Sapphire Princess May 11, 2024 Cruise Delayed - Propulsion Issues

[Princessscrewedme]

Here it is

Edited May 14 by Princessscrewedme

[scvgirl]

13 minutes ago, Princessscrewedme said:

Here it is

Still doesn't address "the elephant in the room" - is the propulsion going to get fixed by Saturday?  

[Princessscrewedme]

28 minutes ago, scvgirl said:

Still doesn't address "the elephant in the room" - is the propulsion going to get fixed by Saturday?  

I agree, I hope we get answers soon

[Princessscrewedme]

43 minutes ago, Princessscrewedme said:

Here it is

I will say that I'm grateful for this and I'm happy with this level of compensation. I still would have done things differently, but I'm satisfied. Thank you princess. It's time to change my username to something a tad less aggressive.

[Ljaguar]

I’m on this cruise & just rec’d notification that my original excursion scheduled for 11:45 has been rescheduled to 4:35 so I’m happy about that. I’m an experienced world traveler (but a 1st time cruiser) for almost 50 yrs & always do research & google stuff & lots of my questions were answered by people here. I appreciate those of you that truly want to help people but some of the posters here I have found to be rather elitist & judgmental. We’re all extremely lucky, blessed & privileged to be able to travel.

 

As an aside someone here recommended the Milky Way Martini & I had it tonight at dinner & it was so good I had another one (right after learning Glacier Bay was cancelled)!

[Auntiejo]

I’m heartbroken for everyone on this voyage. While the compensation seems fair, there’s no making up for all the frustration. I too am a seasoned cruiser and traveler but am booked on the Sapphire for June 8th for my first time to Alaska. We went all out with all our plans, cabin, excursion, etc and 7 additional days pre and post cruise with all sorts of stuff booked. Our mindset has been “this will be the only time we go to Alaska so let’s really go for it!”
 

We are hoping and praying that things get fixed by June 8th but are becoming increasingly concerned and also don’t have a lot of faith in any good communication from Princess based on what’s happened so far. This whole thing is a very unfortunate situation in every way. 

[Auntiejo]

4 hours ago, Misson said:

Am currenly on this disastrous cruise. The big problem right from the beginning. Left Vancouver at midnight, after 8 hour of delay. Being told about problems with the schedule. Cruising very slowly. At one point the engines were switched off and we began drifting! After some  a new attempt to start thd engine, I think one engine is working only, looking from the back of the ship. Next announcement: we are not going to Ketchikan (one of the main reason to come here). Two land tours had to be cancelled. We were hoping that afte that the remaing schedule will be followed. But NO. Recently we were told that we will arrive in Juneau late afternoon instead eearly morning. Our next tours had to be cancelled. We are waiting for the new announcement because there are rumours that we will miss out the next port of call - Juneau, altogether.

Next issue: I booked a speciality dinner online  in the Sterling Steakhouse. On the day of our dinner we could not find it on the ship. The visit to the Service Deck was a big surprise: the Sterling Steakhouse does not exist as it was replaced by Brazillian Restaurant. BUT  we were not notified about the change + we don't like the Brazillian food. The nice juicy steak meant to beva surprise anniversary treat for my tavel companion. My travel companion has never cruised before. I am an Elite member.  It took me two years of convincing to try for the first time. Now there is no chance that the decision not to put the foot on the ship will be changed. I am very sorry but you lost a very loyal customer and a new potential one. OUR SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CRUISE got ruined. We flew 15 hours to get to this part of the world and we got cruising prison only. I was told to get a bus from the port to get to the nearest glacier!!! Not happy at all. Just heard from the captain that we will not go into the Glacier Bay. Another nasty surprise.

To all taking the following cruise:

*** CANCEL IF YOU CAN TO AVOID THE DISAPPOINTMENT ***

The standard of Princes Cruises went down dramatically. My travel companion had to go miles to find one unclogged toilet. They are very, very old vessels. They are suitable for scrap metal. Also many previous benefits for the Elite class passengers got scraped.

 

What the heck on the Brazilian place replacing Sterling?! I just checked my app and my 2 reservations for Sterling on the June 8 sailing now say Churrascaria! I have no interest in Brazilian food either. Crazy they didn’t notify people about the change and what a terrible change for a ship that only has 2 specialty dining venues as it is. One of our favorite dining experiences on Princess it the steakhouse, be it Sterling or Crown Grill. Ugh. 

