Live from Sky Princess 28 May

[Eglesbrech]

Day 1
 

Beautiful sunny day in Southampton for embarkation.

 

Embarkation was really excellent, we were through check in and onboard by 11.30 from an 11am check in time (although I understand that those after 12 noon had a very long wait to get on). Luggage delivery was also prompt. The cabin is immaculate so all good there. We have arranged with the steward for a turndown service, it is now something you seem to need to ask for (last 2 cruises) but no problem with it being provided.

 

The ship is far too busy and everywhere you go there are queues for all the bars, Alfredo’s (excellent food as ever)  the International Cafe etc. Because it’s so sunny the outdoor decks are full to overflowing so I have repaired to my balcony for some peace and quiet. I hope the bar service improves as 30 to 40 minutes wait for waiter service is poor and the app is simply not working for drinks orders, it just cancelled them after a period of time!. Anyway day 1 is always a bit hectic so let’s hope it improves once everyone has settled in.

 

I don’t know the official numbers onboard as yet but there were several announcements for those who had not visited the muster stations or watched the safety video and at after 2pm 2000 people had still to do so. An hour later 1000 still outstanding. It doesn’t help that watching the safety briefing on the TV screen does not appear to register as “done”, only on a device (for us anyway). Seems to be a lot of new cruisers looking at the medallions who are perhaps not familiar with how it all works now.

 

Many of the crew have changed since just 8 weeks ago and some of the new faces appear perhaps just a little inexperienced. Some old faces as well so there will be great mentors for the newer staff.

 

I do  feel that Princess are pushing everything onto technology which would be fine it it worked perfectly but it’s like the curates egg, good in parts.
 

Looking forward to a lovely cruise to Scandinavia on the beautiful Sky Princess.

 

Day 2 sea day

 

Well the ship is full, 99% of capacity for apparently the first time and it shows. There is no space anywhere, particularly in the evening, it feels more like being in a busy shopping mall than a ship.  The service is dreadful. This is no reflection on the hard working staff who are trying their very best but there are simply not enough of them for the numbers onboard. Tables lie with dirty dishes on them, the bar areas are overrun with glasses and the staff look frankly frazzled.

 

One member of staff who I won’t identify in any way was so frustrated they vented about greedy head office filling the ship but not upping the staffing levels.

 

Constant queues for just about everything, as an example the queue for afternoon tea stretched from the restaurant right out and round to to the casino! Once seated the service was slow, no tea refills etc.

 

The food is still good but very slow in coming and there are no pre booking left available for the restaurant for the whole week. Queues are are a constant feature unless you want to eat at 5.30 or are lucky and hit a lull (which I’m sure some people have).

 

The app is a complete waste of time, no point in ordering on it as it just doesn’t come and an hour after the order is placed and they are “preparing it” it simply gets cancelled.

Spoke to management about the issues and nothing is going to change. They are aware that they are short of staff and aware of the problems this is causing as many, many guests are making their feeling known formally and this is only the end of day 2. So basically our cruise is written off as being one  with long queues and bad service.

 

I had intended to book another cruise while onboard but that won’t be happening. I will looking for reviews from others over the coming months to see if the cruises I have already booked get cancelled, based on what HQ do to sort the staffing issues on here.

 

Anyway I still intend to make the most of it and enjoy the ports.

 

 

[joeecco]

Thank you for starting this live, we are looking forward to hearing all about your holiday. 
we get married onboard in August so we’re very nervous to here of your issues so far.. 

 

if you get a chance, could you please post pictures of the ‘what’s on’ patter for a typical day and night on a sea day? Thank you. 

[*Miss G*]

I was surprised to see this Live-From thread due to the fact that we had no internet on the Sky in March.  They kept telling us we had not watched the safety video, either, even though we had and they’d registered it at the muster station.  Possibly a problem with the TV registering to the app as that didn’t work for anyone either.

 

I am sorry to hear about the staff shortages.  I hope they are able to get it sorted soon before they burn out their crew.

[Eglesbrech]

41 minutes ago, joeecco said:

Thank you for starting this live, we are looking forward to hearing all about your holiday. 
we get married onboard in August so we’re very nervous to here of your issues so far.. 

 

if you get a chance, could you please post pictures of the ‘what’s on’ patter for a typical day and night on a sea day? Thank you. 

I’m not that technical so I’ll ask my oh if he can do it for you re the patter.

 

Im sure that Princess will have it sorted by August. So many people are complaining on here head office will be well aware there is an issue by now and hopefully address it for future cruises.

