More bad news on Sea Princess

[Royalty X]

ALL pax on affected itineraries are being given obc. However, their notification of changes to itineraries is somewhat lacking. And apparently the decisions regarding itinerary changes are being instigated (and communicated) by the US, not Australian management.

Edited July 23, 2014 by Royalty X

[MicCanberra]

ALL pax on affected itineraries are being given obc. However, their notification of changes to itineraries is somewhat lacking. And apparently the decisions regarding itinerary changes are being instigated (and communicated) by the US, not Australian management.

To me it doesn't matter who is making the call, whether it is the US or the Aussie management, they are not making it until the last minute. This is wrong and IMO is fraud as they cannot deliver on the itinerary they are selling.:(

[dancinman66]

This is being handled very poorly indeed and a trend I have seen over the lady years with carnival corp all round

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[MicCanberra]

This is being handled very poorly indeed and a trend I have seen over the lady years with carnival corp all round

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I hadn't really noticed that they were lady years :p

Auto correct strikes again.:D

[woodscruise]

Sea Princess slows passengers aboard Sea Princess have taken to social

media and cruise forums to voice their discontent about ongoing

schedule changes related to “technical difficulties”, which have caused the ship to operate at reduced speed for two months.

 

Currently operating its series of Asian cruises from Fremantle, Princess Cruises has acknowledged the problem in messages to guests and in many

cases offered onboard credits of $100-$200pp as compensation for the inconvenience.

 

A spokesperson for the company told TD Cruise Update:

“There is a minor technical problem that has resulted in the ship operating at reduced speed. “Our experts assessed the problem and devised a program

of work that meant we could keep faith with our guests by keeping any disruption to Sea Princess’ itineraries to a minimum.”

The repairs are expected to be completed “in coming weeks”,

the spokesperson commented.

 

Source: Cruise Weekly 24 July 2014

[icat2000]

I hadn't really noticed that they were lady years :p

Auto correct strikes again.:D

 

Well there are lady steps.

[MMDown Under]

Princess spokesman's comments, on keeping faith with their guests, leave me almost speechless!

[MicCanberra]

Princess spokesman's comments, on keeping faith with their guests, leave me almost speechless!

I think the spokesperson is confused and said 'keeping faith with their guests' instead of ' keeping money from their guests'.:(

[bazshirl2]

As a "faithful" Princess passenger , I agree their treatment of passengers in this matter is appalling.

This is damaging the brand here. There is no excuse for poor or non existent communication. Princess executive - it is time to show some leadership.:eek:

[Flipper133]

This is being handled very poorly indeed and a trend I have seen over the lady years with carnival corp all round

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Is this a reference to Carnival Corp CEO, Ann Sherry ?

 

No comments from her of late...perhaps this issue is considered an operational matter that needs to be handled by the minions.

 

Forget the poor PR

Edited July 24, 2014 by Flipper133

[MicCanberra]

Is this a reference to Carnival Corp CEO, Ann Sherry ?

 

No comments from her of late...perhaps this issue is considered an operational matter that needs to be handled by the minions.

 

Forget the poor PR

 

Ahh, perhaps it was not an auto correct issue.:rolleyes:

[The_Big_M]

Is this a reference to Carnival Corp CEO, Ann Sherry ?

 

No comments from her of late...perhaps this issue is considered an operational matter that needs to be handled by the minions.

 

Forget the poor PR

 

Or you could be right about it being an "operational matter."

 

They're doing a Scott Morrison! :eek:

[DTZSCruise]

I just completed a 12 day cruise from Perth to Singapore on Sea Princess. Once on board, my group and I were determined to have a great time...and we did!

 

However, as many have already noted, Princess management is doing a inadequate job with regard to communicating with passengers on the "technical issue" hounding the ship. E-mails to Princess prior to departure, in which I expressed my concern, and asked for more detailed information were never answered. All passengers received a $200 on board credit to compensate for port call changes. Prior to sailing we were told that one port would not be visited (Lombok). As a result, we spent the initial six days at sea. The cruise staff did not add any additional entertainment or events as a result of this extra time at sea...despite having considerable time to do so. Once on board we were notified that all of our port calls, with the exception of Kuala Lumpur, were being cut short by an hour...the explanation given (by a passing crew member...nothing from the Captain) was "tidal issues"...tide tables are published years in advance, a low tide should not have surprised the navigator.

