My wish list for Princess

[MsSoCalCruiser]

3 minutes ago, damiross said:

 

@damiross I don’t call people slime, those are your words. I also quit many years ago. Yes, I wished that the Casino was smoke free.

 

I think my next cruise will be #24 with Princess. They know my allergies and also my requests but things never happen. It would be easier to stop at Whole Foods if one was nearby. Having allergies, I always ask about ingredients. Sometimes they don’t know the ingredients and tell me to wait until the next day to eat. The Sky Princess has signs. It would be great if all ships had them.

 

Yes, I would love dole whip in cones or in a dish on the Lido deck. Most flavors are Vegan so many cruisers would be able to enjoy them. 

[JimmyVWine]

13 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

We have found them on the Royal, Majestic, Discovery, Ruby and the Crown.  

I'll make sure to look for the pins on my next cruise.  I haven't seen an MDR staff member with a pin in a long time. 

[jwattle]

On 4/4/2024 at 8:41 AM, JimmyVWine said:

I'll make sure to look for the pins on my next cruise.  I haven't seen an MDR staff member with a pin in a long time. 

They actually wear a completely different suit from the rest of the staff. They aren't wait staff who are also knowledgeable about wine; they are dedicated sommeliers, specific to the task. 

[Cruise Raider]

47 minutes ago, jwattle said:

They actually wear a completely different suit from the rest of the staff. They aren't wait staff who are also knowledgeable about wine; they are dedicated sommeliers, specific to the task. 

I believe they wear a black suit now, at least in the specialty restaurants. We have not gone to the MDR for dinner in quite some time. 

Their limitations are subject to the wines they have available onboard.  But, they do take courses to meet the requirements to be considered a sommelier.  

[JimmyVWine]

3 hours ago, jwattle said:

They actually wear a completely different suit from the rest of the staff. They aren't wait staff who are also knowledgeable about wine; they are dedicated sommeliers, specific to the task. 

But they would still wear a lapel pin.  It is as much a part of their "uniform" as stripes are to a ship's officer.  (About 10 years ago, there was a somm who worked for Princess named David who wore the tastevin on a chain around his neck.  We had many long talks about wine.  Miss him.)

 

And here are some cool pins to look for alongside the Sommelier Pin that we are starting to see more frequently. (In order of merit):

Edited April 6 by JimmyVWine

[LACruiser88]

5 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I believe they wear a black suit now, at least in the specialty restaurants. We have not gone to the MDR for dinner in quite some time. 

Their limitations are subject to the wines they have available onboard.  But, they do take courses to meet the requirements to be considered a sommelier.  

Since the re-start of their Somm program, most of the onboard Somm's are former Princess bartenders that have only passed the basic test.  

 

We enjoy chatting with them, but they only have minimal knowledge.

 

FWIW, the former Somm program was eliminated because they did not see a significant increase in their wine sales.  I see the same happening to their current Somm program.  In addition, the Somm positions were taken from their Head-waiter deployment.  This did not make the DRO's happy.

 

 

 

Edited April 6 by LACruiser88

[Cruise Raider]

4 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Since the re-start of their Somm program, most of the onboard Somm's are former Princess bartenders that have only passed the basic test.  

 

We enjoy chatting with them, but they only have minimal knowledge.

 

FWIW, the former Somm program was eliminated because they did not see a significant increase in their wine sales.  I see the same happening to their current Somm program.  In addition, the Somm positions were taken from their Head-waiter deployment.  This did not make the DRO's happy.

 

 

 

We’ve met a few that really know their wines but they are still very limited to what they can recommend onboard as the stock is so limited.  When the only Chardonnays they have onboard by the glass are Canyon Road (total swill) or Flowers (no depth or uniqueness), how can they really make a decent recommendation?  
They are pretty good about recommending some reds they have by the glass .. maybe not all of them but for the most part, we’ve had pretty good luck when trying their recommendations.  Most of the good California reds, we already know from drinking them at home but their recommendations have been spot on.  
 

[Womble99]

On 4/4/2024 at 11:20 AM, MacMadame said:

My wish is to stop talking about children in bars. 🤣

I wish Princess would make it public that any passenger may sit on a bar stool regardless of age or gender............ Also if they could wrap tips into fares so we no longer have to hear silly arguments about why everyone has to tip every person under the sun that would be great too 😉

[memoak]

11 hours ago, Womble99 said:

I wish Princess would make it public that any passenger may sit on a bar stool regardless of age or gender............ Also if they could wrap tips into fares so we no longer have to hear silly arguments about why everyone has to tip every person under the sun that would be great too 😉

Wait till someone puts a 3 year old on a bar stool and they crawl onto the bar. Yes I have seen this. I wish that cruise ships would follow the same flaw as we have here. No minor can sit or stand at a bar. If you just pay the crew appreciation then you don’t have to tip anymore if you don’t want to. I have never seen an employee on any ship begging for tips

[NavyVeteran]

11 hours ago, Womble99 said:

I wish Princess would make it public that any passenger may sit on a bar stool regardless of age or gender............ Also if they could wrap tips into fares so we no longer have to hear silly arguments about why everyone has to tip every person under the sun that would be great too 😉

I agree with your first statement. Bars are the only place (other than at meals) that kids can get the sodas or mocktails that they're paying for. The only limitation should be safety. Very small children may not be able to sit safely on a bar stool - they may need a chair with a back. But the same limitation applies to some older people with mobility issues. Anyone who can sit safely on a bar stool and who behaves should be able to do so.

