Shippy

I think this really shows how much Princess really cares. Not just your survey at the end which probably just goes to corporate !

    Just off the Discovery Princess

We were just finishing up our 3rd lunch in the Buffet when we were approached by a man in a white jacket & a chef hat.

 He asked how everything was. I said the variety, service & quality in the buffet was indeed impressive.

He then asked about the rest of the ship.  I said...you really do not want to know... He was insisted that I be candid so I started to ramble on.

Starting first whit the Crown Grill where expectations are high. I got the same meal I always get there. I get the scallops for an appetizer. Quite seared yet not cooked through. The seafood bisque....cold. They offered to heat up but I declined.  My husband got the Filet Mignon, med to med well. Again quite seared but it almost mooed when cut. The maiter 'd walked by & I stopped & asked his opinion. He immediately called to have it remove & redone but my husband declined.

  Moving on to the international cafe for my favorite Almond croissants. I tried 2 days in a row, both horrid. Dark & hard as a rock.

Room Service coffee. Even putting hot water in half the cup, it was not drinkable. Extremely strong. He explained that they just started a new powdered product from Italy & obviously need to make some adjustments.

Specialty desserts. Just off the Regent a few months ago & all gelatos off the menu included (we had the plus package). On discovery, not so. I tried to order the Frangelico sundae that I got for free on the Regent but it was $ 8.00. I got around it by ordering the Donetello & saying to hold all the candies & cakes & then going to the bar & having them dump a shot of Frangelico on it.

  I ended the conversation by saying the service & product appeared good but there appeared to by a problem with the preparation of the foods that had to be cooked.

HERE IS THE FIRST SURPRISE. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE THE REALITY SHOW UNDERCOVER BOSS ? THIS GENTLEMAN REVEALED HE WAS THE UNDERCOVER CHEF. . BEING DRESSED LIKE THAT MIGHT MAKE PEOPLE FEEL MORE AT EASE TO SPEAK TO HIM.

  As soon as he left, we could see him typing away at his phone....and you guessed it...we went to the Crown Grill again. Same meals perfect.

International Cafe Almond Croissants, light & flaky like on the other ships. Morning room service coffee excellent.

   2ND SURPRISE

Seems a lot of people still do not know about the Dessert Extravaganza in the buffet on the last sea day. It not advertised or in the Patter. I think it is on all ships as we have gone on 3 different ones. It is the pastry shop or an entire regular aisle on ships that do not have a pastry shop.

  Candy sculptures for pictures. Giant assorted fancy cakes. Tiramisu, cheesecake, black forest, etc. they carve them for you. Do not get trapped in the long line with out a plate because those dessert plates will not do. Grab a large lunch plate before you enter. Starts at 11:30am. I go though the line then & get what I want & leave it on the table & then go back to get my regular lunch.  If I waited until after  I ate lunch, the line would be to long.

   It was enhanced this year by the chef going from tale to table with a cart with a giant pan of fresh Paella serving people. This was followed by another cart where they were poring Sangria to everyone.

21 hours ago, DavidsNana said:

Thanks for this "Live From".  I am not a big gambler but I have thoroughly enjoyed your style and candid report of this solo trip for you.  I have often wondered just how much and what it takes to get the good Casino Offers.   I also love the ones that you and your wife post when she is with you.  Hope you both can take advantage of that great offer and have a fabulous time.

Also just got off this cruise.  At 18,000 points, got a mini suite and $1500.

casino offer. Plus Package included

6 hours ago, coopco said:

Thanks for the update. I am still waiting to hear back.

Me too....but we leave tomorrow.....

4 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I am still not sure why people insist on bringing anything onboard that they’ve deemed to be not allowed.  
oh well, it is what it is!  

