TheSavvyTraveler

We like the Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor,

301 Fallsway , Baltimore, MD, US, 21202

• Phone: (410) 779-6166
  

They have transportation to and from the cruise port and a Park & Cruise package for those who are driving to Baltimore.

It is an easy walk from the hotel to the Inner Harbor.

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. Clearly this is not an isolated incident. Perhaps if enough of us make enough noise to Princess' management there can be some changes.

I think a good start would be for them to at least make passengers aware that the deadbolt is meaningless.

I really like the idea that some of you suggested regarding having a dial-type system built into the door that conveys the "Do not disturb" or "Please make up my room" message. Unfortunately that will only come to be if enough people make this an important enough issue for them to design it into their new ships.

If you are planning an upcoming cruise please keep the privacy issue in mind and help make fellow passengers aware that there is a problem and how to deal it.

There have been good ideas shared on this post and I hope people will continue to share their experiences and ideas.

We are recently back from a cruise on Sapphire Princess. On the third night of the cruise, still suffering from jet lag, we ate an early dinner and went to bed by 8PM, locking the door with the deadbolt lock.

Imagine our shock and horror when a short time later, after a brief knock at the door, the cabin attendant OPENED THE LOCKED DOOR as I was getting out of bed. He was delivering the "Princess Patter" (tomorrow's activities schedule). When I asked him to leave it outside in the mail slot he insisted it had to be put inside the cabin and proceeded to come in all the way to the vanity.

I think most, if not all, travelers would expect that engaging the dead bolt lock on a door should give you complete security and privacy when you are in your room.

The following morning we had conversations with the cabin attendant, supervisors, and the Customer Services Director, Helen Kimber. As I recall, her first question was whether we had put the "Privacy" tag in the door. We had not. I would use a "Privacy" sign if I were trying to sleep at an odd hour, not at night after the room had been made-up for the night. My expectation is that a deadbolt lock will prevent entry. She acknowledged that cabin attendants' keys are all master keys that WILL OVERRIDE THE DEADBOLT LOCK. She said it was a corporate policy put in place after the Concordia disaster to give them access in case of emergency.

I suggested to her that there should be some notice to passengers, either posted on the door or published in the Princess Patter, advising them that the only thing they can do is put the "Privacy" sign in the door, that the deadbolt is ineffective. She was not receptive to that.

I asked her why they don't give the cabin attendants two separate keys: One key for all routine use that gives them access to the staterooms but does not override the deadbolt, and a second key that is an emergency master key that will override the deadbolt. She just kept stating that the way it is (being able to override the deadbolt) is their policy.

In talking with fellow passengers I found that others had had similar incidents. One lady a few cabins down from us (but with a different cabin attendant) had a crew member enter on two different days, and was mostly undressed each time. (Think about it- If you are in the shower you would not hear someone knocking at the door.) I also observed a "near miss" when a cabin attendant knocked several times at a door and just as he was ready to put the key in the door he called out "Mrs. _____, are you in there?" and she replied.

I fail to understand why Princess would embrace a policy that causes embarrassment for both the passengers and the crew when simply having two keys could allow for safety and privacy.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

From everything I have read here is a comparison of the two tours:

Royston

The tour circles the WHOLE ISLAND - The town of Basseterre, the Caribbean side (Brimstone Hill, Caribelle Batik, Timothy Hill) and the Atlantic side (including the jagged black volcanic rocks on the northeast side of the island). The circle tour takes about 5 hours, then go to lunch and the beach.

Includes lunch and drinks

Goes to South Friar Beach for lunch, snorkeling/swimming

Cost $45US, including lunch and admission to Brimstone Hill

Thenford Grey

The tour goes to Basseterre, Brimstone Hill, Caribelle Batik, and Timothy Hill. The tour takes 3-4 hours, then goes to the beach.

Includes water to drink

Goes to Cockleshell Beach for snorkeling/swimming

Cost $48US, including admission to Brimstone Hill

There are many positive reviews of both of these men and their tours.

I booked with Royston for the Island Tour for our trip in November, 2012, primarily because his tour circles the island. We have been to Brimstone Hill (a must-see if you have not been there before!) and Carabelle Batik. We want to revisit them see the rest of the island as well.

I just booked a "Park and Cruise" package at the Sleep Inn & Suites - Downtown Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. It is a new hotel - opened two weeks ago. The price of their package varies (Currently $119 + tax for a one night stay before the end of February) and the number of included free days of parking varies, depending upon their busy times through the year, according to the manager, Abraham. They offer free shuttle to/from the cruise port with the package. Their phone number is (410) 779-6166.