Sky princess 28 March live

[Eglesbrech]

44 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

Probably not, people often want to be first on ship, add that to a delay and it will mean a very unpleasant experience.  I would have parked in West Quay and had lunch before joining the queue after 2pm, if I had that option, which I would have, as like you I was driving. 
Princess are supplying masks for those that need them, but I was in Southampton Boots yesterday with sailing friend, who was buying required masks for the cruise having seen the information on the roll call you are a part of.  I admit it applied to the cruise that ended today, not started today, but I think with the delayed boarding it was inevitable at least for the first few days.

 

that said it’s still a horrid situation, but everyone can play a part to make a bad situation worse or a bad situation better, blaming others doesn’t often lead to much satisfaction in my experience.  I’ve had bad Princess experiences, but when it comes down to it the only person that effects is me.

as I said I hope everything gets better from now on.

But I was supposed in the first batch. I had confirmed for 11am embarkation. I would have parked in west keys and had lunch - but no one told us there was a delay and they took the car as usual.

 

Yes we can all play a part, including the cruise line we payed a lot of money to.

 

Thank you for your good wishes. I also hope it gets better from here on in. The sail away was lively at least.

[Denmal]

Did anyone use the at the port testing that princess said.they had for 60 dollars ??  Just wondering if that was a mess too ??

[Eglesbrech]

2 hours ago, Denmal said:

Did anyone use the at the port testing that princess said.they had for 60 dollars ??  Just wondering if that was a mess too ??

Yes some used it and from those I have heard from the testing was fine and reasonably quick.

 

The app is not working, tried to order snacks to out table and just wouldn’t do it. We messaged them and the response was that there is a “server issue”

 

We had pre booked a table for dinner before boarding. Waste of time, massive queue and advised to go elsewhere! Got a table in the other restaurant eventually. The food was pretty good as was the wine so some positives 😀.

[Lady Arwen]

I sincerely hope things pick up and you have a wonderful cruise.  It’s so frustrating when things start out on the wrong foot and especially something you’ve been looking forward to for so long.  Put today behind you, enjoy a cocktail or two before bed and look forward to the days ahead.

[Eglesbrech]

I am adding to the op,s live thread rather than start a new one.

 

After a good nights sleep in a very comfortable bed I have reflected on yesterday and I am still just as annoyed for several reasons.

 

Lack of communication. That’s a pretty basic thing to take control of.

 

Lack of toilet facilities, there were literally thousands of people in a queue at the port and the only toilets on offer was a small set in the arrivals hall (as you couldn’t get near departures). That’s the arrivals hall that I am now aware that they were taking the covid passengers out through.

 

Lack of drinking water, there is nothing anywhere near the terminal to purchase anything (and no one had access to their cars which were taken in the normal manner with no mention of any delayed check in). The least Princes could have done was come out with some water.

 

They made us wear masks while standing outside in the queue (yes out in the fresh air). The reason given was that not everyone was tested so you could be standing next to someone with covid. Simple answer, don’t let people in the queue who don’t already have a negative test. Send them straight over to testing.

 

There was no attempt to check in by check in time so the whole thing was just a mess. As the op says even suite guests were in the herd.

 

Then the dreaded mask letter (and it’s sip and cover by the way). Princess have not changed the website so someone booking today for say the next cruise is being told that a mask is optional. Given the Captains announcement yesterday I doubt if masks are going anytime soon. He indicated that they should not have dropped the requirement so quickly. It will be interesting to see what corporate do.

 

Now for the positives.

 

The cabin (deluxe balcony) is great, spacious, lots of storage, clean and fresh. Nice larger than normal for a cruise ship fridge. Very comfortable bed. Decent sized shower and nice fragrance to the lotus spa soaps etc.

 

While the delivery part of the app does not appear to be working (for us anyway) the bar service is pretty good last night. We sat in the piazza and the musicians were good. A nice venue just to sit and chill.

 

Had a wander round and the whole ship has a feeling of newness.

 

Off for breakfast now with high hopes given that dinner was good.

 

 

[insidecabin]

I got the email for the delay at 9:30pm yesterday(Sunday wrote this bit Monday)

 

I delayed my bag drop to 12pm and it was chaos.

The car parking using port parking was blocking the route with a long queue looked like valet parking delays with CPS shambles

 

The passenger line outside was full length of the terminal

When I went to go park the car(£50 not £140) the car line was nearly back to the dock gates.

 

We returned walking at 15:30 and joined the end of the line at the arrivals door.