I used to bring a steamer.....

bought it in the gift shop on a Royal Caribbean cruise      :O)

11 minutes ago, coopco said:

Can you post after February 2nd if you were able to get your money back? Our cruise is in late March so I’d be curious. Once on Discovery, I made reservations for specialty dining and paid because on the previous cruise on Discovery when I tried to make reservations the first afternoon, they said everything was sold out. I did finally get credited but got the run around for that to happen. Also if you wait until onboard to book excursions, often on Discovery, the good ones are sold out. I haven’t had this experience on other Princess ships and assume it because of the higher passenger capacity. We don’t need extra OBC because our cruise is short but if we got FCC, I’d be OK with that. I’m just curious to see what they tell you.

   I will.

You are right about the selling out part. I wanted the first sea day but just in case we decided to cancel,

  I booked 2 days out. I thought you we be alright to give 24 or 48 hrs notice. Now that I know we have been charged, I went back to change to the first sea day & there is no longer any availability then !

  Whatever the outcome, I am now sure we will go.

I think the original suite perk was to get people to understand what the 360 Dining was.. It served its purpose. I think it will get harder & harder to get a reservation for it.

Remember, it is now in a special room with only 20 people allowed to attend at a time. If they make it bigger,and I bet they will, it will just not be the same.

1 hour ago, Abercrombie2019 said:

OBC can only be used to purchase excursions before your cruise, everything else will be billed to your credit card.

 

If 360 does turn out to be complimentary for you, the ship will refund the cost.  Hope it turns out well for you.

We have cruised many times.

 I never have reserved in advance anything.

I though reserved for a restaurant was like at home. I wish that it said reserve & pay !

 I really thought I would be onboard before charged,

17 minutes ago, memoak said:

I have no idea why you are disappointed. OBC is”On Board Credit “. You are not in ship yet the only thing you can use it for at this point is excursions 

Good point...

  I did not even think about that. I just assumed I was holding a spot.

Does that apply to all advance dining reservations ?

 Some of you might have read my other thread about the possibility of having the 360 Dining be complimentary.

 I went ahead & booked because I saw many times were booking up. I was going to take it up with the concierge when we got onboard.

Our cruise is February 2nd.

If not complimentary, I figured we would use our onboard credit. Shocked to see our credit card was charged this morning.

I purposely made a reservation several days in to the cruise to allow time for changes or cancellation.

VERY disappointed they would do this.

4 hours ago, jagoffee said:

This is part of an email that I received this week.

 

“

And because you booked a suite before December 1, 2023, it won't cost you a thing!

This epic, seven-course journey transports you to the Mediterranean. 

We can’t give away the menu, but we can give you a sense (or five) of what to expect: 

 

• Seven courses showcasing the best of Mediterranean cuisine perfectly paired with cocktails and wine
• Dazzling imagery in a room wrapped with hi-def screens
• Stunning hi-res sound for a unique sonic element
• Enticing aromas pumped into the atmosphere 
• Captivating stories about the food you’re enjoying ? and the people who produced it

 

Space is limited, so secure your seat at the table with your suite concierge as soon as you're on board.”

looks like it is official.

I certainly would NOT wait until I am onboard.

On my coming up trip, there all already 4 nights with NO vacancies & only 1 with the second seating available.  That is why I went ahead & made my reservation awhile back & will deal with the issue of complimentary or not when I get onboard..

I always liked dining at a large shared table.

On most cruise lines, that is getting harder to find. Seems a lot of people do not want shared tables anymore.

I did a real booking just to same a spot as they are filling up.

I will let the concierge make the final decision. We sail in less than 2 weeks....I will let you know  

That is the same email I got. When I called they said it ....was a mistake for me to receive it !

   Did you call ?

10 hours ago, llgator said:

Same problem with customer service today but I also got this email today that clearly states it's complimentary. I just booked it and hope to get my money back!

17 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

I know you mentioned the older documents you were going to take along to prove that you should get 360 as a suite perk.  I'd also suggest that you generate a new Travel Summary and if that shows 360 (as mine does), print that too as it would have today's date on it.  I keep saying this but Princess needs to do better with communications.  The sneaky approach they've used with so many things as they have eliminated perks or increased pricing without notification just creates ill will.  Good luck to you and please come back and let us all know how it goes.

