PalmHarborCruiser

5 minutes ago, cruisinsince75 said:

I had a similar experience with customer service line.  Had to ask them several times to repeat what they were saying.  Ultimately, I was told that my booking could not be re-fared.  Same happened on chat.  Finally got a CVP and he got it all sorted out.

I did finally get a CVP. Turns out she's the same one we had 3 cruises back. Quite frankly I figured she had moved on since then but apparently not. Wow, what a difference. Thanks for everyone's suggestions about the CVP, I would have given up on what I was trying to do otherwise. We really love cruising with Princess but by god they need to do something about the 800 line.

I am also feeling the pain of trying to get information from the 800 number. Not only are they impossible to understand they have 15 people behind them talking at the same time making it even more difficult to understand them. So I did as suggest and requested a CVP, this isn't any better. Same hard to understand individual with a zillion people talking behind them, I'm am so beyond frustrated at this point.

On 9/20/2022 at 5:36 PM, NownZen said:

The main problem is that software developers are given the latest, fastest computers and write to that specification. In the Android development system, you choose which minimum level to support. The highly rated Carnival app runs on older phones. The poorly rated Princess one does not. It is clear that the kids who wrote the app have never been on a cruise and are used to new phones. They also could use lessons in screen layout as most of the space is wasted. Some debugging experience would have been useful as well.

I’m not saying the app is well written or not, only that there comes a time when you stop supporting a 5 year old android operating system. Android 8 was end of life in June. Meaning Google themselves no longer support it. The app runs in 8.1.

On 9/13/2022 at 11:51 PM, BulldustHHH said:

Real smart move on their part to ensure a fraction of the customer base cannot use an app Princess considers important ...

As a software developer myself I can say there can be huge differences in operating system versions. There comes a point where you just have to say “it’s 1980 calling and they want their 10 pound brick back”

There's this one;

https://www.portevergladeswebcam.com/

But for all the times I've been to port everglades I can't really make out the vantage point here.

Just my experience. Every time I was herded into my muster station, it was hot, overcrowded and very difficult to hear the instructions. I always seem to end up at the back of the crowd no matter how early I get there or the layout. No one wanted to be there and were antsy to get out. At least if you can actually hear the instructions in the comfort of your cabin (or another comfortable location on your phone) you might be more inclined to get at least a nugget of knowledge from the video. I'll be happy as a clam to sit back with my favorite libation and watch with great intent. Just my humble opinion.

NCL embraces freestyle dining where you "dress up or not". 
 
Short pants are allowed in all restaurants for all meals EXCEPT Le Bistro and Ocean Blue specialty restaurants. At Le Bistro and Ocean Blue, the ship kindly requests that gents wear long pants (dockers, jeans are fine). Dress up or Dress down as much as you want. You are on VACATION!

Greetings all,

I will be sailing on the Bliss out of Seattle September 20th to Alaska. This will be my 5th cruise over all but first to Alaska. We have heard the dress is much more relaxed in the main dining room for the Alaskan cruises. Can someone please let us know what to expect?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Anytime you leave your personal property in the hands of another you run the risk of them not doing what you expect or what they've contracted to do. Personally I think the instances of what you are reading is the exception rather than the rule. If you're not comfortable leaving your keys with the person in care of your car you should probably not leave it with them.

we are thinking of parking there was wondering did you keep your car keys or have to leave them there?

We used the valet so had to leave the keys with the valet. Of course I left him only the car key and kept the ring safely in my pocket. Not sure if we parked the car ourselves if it would have been different. Honestly this was easier and much cheaper than parking at the port. ES is literally 2 blocks away and we never touched our bags from the time we loaded them at home. This was a huge bonus to me as DW packed everything but the kitchen sink. As I mentioned before, just some tipping involved. The porter at disembark got a fairly substantial tip as he stayed with us for the full 45 minute wait in queue through customs, he was a gem. But that would have happened regardless of where we parked.

We did discover the importance of port itinerary on our last cruise. Going to the Caribbean when you live in Florida wasn't the wisest of choices. But that was more of a test to see how my wife liked cruising.

Thanks for everyone's input. I think we have plenty of ammo now to make an educated decision.

Thanks,

Tracy

So thanks for all the replies. I looked at both HAL and NCL. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

We prefer a stateroom with a private balcony. The only way I see to get this on the HAL Canada/New England cruises is to book a suite. I see balcony staterooms however it appears they open onto the promenade. Not exactly my idea of a balcony room if I have to share the balcony with 2000 other people. While I do like the suites, the price difference between a smaller suite on HAL and a stateroom with a private balcony on NCL is significant.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tracy

Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk

As you can see I am also in the planning stages of a Canada and New England cruise - this will be our 5th cruise (all on NCL) so we are doing a 14 day Boston to Quebec and back. Cruising in Sept, the kids are back in school and for the most part these cruises are mostly for those of us whose kids are grown. :D

 

I started cruising in 2002 - well past the "glory days" but I have also seen more cost cutting measures on recent cruises - even from 02.

 

I am not sure exactly you are looking for in your cruise experience - I like NCL for many reasons including the freestyle dining where you don't have to dress up and can dine whenever and with whomever you want.

 

If you want a little more structure in your cruise, perhaps HAL is your ticket. They have smaller ships that are more formal than Princess. They run 7 day one ways between Boston and Montreal

Bonvoyagie,

Thanks for your reply. The formality of the cruise isn't terribly important one way or the other but we do like having choices in how, with whom and when we dine. I guess our biggest disappointment in our latest cruise was the feeling that we were just part of the herd. We spend our lives waiting in line for this or that, we'd like to escape that on our vacation and be pampered a little. I expect the same service I would receive at a resort hotel. Being a life long Florida resident I know the difference between hospitality done right and wrong. What we experienced was far short of what I would expect to find in my own backyard.

