cheezenip

5 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I do have them written down somewhere.  I will look for you and post it.  None of them sounded that interesting to me but your mileage may vary.  

No longer necessary as someone posted them on Discovery now in another venue. Thank you for willing to do this.

Do you recall the movies that were playing in the evenings on MUTS? The only one I know of is Barbie but my sister would like to know what other movies will be shown. We leave in 6 days!!

Hello,

I wish to make some dinner time reservation changes (as well as the # of people at a table) since the app is so fussy.

Are each of the 3 MDR open during embarkation upon arrival to talk to the Maitre-D / Host / Hostess in charge or is there only 1 MDR open to handle each all of the 3 dining rooms? I rather not wait til dinner time as it will be hectic.

4 hours ago, wallyj said:

Princess rotates where they assign the waiters, so do not be surprised if Haro is now not assigned to the section taking care of table 164. Better to ask if a table is available in Haro’s assigned section.

Thank you for the advice. 

9 hours ago, travelin.sisters said:

Ricky was able to change our reservations so that we had the same table for the next night as well. Haro remembered us, our names & our preferences (even BIL's beverage order). I have already changed our dinner reservations for our next cruise to Juneau & plan to ask for the same team next cruise.

Do you recall the table number you were at in Juneau? I might go ahead and request Haro for the entire cruise.

On 12/19/2023 at 12:37 PM, CynCyn said:

It has been mostly wonderful so far. I tried to drop my bag in the stateroom and Stewart was NOT happy. He actually yelled at me. It was a bit uncomfortable but reported to guest services

Can you give us an idea what floor and cabins Stewart might be responsible for?

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

If it were up to him we'd be finished in 30 minutes flat.

At home at my favorite restaurants, that's the amount of time I prefer to finish my meals with guests.

On a cruise ship, I try to set the pace with the waiters / waitresses that I would like to be in and out in 45 minutes (our party always get there right at opening as we are realistic that our requests won't work during peak dining hours). After the 1st or 2nd day with the same waiting staff, the requests are usually accommodated (we don't mind them serving plate after plate before we are done as we are fast eaters). The key for those who want quicker service (IMHO) is to get to the dining venue as soon as they are open, let them know your preferred pace, and be flexible how they are able to accomplish them (sometimes it's the kitchen that hold things up).

1 hour ago, JimmyVWine said:

And the response that statement would engender would be: "I'm sorry to hear that.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise."  Same response one would get if one told a bartender that they will not order any more drinks unless they are given a plastic straw.  Decisions made in the C-Suite are not going to get overridden by a disgruntled passenger, especially when the shops are run by third-party franchises and not by Princess.  

No disagreement with anything you said here.

9 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

You wouldn’t do well in Canada.  No shopping bag, we’ll sell you one.  Don’t want to buy one?  Then put it in your pocket, carry it or don’t buy it.  Simple.  People learn to take their own bags very quickly.  Why would anyone need to make a fuss over bags on a cruiseship?  

I lived in Toronto for a few years and enjoyed my time there. I think many who are responding to my comment are missing my tongue and cheek intention.

6 minutes ago, memoak said:

Are you also going to refuse coffee from they IC while you are in Glacier Bay because you can get a disposable cup ?

7 minutes ago, memoak said:

Are you also going to refuse coffee from they IC while you are in Glacier Bay because you can get a disposable cup ?

Don't drink coffee but if I did I'd rather be out enjoying the GB scenery than inside ordering a drink. ☺️

5 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

This is not a binary choice.  It is not:

• Macy's provides me with a bag, or
• I lug all my purchases home without anything to carry them in.

The simple third option is that you bring your own bags with you to the store.  Been doing this for years.  And yes, we bring bags with us on cruises.  Mostly to accommodate us in port stops when we do purchasing there.  But they also come in handy when we shop on board.  A couple of light, mesh bags and one larger, but still easily packed canvas bag is all that is required for 90% of our purchases.  

The 4th choice is to openly state you will NOT buy ship items til they provide bags for to actual purchasers. 🫠

On 10/27/2023 at 5:38 AM, mtnesterz said:

Also to @IndyKid. Last couple of cruises, it's the crowds from the table hogs not eating or drinking, buy playing table games; cards and dominoes. That is throughout the day. The crew does nothing. If sitting next to a card playing table, I've thought about calling out cards in their hand, to get them to move, but didn't do it.