   They are actually not old....just from this week ! 

Will let you know. Been watching some youtubes

Even if they do not comp it, I do not think I will cancel. Looks fabulous & we may never have another chance to see it !

   Glad I went ahead & made a booking.

Even though it says I will be charged. I will take up with the concierge when onboard.

I can always cancel.

 The times for the 360 dining are 5:00pm & 7:30pm.

Cruise is a little less than 2 weeks out.  We had a good choice because we are old & only want early dining  BUT   there is only one evening left for the 7:30 pm slot and 2 nights with NO availability !  I think it risky to wait until you are onboard to book.

It only holds 20 people per session. That is a very small percentage of the ship & it is getting more popular.

I always leave $2. bills. I think of them as a lucky piece.

I have coffee & pastry delivered to the room each morning & give one.

I also give one if there is a lady serving the rest room while I am in there. I do not think many people acknowledge them.

AND, my grandchildren love them. They show them off to their friends !

Holland Neptune Suite vs Princess Suites (several categories).

ALL Princess suites win hands down on most Princess ships.

There is the ability to close off the sleeping area from the living room area on Princess.

AND their bathrooms are the best. There is a toilet/sink area that totally closes off from the bathtub/shower/sink area. Almost like having 2 bathrooms !

Their concierge lounge has snacks 24 hrs. & a complementary cocktail time in the evening.

It is also set up more for visiting others.

26 minutes ago, ljhershey said:

Here's some contact info...

Executive Contacts

Primary Contact
Collin Steinke
Director, Customer Relations
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
csteinke@princesscruises.com

Secondary Contact
Lorna Warren
Vice President Guest Services
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
lwarren@princesscruises.com

  Thank you. I just sent an email to Mr. Steinke

    I cannot spend anymore time on this , especially because everyone says something different.

I just went ahead & booked it on the app.to save the space. This is so limited that I worry it would book up before we board.

I was told there was no charge until your actual reservation time.

 I went ahead & printed off my email that says complementary & I also printed off the FULL PAGE ad on the Princess site that says it is a suite perk in case the eliminate that.

   I am going to discuss this with the concierge when we get on board.

9 hours ago, EDDY0827 said:

Is this listed (itemized) on your Travel Summary?

No, but neither are all the other suite perks !

I always book through an internet agency,,,unless through a Princess casino offer, and never have any trouble.

13 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

Just a suggestion but, you might leave that part out of any further communication with Princess.

Or then again, go ahead and try to use that card 🙂 

 

Cheers

good suggestion.

Just frustrated by this. I know perks come & go all the time. I wasted so much time today on this.

   One person 'thanked' me for bringing it to their attention that the website was still showing that as a suite perk in error & they will have that removed.

   Another said they are going to send out a retraction to all the people that got the email that said it was complementary. Doesn't anybody proof read things anymore ??

     On Dec.7th, we booked a suite on the Discovery Princess for next month.

We were told that because we had a suite, the 360 dining was a suite perk.

TODAY, I got an email saying to call the number provided to make the reservation for my complementary 360 dining experience.

Spoke to 3 people that seemed confused before one finally said we were NOT eligible.Apparently that perk was discontinued on

Dec. 2nd and anyone booking after that date was not entitled. We were 5 days late.

They apologized for the email but said....too bad !

On the Princess website TODAY it says "360: A Priceless Benefit To Princess Suite Guests".

It is really the principle of the thing. I feel we are entitled to this.

An exhausting fight for hours on the phone today with no resolve.

What do you think ? ?

4 hours ago, Jacqueet said:

Not having a lot of luck...is your TA a cruise specific agency? 

Yes, just cruises. I cannot name them because years ago i did that.

I got a reprimand from cruise critic that if I did that again, I would be banned    :O(