 

It moved  quickly finally on board at 16:20.

App not working and they say internet is down but I have a connection.

 

They closed down the muster check in and left before everyone had registered.

 

Had an early night it had been a long day  slept well through to 8am

Our sideways inside with door in the middle feels massive much better than end doors, loads of storage.

 

Elite bar set up with 8 spirits, no upgraded bathroom amenities and told they don't have them.

Robes sorted in 5 mins could not pre order.

 

Market place around 9am and it has been busy for a full hour, they are struggling to keep up with clearing drinks and cutlery.

 

Breakfast selections ok most choices available and enough stations open to avoid queues.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by insidecabin

[db51]

Once past the horrible embarkation things rapidly improved- bags were in cabins and cabins available. We quickly dropped our hand luggage, freshened up and went to Alfredo’s for lunch. No queue and after some mojitos and a lovely lunch we felt much better. We are with family and have 3 types of cabins, obstructed deluxe balcony, club class mini suite and suite. All the cabins were absolutely beautiful and the girls had fun ordering their drinks on the app,  aiming to try a different cocktail a day. They found that food and drinks take about an hour to arrive. Wifi seems ok so far. We went to dinner at 6.45 and managed to have 3 courses( all delicious) and make the 8 o’clock show in the theatre. Plenty of seats and we walked in at 8. There are 2 showings 8 and 10. We then went up to the top deck and were impressed that the pools were still open so we had a swim and hot tub at about 10. Also pleased to find out that my Dyson air wrap works in the  European socket in our room!

[db51]

Show was a magician/ comedian - DH thought he was good but the girls said that he was

like the magician at my 10 year old niece’ s birthday party ( it was not a compliment) but I did notice them laughing at some bits. Not many people on board under 25. 

[AF-1]

db51;  glad things are starting to improve and we all look forward to reading your posts.  Cheers

[phabric]

Looking for more reviews.  I am on the Sky May 28-June 11.  Hoping that embarkment will be better by then.

[Eglesbrech]

Breakfast was fine, nothing special, but fine and service a little slow. The orange juice was however good.

 

Lunch at Alfredo’s was excellent, really nice veggie anti pasta and tasty, crisp pizza. 

 

Had to queue for a while both times to get a table. The theme of this cruise so far is queuing for everything. Just my view but I feel they have too many people onboard for covid times. Every thing of interest you pass has a queue, particularly the area offering assistance for the app.

 

Enjoyed a long walk round the upper decks and a Film on the big screen. 
 

Mask wearing compliance is high, I don’t think I have seen anyone without one yet. I suspect the fact the ship is extremely busy is encouraging this.
 

[Alcairns]

7 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

Breakfast was fine, nothing special, but fine and service a little slow. The orange juice was however good.

 

Lunch at Alfredo’s was excellent, really nice veggie anti pasta and tasty, crisp pizza. 

 

Had to queue for a while both times to get a table. The theme of this cruise so far is queuing for everything. Just my view but I feel they have too many people onboard for covid times. Every thing of interest you pass has a queue, particularly the area offering assistance for the app.

 

Enjoyed a long walk round the upper decks and a Film on the big screen. 
 

Mask wearing compliance is high, I don’t think I have seen anyone without one yet. I suspect the fact the ship is extremely busy is encouraging this.
 

Re mask wearing - there were quite a few people in a princess live not wearing masks at the 3 o’clock trivia and the place was crowded if not over crowded. This was despite the announcement that it was a sip and cover area where masks were mandatory! There was no attempt by staff to enforce it. The same goes for the Casino whee there is a reluctance by staff to enforce the sop and cover rule

[Eglesbrech]

2 minutes ago, Alcairns said:

Re mask wearing - there were quite a few people in a princess live not wearing masks at the 3 o’clock trivia and the place was crowded if not over crowded. This was despite the announcement that it was a sip and cover area where masks were mandatory! There was no attempt by staff to enforce it. The same goes for the Casino whee there is a reluctance by staff to enforce the sop and cover rule

I haven’t been in either of these areas as yet so that interesting to know. Thank you.

[linaka625]

Is the Medallion app working?  I board on April 23 for Norwegian Fjords, and I hope that I'll be able to order food and drinks through the app.

Thank you,

 

[Eglesbrech]

15 minutes ago, linaka625 said:

Is the Medallion app working?  I board on April 23 for Norwegian Fjords, and I hope that I'll be able to order food and drinks through the app.

Thank you,

 

No. It’s not working for me. It seems to be intermittent.