Tips at bars are included in the price of every drink or in the price of a drink package. There is no obligation or expectation that you leave any additional tip at a bar, even if you don't do the automatic gratuities. For US based cruises, if you have a package or leave the automatic tips on, there is no obligation or expectation that you tip any food or cabin service people extra. You may if you choose to do so, but you don't have to - and you will continue to receive outstanding service if you don't.

[Potstech]

Love the way some can tell others what they should or should not do. Just what these boards are for!!!

[MacMadame]

4 hours ago, edspec said:

If you purchase a cruise from a US company tips aren’t included. End of story. 

This isn't really true. Princess is a US company and they include tips in the fare for cruises that originate outside the US. For cruises that originate in the US, they may not be included in the main fare, but they are part of the Plus and Premier packages and you can't remove them. For standard fare, they get added to your folio automatically but you can remove them. Most people don't.

 

So in all those cases except the person with standard fare who removes tips, the tips are included in the amount you pay Princess and there is no need to pay extra unless you want to.

 

[JamieLogical]

33 minutes ago, MacMadame said:

This isn't really true. Princess is a US company and they include tips in the fare for cruises that originate outside the US. For cruises that originate in the US, they may not be included in the main fare, but they are part of the Plus and Premier packages and you can't remove them. For standard fare, they get added to your folio automatically but you can remove them. Most people don't.

 

So in all those cases except the person with standard fare who removes tips, the tips are included in the amount you pay Princess and there is no need to pay extra unless you want to.

 

 

Exactly. For US sailings, a Daily Service Charge is assessed for those with Princess Standard, For those with Princess Plus and Princess Premier, the tips are included.

[Torfamm]

4 hours ago, MacMadame said:

This isn't really true. Princess is a US company and they include tips in the fare for cruises that originate outside the US. For cruises that originate in the US, they may not be included in the main fare, but they are part of the Plus and Premier packages and you can't remove them. For standard fare, they get added to your folio automatically but you can remove them. Most people don't.

 

Crew appreciation is only included in the cruise fare for cruises in Australia and New Zealand and even then, only if the cruise is booked there. If a cruise in Australia is booked in the US, crew appreciation is not included. 
 

 

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 hours ago, Torfamm said:

Crew appreciation is only included in the cruise fare for cruises in Australia and New Zealand and even then, only if the cruise is booked there. If a cruise in Australia is booked in the US, crew appreciation is not included. 
 

 

And it's not only just the cruise fare. It's also built into the drinks and speciality restaurant prices so what you see is what you pay - and this applies to everyone not just those who booked in our region. 😊

[MacMadame]

21 hours ago, Torfamm said:

Crew appreciation is only included in the cruise fare for cruises in Australia and New Zealand and even then, only if the cruise is booked there. If a cruise in Australia is booked in the US, crew appreciation is not included. 

it's not included in the standard *fare*. It *is* included in the Plus and Premier fares. It is also billed to you daily if you have the standard fare. Saying it's not included in US fares is splitting hairs IMO. It's not in the initial fare but it's still in the money that leaves your bank account.

[OzKiwiJJ]

34 minutes ago, MacMadame said:

it's not included in the standard *fare*. It *is* included in the Plus and Premier fares. It is also billed to you daily if you have the standard fare. Saying it's not included in US fares is splitting hairs IMO. It's not in the initial fare but it's still in the money that leaves your bank account.

In the Australia and NZ region there are no gratuities billed daily for booking made in that region, regardless of the fare you booked. However if you booked a standard fare from, say, the US you will get charged daily gratuities in AUD during your cruise.

 

Also if you book a Plus or Premier fare in Australia for an international cruise, paying the AUD cost for those fares, you will get charged daily gratuities on your cruise unless to opt to prepay them. 

Edited April 9 by OzKiwiJJ

[Cruise_Rookie_2010]

Agree with a lots of the points already raised and we'd also love to see, 

(1) the new Eatery (buffet) approach on Sun Princess rolled out to all ships, it's reassuring to know that only the kitchen team have had the opportunity to handle my food before I do. A significant number of fellow passengers still feel hand washing is a chore to be avoided and that food/plates at the stations need to be sorted by hand in order to ensure the best dining experience, based on recent experience.

