jrzebird

They have upcharge items in the MDR now? When did this start? This does not make me happy. Not having beef is fine with me, although I do like the Prime Rib on the first night, but an upcharge in the dining room??? Say it isn't so.

Last year on the Regal, there was a $10.00 upcharge if you wanted a second lobster tail in the Crown Grill; and where it used to be you could get surf and turf, if you wanted it, you paid an extra charge. Also, 2 years ago we had a very large group on Halloween. We had made arrangement before we boarded and it was great. Same group this past year and when we got to the restaurant, they told us (for the first time) that we had 3 main courses to chose from. They had changed their policy and never told us, not even when our leader stopped by the day before to finalize the evening. All but 5 or 6 of the people in our party left. Those of us who stayed had a great meal, but nothing compared to the sumptuous fare we enjoyed the year before. And, it cost a lot more.

Mom is not moving around very well these days. Trying to view our route to the dining room. We are Dolphin aft. What dining room will we go to for Club Class dining? Thanks. Difference between bringing wheelchair or not.

 

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I don't know the answer to your question, but I want to suggest that your Mom hire a scooter. MUCH easier than trying to push someone around in a wheelchair. I've cruised with my sister with her using a wheelchair and again with a scooter. The wheelchair was a disaster. The cruise when she used the scooter was very enjoyable for her, and the rest of us. When we rented it, we had to use the ship recommended company (NOT Princess) and the chair was waiting for her and then they picked it up when we disembarked.

Maureen

Guess I could ask for a pot of hot tea and hold the tea bag, along with my 5 Easy Pieces type request for a brewed coffee. I can then use the hot water to reduce the strength of the espresso.

 

 

 

I really didn't like hearing that second-voyage use of a coffee card will not give me plain old brewed coffee with a punch. It will be interesting to learn of experiences with these new or pre-used./purchased cards and how each is implemented on various ships. It's all the inconsistencies and lack of written policy, communication of this to crew/staff and passengers, and implementation that keeps customer service hopping.

 

 

 

Darcy

You have NEVER been able to use a coffee card for brewed coffee on a second voyage.

Yup. I suspect this may take months to get clarified and somewhat consistent. The free fresh brewed should be clear. As for those punches for drinks- they better be good until used up. Not sure how the line is intending to handle cards with that expiration date thing. I think that's what will cause issues.

I have several old cards and many have dates and cruise number or ship name on them. I really can't believe that if I buy a card with 15 punches that I'm not entitled to the 15 punches~ No matter when I use or bought or earned the card. I think I'll ask my TA to get me the real story. If it's true, then I'll order water or seltzer (if available) to trade in for my mini-bar.

Please do not be disappointed. We just got off the Regal today and had OMs. They are just about useless. They worked to unlock our door about 75% of the time and that is IT! the crew isn't using it with the exception of the check-in process. Nothing works and you are not missing a dang thing. Our next Regal cruise in November is not ***** and I won't miss it one bit.

I haven’t heard that the November regal cruise isn’t *****. Have you been notified. I’m on the 11/1 repo. I was on the first cruise last year that was supposed to be ***** but did not come close. Some of us didn’t have tv for a few days and we got OBC. but you had to ask.

I’m going to be very disappointed if the Regal is not ***** enabled by November. I had toyed with the idea of switching to the CB to sail with several regal retreaters but stuck with the Regal, mainly for the free and super fast wifi. We shall see.

Maureen

If your cabin does have ***** status how do you show your status aboard ship at the shops, bars etc? Are the ***** thingies different colors?

Question: If your cabin door no longer has a key card slot, how do you use the card they give you in the event the ***** doesn't work if there is no slot? I'm going to guess that your key card would have the ability to be touched on the door and open it?

I'm not going to worry about this, since my sailing isn't until November 2018. I was on the Regal for the repo last year when they were working on installing it. Got to see a lot of staff I hadn't seen in some time because they were on the ship as part of the team installing and setting up.

