cruiseypop

Here's the menu for the main dining room for Saturday November 11 - the Princess Sailaway dinner.  With all my specialty dining reservations and the themed nights in the buffet,  don't think I will even make it to the dining room once this cruise!

So I ate at the buffet tonight.  There is a themed night every night.  Now, I've eaten at A LOT of buffets over the years.  I've been to many in Vegas, Indian Casinos at home and even those like Old Country Buffet and local Chinese buffets.  And tonight had to be one of the best buffets I've ever had.  The seasoning and flavoring was incredible for buffet food.  The variety was good and the German selections were top notch.  And the food was really good quality.  Good Job Princess!  This was definitely not on the cheap -- which so many buffets can be.  I've attached the schedule of buffet themes.

Here's the event listings for Nov 11.  I want to call it the patter, but it has been renamed and it is officially the "Princess Event Listings"

Within 15 minutes of the casino opening after departure, I already his a $500+ jackpot!

Very smooth embarkation.  The casino is hot, hot, hot.  I will try to post event listings and pics throughout the cruise.  So far, everything is excellent.  Such a gorgeous, new ship.  And Gigi's had the best lunch.  The veal pasta I think was the best Italian dish I've ever had!

1 minute ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

🤣 Hold times for casino agents have been like this for years.  Entitled people  complaining on Cruise Critic certainly has not shortened hold times.

Not true.  Ive booked for years.  Currently abysmal and not the way to run a business.  And yes I am entitled.  Entitled to customer service.  We are all extremely entitled in the country compared to others in the world.  People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.

4 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

You can choose to wait on hold or to book a free casino rate on another cruise line.

And I can also complain and criticize them publicly in the hopes they improve their ways to be more favorable to me.  Ultimately, this is what I want.  And it works too, its why we have cruiseCRITIC and other is means.  Your "suck it up buttercup" and simply lie down and accept does nothing to try and improve things.

1 hour ago, Coral said:

I have to laugh. I agree - I find it funny people are complaining about wait times for a free cruise..... People have wait times for paying full price for a cruise.

That's like saying you can't complain about the food in the dining room because it's "free".  The "free" casino rooms aren't "free".  Believe me I've paid for them.   Wait times are because there isn't enough staff.  The solution is to hire more employees to handle the demand of people trying to book.  Or make it so you can book online.  How can you run a business if people can't book easily?  Dumb.

26 minutes ago, Bobbiegentry said:

As opposed to?

Criticism can exist in absence of an alternative.

Just because there isn't a better alternative doesn't mean Capitalism can't improve or be better.  If you are simply trying to be a little bit better than all the rest, you'll never be the best.  A race to the bottom.

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I have never been the lucky recipient of a casino offer.  But, from my understanding:

 

1.  Casino Offers are NOT a function of Princess Cruises but offered from the casino that is a concession on board Princess Ships.

Not true.  It is Princess Cruises and I talk to their reservation agents, just a subset that work in casino reservations.  And the Casino is not a concession or operated by someone else.  I know because I've had several hand pays and the 1099 comes from Princess directly in Santa Clarita.

 

2.  You want them to hire more and pay more to a company that is giving away "free/or nearly free" cabins.

Believe me its not "Free"  I just have a different way than you of paying for my cruise.  And believe me, my entertainment is expensive.  I've more than "paid" for all my cruises over the years, which is I why I am demanding better customer service.  Don't judge... one persons poison is anothers passion.

 

3.  They offer mass produced offers in hopes of getting a few.  This is a way to "show" their "loyal" base that they are being "rewarded".

Well, the marketing director should be fired.  One solution would be to stagger email the offers over time.  Very easy to do with email sending platforms in 2023. Sending out a batch email to 100,000's of people at once in the hopes of getting a few is fraught with many dangers.

 

If I wanted a cruise bad enough, I would pay the full price.  Everyone wants a bargain.  It comes with the price.  I will complain if I have to wait on hold for a full priced cabin.  That is why I have a very responsive travel agent.

