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Having spoken to a few members of staff on Princess they are worked very had here compared to Celebrity. To get a day off a crew member has to get medical approval. With Celebrity they merely ask their manager. Long chat with a crew member today who’s first contract is here having been with Celebrity before and is finding it tough. An example being in port he was given 30 minutes off. Some people downstairs never see daylight. It appears that in port on Celebrity, if possible, they give as many of the staff time to get off the ship. On Princess they prefer their staff to remain onboard.

Speciality dining is better here than on any Celebrity ship we have been on. We eat nearly every night in specialty dining and prefer them over Luminae. The value for money here is amazing. Third night on board and we have eaten in the steak, seafood and Italian restaurants and thoroughly enjoyed every meal. We have, on a few occasions in Tuscan, had to ask for more spinach or an extra teaspoon of mash potatoes. Not here. In fact, last night in the Italian we had to miss dessert and cheese despite our lovely waiter trying to force feed us. Cover charge is around $30 in each restaurant and well worth it. Sorry Celebrity fans but it’s 1- nil to Princess in this category!

Celebrity are missing a trick here. During Covid we did a round the UK cruise and it was v popular. Pity they didn’t do the same itineraries as Princess and I do wonder why??

Today we washed down our own balcony. A few days at sea meant there was salt everywhere. Thankfully, we had been to The Sanctuary and kept the towels to dry the water off. Now we can see through the balcony glass and our clothes aren’t covered in salt. We miss Celebrity.

Every morning on Celebrity I pop down to the OVC buffet for 2 mimosas for breakfast and take them back to the room. Never served in a plastic glass. I’ve attached a screenshot of my wine glass at rear of the buffet for lunch on Solstice last year. Glass not plastic.

The Sky Lounge isn’t just my favourite place on the ship, it’s seriously my favourite place ever. So many happy memories on all the Solstice ships. It’s the naughty place at the end of the night, the lovely place for Officer’s parties and just a nice place to chill.

Here bobbing around the Atlantic on the Sky Princess and we miss Celebrity. Crew are good but lack the passion and enthusiasm of Celebrity. Overall it’s clean but twice there has been no soap in the ladies’ loos and they smell (apparently). Paper towels too as opposed to cloth. The Premium drinks package is confusing to say the least. Plastic glasses and strange cutlery in the buffet. Speciality dining is good. The huge movie screen over the pool blares out noise constantly. Glad we have Celebrity to look forward to in a few months as we probably won’t be back here. Below is a pic of the plastic glass! Poolside absolutely but in the buffet?

Was any reason given why there was no hot tub on these amazing balconies? We were considering one (special birthday treat) but the lack of a small hot tub was a deal breaker. I assume stability but hoping some expert here could shed some light!

Forgot to add, you do need to show your passport when you check in and board but that’s to the airline staff. Have a great trip. v envious. PS. If you enjoy a cheeky beer then the Heineken factory tour is fun!

Lots of experts here. 1230 departure is fine. It is not a domestic flight. The only passport control and customs is at Amsterdam. Liquids are still a problem in your hand luggage at LHR. Security (it’s not TSA) is a disgrace. Public transport there (AMS) is amazing and reliable.

My Gold status with an airline is about to expire as I don’t use the airline as much as I used to which, I suppose, is fair. Does Captain's Club need at least one or two cruises per year to remain current or do I keep my status forever?

The OP is obviously easily scared!!

Why are people talking lawsuit? It’s an accident. They happen. What next? The ship rolled and I fell over? Let’s sue the ocean.

Thank you for posting. We are Celebrity fans and are about to try Princess. VV is on the horizon. One question. Same itinerary. Balcony cabin on both, similar cost (excluding drinks package) which would you go on?

Yay. Back on topic. The passport do’s and dont’s were getting too much for me. Cruise with Ben and David’s you tube channel has the Sky on it. Paul and Carole love to travel have recently been in a mini suite and it does look nice. We’ve cruised many times but our first on Princess in a few weeks. Very excited too.

We’re on the Sky Princess charter in April. Tried to get a bigger mini suite balcony a few weeks ago (didn’t realise how small they are) but was told there were only 2 suites left. Called on the off chance there may be a bigger one last week and there were two! You must always try, even when you sail. With so many people on board statically someone will have a reason not to travel.

Is there only one Apex cruise to the fjords this year?

Best thing you can do with ducks is set them free…… over the side! Quack, quack, bye bye!

Best thing you can do with ducks is set them free…., over the side of the ship! Quack

Allow others to comment please as this is a massive thread drift. You’ve made your point.

Each to their own but on one cruise we ate in Tuscan every night as we didn’t like Luminae during first day’s lunch and dinner! As others have said, is has a relaxed atmosphere, amazing views and staff who are just awesome. But on the Silhouette they always are. Its our favourite ship!

😜 As you’re from Yorkshire nowhere else comes close I suppose! lol

The world cruise not good enough then? 😄

Seems that most of us here with kids are very similar. Mine, 13 & 11 have done many cruises with Celebrity and love it. They get their own area, have attentive staff looking after them and make friends. They are still in contact with some of them. On our last trip, for example, they were put into groups and told to walk around the ship finding out how many languages they could get to say Good Morning. They loved it, as did the international crew and not a water slide in sight. Let the loud, easily distracted ones go to Carnival or RC. Celebrity is definitely our favourite.

Agreed and I’ve seen that behaviour with some young entitled yobs on a few shorter cruises. The ones who I wouldn’t class as cowards are the older ones who really think they are above everyone, passengers and crew alike.