Maureen

The best for me was to take the Princess excursion after we got to FLL. They took our luggage and stored it in the bus. They then drove us around, pointing out different areas of interest; then we did a walking tour (and bathroom break) around the area where you get the paddle boat. Finally, you board the paddle wheeler for a nice, leisurely tour of the homes, yachts, etc. on the inland waterway, and then have a nice lunch on board. It really was a great tour and they drop you off at your airline once it's done. I don't recall how much it was, but well worth it and I didn't have to worry about my luggage. I was traveling solo so it was doubly good.

I spent many hours in the Ft. Lauderdale area until my aunt died about 25 years ago. She had a condo a block from the beach and block from the inland waterway. This trip was sort of a re-introduction to a vastly renewed area for me. I now take an extra day at the end of any cruise docking in FLL just so I can spend some time there.

Maureen

If I happen to see your husband on a Princess ship, I'm more likely than not to stop him and say, "great ink, where did you get it'. This usually morphs into the history of each tat and then I do my history of mine. If your hubby is happy, don't worry about it. If he's self-conscious he can always throw on a shirt, but I wouldn't worry. Only thing he can't do is wear a tank or muscle shirt in the dining room. Not sure what negative posts you saw, but I'd guess it might have referenced men or women in the dining room or Horizon Court?

Enjoy, be who you are, and I sure hope I run into on a Princess ship some day.

Maureen

Its not that the drinks cost a little more, but, rather the new drink offerings are so terrible in most peoples' opinions, ours' included.

As someone else said, then just eat and may I add, ask for water. Actually, the best and most effective is to talk to the food and beverage manager. Our group always gets excellent results from the hotel manager, too. It shouldn’t be any big deal for them to change and improve the selection.

It is a shame they’ve apparently dumbed down the product. But unless we let Princess know it’s not ok it won’t change. I also keep reminding myself that they are in this business to make profit for themselves and the stockholders.

Its a perk we once had & now its gone.

It's not gone, just different.

I've been Elite for several years and, obviously, Platinum before that. I have never once utilized this benefit and I have a marvelous time on every cruise. I mean to attend every cruise, only for the food, but always seem to have something else on my calendar at that time.

I can't remember the last time I read a thread that was almost 100% negative, and all because the drinks are a few dollars more and the venue may change. That is not enough for me to even consider moving to another line. I love Princess, and I also like HAL a lot. They have all made changes that I am not very happy with. But there are more changes that I am thrilled to be part of. The Royal Class is simply amazing. My last cruise on the Regal (October/November) was the best. I sail with a group called Regal Retreater from this site, and Princess bends over backward to accommodate our group and make it the best. Special dinners (yes we pay for the Crown Grill), a room to ourselves for socializing between dinner and the Halloween party, last year we were given the Piazza to perform a dance choreographed by a fellow passenger, this year we did a door decorating contest, There are so many Princess employees willing to go over and above for you, if you but ask.

I was reading through the thread before posting this, and saw that someone called the people who work on the ship, 'the hired help'. That is so demeaning and so not true. I have met and made many friends, male and female on the ships and we still write or see each other regularly. One of the prime things to ensure a happy experience, whether on a ship, plane, restaurant, or wherever, is to keep in mind that those who work on the ship are people, just like us, and should be treated as equals, not like servants there to do our bidding.

So smile, realize that the PES lounge is still there and spring for the extra few dollars for a drink if you want one, but enjoy each other's company.

Maureen

Your photos are great. The one you took, apparently from the seawalk (posted above the penny slots and below your winning photo) is amazing. I'll have to try to get that shot when I reboard her in November. I really, really like it. I pretty much agree with your review. I had one of my best cruises in October (repo) on the Regal. I sail her every year for the repo, with a large group from CC for the Halloween, known as the Regal Retreaters. I used to love the CB but Regal took the CB's place for my fav. Thanks again.

Maureen

We got our first one and accepted and then got a few more after that which we took from a mini to a full suite. We also got one for our 12/3/17 Regal sailing and that's the first one I didn't take because I was so annoyed about the AIBP change and a few other thing. I wonder if we will get anymore now.

