Z0nker

13 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Yes, many ports require tugs to be "made up" to all ships, whether actually used or not, and some just require a couple of tugs to be "standing by" (hovering in the area of the ship) just in case.  If you look closely, the tug tied up to the bow of the ship is facing the ship, so it would not be towing, just using the line to help "steer" the ship in tight turns.  Most ships prefer to have tugs up close to push, as this is more precise, but cruise ships don't like the tugs old tire fendering smudging the white hulls, so they go for tugs on long lines.

When we sail out of SF there are always a couple tugs close by. Just in case. 

On 9/11/2024 at 5:58 AM, vacalovers said:

I know there have been a lot of changes to what is offered from days past to now but now it seems the people that are impacted the most are those that have been loyal to carnival.  As diamond members with over 300 sea days it was the small "extras" that had us returning for 3-4 cruises every year. We don't take short cruises mainly 6 nights or greater. On our current 10 night European cruise every extra was basically disregarded. Embarkation was a disaster as only suites had priority. I took that with a grain of salt as it was only 15 min additional wait. But this cruise has multiple ports that require tenders and that priority is also only reserved to suites. We stay in balcony rooms as I know that is a added expense but something we enjoy we just aren't in the room enough to justify the added cost of the suite.  Last night we had to line up to get our tender tickets however our excursion yesterday took us past the start of the ticket distribution. We ended up with group 19 that was scheduled to be off around 10 am. Again not the worst thing as our privately booked tour was scheduled for 11am however our group wasn't called until 1230 due to congestion at the port. So we missed our excursion. When you speak with guest services the statement is well we have many diamonds so we can provide priority????? Am I wrong in thinking there is a way to do it with group numbers for priority and standard groups? Suites which we met a few that is their 1st cruise getting separate tickets but those that choose to continually provide repeat business get nothing. Carnival has lost my business I will now dip my toes with other lines and start over on loyalty since there is obviously no benefits provided with carnival. 

Think of it as an opportunity to try other cruise lines. Maybe you can get some first timer perks.

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

For those condemning this ship for being 30 years old, remember the MS Marco Polo, which was 55 years old at the time it stopped service, and it made worldwide cruises for decades, after turning 30.  Fair enough, there were several very costly dry dockings and upgrades over the years, but that just goes to show that an older ship, if well maintained (at a cost) is just as seaworthy as a new one.

Indeed, Carnival Sunshine has been in service for 28 years. They have a couple 26 year old Fantasy class ships in the fleet as well. Some Oceania ships date back that far, too.

On 9/9/2024 at 4:35 AM, paddingtonbear said:

they have 2,000 people paying extra to get seats that are not available

Marketing genius. Get people to pay for a product that they can't use. 

On 9/9/2024 at 4:23 AM, insidecabin said:

I recently checked availability at Catch  on one of our cruises, there were dates with no availablity, dates with odd times 1,2,3 max 4 options

 

When I changed to 4 people some days every time available, some loads and only a couple with limited options.

 

I suspect once on board those 4 tops that can't be booked on the app for 2  are made available.

 

This probably also opens up spare empty tables as galley and wait staff are set for those tables having 4 but now only have 2.

 

Could buddy up link bookings and get tables for 4

Thanks, this explains a lot. When we travel as a group of 3, no problem getting SD. Our last cruise was juts the two of us and we had much trouble getting into Grown Grill. 

On 9/8/2024 at 4:58 AM, Winifred 22 said:

How exciting. I would enjoy paying guess the cruise line. 

We used to do that at the local car wash. Great fun.

On 9/5/2024 at 3:32 PM, luv2kroooz said:

When is the stock price going up?

If NCL has a lot of debt, the stock price may rebound when interest rates come down. I have some CCL and it trades more like a bond than a stock.

4 minutes ago, commodoredave said:

I'm sure it is just as the extra port charges and taxes were buried in the contract. What's the harm in moving it up so that it is more visible? 

Agreed. I just read the passage contract from another ship and the paragraph indemnifying the cruise line for any changes to itinerary or activities is buried deep. 

22 hours ago, commodoredave said:

 It should be described up front as part of the booking process. Cruise lines have been forced by law to now disclose all additional costs of a cruise upfront. I suspect in time that they will be forced to disclose up front that what people are paying for may not be actually available on the cruise. It’s just common sense and basic consumer protection.

Any chance that’s already in the passage contract? 

