Gwendy

On Enchanted Princess in April, two stops in Turkey, Kudashi and Istanbul no visa required as Australian passenger entering by cruise ship. Check your government website for information, in Australia it is DFAT, Department of foreign affairs and trade. I am sure all countries will have a similar website wit information on visa requirements. As an aside one man at our dinner table told us we wouldn’t be allowed off the ship and he had paid $300 AUD each for himself and his wife. Even if we had to purchase a visa it would have been approx $60 each.

Some years ago I noticed that my adult children didn’t own irons. Decided if it works for them it would work for me. Only time I have ironed clothes is when I sail on Princess and as an Elite they do my laundry for free. I am careful with fabrics I buy and sometimes hang clothes in the shower to remove packing creases.

Boarding on August 14, and so pleased to read your balanced report after all the negativity. Have to agree about loud passengers, it happens everywhere. Last cruise in June, we we were seated in a very quiet bar area enjoying a coffee and a “lady” came and sat near us and started FaceTiming her family at top volume. If anyone is interested I now know the names of all the grandchildren and what a couple of the mummies have been doing, bit naughty. Lol

Champagne waterfall on Enchanted in May, but no balloon drop. However as it was a Med cruise with 3 x 7 day cruises, some people doing 7 days, some 14, some 21, that may have impacted the decision re balloon drop.

In April we stayed at the Ad Athens hotel, great location, metres away from Acropolis museum, and walking distance to most attractions. Rooftop patio with sensational views of Parthenon and Acropolis and the owner and staff were exceptional. Also great Greek breakfast on rooftop patio.

Princess has a cruise that leaves Barcelona, 7 days to Rome, picks up more passengers, then 7 days to Athens, then another 7 days etc, before returning to Barcelona and repeating the process. We did the 14 day Barcelona to Athens, we found no inconvenience with passengers leaving and embarking in Rome. The same with MSC, seems pretty common in Mediterranean.

You can walk from the port to Times Square, so central.

As stated terminal is back of beyond. However we found taxis were quite reasonable. There is a site on the internet where you can put in your arrival and destination and get an approximate fare. On a one day stop sometimes the time saved by using a taxi over the MRT is sometimes worth it. If you can try to go on the double decker “ding ding” trams, a worthwhile experience.

Only time/s I have been at Manhattan port was on World cruises when it was either a one day stop or an overnight, August 14 cruise to Greenland leaving from Brooklyn so I get to see that area.

And free room service

These are generally sold in segments, half world cruise 2019 from Dover to Brisbane, there were 3 segments, new mini bar for each. On Enchanted in April, 14 day Med cruise, 2 mini bars as 2 segments,

Maybe Harry is behind it? Just another example of poor media. And using Gonna. Did these advertising gurus learn proofreading or plain English. Another reason Princess is losing status.

Many Australians don’t see the 15 alcoholic drinks per day in the package as something to be enjoyed, most on the local P&O cruises see it as a challenge which means some very messy people at the end of the day. Lol

That’s if anyone from the officers section actually turn up. On Enchanted in April the Captains circle person was there and the Captain eventually turned up and stayed for maybe 5 minutes.

Love how the announcement says NEW complimentary room service in the packages. Duh, it was always complimentary. One of the reasons as a solo cruiser I chose Princess. As a non alcoholic drinker, a package doesn’t really make sense,

Have used a CVP a few times, never had one who was attentive or interested. One offered me $100 OBC for a $15000 cruise. Lol. My response put your manager on line please. Yep it was increased.

Fill a cup with water and pour that into your water bottle. Think of where the drinking spout on your bottle has been and what you are sharing when you put that spout into the dispenser.

The hotel we stayed at post cruise had an amazing view of the Acropolis from their roof top terrace. I would go up there every evening just to gaze in awe. Such engineering from so long ago.

This is the reason most ships now charge for extra servings. Greed.

My yearly insurance policy states covid cover but doesn’t specify cruise cover. I rang them and they emailed back a statement that it was covered. I was asked when checking if if I had insurance cover but did not have to produce paperwork. This was in May out of Brisbane. As stated it is not a cruise line issue but a New Caledonian requirement.

Just one word yep. Why does it have to be this hard?

On Enchanted in April, it was nigh impossible to find a waiter for a soft drink, the medallion was next to useless. I ended up getting a drink from the bar before I went into the buffet. Staff were around but had little interest in serving

Completed Enchanted Barcelona to Athens in April. So port intensive, most people just did smart casual no matter what designated night it was. Check out the buffet on long, tiring port days. I was very impressed.

We had morning and evening service without requesting it on the Enchanted in May. Seems to be a bit hit and miss, which ship and which steward.

Swings and roundabouts, what you lose on the way over you get back on the way home. As Australians we have travelled a lot so are used to the dreaded international date line. It just means it is an awful long flight/s to get anywhere. Next month 15 hour flight to Doha, long layover, then 15 hour flight to New York.