[joeecco]

Just now, Eglesbrech said:

I’m not that technical so I’ll ask my oh if he can do it for you re the patter.

 

Im sure that Princess will have it sorted by August. So many people are complaining on here head office will be well aware there is an issue by now and hopefully address it for future cruises.

Thank you that’s very kind.

 

yes hopefully, it’s not acceptable at the current standard. I’m sorry your cruise is being impacted.

[Eglesbrech]

Day 3 Kristiansand

 

Ordered room service breakfast to avoid the bun fight at the buffet or yet another queue for the restaurant. It came in the 30 minute slot we selected and the hot food was hot. Also a very nice fruit plate so all good.
 

The gods of cruising are smiling on us again, beautiful sunny weather for this pretty little port. We have been here several times before so just had a long walk about. 
 

The old town is quaint with typical Norwegian style painted wooden buildings, the newer part has some nice shops. The fish market area has great seafood, pricy but very good. Friendly, welcoming locals.
 

The shops in the harbour will take Krona and euros, in town most took cards or Krona. The little train ride (which does a circuit of the old and new town) will take Krona, pounds and Euros but the charge was much higher if not paid in Norwegian Krona. 10NOK 15 pounds, 15 Euro.

Nice port for a morning walk and an afternoon on the balcony reading.

 

 

 

[Eglesbrech]

33 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

I was surprised to see this Live-From thread due to the fact that we had no internet on the Sky in March.  They kept telling us we had not watched the safety video, either, even though we had and they’d registered it at the muster station.  Possibly a problem with the TV registering to the app as that didn’t work for anyone either.

 

I am sorry to hear about the staff shortages.  I hope they are able to get it sorted soon before they burn out their crew.

I contributed to a live from Sky on 28 March. The WiFi was not perfect then but usable. Same this time, slow and sluggish but just about usable.

[windsor26]

Very interested in your live  Thank you   We are booked on Sky on 23rd July just for 7 days but have not been on this large a ship before although we are avid Princess cruisers -  mostly from Australia or USA.  

You mention long lines for breakfast - is that in all of the restaurants as we decided we would not do the buffet this cruise? 

Who did you use for your pre cruise covid test please we are thinking of Lloyds chemists.

[Eglesbrech]

2 minutes ago, windsor26 said:

Very interested in your live  Thank you   We are booked on Sky on 23rd July just for 7 days but have not been on this large a ship before although we are avid Princess cruisers -  mostly from Australia or USA.  

You mention long lines for breakfast - is that in all of the restaurants as we decided we would not do the buffet this cruise? 

Who did you use for your pre cruise covid test please we are thinking of Lloyds chemists.

I can only talk with personal experience for the restaurant as we don’t tend to do buffets, the buffet comments are based on second hand from other guests.
 

We used Official Rapid Tests as they use independent local pharmacies (with some in more rural areas which was great for us)  for an in person test with results and a certificate in 15 minutes. We have used them twice now and a good experience both times. NB as they use independents, service /experiences may differ from area to area.

[windsor26]

3 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

I can only talk with personal experience for the restaurant as we don’t tend to do buffets, the buffet comments are based on second hand from other guests.
 

We used Official Rapid Tests as they use independent local pharmacies (with some in more rural areas which was great for us)  for an in person test with results and a certificate in 15 minutes. We have used them twice now and a good experience both times. NB as they use independents, service /experiences may differ from area to area.

Thank you very much   We are spoilt here in OZ as there are drive in testing stations and at pharmacies all day long and they are free giving results within 36 hours - great!!

[FlaMariner]

7 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

The app is a complete waste of time, no point in ordering on it as it just doesn’t come and an hour after the order is placed and they are “preparing it” it simply gets cancelled.

 

None of that worked on our Sky March cruise either.......along w/no internet.  

 

Seems as though it continues to be an epic fail...and nothing changes. 

[Pink-belle]

1 hour ago, Eglesbrech said:

Day 3 Kristiansand

 

Ordered room service breakfast to avoid the bun fight at the buffet or yet another queue for the restaurant. It came in the 30 minute slot we selected and the hot food was hot. Also a very nice fruit plate so all good.
 

The gods of cruising are smiling on us again, beautiful sunny weather for this pretty little port. We have been here several times before so just had a long walk about. 
 

The old town is quaint with typical Norwegian style painted wooden buildings, the newer part has some nice shops. The fish market area has great seafood, pricy but very good. Friendly, welcoming locals.
 

