First New England Voyage of 2023 Observations/Caribbean Princess

[cr8tiv1]

Disclaimer:  Elite in a Window Suite.  Don’t know if this makes any differences, reports will be from my perceptions.  I’m on a cruise with my iPad….limited comments (haha…maybe).  Those that know me know that I don’t do brief.

Day 1

 

The ship arrived late into Port Everglades dues to winds in Amber Cove; its previous port.  Turned her around in 14 hours instead of 16.  Left about 60 minutes late.  Even then, several passengers made the ship; others missed the ship and boarded in Virginia.  Hall mates are still waiting for their luggage that never left SEA, maybe they will see them in New York 4 days later.  Thanks? EZ Air.

 

Embarkation at Port Everglades is a disaster.  One long line feeding into another long line.  Security then Medallion/no Medallion before branching off into Elite/suite, Platinum, other.  Mix that with those coming off the ship and queuing up for taxis, etc.  

 

Absolutely beautiful fireworks display upon send off.  Torrential rain, thunder and lightning display.

 

 

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

4 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Disclaimer:  Elite in a Window Suite.  Don’t know if this makes any differences, reports will be from my perceptions.  I’m on a cruise with my iPad….limited comments (haha…maybe).  Those that know me know that I don’t do brief.

Day 1

 

The ship arrived late into Port Everglades dues to winds in Amber Cove; its previous port.  Turned her around in 14 hours instead of 16.  Left about 60 minutes late.  Even then, several passengers made the ship; others missed the ship and boarded in Virginia.  Hall mates are still waiting for their luggage that never left SEA, maybe they will see them in New York 4 days later.  Thanks? EZ Air.

 

Embarkation at Port Everglades is a disaster.  One long line feeding into another long line.  Security then Medallion/no Medallion before branching off into Elite/suite, Platinum, other.  Mix that with those coming off the ship and queuing up for taxis, etc.  

 

Absolutely beautiful fireworks display upon send off.  Torrential rain, thunder and lightning display.

 

 

 

 

That one line is what I was afraid of.

 

We always had an Elite/Suite priority line going into the terminal.  This must be their new “streamlined “ approach. 
 

It’s a shame, because PE has always been one of the best.

[Steelers36]

7 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Embarkation at Port Everglades is a disaster.  One long line feeding into another long line.  Security then Medallion/no Medallion before branching off into Elite/suite, Platinum, other.

Why oh why does PCL keep trying to fix things that don't need fixing and not fix those that do?

 

There has been some discussion as you will know on various threads, following Carmen Roig's webinar on July 12.  IMO, it was a solution in search of a problem and don't understand why the old system wouldn't have kept working fine.  I suppose need to look at this as a 1-off situation if they were having a late start to check-in and therefore MANY more guests will have arrived at the terminal by the time doors opened.  You didn't mention the time doors opened, so maybe it isn't a big deal (the new way).

[cr8tiv1]

Left the hotel at 10:30.  Three ships in port…yay.  Still had a traffic jam.  They need to find a better way to embark passengers.  It seemed so disorderly. 
 

Waited in lounge.  Boarded by 11:30.  Cabins were not ready, as expected.  Dropped off hand carries, found a comfy quiet place.  Did safety stuff.  Had lunch.

Edited July 25, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[Steelers36]

11 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 Turned her around in 14 hours instead of 16.  Left about 60 minutes late.

Can't be correct.  The CB would normally arrive sometime prior to an official 7:00am port time when disembarking commences soon after.  They used to depart at 4:00pm, but I had read that was now backed up to 3:30pm.  Or 3pm?  So the turnaround is something less than 12 hrs... maybe as little as 9?

 

[cr8tiv1]

CB arrived around 8:30.  We left about 5:30 ish?  (Normal?  Arrive at 7 leave at 4). My number crunching might not be accurate.  Hey, I’m on vacation.  

[1emerald1]

How was Norfolk?  Did you do any tours?

[cr8tiv1]

16 minutes ago, 1emerald1 said:

How was Norfolk?  Did you do any tours?

 

Coming soon.  Stay tuned 

[Astro Flyer]

Buon Viaggio! 🎉🥳

[cr8tiv1]

My first issues:

 

Balls of lint and garbage on carpet, finally vacuumed up during turn down service.  Table tops were dusty (aka germy?).  I always wipe down my cabin. Refrigerator was not working.  Doors seem unusually heavy and hard to open.  Am I getting weaker?  
 

Housekeeping supervisor was in the hall.  Pull him in to have him check our refrigerator.  Took a day to cool down.  Worked for a day.  Not working again.
 