[db51]

I managed to do a 1.5 hour work zoom call this afternoon with video which surprised me since I can’t upload photos into texts but zoom worked well. 
Lots of people in the piazza in ‘sip and cover’ areas not wearing masks but when walking around everyone seems to be wearing them. We had breakfast in Sabatini’s but it wasn’t very special- we had a salmon and cream cheese toasted bagel but had to put the cream cheese on the bagel ourselves ( and there wasn’t much of it to spread on) I know it sounds lazy but it would have been nicer if it was already made! DH is determined to go to the buffet tomorrow for a ‘proper breakfast’.  We had lunch on our balcony - it was brilliant - they came and put a tablecloth on the outside table. I had vegetarian burritos which were lovely. The girls had room service for breakfast and lunch and seem to be enjoying themselves. They said it was quicker than yesterday. They also enjoyed the gym which they said was fairly empty ( and were there for 1.5 hours) - they invited me but I was too busy having lunch and an Irish coffee!

 

[db51]

My brother is enjoying the Princess Plus drinks package and managed to get 4 alcoholic drinks delivered to his cabin via the app at the same time without being charged which puzzled me because I thought you could only do 1 at a time. We have done over 10000 steps today just walking around the ship which amazed me because it always seems hard to achieve at home. We haven’t queued at all so maybe it depends what you do? The girls enjoyed the yes/no show and tried it out all through dinner. 

[Lady Meer]

db51 - Thanks for keeping us up to date - we’re onboard straight after you. Was there a wait for club class dining?

 

Brenda

[db51]

None at all - club class is lovely; we have the same table and wait staff every night. Service is quick. Breakfast service much worse- slower but again no wait to go in. Tables more spread out than rest of estrella.

[insidecabin]

Not had to queue for anything yet, just avoid the busy times

 

Alfredo's 3pm light late lunch.

MDR 8:20pm as buffet was not good.

 

Even found seats at vines bar twice but service just ok in the evening they have a big space to cover.

 

Breakfast buffet again today 9am not so busy easy to find seats but dining room open till 9:30 may have helped.

 

If you want quick drink service outside bars are practically empty as it is not warm enough

 

There are quite a few non maskers about.

Not seen any sip and cover once sat it's mask off.

 

 

 

 

[Princess Cat]

1 hour ago, db51 said:

None at all - club class is lovely; we have the same table and wait staff every night. Service is quick. Breakfast service much worse- slower but again no wait to go in. Tables more spread out than rest of estrella.

That is good to know. We have Club Class on the next cruise too. Last year we found Sabatini's breakfast service slow but that didn't worry us as we were in no hurry to go anywhere. We may feel differently this time with more port stops.

[Lady Meer]

Thanks for the replies about club dining. We enjoyed it last year on Regal with no waiting and very attentive staff.

[Maizie_Mouse]

Been reading all your posts with interest as we’re on next when you get back.
 

How are you fining medallion app is it doing what it say on the tin or is it hit & miss? Seems like WiFi might be better this cruise than on the previous voyage.

 

Enjoy 😊 

[abqmommyof4]

we  are on the  sky  at the end of  October,  reading your review with great interest,   curious  to hear if you have any opinions of the Haven

 

[db51]

Some information from the girls:

1) you can’t get smoothies on the ship ( not sure if they have tried absolutely everywhere) but Rishi in Vines is very generous with alcoholic drinks!
2) you don’t get a drinking cup with the drinks package even if you phone up and ask for it

3) you don’t get a t shirt for getting the cocktail of the day every day from the cocktail bar ( and if you enquire about the t shirt they recommend the kids club?!!)

4) there is no nightclub on board ( I think the Vista Lounge is one but they disagree)

5) club mini suites do not get a glass of champagne on embarkation day nor do they get canapés ( not sure that they have just not asked the right person for this)

6) most of the activities are aimed at older people - eg ‘helping with joint pain’ and ‘ minimising wrinkles’ were 2 activities they quoted.

They do however love the gym, can barely move from  too much exercise and have scarily started pricing gym equipment and weights on Amazon!!

Some information from my brother and his girlfriend:

1) Estrella dining room is slow and very busy for breakfast - the best place to go is the buffet then eat your breakfast in the outside bit

2) the Sanctuary is amazing: very relaxing, great view of the front of the ship, lovely food and brilliant service. ( they  liked it so much they tried to book another day but it is fully booked for the rest of the cruise - they booked the first half day on embarkation day)