Grego

8 hours ago, envy4u said:

Who is the maître d on Sky Princess ? Sailing Feb 2022

Giuseppe Gelmini was the Dir. of Restaurant Operations (Maitre'd) on our December 28th voyage.  He did a great job and was very accomodating to any request.

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

This has always been the correct way of dealing with any problem. Even with Princess having sufficient personal to handle your concerns trying to explain the situation makes things 10 time harder once off the ship.

Exactly.  I'm surprised that anyone would not even consider doing this.

On 1/25/2022 at 3:24 AM, caribill said:

Many long time Princess customers are also very frustrated with the pre-cruise app implementation and the long wait times to reach Princess on the phone.

 

But most of these long time Princess customers continue to believe Princess is their favorite cruise line.

 

If you are worried about the on board experience, read several of the "live from" threads about current and recent cruises. All of them report many positive experiences on board and no one posted that they were sorry they took the cruise.

You are correct.  We have had nearly 50 voyages with Princess and yes we are very loyal.  I'm sorry for those that are having problems with the app.  I certainly had an issue at first, but that was my fault and it was soon fixed.

Since then we have sailed twice since the "pause" as lifted and both the November voyage and December New Year's voyage went perfectly.  The app was completed and without an issue and the upcoming 4 voyages this year are completed including a B2B and we are ''Green" with only the medical segment to be done before we board.

The onboard experience with our iPhone was flawless and there were so many really useful things we were able to do with it with more coming I'm sure.

I look forward to the day soon that all the bugs will be fixed so that everyone with any skill level and type of "smart device" can implement the app and get back to enjoying themselves on their voyage without having to complain.

22 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Understood.  When you login to the MC App, does the entire voyage appear as one trip with a single begin and end date?

Yes.

3 hours ago, Torfamm said:

We were just on the Emerald and it was absolutely fine. I didn’t think it looked shabby at all. Some might feel it looks dated, but I wouldn’t say shabby. I only wish it had an Alfredo’s 

I agree, the Emerald Princess is a lovely grand ol' ship and we had our first voyage back after the "pause" last February and she was in great shape.  We love the layout and ease of getting around, especially during the reduced capacity period, but we have gotten spoiled with Alfredo's and I don't think there are any plans to revamp the Crown class ships to include this great eating venue.

12 hours ago, dreams_of_travel said:

 

 

The whole registration via the app was probably the worst choice they could've made IMO.

 

For those of us that had no problems entering information into the upcoming 5 bookings as well as the two voyages we have had since November, we find the registration and check in process a breeze and a great improvement over the past procedure.  Once on board we have used the app very frequently during the day to check on activities, dining menus, chatting with our travel companions and locating them if necessary, ordering drinks to be delivered, checking port guides, our shipboard account, deck plans and make any changes to our dining plans.

A great tool if you want to use it.  If not, that's OK too.  After all, it would be cruising like we did in the past which I loved as well.

22 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

As the next two posts after yours indicate (above this post), there have been multitude of issues with B2B's.  Not the same thing as voyages separated by time gaps and not linked in Princess POLAR system.

We have a B2B booked with the Emerald Princess in late April TA and then a circle UK.  They were both booked as separate voyages and have no issues with the OceanMedallion app with them.  We aren't TA's so we booked them through our PVP and entered the information in our app without a hitch and that was done a couple of months ago.

8 hours ago, VibeGuy said:

Once again, the preboarding OM app experience is a gigantic screwup. 
 

booked another B2B on Ruby, direct with Princess.  Second sailing shows up, first one doesn’t, says it’s already linked.  
 

It’s a shame I don’t want to go back to work-work.   This is the kind of high-visibility stuff I love working on for executive sponsors. 

Sorry you are having a bad experience with the pre-boarding app experience.  We had no issues at all with the last two experiences in November and late December and don't see a problem with our upcoming February booking.  All future bookings are installed through July and, again, with no issues.

I guess you can't blame the app entirely if it does work for most of us.

21 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I wonder if the left hand knows what the right hand is doing...🤦‍♂️

Not a fair comment.  The reason for having the QR code is if you are picking up your medallion at the terminal and they need something to let you in since you don't print out boarding passes anymore.

15 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

CD Marcus joins the Enchanted tomorrow. 

Not sure we have ever sailed with Marcus.  Doesn't ring a bell, but then we actually don't seem to get to know them that much anymore.  It's not like 30 years ago when the ships were smaller and the CD's were out and about, mingling and more visible.