No problems:

 

Air conditioner working. Toilets working.  But down the hall a few cabins the ac was stuck at 68 degrees.  They were working on it.  Meeting lots of passengers “in the private hallway”

 

On the Grand/Gem class ships, there is a person who will be your concierge.  No lounge.  Call Customer Service and ask for Events Officer (formerly Loyalty and Events Officer).  Silviya has been most responsive and will follow up or take care of my concerns.  No suite reserved seating for Production Shows.  Haven’t had a need for her to make me any special arrangements. 

Edited July 25, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[Ombud]

Re: long queues 

 

I couldn't tell which lane you were assigned to. When I left from FLL last December I was "green, elite not suite" and there wasn't a dedicated line outside. I'm frankly hoping it'll be better when I do the East Coast coastal again (love those ports) if I get the medallion ahead of time

[cr8tiv1]

Day 2: Sea Day

 

Still trying to get into the cruise mind.  Taking a lot longer for this to happen.  Good thing this is a 13 day cruise.  Ship is very full.  

3280 passengers

Blue 1020

Gold 677

Ruby 338

Platinum 775

Elite 398

[Cali Viajera]

Thank-you for posting this. I will be following as we are on the October 9th cruise.

[cr8tiv1]

Attended Meet and Greet in Skywalkers. Well organized by Christina @TravelTrotter and Barb.  Jody has been doing double duty for 3 months as cruise director and entertainment director.  47 attended.  
 

First time ever, for me.  Silviya arranged an intimate cocktail hour for suite guests to mingle with the officers in the Wheelhouse.  Great food.  Normal bread canapés with spring rolls, wings and crunchy deep friend huge shrimp.  Drinks off the tray or by order.

 

I was able to speak to 3 officers.  One was the Customer Service Officer.  Poor thing was losing her voice but still tried to have a conversation.  I asked why suites didn’t have flowers.  Another coast cutting plus supply issue, and healthy safety.  When she told me that they were moving to artificial flowers, I recommended that none is better than the dust collectors.  She also told me that there were a lot of new crew, both new-new to Princess and new to the ship. I liked this new suite perk since I no longer attend the Captain Circle parties.  

So confused when a nice bouquet appeared the next day.  No note.  Today, my room steward said that he is placing them in cabins as they are given to him.  Huh?
 

No more Canapés paper hangers.  Call room service directly.  Oh, yes….never had so many issues with trying to change out my undelivered Elite minibar.  Took 3 calls to room service.  With some long hold times.  No problems with the suite bar.  (2 separate calls)
 

yet to come…Norfolk. 

[Ombud]

Say hi to Christina for me!! Her slot pulls are a lot of fun

[beg3yrs]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

...

Hall mates are still waiting for their luggage that never left SEA, maybe they will see them in New York 4 days later.  Thanks? EZ Air.

...

 

First of all, thanks for writing this thread. I know it takes some time but many of us get quite a bit of good first-hand information from these.

 

Next, are you blaming EZ Air for your hall mates luggage missing the flight from SEA? If you are, how does EZ Air cause that problem?

 

Finally, we were on the CB for 14 days in June. They had "technical difficulties" and the ship's maximum speed was limited to somewhere between 17 and 18 knots. Is this still the case? If it is I suspect that contributed to the CB's late arrival into FLL. They didn't have the extra "oomph" to overcome the headwinds.

 

Thanks again for writing this!

[edspec]

How are fake flowers that stay in the suite through many guest changeovers healthier than fresh flowers? I absolutely loathe fake flowers, plants, and greenery, as you said nothing but dust collectors.

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, Ombud said:

Re: long queues 

 

I couldn't tell which lane you were assigned to. When I left from FLL last December I was "green, elite not suite" and there wasn't a dedicated line outside. I'm frankly hoping it'll be better when I do the East Coast coastal again (love those ports) if I get the medallion ahead of time

Yes, they asked when you drop

off your baggage and walk up towards the door, if you’re Elite/Suite priority, they direct you to the right side.  That line takes you inside the terminal. From there you have a green lane/ocean ready or pickup OM lane.  Took maybe 5 mins and on to the Elite lounge.

 

OP states it was all one long line just to get inside.  No Priority line to get in the terminal.  Now, we will need to see

if this is standard now, or was it due to the CB delay and disembarking guests?

 

 

 

[PescadoAmarillo]

4 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Left the hotel at 10:30.  Three ships in port…yay.  Still had a traffic jam.  They need to find a better way to embark passengers.  It seemed so disorderly. 
 

