PrincessLuver

On 4/5/2024 at 9:01 AM, memoak said:

So not go to sporting events or bars ?  There is a good reason most airlines do not serve peanuts at all. We do ask all the time if there are nuts in certain dishes at restaurants and on board. 

United does serve mixed nuts in Polaris Class and so do other airlines in International FC.

5 hours ago, Gail & Dan said:

with the casino full time smoking , the dining and several other missteps there going backwards in my mind ? 

This really needs to change and Princess should join the 21st century regarding smoking and second hand smoke.  

Celebrity, MSC, Holland America Virgin and Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships seem to manage just fine with no smoking in their casinos.  Also, a number of luxury lines allow no smoking anywhere in doors.

Is there a time you would recommend getting to the Barcelona port or the time you arrived for embarkation?  We sail from there later this year.

2 hours ago, dickinson said:

How recently?  I tried last night and this morning. Laptop and phone. Can’t do it. Message says tech difficulties. Calling is no help. 

I bought 5 $500 ones yesterday and no problem.  Princess Gift Cards with pin # appeared in email about 25 minutes later.  I know certain security settings on computers can cause an error message which happened to me before.  An AARP tech specialist sent email directions on how to fix the problem.  Probably need to call AARP tech support.

On 3/18/2024 at 10:59 AM, EatonDoolittle said:

 

When I saw the pix of the latest tiny ones, I thought "Yep, it's all fun and games until somebody's precious,  darling,  perfectly behaved kid finds one and chokes on it" .

 

At which point the cruise line will get sued, and then they will be banned.

Well sounds like the Paper Airplane and Egg Drop Contest need to go too because there is the potential for an eye getting put out or a slip and fall.   Danger is everywhere according to some.

14 hours ago, 555 said:

I'm just another casual cruiser following along for the ride. 😄

I've yet to see Princess, even remotely, apply any part of their current dress code on the ships I've been on. 

Wear what you like is the new translation. 

This has been our experience too.  Almost anything goes on the recent cruises we have been on.  The dress code is suggested and not mandatory.

1 hour ago, Strauss1020 said:

 

As it is, the production shows on Princess and Celebrity seem to be about as entertaining as old Lawrence Welk shows except the music on Lawrence Welk was better.

There are many things we really like about Princess but in the last couple of years we have noticed that there has been a real deterioration n the quality of all their entertainment.  

We too felt like many times we were watching a Lawrence Weld show but without the bubbles.  There is so much auto-tuning and lip-syncing that happens in their production shows that it is far cry from quality entertainment.  

However, it is a cruise ship and there is a reason the performers are working a cruise ship and not Las Vegas or Broadway.

10 hours ago, cattolica said:

Yay…..very happy they finally banned door decorations.    It seems ridiculous that they ever allowed it.   

Agree.... always thought they took away from Princess elegance. 

1 hour ago, dides said:

 

 

 

Definitely part of the entertainment is going to be watching people getting into these seats

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

I am usually a 'girl who wants to have fun'...

But...  ducks????

On this I am a 'curmudgeon'...    Sorry....  

I see this like any other thing when there are those who think they can make their own use of a general public space.

I guess I don't really care about your duck, what it looks like, where you are from, etc...

I guess people just think they have to 'leave their mark'.

My motto is Leave No Trace.

If a cruise line wanted to organize hide-and-seek events on certain days...  go for it!!!  

But, I see this differently.

Oh my!  But it is a ducklings' favorite game.....beak-a-boo!!🦆

35 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

My friends and I were discussing the Cabanas with the tall balcony barrier.  One said that the balcony looks like and aquarium and the passenger is the fish.

Still interesting that no passengers in those cabins on the cruise have complained about the glass?  I can see how it could be a plus in cold weather or a long crossing. I’m sure there is a legitimate reason why it was designed that way on this large a Princess ship.

There could be something to what people are saying about buffets being less popular after Covid because, just one example, most Las Vegas casinos have removed or are removing their buffets and they are not coming back which is a shame in away.

27 minutes ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

 

If they had just made each person’s area jut fully out to the outer railing, all of the issues would be solved. 

There are quite a number of Cabana Minis on deck 10 that do exactly what you suggested.  Not all Cabana Mini's are on deck nine and also all of the ones on deck nine do not front the Cabana deck area.

13 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

While you are at it, post a daily comment about the Cabana "furnishings" using the words "Spartan", "sparse", "unfinished", "lacking" and "embarrassing".  

All of a sudden the Cabana area looks more inviting and relaxing then the Sanctuary🤩

3 hours ago, TYCruise said:

 

 

I couldn't agree more and it was the first thing I thought of.  Compared to the Royal class ship, the Sun's Piazza looks more like the lobby at an office building.  Hopefully it looks better in person.

 

Sun Princess:

 

 

Discovery Princess:

Agree also.  The piazza looks more like some kind of public area at a mall or airport.  They certainly took the warmth and charm out of it.  Does not look inviting at all like most Princess ship's piazzas do.

59 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

I’ve never had that problem.  They always seem so eager to give me just enough and are quite pleased when I tell them what a beautiful salad they made for me.  Perhaps this works so well on HAL because the crew are trained differently.  I’ve never eaten in a Princess buffet because of the handling of utensils by many passengers and other unsanitary practices.  If they switch permanently to servers instead of self serve, I’d be willing to see how it goes.

