HaveDogWillTravel

Last month I sailed in M108 and then B101 on the Royal during a b2b. They were both north/south west coast itineraries (sf-Mexico M108 & sf-PNW B101). For these itineraries I did enjoy the cabins a lot. Going south I found I could use m108 balcony 24/7. Going north it was usually too windy to be out there. This is by far my favorite balcony for incredible sail aways and sail ins. However for an East/West itinerary (like the 15 day Hawaii one I just took this month) I wouldn’t book m108 as I think the wind would be too much most of the time. These are just my impressions and recent experiences and may not be representative of general trends in how the winds go. The balcony on B101 is on the side and it is is horribly narrow…. Knees almost touch the balcony. And it has the bridge wing creating a claustrophobic space. I hated that balcony. But the forward facing window in B101was quite nice. Also it was quite the trek to get to the concierge lounge on riviera aft. I love that lounge on the Royal class ships. As far as motion goes, I could feel the motion and it didn’t bother me at all. However, I would never book either of these cabins when DH sails with me. He can sail in aft cabins and stay relatively free of seasickness but these forward ones would have made him miserable the entire time. We had normal seas nothing too calm or too rough.

Thank you for the video!

I recently stayed in M108 on Royal. It was extremely private. Here are some photos taken from that balcony showing the port side cabins

@Nobbithank you taking the time to write such detailed report. The crew chat feature on your ap is an efficient way to contact guest services without any standing in line. And you will have a paper trail. @VibeGuyis correct about the water issues. I just had that happen again to me last week on the Sapphire (her 3rd sailing I think since being back). Your room steward most likely has been assigned to the aft facing suites….meaning they are having to go deck to deck. I personally hate this setup as it means you never see your steward unless you page them. If you haven’t been given a small business size card with your stewards # yet, use crew chat to request it. Also ask your steward to have the suite rooms supervisor come to your room to address the issues you are having. They kept telling me the water was fixed when I could not get it to do what they said. The supervisor came and turned the water on in the wet bar while we talked for a solid 5 minutes. The water took that long to get hot! Coming from California I would never have thought to let a sink just run that long! But she was unable to get cold water in the shower (we had a hot weather cruise so needed cool and hot showers). She then took care of the issue that day. I usually like to give the steward a chance to get something addressed first but if it doesn’t get addressed in 24 hours I go up the chain of command. Those suites are far too expensive for “less than” service. That said I am always pleasant with a smile on my face while explaining what my issues are and I am always profusely thankful for a solution provided & understanding of how overworked a crew is.

Thanks for that correction. The officers were incredibly chatty on my sailing last week. They were out and about like I’ve never seen before and stopping to have actual conversations. One of the senior officers at the elite lounge one night said Capt McBain was brought on specifically for taking the ship on her South American sailings. I thought they mentioned him having special certification but clearly I must have misunderstood the message. I mean there was a glass or two wine involved (by me not the officers obviously )😊 As always thank you keeping the information on these boards accurate!

The link above is a wonderful resource for all the bars and MDR by the glass. However MDR has a full wine list that includes a much wider selection of bottles. Keep in mind that just because a wine is listed does not mean it’s actually on the ship. Available stock varies widely from ship to ship, especially with regards to nicer wines. This is the MDR wine menu from the Sapphire November 2022. These prices do not include the mandatory 18% gratuity. If you have a Plus package the price is discounted 25%. The Premier package will have at least that much of a discount. Idk for sure as I don’t buy that one.

Captain McBain took command on the sailing just before yours that I was on. He’s certified for sailing around Cape Horn (where the Sapphire is going soon). We had some rough seas but not like the ones you’re facing. He and his bridge team are impressive for their skill, for their transparency and for their visibility to passengers. You’re in good hands. I hope everyone stays healthy and you steer clear of the worst of it. ‘Jhonatan and Shailesh (Crooners bartenders)are simply wonderful people. Tell them Jacqueline says Hi! If you think of it and get a chance. I was also quite impressed by the quality of service on Sapphire.

I just went this month and yes those little booties are required. We did the self guided audio tour so no need to stay with the group you are admitted with. The timed tickets are a use it or lose it if you prepay but they will give you a later entry time if they have it. Lots of folks were just walking up and getting same day timed tickets. We missed our 9 am time and were given a 10:45 time slot.

I just got off a 15 day Hawaii sailing on the Sapphire. I went probably 8 nights and it was amazing! As @CruiseRaidersaid there’s quite the spread now. There was live music (tasteful and low key to enable conversation). They had the best sushi on two nights. Both cooked and raw. Jefferson was hilarious. When I complimented him on the sushi he said “Thanks I get it from Walmart”. I think he went on about just unwrapping the plastic but I was laughing too hard to really hear him. OMG funniest guy ever. The bar soon discovered my favorite white wine and never ran out. They also stocked the NICE wine glasses for me. There were always senior officers at the elite lounge when I went. Mario Propato our DORO was usually there as was our HGM and director of GS. Darsan the bar supervisor made sure everyone was well taken care of and happy. My other experiences have been elevated since the restart on my Majestic, Ruby, Royal and Grand sailings But the Sapphire took it up another notch!

