crochetcruise

The FOOLS will have lost the money they paid for their cruise, any On Board Purchases pre-paid and are in (deservedly) serious trouble!

IIRC, the Pacific Explorer used to be the Dawn Princess.

Hope everyone else can settle down and enjoy their cruise in safety.

I must fly to Sydney on the Saturday-cruise leaves on the Monday afternoon for Melbourne, but the Sunday afternoon flight just isn't practical for me mobility issues. I've budgeted for a 2 night stay in Sydney, it's less stressful for me.

Laundry was great. In 10 days we sent out 3 bags. Everything but under garments came back on hangers. Be forewarned that they put a little tag in each piece (I think it's an iron on piece of fabric) it has a number on it, I'm assuming to track whose laundry is whose.

 

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I had little tags secured by a safety pin in my laundry.

So nice to have a fresh outfit for Disembarkation, I was meeting friends for lunch, 1 came to Station Pier to collect me, and we had an unexpected change of venue due to the other friend having to attend a funeral earlier that day.

In the past I have been able to order a package of 6 assorted cans of soda for price of 5 and I would order this on embarkation along with the spirits. I can find the spirits listed in cruise personaliser under Beverage Packages in Onboard Reservations, but not the soda package. Is it still available and is it hidden somewhere on website I can't see?

IIRC, it's found in the folder in your stateroom with the Room Service menu and pricing. I've never seen the 6 soda cans for the price of 5 in my cruise personaliser, only beer.

I've only done 1 cruise, and the deal is more expensive than buying supplies at the supermarket, but it's ever so much easier to organise On Board Credit and just phone Room Service once I've embarked! I want canned soda available so I can have a soft drink in the Window Suite without having to get changed and go to a bar. I'm quite often thirsty during the night.

HTH.

On Royal Princess last month saws lots and lots of people walking around with tumblers. I presume they all had purchased Soda and More as I with the PBP did not receive one. But that turned out fine because when I would switch from an adult beverage to soda they would bring me one in the large plastic glasses found in the HC (in other restaurants and bars as well). Just as large and easier to drink from than the tumbler.

 

And I do believe that only fountain sodas would be dispensed into the tumbler, not mocktails or juices. Though easy enough to just pour from the barware to the tumbler if so inclined.

I had the Soda and More Package November 2016 on the Golden Princess, and got 2 separate Mocktails from different bars to try, and my provided tumbler was used. hTH. I personally wasn't impressed with the Mocktails, 1 too sweet and the other rather sour (my opinion, other people might describe the taste as tangy).

Once when we checked in at Vancouver the Princess employee insisted that I checked in using the platinum line (maybe 5 people in line) and my friend who was not platinum but staying in my cabin checked in using the regular line (at least 100 people in line). She refused to let her in line with me so we ended up in the extremely long line. Boy was I upset because it had already been a very long and extremely tiring day.

 

 

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I would have taken her name, and complained to Princess, recommending that employee be instructed that those Blue, Gold and Ruby cardholders staying in a cabin with a Platinum or Elite person, ARE allowed to board with that person.

As is a suite.

 

Nothing special at all. Not worth the extra dollars and they assign you the laziest staff.

 

Annie

I'm surprised to hear this. When I sailed on the Golden Princess 11/11/2016 Sydney-Melbourne in the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite, the Steward was great IMHO. Came to introduce himself, offering the glass of Sparkling wine-unfortunately I forgot I'd taken an anti-nausea tablet and gave myself a right headache through my forgetfulness-bad history of train sickness as a kid, and my cousins brought me partway by car, then we finished the journey by train as parking near the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney is a right challenge.

He noticed I'm short so politely suggested he put a lifejacket on the end of the bed ready for Muster Drill then provided me coupons to redeem my Pre-Paid On Board Purchases-Canapes, and Gifts and told me how to signal him I had left the Suite so he could do his work without disturbing me. I gave him a Consumate Host nomination and showed him what I'd written about him, he was stunned I thought so highly of his anticipating where I could have trouble reaching items and moving them to a lower shelf so I could manage for myself.

In 38 weeks I shall be aboard the Golden Princess, sailing down the East Coast of Australia. Can you tell I'm excited and counting down the days?

I have been on cruises in Australia where they have happy hour - once on the Sun Princess to North QLD and the other on the Diamond Princess to Fiji. There seems to be no consistency with their policy even here within Australia.

Just caught up with your post.

My cruise was a 3 night Sydney-Melbourne. I understand the Queensland and Fiji cruises are at least 7 to 14 days, so it's possible the Happy Hour doesn't happen on the shorter cruises.

"First-ever cruise"? Be sure your luggage includes a carry-on bag. The general rule is your main luggage is picked up the

night before, and you'll want something to pack your sleepwear and toothbrush in for debarkation. ;)

Make sure that the clothes you want for Disembarkation, sunscreen, toiletries and personal medications are kept out or packed in the carry on bag so you have them available if you need them-I'm on prescribed medication and the Dr was quite emphatic about taking them at set times to keep the level of medication stable so no problems (asthma, and sometimes I react to something unexpected like a perfume, so I always carry my reliever puffer).

