Majestic Princess--the good, the OK and the bad

[hoopslover]

Just returned from the Majestic Princess cruisetour from Auckland to Sydney followed by a tour through Princess to the Outback and Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.  If any of you have any questions I will try to answer them.

This was our 12th cruise, first on Princess.  We were traveling with 2 other couples and had stateroom B502 midship balcony.  The room was great with a large closet and shower.  It had plenty of storage and the TV on demand movies were great.

Embarkation and Debarkation were the fastest and most organized of any we had been on.  The luggage was delivered to our stateroom and put inside unlike many other cruiselines that leave the luggage outside your door.

 

We had anytime dining and the first night we talked to the MaitreD about a table for 6 at 7 p.m. every night and he had the same table with the same wonderful waiters each night.  We ate one night at the Crown Grill (I will address the reason a little later).  The food was OK, some better than others.  Not as many choices as we had been used to.  We always found something good to eat.  The service was wonderful.

The ship is beautiful but we really didn't like the layout of the ship.  The atrium was 3 stories high and when we were on decks 6 or 7 you couldn't visit because the activities or music on deck 5 was overwhelming. With a sold out cruise it never seemed too crowded.

 

Entertainment was only OK.  There were 4 production shows out of the 13 nights.  Not too impressive.  We had 3 other singers which were OK and a fiddler.  The Australian Beetles were great.  No comedian or juggler or entertainer like that. There was a comedian in the Vista Gaming Lounge but there were never any seats. The seats in the theater were nice and as long as you were there 30 minutes early it was easy to get a seat.

 

Buffet food was OK.  Not very many salad choices for lunch except green salads.  Very repetitive choices for breakfast and lunch. Good service with lots of workers serving coffee and cleaning the tables. No half and half for coffee, only regular or skim milk.

 

Casino was the smallest of any ship we had been on.  Most of the slot machines were exactly the same.  No variety.

 

Laundry was convenient but the coin machines never worked.  Always had to call the service # to get help.

 

Now for the BAD.  The bartenders were way below par.  We had the sip n sail, but our friends paid $1000 AUS for their drink package.  It was great to get water bottles and specialty coffee as part of the beverage package.  That is where the good ended.  They ran out of wine on day 3.  Out of white zinfandel (I know it isn't really wine, lol) chardonnay and pinot grigio by day 4.  Our head waiter searched the ship for more white zinfandel and found 2 bottles that he saved for us.  The last week we had no wine at dinner.  They did not stock the ship properly.  If it is on the wine menu they should have it in stock on day 4.  On Halloween they had a special "spooktacular" bar menu posted at each bar.  How fun, right?  We each ordered a different drink from the 10 on the menu and they either didn't know how to make them or they didn't have the ingredients.  We tried 5 bars and the answer was the same at each bar.  Huge disappointment.  I ordered a lava flow and got a mudslide.  The next day I ordered a lava flow and asked the server if he knew what was in it.  He did but he brought 2.  I asked him why and he said that the bartender couldn't figure out how to make 1/2 serving of pina colada and 1/2 serving of strawberry daiquiri .  So he made full drinks and split them into 2.  Also got charged on 2 separate days for drinks even though we had the drink package.  That meant standing in line twice to get the charges removed. 

 

Crown Grill We ate there on night 4 for our friend's birthday.  Food and service were good but again no wine for 3 of us.  We had a voucher for 6 because Princess messed up our cruisetour 2 weeks before we left home.  Even though our reservations were linked they moved our friends to a different land tour going in the reverse direction of our land tour.  They wouldn't put them back so we were forced to change itineraries even though I had booked 16 months out. We got the vouchers as an apology.

 

We took private tours in NZ and Tasmania.  I will be glad to share what we did and talk about the tour part of our trip if any of you have questions or comments.

Donna

 

[rentlady]

What was your best landtour spot ? Would you recommend any perticular food item? How did you handle the insect situation in the outback?What time would you head out of the hotels each day ? Will be there in March and understand the temps will range from 40 in southern n,z. To 90 in the Outback.Any tips you wish to share?

[Geoffa30]

Thanks for this. We’re on the Sydney round trip to New Zealand on 13 March 2019. Hopefully they won’t run out of wine! 

 

How was the land tour part part of your trip? We were booked on it prior to our cruise next year but cancelled as we decided to just do Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef on our own as felt the Princess tour would be too rushed.

[hoopslover]

We liked both the Outback and Cairns.  We only had 1 day in Sydney because the flight didn't get in until 8:30 p.m. 

Embarkation was group 1 at 6:15 a.m.  Too early as our flight was at 10:30 and we couldn't check in til 8:30.  Had to stand at the airport for an hour before the ticket counter opened. 

After landing we went to the hotel and left for the sunset at Uluru.  

The first morning in the Outback the bus left at 5 a.m. for the sunrise at Uluru.  No coffee anywhere.  We got breakfast when we returned about 7. We went back out to the cultural center for a aboriginal campfire.  That was great .  We then walked to the base of the rock. Flies were horrible.  Get a net on Amazon.  Well worth it. The food in the outback was limited.  Everything is owned by the tribe.  Breakfast buffet was good. 

