macaws2

Thank you so much,,as far as taking a vacation in how ever your comfortable with, either means, cruising, staying in one location at a hotel etc, as long as I'm not cooking and cleaning during the time period I'm totally happy and content 😀 😊

I don't think that there's really "complaining" going on, more observations that's all. Individuals talk about comparing cruising as far back as the 90's,,,,wellll, my actually first experience on any kind of ship was wayyyyy back in the early 60's when my dad who was active duty army at the time stationed in Germany, back then the military would bring families and troops back to the U.S. on what was back then a naval ship called the USS America, yup, my first ta and probably my one and only because being 7 years old and out at sea for who knows how many days, we got hit with a bad storm for 2 days, remember being so sick and not really understanding what was going but in all remember it being a good experience, there were sailors that were assigned to different families and remember that there was a day room setup for us children, I do remember being given a sailor hat with the name of the ship on it, what's happened to it no idea with all the moving around but again the comments are just mere observations from different peoples point of view and that's what I'm seeing, so for me yes, things have changed which we may not all like but then it's also everyone's choice to travel how they are the most happy and comfortable with.

We also board with reasonable expectations and always enjoy our selves just was stating that for us noticing how much the cruise industry has changed and not always for the good that for us just not what we may be doing much of. Our daughter actually use to work for Princess many years ago, she was one of the pier operation supervisors in port everglades, the coral, and sea Princess were her main ships, she also did the grand princess occasionally, she does still have her connections at Port everglades and they have also mentioned that it's not as easy as it use to be even though the job wasn't easy to begin with. When she came to visit us and she had her ships out she literally had 2 phones on her, one direct to the ships cpt and the other to the second mate, whenever there were repairs etc that came up she would have to contact the next port and arrange repairs etc, she loved her job, she actually told us that when the ship was disembarking from the pier and you would see the land staff waving goodbye to you they're actually saying hurry, get going, we've been here since 4 a.m. 😆. So I'm a little familiar with a good part of how the cruise industry is run from a different point and feel privileged to been able to experience that through our daughter, so we're looking forward to this upcoming trip, we're celebrating our 50th anniversary and our second time in the Mediterranean, we have some friends that will be with us and really looking forward to it, revisiting some ports we've been to and ports we haven't and since it's a new ship, can't wait to see what she has to offer.

I just came upon this roll call and started reading out of curiosity, well, the last time we cruised princess was way back in the 2000's before there were any specialty dining or packages to purchase, you paid as you went along and there was only the MDR and the buffet which to be honest for us was just fine, not complicated and personally we liked it that way, not having to try and book any special dining and formal nights were nice evening where everyone dressed up and the dining room was full of passengers that were looking forward to what was on the menu that evening and what entertainment was going to be performed by the dining room staff, and whether you preferred early or late dining etc. We've cruised before and after covid on other cruiselines, the last this past New Years and noticed such a change, on formal nights, individuals were walking in wearing jeans, men with hats on etc, plus we only ate in the MDR and even though we were setted at a table for 6 we were the only ones that showed up every evening. We are booked on a 21 day Mediterranean this coming Aug on the new princess sun and with all the changes, costs etc this may by our last cruise, we're retired and at this point because of all the changes may look at other travel alternatives. We've lived in the pacific when my husband was active duty so had the privilege to experience different cultures and live it. Yes, I know there are alot of individuals that don't mind the changes but I guess we're just old school and like the simple way things use to be.

Thank you for the information, really appreciate it. Gladys

Thank you again for the information, yeah we're on the 12th deck mid section, deluxe cabin which is just fine for us. It's more important to us to be mid ship, not on high decks so on this ship being 20 floors the 12th is fine,I have a medical condition where I have severe dizziness, nauseous, unbalance issues etc, have to take meds, etc to keep everything balanced so don't care about what's in the other categories, cabana, signature etc,not important when comfort medically is more important. We're traveling with dear friends of ours and we're actually celebrating our 50th anniversary this year so really looking forward to this cruise. Anyway just wanted to say thank you for the information that you've given me and hope your enjoying the cruise even though yes, being a new ship is having its "growing pains" but things could be worse as what happened to the first two initial cruises. Anyway, enjoy your time you have left on your cruise and again thank you. Gladys

Yup, great advice and thanks again, hope your enjoying yourself even though there's been some growing pains with the new ship. Gladys

Thank you, yes, I remember that happening and thank you for reminding me, hope even though there are things on the ship that still need some work that everyone is enjoying themselves with the shores excursions etc. Can't wait to begin our trip in Aug, we're celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary so a big one for sure. Gladys

That's fine,,just bring own detergent etc and not like I'm going to be washing clothes all the time, just nice to know that it's there fir convenient use and not having to pack more clothes if not need to.

Thanks for the information, I'll bring my own travel packets like I did before, again thank you Gladys

Thanks everyone for answering my question, I'll just bring my own travel packets with us like I did before Gladys

Hi everyone, it's been helpful reading everything that everyone is sharing, have a 21 day booked for August and haven't read this yet but have a question, is the laundry room washers, dryers, detergent and softener free or at a cost, it's been several years since cruising princess and in the past the use of machines was free but the detergent and softener you had a little vending machine which you paid and got what you needed, definitely a great thing to have especially on a 21 day cruise, less clothes to pack. Thanks in advance Gladys