teenieleek

19 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I made a few posts regarding our experience at The Catch.  It was great!  Starting at post #7:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2942454-enchanted-princess-new-dining-venues/#comment-65544967

Thank you.  Looks and sounds good.  I might treat myself to half a dozen oysters since it’s first night.  Wouldn’t dream of it after a few nights at sea!

We embark on Sky on Saturday and are eating there that evening….very exciting.  I would like to hear from anyone who has eaten there.

By the way,  I have tried several times to search for different topics on this site and never have any luck.  The results appear with every mention of every word in my search, so thousands and nothing relevant.  Am I missing something, can it be narrowed at all, by cruise line if not by ship?

On 9/9/2023 at 11:57 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

We’re currently booked on a NCL B2B in 2025 where we stop at Longyearbyen on both legs. However, we would cancel both of those cruises if Princess had plans to cruise there again. However, from my understanding they canceled their 2023 visit, or was it in 2022? 🤔

 

In any event did anyone hear the reason for the cancellation and is there any hope they’ll cruise there again?

I can’t answer your question about Princess but we were there in July.  The glaciers, particularly the blue one, are stunning, the town itself is like a frontier town with almost nothing to see but the history, the rules of the place (e.g. no cats allowed, no dying there allowed!) and what you see on the way there make it well worth the trip.  My feeling is that you’d be best on a cruise line that has expert guest speakers on board and also wildlife experts (maybe that’s NCL, don’t know) in order to “get” the place.  

28 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Are you asking to see the menu for that day or in advance?  For that day, it will show up on your television and on your app.  Days ahead, the Assistant Manager carries around a printed schedule of dishes.  I always want to skip Italian night, but stop in for my tiramisu.  

Thank you.  Probably on the day so on the tv is fine.

17 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

But here's where the fallacy is.  There is not a dress "code" to enforce.  They are recommendations and suggestions.  The only "absolute" is what is banned or not accepted.  But it seems even that is not absolute these days.  So, they are not enforcing the "absolute" all the time now.  

 

By your comment, it wouldn't be clear to me at Princess what you mean by enforce.  Do you want them to consistently enforce the "absolute" phrase in the clothing recommendations?  Do you want the entire recommendations changed to an enforced code?  Everyone has their own idea about what is acceptable and what is not.  These two questions represent either end of the scale and I doubt there is a black&white answer.

 

At least you can enjoy the cruise the way you like and no one is going to get upset at your love of dressing up.

It’s not a recommendation or a suggestion.  It says tonight is a formal night.  If you want to wear a baseball cap and a Hawaiian shirt, please go to the buffet.

How do I see the MDR menu on board in case I fancy dinner in our cabin one evening?  I know it’s not on the app.  Do I have to go to the restaurant, see a posted menu outside, take my pencil and make notes?  Surely not.  TV maybe?  Might never do it but it’s a perk so maybe after a long day ashore it would be a treat.

7 hours ago, nnzz said:

Surprisingly, I have been able to pre-book my first night reservation on my last several cruises on the app.  The credit of $78.00 showed and the charge was zero.  We are sailing Sept 16 on the Majestic and could not book on the app on the iphone so I used the web version as if I had no smartphone it worked.  Could not find any openings for The Catch so I am hopeful that I will be able to make a reservation once on board with the concierges' help.  You might try using the web version and see if works for you that way.

I’ve managed to book first night dinner for four  in The Catch on the app.  Couldn’t believe it, all four in suites and it “got it”.  No charge.  The app must have been having a good day that day!  

7 hours ago, Thrak said:

For me (and, after speaking with her, also for my wife) we are grateful that it seems the Brits have retained some sense of decorum and are, apparently, more willing to dress nicely for the so-called, "formal nights". I say "so-called' as so very many US folks on these boards seem to absolutely despise the very idea of wearing any sort of clothing that apparently "violates their right to do whatever the **** they want to do because it is "their vacation and screw you if you don't like it"!)

 

As for the oft-asked question here on CC: The "dress code" (yes, I did put it in quotes) is exactly the same for every cruise no matter where it goes. Yes, many say to simply ignore it as a "suggestion". Fair enough as the staff doesn't enforce the listed "standard". Of course they don't as the slightest complaint from a passenger can seriously jeopardize their job.

 

I have seen many posts here on CC saying one should "wear whatever they feel like" and to ignore the "formal night people" (read this as "freaks") and wear torn sweat pant shorts with a singlet (wife beater for the US), and a backwards ball cap that is never removed. Does this "ruin my meal"? No, but it really annoys the bejeebus out of me that people can insist on "their right to be a slob".

 

I've had jobs where  long sleeves and a tie was mandatory for men while the women could wear sleeveless dresses/tops/ whatever. I've also had jobs where it wasn't mandatory but the male employees always wore a tie. Boo hoo.  Whatever. No, I don't have to dress nicely for Formal Nights but I choose to do so. I don't have a problem with it at all and it definitely pleases my wife. Why is it such a "horrible problem" for so many? (I've heard the "luggage weight" argument too many times. (We are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay not wealthy and we can afford the tiny bit of extra weight a suit causes in luggage.)

