Knickearth

We have not been on Holland America since 2006. We are 3 star. We did a few transatlantic trips and they had big bands onboard. What a blast. We had terrific times and got to meet great individuals. Do they still have the big blanc crossings? thanks

We use to bring ( on longer than 20 days) a dozen bottles of really good wine since we live near Napa and all the other wine cities. After going thru security we went to the wine table and paid corkage for all our wine. Stickers were put on the bottles. Once t there was no table set up and so when everything went thru X-ray, they pulled our wine. Upon entering our cabin the phone rang and I had to go to deck 4 and pay corkage. Never any problem. advantageis that if you bring a bottle to MDR you pay corkage and gratuity. Paying ahead there is no gratuity added. all that written, our recent cruise included the princess plus package. We did not bring wine onboard. We are not heavy drinkers but we enjoyed the fact we did not have to watch charges to the statement at end of cruise and got to try different drinks.

I have to agree with Steelers in general. I went on one NCL cruise years ago and can’t think of anything positive. Funnily enough, the girlfriend I was with made a photo album for me. Each page listed an item, I.e. buffet on a cruise with a beautiful looking layout of a variety of food. Then a picture of what we actually got. If it wasn’t so funny we would have cried. I will never go on NCL again

I keep reading that since charging for Alfredo’s, there isn’t any crowd anymore. I for one will no longer eat there now that there is a charge, just not worth it. Rather eat in MDR or buffet.

The Ruby converted to lavazza a month ago. It was wonderful

We just got off Ruby recently. Specialty coffees were charged against the 15 drink limit but none of us ever even reached 5 drinks a day so we didn’t care. But when I wrote that previously individuals were outraged that coffee was taken as one of the 15.

Since 2006 4 of us have gone nightly to the vines and get glasses of wine. At 5 pm you were always able to get tapas and/or sushi. We loved it as it was a small plate so when we went for dinner we were hungry. On our cruise earlier this month we ended up going to the elite lounge. They have a small buffet of food so we could get something with our drinks.

We were recently in your shoes. We reserved and stayed in a full suite and our traveling companions had a balcony. Since they live on the east coast and we are west coast, we passed up the free specialty dinner the first night to eat with them. We did get one special suite breakfast and altho good wasn’t as great as we were lead to believe and once again friends couldn’t join us. In the end the perks were a bouquet of flowers, two glasses of champagne, canapés in the cabin to greet us. So now I am bypassing full suites unless traveling alone. Just my opinion.

We have been on both ships. I personally have preferred the Ruby, but have no specific reason. that said, we got off the Ruby in august and I can tell you it had the happiest crew I have seen in my years of cruising. They were also the most accommodating crew as well. It made a huge difference in our enjoyment.

Sorry, but we always went to the vines before dinner and had drinks. We could get tapas or sushi with no charge. Both items are gone and have been replaced and called casual dining.

Thanks so much for letting me know. We did call a few times and never managed to connect. I will try later today. Please let her know we still love her. so sorry to learn she has had more strokes.

I agree 4 cats. Princess is nickel and dimming us. how’s your mom? We called her but she doesn’t answer or ever call back. hope you r well.

Pls stop, the memories are making me cry. Lol

Ok we got princess plus on our very recent cruise. Nice not being concerned with charges for drinks, specialty coffees, crew appreciation and Wi-Fi. We have a cruise in 2024 where they have given the two of us 900. In obc and we get another 250. For stock. So we will take std package. We only have a glass of wine a day at the most. I was interested in knowing on std package can we remove still the crew appreciation amount? we use to tip the waiter and the assistant as well as the cabin steward. Others only if we felt they would go above and beyond. I hear rumors that the crew appreciation is given out fleet wide, not to just the ship I am on. Anyone know if this is true or not?

I think with the casual dining included the vines, more people will attend pes

Our recent cruise, one waiter went around the room nightly to ensure pes people were there at 5. We watched him request non pes people to leave.

Just off a ship. Sorry the platinum, elite and suite happy hour had no “specials”. At least no discounted pricing if you don’t have the drink package. We loved going to the vines and getting either tapas or sushi with our wine. It did not spoil our dinner. The pes has more food to offer buffet style and so we eat more. But the vines has lost its loving feeling.

When they made the change to lavazza on the Ruby and we noticed it immediately - our waiter actually pulled out a bag of the lavazza they use to make the coffee. Definitely no syrup.

Sorry, not good coffee - but great coffee. Recently we were in buffet on Ruby, and without any notification one morning during breakfast I asked for a cup of coffee and one small taste I turned to table mates and said - this is great coffee. I mentioned this to the waiter and he said, five mins ago they switched to the new coffee. Thank goodness no more syrup undrinkable coffee.

Have been on Grand tons of times and love the old boat. Please enjoy your anniversary cruise.

We recently got off the Ruby. We celebrated our 50th anniversary and splurged on the owners suite. If you have not read my previous postings after many trips on princess ships, this was the happiest crew and most accommodating crew ever. So it was a wonderful cruise.

As someone who recently disembarked on the Ruby, the ship looked fine - I have seen other ships with ripped furniture and overly worn carpeting. Further, you could only wish for a staff as great as on the Ruby. For the almost 20 yrs of traveling on princess, this was the best crew ever. This crew was also the happiest we have ever seen.

Just got off the Ruby, with the exception of the first night, no real lines in Michelangelo dining room.

We have taken several transatlantic cruises in November to NY or Fla. and was thrilled all were smooth sailings with wonderful weather. This was from 2000 to 2018. We were on H-A and Princess. We are look into 2024 now for a transatlantic.

To be honest I have no idea how they are doing this