Ironically enough with my casino losses over the years I've probably paid more than full price for me cruises.  I probably subsidize your cruises!! Call me stupid, ok, that's fair.  Just hope you understand my perspective and why it isn't the same as yours.

I have a casino email offer from Princess and trying to book.  Hold times are more than 1 hour due to high call demand.

I am really disappointed.  Why do companies send out a bunch of emails to people and then wonder why hold times are high when everyone calls in?  I don't know how many emails they sent, but I'm certain they created their own problem here.  And don't get me started on not having enough people.  Hire more!  Pay more and I guarantee you'll have more people than you can hire. 

And it is just super silly you have to call and talk to the casino department to book.  Why can't you book online for the casino offer?  This whole thing is a farce!

Their on hold recording also says they offer a convenient call back feature, but then no where does it allow you to use this feature or access it.  The system doesn't give you up dates, your place in line nothing.  Just "hold times are more than 1 hour".

It's worse than Ticketmaster.  

Capitalism at its finest!

I have a very specific question for those that may have tried to work while the ship is in port.  Does the ship wifi work well while in port?  I know they shut off the ship cell coverage when it gets close to port, but does the wifi for internet data stay on?  I know data roaming on our phones will work provided we have data roaming in Mexico, but I do not.  I'm trying to decide if I can rely on ship wifi or if I  need to buy roaming data in advance.  My current cell plan provides no data in Mexico.  I have the full wifi plan included on my cruise.  Has anyone had experience with this at the baja ports?  Loreto, La Paz, Cabo?  Thanks in advance.

 I've been on a lot of cruises and I've only ever tipped 3 types of people.  The room service person once and the casino cocktail server when midway through the cruise when I start getting free drinks (because I've gambled a lot).  I've tipped each $1.   Oh... and I tipped the porter at the pier $5 for our two bags.  I typically don't get room service and drink about 5 free drinks in the casino, so I guess my total tip per cruise averages about $10 in total.  So, I haven't really tipped at all and no one has really asked or given me the stink eye for not tipping.  Even when I dined at the Crown Grill, I asked once and the server said it was included in the cover charge, so no tip was necessary.  

Given the issues with the app, I propose that Princess create some levels of registration service.

1. Self-Registration using the App is Free.  Do-it-yourself for those that like that.
2. Assisted In Person Registration is $99.  Simply show up at the port and stand in line give the agent your passports and information and check-in much like it was before.
3. VIP Registration $399.  This is where you show up at the port at a reserved time, where you are whisked into a special room with a concierge attendant.  Your luggage is graciously taken by smiling attendant.  All while ladies come in and fan you and feed your grapes.  Next while waiting you'll receive foot massages.  After registration with the slightest incovenenience fixed in seconds, you'll enter the ship through a special VIP entrance and be whisked to room on a special VIP elevator.

From the sounds of all the comments here, I'm sure #3 will be a smashing hit with guests and also a huge revenue generator for Princess.

Win Win.

22 minutes ago, tuckerboxbill said:

This is a cruiseline leaving a ship in service that cannot fulfill its published itineraries on an ongoing basis. It's bull*****.

Why in the world would they do that on purpose?  Yeah, on purpose they are going to completely destroy the "once in a lifetime trips" for some people.  I'd rather think given all the cruiselines have been through in the past 2-3 years, they had a choice.... cancel the cruise or modify it.  I'm still holding my breath if they cancel it, but in my old age, I've had all kinds of change and disappointment, in my life.  The cruise of a lifetime to Alaska is hardly on top of the list of noteworthy human experiences in the span of human existence!

You act like it's more important than curing cancer or stopping a nuclear war.  People have been through far worse than a changed port.  Besides, it sounds like it from the posts that people who want to change are changing - great!  It's seems you are far more interested in trying to drag Princess through the mud for some reason.  And no, I don't work for nor have any affiliation with Princess or anything in the entire travel industry.  I am disappointed, but I hardly believe that Princess has somehow caused this through negligence or trying to save money or whatever reason that they "left this ship in service".  Maybe the universe just wanted to mess with people?

