Lintywhite

We've sailed on the Diamond three times and have another 2 cruises booked on her. She is a wonderful ship. We've done Asia on her twice and New Zealand once. Here's a few more things to add to the essentials to take when touring in Thailand and Vietnam in particular.

Bring a small fan. It gets SO hot. On one tour the gift shop at a small museum sold out of souvenir fans to hot sweaty cruisers.

I think someone has already recommended hats and sunscreens, but a folding umbrella wouldn't go astray as well, for both rain and heat.

Be aware of dress restrictions particularly in Thailand. Certain types of clothing are not allowed in some areas. Your tour should explain this, but it is confusing. For example, 3/4 length pants were fine for women, but not full length. I'm still not sure why. They usually have sarongs that can be borrowed if your outfit isn't approved...and yes, they look you over before you can enter some places.

Rest rooms can be primitive. Take either toilet paper or wet wipes. Also hand sanitizer and tissues. Often there is no soap or toilet paper. If you're taking a bag, make sure it is the type you can wear cross body or around your neck as there is often nowhere to hang it when using the rest room.

Be careful crossing the road. As many have said before, the traffic is chaotic!

In complete contrast Japan is very clean. No need to worry about rest rooms there. It's also very safe and the people are very helpful and respectful.

I think the Asia cruises are wonderful because you get to experience such a wonderful array of different cultures.

On the Diamond, make sure you try out the Izumi bath house. Usually on the Asia sailings the inside baths are used naked with women in one section and men in the other. The outside spa area is mixed and clothed. Even if you don't feel comfortable using the inside baths, do try the outside area. You don't have to do the 'naked thing' to use the outside spa. ;)

Finally, the Japanese style toilets on the Diamond. You will never feel the same again. I just wish we could install one in our home here in Australia. :)

Enjoy your cruise.

The Comedy Cruise I was looking at was a four day cruise out of Brisbane, not the NZ one. It was quite cheap and that was why I thought it might be a bit 'boozy'....lol ;)

Thanks Mic for your reply. The 'booze cruise' aspect was another thing I wondered about. We usually sail with Princess but have sailed P&O a couple of times and found the crowd to be very different, younger and a little more 'boozy' [No offence to anyone - it's a holiday....right?] We were mainly considering it because it was across a weekend and it would mean my husband wouldn't have to take as much time off work. Something to think about. Thanks again.

Could someone who has been on a Comedy Cruise please advise if there are other forms of entertainment or things to do that are not comedy based? Are things like trivia and movies all comedy based as well? We are looking at a 4 day getaway cruise that is listed as 'Comedy' but hoping there will still be other things to do as neither of us are comedy fans. Thanks.

Is anyone able to tell me if the stores on the Star Princess sell L'Occitane toiletries, please? Also, does anyone have current prices? Thanks.

One thing we have noticed regarding the speed of the internet on board various Princess ships is that it can vary depending on where you are trying to access it. Some areas seem to get a stronger signal than others and that can make a lot of difference if you are trying to upload photos etc. We have often found it slower in our cabins [but not always] whereas we can get a better signal in some of the lounges and bars.

Best signal is usually always in the Internet room using the ships own PCs if you want to try that but you may not be able to upload your photos from those. Just make sure you have your hand sanitizer with you as keyboards can be a breeding place for germs. Some of the internet rooms have hand sanitizer provided but we always carry our own.

I'll be very interesting in following your posts, Jayne. My husband, our adult daughter and I will be embarking as you are disembarking on 15th October so I will look forward to reading about your experiences and any tips or suggestions.

I have read about the new toilets thanks to Lanwood's reviews and have also contacted Princess direct about food and menus as my daughter has a seafood allergy and we were a bit concerned about the changes to the menu for the Japanese market. But it's always good to hear about fellow Aussies experiences. Thank you.

MGS13, I would recommend the Akaroa Dolphins tour. We did it on our cruise earlier this year and it's one of the best tours we have been on during our years of cruising. Sea Princess offered it onboard but you can also book direct with the operator and save some money. This is what we did, booking online before we left home.

The tour is by boat starting in the harbour and travelling outside into open water. We saw seals, dolphins, bird colonies, penguins and amazing rock formations and caves. Really wonderful and run by a local family. We still had time to look around the lovely town of Akaroa, do some gift shopping and have lunch in a local café.

If you want more details please let me know.

If you're a tea drinker, you can get a better cup of tea with breakfast in the MDR. The buffet tea is not very good as the water isn't boiling.

One downside to breakfast in the MDR is that it can take longer. That's fine on leisurely days when you want to relax but not if you are pressed for time and have a tour to catch.

The technician did a good job. It was a bit more expensive than Brisbane prices. I found the price listed in the brochure wasn't what was charged at the end as they add on an automatic tip of about 15% so keep that in mind.