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

In actuality they do specify what should be worn on formal nights in the DR. While ones interpretation of what type of slacks & shirt might not be acceptable it still allows plenty of leeway other than true formal clothing. Women seem to get a pass for practically any decent clothing.

"For more formal settings, men should bring a suit and a nice pair of shoes (or, at the very least, a shirt, tie and slacks), while women may want to bring an evening dress or a skirt with a good blouse."

I'll second that.  Unfortunately, we live in a society that some feel that rules don't apply to them.  I'm OK with those that don't want to invest in a tux or bring along a suit as long as they at least make the attempt to wear a dress shirt, tie and trousers and not show up in beach wear or jeans.

Formal night is a special night and dressing up is part of the history of cruising.  I don't look down on those that don't care to participate and more than I would like them to look up at us as those that get the whole cruising experience.

The "Dress To Impress" suggestion is a cop out to be more accommodating to an audience the line is trying to lure.  Unfortunately the DTI suggestion is so loose that anyone with clothes on can walk into a dining room with no hassle for the staff.

I grew up sailing with Princess 30 years ago when a jacket was required and if you didn't have one they found one for you.  The elegance that once was part of both cruise and airline travel is gone turning both into nothing more than a bus to take you from point to point.

My wife and I truly like to dress in formal attire on those special nights.  It is something that she loves to do and I want to be with her at these times.

If folks don't want to dress up on those nights, then there are options for their dining plans such as the specialty restaurants and the buffet. 

It still remains to be seen if the Enchanted Princess will be allowed to dock in St. Thomas on our February 28 booking.  Having just been there December 31, we won't be too disappointed if we can't because we always spend to much at Kay's and need a break.  In addition, Grand Turk was taken off our itinerary on our November 6th itinerary and we would like to get back there again.

So easy to find fault with anything, including a sunrise.  We have been on two voyages since November and had no problems at all with either the medallion or the MedallionClass app.

Granted you might not need the app at all once on the ship, however, you miss out on all the neat things you can do with it if you do use it.

1.  You can make or change dining options

2.  You can check the menu for the dining room for all the day's meals.

3. You can locate your fellow shipmates and join them wherever they are....or not.

4.  You can message them at any time.

5.  You can check the daily activities.

6.  You can look at your planned activities.

7.  You can look at your shipboard account.

8.  You can find venue locations and show how to get there.

9.  You and view port guides.

All this and more right from your phone with the app at any time.

Granted there are some of these items above you can do without the app from your cabin TV or the portals around the ship, but the convenience is right there all the time.

Now if none of these things are important to you, so be it.  Don't worry about trying to use the app and stop complaining about it.

It works great and I'm glad that Princess decided to try this technology.

When the web based information entry page is finished it should eliminate the frustration that some have had trying to implement the app.

On 1/8/2022 at 6:18 PM, tawlaw1526 said:

I am going to be on the Sky Princess in February and I have two questions:

1) I am wondering if Princess is still doing the Ultimate Ship Tours at this time?

2) Is there an Escape room on Sky and Enchanted?   
Thank You!

Due to Covid restrictions, there was no ship tour or galley tour either after the culinary demonstration or during the Chef's Table dinner.

Most here are saying that they agree that smoking should not be permitted while in the public areas and that masks should be worn there as well but not while eating, drinking or in your cabin.  If smoking might be OK if done outdoors then why not bring back the opportunity to smoke on your balcony.

As a casual cigar smoker, one of my simple pleasures was to sit out on the balcony with a cigar and an adult beverage.  I really don't enjoy sitting in Churchill's inside with no view and surrounded by other cigarette and cigar smokers.  Bring back outside smoking on the balcony.

15 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

 

I wondered the same, and presumed it was simply a love-blind princess sentiment.

 

If someone cared to, they could simply start a poll here:

 

"Have you had any problems with the Medallion app?"

 

I certainly don't see any point in telling someone who is having a problem...

"Too bad for you.  Most people are not."

 

The people who have actually had no problems should be rushing out to

buy lottery tickets, and hoping their luck holds!

 

And, the most amusing part ... some people (a person?) now posting that they

have had no problem, previously posted about problems they were having.

 

 

 

My comment was not a "love-blind Princess sentiment".  For years my relationship with Princess Cruises was to provide information as to what worked and what needed to be tweaked, fixed completely or discarded because I viewed my relationship as both a stockholder in the corporation and a stakeholder with Princess Cruises.