Thanks,

Tracy

Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and Happy New Year.

Sorry if this is a lengthy post but I want to get all my points made so I receive focused replies which are on point.

My wife and I are in the beginning phases of booking a Canada/New England cruise for fall 2016. As most of you know these will be filling up fast so we'll need to book pretty soon.

Most importantly we'd like recommendations on a line. I'm a seasoned cruiser who got out of cruising for quite some time. My wife took her first cruise last year. It was a short 5 day cruise mostly to test the waters, so to speak, and see if my wife Sue liked cruising. We did a fall Caribbean cruise on the Emerald Princess. I have to say I started my cruising in what I'll call the "glory days" of cruising so I'm a little spoiled and my expectations are somewhat high. This Princess cruise fell far short of meeting my expectations. The ship was beautiful, however the service and food were mediocre at best.

We don't want to take out a second mortgage on a "designer cruise" but I'm sure the mainstream cruising can be much better than our latest experience. We are considering 7 days. Sue says she still needs to "work up" to 14 days.

As most of you may have guessed our kids are grown and we now have time to enjoy a "kid free" life. A "family friendly" cruise is not high on the priority list and would in fact be undesirable.

So I know everyone here has lots of opinions and I'd love to hear them. If I plop down a good chunk of my hard earned cash I'd really like to be dazzled, so please fire away.

Thanks,

Tracy

Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk

There were tuxes to shorts. It is "highly" recommended that men at least wear a coat and tie. I did, bring the coat.

Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk

We are just off the Emerald this morning. We found the ship itself to be beautiful. We didn't notice any unusual wear and tear and it was always kept clean and tidy. As far as the food goes I thought it to be edible and tasty for the most part with some items quite delicious. With that said we really didn't feel the food to be anything exceptional except maybe the breakfast buffet and coffee bar which we thoroughly enjoyed. The service in many locations was what I consider below par. Some of the service staff seemed to be too preoccupied with tidying their area and equipment to even notice a passenger waiting for service. I don't want this to sound like a big negative. Our overall experience was very positive but we feel Princess could do better in some areas.

Sent from my ALCATEL ONETOUCH P310A using Tapatalk

To follow up on my original post. We did this and it went flawlessly. You have the option of self-parking or using the valet. The only difference is with the valet a tip is involved, no other additional charge and we went with this option for convenience sake and the feeling of added security. Transportation to and from the terminal was provided by the company who contracts the embassy suites shuttle service, again at no additional charge other than a tip for the driver. At 1/3 the cost of terminal parking it was a no brainer.

Sent from my ALCATEL ONETOUCH P310A using Tapatalk

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

Jacques Yves Cousteau

I've never sailed on the ship but remembered seeing the YouTube video of what has become of her. Let's see if this link works. Very sad.

Sent from my ALCATEL ONETOUCH P310A using Tapatalk

Here's a shot of her docked in Cozumel with a Princess ship behind. Funny I didn't remember what line the "big" ship was and came across this pic yesterday. We are leaving on Emerald Princess tomorrow. Funny how life has a way of making odd connections.

Sorry for the grainy quality, this is from 2002, digital photos were not what they are now.

1969 on the Cabo Izarra run by a Spanish cruise line Ybarra. My how cruising has changed. I was most assuredly hooked from the start.

Cabo Izarra 1969

(Went into ferry service in Hong Kong as the Xing Hu then scrapped in 2002)

Costa Flavia 1971

(Caught fire and sunk 1989 in Hong Kong harbor)

Regal Empress 2002

(Scrapped in 2009 in Alang, India)

Is Hong Kong the place where old ships go to die? These were all memorable cruises in their own way.

I took a 7 day western Caribbean cruise out of port manatee on the regal empress back in 2001 I think it was. Was a great cruise. A friend of mine got the cruise as a perk from work but was affriad to cruise so they gave it to me. Which begs the question, what's to be affriad of? Its more dangerous out on US 19 than taking a cruise!

I don't think anyone has ever had a problem parking offsite in Fort Lauderdale especially at that Embassy Suites.

 

It's Miami where there is a problem parking offsite.

 

In Miami, there is a much, much higher probability your car will get stolen than just about anywhere else in the US. I'm sure your car is much safer in your driveway than parking under a freeway exit in Overtown. In fact, I'd wager it is safer in your driveway with the keys in the ignition than in Miami with your keys missing.

But the post is about ES Ft. Lauderdale. This is what I was addressing. I was born and raised in Florida. I avoid Miami like the plague, let alone leave my car there.

So I know this is an old post but i thought i'd throw in my two cents anyway for anyone considering this.

We have prepaid for parking at ES through United's website for our cruise on Oct 24. The emailed receipt clearly states free transportation to the port is included for up to four people. You just have to call 24 hours in advance to a number provided on the receipt to schedule the transportation (I think it was the hotel). I called the number yesterday and we should be good to go.

Yes its uncovered parking at a hotel with whatever security there is at the hotel. If someone wants to steal my car its just as likely to happen in my driveway, that's why I pay for insurance. For less than half the price of parking at the terminal I'll take my chances.

I'll report back how it goes when we get back.

Sent from my ALCATEL ONETOUCH P310A using Tapatalk