macaws2

18 hours ago, Cruisintimer said:

Happy 50th, congratulations!

Thank you so much,,as far as taking a vacation in how ever your comfortable with, either means, cruising, staying in one location at a hotel etc, as long as I'm not cooking and cleaning during the time period I'm totally happy and content 😀 😊 

I don't think that there's really "complaining" going on, more observations that's all. Individuals talk about comparing cruising as far back as the 90's,,,,wellll, my actually first experience on any kind of ship was wayyyyy back in the early 60's when my dad who was active duty army at the time stationed in Germany, back then the military would bring families and troops back to the U.S. on what was back then a naval ship called the USS America, yup, my first ta and probably my one and only because being 7 years old and out at sea for who knows how many days, we got hit with a bad storm for 2 days, remember being so sick and not really understanding what was going but in all remember it being a good experience, there were sailors that were assigned to different families and remember that there was a day room setup for us children, I do remember being given a sailor hat with the name of the ship on it, what's happened to it no idea with all the moving around but again the comments are just mere observations from different peoples point of view and that's what I'm seeing, so for me yes, things have changed which we may not all like but then it's also everyone's choice to travel how they are the most happy and comfortable with. 

31 minutes ago, Cruisintimer said:

We are prior military/old school too but honestly nothing stays the same in life and the value/cost of cruising sure beats hotel and food prices these days.  We board with reasonable expectations and glasses half full not empty and have a great time despite little annoyances that may pop up.  Gratitude changes even a bleak looking buffet choice.  Enjoy your 21 days at sea and happy sailing!

We also board with reasonable expectations and always enjoy our selves just was stating that for us noticing how much the cruise industry has changed and not always for the good that for us just not what we may be doing much of. Our daughter actually use to work for Princess many years ago, she was one of the pier operation supervisors in port everglades, the coral, and sea Princess were her main ships, she also did the grand princess occasionally, she does still have her connections at Port everglades and they have also mentioned that it's not as easy as it use to be even though the job wasn't easy to begin with. When she came to visit us and she had her ships out she literally had 2 phones on her, one direct to the ships cpt and the other to the second mate, whenever there were repairs etc that came up she would have to contact the next port and arrange repairs etc, she loved her job, she actually told us that when the ship was disembarking from the pier and you would see the land staff waving goodbye to you they're actually saying hurry, get going, we've been here since 4 a.m. 😆. So I'm a little familiar with a good part of how the cruise industry is run from a different point and feel privileged to been able to experience that through our daughter, so we're looking forward to this upcoming trip, we're celebrating our 50th anniversary and our second time in the Mediterranean, we have some friends that will be with us and really looking forward to it, revisiting some ports we've been to and ports we haven't and since it's a new ship, can't wait to see what she has to offer.

I just came upon this roll call and started reading out of curiosity, well, the last time we cruised princess was way back in the 2000's before there were any specialty dining or packages to purchase, you paid as you went along and there was only the MDR and the buffet which to be honest for us was just fine, not complicated and personally we liked it that way, not having to try and book any special dining and formal nights were nice evening where everyone dressed up and the dining room was full of passengers that were looking forward to what was on the menu that evening and what entertainment was going to be performed by the dining room staff, and whether you preferred early or late dining etc. We've cruised before and after covid on other cruiselines, the last this past New Years and noticed such a change, on formal nights, individuals were walking in wearing jeans, men with hats on etc, plus we only ate in the MDR and even though we were setted at a table for 6 we were the only ones that showed up every evening. We are booked on a 21 day Mediterranean this coming Aug on the new princess sun and with all the changes, costs etc this may by our last cruise, we're retired and at this point because of all the changes may look at other travel alternatives. We've lived in the pacific when my husband was active duty so had the privilege to experience different cultures and live it. Yes, I know there are alot of individuals that don't mind the changes but I guess we're just old school and like the simple way things use to be. 

3 hours ago, dides said:

I have read on FB that everything is currently free in the laundrettes on Sun Princess - although it could be change n the future. Also still to be installed on decks 7 and 8 and some are out of action. Hey this is better than Majestic where they had none at all on the first few cruises! 

Thank you for the information, really appreciate it. 

Gladys 

2 hours ago, dides said:

I have read on FB that everything is currently free in the laundrettes on Sun Princess - although it could be change n the future. Also still to be installed on decks 7 and 8 and some are out of action. Hey this is better than Majestic where they had none at all on the first few cruises! 

Thank you again for the information, yeah we're on the 12th deck mid section, deluxe cabin which is just fine for us. It's more important to us to be mid ship, not on high decks so on this ship being 20 floors the 12th is fine,I have a medical condition where I have severe dizziness, nauseous, unbalance issues etc, have to take meds, etc to keep everything balanced so don't care about what's in the other categories, cabana, signature etc,not important when comfort medically is more important. We're traveling with dear friends of ours and we're actually celebrating our 50th anniversary this year so really looking forward to this cruise. Anyway just wanted to say thank you for the information that you've given me and hope your enjoying the cruise even though yes, being a new ship is having its "growing pains" but things could be worse as what happened to the first two initial cruises. Anyway, enjoy your time you have left on your cruise and again thank you. 

Gladys 

34 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

You’re welcome…we bring our Purex 3-in-1 sheets for washing delicates that we don’t want to send to the ship’s laundry which we receive for free as an elite level benefit.

 

Yup, great advice and thanks again, hope your enjoying yourself even though there's been some growing pains with the new ship.

Gladys 

38 minutes ago, Globaler said:

I do remember though, don’t wait till the last day to do laundry! People got quite a bit perturbed when others didn’t empty washers when the cycle had finished - to the point many found their wet clothes on top of the washer when they finally did show up 😳

Thank you, yes, I remember that happening and thank you for reminding me, hope even though there are things on the ship that still need some work that everyone is enjoying themselves with the shores excursions etc. Can't wait to begin our trip in Aug, we're celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary so a big one for sure.