 

For many of you here in these forums, go ahead and "rip me a new one". I don't care. It doesn't hurt me at all to dress a little nicer on the Formal Nights (heck, we even observe the Smart Casual "mandate" on all the other nights.

 

Note: If we are spending our evening up on Lido Deck - either in the buffet or other dining venue or simply enjoying the upper decks for relaxation or, perhaps, an evening movie on MUTS - we have no issue with totally casual clothing. Duh... That is the atmosphere that should be the norm on Lido Deck and, mostly, above. (Attire in Skywalker's on the Grand Class of ships is "flexible" and definitely seems to vary depending on the time of day. I've found the P/E/S time to be, fairly often, more "smart casual" than "whatever".

 

I fully understand those who had to wear ties, etc. for work for much of their lives and have zero interest in ever doing so again. I don't ask that these folks wear a tie or anything. I would simply request that they remove any hats, not wear trashed or super sloppy clothing (I freaking do NOT want to see your undergarments), not show me your "crack of doom" and, for the ladies, please don't show me your "whale tail" at dinner. One doesn't need to be "dressed up" to please me on Formal Night but I get enough of the "FU" dress code at home downtown.

 

Go ahead. I know there are quite a number of folks here on CC who have the "it's MY vacation so stick it where the sun don't shine" attitude about pretty much all aspects of cruising. I freely admit that, when I was first dragged onto a cruise ship, I absolutely knew I would hate the "uppity" people and their style of dress I couldn't afford. What I found instead was that almost everybody I met was nice. When I got off that first cruise I wanted to get right back on again. People don't have to agree with me and I don't have to agree with them in order to get along.

Yes, yes, yes.  I love getting dressed up.  An extra piece of luggage? So what?  Every post-cruise (hyphen in right place?) questionnaire I, and my friends, have ever filled in there is always a section where we say “enforce the dress code if you’re having one”.  They never do.  Cunard and Fred.Olsen do enforce it, don’t know of any others.  

3 minutes ago, teenieleek said:

We were four on Regal last year and first night they had to put two two’s together for us, after that there was always a four waiting.  It made dining so pleasurable.  We are queue haters!

Predictive text put the apostrophe in.  

3 hours ago, Lady Meer said:

On Caribbean Princess for 15 days last year we were a party of 4 in Club (Reserve). As most tables were set for 2 we seemed a challenge to the maitre d’. On 3 or 4 occasions we were asked to wait in the nearest bar and he fetched us when a table was free - 10 minutes at the most. We were ok with this. I think it was made more challenging for the staff as there was a large table permanently set for a family of 9. I will add that this was very rarely used by the whole group - just 4 or 6, or none, on most evenings. They did all appear on one formal night with the men in shorts and baseball caps - for which I make no comment! 
 

suzyed - I’m sure you’ll enjoy Reserve, we certainly do.

We were four on Regal last year and first night they had to put two two’s together for us, after that there was always a four waiting.  It made dining so pleasurable.  We are queue haters!

On 9/8/2023 at 8:09 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

Availability depends on the voyage.  I was shocked that the Diamond in Japan didn't start getting passengers until well after 6:30.  It was empty.  Most of my cruises have been with "early" diners.  

 

Can't speak for Europe.

 

The general patterns seem to follow:

 

1.  Doors open between 4:45 and 5 PM for dinner.

2.  The "first wave" takes anywhere from 60 - 90 minutes.  If you "miss" the first seating, there may be a short wait if you come between 6 and 6:30.  

3.  There are "invisible" walls that separate the MDR from Reserved Dining; meaning, if more tables are needed they just replace the table cloths and it magically becomes Reserved Dining.  

4.  Unless you really require front row of window tables, you can just walk in at any time.  They have no hesitations to place a couple at a table for 4.

5.  If you have to leave for an event, you can always return for coffee and desert after it.  Last seating is by 8:30 - 9 PM.

6.  Most Reserved Dining rooms are on Deck 6.  All that I have been in have been Starboard.  I have heard of a few others being port.

 

Generally in Europe people eat later.  Before 6 p.m. is children’s tea time!   Seriously, that’s too soon after lunch for me.  I don’t want to be putting my glad rags on at 5 pm, that’s still afternoon.  The last princess cruise from Southampton we were on, restaurant was busy from 7 pm till 9pm.  We went usually at 7.30 and never had to wait.  Yes we’ve seen them “adjust” the reserve area to provide a table.  

21 hours ago, Veinless said:

 

Now I wonder about barleywine... lol

That’s only for Christmas puddings, even then it’s hard to find.  Extra Guinness works just as well. 

3 minutes ago, AlibearNS said:

 

I was trying to be polite to the OP, but I do associate sherry with old ladies, lol.

We're British, now living in Canada, and if I see any of the above on our cruise from Vancouver later this month, I will try (pre dinner) and report back!

