SonofTertius

Might not be seasoned cruiser but a newbie who read one of the packing lists and followed it. We have taken more than 20 cruises and never brought towel clips. Didn't need them since if we were off the towel it was only for a few minutes in the pool.

It's OK. After spending 5 days on the QV so far, I've come to realise that the pax with the towel clips are the ones who also don't stand in line for anything.

Cruise ship cabins cab at times become a little 'stuffy'. An old timer told us to buy a reed diffuser at one of the local perfumeries. It works a treat! The cabin now smells like honey.

Those towel-clips are being used by the chair hogs now.

Seasoned cruised, chair-hog = same thing?

At least in the Caribbean, you might consider anyone wearing a lanyard a seasoned cruiser. EM

A lanyard for me is a scream that says; "I'M FROM THE US OF A!". [emoji6]

My partner and I are currently on Cunard's Queen Victoria sailing around Greece and as novices (second cruise only) we like to play a game onboard called 'Spotting Seasoned Cruisers'. I won the game today with this:

I'll take the credit for remembering that there would be an outlet in that location and will chalk up the error in voltage as a minor detail. :)

 

 

 

I've more recently been on QM2 and I'm pretty sure there are a pair of unused US outlets in that location on her.

Minor detail indeed. The most important thing is that I have enough outlets for ALL my gadgets.

FYI: The old TV socket which is now used for the kettle, is a standard European 220 plug and not a USA 110 as previously advised by a fellow cruiser.

So we're finally on the QV and here is our solution:

Ok..

 

Both bedside table lamps can be unplugged. These have continental European plugs, like you would find in Germany. It would be possible to use adaptors quite easily.

 

As others have said, the row of sockets by the dressing table are set very low and it may be difficult to plug in any bulky adaptors.

Great news! Thanks for the info.

Sorry, I meant "is the plug at the end of the cord for the lamp a UK plug or a US plug?"

Abe, as far as I know; the bedside lamps do not have plugs or sockets - they are permanently connected and the power source is isolated behind the cabin cladding. Seems that you'll have to use an extension cord which you'll have to plug into the desk.

Let's hope that the new generation of ship designers think about this design flaw and correct it in the future. Sockets next to the beds, in either sides, are vital to guests in this day and age.

If you're talking about something akin to the VOD provided on airline seatback televisions (and, on some airlines, on your mobile device as well), maybe. I don't know how the costs of providing something like that on an airplane compare to the costs of providing it on a cruise ship, and I'm not going on the cruise just to watch movies and television in our stateroom (and suspect others aren't either).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful unless the costs of satellite Internet drop substantially.

There's minor cost involved. Most TV sets these days have it incorporated. Cruise-liners deactivate these features in order to get people out to the restaurants and bars to spend money. It's not as if I sit in a cabin all day watching TV - I could feel your judging over the airwaves - it would be a nice feature to have, that's all.

This turned out to be an interesting thread.

 

As it rained just about all day yesterday I looked back through some of my photographs as I was sure I'd never experienced a lack of power sockets.

 

No, this isn't Queen Victoria, but on my last outing on Queen Mary 2 I calculated at least 13 power sockets in my Q5 Stateroom...

 

On the side desk...

 

 

In the Vanity area...

 

 

 

On the Bar area...

 

 

(an additional wall mounted socket can be seen to the main desk)

 

Again, I realise it's not Queen Victoria so maybe a certain member who regularly travels QG on her can add to the debate.

Lovely suite Richard! I think the conclusion is that the only plugs, erm sorry, sockets on the QV is by the desk and where the old box TV used to sit - now being used for the kettle - nevertheless, I'll take my adaptors, power-banks and 4 cords as always. I'm sure we'll make do with what we have.

My biggest concern were the USB ports but we've all come to agreement that Cunard does not yet have them. Hopefully they see the importance of these for future renovations and new builds.

Cruise companies should also do proper research into direct user technology and incorporate media streaming like Netflix and Bluetooth connectivity in their cabins. I have not yet heard of any line doing this. Perhaps someone could shed light and prove me wrong.

I would also assume that some major line may start including free wifi soon - hotels started doing this 5 years ago and it has in fact turned into a USP for some properties. Wifi and tech in holiday accommodation is becoming as mainstream as having running hot water and it's about time that cruise companies realise this.

Reports indicate that this is the case. I use a CPAP machine and will have to ask the steward for an extension cord in order to be able to use it.

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I would think that our charging needs will be diminished since we won't be connecting our phones and tablets to a mobile network or wifi. In fact, the only device I plan to use more than I use at home is my Kindle.

Just careful not to trip over it during the night.

My usage in the media devices normally goes up as I have some APPS with games and music which I like using during vacation.

I'm sure we'll be fine though. It's not like we are sailing on the RMS Brittanic [emoji6]

Good morning from me, I've just caught up with this thread.

