Ronnieslady

11 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

If this is a corporate decision, then they can also create a policy that there will be no smoking in the casino.  Make half the aft for crew and the other half for passengers (or wherever they have designated as passenger smoking area).  This will at least create a pleasant environment for those who do not smoke.  A "safe" haven in the casino and Piazza area where smoke "escapes" from the casino.

 

And what about the Royal Class ships that have no Aft promenade.  Where are the crew smoking?

 

Thank you @Ronniesladyfor keeping us updated 

 

Did Jan even get to read the email?  I think your concerns should at least have reached upper management before being forwarded to Customer Relations.  Valiant effort on your part for all of "us" passengers.  

Not  really sure if Jan  actually did read it or not, but I did send out  a reply to that email. I will post it below.  Also I was wondering the same about the Royal Class ships & where are they smoking ??.     Please post if anyone knows ???

Here’s what I said in that reply back:::::

So what you are telling me is your upper Management cares more about the crew having a great place to smoke 24 hours a day everyday , (out of the wind) while Covid is going on, than the higher paying passengers having to breath in second hand smoke from their balconies.  And on the Grand there’s no just certain times, they can do this, like the Emerald & Ruby are doing.  As a Stockholder I thought you would be more concerned with getting more passengers & income.  

8 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

That's one dilly of a brush-off, isn't it? They "hope this information is helpful." I don't see anything helpful there.

You are 100% right on that one!!!!!!!!!!

I finally heard back from the many higher ups I had emailed the beginning of November.  They don’t seem to give two hoots how much they inconvenience their paying passengers.      This was one I addressed to Jan S. & here’s the response ::

Mrs.  

Thank you for your correspondence addressed to Jan Swartz, regarding your cruise aboard Grand Princess.  Your letter has been forwarded to the Customer Relations Department, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond.

We are very sorry to hear of the upset caused by the designated smoking area for our crew members.

Please note, due to the current covid situation it was decided prior to starting operation, to move deck 8 indoor smoking area to make the smoking area, deck  7 aft, open deck as designated smoking area in conjunction with Shore side Management.  This arrangement happened in other Princess ships as well.  At this time, this area will be the designated smoking area and no changes are noted at this time.

We recommend you contact your Travel Agent to discuss  your upcoming cruise and a possible cabin change (if available).  Again, we are very sorry for the upset this matter has caused and hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Customer Relations

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

This CSO is over soon, then what will PCL do about the smoking?  How can they smoke so much in the casino, when it’s only when you are drinking or eating…

unmasking?

 

I brought that point up when I was talking to the Guest Services Director on the Grand.  When I was on that ship a couple of weeks ago, he really had no answer about it.  Only that they were satisfying what the CDC wanted, about the masking in the Casino. So I suppose it’s not being enforced very well (MASKING) in the Casino.

5 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Have you heard those on Dolphin aft complaining of smoke smells, by chance?

 

I can only testify for what is going on on the Grand.  

On 11/28/2021 at 7:49 PM, Ronnieslady said:

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

I finally heard back from customer relations department a few days ago.   They said it is true, but that  upper management has been discussing the issue. 
           One of those phony answers 🤨
            

1 hour ago, nini said:

@HaveDogWillTravel

Thank you for your time and the report. What is very illogical and nearly funny is:

Where is the crew smoking between 7:01 am and 8:59 pm?

 

Geeeeeeeeeeeeee, maybe they could smoke THERE also during the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am

 

As a paying customer, we like to enjoy our aft balcony during quite a few of those hours between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am!

On the Grand according to the Guest Services Director there is no off time..  The rope on Promenade deck 7 aft stays & different groups of crew are assigned to that area to smoke there all day or nite.   
     I would have been happy if it was not 24 hours a day.

4 hours ago, Level six said:

When we were on the Grand Nov 5-20, the cruise consultant onboard said masks will probably be required through 2022 on Princess. So, maybe that will help with outbreaks if they occur. 

I was onboard the Grand from the Nov. 10-20. That future  cruise consultant seemed to really know her stuff.  I was impressed by her. Some of the past Future Cruise Consultants, I knew more about what was going on, than he or she did.  They were worthless.  If she told you about the mask thing, I would trust her that she was right.  
Thanks for the new info,

Grace

15 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

They have not been good at responding to emails ever since the Medallion nightmares began for many of us, so don't be surprised of you don't hear back from anyone.

I agree, but I thought I would send them anyway. 

On 11/22/2021 at 11:06 PM, caribill said:

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

 

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

 

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

 

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

 

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

 

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

10 hours ago, caribill said:

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

 

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

 

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

 

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

 

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

 

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

Thanks so much these are all good to have on hand & especially for the crew smoking issue.

11 hours ago, caribill said:

 

In addition to the survey, send your concerns to upper management via E-mails.

 

Passengers should not have to experience cigarette smoke on the balconies after booking some of the most expensive cabins of each type on a ship.

Do you or any else knows the email  address for upper management. The one only I know is the customerrelations@princesscruises.com. I sent them several email. All  I got back was them saying they received it. I sent them out several days before my cruise on 11-10.  Still have not heard back from anyone.  The upper guy I talked to on the ship , Giancarlo said that was the right one, when I kept asking who I can email about the issue .  And that they would send it off to the dept. from there.   Might all be a bunch of lip service 🤨

I forgot I did talk to him about how they allow smoking in the Casino, but that wearing a mask in the Casino was mandatory.   How does that work & that we all realize it’s a joke.