The shops in the harbour will take Krona and euros, in town most took cards or Krona. The little train ride (which does a circuit of the old and new town) will take Krona, pounds and Euros but the charge was much higher if not paid in Norwegian Krona. 10NOK 15 pounds, 15 Euro.

Nice port for a morning walk and an afternoon on the balcony reading.

 

 

 

I shouldn’t follow this, I’m almost dreading getting onboard next week and not having Club Class! 
I really hope you can make the most of the situation and find a routine that works for you.

According to Solent ships, the official numbers are 3525 pax and 1310 crew. So Yes, very busy.

 

10 Norwegian Krone is 84p so  even 100 NOK for £ 15 is a dreadful rate, will make sure everything is charged in currency.

 

I have an ongoing booking through the app for dinner, plus Bistro Sur La Mer one night, was hoping to sign up for Winemakers Dinner once on board. Might go on the app and see if I can get Crown Grill booked in. 
Thank you for your honest feedback, helps me prepare so I don’t feel disappointed when we embark.  

[Eglesbrech]

5 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

I shouldn’t follow this, I’m almost dreading getting onboard next week and not having Club Class! 
I really hope you can make the most of the situation and find a routine that works for you.

According to Solent ships, the official numbers are 3525 pax and 1310 crew. So Yes, very busy.

 

10 Norwegian Krone is 84p so  even 100 NOK for £ 15 is a dreadful rate, will make sure everything is charged in currency.

 

I have an ongoing booking through the app for dinner, plus Bistro Sur La Mer one night, was hoping to sign up for Winemakers Dinner once on board. Might go on the app and see if I can get Crown Grill booked in. 
Thank you for your honest feedback, helps me prepare so I don’t feel disappointed when we embark.  

Oops. Thanks for the correction, that should have been 100 NOK so about £8.50. So yes much more expensive in pounds than NOK but I suppose they have to do it round numbers and also pay exchange rates. To be fair in the U.K. we don’t accept NOK!

 

I really hope things improve for you for next week but fore armed you can book up in advance anything you really want now.

 

 

[Tug10]

1 hour ago, windsor26 said:

Who did you use for your pre cruise covid test please we are thinking of Lloyds chemists.

I am booked in at Lloyds chemist for my covid test before I board the Sky Princess soon and my parents also used them 2 weeks ago and were very impressed with the service and the speed of the certificate produced and they are accepted by Princess.

[windsor26]

7 hours ago, Tug10 said:

I am booked in at Lloyds chemist for my covid test before I board the Sky Princess soon and my parents also used them 2 weeks ago and were very impressed with the service and the speed of the certificate produced and they are accepted by Princess.

Thank you  there are 4 Lloyds in Fareham where I will be based with my on so will phone around

[madmacs]

We are on Sky in September. Just wondered what the mask situation is like now. Are there areas where you must wear them? Are most people wearing them in lifts etc?  Thanks for any updates

 

[Eglesbrech]

11 hours ago, madmacs said:

We are on Sky in September. Just wondered what the mask situation is like now. Are there areas where you must wear them? Are most people wearing them in lifts etc?  Thanks for any updates

 

Masks are now simply recommended not required and they are being worn by almost no one in any part of the ship including lifts and the theatre.

 

The staff all still have them on but very few passengers.

[Eglesbrech]

Day 3 cont.

No seats or sunbeds available on the top decks but we were in luck and had sun on our balcony so enjoyed that.

 

Well the dinner queues continue. There was an argument in our one last night with raised voices  when the young lady at the desk seated someone from the “not booked” queue ahead of booked. She politely explained that most people onboard had been unable to book any tables so they were trying to be fair by mixing in a few from the queue.

 

I feel really sorry for the staff. I’m also not happy about constantly being kept waiting  but I don’t take it out on the people just doing their job.

 

I have the feeling the dinner queues were a little less as people have just given up and now eat at the buffet (as many were told they should do on the formal night when there were just no tables). Some are also eating very early, we spoke to a couple who have been going at 5.30 to eat and they can walk straight in and get great service apparently. Personally I don’t want to eat at that time of the day but it is an option.

 

Dinner took over 2 and a half hours last night from the queue, for a standard 3 courses (no salad, coffee etc). That’s every night so far that the waiter has been working on his own so having to do water, drinks, orders, clearing the table, resetting. The maitre d is even helping to reset.
 