What is an AIBP? And why did it annoy you?

I never accept an upsell but I've had a lot of upgrades the last few years and I love them! Last year I had an awesome balcony on the Regal.

Maureen

Purchased a coffee card on the Royal about two years ago, I was told it could be used fleet wide for specialty coffee or gelato. I have been on several Princess Cruises since I bought the card, none had gelato. Read on CC that Princess was not honoring the cards. Just called Princess and they told me I could use it for coffee but I could not use it for food items even though when I purchased it it was good for both coffee and gelato. Just not right. I am Elite and my wife wife will be Elite after this cruise. Time to change over to Viking Ocean.

If that's as deep as your loyalty to a splendid cruising experience goes, it's a sad state of affairs. I've had exactly one gelato onboard and never bothered to have another because I didn't care for the gelato on the Regal. I do use my card for specialty coffees and teas. I have never had a brewed coffee from the IC, as I have no issue with the current coffee on Princess. I am also Elite, as are the vast majority of folks on this board, and to me that just means I really like the product. The percs we get are very nice.

Maureen

This is a small example of the things I look forward to with the Medallion. On a recent 28 day cruise there were several times when I went up to Adagio to find my wife. She had gone to the Knitters and Natters meeting. As I was heading up there she was on her way back to the cabin. With the Medallion I wouldn't have wasted my time checking the place she had recently vacated. I also went to find her at the aft pool and she had just left so, again, we crossed paths. It's not a huge deal but there would have been no issue at all had I been able to check if she was still in a certain location or had already left.

 

Several times in the Princess Theater we were waiting for the show while reading. I tried (and only sometimes succeeded) to flag down a waiter for a drink. The few times I was successful I ended up having to go to passenger services to have the charge remove as I had the beverage package and shouldn't have been charged. In theory, with the Medallion I could have simply ordered the drink from my seat without having to stand up and wildly wave my arms in an attempt to attract the attention of the wait staff. Also, theoretically, I wouldn't have been charged which would have avoided the trips to passenger services to have the improper charge removed.

As for finding your wife, you can easily do that with the princess at sea app. Just send a fast text and you found her. I used it a lot. I’m not sure that ***** has the ability to track. There was some discussion about privacy issues. But I’m not sure.

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I was just on the Regal a few weeks ago and they had Voice of the Ocean and Pop Choir. Wow, that changed fast.

I doubt either is gone because they are popular. Voice of the Ocean, I'd guess that not enough contestants signed on. And, Pop Choir is usually only held on 10+ day cruises, but I suspect it might not have been on the poster's cruise because they didn't have a director. I was on the Regal for the repo from New York in October and we always have the first rehearsal on the first sea day, but not this time. We did have it on the 2nd day but they had to recruit one of the crew who was on the ship to help with the installation of the ***** to be our director. He was really very good and lots of fun. I look forward to Pop Choir and hope it's still part of the onboard activities. Oh, and one of my friends won Voice of the Ocean on that cruise!

Maureen

Nope I meant the Royal. The Royal was the First ship to go into drydock (|Fall of 2017) and get the infrastructure for Ocean Medallion. But I can see how my post was confusing I should of written dry dock ocean medallion installed, not ocean ready.

 

 

But Regal was the first ship to launch it. (I believe it went into drydock in Germany this year).

 

The Royal also got the screens installed outside each cabin during that dry dock too. A gold plate covered it up, and it is still a gold plate.

 

here is a blog I wrote when we just boarded the Royal right after drydock http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2016/11/boarding-royal-sideways-inside-cabin.html

I disembarked the Regal on November 5th and there were a few hiccups. We completely lost our TV for 3 days in the forward section of the ship. I didn't get OBC, but we did get cash. I just received my check, which was the promised amount, less the very small balance I had.

The GOOD NEWS, for those who don't know, is that my cruise personalizer for the November 1, 2018, Regal sailing advises that the cost of Internet is currently $9.99 per day, with unlimited use. And, if you are Platinum or Elite, it is free. Hopefully, this will remain and isn't just for the introductory period.