 

I completely understand the contract of passage allows Princess to make itinerary changes, I am let down by the manner in which Princess management is handled this situation. I think that all cruise lovers fully understand that unforeseen circumstances, emergency maintenance issues and force majeure are often the exception to the rule during the course of a cruise, but happen none the less. However, none of these reasons appear to be what has stricken Sea Princess.

Sea Princess has been crippled for several weeks. From my perspective, rather than fixing the problem at one of the many available ship building and maintenance ports the ship has recently visited, Princess appears to be satisfied with operating a less than fully functional ship. If the problem is more complex than what I have inferred, no information has been shared with me beyond that she, “…has experienced technical difficulties which have resulted in our inability to operate at full speed.” Therefore, to the layman, it appears Princess will continue to operate her, at the expense of delivering the customer what we booked nearly a year ago. It seems like a conscious choice to sacrifice the product they are providing the consumer rather than fixing the issue. This causes great concern to me as a passenger. It makes me question what other “short cuts” Princess is making, how will these effect ultimate safety while on board?

 

Moving beyond my concern regarding them operating a ship with known mechanical difficulties, the manner in which they addressed is also unsettling. The cruise will now start with six sea days. The ship sailed slower from the cool temperatures of Perth to the warm weather. The ship was now be at sea for six continuous days. While six days at sea may be paradise for some, I think if you look closer at the product offered for those six days, you will recognize the stressful situation created for passengers and crew. The Sea Princess is not one of the new, big, improved ships that are featured on your commercials. This ship is over 20 years old. The entertainment options are her are limited. The venues to eat, relax and unwind are equally limited (when compared to other ships, and when faced with no diversion for six days).

 

Due to lack of competition, Princess appears able, and satisfied, to offer an inferior product to the Australian market than they would in other locals.

[MicCanberra]

I am glad you had a great cruise despite the issues mentioned in your post. :D

They are really turning customers away and IMO, the offer of $200 OBC is almost as good as a slap in the face. Disgusting conduct by Princess.:(

[bazshirl2]

Thanks DTZSCruise for taking the time to write this review. Glad you still had a great time.

 

Please let your feelings known to Princess in the States.

[The_Big_M]

It might be a short term cost saving, but I don't think that approach will encourage loyalty from passengers impacted.

[windsor26]

As posted should we cancel we would have lost our hotel and air flight bookings and costs and the Insurance policy excess would clear the amount to claim.

 

Yes we have been to expensive Singapore very many times and love it but I booked the tour from a choice of 5 others at the time of post surgery because of Bali and Vietnam where I have not been too often and would like the experience. I will however have a great time as I do make lemonade but that does not stop me from airing my views and requesting that others contact Princess as I have in case they can do better for us and perhaps bring back the lost hours at the other ports.

 

We love the 3 ships of this class and do know that they are old but being old and needing treatment is not the issue The issue is that knowing the engine problems since the beginning of the year nothing has correctly been achieved and using our Singapore stay as a garage for temporary repairs is - as said - a slap to their customers.

 

Of course with 6 sea days to commence they hope that everyone will spend the dollars given as obc to compensate - and - if the recent cruise with the same 6 days to commence is repeated that there was NO EXTRA ENTERTAINMENT available this will be very bad news. I do not know this CD but I hope he comes to the party and does sort out extra daytime activities.

 

The P&O UK ship that stayed in Auckland for 6 days did very well indeed for their customers. My friends were on it. There were free bars for 4 of the days and a good amount of compensation given and free tours available for those who wanted to do them - not the usual ones but short trips.

This is usual good treatment by P&O UK as we have found in the past when we were 3 hours late to visit Dublin everyone was given 100 pounds sterling.

 

Now I need to sort out some tours for the cruise now labelled "the bits of Asia that are left" :rolleyes:

[OzKiwiJJ]

Yes, that review implied that Princess really isn't giving it's customers a fair deal.

