leck57

Despite me telling my wife that there are other sweet wines besides Moscato, nothing other than Moscato is right for her. On our recent Majestic cruise the only Moscato on the wine lists was at Vines, however we soon learned it was available at all bars. We only had the Plus package but the generic Moscato provided was Brown Brothers which is not a cheap paint thinners wine, so the wife was happy.

Oh no - don't start this one again.😁

I think the ship was pretty full, probably about 80-90%. We went to dinner from around 6.30pm to 7.15pm. I am aware that this is the busy time but what my concern is, is that the staff on the whole had no idea how to manage the system. I have no issue with being given a pager (like previous times), however on this latest trip we just stood around the entrance while 3-4 staff worked out whether there was a table. As I mentioned, once inside there were tables everywhere and not used during our time in the room. Personally, I think one or two DR's should be walk up at all times and you just take your luck. At least this way all tables would be occupied. I thought one of the reasons that the Traditional Dining time system was removed was because there were be plenty of no shows and the tables sat empty. This current booking system doesn't seem to have changed that in any way.

My comments about dining room procedures for two cruises we have completed since May: May UK cruise Emerald Princess - friends we travelled with had booked the same time and number of guests for every night. No issues in being seated and service good....but not the way we prefer to dine as we prefer flexibility with times. Majestic Princess - We were on Majestic last week and we prefer dining when we want and not book. We turned up to any of the three DR's and the staff take ages to find a table if you haven't booked. There were often 4 staff looking like stunned mullets pouring over a floor plan trying to work something out. Then when you go inside the DR there are empty tables everywhere and many were not occupied the entire time we were there and we take our time. I would prefer the old system where Anytime was an easy option and if nothing was available, then just take a pager and wait - not be made stand at the doorway while the staff fumble their way through this system that has been thrown at them. I recall reading many comments about this newer system that it would reduce the number of tables sitting empty as in the past people that had Traditional Dining times would not show up. Well, I'm seeing far more vacant tables with this new system.

Impossible to say and it depends on many factors. Recently I boarded in about 30 minutes in Sydney, other times it has been over an hour. Depends on staff competence, Government regulations etc etc which are different at every port. I always take the first boarding group as I always arrive at the departure port the day before (as I have to fly in) and don't want to hang around waiting to board.

I am on the Majestic now and he is certainly not the captain.

We are on the Majestic now and Kevin Tugwell is the CD

At the pier we received a letter advising masks were mandatory indoors (except your own cabin) unless eating or drinking. Looked like close to 100% compliance tonight, although we Aussies are known for obeying direction.🙄

We are due to board Majestic later today. Our embarkation has been delayed 4 hours.

Maybe more than just certain restaurants in London. I was there for 2 weeks recently and ate out every night. Without exception all added a 10% gratuity to the bill. I think most had wording that it was discretionary but you'd have to especially ask as it was just automatically added. Surprised me because I'd been led to believe the UK was tip free unless I decided to tip. Not really the case.

I could be totally wrong but I thought I read some time back that customising the Medallion was only available in the US. One of the worst things about Princess IT is it never gives you an on screen message that what you are trying is not available/permitted etc - you just get a blank.

No it doesn't and we just paid our guide at the end of the land tour. I can't recall how much we gave her but I thought there was a suggested rate per day in the paperwork we received from Princess pre trip. Otherwise just pay whatever you are comfortable with and what you thought of the service.

In May we had one put placed under the door every evening, without having to ask. Seems different every ship.

They do reward brand loyalty. The same people will still get free laundry, priority boarding, tendering priority etc. So why put on other things when you've hooked the regulars anyway.

I'm not sure about the US ones but to be safe I would just get a RAT test from any pharmacy or supermarket when you get here. I assume you are flying in at least a day before your cruise so you'll have plenty of time. They are available everywhere and not expensive. As you know, you have to take a photo of the test and upload it.

We are on Majestic in two weeks and on the App, the daily list of activities shows the $10 sale on the second last day.

Some media here is just pathetic. Added to this is that Western Australia was our own North Korea like, hermit kingdom with Covid. They had closed borders longer than any other States here, and it no surprise any outbreak there has led to some hysteria by some (only some) media outlets.

That happened to me all the time and one of the experts on here hopefully will point you in the right direction. I just use my email and password to open the App now. Don't worry, it's not you.

Not offered in Australia according to the page when opening that link.

Not sure. I have never considered Princess insurance and I don't think many in Australia do. In my case, and I expect most others here, we often travel overseas for cruises and include land stays before/after the cruise and I'm not sure whether Princess covers the entire trip, or just the cruise component (and I assume EZ air if you use that option). Certainly it has never been offered as an option by my TA and I've never met someone here that has had Princess insurance. I don't see the point of taking it it if it doesn't cover my entire trip. If I am mistaken, I'd love to know and would check it out in the future.

Interesting question about insurance, however what would be the reason for cancellation? Down here, at least, you would not be able to claim on the basis that you cancelled because you were worried about catching Covid. Any company here that offered Cancel for Any Reason policies have stopped offering it, for now anyway.

As said time and time again. Despite the changes, if this your concern, booking a cruise was risky in the extreme.

Yes they will. There are plenty of cruisers that don't have a device that can download the App. Just make sure that you have all the necessary paperwork with you.

Took me 17 weeks following our cruise in May to get my refund. After about 12 weeks I sent an online enquiry and got the standard email response. Two weeks later I used the online chat and although I couldn't get an exact answer the Agent advised that they had sent an urgent internal email up the line. I received the refund about 10 days later. Good luck.

Me too. The new muster drill is great background noise to unpack by. Just don't leave your room while it's on. I went into the hallway to talk to the steward and the system picked up I'd left my cabin and we needed to replay it!