hpeabody

5 hours ago, Esprit said:

In that case our 13th August Sun visit to Santorini will be doubtful. I've checked what other ships are in that day and the passenger total would be almost 12,000!

We've been many times but always enjoy returning. For first timers I can imagine the disappointment.

Crete is a poor substitute IMHO

 

I can not begin to imagine the wait for for the cable car to get down with 12,000 people.  You would likely have to spend half the time there waiting in the line. I see this kind of thing happening with more and more Mega Monstrosities being built.  Sad for those who prefer lovely ports over the ship.  I have no plan to ever board one of those Mega Monstrosities,  IMO / YMMV 

23 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Yes, we really do enjoy The Catch.  On our recent Med/TA on the Enchanted we dined there 5 times!

 

We have liked all that we have tried, usually the Catch of the Day is a favorite.  So is the Dover Sole and the Crab Cakes, and the garlic fries!

Yummmmm, I love sole  I am leaning toward getting that.

@LACruiser88  You must like The Catch.  Any recommendations? I am on Majestic from Seatle soon and have reserved.  BTW, thanks for this live thread!

18 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

We just received the below notification for our April of 2025 voyage on the 32-day, Sapphire South Pacific cruise.

 

Please be advised that due to operational considerations, Sapphire Princess will no longer call to Lahaina, Hawaii on Monday, April 14, 2025 and will instead call to Kona, Hawaii from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on this day.

I am on this cruise also.  I did not get an Email from Princess, but a forwarded Princess "itinerary change" PDF from my TA.  I figured it out easily as I expected a change, but was hoping for Kahului.  I checked and NCL Pride Of America is in port our day and they take priority.  So that is why we were sent to Kona.  I think ships that were scheduled for Lahaina are docking at Kahului when NCL Pride Of America is not in port.

Good Spirits At Sea Bar on Dec 5 in the Piazza.  I also think available at Casino Bar.

11 minutes ago, jeromep said:

Hmm, still listed on the web site, as of today.  Ok, well I stand corrected.  Princess needs to do some web site maintenance.

LOL, Yes definitely

25 minutes ago, jeromep said:

Island Princess has La Patisserie, basically a tiny version of International Cafe.  It's better than nothing.

Island did away with La Patisserie some time ago.  In it's place is Good Spirits Bar that is where you can get your specialty coffees and teas.  They supposedly they put a tray of pastries out from time to time.  I was on her for the 2023 World Cruise and never saw that at the times I went for coffee in the morning.  I truely missed the IC.

Just received the expected Email about Lahaina, finally!!!!.  Lahaina has been replaced with Kona.  I am very sad to see we will not be going to Maui at all.  I was hoping they might have us dock at Kahului.  NCL Pride of America seems to have priority.  Kona is not a favorite port for me

I am seeing this adding 18% to specialty dining as just another sneaky way Princess is trying to get more of our money   If the 18% was previously covered in the charge, then what they have done now is essentially raised the price without saying they are raising the price IMO / YMMV

1 hour ago, Potstech said:

Too many complaints of Princess exploiting the crew and forcing them to participate. Would love to see it return.

Interesting comment.  I once asked a CD what happened to the crew show.  He replied that the problem was that there were too many crew wanting to participate and they all had similar talent making it difficult to be fair in choosing.

Just now, JimmyVWine said:

I would seriously pay money to see Billy Hygate reprise his Fiddler on the Roof performance. 

 OMG, yes I have seen it.  LOL

I too love the crew shows.  Occasionaly there is one, but they are very rare now.

I should have added that I was referring to Princess cruises.  It may be possible that a small more specialty cruise line does begin or end in Hawaii/Honolulu.

1 hour ago, Lazz58 said:

I am just starting to research Trans Pacific repositioning cruises via the South Pacific.  My first question is should we begin or end in Sydney?  Looking to begin or end in Hawaii.  I am trying to find a cruise that stops at both Tahiti and Fiji at the present time, but I am also open to suggestions on this subject as well. Thanks for you help.

It may be difficult if not impossible to find a flight to begin or end in Hawaii.  But, there are usually twice yearly round trip from LA cruises that do the South Pacific like you mention in April and October/November.  If it is really Sydney that you interested in on a one way/repositioning cruise look for departures out of LA, I know that exists....  Perhaps San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver, but I have done no research on those.

