.

 

 

[CanuckCurlers]

On 8/14/2023 at 5:18 PM, Dghand said:

Doing the Rome to Barcelona 14 night from 15 Sept.

I am concerned about the new boarding system. As I live in the UK I can't get my medallion posted to me so I will be allocated the Blue Lane. There is also no optional boarding times, you arrive when it suits you.  What happens if 3000 passengers decide to board early, can this new system accommodate this or will it lead to chaos?

Anyone experienced the new system?

 

 

We are boarding with you. From what I've read boarding seems to be going well in other ports but you never know 'til you get there.

[Senga]

1 hour ago, dides said:

If you go back to Gigi's, would you be able to grab a pic of the menu? Would be interesting to see if they have broken down the prices for each course as well as charge $14.99 for a meal.

 

 

Since her iPhone is dead, as previously reported, that would be a NO!

[dides]

12 minutes ago, Senga said:

Since her iPhone is dead, as previously reported, that would be a NO!

Unless it gets fixed in Naples tomorrow 

[trinitygirl]

5 hours ago, dides said:

If you go back to Gigi's, would you be able to grab a pic of the menu? Would be interesting to see if they have broken down the prices for each course as well as charge $14.99 for a meal.

 

 

sorry but my phone is dead so unless i take my camera with me to dinner (not going to happen) no more photos from the dining room, but i can tell you categorically that the menus have not been updated and there is no mention of the charge for dining.  the only money mentioned is the $8.50 for the 3 speciality pizzas.  the money stuff gets discussed at the desk.  i can say that i had lunch there today before my excursion, and i had the soup and a salad and the waiter got a bit stressed about this, saying  that the charge applies to one choice from each of the three sections.  I pointed out that the charges don't apply to me and I was perfectly happy with two entrees and no main so he gave up ...

[dides]

11 minutes ago, trinitygirl said:

sorry but my phone is dead so unless i take my camera with me to dinner (not going to happen) no more photos from the dining room, but i can tell you categorically that the menus have not been updated and there is no mention of the charge for dining.  the only money mentioned is the $8.50 for the 3 speciality pizzas.  

Thanks for confirming - yes,   believe that menu with speciality pizzas was out before this casual dining announcement. Looks like they haven't caught up yet.

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by dides

[Oxo]

FYI - 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2954258-casual-dining-fixed-price-menus-and-a-la-carte-charges/#comment-65826306

 

[dides]

6 minutes ago, Oxo said:

FYI - 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2954258-casual-dining-fixed-price-menus-and-a-la-carte-charges/#comment-65826306

 

Yes, that's my original post with the menus created at the time of the announcement. But there have been some notable differences in Alfredo's for example on the early rollouts on some ships so trying to verify. 

[trinitygirl]

Good morning everyone.  It's a sea day and I didn't wake up until 6.30am - I was tired and slept well overnight.  We just had two excellent but totally exhausting days.  On Wednesday we were in Sicily and I headed to the beautiful hill top town of Taormina. Five hours was not long enough to explore all that the town has to offer, but it was a really wonderful afternoon/evening. I also now finally understand the whole Cannoli thing -  I had never had one I enjoyed or even finished before, but our tour guide told that Roberto Chemi was the place to go and so later in the day I went and tried it out.  It was fabulous - crunchy, crispy, creamy but not sweet, with wonderful house-candied orange and lemon inside the verrrry smooth ricotta filling. Yum. Yesterday we were back in Napoli and I went on a small group tour (13 people) to Pompeii and the National Archeological Museum. This was a really excellent tour. We had 2.5 hours at Pompeii which was nowhere near long enough to see the place but long enough to get me to my last nerve in terms of the heat and crowds. Antonella was awesome at drawing images from ruins and also really great at saying 'remember this specific place, because when we get to the museum you are going to see X'. The museum was incredible and again, 2.5 hours is way over my normal tolerance but the time flew by. I may have lost a few litres of fluid but feel like I gained a lot from the experience too.  When we got back to Port, I could see that we were going to be put through the same rigmarole as last time (we had to wait down the end until there was room to drop us off up the other end, and I could see all the poor passengers from earlier buses making their way out where we were waiting in their long trek to the security check in - so I got smart and instead of following directions and heading up the stairs I just turned around and walked back to the security check in and so cut out that whole wasted ten minutes.   The last couple of nights have seen amazing delicious vegetarian dishes in the main dining room: on Wednesday night there were eggplant parmigiana cannelloni - strips of grilled eggplant stuffed with a spinach mix, baked in a tomato sauce - it was easily the most delicious thing I have eaten on the cruise for the first ten days.  Then last night was another winner - vegetable strudel, which was just chokka with yummy vegetables and surrounded in crispy pastry.  Both nights, the dessert was really disappointing - last night i was expecting Crepes Suzette but what I got was a crepe, in some sort of sweet chocolate sauce, not a hint of orange let alone the flambe.    Last night I went to 5 Skies, but luckily I was clever and sat myself down the end up the back so that when, after ten minutes, I decided I really didn't want to stay, I could sneak out without disturbing anyone.  The lead character sounded really out of tune to me - those ten minutes were pretty painful.