 

The beauty of Singapore is that it is forever changing, but it is getting ridiculously expensive for some things. Still, the MRT is still good value especially if you get one of the smart cards, and there is great food at hawker stalls and food courts.

[windsor26]

Yes, that review implied that Princess really isn't giving it's customers a fair deal.

 

The beauty of Singapore is that it is forever changing, but it is getting ridiculously expensive for some things. Still, the MRT is still good value especially if you get one of the smart cards, and there is great food at hawker stalls and food courts.

 

We shall be heading out to Little India as DH needs to purchase some inner tubes for our 1926 Windsor Austin saloon car and they are easier to get in Singapore. I hope the shop we used last time is still there. I think we will visit Sentosa again It is a few years since we went there and we certainly will have lots of time this visit.:p

Edited July 25, 2014 by windsor26

[NSWP]

Carnival Corp is really taking Aussies and Kiwis for a 'ride' on these 3 ships, Sun/Dawn/Sea Princesses. I have been on Sun and Dawn, not impressed and I don't care what anybody says, Princess cruising on these 3 ships is not to normal Princess overseas standard, plus the prices are exorbitant. Take a look at the Princess World Cruise prices. One can get on board a passing P&O UK ship for half the price as we did in 2012, Syd-Sou.

 

These ships are here in poor condition because the Americans like the newer ships, end of story. Time to get rid of them, instead of ripping off Aussie/Kiwi cruisers, many of whom are first time cruisers and know no better. Try ships like Golden Princess, Ruby Princess, Crown Princess, Coral Princess etc and you well get a true appreciation of Princess Cruising..as they say..'Come back new.'

[OzKiwiJJ]

We shall be heading out to Little India as DH needs to purchase some inner tubes for our 1926 Windsor Austin saloon car and they are easier to get in Singapore. I hope the shop we used last time is still there. I think we will visit Sentosa again It is a few years since we went there and we certainly will have lots of time this visit.:p

 

I thought Little India had changed for the worst when we went there last year - all jewellery stores now. But something as specialised as car parts may still be there. Why not have a squiz on Google Maps and see if you can spot it. Google seems to keep its street views fairly up to date.

 

You'll probably find Sentosa has changed immensely since you were last there. Still a fun place to visit though. There is a really good shopping mall at Harbourside called Vivo City, and a monorail runs from there to Sentosa.

 

Then there is the new Gardens by the Bay which has some interesting stuff, and that is close to Marina Bay Sands.

 

Long Beach restaurants currently have the best crab, according to DH's local colleagues.

Edited July 25, 2014 by OzKiwiJJ

[windsor26]

I thought Little India had changed for the worst when we went there last year - all jewellery stores now. But something as specialised as car parts may still be there. Why not have a squiz on Google Maps and see if you can spot it. Google seems to keep its street views fairly up to date.

 

You'll probably find Sentosa has changed immensely since you were last there. Still a fun place to visit though. There is a really good shopping mall at Harbourside called Vivo City, and a monorail runs from there to Sentosa.

 

Then there is the new Gardens by the Bay which has some interesting stuff, and that is close to Marina Bay Sands.

 

Long Beach restaurants currently have the best crab, according to DH's local colleagues.

 

Thanks for those suggestions we will take them on board.:D

[bazzaw]

Gentlemen

 

WHATEVER YOU DO!!!! -- DON'T allow your partners to go into the Mustafa Centre in Singapore's Little India!!!!!!!!:) http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/shopping/shopping-malls/mustafa-centre.html

 

 

Barry

[MicCanberra]

Gentlemen

 

WHATEVER YOU DO!!!! -- DON'T allow your partners to go into the Mustafa Centre in Singapore's Little India!!!!!!!!:) http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/shopping/shopping-malls/mustafa-centre.html

 

 

Barry

 

Wallet emptying habits can be real bad.:D

[windsor26]

Wallet emptying habits can be real bad.:D

 

I love that place When there during the festival of lights one year and the atmosphere was fantastic :D:D