(2) Improvements in layouts of some venues to allow for separation of music and "enthusiastic conversation", at times we've found it almost impossible to hear the artists above the noise of those attending the show (Take 5 was the worst area for this on our recent cruise). I don't want those who enjoy a chat at the bar to be prevented from enjoying that pass time, I believe that Princess could change the layout of these venues to reduce the impact on the music being played.

(3) Option to choose a regular gelato serving (say 2 scoops) instead of "Premium Deserts" on Plus/Premier package.

(4) More consideration given to holding events in an appropriate location, quite often we found popular events are held in areas of the ships which simply cannot accommodate the numbers attending leading to frustration and poor behaviour of passengers. Alternative (larger) venues were often available at the time, yet went underutilised.

(5) comfortable (non-smoking) seating areas in the aft of each ship, some are better than others, Royal class ships are perhaps most lacking in this area in our experience and we're delighted to see Sun Princess appears to have a really nice comfortable aft space for sitting while enjoying a drink and watching the sunset. Clearing some of the sunloungers in the evening and replacing them with groups of chairs & tables would increase the usability of these areas without too much work and perhaps reduce over crowding in other areas of the ships.  

[Steelers36]

On 4/4/2024 at 12:08 AM, damiross said:

Yea, smokers are slime and should not be allowed on ships (I'm not a smoker.  I quit many years ago  But I think smokers should be able to smoker in at least one place inside.)

I wouldn't use such a term either.  For the most part, they are ordinary people doing what they do where Princess allows it.  Any bad words should be directed at HQ upper management who refuse to get with the program anywhere else.

[doghog]

37 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I wouldn't use such a term either.  For the most part, they are ordinary people doing what they do where Princess allows it.  Any bad words should be directed at HQ upper management who refuse to get with the program anywhere else.

Agree. Would I like to see all inside smoking done away with on Princess ships. Yes. But I only blame Princess for allowing it and not the smoker. On our recent Enchanted cruise it was nice to see (not smell) Churchills was no longer a smoking lounge. Now a stupid arcade. Come on Princess couldn't you have done better! 

[memoak]

Just now, doghog said:

Agree. Would I like to see all inside smoking done away with on Princess ships. Yes. But I only blame Princess for allowing it and not the smoker. On our recent Enchanted cruise it was nice to see (not smell) Churchills was no longer a smoking lounge. Now a stupid arcade. Come on Princess couldn't you have done better! 

Those lounges are very small and not really set up with plumbing. What would you put in there ?  Remember most are right next to the smoking area of the casino

[doghog]

14 minutes ago, memoak said:

Those lounges are very small and not really set up with plumbing. What would you put in there ?  Remember most are right next to the smoking area of the 

Not all of them. Anything would have been better than an arcade. 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

On 4/6/2024 at 12:11 PM, JimmyVWine said:

But they would still wear a lapel pin.  It is as much a part of their "uniform" as stripes are to a ship's officer.

In 2023 I tried to work with the sommeliers on Sapphire and Emerald. I knew far more about wines and the proper glassware for different ones than they did. The most frustrating discussions were when they blathered on stating absolute nonsense yet insisted they were correct. 
After two sailings I just gave up.  They did not have real sommelier training and did not wear pins. 
 

While I do enjoy a real sommelier’s input it’s pretty low on my wish list for Princess. My wish is just stock and sell a variety of good wines…….in particular dry whites & roses.  They typically have only one good white and one good rose by the glass. I hate drinking the same wine for 14-30 plus days. I’m really tired of bringing my own too. 

Edited April 18 by HaveDogWillTravel

[JimmyVWine]

On 4/6/2024 at 10:36 PM, Cruise Raider said:

When the only Chardonnays they have onboard by the glass are Canyon Road (total swill) or Flowers (no depth or uniqueness), how can they really make a decent recommendation?  

Flowers took a nose dive when Greg LaFollette left, and what was left of the brand suffered even more once Joan and Walt Flowers sold the brand to Huneeus.  But despite all that tail-spinning, it is still probably the best Chardonnay on board.  Not saying much.

[Bemidji Ty]

Changes I would make are: 1. Service in buffet would be cafeteria style where you hold your plate and staff serves the food.  After close to 70 cruises, I have regularly witnessed the unhygienic habits of a significant number of my fellow passengers and I would think that given recent events, it is time.

 

2. Teach the staff to read their audience.  A while back, probably pre-covid, we were on a ship and went to Skywalkers after dinner for libation and dance.  A look at the crowd would have revealed that 80% or more were Medicare eligible.  Noone was on the dance floor.  The DJ was playing loud electronic tunes.  I asked if he had any Motown, Stones or Doobie Bros.  He played "I Heard it through the Grapevine" and "Mustang Sally".  The dance floor quickly filled up.  He was unable to detect the reason and went back to evangelizing his electronic sounds.  The dance floor emptied and many left.