kiwipete

Well I do not normally buy into debates on tipping, because really it is a personal thing.

 

So being personal, we were on the Golden Princess around South America for 31 days, March 1 to April 1, as was 'Karateman.' My wife and I, we are proud Australians and believe it or not we left on our auto tip which totalled around $700 for the cabin and tipped some more to our cabin steward and two MDR stewards at 6.30pm Traditional dining, because the service was brilliant. I also tipped our Head Waiter because he looked after me very well each night with advice re my gluten free diet as I am a Coeliac.

 

I wonder what Karateman did?

 

If I was on one of the 'Aussie Princess ships, Dawn/Sea/Sun ' where no doubt auto tips are included in the fare as a wage subsidy, I would probably tip a little more IF the service exceeded my expectations.

Doesn't look like you're going to get an answer Uncle Les.

Hi Pete....

The 2 Dec cruise looks interesting..3 cruiss in 1...:D

What chances we get 3 mini bar set ups?? I guess not much.

Hi David

Two additions for us please;

27th May 14, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Discovery, Akl - Akl

2nd December 2014, Dawn Princess, Akl - Akl

Really avoiding flying!!

Pete

What is the date of your cruise?

Try this. www.airbus.co.nz

It picks up at the terminal and drops you at Queens Wharf, the cruise terminal.

We definitely paid tips on a daily basis on our very recent Sydney to Singapore on Diamond.

Voyager did make it to Napier today and managed to dock!! She sure looks big against the Napier Docks. The weather has deteriorated through the day and I am guessing she'll have a choppy ride on from here.

It's possible. They had an episode a couple of years ago where the contestants, in teams, had to cater welcome aboard or sailaway canapes for a cruise. Think that was P&O though.

A NZ Masterchef round was recorded on Dawn Princess in Auckland

Is she identical to the Oriana David? She certainly looks very similar.

Thanks David.

Great quality pictures. Obviously upmarket cameras as well!!!

Ultimate Ships Tour!

It should be available although it wasn't on our 18 & 20 cruises due to a lack of inventory. :(

 

It can only be purchased onboard & even then I have never seen it promoted. I've asked waiters who give a brief verbal description but nothing to read. There's no shortage of flyers for the numerous spa promotions or port shopping but nothing for the wine package.

 

There are no details available anywhere & if not for CC then I wouldn't know that the wine package existed. :rolleyes:

Thank you for the info. We will make enquiries once on board.

We are cruising on the Diamond from Sydney to Singapore at the end of the month. It is a 19 day cruise so will the wine package be available?

If it is, do we need to order before we board or after. I cannot find any details of the package on the Princess site. Where should I look.

Thanks for your help.

We sailed Auckland to San Francisco on Arcadia early last year. We found her to be a good ship with great crew. You shouldn't have any complaints but remember she is set up for a British market so a little different to the American details which we are probably more used to down under.

Someone said that she looked like QM2. Not surprising because, as we were told on board last year, when she started to be built she was to be QM2 but Cunard couldn't take delivery at the proposed completion date so P & O took over the build and she became Arcadia and QM2 followed her out of the same yard.

What's in it for me....

Correct

I am posting this for opinions. I was on the November 2013 cruise on the Grand Princess to Hawaii. We had a passenger go overboard (suicide) on November 13th. We lost our port stop in Kauai and all Luau's were cancelled in Honolulu. We have to circle in the sea for 2 days until the Coastguard arrived. I emailed Customer Relations and received a call from them regarding any FFC compensations being considered for the losses and inconvenience on this cruise. I was told the Board decided no compensation was in order and none to be given. I accepted their decision and reasons.

 

On January 4th cruise on the Grand Princess to Hawaii, a staff member jumped overboard and committed suicide, causing the same losses to passengers (Hilo Cancelled). Princess Cruise Lines gave all passengers a 20% discount for a FFC.

 

Do you think this is fair that the passengers on the January sailing received a compensation and not our passengers on the November 2013 cruise. Same incident, same inconveniences. ?

 

Our suicide jumper did it at 1pm in front of someone and caused an immediate trauma to passengers with announcement that "Man Overboard" and security and staff running everywhere. The January suicide jumper did it late at night with no witnesses. A Opus Band member discovered his uniform near a bathroom and reported it with no immediate trauma to passengers.

 

I find it unfair to give the January passengers a 20% FFC and not the November 2013 passengers. What is your opinion.

The old W.I.I.F.M. bug strikes again.

 

Is Kai Sushi an "extra charge" restaurant? If so, what price?

 

Thanks.

Yes it is. $20 ea

We have recently cruised on Sun Princess in a wheelchair cabin and found it to be great. Surprising amount of room and a BIG bathroom with a wheel in shower with drop down seat and grab rails etc. The Dawn Princess and the Sea Princess are exactly the same layout. We would thoroughly recommend them.

For those who have followed Terry's planning.........he is posting on Celebrity forum his travels........

Please can you tell us which he is on.

Many thanks

Agreed David, Happy Australia Day to,the Aussies

AND a very happy birthday to my wife Norma and also our daughter Sarah.

F

Hi expatinoz,

I assume the trip is on the "Fullers" catamaran "Dolphin Seeker". If this is correct then she is an ideal boat for your family. She has both and indoor cabin and a large upstairs outdoor viewing area.

It is very definitely directed at family groups so you should have a great trip.

Was very disappointed with the lobster the last time we had it on Princess. So much so, that we decided we wouldn't order it again. To us it was tough and tasteless, possibly due to it being frozen.

A year ago we did the Auckland to San Francisco leg on Arcadia's world cruise and it was definitely in pounds.

On our Sun Princess cruise from Auckland, late in November, we took on 4 bottles of wine. We were not charged the $15 corkage on boarding but we were charged it in the dining room. fair enough, we were happy cruisers.

Helen, can't find it - can you supply the links? Thanks

May be this is the one