I just finished that cruise too. Mine was in my junk folder. The crew was exceptional! Even the ones on their first ever contract.

I just returned from a cruise to Hawaii and loved our stop in Honolulu. We walked to the Iolani Palace. It was amazing. It’s about a 15 minute easy walk thru safe areas. Of course there’s also Lyft and Uber if you need them.

Yes I’m on board. Here is the Captain’s message today. I have decided to start wearing my mask. Each person should make the best choice they can given the information they have. Perhaps hearing directly from the Captain on board will help you do that. all the best! IMG_0725.MOV

I’m currently on the Sapphire. 15 day RT LA to HA. We’ve had lobster tails twice and both nights they were large, sweet, tender and not salted to death. I’ve never had lobster this good on princess. It wasn’t Camden Maine pulled from the ocean cooked 5 minutes later good but it was seriously not an embarrassment to the company for once. okay and the cheesecake tonight. I had stopped ordering the “New York cheesecake” a while ago bc it was just Philadelphia cream cheese cake. But tonight it was an actual ricotta cheese Sardi’’s restaurant good cheese cake. I have 2 more days on board and I will be eating this a lot. Lol

I bring my own thin lipped nice acrylic wine glass for pool side. Not ideal but far better than what they serve in.

This is also the case here on the Sapphire. At least for Sauvignon blanc and Pinot Grigio. We went to vines and tried every white they had in stock. Did not finish even one. We made friends with the Crooners, Outriggers and Skywalkers bartenders. Mentioned we prefer the Silverado Sauvignon blanc. Within a couple of days we had bottles of Silverado Sauvignon blanc and “good’ wine glasses now at each of those bars that they serve us by the glass on the plus package. Didn’t hurt that one of the bar supervisors is someone I sailed with for over 70 days between November 2021 and June 2022. We brought on some bottles when we boarded and added a few more in two of our ports. Just can’t drink one wine for 15 days. So sad. But having a great time!

@HBCcruisersorry to divert your thread. Please forgive me. @cr8tiv1 OMG yes! When do you drop them off? We could at least spend a few minutes at the port. We are in Honolulu late. Please email me at Jacqueline (dot) Faris (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks for that great information. if you get a chance could you find out about hosting a cocktail party with a bartender for around 20 people? I think I read you can do that. I’ve got that sky suite for the eclipse cruise and was thinking a cocktail party after the eclipse would be a great way to celebrate. Is it possible? and how stupid crazy expensive is it? Thank you so much!

I’ve never seen clothes for sale for Stanley. @travelin.sistersDean the GS Director on Sapphire told me Cherry is only available on Sapphire (& maaaaybe Diamond -I’ll find out in Jan). The Royal had a dozen different Stanley’s last month.

Bon voyage! Thank you for posting especially about your precruise experience with the concierges. I am excited to read about how you like the Sky Suite and if your balconies are quiet or not during the Lido deck activities and MUTS. I’m on the Sapphire LA to Hawaii- we get to Hilo tomorrow. I’ve been surprised by how well the internet has worked so far. At least for emails, messaging & posting here. Even made a couple WiFi phone calls and did FT with DH. We are at 88% capacity. Have a great cruise 💃💃

He will be on board for the next 3 months

Stanley’s in love again! If you recall from the beginning Josephine was his first love but it’s time he paired with his own species. A gift from the wonderful HGM Pieter.

We have a new captain that just boarded with us. He has special certifications for sailing around Cape Horn.

I’m onboard now and I must echo your and other comments like this regarding the crew. They are warm, friendly, happy and eager to do everything they can to give us the best experience ever. At Crooners, Vines and skwalker bars as soon as the bartenders found out I preferred Silverado Sauvignon Blanc to the Canyon Road and the Santa Helena they offered to get some bottles delivered. Yesterday our first sea day Jonathon at Crooners was pouring it for me by the glass. Price $11 included in plus. Thank goodness! Club class dining doesn’t blink an eye when we take the nice glasses out with us. (We always bring them back). So while Crooners and skywalkers Etc don’t have the wine glasses without a lip we just bring ours with us and they will pour our wine into them. I have talked with more officers on the Officer board already than I ever have on any of my 200 plus days with Princess. And I don’t mean a fleeting head nod and how are. I mean a genuine conversation. Last night Dean, Pieter and Aleksander were playing the games on boards on deck 7 by Ocean Medallion desk and visiting with guests. At the SEP lounge they were all there as was Mario our DORO (oldest and longest serving DORO with 50 years). With his assistant DORO Carlos. They were utterly engaged and took the time to really talk and visit with everyone. This has been a spectacular sailing so far and thanks to all for the last 2 live froms.

Aboard the beautiful Sapphire Princess heading to Hawaii. Captain Stanley is having the best time ever. When he unpacked he discovered his new brother Pirate Stanley had stowed away in another bag. The two of them hobnobbed with their old friends from the Ruby at the SEP lounge last night. Darsan bar supervisor, Dean GS Director and Pieter the HGM. What a delightful surprise to find so many of his Ruby crew on board the sapphire. He also met some new friends too. Franklin his awesome Skywalkers bartender and Aleksandr the food and beverage director.

Yes I can not view or book suites. My PVP said he’s had a lot of complaints lately but there’s no explanation yet.