On 9/5/2024 at 12:35 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

I just received this for an upcoming Encore booking.  We probably wouldn't have eaten at LeBistro anyway.  I'm posting it just for reference and discussion.  I'm curious what kind of private event this would be?  Maybe it's one of those Park West events that caused the Prima OL to be mostly closed for one of our forum members cruise recently?

 

"Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners,

We are delighted you have chosen to sail with us on board the beautiful Norwegian Encore. On behalf of our crew, we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. Travel Partners are asked to share the below information with impacted guests.

We are committed to delivering exceptional vacation experiences from beginning to end, including the ability to pre-book your dining reservations before you board. However, due to a private event being held in Le Bistro for the duration of your voyage, reservations for this dining venue will unfortunately not be available. We share your disappointment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

 

Did they announce this after your cancellation deadline?

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Or, just call the dine line, if you’re in your cabin early.

 

If you can get them to answer. Decidedly mixed results on my last cruise. 

8 minutes ago, Z0nker said:

Getting back to the original question, Princess website says last refurbishment was 2019. That said, another poster shared a video from a 2022 drydock so the website might be wrong?.

Found a video of the 2019 drydock.

On 6/4/2024 at 3:48 AM, latebloomer56 said:

Husband just asked when the Grand had a face lift? Anybody know she was the last dry dock? He was reading negative reviews on this ship, won't change what I want but will make him feel better knowing some of the negative issues were addressed.

Thanks

Getting back to the original question, Princess website says last refurbishment was 2019. That said, another poster shared a video from a 2022 drydock so the website might be wrong?.

22 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

I would infer no.  The P90 would allow you to the normal prix fixe menu and not for the upgraded options.

That would be my guess as well. 

19 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Sorry if this has been asked and answered.  If so, I missed it.  Now that Premier-90 has launched, are "extra fee" items still offered in the MDRs at dinner (such as filet or lobster tails) and if so, are those fees waived for people who have upgraded to P-90?  It would seem odd to charge a person extra for a filet in the MDR when that same person could have walked over to the Crown Grill and gotten the same steak paid for as part of their package.  Waiving the fee would also serve as a pressure relief valve for SD reservations.  Anyone know?

On that subject, if you're P90 can you do the Crown Grill surf and turf upgrade for free?

3 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

So.... Now on embarkation day do you rush to the top deck to book the sanctuary for a week or run around the ship booking specialty dining the minute you board?   

We usually have enough OBC for some specialty, so we tend to that and the muster right away. As others have noted, you only have to visit one specialty restaurant to book any or all of them.

On 9/1/2024 at 9:21 AM, Ferry_Watcher said:

We really don't hear about fights on the Carnival Alaska bound cruise ships.  I wonder if that type of behavior is just on cruises heading towards warm climate destinations (maybe more drinking?), or is it that Alaska is more of a intentional cruise (bucket list type), that attracts a different clientele.  

Alaska is more expensive, so that could be a factor. Also longer.

3 minutes ago, memoak said:

He will be off before then   He said he was tentatively to return to the Emerald but hoped for the Grand. We sail the Grand again in January and again in May

That’s a shame. Really enjoyed Captain Lewis’ navigational updates and general presence about the ship on the Emerald canal cruise back in April. Would enjoy sailing with him again. 

18 hours ago, memoak said:

And as I mentioned it is really up to the captain some enjoy the luncheon some do not. Captain Lewis on the Grabd says he loves the conversation at the luncheon 

Captain Lewis is on the Grand Princess now? Awesome. Hope he's still there in March.

Probably won't be Princess Meghan

The IC is a favorite of ours. Sign me up for Team Almond Croissant. Also enjoy the breakfast sandwiches. And paninis and soups at lunch. Sometimes they have a fruit and cheese snack but seems to depend on the ship?

6 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Crew Appreciation is now $16, $17 or $18 depending on the class of cabin booked.  It is never $15.  Also, WiFi is very expensive.  The OP is not at the status level of the Captain's circle that would net a discount.  So they are looking at $24.99 per day.  Even if that is shared between 2 people, it comes out to $12.50 per person per day.  Sure, not everyone gets WiFi while on a cruise, but it is certainly becoming the standard.  So when you add in Crew Appreciation and WiFi, the sunk cost is between $28.50-$30.50 per day per person.  It is from that baseline that most people should begin to count their beverage intake costs.  The debate will probably rage on forever, but it seems rather established that if you plan to provide the Crew Appreciation and plan to use WiFi, the break even point for Plus is around $3-$4 for coffee beverages and $27 in alcohol which equates to 3 cocktails ($9 x 3) or 2 glasses of wine ($14 x 2).    