I had shellac nails done on the Sea Princess in February. Although I didn't get any removed, I'm sure they do that too as I was asked if I needed it done when booking.

We've had an aft mini suite on the Sea Princess and it was the best cabin of any of our cruises. The back of the ship is quiet, the balcony is private and you get wonderful views looking out as the ship sails along. Enjoy.

I will make one complaint - it's the only one you will here from me, and that is no one on board could make a decent cup of tea!!

This would be my only ever complaint too because I really need a good pot of tea each morning to start the day. I think the real problem is the water isn't boiling when they make it and so it doesn't brew properly.

When I've sailed on ships that have the specialty teas I found the herbal teas are quite good as usually they don't require the water to be boiling. Hopefully they can be found on the Diamond where they do the specialty coffees.

Thanks to Lanwood for his excellent reviews and thanks for answering my questions on the "Toilet" thread. Thanks also to Sayaguru.

I phoned Princess Australia yesterday and my husband followed up with a phone call to Princess USA and they both assured us that the Japanese menus, movies and entertainment etc were only for selected cruises on the Diamond, in particular, the around Japan cruises or those with mainly Japanese ports that had been advertised in Japan with a view to attracting Japanese passengers.

Whilst they couldn't give specifics they both said that other cruises on the Diamond would be mainly in English with the usual menus movies, entertainment etc all in English.

And just to clarify, my husband and I were not at all concerned about the Japanese aspect. He's been travelling to Japan for the last 27 years and enjoys the food, culture etc. Our concerns were for our 26 year old daughter who will be sailing with us. She has a seafood allergy. She is also a first time cruiser and we were worried that if there was limited entertainment etc in English she might not enjoy the cruise.

Sorry, posted this on wrong thread

Thanks Lanwood. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Interesting that there were no port lectures. That's one thing I always watch. I hope they will reinstate these.

One last question if you don't mind. Did they still have trivia and, if so, was it in English or Japanese?

I'm considering phoning Princess this morning to discuss some of my concerns. The Japanese flavour wont bother us, but I am not sure there will be a lot for my daughter to do. She's only 26 and since there usually aren't many passengers her age on board, I thought she might like the activities, movies etc. If many are in Japanese, then that limits that option for her too.

Thanks again.

Thanks Lanwood.

As a fellow Australian I appreciate a bit of 'toilet humour'. My husband is quite excited about the Japanese style toilets as he has been a regular visitor to Japan for the last 27 years and he LOVES the toilets there. He'll also have no problem with being naked at the Izumi, as the family he stays with in Japan owns and operates an old style bath house and that is the only way he can bathe while there. It was a culture shock at first but he came to like it.

Now, on to my questions:

We've sailed with Princess several times before but we are sailing on the Diamond later in the year with our adult daughter who is a first time cruiser. She has a few food issues [seafood being one] and I was wondering if the dining room menu includes many Asian style dishes or if it is the 'usual' Princess type dishes? From your other review I am now guessing far more Japanese style menu items? She mainly eats chicken so I hope there are at least some chicken dishes?

Also what are the new boutiques like? My daughter loves to 'shop' and I think this might be one area she would really like.

Lastly, I have read several comments on other threads about the downgrading of the bathroom amenities [shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc] Are they still supplying the individual bottles or do they have the wall dispensers?

Thanks Lanwood.

I've been trying to find some reviews on the Diamond since her dry dock but those posted so far haven't really answered the questions I have. Would I be able to ask the questions here or would that be considered hijacking the thread? Some are to do with bathroom amenities if that helps? Thanks.

Gail, just saw your comment on the Diamond. I have been waiting to hear from someone who has cruised on her after dry dock and I hope you don't mind if I ask you a couple of questions.

We've sailed with Princess several times before but we are sailing on the Diamond later in the year with our adult daughter who is a first time cruiser. She has a few food issues [seafood being one] and I was wondering if the dining room menu includes many Asian style dishes or if it is the 'usual' Princess type dishes?

I would love to hear your comments on the shows and entertainment please?

Also what are the new boutiques like? My daughter loves to 'shop'.

Lastly, I have read several comments on other threads about the downgrading of the bathroom amenities [shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc] Are they still supplying the individual bottles or do they have the wall dispensers?

Thanks for your advice.

Jenny

Thanks Pam. Hopefully someone will see my request and write a quick review. I'm looking forward to hearing about the new features.

Just wondering if anyone has been on the Diamond Princess since she left dry dock? If so, could you post a review please. My husband, daughter and I are sailing on her in October and as this will be my daughters first cruise experience, I am hoping that the Diamond will be as wonderful as our previous Princess cruises. Thanks.

This is my first post on CC so I hope I have posted this in the right place. Apologies if I have made a mistake.