charliedalrymple

amen!!

Merry Christmas, NZ Rainbow! It seems our impressions so far are quite similar (especially the Hollywood pool and the thousands of screaming children). We did not experience the long delays in the MDR thus far, so I guess we have been lucky. And yes, there was a different line for Premium after check-in to get through security, which sped up the process considerably (enough time for me to consume 1.5 frozen margaritas before our friends got there).

We are now on day four of our cruise, but I'm just now logging into the internet for the first time. I have a bit of catching up to do. December 22 - EMBARCATION The day started way too early (at 4:30 a.m.) so we could get the train from Canberra to Sydney. We had no intention of braving train coffee, so we ended up sleeping all the way to Sydney. As several people had advised in this forum, getting from Central Station to Circular Quay was super-easy and we were at the ship by about noon. (It was quite impressive to see the hull of the Majestic looming above us as we exited the train station.) We dropped our bags and were on board in no time, thanks to Platinum status. Our friends, however, are on their first cruise and had to wait in the long line with the unwashed masses, so we parked ourselves at the Ocean Terrace Bar and immediately ordered frozen margaritas. (We were determined to get our money's worth out of the Plus package, and the day was already half over.) Majestic is the biggest ship we've ever been on, and it seemed a bit overwhelming at first. However, it's beautiful and was nicely decked out for the holidays. We have a basic balcony stateroom, but our friends had a rear-facing deluxe with a very large balcony, so we decide to join them for sail-away. This is where we had our first experience with the Medallion app, and it was not a good one. We each ordered a drink to be delivered to the stateroom. 45 minutes later they called to say that they did not have the Pinot Grigio one of us ordered and offered an alternative. Fine. 15 minutes later we got a notification that our order had been cancelled and we should place the order again. By then we were well out of the harbour, so we decided to let it go. We went back to our stateroom to relax, and our friends reported that the drinks were delivered 15 minutes later, without them placing a new order. Not loving the Medallion app. We reserved dinner slots at 5:40 in Allegro when we booked the cruise, but we wanted to go later and tried to change our time. That turned out to be impossible unless we wanted to dine at 5:00 or 8:00. (Spoiler alert: the same thing happened on the next two evenings.). However, we just turned up and got a table for four within five minutes and had a fabulous dinner. All good. We were all tired after getting up at 4:30 a.m. and three out of four of us had an early night. I, however, decided to have a Sambuca in each of four different bars so I could decide which was my favourite. It turns out they were all good. December 23 - AT SEA Started with breakfast in the buffet, as we slept too late to make it to the dining room (which could have had something to do with four late-night Sambucas). It was predictably crowded and chaotic, but the range and quality of food offerings was excellent. With great trepidation, I decided to order a cappuccino to our table using the Medallion app. To my amazement, it arrived piping hot within minutes, and I decided to forgive the Medallion app for our earlier experience, at least temporarily. We decided to sample as many activities as possible to get a feel for the ship, and there were several highlights. One was a brass quartet (composed of members of the house band) playing Dixieland jazz in the piazza, and they were outstanding. (The experience was enhanced by our perch one level up in the Ocean Terrace Bar, where at least two, and possibly three, frozen margaritas were consumed. The servers there already know my name and life story.). Another standout was a singer doing a Shirley Bassey tribute in the Princess Theatre, and she was phenomenal. She said she would be doing an evening of Disney music later in the cruise, which we definitely don't want to miss. We also attended a talk by a very entertaining Maori brother and sister in Princess live where they attempted to teach us (mostly unsuccessfully) a game featuring Maori words and gestures. We tried to book a table at 6:30 in Symphony via the Medallion app, but were not even able to connect to it. I went there in person at about 4:00 and they told me to come back at 5:00, when they would be able to help me. When I returned at 5:00, they told me there were no tables in any dining room between 5:30 and 8:00 but we could try to walk in at 6:30. I went at 6:20 and had a bit of a meltdown with the dining room manager about how much I hated the Medallion app, and by the time my friends arrived at 6:30 they just wanted to find us a table quickly to shut me up--which they did. The evening ended with one or more frozen margaritas in the Crown Grill bar listening to a singer/guitarist from Brazil, who was very good. (The servers there also know my name and part of my life story--but the cruise is still young.). It was in the Crown Grill bar that I witnessed a man arguing loudly with a server when he had reached the 15-drink limit on his Plus Package. He believed that the count should go back to zero after midnight, since it was technically a new day, but the server was having none of it. They had no doubt seen his type before. December 24 - AT SEA Another late morning and breakfast in the buffet. Today we decided to explore the ship, and it is indeed massive. We spent some down time in the Hollywood Conservatory, which was lovely and tranquil (although there were no seats by the windows). I wish I could say the same for the Hollywood pool area, which reverberated with the shrieks of hundreds of children between the ages of 5 and 7. (That's only a slight exaggeration.). I have no intention of getting in the water with so many kids who probably don't bother to leave the pool to pee. The afternoon saw me at the Ocean Terrace bar, where the bartender now starts to crank up the blender to make a frozen margarita as soon as he sees me approaching and the servers greet me like an old friend. (My three companions were relaxing in their cabins.). We successfully made dinner reservations in Symphony for 5:00, and I sucked down an unknown number of frozen margaritas until then. The menu featured traditional holiday dishes from various countries, and we had a delicious Arctic Char (although I'm not convinced that is really a typical Christmas meal in Canada). The show in the Princess Theatre was a Johnny Cash tribute, but I took a pass. (Our friends said it was excellent.). I went instead to the Vista Lounge to hear a three-piece band from Chile with an amazingly dynamic singer doing ballroom music, and it was wonderful. Unfortunately, there were only about 20 people in attendance. I liked it so much that I stayed for their next set of 70's rock and roll, which the singer belted out with gusto to an audience of about ten people. They will be on board for the entire cruise and I've decided to follow them wherever they perform. I will note that servers roam the Vista lounge taking drink orders, which can include frozen margaritas if one is so inclined. I may or may not have consumed more than one. Two disappointments: There are no ship tours, which have not resumed since COVID. Also, the advertised interactive cocktail experience at Good Spirits is not happening at all during this cruise, for reasons that were never explained. Now that I'm caught up, I will attempt to post at the end of every day. Merry Christmas!