After that length of time there would have been no point in trying for a seat at the theatre as people are now going 30 minutes ahead of time just to get a seat. I am avoiding it anyway as they are packed in like sardines in a can with no social distance whatsoever. 

 

So a quiet after dinner drink then? No. Not a single seat to be had in any bar in any part of the ship. After walking round about a dozen times we eventually got a table and had to then scrabble around for chairs.

 

Does anyone remember the old childrens game of musical chairs well Sky Princess now has this on a grand scale. If anyone so much as rises from a chair there are 3 other groups ready to pounce and only the quickest get the seats. I timed it last night and the slowest table to go was 10 seconds!

 

At least the dirty glasses etc are being removed a bit quicker. The deck attendants have been co-opted into lifting glasses. I know it’s them because they have on their normal uniform with “deck attendant” written on the back. I do worry about working hours but presume management has a system for this.

 

 

Day 4 Copenhagen

Stuck out in the new port and we can see the langalinie port from here which is empty so I don’t know why we are miles out of the city (and it’s not ship size as we have been there in big ships).

 

We have been here many times before so opted to use the shuttle bus provided by Princess for $20 per person (takes about 20 minutes). The drop off point is a side street a few minutes walk from half way up the Stonget. Good location for shopping, Tivoli gardens, the Town Hall and Nyehaven. A bit further walk for the Gyfen fountain and mermaid by perfectly easy to walk to.

 

There were only 2 taxis at the port when we left, there were none when we came back.

 

Buses / trains are available but it’s a good walk from the port to get to the stops / stations from where we are docked today.

 

There were several HOHO buses at the port and they went to the Mermaid etc and did round trips back to the port. They were mobbed  as well. Sorry I didn’t see the prices.

 

Anyway Copenhagen is always fun and today was no exception (in spite of poor weather, bit drizzly).

[Pink-belle]

So sorry you are still having struggles onboard, not really what you expect on a Princess Cruise.

 

I have friends on board, they are having a good time. 
 

HOHO was £28.68, ticket paid for by card on bus, and also included a 1 hour canal boat trip, adding this incase its useful for anyone doing the itinerary in August.  

[tk2fast]

Eglesbrech

Thank you for reporting your experience on the Sky. It is most helpful as we are booked later in the summer, but I must say things look bleak compared the way it used to be. Ugh!

[dog]

Thanks for sharing. Glad I modified my plans as the crowds, line ups & full capacity without safety restrictions in place would have bothered me.

 

try and enjoy your cruise.

[Traderboy]

Do you think this cruise is busy because it is half term in the UK?

 

Do there seem to be a lot of children?

 

is it just a 7 day cruise?

 

I am sorry to hear that the crew are not able to service the high number of passengers that aboard this cruise. 
Princess should not have booked more passengers than the crew numbers are able to service. That is my view anyway.

 

Please can you continue to update news from Sky zlrincess.

Truly hope things improve for you all.

 

 

[Pink-belle]

 

28 minutes ago, Traderboy said:

Do you think this cruise is busy because it is half term in the UK?

 

Do there seem to be a lot of children?

 

is it just a 7 day cruise?

 

I am sorry to hear that the crew are not able to service the high number of passengers that aboard this cruise. 
Princess should not have booked more passengers than the crew numbers are able to service. That is my view anyway.

 

Please can you continue to update news from Sky zlrincess.

Truly hope things improve for you all.

 

 

I thought that it might be half term related, but 3525 pax this week, 3300 expected next week. 
as I have said my friend is having a great time.  Sometimes you can just get caught in the wrong places at the wrong time. 

[Eglesbrech]

16 minutes ago, Pink-belle said:

 

I thought that it might be half term related, but 3525 pax this week, 3300 expected next week. 
as I have said my friend is having a great time.  Sometimes you can just get caught in the wrong places at the wrong time. 

I would be very interested in hearing when the right place and the right time are? When and where are your friends eating, what show time are they going to?

When the management acknowledge freely that there is an issue, there is an issue.

Lets hope things improve for the next cruise with more staff.

 

 

[Pink-belle]

1 minute ago, Eglesbrech said:

I would be very interested in hearing when the right place and the right time are? When and where are your friends eating, what show time are they going to?

When the management acknowledge freely that there is an issue, there is an issue.

Lets hope things improve for the next cruise with more staff.

 

 

This was the message I got tonight

 

Ceilo dining tonight. Went at 7 no reservation straight in. Pork tenderloin excellent, prime rib had to be sent back but 2nd try was much much better. 1.45 start to finish 4 courses.