foodsvcmgr

When Princess believes they need it to stimulate bookings.

I’ve been within sight of Magdalena Island and had the ferry turn back due to rough seas. Even if you make it, the seating is worse than a bus and no real option of an outside deck, so Falklands or Puerto Madryn for cruises that include that port are better options.

Maybe if they released schedules a little sooner they would not have discount so heavily and then complain about weak revenues. For a new concept due to begin sailing from NYC in about six months time, I can’t see any benefit for them to be waiting so long to firm up details and open the books.

Kay - I 100% agree with everything you are saying. I don’t desire to prohibit anyone the opportunity for open seatings that wants it, why does everyone delight in my loss of TD? After a number of Princess cruises my future bookings are currently with HAL and Celebrity with late seating TD confirmed. I have voted with my feet, certainly most on this thread will say good riddance.

Don’t discount the virtual pyramid scheme known as cash flow. As long as cash flow doesn’t get cut off again, such as the Covid shut down, that can cover for lack of actual profits for many years.

I’m the contrarian here, I bought all three major cruise stocks today. I think too many people are viewing the cruise market with Depression era thought processes. Undoubtably there will be a percentage of people near the bottom of the economic spectrum who had been hoping to take a vacation or cruise and now are unable to do so due to other out of control expenses. However for many others cruising is now thought of as a right or entitlement almost, other discretionary spending will be cut out far sooner than vacations. Read surveys and opinion polls on this topic, not just stock analysts and the bots that are programmed to bail and drive shares down. Besides buying stock, I’m still cruising, aren’t you?

Thank you Keith for your excellent and informative review. I am considering this itinerary in the next couple years and your suggestions will be very helpful in planning.

As long as open seating continues to be offered alongside early and late I think it’s fine that everyone can select their choice. If open seating is a trial to do away with traditional as Princess has then most certainly not in favor.

Great shot!

Although there are few if any Norwegian references left on NCL, I would respectfully disagree about the other lines mentioned. Celebrity still has a preponderance of Greek officers. Princess still has many Italian maitre d’s and an Italian speciality in the MDR nightly. Holland America still has many Dutch officers, some ships feature a Royal Dutch Cafe and a few Dutch items show up in the MDR.

Certainly hope this is true as I’m booked in a transatlantic and looking at a Trans Canal!

On the plus side for the consumer, the less lead time between releasing schedules and actual start of service should result in some bargain fares for next Spring.

If most of these “Italian” features other than the smoking are retained I remain excited to try the concept. Just continue to be amazed at the lack of details coming from Carnival about the New York sailings, most of all itineraries.