44 minutes ago, Eaglecw said:

She’s speeding along at a whopping 12.5kn or 10mph. I know one couple who won’t be on her this summer. We jumped ship and moved over to the Discovery.

 

Granted it sucks that because she is slow and because of that there are port changes, but what else has to do with speed?  Am I missing something?  So what if she's going 10kph or 20kph?  Ketchikant is the only port that has been dumped.  That is a disappointment for some, but I myself wasn't planning to get off at that port anyway (too many cruised owned shops IMHO).  So for me nothing has changed and I get to go to a new port that I've never even heard of until yesterday.  

I am still worried that the Alaska cruises for the Crown might be cancelled, but she departed Los Angeles this morning and scheduled to arrive in Seattle on May 4th.  Just in time for the May 7th sailing.  Seems to be good news.

In simplest terms... the easiest is IMHO...

1. Dining - Use the app to make reservations. 

Get the app and play around with it until you figure it out, we all did this in the beginning.  On your Android mobile phone go to the Google Play store and search for 'MedallionClass' to find the app to install.  Here's a link so you can see what you're looking for:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.carnival.gxi.ocean.compass.medallionclass

2. Medallion Class - It's a small plastic chip that the princess uses to identify you while on the ship.

I find the word 'class' confusing.  It's not a class, like first class.  It's a class of ship that offers the Medallion feature.  The "medallion' is a small plastic chip that the princess chips can read and identify you when you buy things and walk around the ship.  And it unlocks your stateroom door.  This replaced the cards.  It's also the name of their app and their wifi service. 

3.  Testing.  Get a Covid test the day before you leave. 

Like everything in life there are many options all with their pros and cons, I find the "day before" satisfies all the requirements for all ships all ports all vaccine statuses and is easier to remember.  The biggie is that you need to present the negative results when you board, so make sure the test you take gives relatively instant results.  Princess recommends using a telehealth service to perform the test at home, monitored via a webcam on your computer. https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-emed-at-home-test-kit-2-pack  As a last case resort, they do testing at the pier on embarkation day, but they don't recommend this people they can't handle too many people and it's expensive, $100 per person.

If you're technically challenged or new to these types of things, enlist a favorite niece or nephew to help or even a neighbor.  In a pinch visit your local public library, staff there LOVE and I mean LOVE to help people that are technically challenged.

3 hours ago, John99 said:

When I cruise there’s a book I always consult – it’s my checkbook.

I love that!  Great phrase!

32 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

...must still coincide with other countries' decisions to allow 15k-25k people per day to descend on their shores...

Would it be possible for the ship to "port", the captain step off the ship, sign a document, get back on and sail away?  Only the captain ever left the ship, but it officially made "port".  Possible?

Also, wouldn't it be possible for U.S. Congress to temporarily undo the "Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886" and simply allow the cruises industry to sail without stopping at a foreign port?  I mean Congress put this law in place in 1886 for a reason, but surely things could temporarily be eased?

3 minutes ago, Abercrombie2019 said:

Cruises must visit a foreign port.  Those ports may not reopen to cruise ships.

Does a cruise line owned foreign island count as a port?  I think there are 7 of them.

The current CDC no sail order expires this Wednesday, September 30.  On Wednesday, we will find out if the no sail order is extended or is lifted by the CDC and cruises can resume at U.S. Ports. 

What I don't know is if does resume then does each port have the option to suspend or resume?  I've read that Florida ports want to resume, but not sure if all ports want that or not.  I suppose it's possible west coast or new england ports would remain closed even though the CDC has lifted the no sail order?

