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On 4/12/2021 at 7:11 PM, leck57 said:

I am booked on the Royal from Singapore to Brisbane in mid October which I doubt will happen. My fall back option is one of the Sapphire or Royal cruises within Australia or to NZ in November. If the cruises that bring the Royal or Sapphire to this part of the world are cancelled, will Princess bring any ships here at all? I am just waiting for now. 

I've had one dose of the AZ vaccine with the second one in July but now with the over hyped scare about AZ, who knows which way the minority will steer this process now.

We just cancelled this and booked on the Emerald leaving Sydney Oct 30 this year to NZ and back.

1 hour ago, HAL Sailer said:

 

Inside cabin passengers and many crew members stuck inside with no sky, sun, moon.

 

(Is there is a bow/stern camera view broadcast on TV for INSIDERS to at least see the outside?)

 

Drinkers unable to receive drinks.

 

Smokers unable to smoke.

 

None of those issues are as big as the virus, but those issues can lead to other medical and/or mental health issues for passengers who are alcohol dependant, nicotine dependant, or claustrophobic.

Honestly we feel lucky to have the balcony, got 1 can of Cider 😜 We are both feeling quite gloomy about everything you’ve mentioned. Such a shame, princess isn’t sure what to do but the kitchen delivered us hot fresh dinners after we rejected the original. As normal the staff are amazing.

oh, yes there is bridge cam. And for the person asking about confinement, I’m on the ship.

3 minutes ago, fragilek said:

Not sure but I do know there is no smoking on the balcony this has been sent in an order by the Japanese government

Good thing I vape

8 minutes ago, HAL Sailer said:

 

Curious, are you allowed outside on your cabin's balcony?

Yes, can’t imagine being inside.

1 hour ago, G.M.T. said:

I personally would love two weeks in an insde cabin right nowas dear MiL is coming to stay for a couple of days☠️🙊🍻

Just no, we’re stuck on a balcony and this is completely unfunny 

Yes we have free internet, can’t leave cabins. No access to shops or bars. Staff can’t bring me a can of pringles,,,, basically loads of fun.

Hi all, I would like to know from anyone that has been on the Diamond recently as to whether the tv's are locked or if you have access to all of the functions like most Princess ships, I just want HDMI access and am on the Diamond in January.

I'm only asking as I was on the Majestic during it's transformation into a western ship back in 2018, The TV's where actually locked and not a single crew member on the ship could assist me. I ended up buying myself a TV at Samsung in Busan. As you can tell this is a big deal to me.

Any information appreciated.

On 10/24/2019 at 5:00 PM, Aus Traveller said:

Wow! We don't get deals like that in Australia. 😢

We do, I just got one that was a few thousand $ off. They are always emailed and I have been on Princess 8 times so far if that's any reference. Just make sure you're registered on their official site.

Yes, well just finished a 5 weeker from the land down under and can confirm that Formal is still a thing there and everywhere. I just wear a suit as if I still work in an office and with that said,,, It was way too hot to be comfortable in this though I'm still going along with the tradition. It's not like people dress like trash on regular nights and I do feel that princess needs to deliver on the quality of food based on the fact that you put so much effort into entering the restaurant, not just deliver "Lobster" like it's the richest food type mankind has ever known.

I think this tradition will vanish reasonably soon, or at least on summer cruises.

On 7/31/2019 at 3:44 PM, PurpleTraveller said:

 

I'm pleased that you had a great cruise and I had wondered how different Majestic was before she was changed for the Australian market. I really liked Majestic especially the Hollywood Conservatory. Captain Dino Sagani is lovely and I loved listening to his midday and departure reports! There was no filming on our cruise (at least that I saw) so they must have been finished. I'd very happily sail on Majestic again. 