 

But at this point who knows if that cruise is even happening so maybe it’s a non issue 🤦‍♀️

Edited May 14 by Auntiejo

[Oldfallman30]

I just talked to guest services and she said they think it would be good after Whittier but didn't know when they'd be able to confirm that. They said rumor is they are just testing it now.

 

For anyone else wondering i also confirmed you can get off in whittier although I imagine you won't get any compensation for the southbound if you do so. I didn't bother asking since they said they are taking it on a cruise by cruise basis.

 

This logic is incredible short sighted and frustrating. I had this issue when I found out Ketchikan was cancelled and since I didn't have an excursion booked on the second leg I wanted to see if I could get the one that was cancelled then instead and was told I couldn't book anything till Whittier.

 

I may honestly just eat the money and try to find another to salvage what little vacation time I'll have left. The compensation is nice but like most Americans I get very little time off and this was most of it. 

Edited May 14 by Oldfallman30

[terrybc]

Does this mean all the shops are open as if it was a Sea day.  I feel sorry for the crew as they are the ones who have to listen to us rant & rave as well as the tour desk.  

[Cruise Raider]

I am happy for those onboard to see the generous compensation being offered.  Princess seems to have stepped up to the plate on this one.  

[SapphirePrincessVoyager]

Also onboard the Sapphire Princess right now. We have all mostly been trying to be positive and make the most of our situation. The crew has been incredible. But Princess (the company) really should not have allowed this ship to sail. In speaking with the crew, they have been having issues as well on the 32 day voyage before our May 11 departure from Vancouver. If you are scheduled to sail on this ship on May 18, I will highly suggest you reconsider because they have been trying to fix the issue but have not been successful. 
 

This is our first time cruising with Princess and first time in Alaska…trying to cross it off our bucket list destinations. Now, with Glacier Bay cancelled and our Juneau glacier excursion cancelled, we will have to spend the time again to come back…which when you’re not retired - vacation time is more valuable than money. 
 

They just informed us in a letter today that we will be getting 75% refund of our cruise fare plus 75% of our cruise fare in Future Cruise Credit so not bad. In addition, all taxes and port fees are refunded. 

[SapphirePrincessVoyager]

1 hour ago, Auntiejo said:

What the heck on the Brazilian place replacing Sterling?! I just checked my app and my 2 reservations for Sterling on the June 8 sailing now say Churrascaria! I have no interest in Brazilian food either. Crazy they didn’t notify people about the change and what a terrible change for a ship that only has 2 specialty dining venues as it is. One of our favorite dining experiences on Princess it the steakhouse, be it Sterling or Crown Grill. Ugh. 

 

But at this point who knows if that cruise is even happening so maybe it’s a non issue 🤦‍♀️

Yes, Sterling was replaced with a Churrascaria that is located on the Lido deck by the pool where they usually have their buffet. You can imagine the tables and chairs being very casual. Not a steakhouse ambience at all 😡We were not informed as well and only saw it changed on the app while we were already onboard. Lots of frustrated guests yesterday who booked Sterling Steakhouse for formal night. It was a mess. Again, kudos to the service crew for trying their best.  

[Mrg68]

We board in a little over 4 weeks for our first cruise on Princess. What is the likelihood that it will all be fixed by then??  We’ve only been on one other cruise so I am not aware of how they manage these kinds of scheduling issues. 
 

thanks!!

[scvgirl]

Keep the updates coming on “the fix” and make the best of the rest of the week.  Alaska is beautiful and keep your eyes North for the Aurora.  We fly to Anchorage ina few hours 

[capriccio]

5 hours ago, SapphirePrincessVoyager said:

Yes, Sterling was replaced with a Churrascaria that is located on the Lido deck by the pool where they usually have their buffet. You can imagine the tables and chairs being very casual. Not a steakhouse ambience at all 😡We were not informed as well and only saw it changed on the app while we were already onboard. Lots of frustrated guests yesterday who booked Sterling Steakhouse for formal night. It was a mess. Again, kudos to the service crew for trying their best.  

Sterling never had a 'steakhouse ambience' in my opinion.  That was just impossible given its location in a corner of the buffet.  We would definitely try the Churrascaria which is a meat lovers dream (multiple types of meat served by roving wait staff). We have loved the ones we've been to in Rio and in the US.

[Oldfallman30]

I just realized according to the itinerary when we leave Juneau we are caught up. We are scheduled to leave at 9 and that matches the original itinerary. Doesn't that mean there is still a serious issue if we have to skip both our glacier days?