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/

I try to price all my vacations from about $200-$300 per day for two people, total all in.  This includes airfare, hotel, meals and alcohol per day.  I've travelled all over Europe, Mexico, USA, Hawaii, and particularly Las Vegas on this budget plan, although it is getting harder to do it.   On the surface these locations would seem wildy different in cost, but I've found a week in Vegas is the same as a week in Europe in the end.  While it's cheaper to fly and stay in Vegas, gambling and food costs add up.  Europe is expensive for flight and hotel, but then when you are there you can do a lot of sightseeing free and my food expenses are lower.  Just me though.

Some will say, a land vacation doesn't compare to a cruise, but, I rarely take this is into account as I feel the pros and cons of land vs. cruise balance each other out in the end fairly equally to me.  For example, for me, a tiny, cramped inside cabin on a cruise is always worse than the most cramped hotel room in Rome, Italy - in my opinion. Pros and Cons.

On land vacations, I find hotels that give a free breakfast, I eat quick lunches and eat simple, but good quality dinners in small restaurants.  I buy snacks and booze from the grocery store for the room.  I walk most everywhere and take in all the free museums, and sites to see.  I also travel during down times, low occupancy, etc.  I've got some fantastic bargains over the years doing this.

I feel a cruise is a good value and I like everything and there are deals to be had.  I actually find sea days boring for the most part now, it's ok for a few days to relax and recharge.  I've done everything a cruise offers on a sea day at least once and I find it kind of repetitive after a while.  Traveling to a new European city for a week is hardly repetitive or boring, my last trip, I logged my miles and I walked almost 40 miles in the week!  For me, walking in a city, sure beats walking around a little loop on the top deck of a cruise ship - sure at first it's ok, fresh sea air, but it gets old after a while.  Pros and Cons.

So, the pros and cons go back and forth for me.  I like them both, but I have to insist a cruise really stays in the $100-$150 per person, per day range, including airfare and pre hotel, if needed.  Otherwise, it just isn't worth it, and there would have to be some super special port or excursion I want to do.  There are lots of travel opportunities out there and I am a super bargain/value shopper.  

I wanted to add to my post with a little bit of evidence of a value land vacation.  I've been looking at Barcelona for next year (mostly for fun, because I don't think we will be able to travel yet).  I've priced out a 4 star hotel for 10 nights, roundtrip airfare on United for a total of $1782 for two people all taxes.  I am a bargain shopper!!  It is an awesome deal.  That leaves $1218 for all meals, booze, snacks, museum entries, a couple of Uber's, etc.  And these prices are typical pre-covid too, because I had priced them.  Travelling mid-week on cheaper days, travelling in the shoulder seasons (march and november), staying in a hotel a little further out but on a bus line.

9 minutes ago, mellon1 said:

Yes, you are right; however, talking to someone on the phone with Princess you get someone different each time and thus a different answer.  How can you believe it?  I will have to wait for it to be in print, but at least I know to look for it.  We always got to Walgreens to get whatever we are running out of.  

Yes, I agree in print is best.  Often times when I've called they were simply reading it from the website.  And if they have the link they can send it to you.  I think it's safe to say (sadly) that if it's not in print, then they don't know at the current time, but will know later.

I've also found that it depends on who your conversing with.  The worst is a lower end reservation agent that simply wants to book a reservation for you.

This group has solid contact information for Princess:  https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/princess/

The email address is not published in their website and is answer with solid replies.  I have emailed them several times and Princess was always spot on with the answer even if they asked me to check their website later for details.

1 minute ago, mellon1 said:

Yes, I agree; however, I didn't think of what Bob said.  Nothing has been said about that.  True it is up to Princess, but it is a concern of ours and I appreciated his thinking about that.  We get so much info from this site.  So, it will now be a question I ask for sure.  

A great idea would be to call Princess up on the telephone and the report your findings here!  Even if the answer is "we don't know" that might be helpful to some.  It's great way to find out answers and help other cruisers on the CruiseCritic community!  I would call them and ask the question, but I don't have the problem that you do.