Pink-belle

I have no idea what you mean by this comment? I posted a link to a thread I had posted in regarding a cruise on Sky Princess on the 4th June. As the OP of this thread had specifically asked for information about the Sky Princess and this itinerary. Admittedly, in that thread you chose to take it off topic and post about your cruise on Emerald, but that had nothing to do with me posting a link.

I posted a brief review here.

We did the 7 night Fjord cruise last week, our Fourth Fjord cruise and our second time on Sky Princess. Would have no hesitation sailing the same cruise again. it includes beautiful Fjord cruising, including Sognerfjord, Norways longest and deepest Fjord.

The official answer is No. However, on Sky last week, both our medallions were working well, so not sure if that made a difference. In Bars and lounges they could obviously see us both on the screen so one of us doing the order was no problem. we ordered room service drinks and were fully prepared to both order the same drink separately as we “had” to do last year to avoid a charge for one drink. This time it allowed us to change the quantity to 2 and the charge remained $0.

Estrella is the restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch, we also ate there every day on our previous cruise as it is/was the Club Class dining room. We had an aft stateroom so Cielo very convenient for us, it seems now there is not traditional dining most passengers stop midship at Estrella or Soleil.

Not on board, but was last week, and was told by a member of staff that for this cruise they were expecting 600 less passengers which makes it about 2600.

Yes, there are porters with wheelchairs to assist at embarkation, if you have notified Princess you need this service you should not have a problem, there is a waiting area, with seats just inside the terminal for those requiring the service.

Thank you for doing the live from, I disembarked yesterday and WiFi did not work for me for the cruise, I’m really hoping you have better luck and we can sail along with you. I spotted a couple of questions further up, hoping you don’t mind if I answer them.

I disembarked the Sky yesterday. We had booked a private table for 3 at the same time each evening in Cielo, (aft deck 6 restaurant) I asked the restaurant host if it would be the same table each night, she said if we liked the position of the table to ask her on the way out and she would reserve it for us each evening. We were eating quite early 6:40 so I don’t know if that would make a difference. last year on Regal we really enjoyed a waiter, so asked for his section each night and had no trouble getting it.

I have just said the same thing on my post cruise survey. They need to stop advertising something they currently can not deliver.

Not quite, Olden has always had a dock, but more than one ship in port and someone has to tender, we were lucky someone changed their mind and we got the spot. That said my forth time here, from memory all on Princess and we have not tendered any time.

Thanks for review Neil, I laughed at the “personal view, as edited by my wife” comment. Really glad you enjoyed your first Princess experience. We were also on the cruise, and agree in the main with all that you say. However, we only ate twice in the buffet, once for breakfast and once for sushi for lunch yesterday, both experiences good. We had one meal in Bistro Sur La Mer, we rated this as excellent, great food and service. Crown Grill, food good, usual Crown Grill standard. However our experience was really spoilt by the passengers at the adjacent table. One of whom created a scene, and the way he spoke to his wife/partner and the poor staff, had us on edge. Sabatini Rated as poor, service, and food quality. Main was cold. Drink service unacceptable, one drink ordered at beginning of meal, no refills of water or further drinks. We did ask the waiter but he refused to take the order saying the assistant waiter would get to us when he was free, he was never free!. Feel as if we wasted our money on this meal. All other meals in MDR, no issues with getting tables breakfast and lunch where we shared with some lovely people. Dinner was in Cielo where we requested and had a private table for 3, with no issue. Food and service were both really good. Our third Princess post pandemic, and I was glad to see the proper Menu back, rather than a piece of paper. On the 5th June over the Jubilee weekend, it was nice to see the chefs dessert was the “official” “Platinum Jubilee Pudding”. Lemon trifle, nice touch from the Chef. (I appreciate this probable means nothing to non UK members) Only attended the theatre for 5 Skies and Rock Opera, I love these shows, both standing room only, needed to be there at least 30 minutes before show to sit in preferred areas. I was really disappointed in Good Spirits, this has just become a regular “bar” yes you can order from the Good Spirits menu, but no shows/ videos or information. Apparently the shows may return in the next few weeks. In fact Vines also seems to be just a “bar” as well, we were in the minority drinking wine. personally I missed the different bars feeling different and venues in their own right. I really like the addition of the “entertainment” in the PES lounge, we enjoyed our pre dinner drinks here. Staff were excellent, working exceptionally hard and doing their best to cover shortfalls. We saw staff arriving at Bergen, and on a couple of days saw new staff joining the dining room teams. My understanding is Sky is at almost full staff, they are just working through some issues and establishing good working teams, I’m sure in the next few weeks everything will be a bit smoother. weather was better than I hoped for. Our Fourth time to the Fjords and the best weather we have ever experienced in Norway. Bergen, a Bank Holiday, so we opted to stay on board, having visited in the past, we enjoyed time at the Retreat Pool, seeking out the shade. Skjolden, was a bit of a gem of a port in the sunshine. We opted to not take an excursion as all seemed like a lot of travel time, for relatively short visits. This tiny little port was simply lovely, beautiful views with e bikes, paddle boards and rib boat rides. A little bar/cafe offering Norwegian waffles with jam and cream which many of us were trying. Having stayed up until 1am and getting up again at 6am to enjoy the fjord sailing, this lovely relaxing day was much enjoyed and most welcome. That evening we were advised that Sky Princess had lost the use of one generator, so our arrival and departure times for the next two ports was changing, this affected our plans in Olden. ( we had the same amount of time in port, just arrived and left an hour earlier.)The issue was never mentioned again, so I don’t know if this means they were able to fix the issue? Olden, is a beautiful port, one of my favourites in the Fjords, we had a pre booked Princess Kayak excursion, the earlier departure from port meant we couldn’t also fit in the trip we intended to make up the Leon Skylift, slightly disappointed by this, so it’s still on my list for next time. We took an hour long trip in an open top bus, it had a nice commentary and was enjoyable. kayaking, according to my husband was great, due to the local guides and the experiences and knowledge they shared. You can book kayaking directly with Olden Adventures if you don’t want to take the excursion. Stavenger, and the weather was overcast, we had pre booked an independent fjord cruise out to Pulpit Rock, at a fraction of the Princess excursion cost. Medallion worked great, app and WiFi both non existent, it wasn’t just the mountains, as it didn’t work in Southampton! It was great on my Sky and Regal cruises last year. I think Princess need to be honest, they have really made some bad decisions with the changes they have made between then and now. Overall we had a great 7 night cruise, I love Princess, I want to keep loving them and them be my first choice, but they need to improve some aspects for that to be the case for me personally. That said FCD’s duly purchased and I’ve already browsing what is available.