Funny, but I thought the OP didn't want WiFi...

On 7/31/2024 at 6:16 AM, DorothyB said:

My history:  I sailed on Carnival 3 times before my first NCL cruise.  I did do one Carnival cruise after 2 NCL cruises because I was cruising with friends.  I am now Platinum with NCL.  I have sailed NCL 8 times with three of those in suites (haven on the two vessels that had a haven).  I currently have three more cruises booked in the next 7 months - two in solo balconies and one in a Prima haven suite.

 

So . . . I have been reading about all of the itinerary changes, but since being loyal is one of my big strengths and weaknesses, I wasn't too concerned.  However . . . then comes my next cruise.

 

I am booked on the Getaway October 27th sailing.  We have been wondering why NO excursions for a LONG time - and have been given many different stories ranging from one person saying itinerary not final; multiple people saying they were still negotiating with vendors; multiple people saying that the excursions were all sold out; multiple people saying that it was an issue with uploading them.

 

For most cabins, the penalty for canceling goes up to 50% starting 90 days out.  So 89 days out, after regular cabins have a 50% penalty and suites, etc have 75% penalty, they send out the email saying that the itinerary has changed. 

 

Honestly, I'm not really that concerned with the changes to the port (other than wishing I hadn't spent an hour booking excursions with outside companies that I now have to cancel or change).  I would have liked to see Harvest Caye, but not that big of a deal.

 

What I am struggling a LOT with is that they lied to us and are acting unethically to make more money.  I am not sure if I should just recognize that all companies are just out to make profit even if it means lying to us . . . 

 

But I think I'm ready to seriously consider changing cruise lines.  I asked last week and was told that I could wear jeans to dinner every day on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and MSC - is this true??  and is MSC the only one of those that will match lattitudes level?  All of those sail from the nearest port.  How do prices compare?

 

Am I crazy to expect a company to treat me ethically??

It's always good to shop around and to try something different.

On 7/29/2024 at 12:31 PM, Nemanoxer said:

Hi there.

 

My first ever Princess cruise is coming up on Sun Princess on 19th October 2024. It´s a 7 days cruise in CA category (Cabana Mini Suite).

 

I hardly ever drink alcolhol. I don´t want personal WiFi. I never hit the Spa nor the Gym. Usually no room service needed for me. OceanNow seems kind of irrelevant for me personally.

 

I do drink one or two Virgin Coladas per day and the same amount of Lavazza specialty coffees. I want my Pellegrino water, usually a bottle per dinner in MDR. I like Sodas from the can, two or three during the day. Juices happen next to never. I might fall for a premium dessert every one or two days. 

Usually, I stay away from specialty restaurants and what Princess call Casual Dining Meals and am happy with poolside Pizza and poolside Burgers (if good). Don´t care about photos or casino. Production show reservations would be sweet, however that would be PREMIER and too expensive anyway.

 

So...

 

If you were me, would you still book PLUS?

 

 

If you subtract the $15 gratuity that you must pay anyway, the Plus package is costing you $45/day. What do your 6-8 daily billable beverages add up to? If it's less than $45, you can skip the package.

One caveat: do you travel alone or share your cabin? I believe that if one guest in a cabin buys Plus you also must buy it.

On 7/29/2024 at 1:43 AM, Newishcruise said:

Hello!

 

Australian here!

 

Very keen for a may/June 2026 Alaska cruise!

 

1) Due to not being familiar with the area, I think a roundtrip cruise is better for our family

The itinerary and cruise that looks the best to us is on the Emerald princess. 

Anyone has thoughts on her? 

 

2) If we were to do a northbound cruise to Anchorage, what is the best way (affordable) getting back to Vancouver? 

 

3) is booking through princess website best? I usually cruise on carnival and have always used the carnival booking agent.

 

Thank you! 

I spent 15 days on the Emerald in April and 7 days last September. I like the ship and the crew was terrific. Please keep in mind that the Emerald was built before the Royal and Sun classes, so it is not as modern or as large as the newer vessels, but feels more intimate. We'll be on her sister ship Ruby for our Alaska voyage.