Greeted and escorted?

[tyfighter]

I was on the CP cruise on 8/28 and it was our first with Princess. I noticed that when we got on the ship we were greeted and afterwards we were left to find our cabin on our own.
We've cruised other cruiselines before, RCCL & X... first time you get on the ship, they'd greet you and then escort you to your cabin.
I was just wondering whether this was a common practice with Princess where you were left to search for your own cabin. I didn't mind, we got to tour the ship with our rollerboard in tow.

[isujim]

tyfighter:

I am new to Princess this November so I can't specifically answer your question, but I haven't been escorted to my cabin on my RC cruises since 1993. With ships holding 3,000 passengers now, I would think this is probably a thing of the past.

[roohound]

I think it's definitely a thing of the past..especially on the mainstream lines such as RCCL, Princess, HAL.

[tyfighter]

Thanks,
Making me feel old, already.

[lgt]

We have never been escorted to our cabin on RCL; used to be escorted on HAL (before early boarding) and were not escorted on Princess. Could be with the earlier boarding times and 3,000 guests, the cabins simply aren't ready. Just a guess.

[Toto2Kansas]

Yep, it just doesn't happen anymore on Princess. I think it started around the time the mega ships came into the picture. But we have never had a problem finding out cabin, they have staff members stationed around the ship to assist anyone that needs directions.

[Ruthless714]

My husband and I were escorted on our Golden Princess cruise in 2002 and then again on our Sea Princess cruise in 2003. We tried RCL's Radiance of the Seas in 2004, no escort and at 1:30 in the afternoon, cabin was not ready either. Oh well, guess we won't expect an escort on our Star Princess cruise in February 2005.

[GSchmidt]

My only cruise was last summer on the dreaded NCL, and we were escorted to our cabin.

[karfest]

We had always been escorted until our Dawn Princess cruise. I also have no problem finding my room, but it was one of those nice touches that I liked.

This was our first time in a full suite so I was really surprised when no one was there to escort us or show us the room. We were in a mini suite on NCL and not only were we escorted, the steward was there to greet us and show us all the amenities (and what the light switches did!)

I could see this being a nightmare on the mega-ships, but it would be nice if the smaller ships could still do this...I guess it goes into the "remember when" file! Oh no- now I feel old, too:)

[TWA4Ever]

Can't recall ever being escorted to our cabin. Just got off NCL last week and there was no escort.

[jakedoc]

Have only been escorted to our cabin on Celebrity ships. They also give you complimentary welcome aboard champagne.

[CruiseNut7]

Same as JakeDoc - only been escorted to our cabin by Celebrity with a glass of champagne - a nice touch!

[coiran]

They tell you what floor to get off on - and there is always someone at the lifts to ask you your room # and point the way! Why do you need an escort?

The crew to pax ratio is about 1 to2.5 - Think about it!

Ron

[LetmeCurise]

We are leaving on the Diamond 10-16-04 and this will be our first Princess Cruise, Wife and I have sailed on Carnival 3 times, And every time that we have sailed my wife has been escorted to our cabin (by me ) So I have not a doubt in the world that on our Princess cruise, She will once more be escorted to her cabin. So i guess it all depends on how you look at something. A personal escort by your loved one has got to be the best at the start of any cruise.

Dale & Evelyn,
Diamond Princess 10-16-04 Mexico
Carnival Elation 02-02 Mexico
Carnival Destiny 12-00 Eastern Carib.
Carnival Elation 10-00 Mexico

[crsshiplover]

Never been escorted. I never hesitate to ask, though, if I need directions.

[Coral]

I also have never been escorted - even on our Celebrity cruise.

I really don't think there is a need.

[llund]

We have taken cruises with rccl and have never been escorted to our room. Radison cruise lines did escort us on our Tahati crusie 2 years ago. However, I don't think you can compar this cruise with rccl

[catmand]

[font=Comic Sans MS]since we already seem to know who does what:[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]Celebrity 2004 yes[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]Princess 2003 no......but had "guides" at all elevators and stratigic places .[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]This is just me I am sure, but having an escort woth Celebrity actually creeped me out. We each had 1 small carry on, I wanted to take the stairs but it was obvious the escorts feet hurt. Also, there is just something magic about walking into the cabin the first time and I really didn't want to share it with the escort who opened the door, walked in and proceeded to tell us all about everything. The next cruise, if they insist I will tip them at the deck elevator and let them know I can find my way from there.[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]The champagne was a nice touch, although we took the O.J............:D [/font]

[HighRoller]

I beleive the days of meet and greet are well gone and past on Princess....now your just lucky to get a smile every now and then or a nod and some people standing near an elevator and/or on elevators pointing the way if you ask. Overall Princess has a very pleasant staff and crew onboard and ashore!

[CruiseFever]

[quote name='crsshiplover']Never been escorted. I never hesitate to ask, though, if I need directions.[/QUOTE]

We never have had that pleasure either but I must say, I continue to be impressed with how friendly the crew is. On our Caribbean Princess cruise,for example, crew that we had contact with more than one or two times picked up our names and used them appropriately throughout the voyage.

[Kami's pal]

[quote name='LetmeCurise']We are leaving on the Diamond 10-16-04 and this will be our first Princess Cruise, Wife and I have sailed on Carnival 3 times, And every time that we have sailed my wife has been escorted to our cabin (by me ) So I have not a doubt in the world that on our Princess cruise, She will once more be escorted to her cabin. So i guess it all depends on how you look at something. A personal escort by your loved one has got to be the best at the start of any cruise.

Dale & Evelyn,
Diamond Princess 10-16-04 Mexico
Carnival Elation 02-02 Mexico
Carnival Destiny 12-00 Eastern Carib.
Carnival Elation 10-00 Mexico[/QUOTE]

Agree, if you know the way!

I've always been escorted too. Crystal, RCCL HAL, NCCL, ORIENT, and CELEBRITY all escorted first time. I am already feeling intimidated by the sheer size of Grand Princess. I guess I'll be traking lots of exploratory strolls! That's my cognitive strategy for coping with "I'm lost!"

[karen_cpa]

We have never been escorted to our room and we just did RCCL 3 months ago. Never really thought about it - isn't finding your room the first day part of the fun???