Initially, I had issues with MedallionClass like everyone else and most of the issues were caused by entering in the information using the wrong person's log in when I should have used the one that actually made the booking.  Once that was identified it was smooth sailing for us, both in finishing the app entries and then on board the ship for 10 days where we had no issues with the app at all.

I would like to see an honest poll as to who is having problems and who didn't.  My comment regarding "most" not having issues is due partly to the fact there are many more folks that are contributing to CC and not posting issues than the number of folks still having problems.

Regardless, we should be thinking that the app issues will be resolved because it is a tool that will be very effective for all that use it.  In the meantime, a web based entry system is not too far off and for now there is always handling check-in the way we have done it in the past by bringing in documents to the terminal and proceeding aboard the ship.  Once on the ship the medallion can be used just like the cruise card was used and you can start enjoying the voyage.

On 12/13/2021 at 4:58 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

This is so sad.  If I were Princess, I would be so embarrassed and ashamed of the app.  These are the remarks I get from agents:

 

1.  There are glitches.

2.  We are actively working on the (problem).

3.  It is what is it and the direction the world is moving (toward technology).

4.  Delete the app and install the update.

5.  I'm sorry, I can't help you.  What do YOU want me to do.

 

The list is endless.  All we want from OceanNavigators is a working app.  Is it really that difficult?  And if it is/was, why did they do away with the web based personalizer before they got this to function properly.

I just don't get how some are having such a difficult time with something that most of us have are having no issues at all.

2 hours ago, Musky Ike said:

I am not a foodie, so I find plenty (too much) to eat. Quality and menu seem to be the same as last week. Trying different things.

Definitely looking forward to Alfredo's, Sabatini's, Crown Grill and the wonderful Market Fresh buffet.

9 hours ago, jwattle said:

Ummm...no, but thank you. I was raised with Southern etiquette. I'll accept it, and either drink it, or give it to someone who will (most likely the first, as I don't like to waste things, and I'm not a champagne snob, look down on me if you will from your "Oceania cruiser" viewpoint)

Great response.

It was offered almost every night aboard the Emerald Princess during our 10-day voyage.  They did not do the galley tour during the CT nor after the performance of the Head Chef and Maitre'd.  All do to Covid protocols.

6 minutes ago, kangelop said:

Does anyone know which terminal the ship is docked it?  I can't find the information anywhere.  Thanks.

All Royal Class ships will dock at #2, Princess main terminal.  If there are other Princess ships in port and they are not the larger Royal Class ships, they will usually be at #19.

I always check with the port website or call the harbormaster since we drive to the port and I want to know which locations the ship will be in at both ends of the voyage.

We were on the Emerald Princess November 6th voyage out of Port Everglades and were not charged Florida sales tax because we had the drink package.  I would expect that Princess would not eat the 7% sales tax on each drink served and would add it to the folio if it were the case, but they didn't.

In the past without the drink package there was a tax on the drinks served while on board during embarkation and until we were in international waters and that was it.

Maybe with the drink package it is built into the equation for those drinks served while in the embarkation waters.

8 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

I've have  had Princess move my cabin twice for a January cruise.  The first time was an "upgrade" to a location above a late night bar.  I caught it in time to get my old cabin back and reaffirm that my reservation was marked "No Upgrade".  Then they moved me again, within the category, and won't budge citing Covid and spacing.

 

Now that I can print out my luggage tag and my Medallion is on the way, am I safe from further surprises?

How about a pleasant surprise instead of thinking you are getting hosed? 

We were on the Emerald Princess earlier this month and in our cabin we had picked months ago when the Customer Services Manager knocked on our door and asked us to follow him.  He proceeded to take us up to Aloha Deck which had been originally closed off to ensure space if needed during a covid issue.  We went all the way aft and up to a door that became unlocked because it identified our medallion and we entered an aft facing full suite!  

Needless to say we were shocked and couldn't say thank you quick enough.  All was needed from us was to pack our stuff that was in our drawers into our suitcases and they took care of moving the rest.

Prior to being on board we had received an upgrade offer that wasn't that attractive to us and they put us back in the original cabin without a problem.  We usually mark our bookings to accept upgrades in hopes of getting a mini at best.

Looking forward to our second voyage of the return to service season.  We have been on the inaugural voyage of the Sky before the pandemic and loved the different look to a Royal Class ship.  This one on the 28th of December will be fantastic, I'm sure.