I had a GREAT TIME on my 1st cruise, had to cancel last year, but am eagerly counting the days until I fly to Sydney for 2 nights before boarding the Golden Princess. My hometown has a very limited weekend flight schedule and it just doesn't get me into Sydney at a suitable time, so I'm travelling on Saturday for a Monday sailing.

Do enjoy your cruise.

You didn't state your tier because elite tier gets the individual bottles in a cute little gold bag. The gold bag also contains a nail file, lip balm, loffa sponge and lotion.

So do Suite occupants, even if a Blue Card holder enjoying their first ever cruise! :D

If you use a particular shampoo & conditioner, I respectfully suggest getting some travel-sized bottles-I found mine in Cheap as Chips here in Australia-and decanting your own supplies. I found several different combinations of bottles, bottles and small jars and sets, under AUD$5 IIRC. I set had printed labels to identify the contents-I thought that very useful. It's several years since I bought mine, so not sure of availability and prices. HTH.

Enjoy your cruise.

I checked the Diamond's deckplan and there was a tour of a Suite with balcony that showed a separate shower cubicle beside the bath. HTH.

I love Princess shampoo, I wish I could buy it at home.

 

Mrs Gut hates it so takes her own.

Buy some of the travel sized empty bottles (I've found them in Cheap as Chips, don't remember the exact price but quite economical, under $5, possibly $2-$4 IIRC) and decant the shampoo from the dispenser. HTH.

I was in a Window Suite so received the Suite toiletries, and really nice. LOVED the spacious Handicapped Accessible shower with the fold down bench and flexible shower head-SO easy to set the temperature and enjoy a good scrub in safety.

Thanks for the memory jab, must check all my liquids are under 100ml or decanted into smaller bottles and labelled. Annoyingly my preferred sunscreen is 125ml or 250ml, but as I'm unlikely to be going overseas I'm not affected by the size limit.

This is the Calypso pool where a lot of time was spent investigating beer varieties and slices of pizza.

 

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Oooh! An undercover pool with steps leading down into the water so I can manage independently! This gives me another ship to cruise on!

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION!

We're going to do the same, which is the best place to buy it from on embarkation day? Thanks

I went to the Calypso Bar on the Golden Princess, the attendant was most helpful for this, then Blue Card holder.

Looking to minimize the amount of cash I carry on my upcoming cruise. Does anyone know if you can charge slot machine charges to your room now? I haven't cruised in a couple of years.

 

Thanks all.

Yes, when I sailed the Golden Princess 11/11/2016 I had to use my card to play the slot machine. I fluked doubling my money and THAT is MOST unusual for me!

You insert your card into the machine and follow the displayed instructions. HTH.

Hi all,

 

I'm due to sail with my family on a Princess cruise in late January from Adelaide to Melbourne in Australia, which I believe is a section of a longer Melbourne to Melbourne return.

 

I was finally completing our booking information tonight and ID documents were requested. I've put in our passport details as requested, but noticed some fine print down the bottom specifying that passports need to be valid for six months after completion of travel. Two of the four passports do not meet this requirement.

 

When booking with the travel agents, the specified requirements for domestic cruises was listed merely as photo ID. I assume that being a cruise that originates and visits only Australian ports that immigration matters don't apply, so I'm not sure why the passport is required to be valid for such a long time.

 

I'll be contacting our travel agents as soon as they open and ask for clarification, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience on ID requirements on princess domestic cruises, particularly within Australia. I really don't want to have to apply for urgent processing of two passports.

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance, and please be gentle - it's my first time posting!

Current Driver's Licence with photo ID or Proof-Of-Age Card-which I have as due to Legal Blindness I can never get a Driver's Licence will do. I used the Proof-Of-Age card when I sailed the Golden Princess in November 2016, and IIRC a Medicare Card is sufficient for children under 18. Get the Proof-Of-Age Card from the Motor Registration or whatever it's called in your state, there is a cost IIRC mine was under $30 last year, about 14 months ago.

HTH and Enjoy your cruise!

Just got back from a 14 day cruise on the Regal and had a great time. Met many crew members that were great. We handed out the recognition cards onboard to several of them, also mentioned them on the after cruise survey. Unfortunately, I missed one of the crew on the survey and he was AMAZING. I'm hoping that someone knows if and how I can do that since the survey has already been completed. I did give him one of the onboard cards but I really wanted to recognize him again. Thanks in advance for the help.

A respectful suggestion for next time, go to the Passenger Service Desk and ask for extra recognition cards, so each crew member can be recognised individually.

HTH.

One other great suite perk is room service breakfast on the last morning.

Oooh! I forgot about this! THANK YOU for the reminder, I'll set my phone alarm to remind me.

Yes, it's still a wonderful perk when you sail in a full suite!