 

The next day we were to fly to Cairns.Flight was supposed to be at 9 a.m.  There was a problem with how the 2 groups were split up for the number of airline seats.  10 of us were switched to group 2 for one day to get to Cairns.  The computers at the airport were down.  We had our boarding passes but they had to handwrite the other information.  We waited for 2 hours in the terminal.  We then had a 1 hour flight to Alice Springs.  Switched planes for the flight to Cairns.  Got to the hotel about 5ish.  Our original group had a direct flight but didn't get to the hotel until 7. Long day of airports and flights.

 

Next morning we left at 9 for the Great Barrier Reef.  It was awesome. Since we hadn't had time the arrival day in Cairns because of the late flight we went to Kuranda and the skyrail.  That was fun!  Our flight back to Sydney left at 4:30 and arrived at 8:30.  Got to the hotel at 9:30.  Way too late to do anything and nothing was open for dinner. 

 

Our half day tour of Sydney was OK.  By then we were tired.  Opera House was having something special so we couldn't even get close for pictures.  She found another view spot on our way back to the hotel.  Loved Bondi Beach.  Wish we had time to go back there.  We were only in Sydney 1 day after late arrival.

 

Princess messed up and told us that our transfer from the hotel to the airport were not included.  They told us we could purchase them for $30 per person.  They were not listed on the itinerary. Since there were 6 of us it would have been $180, So we booked private transfers and then the day before our tour leader told us they were included.  I had asked every day for 5 days and she said she would check on it.  Never did until the day before.  I cancelled but might not get a refund.  

 

Take plenty of water to the outback.  It was 90 with lots of flies.  In Cairns it was in the 80s and gorgeous.  The rainforest at Kuranda was very hot and humid but no mosquitos.

 

Nice weather the one day in Sydney. NZ was chilly so there wasn't any pool time.

 

Let me know if I can answer more questions.  It was definitely tiring.  If the dates would have corresponded to the dates we could travel we might have preferred to do the land tour first.  Very tired after those 6 days followed by a 14 hour flight.  Good to be home.

[Geoffa30]

Hoopslover, thanks for the land tour information. It does look pretty full on. Our original plan had been three nights in Sydney followed by the Princess land tour. We cancelled some months ago and instead have four nights in Sydney followed by four nights in Cairns then another night in Sydney before the 13 night New Zealand round trip on the Majestic. I think we have made the right decision in cancelling.

[icat2000]

You think Princess would know by know to stock up on the wine when there are a  lot of NZ and Australian passengers. I remember being on a transatlantic once where they was 500 NZ and Australians on board and they didn't have enough wine on board either.  Totally, under catered for the demographics. 

 

 

[patch nine]

was on the Sun recently and they ran out of Sav Blanc after 2 days!  very limited choice after that although the bars had better stock.  We ended up buying wine by the glass from Crooners and carrying it to the dining room.  Apparently on the cruise prior to ours they ran out of beer!!  

[Seadog & Sea Hag]

11 minutes ago, patch nine said:

was on the Sun recently and they ran out of Sav Blanc after 2 days!  very limited choice after that although the bars had better stock.  We ended up buying wine by the glass from Crooners and carrying it to the dining room.  Apparently on the cruise prior to ours they ran out of beer!!  

Nonsense 

[Gracie115]

Just off the Regal and they were running out of wines by the glass near the end of the cruise.  In talking to one of the Vines bartenders he explained that because they were in the middle of changing the wine list that the "wines by the glass" were being depleted and at least in some lounges they had nothing to replace it.  Wines BY THE BOTTLE seemed to be plentiful and we began buying that way, which we estimate in the long run saved us money... of course that doesn't help with people who have a beverage package.

 

Hopefully once they finish this transition to the new list they will stock adequately for every sailing on every ship.

[PrincessLuver]

On 11/14/2018 at 8:30 PM, hoopslover said:

Just returned from the Majestic Princess cruisetour from Auckland to Sydney followed by a tour through Princess to the Outback and Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.  If any of you have any questions I will try to answer them.

 

We had anytime dining and the first night we talked to the MaitreD about a table for 6 at 7 p.m. every night and he had the same table with the same wonderful waiters each night.  We ate one night at the Crown Grill (I will address the reason a little later). 

 

 

 

I do not understand why people think ATD is the same as TD.....it would seem to me if you were going to eat at the same time every night with the same people you would a request TD time and not feel entitled to take a table from others who were waiting for ATD tables to open.......really goes against the spirit of ATD and I do not think that reservations like yours should be honored by Princess....one of my few pet peeves with Princess policies I have!!

 

When we are on cruises and I see or hear of this happening in the ATD (especially when there are lines) I have no problem reporting it to the hotel manager and Passenger Services desk.

[hoopslover]

Since this was our first Princess cruise, we looked at the Patter for directions on what to do.  There was fixed dining at the Alegro all night.  In the Concerto there was first seating in there followed by ATD after 7:30.  The Symphony was ATD from 5:30-9:30.  The patter said you could show up or call or make reservations or speak to the maitreD.  The first night we just showed up.  There was only one person in line ahead of us.  The maitre D seated us and came by later to ask about our dinner.  At that time we asked if we could be assigned to our wonderful waiters for the remainder of the cruise.  He said yes.  Two nights the guests did not vacate and the maitreD put us at a nearby table.  Absolutely no problem for us.