[Paula_MacFan]

Just now, Oldfallman30 said:

I just realized according to the itinerary when we leave Juneau we are caught up. We are scheduled to leave at 9 and that matches the original itinerary. Doesn't that mean there is still a serious issue if we have to skip both our glacier days?

I was just wondering the same thing. I looked at the original itinerary and wondered why they had cancelled the scenic cruising days already. That doesn't bode well for the repair process.

 

Please keep us posted! Thanks 

[dns65]

7 hours ago, SapphirePrincessVoyager said:

Yes, Sterling was replaced with a Churrascaria that is located on the Lido deck by the pool where they usually have their buffet. You can imagine the tables and chairs being very casual. Not a steakhouse ambience at all 😡

 

As others have said, the old Sterling Steakhouse was just a cordoned off area of the buffet.  The Diamond Princess also was like that.  So having a designated area up on deck sounds like it is an improvement from sitting in the buffet.  

Edited May 14 by dns65

[voljeep]

12 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Okay guys, frustration is justifiably high for those cruisers who are on the ship and dealing with the major disappointment.  There are new posters who may have just heard about CC.  Just because they have not been a member on here before, means very little.

 

There are clear guidelines for posting on this board and one of the major things is to treat each other with respect.  For both new members and those who have been around for a bit, reading the guidelines is always a good thing.  

 

I really don't want to lock this thread but will have to if the constant bickering and personal comments that are not kind continue.  

 

Let's please show compassion and respect and everyone please take a deep breath. 

Very much appreciated for the 'deep cleaning' of this thread and keeping it open.

[etphonehome24]

1 minute ago, dns65 said:

 

The old Sterling Steakhouse was just a cordoned off area of the buffet so that actually sounds like it is an improvement.  

Without hijacking this thread, I agree. I may actually book this now (if every date and time weren’t unavailable…).

[SCX22]

19 minutes ago, Oldfallman30 said:

I just realized according to the itinerary when we leave Juneau we are caught up. We are scheduled to leave at 9 and that matches the original itinerary. Doesn't that mean there is still a serious issue if we have to skip both our glacier days?

 

Princess is playing it cautious.  Glacier Bay is a National Park and Princess has strict entry and exit times.  Wouldn't be good if the Sapphire broke down while cruising the park.  Not only that, the park rangers that board for the few hours at the beginning and end that do the enrichment/narration would be stuck on the ship, if it were to break down.

[SapphirePrincessVoyager]

10 minutes ago, dns65 said:

 

The old Sterling Steakhouse was just a cordoned off area of the buffet so that actually sounds like it is an improvement.  

I see. Yes that is exactly where the Churrascarria is now.

[arizonaperson]

So for those onboard currently. I see the letter that you were given by the captain. It says any adjustments to taxes , fees, and port expenses associated with these changes will be automatically credited to your onboard account.

 

So does that mean all current passengers need to spend that onboard? Or go to the casino and try to cash out?  Just curious. For some not a problem to have that money absorbed to obc folio. Some have a bunch of obc already ,so it doesn’t benefit them. Did they say if these adjustments are refundable OBC? Probably not a big amount of OBC?

Edited May 14 by arizonaperson

[Paula_MacFan]

25 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

 

Princess is playing it cautious.  Glacier Bay is a National Park and Princess has strict entry and exit times.  Wouldn't be good if the Sapphire broke down while cruising the park.  Not only that, the park rangers that board for the few hours at the beginning and end that do the enrichment/narration would be stuck on the ship, if it were to break down.

I've cruised Glacier Bay so am familiar and I get what you're saying. But didn't they also cancel College Fjord too? I'm just concerned about our upcoming cruise and if Princess thought they had a handle on the repairs they wouldn't need to play it cautious. I hope we get notice in a timely manner if more changes are needed. Like others have said, it's not just the inconvenience of changed plans but most of us don't have infinite vacation leave from work to reschedule.

[rjhollan]

3 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I'm just concerned about our upcoming cruise and if Princess thought they had a handle on the repairs they wouldn't need to play it cautious. I hope we get notice in a timely manner if more changes are needed.

We're hauling the whole family (including 15-mo old) up to Vancouver from Kansas City for the 6/8 bwb 14-day, so also keeping an eye on things.  Hopefully they'll figure it out with several weeks between now and then, so I'm not terribly concerned.