Thanks, Pac! Fingers crossed on the upgrade. I just want to know so I can get on with my life.

What if you have PP?

We leave tomorrow for 14 days in New Zealand (on Majestic), and your review has really whetted my appetite for what lies ahead. Thanks for this comprehensive review, especially all of the lovely photos!

We leave in about 24 hours on a cruise that is "sold out" and our upgrade bid still shows pending. I'm not expecting it to happen but will be pleasantly surprised if it does.

Thanks so much, metnesterz--you've put my mind at ease! Our cruise is from Sydney to New Zealand, so no visa issues. Much appreciated!

We sail tomorrow (December 22) and the checklist says we we should have our QR when we board the ship. I have the Medallion App on my phone and cannot for the life of me find the QR code. Can anyone help? I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world, but I'm not an idiot either. (Our upgrade bid is still showing "pending," but that's another issue.)

Umm...I would say that they have been spared the unbearably hot, humid climate of the Gold Coast! 😉

Great, thanks Leck. We are so excited for the cruise, but it is pouring rain in CBR today.

Thanks, Robbie from Adelaide. That sounds incredibly easy and puts my mind at ease!

We will be boarding the Majestic Princess at Circular Quay this Friday, December 22. We are taking the train from Canberra to Sydney Central Station, but I'm not familiar with what happens then. I know there is a train to Circular Quay, but will it be very difficult with our luggage? And when we get out at Circular Quay, how far is it to the ship (again thinking about luggage)? We are four people, so a taxi would be challenging. Feel free to make fun of us country folk from Canberra lost in the big, bad city. 😁

Nah, we're good. But thanks for the apology anyway! 🙂

No, they don't tell a story (they really aren't long enough for that), but they do have themes that make them more cohesive than a variety show. The production standards on Princess are quite high and the performers are generally extremely talented. Calling it glorified karaoke is doing a disservice to all of those who work hard, both on and off the stage, to present quality shows.

Thanks, boeckli. Not bad, but not great either...

I can understand not wanting to roam the city to fill the time. San Francisco used to be one of our favourite cities, but we were there last year and I'm sad to say it has really gone downhill. Don't think we will be going back.

That sounds lovely--thanks!

Definitely spa treatments if you want to do them on sea days. They will be fully booked well before the cruise date.

Poindexter, you are someone after my own heart. Who cares about deck chair hogs and smokers--as long as the cocktails are good!

Thanks, Beth. That's very helpful and good to hear. Yes, I do remember that we can order from the menu the night before, which is nice.

Thanks you so much--I really appreciate it!

We leave Sydney next Friday, December 22, on Majestic for a 14-day NZ cruise (wheeee!). I am coeliac and am wondering about the range of gluten-free options on Majestic (or other Princess ships, which are probably similar). We have been on Princess several times before, and they are generally very good about helping me avoid gluten. I also know that they can do bread in the dining room and gluten-free pizza crust in Alfredo's, but I'm wondering if someone who has sailed recently can talk about other gluten free options, including: - "Real" hamburger and hot dog buns - Croissants and other breakfast pastries - Cake in the International Cafe (and other flour-based desserts in the MDR and buffet besides the ubiquitous orange/almond cake) - Gluten-free soy sauce for sushi For once, I'd love to have some viable gluten-free alternatives, instead of just avoiding things with gluten. Any information would be appreciated!

What is an azipod?

Just my opinion, but the events that highlight jewelery/spa/artwork are little more than promotions designed to encourage people to spend money in those venues. I've avoided them since my first cruise. If there are concurrent events that interest you, I would attend those instead. Otherwise, which events are worthwhile is very much a matter of personal tastes. There are enough events on every Princess cruise that you are sure to find things to your liking.