 

I note that I'm actually you in reverse, I'm going to be new to princess Cruises having just booked something for a change.

 

I'm a gadget man myself: cameras, laptops, ipads, IPhone; you name it I take it.

 

One thing I will say is that I have never on any Cunard ship experienced a problem charging any of the multitude of IT equipment I take with me.

 

I would hazard a guess that the amount of sockets per stateroom does vary with whatever grade of stateroom one is travelling in.

Good morning Richard (me in reverse [emoji854]),

My gadgets are an extension of my brain - thank you for the information.

I am sadly only able to afford a stateroom with a window - not even a balcony on this occasion, so I guess I'm stuck with 1 lousy flush-with-the-desk socket.

Which Princess ship have you booked? Majestic Princess is very tech-aware and have at least 2 sockets per region. She also have 3 USB ports located around the cabin. I'm not sure about the other ships in the fleet though.

Enjoy your Princess cruise - I enjoyed it but their service needs attention, especially by the pool decks. The crew seem to be walking around with their sunglasses on, modelling instead of serving.

There are no other sockets.

That's poor design.

Are there seriously no other sockets (apart from the desk & shavers in bathroom) in the whole cabin?

I hope philsmum1 appreciates the fact that I've correctly identified/named the hardware.

Are there seriously no other sockets (apart from the desk & shavers in bathroom) in the whole cabin?

If that's the route you want to go, then return the USB charger you bought and buy one of these, and make sure you use one of the 2.4A slots to charge your phone or tablet:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O0RJJD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

 

I had not considered whether my iPhone and iPad charge faster in the UK or the US, but they will charge quickly enough using the above - it's what I bring with me to the UK.

 

 

 

Another option would be to simply buy a UK-to-US plug adapter and use the charger you would use at home plugged into the US plug, provided you've confirmed the device can handle the voltage change on its own.

[emoji1360]

Is it bad form to mention that the square panels with holes by the desk are not actually plugs but sockets? Apologies, but 30+ years married to an electrical engineer has made me a tad touchy about such things! [emoji8][emoji8][emoji8]

 

 

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You must be a hoot when you've had a few glasses of wine in. [emoji12]

And to be even more helpful, this is about the best thing I've ever bought for modern travel. It's tiny!

 

Edit: having trouble uploading photographs but it's a tiny little USB socket with a US connector.

 

 

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Thank you! I know exactly what you are talking about. Have a few of these laying around the house. One gets them with EU plug as well.

I'm sure you're right about that charger with its UK plug fitted, but since there's no right way up for a US 2-pin plug it looks as if it would fit 'upside down'.

That would work yes. The only issue is that the US 110 charges the equipment much slower than the UK 220. But it will work. Thanks for the info.

I've just looked that up on Amazon. It's not going to fit I'm afraid. The desk plugs are located almost flush with the desk top - it's a very stupid place to put them.

[emoji6] I've now also bought this:

On the desk there is 1 UK, 1 US and 1 European. I did not find any more plugs in the cabin (as I wanted to charge two phones at once).

Have just bought one of these:

Thank you Mr Toad.

Thank you Sir.

 

 

 

Currently on board, sitting by the pool in Dubrovnik. Answers below with ***

 

 

 

Is there space under the beds to store the empty suitcases?

 

 

 

***I have currently 4 suitcases stored under the bed***

 

 

 

How easy is it to get a deckchair on the new aft section of the ship?

 

 

 

***Bugger all chance after 9 am on a sea day. Difficult during port days, at least in the shade***.

 

 

 

I like to to stair-climb for exercise. Do you think it would be frowned upon to use the mid ship stairs in my running attire during the day.

 

 

 

*** no problem during the day until 6 pm. All sorts of sporty outfits around***

 

Where would be the best place to sit for people watching?

 

 

 

*** any of the bars off the grand lobby or by the Queens Room (like a central ball room)***

 

 

 

I love watermelon! Did they serve any in the buffet restaurant during your cruise?

 

 

 

*** currently there is water melon at some place or another at every buffet. Dining room waiter will bring you water melon every night if you put in a standing order. (A little extra tip would be appreciated, I'm sure)***

 

 

 

Did the air conditioning in the cabin and public areas work properly?

 

 

 

*** for us the cabin temperature is very comfortable. Ditto the public areas. Cool, without being arctic. One afternoon the Queens Room was very cold. 39 C outside, so inside people were shivering ****

 

 

 

Thanks for helping me.

 

 

 

I'm so jealous now. We still have 5 sleeps before we board. Thank you for all the information, so much detail and very helpful.

 

Do they screen movies on a big screen on-board? I heard somewhere that they do in the theatre.

 

Are there movies on the TV entertainment system in the cabins?

 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.