 

Before it was westernized? Let's just say very relaxed 🙂  Not enough seats and not enough bars. Empty services like the tea bar and the juice bar. Basically we stood waiting while the staff where relaxing and chatting, Our waiter was the most relaxed person I've ever met on princess, we names his sidekick "Relaxo" as everything was too tough for her. Until, after a few days it was like a regular princess ship. I'm not complaining, I loved it.

Soda, Real Milk and chips/crisps are all fine.

I've only been on princess for 5 years and not noticed any across the board changes. Different experience on different princess ships. I think the shorter the trip the more likely you'll get younger people, this is logic. The food is not always the same on Golden, Sun, Sea, Majestic and Emerald (The boats I've been on). The staff are always exceptional no matter what and the main reason I stay with princess.

On 12/6/2018 at 11:24 AM, PurpleTraveller said:

Here we are just returned from our 12 day cruise from Sydney to New Zealand on Majestic Princess. I was not expecting to go on another cruise this year but it was the fault of one of those emails. You know the ones I mean - the ones you give a quick glance at as you're about to delete it and stop and think - oh! New Zealand, oh! a Balcony for less than an Interior, oh! upgrade to a Deluxe Balcony for the same price as a Balcony and the next thing I knew I was booked on another cruise. I had wanted to go on another cruise to New Zealand as on our previous cruise in 2016 we had hit bad weather and missed Dunedin and the Fjordlands and I really, really wanted to cruise Milford Sound.

 

Saturday November 24 - Embarkation Sydney

 

So we set off from home to the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal and we discovered the joy of cruising from your home port. We left home and were on the ship in less than 45 minutes! It took less than 10 minutes from dropping off our suitcases to being welcomed onboard. 

 

 

We made our way to our cabin - a Deluxe Balcony A124.

 

 

We set out to explore the ship and catch some great views. The Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney is right in the centre of Sydney with amazing views of the harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. 

 

 

 

 

Muster was at 3.20pm and we didn't have to take our life jackets.

 

Sail away was at 4.00pm and we seemed to come really close to the Harbour Bridge when we reversed away from the dock. 

 

 

There were great views as we slowly sailed through the Harbour. It took about an hour to sail to the Heads and out to sea. 

 

 

 

We had a quick dinner at the buffet and then went to the Welcome Show in the theatre at 7.15pm. It was Christopher Watkins a violinist who was great watch and listen to. 

Hi Purple Traveller

We did the Shanghai to Brisbane right before this and it was amazing, well after it was westernized to the cruisers wishes anyway. Captain Dino Sagani took over in Singapore and he is my favorite Princess captain, he makes the ship come alive tbh. I will guess that ITV was still filming their show "The Cruise"? It is an amazing ship.

1 hour ago, mcrcruiser said:

We will never ever use a cruise lines internet  .We can wait until we get home with ll bills paid in advance

That used to be me, But I like uploading photo's for my friends and family to see. They want to know where I am and photo's will make a story more then just words.

16 minutes ago, Coral said:

Some lines have decent internet. Princess has just been behind in the times when it comes to internet. Hopefully they are finally catching up.

 

On the longer cruises that I have been on, I do have to pay bills online. If you only do 1 week cruises, it is not a big deal.

Good point you have there as I've been in the same situation, it's amazing how much of your internet time is taken up with just logging in. A solution for me is using the free wifi on those Hop on Hop off buses in most countries, hardly ideal but it's possible.

Is this what modern day pirates are doing? Instead of boarding the ship they are just trailing and hacking our accounts. In any case Maritime internet is not exactly secure and it is also not exactly that fast, you have more of a chance of getting booted off the network then being hacked by anyone on board. I would suggest doing your banking before leaving home based on the reliability of the network as opposed to security concerns.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

It would be helpful to know which cabin you chose. We've had an inside cabin in Sun, on Caribe or Baja deck midships I think, and never had any problems with noise. It was super-quiet which was great for me as I'm a very light sleeper.