Gladys 

Just now, Globaler said:

Sorry, I guess I forgot that you had to pay to run the washer and dryer

That's fine,,just bring own detergent etc and not like I'm going to be washing clothes all the time, just nice to know that it's there fir convenient use and not having to pack more clothes if not need to.

57 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

There is a fee for washer & dryer ($3.50 each?) in addition to purchasing detergent.

 

Thanks for the information, I'll bring my own travel packets like I did before, again thank you

Gladys 

2 hours ago, Globaler said:

It’s still the same but on princess you can get detergent and softener using your medallion.

Thanks everyone for answering my question, I'll just bring my own travel packets with us like I did before

Gladys 

Hi everyone, it's been helpful reading everything that everyone is sharing, have a 21 day booked for August and haven't read this yet but have a question, is the laundry room washers, dryers, detergent and softener free or at a cost, it's been several years since cruising princess and in the past the use of machines was free but the detergent and softener you had a little vending machine which you paid and got what you needed, definitely a great thing to have especially on a 21 day cruise, less clothes to pack.

Thanks in advance 

Gladys 

Glad to hear that I made the right decision by choosing AMA ,now cant wait to get my trip going, have a whole year to plan and wait 😊.

There isn't a simple way like when doing on ocean cruise because the river cruise companies aren't presented the same where you can easily locate your roll call, so I locate the roll call that says rivers cruises and just posted with putting in the cruise line,ship and date,will I get much activity, I doubt it but its there, don't understand why cruise critic doesn't have the river cruises set up like the ocean cruises. 

Gladys 

Thanks everyone for your inputs, didn't realize I would start a good conversation going but am thoroughly enjoying reading all the comments. Well we decided to go with AMA and we are now booked on Amakristina, 12 day December 12-23 2019 and I've started a roll call for it, so thank you all so much and maybe you can join us. 

Gladys 

2 hours ago, robertmartha said:

Gladys

 

We sailed last Christmas/New Yrs on AMA Serena - boarded Christmas Day (spent 3 days in Munich pre and took the train Christmas morning to the ship). Would do it again in a heartbeat - so much so looking to do a similar sailing in '19. It was our first river cruise and learned a lot about "river cruising" - all positive! While we enjoyed AMA - looking at more all inclusive lines next time. If you research thru these boards you will find A LOT of information - all of which was spot on in terms of experiences and expectations. Our sailing was a very multi-generational sailing we found - families with teens/young adults (as were we). Christmas markets for the most part were closed down for the season-but we expected that.  Any questions - please ask - happy to share our experiences. Definitely do your research on the ports - esp the big cities since you stay in port late you have the opportunity to experience them more then you can (I feel) then on an ocean sailing - esp since you dock in most cases right in the heart of the city.

 

Bob

 

Thanks Bob, I'm definitely looking at alot of information on different cruiselines and particularly at AMA because of the good reviews I've been reading about them. Thanks again for your input, greatly appreciated. 

Gladys 

Thanks Coral. I just realized that I put the wrong date, its December 2019, but anyway, thanks for the input, we're also looking at cruiselines that include pre and post to make the most of it.

Gladys

Trying to decide which cruise line doing the European Christmas river cruises is the better all inclusive, there's several and all seem to be pretty good but would like some input from individuals that have experienced doing this type of cruise. Looking at doing it December 2018 and this is our first time doing one of these type of cruises.

I also received an email about the cruise but we're already booked on another cruise around the same time, its the disco cruise featuring KC and the sunshine band, the Village people and Gloria Gaynor are just a few of the other artists that will be on the cruise. That one is also on Celebrity February 14-19 2019. There's also another cruise the following month also celebrity and its the 70s cruise featuring Foreigner. It hasnt been relessed to the public yet that will be around the 15th of this month. The only reason why I know about it is because I was notified last week about it, its being sponsored by the ssme company thats doing the disco cruise.

Gladys

We just disembarked from the moody blues cruise and no one ever said anything about him passing away. By the way it was a great cruise and hopefully everyone is doing well and those that had to fly north had a safe trip home.

Gladys

I had actually started a thread in june, not knowing that the one that we've been trying to use actually existed and it doesn't show up anywhere. I can go into my profile and bring it up but then when I go on the roll calls it doesn't show so you got me on how we could fix the problem, thats why last night I tried to start a new one and it wouldn't take, kept saying that one already existed. :(

Gladys

.

Well, dont know why but I couldnt post a new thread. Does anyone else want to try??

Gladys

I'm going on the Moody Blues cruise and really looking forward to it and spending New Years Eve and Day in Miami.

I've tried to look at the other roll call but the first pages are all complaints about the original cruise being cancelled. Do you think we should just start a new one ? Are we allowed to start a new one ? Surely the moderators should let us since the people on that roll call are no longer going on that cruise on that date.

I hear you:(:(:(, I'm not sure if we can do it but it's worth a try. I can try and see if I can start another roll call and actually start it by saying its a moody blues cruise and then put the date and see what happens, never know if you dont try, if it doesnt work then I'll try to contact support and shot them an email to see what we can do, so here I go, lets see what happens.

Gladys

Better than any of the one hit wonders of today. :evilsmile:

Ditto!!!!plus they've been around for ages, so a little bit more then just a one hit wonder:confused::confused:

😆😆😆wow, for this not being the actual roll call,I've sure been getting more activity on it about the cruise then I have been ,now I just wish thete was actually moody blues cruisers on this. Thanks everyone who has responded, really appreciated it.