Came back as I said I would about what happened from post above #107.

The next thing was the Cruise Director Gary,  led me to the Guest Services Director’s office Giancarlo & we talked. I told him that particular (whole Aft Promenade deck) was not going to be okay as a smoking area for all those crew members. Mine  & all those other cabins, mini suites and suites above that area would have to endure that cigarette smoke odor coming up from deck 7 at all different times of the day & nite. He said it was decided at corporate offices that was the only & best place for them to smoke. He gave me the impression that because of COVID they had to give the crew a larger area to smoke that was not where the passengers could be around since it was (roped off) He said, some of the smoking areas were too small for the crew & they can’t be bunched together .   And certain crew members are assigned different smoking areas & this is one of them.  He also said that most of the ships now don’t have a full Promenade deck, so giving up this was a natural choice & that yes it will have to be used & robed off for the crew 24 hours a day 7 days a week for their smoking for them to have ventilation.  I did emphasized that the passengers were paying customers & why should we have to suffer the smoke smell. Also I told him all aft & part of both (Port & Starboard side) cabins SHOULD  have been notified by email, of this new area that Corporate decided to allocate for the crew.  We should also have been notified that the Promenade deck is now not fully open to passengers.  And that about a quarter of the deck is now unusable for passengers. He didn’t seem to think that was important.  He offered to give me a complimentary message .  I said , no I’m not looking for anything complimentary.  I just wanted him to know how upset I was. And that I felt it was unfair to the paying guests.  He also was offering us to change cabins & that it was an (upgrade) to a penthouse suite  instead of a Vista suites. I told him we liked being in the back & that it was too much trouble to move. He said, to talk it over with my DH & let him know the next AM.  We told him “no” .  We would just limit our use of the balcony, but we wanted the water pressure fixed in the bath tub took 2-3 hours to fill & we wanted them to give us hot water in the  bathroom, because there wasn’t any . The plumbers worked on those issues the next day for a few hours & all was fixed, except of course the smoke smell that will probably never change until Corporate does something.   
      I will be doing the survey & will bring up this smoking issue, but I don’t think it will be much of a priority for Corporate,  considering all the physical conditions that need attention on the Grand.  I love that it’s small & the staff was great.  

Pam is right , it was great.   And it was fun seeing her again & her daughter too😎

There was Zumba & Line Dancing,  but not everyday, on the Grand.  We are just off the Grand from the 10 dayer..  Both were in the Vista lounge & whenever they had Zumba it was @ 9:00am.  Both were about every few days.  Wish they had been more consistent or everyday, so it would have been easier to show up.  We only had about 1/4 😎of the passengers.  Loved having the ship to ourselves 
 

5 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

Having been caught up in the dizzying refundable/non-refundable wifi quagmire on our recent Emerald trip, and since there isn't a discount for booking excursions early and there always seems to be "20 seats remaining", we've decided to hold off on booking excursions until on board.   

 

I hope this way they'll just give us 10% off the top to begin with so we don't have to worry with ensuing battle. 

I would do the same!

1 hour ago, Tedferg said:

Concerned about walking the plank ????

Who knows?. We only have between 627-680 passengers onboard, depending on who you ask. Which is great, but………..  And the crew knows exactly who you are .

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

Thank you. Would be great if you update us when your off the ship. I’m aft port side for 20 days, next month.  So allergic to cigarette and cigar smoke.  
Thank you again.

What ship will you be on??

Still on the Grand right now, but I will post about it when we get home tomorrow.

Most aft suites or cabins will not be happy.  Please ask, if you want real details.

I will give you first hand experience. I don’t feel comfortable writing about it, while still on the ship.

Thanks

If it is handled the same as that 50% discount on the Internet package, for Elites it’s concerned a discount, so it goes on you credits, but it’s Non-Refundable.  Even though the Captains circle girl onboard says it is, the finance department & passengers services desk on the Grand says you don’t get it back so spend it !! 
It seems to be one of those Princess things that one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing kind of thing.  On the Grand anyways.   Or they are making the benefit sound better than it is ??? 

4 hours ago, CruzDayz said:

I told all of you weeks ago and people tried to say it wasn’t true. They have to correct this. 

Me & lots of people thank you for giving us the heads up about it.  I was one of the people that did believe you.  That’s why I sent 3 emails to customer relations, but never heard back.  Let’s see how that goes.

3 minutes ago, nini said:

So, that means that it was NEVER windy before on the bow? LOL!!!

This needs to change.

We feel the same, especially when we have another cruise scheduled on the Grand this coming April in the same suite 15 days to Hawaii.  Hopefully it’s a go🤨 

On 11/10/2021 at 6:29 AM, disneyochem said:

You can get coffee in a to-go cup.  They will not fill your travel mug.  I was just on the Ruby and tried to use my mug.  I had to transfer the drink to my travel mug.  Hated to do this but I love my cappuccino hot when I’m sitting on deck!

 

You can also have your coffee delivered to your room using the app.  I started doing that every morning instead of waiting in line or in the Piazza.  Was great to get my drink (with an extra shot) and then go directly to the promenade or Skywalkers.

Same for the Grand.   If anyone is wondering or loves real hot coffee the coffee did cool off a little faster.  Maybe should be done right when they give it to you @ the Cafe 

For sure on the Grand, not the Dolphin deck.