 

I started today off with a two mile work up on deck 18, and once I have the energy to shower and change, I am going to head down to the shore excursions desk to see if there is anything to replace my tour next Friday and then go to the quiz show.  This afternoon I will be up in the sanctuary (hilariously on my walk earlier I could see all the people staking out their claims to loungers - I am so glad I don't have to deal with that). 

 

Ok, here are some dinner photos for your viewing pleasure (courtesy of my iPad, which I realised I could take to dinner).

 

the amazing eggplant parmiagana cannelloni

Really disappointing Trio of 'Italian desserts'

Vegetable strudel

not-Crepes Suzette

amazing Cannoli from Taormia

[Senga]

@trinitygirl We fell in love with cannoli in Sicily also but ours was in Lipari.  What a difference when they are freshly filled, not filled and left to sit for days.  We were fortunate to do 2 land vacations in Sicily so had lots of time to explore Taormina which was wonderful.  Glad you’re back to enjoying your trip.  Stay well.

[trinitygirl]

Hello everyone, it's a Sea Day, my favourite kind.  Yesterday we were in Barcelona - we arrived at 5am and All Aboard was 7pm which made for a nice long day in this beautiful city.  It was also a really long day for our poor Stewards, with over 3500 passengers disembarking and an equal number embarking.  I headed up to the buffet for breakfast at 6.30am and when I got back at 7am, my room had already been made up; when I got back to my cabin at 9pm, Javier was still working with a smile.  I am in awe. 

 

I headed out around 7.45am, catching a taxi from outside the terminal.  That was easily the most terrifying experience I have had in quite a while - he was driving VERY fast, scooting around other cars, while carrying on a multi-person conversation via speaker phone, and juggling two other phones as  he looked for his next job.  I felt like I was on a roller coaster and couldn't wait to get out.  The journey to Passeig de Gracia took about 15 minutes and cost 21.50 euros.  My destination was the meeting place for a 6 hour Walks Complete Gaudi tour.  I don't know what I was thinking when I booked it (I booked it in Winter, so I clearly wasn't thinking about heat and humidity) and I gave myself permission to leave at any time, but as it turned out, I made it to the very end.  We visited three apartment buildings, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia, and the tour was very well organised and ran smoothly.  There were 7 of us in total, which is a really great size, I think, for a walking tour.   The tour officially ended at 2pm inside Sagrada Familia and most people stuck around but by that point I had had more than enough so I headed outside and caught a taxi to the Apple store, which was back near where we started.  I was able to obtain a technician appointment in about an hour so I spent that hour upstairs cooling down and resting.  The technician determined that my phone was dead in about 10 minutes, and sold me a replacement (minus trade in for my old phone) and I spent another 90 minutes there setting it up (downloading updates, and starting the download of all my old information from iCloud.  I probably could have just done it here on board, but I wanted to know there was help available if anything went wrong.  Everything is now there, but as I suspected, I can't use any of my banking apps because I don't have access to the SMS codes that would be sent to my Australian phone number.   So the rest of my trip will be financially analog, but at least now I have google maps on the go, and access to my family Whatsapp etc.   I got back to the ship in time for a quick shower and then met my friends who had embarked just before lunch time - it was so good to see them!  We had a long chatty dinner (no photos because my phone was still charging and downloading things up in my cabin) and on our way to the forward lifts we were waylaid by a Massage Sampler show that was going on and sat down on a bench and had an amazing 10 minute shoulder massage.  Mine was so good that I booked the therapist and had a massage this morning (still using up my OBC from all those cancelled excursions last week).   This morning we met up on deck 18 at 6am for a walk and then a healthy breakfast in the buffet before going to the destination talk on Gibraltar, tomorrow's port.   I then headed off to my massage, and am about to head up to the Sanctuary for my afternoon of peace and quiet.  This evening, dinner and a show promise.   So, another lovely day at sea.