Run, Run fast!  It's a marketing thing by O.N.E.  It is not Princess.  And I think it is wrong that they call them selves a CVP, the real CVP's work for Princess (Or at least they used to, that may have changed to outsource like everything else)

Yes, do read the other threads.

On my wish list is 1/ A FAIR PRICED PRINCESS PLUS/PREMIER package for light and non-drinkers.  I'm a very light drinker, but like an occasional specialty coffee.  IMO the packages are NOT A VALUE for a light and non-drinker. YMMV.  I really struggle with being taken advantage of with the packages. Maybe something like a tiered package, 5, 10, 15 drinks at graduating prices.  One size does not fit all. I'd even be happy if they just brought back the coffee package or at least let elites trade the minibar for specialty coffees like we used to do. 2/ Do away with the surcharge to choose your own cabin.  That is actually preventing me from booking a cruise I am looking at because I do not want Princess to choose for me.  I have more, but this is enough for now.

@back-at-it   I'm so sorry

I'm sorry for your predicament.  I don't remember if anyone in the earlier posts suggested calling Delta and asking what it would take and IF they can change your flight to 1 day earlier. Also, maybe they can tell you more about the ticketing like the date it was ticketed perhaps.  If it was before you made final payment, then Princess jumped the gun in violation of their own policy allowing you up to 45 days to cancel/change.  If it indeed was before final payment, I would get a supervisor at Princess and fight them on this.  From the discussion it seems you may have found your ticket on the Delta website, if not do find it.  You will need the airlines record locator, not the Princess number.  It should be visible to you if you bring up your flights in the personalizer.  I agree with the others seat selection alone should not have triggered payment if a flexible fare was booked.  That is a mystery.  Not all airlines for some farfes allow seat selection with EZ air flexible ticket booking.  Delta is NOT one of those I do not believe.  A tip for you: For your next and future cruises find a good travel agent or get a dedicated Princess CVP (cruise vacation planner)  Avoiding contact with the Philippines phone center.   Enjoy your cruise to Alaska!  I have my 5th time coming up June 2nd. 

Ummmmmm, AFIK Sapphire Princess does not have a World Fresh Marketplace That is on the Royal class ships, the new Sun has The Eatery.  Sapphire has Horizon Court.  It is a BUFFET.  It is not food stations from around the world.  There may be special dishes from select countries available.  In my 600 days I have never known Princess to have "family style" dining in their buffets.  Share, that failed was supposedly "family style"  It was a specialty venue(I never tried it)  AM I not getting this?  Have they suddenly changed the Sapphire into what is described in the OP? Does no one up chain have to approve communication that goes to the passengers? Maybe not.  I am kind of getting a chuckle out of this. 

From the Princess website deck plans, Lido (deck 14)

AFIK, there is no "tick box"  I typically book on Princess website and transfer to TA. I have never seen one. If you do not wish Princess to decide on your cabin location, contact where ever the booking was made and ask to have it marked "No Upgrade"

5 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Call center employees have never been near a cruise ship. 

Yes, this.  And are new and poorly trained.  We get better answers to most questions here on CC

As I always recommend on these threads about the "calls" from Princess (Not Princess, but O.N.E.)    Run, fast.............

@Ken the cruiser @EDVM96  Thank you so much for all this info.  I am really looking forward to this cruise.  It's my replacement for 2021 cruise that was cancelled due to the pandemic.  My cabin is on Baja at the very aft starboard side (not aft facing) I call it "The Cave"  I've had that cabin on Sapphire twice before and loved it.  I hope you think it should be good vieweing.  This balcony should have some protection from the wind.  But I do love the wrap around deck on Sapphire, so I expect if I can take the weather I will be out on deck a lot.  Sorry your cruise is coming to an end.  Safe journey home.

ETA, Can I ask a quick question. When overnight in Buenos Aires can we go out off the ship in the evening of the overnight.

6 minutes ago, EDVM96 said:

Yes you will. Going from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, you will see them in the morning on port side.

Funny, Cape Horn is listed on the map but not in your itinerary.

 

I know and that is perplexing to me.  I missed Cape Horn on a past cruise.  Due to weather and sea conditions the captain took some kind of cut across.  I do hope we will get to see Glacier Alley, that would be great.  PS thank you too for your contributions on this thread.

I used Carmel private car from JFK to Brooklyn/Red Hook.  I really can not fault anything.

https://www.carmellimo.com/

Something to consider, The bidding system.  You could put in a bid for the category you want to move to and it may be accepted.  You never know.  I too believe what the other posters are saying, it just does not work that way.