What a great idea for my next cruise!! People need to start doing this as there are other venues where you can play cards as tables can be scarce for eating during prime hours.

Disappointing news for West Coasters. Thought we were finally getting some respect when the Discovery came here as a new ship but now any replacement is going to be older. 

10 hours ago, bubbaed said:

While travel-related costs are skyrocketing across the board (booked flights or hotels recently?!?) I agree that this seems short-sighted and a blow to those who usually cannot plan vacations far in advance. One of the great things about Princess had been the excellent choice in available itineraries from various ports of departure allowing me to book in conjunction with a work trip or a last-minute gap in my calendar - particularly from home ports in California where I live.

 

However, when I am able to plan a cruise vacation far in advance, I'm now unlikely to choose Princess - mostly due to changes in the service levels and quality of the on-board product - not to mention the recent price increases that don't seem to be in line with what's actually being offered. Princess was always my go-to for a wonderful vacation on short notice, and they usually met my expectations. But when I have time to plan and do the research, I'm far more likely to book on lines like Oceania and Viking, which arguably offer a product that is more in-line with the prices they charge, or book a land-based vacation. Maybe someday Princess quality will be (again?) to the point where it's worth booking 18 months in advance.

 

Bottom line: Princess prices are up, quality of product is down, and last minute-deals are (apparently) no longer an available remedy to this conundrum.

 

Bummer.

 

 

Agree with this sentiment. All these changes by current CEO John Padgett continues to accelerate the decline of a once proud cruise line.

3 hours ago, deltahog said:

Day 3 dinner, Ketchikan MDR.

 

Seafood antipasto starter - again small shrimp, tiny tiny tiny scallops (they looked like scallop seeds) and the smallest calamari rings I have ever seen. Where does Princess find such tiny seafood? That must take quite some effort.

 

 

Cost cutting specialist and current CEO John Padgett will scour the planet to bring the smallest of ingredients to the Princess cruiser. Bon Appetit!!

4 hours ago, RedIguana said:

brand goodwill would suggest they would honor it as it is really not much different in price comparatively. I suspect if they try and say it was a misprice they would exercise their right to change your cabin to an IA.

Under current CEO, John Padgett, there's no such thing as brand goodwill..it's all about cost cutting.

On 9/24/2023 at 11:28 AM, Ombud said:

Thanks. But yeah ..... that makes them a NO-GO. 

Haven’t seen the new shows yet on Discovery but Princess has been using background tracks on some of their shows/ships for at least 10 years with their bands playing over top of it for a fuller sound on the cruises I’ve been on.

7 minutes ago, Oxo said:

 

28 minutes ago, cheezenip said:

How would you compare the food in both the MDR and buffet as well as the entertainment compared to the Royal class ships of Princess? Given the price difference, which would you travel again in the future and why?

Food is very subjective!

Out of these Cruise Lines,

E = Entertainment F = Food

P = Price

Celebrity E 2, F 1, P 5  Elite +

MSC        E 4, F 5, P 1  Diamond

NCL         E 5, F 3, P 4  Saphire

Princess E 3, F 2, P 3  Elite 55 cruise

RCI           E 1, F 4, P 2  Diamond +

 

We traveled in 2022 & 2023 on all of those lines 

2024 we have booked RCI & Celebrity as of now.

 

There is not much difference between them all. Personal choice. We consider ports, price, ship, perks, in that order.

 

Hope I answered your question.

Happy Cruising! 

 

 

Thank you for responding...quite helpful what you did!! 

Food is indeed subjective but the context with the other cruise line helps me gauge your tastes (pun intended) even further - much appreciated.

Going on Discovery in Jan and am tempted to try Apex next year but am balking at the price. Apex entertainment looks refreshingly diff but was curious about the food (my previous Celebrity food experience was lower in ranking compared to Princess but was fascinated you rated that low compared to competing lines..again I agree it's subjective).

On 9/21/2023 at 8:54 AM, Oxo said:

You are correct in your assessment of Celebrity. Just got off of Apex. Everything is much more expensive on Celebrity.

Happy Cruising!