Honestly I've forgotten the Cabin number. Was on one of the lower decks right at the front, the noise was hydraulics. The ship was not in great condition at the time and many people got sick including me. It didn't feel clean and was more or less fumigated soon after. Hey I love the brand though my Sun experience was only a 10 day trip, we missed ports, people where ill and we chose a bad cabin. I'd go back on it in 2019.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We also started cruising with Princess in 2014 and have 120 days with a 35 nighter coming up. We have noticed the changes, both in reduction of items on the MDR menus and, especially on our last cruise on Majestic, the poorer quality. Service has been as bit hit and miss in the MDRs over all the cruises we've done, sometimes brilliant, sometimes very lacklustre. One area Princess really shines though is in bar service. Most of our cabin stewards have been very good to excellent except, again, on Majestic.

We also went on the Majestic, It's repositioning from Shanghai To Australia late last year.  At first the service was horrible though the crew got used to the western clients pretty quick. One of the crew members recognized us from the Emerald (LA to Santiago) from 2017 and said, "I'll look after you guys" and he really did. I asked him what the Majestic was like in China, He Basically said "They make twice the mess everywhere and don't spend a sent", a tad racist but he new what australia expected in terms of service. With that said the MDR was below average without doubt though the "Marketplace" AKA Horizon was exceptional. Being on the Sea Princess recently the MDR was great, Maybe it's a bit hit and miss. Is your 35 nighter 79 days away?

Only been on the Sun once, it was ok though I found it's 3 sister ships to be in better condition. We chose and inside cabin and never will again, the noise was too much. I suspect anything I have to say about the sun is based on our bad cabin choice and this was 2015.

I have only been with princess since 2014 with 107 days and soon an extra 35 then another 106 next year. Nothing has changed to me except the fact that I'm used to getting the same menu and service each cruise. 

19 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I don't interpret that as Princess trying to add gratuities to Australian cruises. The email advising of increased gratuities would have gone to all customers. If you book a cruise in another part of the world (where auto gratuities apply), this increase is relevant for you.

I interpret is a mistaken identity and I doubt it applies to any of the 2 upcoming cruises I have. It was a bit stupid of me saying "Princess are trying to add the gratuities to Australian Cruises" when I meant to say "Are Princess are trying to add the gratuities to Australian Cruises" 

We will always tip the staff like I'm sure most do.

Princess are trying to add the gratuities to Australian Cruises according to the 5 emails I just received, although the header clearly states.

"Tipping is not required or charged to your onboard account for cruises on Sun Princess®, Sea Princess®, Majestic Princess®, Ruby Princess® or Golden Princess® sailing roundtrip from Australia. You are, however, welcome to reward our crew for exceptional service."

I expect another email in a day or 2 saying "Sorry for the mistake" as I live in a society where people are paid what they deserve to be paid. We will always tip the staff unless the staff are not that great, and this has only happened once on the Emerald from LA to Chile. A NA trip that required gratuities anyway so that barely mattered. 

It's may favorite ship in the fleet and I'd love to go on another trip before it's P&O'd.

29 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

On 2 other threads this week on perk abuse leading to changes for the worse I commented  "we are our own worst enemies".  

I think that fits here too.   I am sure there are many other comparisons.

I had an interesting experience on the Golden once near the Princess Pizzeria area after strolling by after dinner. A single man was sitting there devouring the pizza like it was his last meal followed by a, "Just shut up and keep them pizzas coming". Not really perk abuse but definitely staff abuse and I guess pizza abuse. I'm assuming he passed away as I didn't see him again for 25 days and no human would survive that amount of food in one sitting.

On every princess cruise I've been on since 2014 every waiter we've had has offered us extra mains and desserts, so we've been encouraged to abuse?

We did the LA to Chile portion of a trip on the emerald princess. The layout of the ship is a mess though the food was pretty good. The only food I didn't like was the crawfish, I think you'd need to be desperate to bother pulling the tiny portion of meat that these things provide let alone serving it in a restaurant. The rest of the food was fine and the service was right up there like any other princess cruise.