As for expecting OBC because a cruise that was originally advertised as ***** isn't, through no fault of Princess, I think that's a bit unrealistic. Those who said they can't cancel because it's past final payment, don't you have insurance? If yes, you can cancel for any reason. If not, it's a lesson well learned. Just my opinion.

Maureen

It strikes me as funny too that people care about who the Captain or CD is. Neither impacts me but then it probably seem odd that I like to watch garishly painted car drive fast and turn left, so to each his own! Hope the old boy gives you a smooth and safe voyage!

 

 

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I always wondered why we needed this info ahead of time, but it turns out that many of the regular passengers know several of the Captains from both on and off the ships and like to contact them before a sailing to arrange to get together.

As for the CD, that does make a difference to me, and to everyone, whether you realize it or not. And now the newly created position of ED (Entertainment Director) is also part of the folks we get pre-boarding information on.

My most recent sailing on the Regal Princess' repositioning cruise was made very special by both the ED and CD. I knew the ED (Martyn Moss) from other cruises and he was phenomenal with our CC group. Princess worked with us before the cruise and helped us (The Regal Retreaters) have a cruise we will never forget. When we had our Meet and Greet we had 15 officers show up. Princess also gave us a videographer for our special events, like the M&G, Halloween, an excursion in St. Kitts, the Halloween Door decoration contest, dinner at the Crown Grill, and other things we did.

So, I don't really think that it matters much who the Captain is (except that I can understand him when he makes an announcement) the ED and CD are really pivotal in the overall enjoyment of a cruise. I'll never forget how wonderful the CD planned, and his crew carried out, the entertainment during our Superstorm Sandy cruise. This was to be a 4 day, port intensive trip to Bermuda and ended up being 6 days safe harbored in Boston. Yet the entertainment schedule on the ship was filled with things to do, including a Halloween party that wasn't supposed to happen until we were on the next leg of the cruise.

Maureen

7 days from right now I will be asleep on board the Regal. Counting the hours.

Maureen

You can request it a day ahead. DH did this on our last cruise.

Plus, as I recall, you rarely got the parm bowl when you ordered the fettucini as an appetizer, but always when ordered as a main. My daughter in law always asked for it, no matter if she had it as an app or main, and she got it. I'll give it a try when I'm on the Regal next week!

Maureen

I received the letter today as well. It was a pleasant surprise.

Maureen

The Crystal Serenity and Carnival Conquest still show GC on the their itinerary and they are both docking on the 22nd.

 

 

 

Also the following is being written about recovery and bringing back the ships.

 

 

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/grand-turk-rebounding-after-hurricanes-to-take-ships-in-november.html

 

 

 

https://www.visittci.com/weather-and-astronomy/hurricanes

 

 

 

This is the link to the GT port info.

 

 

 

http://www.grandturkcc.com/Port-Schedule.aspx

 

 

 

Happy Trails!

 

 

 

:whiskey-glass:

Is it possible that the Carnival ships are smaller than the Princess ship? Also Princess is a Carnival owned line.

When I was on the 4 day Superstorm Sandy cruise we were to go to Bermuda but instead had to safe harbor in Boston for almost 6 days. Lots of people complained until Princess gave us all a future cruise credit for one-half our fare and didn’t charge us for the extra 2 days. Another reminder on Grand Turk, only 2 ships can dock there. A third would have to tender and that might be an issue. I believe Carnival ships have preference. They kicked us out early one year. I think they are the ones who built up the port area.

Apparently you don’t have insurance or this wouldn’t be a problem for you. And, no I didn’t read the entire thread.

I totally agree with you. IMHO the gelato is not they good.

Tony

When I heard that there was a special place for Gelato on the Royal, I was very excited, although a bit concerned about how my blood sugar and weight would fare. After all, I had coffee cards to spend! Well, I had it exactly once. I too was not that thrilled with it. It was lacking something and the consistency seemed wrong. And I haven't gone back for seconds. Maybe I'll try it again next month on the Regal.