Waited in lounge.  Boarded by 11:30.  Cabins were not ready, as expected.  Dropped off hand carries, found a comfy quiet place.  Did safety stuff.  Had lunch.

You do brief very well!  Thanks for bringing us along. 

[cr8tiv1]

This is so hard to do on my iPad….ugh.

 

@beg3yrs I did not mean to suggest it was EZ Air’s fault.  More meant to say that I was glad the passengers were able to have EZ Air as a support.  
 

CB left Amber Cove 3 hours late.  They stayed in port due to dangerous high winds as reported by a passenger doing a b2b on this cruise.  
 

Confirming one long line to get inside the terminal.  No elite line for this voyage.  First queue to security took about 20-30 minutes.  I kept asking every agent if there was an elite line.  

[hobo1937]

Thanks for posting your experience. We are booked in a Window Suite on the Grand next year to Hawaii so we are especially interested in your comments about the room and the Suite experience on Grand class ships. Have a great time. 

[cr8tiv1]

Day 3:  Norfolk, Virginia

 

Very interesting transit up the Elizabeth River.  3 hours with a tug(s) and police escorts.  Finally docked at 9.  My excursion to Williamsburg meeting time was at 8:45.  Sat in the theater until almost 9:30. 
 

This was my main reason for taking this cruise,  Do not understand why they did not plan this for the fall repositioning.  Hot and Humid in the summer.  Very good bus guide.  We traversed 2 bridge tunnels (Virginia has 3 out to the 7 in the US).  I only wish I was younger to enjoy Willamsburg.  
 

CB parked right next to the Nautica Museum and USS Wisconsin.  I understand they have a senior rate and even less for cruise passengers.  I did not do this activity.  Guide:  something happened to the USS Wisconsin’s bow.  It was replaced with the USS Kansas and now can claim  to be the largest battleship class ship because she is 12 inches longer than the Iowa and Missouri. 

 

The body paid dearly for this very long and exhausting excursion.  
 

Entertainment catch up.

Day 1 - Tony Daro, comedian.  No one has had positive reviews.

Day 2 - Bravo.  Excellent

Day 3 - Rhythms in Harmony.  Only one show since they were brought on the ship for one performance and left.  Very disappointing since the show was overflowing.  
Day 4 - Broadway Ballroom, Production Show

Various shows in Club Fusion.

 

Jody is a wonderful CD.  I sent a crew chat asking about Rhythms in Harmony.  She called me back and left a message explaining that they were brought on just for that one show.  That’s service.  

Edited July 26, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[1emerald1]

23 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Day 3:  Norfolk, Virginia

 

Very interesting transit up the Elizabeth River.  3 hours with a tug(s) and police escorts.  Finally docked at 9.  My excursion to Williamsburg meeting time was at 8:45.  Sat in the theater until almost 9:30. 
 

This was my main reason for taking this cruise,  Do not understand why they did not plan this for the fall repositioning.  Hot and Humid in the summer.  Very good bus guide.  We traversed 2 bridge tunnels (Virginia has 3 out to the 7 in the US).  I only wish I was younger to enjoy Willamsburg.  
 

CB parked right next to the Nautica Museum and USS Wisconsin.  I understand they have a senior rate and even less for cruise passengers.  I did not do this activity.  Guide:  something happened to the USS Wisconsin’s bow.  It was replaced with the USS Kansas and now can claim  to be the largest battleship class ship because she is 12 inches longer than the Iowa and Missouri. 

 

The body paid dearly for this very long and exhausting excursion.  
 

Entertainment catch up.

Day 1 - Tony Daro, comedian.  No one has had positive reviews.

Day 2 - Bravo.  Excellent

Day 3 - Rhythms in Harmony.  Only one show since they were brought on the ship for one performance and left.  Very disappointing since the show was overflowing.  
Day 4 - Broadway Ballroom, Production Show

Various shows in Club Fusion.

 

Jody is a wonderful CD.  I sent a crew chat asking about Rhythms in Harmony.  She called me back and left a message explaining that they were brought on just for that one show.  That’s service.  

I went to Williamsburg and D.C. when I was around 18 with a friend and the heat and humidity about did this SoCal girl in.  I did love it though, but your age has nothing to do with it.  My friend lives in New Jersey and she is used to it.  Couldn't understand what my problem was.

[dlh015]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Confirming one long line to get inside the terminal.  No elite line for this voyage.  First queue to security took about 20-30 minutes.  I kept asking every agent if there was an elite line.

Had much the same experience in Barcelona. Kept asking agent also...no go...

[cr8tiv1]

Reserved for beverage package seats.