We never eat in the buffet either because it just looks so unsanitary with so many strangers touching so many serving utensils, dishes, and using their fingers to sometimes pick up food off of display trays.  Not to mention the occasional cougher of sneezer.

52 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

We’ve been to two lunches and one cocktail party.  At the risk downplaying how lovely the luncheons were, I actually preferred the cocktail party.  It was so much more comfortable but still very elegant.  it was a special party indeed.  We had so much more time to visit with a few of the officers, as well as the future cruise staff.  
The nibbles were outstanding and the conversation, even better!  
 

This was our experience too.  The staff made sure they interacted in a sincere way with each guests and we felt more connected to the Officers after the cocktail party which was very well done on the Enchanted Princess.  It was about an hour and a half and quality time.

The MTG's luncheons seem to be boorish affairs to us with a couple people usually dominating the table and sharing all their cruise tales and then a lot of complaining to the officer at the table on how Princess could improve things.  

34 minutes ago, SMA9497 said:

I agree and I actually did book one! I’m fine with people being outside on the cabana deck in order for us to have direct access. The only thing I am disappointed with is the 2 level glass on the balcony railing of the deck but I can live with it. I have absolutely no intention of paying to use chairs around a pool when I would usually get adults only for free so this is perfect. I’d much rather put that money towards a weekly pass at the thermal suite.

We agree and also booked one.  We think the pluses way out way the little negatives.  Reserve Class Dining, a room where you can be exposed to the sea but not necessarily outside on long cold cruises, access to a restricted space and loungers when space is probably going to be a premium on this large a vessel, the opportunity to meet people, and the glass is no more obstructing the view then what is on the Lido deck and those views I would not call obstructed.

2 hours ago, rocklinmom said:

Yes I know exactly what you mean. I have been sailing with Princess for years and I can't believe how bad their 800 number customer service is now. It's like night and day. I used to call the 800 number (let's say 5 years ago) and talk to an agent based somewhere in the USA and they were efficient and got things handled. Never had a problem. Now I've spent hair-pulling frustrating hours trying to communicate on the "new" 800 number and going nowhere, waiting forever to get a response on the new live chat, and after always booking my own cruises directly with Princess I gave up and used a PVP. I am not thrilled with him either but it was better than dealing with the phone agents. When I had a problem with my dad's military OBC I only had luck by messaging Princess on Instagram. If you have IG you might try that. I miss the old Princess 800 number agents, I don't know where they went, maybe they weren't rehired after Covid. It's sad that it's just not the same anymore. 

Agree with everything you and the OP have said.  Their customer service has gone from some of the best agents we use to deal with to the absolute worse.  
It is so frustrating to deal with their Philippine call center who are limited by scripts and seemingly do not have direct knowledge of Princess policies.  We have tried the CVP’s but they have been hit and miss and usually you have to leave a message and wait for a call back.  Really sad how Princess has changed since Jan Swartz moved on from Princess.

18 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

If passengers cared much about getting sick, they'd exercise precautions on their own and, perhaps, avoid cruising.

 

Last year our family all practiced the best Covid protocols we knew and still got sick (Covid) on an Alaska cruise on Princess.  It was a very miserable family memory now instead of a great time.  

It seems our cabin steward came down with Covid and we found this out when a new one appeared.  It is not always the passengers who are the culprits.

Formal dress on Princess is going the way of the dinosaurs.  It is just not required and not enforced.

On 5/22/2023 at 8:23 AM, Roberto256 said:

That's not a monkey wrench.

That's simply how to cheat.

By you cheating, you are stealing time from people who are following the rules.

 

On Princess, you would probably just get some dirty looks.  On some other cruise lines,

you might well enjoy a fist fight.

This is one area where princess can learn from other cruise lines.

 

And with regard to your other comment ... just take the elevator.

Often there is an officer on the tender deck checking people coming out of the elevator to bust the self-important cheaters.

 

Some one needs to resurrect the thread:

 

"What kind of people will I meet on a princess cruise?"

 

... as this is a good example.

 

Agree totally.  Typical behavior of entitled people who feel the rules only apply to others.  Also, the elevators are usually reserved for those who need extra assistance with mobility.

Makes you wonder what they would do in regards to lifeboat drills if there was ever a serious emergency on a ship and there had to be an evacuation.

Our experience is that getting off a Princess ship to tour a port is never really a super time consuming event.

Just relax people and follow staff directions and procedures.

On 1/22/2024 at 3:44 PM, DHP1 said:

If you’re located on deck 9 midship, look up from your balcony. You’re being watch. Lol

No worries.  We are not but will probably be spending most of our time in the Cabana part of the cabin or the Cabana Deck.  We have been on enough Princess ships to know that "being watched" is not really an issue.

7 hours ago, vjmatty said:

If it were only on the common cabana deck I’d agree. Unfortunately it’s also on the cabana minis whose balconies are directly on the ocean. In other words, your own personal balcony will have 6 feet high blue glass. 

Will not bother us.  Plus the cruise we are on it can provide shelter from the weather and also those passengers who like to hang over the balcony and talk to you so we think things might be more enjoyable.

Just glad they are going to have the Private Dining Rooms for those in the Signature Collection cabins and also one for those in the Reserve Collection cabins.  A three story dining room sounds very noisy and busy.