Thank you, I will make the most of it. Have packed face masks and some other treats, along with the binoculars, if it’s “too crazy” on board will sit on the balcony enjoying the view. the Royal butler is certainly onboard, I already have him bookmarked. I like to see the guest speakers, you learn things you never thought you would find interesting. really hoping to have a smooth (early) embarkation, would love to be onboard for the horn salute in honour of the Queen at noon.

Thank you so much for taking time to do a live from, and give us your balanced view of your experience onboard. The Scandinavian itinerary is actually one of my favourites, because of the ports. I’m boarding tomorrow, already been advised that there will again be a large majority of first time with Princess Cruisers. Being outside of half term it may be a slightly older demographic. We managed to book via DMW so hope we have the luck of others and those bookings still exist. Weather looking favourable for the Fjords so it should be a good cruise.

Just checked this and they do. I am going to clear out some old photos and apps before sailing next week, just to see if that helps.

You’d have time for a couple more drinks then 😉 but at least you’d have a table.

Thank you will make a note of this for August sailing. Apparently quite a lot of capacity in the bars at 6pm today, from my friends, 6pm walked past crown grill bar- lots of free tables, same outside of live lounge, good spirits had free tables, vines 30% tables occupied, bellinis almost empty. Hopefully will be similar next week, our dining reservation is 6:40 so will suit us for an early drink before dinner.

Umm, that’s actually a bit of a bug bear of mine, a feature I really don’t like. Was sat in Vines and table next to us ordered plates of fries etc, really ruined the ambience in my humble opinion. I can see it being a great feature if you are on the sun deck, but wish it wasn’t available for lounges. They would be interesting questions to be answered.

I think my concern is, Sky is sailing at “almost” full capacity for pax and crew, according to their declared figures when leaving Southampton. The ratio used to work so well, but isn’t now, which is having an impact on onboard experience for everyone. What has gone so wrong? Crew in isolation so not as many to work? Or the wrong balance of crew members, and lacking in passenger facing roles?

They don’t tend to go to the shows. On the first night I know they went to the Casino bar, as service was quick, but it was a bit smoky, but not as bad as it was earlier in the year. They aren’t having problems with the app. now, I know from personal experience there is no rhyme or reason with the medallion. Last cruise mine was useless, my husband had no issues, despite us being together and using same operating systems

This was the message I got tonight Ceilo dining tonight. Went at 7 no reservation straight in. Pork tenderloin excellent, prime rib had to be sent back but 2nd try was much much better. 1.45 start to finish 4 courses.

I thought that it might be half term related, but 3525 pax this week, 3300 expected next week. as I have said my friend is having a great time. Sometimes you can just get caught in the wrong places at the wrong time.

So sorry you are still having struggles onboard, not really what you expect on a Princess Cruise. I have friends on board, they are having a good time. HOHO was £28.68, ticket paid for by card on bus, and also included a 1 hour canal boat trip, adding this incase its useful for anyone doing the itinerary in August.

I shouldn’t follow this, I’m almost dreading getting onboard next week and not having Club Class! I really hope you can make the most of the situation and find a routine that works for you. According to Solent ships, the official numbers are 3525 pax and 1310 crew. So Yes, very busy. 10 Norwegian Krone is 84p so even 100 NOK for £ 15 is a dreadful rate, will make sure everything is charged in currency. I have an ongoing booking through the app for dinner, plus Bistro Sur La Mer one night, was hoping to sign up for Winemakers Dinner once on board. Might go on the app and see if I can get Crown Grill booked in. Thank you for your honest feedback, helps me prepare so I don’t feel disappointed when we embark.

Yes, I think this likely to be the reason. Updating the systems.