Great, must be chilled….and a decent amount!

3 minutes ago, AlibearNS said:

Now I can't get that song out of my head!

On the subject of sherry, my Nana always had a decanter of Harvey's Bristol Cream and glasses set out on a silver tray on the sideboard. Glasses were poured for the adults late afternoon, before dinner (or tea as we called it).
When I first married, I thought this the adult way and bought a bottle of sherry and did the same. Ugh. Horrible stuff. That bottle stayed full a long time; couldn't give it away.
I never drink sherry but we love a glass of Sandeman's port instead of dessert in the MDR. Really disappointed when there was none on our last cruise.

This thread also makes me think of my dad. He was partial to Commandaria after a military posting to Cyprus. I bought a bottle whilst on a European cruise with my parents back in 2010. We had a glass each at sail away out on the deck. Is a lovely memory as he passed on a from sudden illness a few months after that.
 

Harvey’s Bristol Cream is a sweet concoction much loved by elderly ladies, served in tiny little glasses (presumably because that’s quite enough thank you).  Fino, manzanilla, oloroso are a world away from that and are delicious.  It might be my mission now to convert the citizens of Los Estados Unidos to sherry drinking!

You brought back a memory with Commandario.  Years ago we went to Cyprus with my elderly mother and she discovered this brew and insisted on taking a bottle home because it was much cheaper than Harvey’s!  

Surely, surely they’ll at least have Tío Pepe in the bars.  Uncle Jo is at least dependable!

44 minutes ago, DCThunder said:

Ask Frankie Valli.

 

Haha!

6 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

This shows the level of knowledge regarding the offerings. I like port. A good port is a pleasure after dinner. I do not like Sherry and, even if I did, I don't see it as an after dinner drink. 

 

I have to congratulate @teenieleek for use of "Postprandial" above (although it isn't actually hyphenated). I do love folks with a good vocabulary. I hesitate to use terms of this sort here as they are generally not understood. I grew up reading rather than watching television - at least until Star Trek came out. At that time I took it upon myself to pull the tubes and get my mom to take me down to the local Safeway grocery store to test them and replace the tubes that were bad. (The stores used to have tube testers and spare tubes. These days they may have a video rental kiosk.) All those years without a working TV really helped to improve my vocabulary. 😁 (I still read constantly. We do watch some movies and such on streaming services but haven't watched "regular" TV for a good 40 years or so.)

😂 I’m laughing because I can’t work out if you’re taking the p**s (good vocab there), being sarcastic or just nitpicking about hyphenation.  I’m discombobulated!  (I understand there’s an ointment for that).  However, I do like sherry as an aperitif and learned all about it on a bodega tour in Jerez.  Do try chilled manzanilla, it is delicious. Cheers!  

Port is entirely different to sherry.  The OP asked about sherry which is a pre-dinner drink, port is a post-prandial drink.  I do hope Princess ships, especially those sailing from Southampton, have fino and manzanilla at a minimum.  I will report back in October.  They will be getting serious whines from me if there’s none!

17 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

We have been on 9 westbound TA's and only once were we unable to use the Sanctuary due to weather.  Our last TA was this past November on the Regal and we were in the Sanctuary all 6 sea days back to Ft Lauderdale.

Hmm, ok but we’re sailing to Boston, much further north.  We’ve got a south-facing balcony, port side so maybe that’ll be enough, although the Sanctuary looks appealing. I might see how the weather forecast is, then run up and book a couple of afternoons on embarkation day if it’s looking hopeful.  We should be on early since we’re in a suite.  Thanks again.

My friend and I were given a free pass to the Enclave on Regal for one day or half day, can’t remember exactly.  It was a gift (including a massage) because of a problem I had in our suite.  Anyway we went, did all the “rooms”, lay on the hot beds, faffed about in the pool, tried all the bits and bobs and after a hour or so we’d definitely had enough.  It was very pleasant but we were both agreed that a) we certainly wouldn’t ever pay for it and b) we’d rather have had a bottle of wine!  It all felt very claustrophobic in there.  The massage however was fabulous and I would definitely consider paying for that, if the price wasn’t quite so outrageous!

49 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

If you have the Sanctuary booked and are unable to use it due to bad weather, you are not charged for that day.  We've been in that situation many times.

That’s good to know. I’ve got a penthouse balcony but there’s no lounger.  However not sure whether on a transatlantic mid-September I should be running to book a sanctuary lounger.

6 hours ago, Jilliebean28 said:

We try to get onboard as early as possible and then we run, not walk, to Sanctuary to book loungers for all of the sea days.

What if it turns out to be cold and raining on these expensive sea days?

1 minute ago, memoak said:

And a bathtub and a couch

👍, forgot those.

2 hours ago, antsp said:

Their are 0 benefits with a mini suite except a glass of welcome champagne 

and more space.

11 hours ago, jwattle said:

The canapes are still listed under Reserve Minis, and the suites say "everything that Reserve Minis get, plus..." 

It also covered the fresh fruit 🙂

Thank you.