Maureen

Wow. Awesome family group. Do you go on your our roll call? Lots of activities, including one for st Kitts.

We were on the Caribbean Princess on a TA in 2015 on deck 5 in 40 foot waves in the North Sea. The waves were slapping up against the port hole and the drawers in the night stand were opening and closing all night. We eventually fell asleep and enjoyed the ride. If you like a roller coaster enjoy the ride.

Bring bungie cords to secure anything that moves in your cabin.

 

Howard

I've had the same experience on the CB. Once I made the mistake of going to the Horizon Court for cookies before bed and the motion was so bad, I actually got ill .. something I've never done. I got down to my Plaza deck cabin and let the ship rock me to sleep. So glad the IC is open for 24 hours and no upper deck trips are required.

See you on the repo in 39 days, Howard. I'm easy to spot, I have purple hair! We just got upgraded to a balcony on Baha, forward. Trying to figure out how bad the motion will be.

Maureen

Martin Ford, PSD Many years ago, when we were on out 2nd or 3rd princess cruise,

Martin came up and chatted with us at a cocktail party. He treated us as if we were

the most traveled passengers on the ship. We see him every couple of years.

 

Peter Hollison, PSD -- only knew him casually. We hadn't seen him in 2 or 3 years,

and there was a PSD group meeting on Royal. He says to Mrs Pablo ... are you still

work at <company name>? It was amazing that he could remember something like that

after seeing tens of thousands of people in the interim. Just amazing.

 

Rui Santos, Waiter, Portugal ... now retired. Excellent waiter, always had a suggestion

for an enhancement. Order cerial for breakfast ... could he slice a bananna with that for you?

 

Oxana, waitress ukraine, now retired.

 

Oxana is the sweetest girl ever. The second time (cruise) that we saw her, she was

so excited that she had gotten married while she was at home. She ran down to her

cabin to bring back a picture of her husband. (who also worked on princess)

It was a little sad at that time, as the company would not keep couples together on

the same ship. This has improved over the past 5 years.

 

Francisco -- head waiter, Italy and now Dominican Republic.

Just a great guy. Has done many things for us, and we have done a few for him, as well.

 

<dont want to cause any problems> -- head waiter, Romania.

Of all the people I know on Princess, he is like a personal friend.

I can email him before a cruise, and he makes sure dining is all set for us when

we board. We see him about once a year or so.

 

Two waitresses who are very good friends, and would kill me if I mentioned their names.

I can hear them saying: "Why you talk about me?"

I chat with them all the time, and are always honest with me, and give me the

crew perspective. I admire their honesty.

 

Darko -- waiter from Macedonia. Fantastic waiter. The last time I saw him, he was

acting head waiter. Very well deserved. Some other posters here like him, as well.

 

Sindy, captains circle hostess from Belgium, now retired. A year ago, we were on a cruise that

stopped in Antigua. We went to a nearby hotel that had a pool. Sindy was there

with her husband. All of us thousands of miles from home, and we just happen to

run into each other. Really a small world.

 

Commodore Romano -- gave us a private bridge tour when we were on board for

lunch on a turn around day. Always very, very friendly. I mention to him the town

live in, and he says he has a very good friend from his home town who as a resturant

there. Now, we go to the resturant weekly. I will be sad when he ages out, and has

to retire.

 

Mike Moulon retired Captain/Comodore. He was the most interesting captain ever.

Very clever. Even after he retired, he came back for a few cruises as a lecturer.

 

Barty Barrington Brown .. piano entertainer. I think he works mostly on Cunard, now.

He is always involved in some charity. We met him many, may years ago on the

old crown princess., and see him from time to time.

 

For 20+ years on princes, his shows are always packed with passengers.

 

A lot more, but it seems like this has gotten long enough.

The head waiter I am friendly with is from Romania. Claudiu P. I really haven't seen him in several years and we seem to have lost touch. I still hope to see him someday, if he's still with the ships.