There was only a line one night (the second formal night).  It had 4 people in it.  Most nights the dining room was only about half full.

What mistake did we make?  We followed the instructions in the Patter and the MaitreD Sebastian came by every night to make sure we were having a good time. I hope I didn't spoil your cruise.  If you want to report us go ahead.

[trbarton]

On the outside of your stateroom is their the box where papers etc can be left?

 

I think that on the new ships that’s no longer there as their is a screen for the Medallion.

 

Any discussion as to when the Medallion will be ready?

 

 Thanks!

 

Tom

[EastBay Cruisers]

12 hours ago, hoopslover said:

Since this was our first Princess cruise, we looked at the Patter for directions on what to do.  There was fixed dining at the Alegro all night.  In the Concerto there was first seating in there followed by ATD after 7:30.  The Symphony was ATD from 5:30-9:30.  The patter said you could show up or call or make reservations or speak to the maitreD.  The first night we just showed up.  There was only one person in line ahead of us.  The maitre D seated us and came by later to ask about our dinner.  At that time we asked if we could be assigned to our wonderful waiters for the remainder of the cruise.  He said yes.  Two nights the guests did not vacate and the maitreD put us at a nearby table.  Absolutely no problem for us.

There was only a line one night (the second formal night).  It had 4 people in it.  Most nights the dining room was only about half full.

What mistake did we make?  We followed the instructions in the Patter and the MaitreD Sebastian came by every night to make sure we were having a good time. I hope I didn't spoil your cruise.  If you want to report us go ahead.

You didn't make any mistakes. It is fine for Anytime Dining guests to make reservations for a certain time for Anytime Dining. When you spoke to the Maitre D',  he assumed that you were making reservations for every night for the remainder of the cruise.  You did your part -- you were booked for Anytime Dining in the Symphony, and you showed up to keep your reservations in the Symphony for ATD. 

[caribill]

17 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

I do not understand why people think ATD is the same as TD.....it would seem to me if you were going to eat at the same time every night with the same people you would a request TD time and not feel entitled to take a table from others who were waiting for ATD tables to open.......really goes against the spirit of ATD and I do not think that reservations like yours should be honored by Princess....one of my few pet peeves with Princess policies I have!!

 

 

The why is when the traditional times are not the times you would like to eat. If traditional is at 5 PM and 7:15 PM but you want to eat at 6 PM, then that is the time you would want a table in Anytime.

 

Now whether or not reservations are against the basic definition of anytime is a different topic to debate, but there are valid reasons for passengers wanting to eat at a time that is not possible with the Traditional times.

[sewgood]

18 hours ago, trbarton said:

On the outside of your stateroom is their the box where papers etc can be left?

 

I think that on the new ships that’s no longer there as their is a screen for the Medallion.

 

 Thanks!

 

Tom

Yes there is still the mail slot outside the door on the Majestic.

[PrincessLuver]

15 hours ago, caribill said:

 

The why is when the traditional times are not the times you would like to eat. If traditional is at 5 PM and 7:15 PM but you want to eat at 6 PM, then that is the time you would want a table in Anytime.

 

Now whether or not reservations are against the basic definition of anytime is a different topic to debate, but there are valid reasons for passengers wanting to eat at a time that is not possible with the Traditional times.

 

I understand how it works and is supposed to work.....we always choose ATD....if EVERYONE were allowed to request a permanent reservation and table like the OP did in ATD then all is fair.....however, that is not what Princess intended.....otherwise some people feel they are special and do not have to follow the rules like others....if you chose ATD then get in line like the rest of us and if you have to wait so be it!!!

[DevonianCruiser]

On 11/16/2018 at 1:29 PM, PrincessLuver said:

 

I do not understand why people think ATD is the same as TD.....it would seem to me if you were going to eat at the same time every night with the same people you would a request TD time and not feel entitled to take a table from others who were waiting for ATD tables to open.......really goes against the spirit of ATD and I do not think that reservations like yours should be honored by Princess....one of my few pet peeves with Princess policies I have!!

 

When we are on cruises and I see or hear of this happening in the ATD (especially when there are lines) I have no problem reporting it to the hotel manager and Passenger Services desk.

 

No problem, reporting it? Wow! Why not concentrate on your own holiday than caring about what other people are doing. Ending your last post with !!! Obviously a big bug bear for you - move on and don’t worry about other people. 

[Seadog & Sea Hag]

8 minutes ago, DevonianCruiser said:

 

No problem, reporting it? Wow! Why not concentrate on your own holiday than caring about what other people are doing. Ending your last post with !!! Obviously a big bug bear for you - move on and don’t worry about other people. 

I tend to agree with PrincessLuver actually 

[trbarton]

3 hours ago, sewgood said:

Yes there is still the mail slot outside the door on the Majestic.

 

Thank you very much for the information. 

 

Tom😀