I thoroughly enjoyed this perk on the Golden Princess November 2016, and am within 300 days of enjoying it again on the same itinerary.

I also found the Suite Laundry perk most useful, just remember to have you laundry ready by the designated time-IIRC 9.00am-or it's next day return.

Enjoy your cruise.

Sorry I just got off and didn't see your question before getting off. I do remember seeing the bears for sale in the Vines shop, and from memory had a price tag of $35. I didn't notice any clothes for the bears.

Trish

Thanks Trish. I plan to bring some brown yarn and make Stanley his own crocheted rug.

Counting down the days until I embark in Sydney, bound for Melbourne.

SUCH a relaxing way to travel! :D

I've noted the Soda and More Package price, had budgeted $24, so am on target. Planning to put money into On Board Credit and purchase on board, it's the BEST excuse yet for getting out and exploring the ship.

A VERY cheeky friend of mine posted on another website we're both members of, "Wonder if she's found the Bar yet?" I went to the Calypso Bar to buy my Soda and More Package, and saw it wasn't real safe for me to be near any of the pools, considerable splashed water so the deck was very slippery, and we hadn't sailed yet. I hate to think of what it's like when underway. I stayed clear, had a lovely time exploring the shops and buying souvenirs.:)

305 days to cruising!

Afternoon everyone,

I'm on board the Golden Princess now so please let me know if you have anything you want me to check out, or if you have any questions. I probably won't be able to post pictures of the patter while I'm on board but can do that when I get home if anyone wants to see them.

Trish

Do they still sell the Princess Cruises Captain Teddy Bear-I have guesstimated around AUD$20?

Is Stanley the Stowaway Bear aboard-I have an AUD$ price through my Cruise Personaliser for October 2018?

Are any of Stanley's other outfits for sale, and a rough price please?

Many thanks for your help. I'm trying to calculate what amount I need to put into On Board Credit, so as much as possible is pre-paid. Taxi fares for me, are the big variable.

Do enjoy your cruise.

Another good reason to arrive the day before and leave the day after.

I'm flying into Sydney 2 days before I board the Golden Princess in October 2018, and taking a mid-afternoon flight home the day after disembarkation in Melbourne. The Sunday choice of flight doesn't get me into Sydney at a reasonable time to do some food shopping-staying at an Apartment complex with a supermarket in the same block. With unknown locations, I'm very cautious, and an erratic navigator-it's the family joke the only place I can find easily is the Ladies Loo!!

If ships had escalators, a lot of people who don't want to climb stairs would use them and that would free up more room in the elevators for those with walkers or scooters.

Very good point which I missed completely. :(

I hope someone from Corporate is reading and taking notes. There's very limited Handicapped Accessible Staterooms on ships and some people need to be able to see daylight to minimise seasickness-I was fortunate that the combination of first time cruising and wild excitement DIDN'T cause a queasy tummy-and I tried what I fancied aboard. Slept like a log with the extra walking and dodging crowds, although most people noticed and politely moved aside, I did had to stop suddenly once, the chap in front of me, suddenly stopped and I nearly bumped into him! He forgot to bring to bring something from his stateroom, I understood that, just startled at nearly bumping into him.

Escalators. They would eliminate long waits for over-crowded elevators. They would still function as stairs in the event of a power outage.

 

Restrict photo department to an out-of-the-way location where they do not interfere with the flow of traffic on gangways, elevator lobbies, deck 7 forward & aft passageway. If passengers want a photo, they can go to the photo dept. location.

 

Have a Planks restaurant on every ship.

 

Move or do away with the Gastro Pub in the Wheelhouse lounge so all those empty seats can be used by passengers wanting to enjoy drinks and the live entertainment.

The only problem with an escalator when using a walker is getting on and off safely, as I can't always move at the same speed as the escalator is moving. I've nearly fallen a couple of times, and now stick to ramps or lifts for my own safely. An angled inclinator still has the problem of a ridge at each end where the moving part disappears in a loop-this is where I have the most trouble negotiating safely. A ramp at the approved degree of rising so much over a certain distance, think the ratio is 1 centimetre rise for each 14 centimetres in length, but not honestly sure of those exact figures. I know the lower incline makes it easier for me to manage with my walker without trying to hold on to the railing as well.

1. Window Suites equipped for Handicapped Access, and Oceanview Staterooms. I find travelling solo, I have to REALLY budget carefully to afford to cruise. With an aging population who may have to deal with various Handicaps, being able to still enjoy cruising would be nice.
   
2. Ramps between decks would be very nice, but there are rules governing the gradient permitted, so the ramp length may be impossible to fit do safely.
   
3. Also replacement ships of the size of the Golden/Grand Princess or a little smaller. I have not yet cruised on the Sea or Sun Princesses so cannot comment on their facilities.
   

I found other passengers very willing to help if I looked lost, and I also helped in the lift if I was near the controls I'd happily push the button/s for other persons decks.