How would you compare the food in both the MDR and buffet as well as the entertainment compared to the Royal class ships of Princess? Given the price difference, which would you travel again in the future and why?

9 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

These were the differences I noticed:

 

The cabins on Celebrity kick butt but I do love the open closet design on Princess.  The beds are also somewhat more comfortable on Princess.  

Agreedwith this observation

9 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

The buffet on the Royal Class ships are far superior to those on Celebrity .. on the Grand class ships, the complete opposite is true.  

I'm glad someone else is able to notice this. Though the layout is slightly better (IMHO) with Celebrity's buffet, they "cheat" and serve the same foods most of the time each day at lunch and dinner for the entire week.  Princess Royal Class buffets provide more variety since they change it up daily for the most part.

9 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

The biggest difference was the entertainment, activities and events.  We met several others that did the same side by side cruises and the consensus was, Celebrity was just kind of boring.  There was always something fun to participate in on Princess.  And if you felt like just relaxing with some quiet time, there was that, too!  

I am quite critical of the entertainment on Princess compared to RCL, NCL, and even CCL. However, I have to agree completely on your statement. Unless you are a drinker (I am not) and like to socialize at the bars, the activities are sparse compare tp Princess.

9 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

We didn’t have a bad time on Celebrity, far from it … it’s just that Princess suited us so much better.  Again, it’s not always been like that, as Celebrity really was our favorite in the past.  And there were things about Celebrity that we liked so much more.  This comes from a frequent standard balcony cruiser so, that may make a difference.  We are not demanding but do love decent to great wine.  We are not foodies but can tell if it is just not great food.  

 

 

As much as I am unhappy with the decline in the food quality with Princess (although I am hopeful that Rudi Sodamin can reverse this trend and bring some of food quality from HAL over to PCL but unsure what type of food budget he has to work with and being under the management of John Padgett I'm not that optimistic), I think Celebrity's food quality is over-rated in the MDR and buffet (I don't do specialty dining).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

The drills on princess are so easy You literally check in at your mustard station with your medallion and then you can either watch your safety drill either on your stateroom TV or on your mobile device.

@Jeter02 How early can you check into your mustard station (want to beat the crowds) before going back to the stateroom to watch the drill?

On 7/31/2023 at 8:17 AM, Jeter02 said:

Lunch on embarkation day in the main dining room started at 11:30 a.m. Some other options you do have is you do have for a bite to eat is Gigi's which opens at 11am, as well as international cafe and the buffet on the widow which is always readily available once on board. On embarkation day I always prefer to eat in the MDR where I had a lovely lunch. I had the amazing beef tenderloin which simply melted in your mouth and was so well to seasoned.

@Jeter02 We too will be doing a B2B and enjoy eating at the MDR on embarkation. With in-transit privileges, did you find you could enter the MDR earlier than 11:30am on your 2nd week or were they firm on the 11:30 am starting time? Also, did you have to do the fire drill requirements the 2nd week?

On 8/12/2023 at 3:48 PM, Jeter02 said:

I can let you know the service and the main dining room has been fabulous for breakfast lunch and dinner. As always for those who have traveled recently on Princess I know some people have concerns when it comes to the reservations. I am a very early diner so I tend to always wait at the dining room like 30-20 minutes prior to opening. For dinner I always eat at 5:00 or 5:30 whichever one is the earliest. On this ship and itinerary it is 5:00 for dinner. So if you don't have a reservation or if you're traveling with a large group that's always the best time as 6:00 is always peak time with people coming in for dinner. 

Is there a waiter / waitress you can recommend booking an entire cruise in the dining room (s) you ate at? We also like to eat early and want to have the old mdr experience where the mdr team knows our preferences. I know times have changed but we can still try.

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Perhaps Princess Legal should sue them for poor sampling and what use is a survey from almost 10 months ago.

Please don't give Princess Management any NEW ideas for cutting costs. It will be their new excuse for making further cuts. "We are diverting operational funds to protect the interests <<translation: reputation>> of Princess Cruises. We apologize in advance to our loyal customers that we will have to cut back in XXX, YYY, and ZZZ ..."

2 hours ago, hogwildcruzers said:

I won't trust or believe any poll that has Carnival ahead of Princess!

 

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