reedy8

This is Princess's note re kettles.

• Hookah and Water Hookah Pipes, candles and incense, strike-anywhere matches, clothing irons/steamers, heating pads, hot plates, kettles, coffee makers, toasters and other electronic cooking appliances. http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/prepare.jsp
  

 

yes, the site says that, but so does Royal Caribbean and they have supplied kettles on UK, Asia and Australian cruises for at least the last 2 years. It would be too difficult for them I guess to be area specific on their websites, eg heating pads, hot plates, kettles (except in cruises that depart or arrive at UK Asian & Australian destinations) etc I rang RC before my last cruise and they said

no, so I asked on the RC page of this wonderful website and everyone yes, they were available in all categories. So like this poster I had also asked about Princess. Alas, it looks like the answer is no, but as Baldrick in Blackadder would say 'have a cunning plan'

.....

I've always taken a 2 cup size auto shut off travel kettle on every Princess ship I've been on. Never been an issue and always left out in the open. It's essential for a proper cup of tea in the morning.

Is that a Korjo Travel kettle about 450

ml or just one of the smaller ones you can buy now like the tefal one

Has anyone done a re-positioning cruise? My wife and I are contemplating doing either The Carnival Legend one to Hawaii or The Explorer of the Seas one to Seattle and we wondered if anyone has any experience with these (or similar) cruises? Are they any different to other cruises and what should we expect?

 

We are also wondering if it better to cruise there in April and fly home, or wait until September/October and fly there and cruise home? One advantage I can see with flying first is there is no baggage limits on the return trip after my wife goes shopping over there :)

My first cruise was on Explorer and was a re positioning cruise Singapore, KL. Langkawi & Phuket followed by 6 days to Perth. Before cruising, I was concerned that I would get bored on all those sea days in a row. Nope, they were so relaxing and we found plenty to do. If you don't want to do anything energetic, and don't feel like a puzzle or a book take a couple of games, bananas & a travel size rummikub lots of people asked to join us. If you decide early perhaps put yourself on airline mailing lists you can get an airfare with an airline that allows 30kg like Qantas (we got Perth to Singas for $200) or one of the US airlines at the same price as the budget airlines and as you have said the weight coming home doesn't matter if you fly first. . I hate flying, so I prefer flying there and getting the worst bit over with. Then the choice is really would you prefer Seattle or Bora Bora. With Seattle if you haven't been there it might be nice to have a few days somewhere that isn't an island to start with.

Then there is the cruise lines loyalty clubs to consider, a cruise that length would quickly push you up into the next catagory with Royal, take you closer to Diamond and the lovely free drinks every evening in the Diamond lounge. I don't know if Carnivals club is as good as Royal. And what is Carnivals carry on drinks policy. Royal allows 2 bottles of wine to be brought on without charge. Decisions, decisions.......

So I would probably look at the ships and see which has the best reviews and choices on activities and entertainment for those sea days.

On our Barcelona , the Baltic & Beyond. There was not ginger beer on board......no Dark &n Stormies or Moscow Mules. If it is available on the ship they will make every effort to meet your request. If it is really a "need" better bring it with you.

Last time I cruised the bartender didn't know what ginger beer was, only ginger ale. :o

Have been to that wesite multiple times, but still have a couple of questions. Sea Princess pics for balconies show plexi-glass, but posters' pics show otherwise. It appears she will be refurbished by Sept. of this year. Does anyone know what changes are being made? I don't notice any difference in the pre and post Sept. diagrams. Is it just cosmetic changes? What am I missing?

I'm almost certain I read the refurbishment is in October in Singapore but I can't find where I read it. It does fit in with the gap in the cruise schedule between the 20th October (ends in Singapore) and the 6th November that starts in Singapore. Pity, my teeny 4 day cruise is 4th of October

Maybe you did, but a fallacy, no matter how often it is repeated, does not become true.

 

Princess do not allow it because they worry about electrical overload and/or possibility of other damage occurring by use of beverage making equipment.

 

Room service tea is awful on Princess, a jug of hottish water and a nasty cheap Liptons tea bag to put in it yourself. Ugh!

Can't make a good cup of tea like that.

Alas yes, luke warm hot water from room service was my fear too, electrical overload is just an excuse, they do it on other lines. Will have to bring a very tidy dressing gown and potter in to the buffet with my insulated thermos type cup and collect hot water to make decent tea or instant coffee as I'm not fussed about the brewed type. Just looked at the 15 coupon speciality coffee option, that's a bargain compared to cafe prices in Australian cities. Works out to $3.12 a cup.

The Amuleto Cafe shows on the deck plans. It's on the port forward side of the Horizon Court. The "buffet" shown on the deck plan is where the actual buffet serving stations are within the Horizon Court. The rest is seating. One side of the Horizon Court seating area is turned into the Sterling Steakhouse in the evenings.

 

What deck are you seeing Cafe Cornice on? I can't see that anywhere on the deck plans.

It is listed on deck 8 Dolphin: http://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=CP&version=5

Hellloooo!!!!

 

My first time posting on here, but I'm getting very confused!! I have gone through several threads, photos and an app(!) to try to find out if there were tea making facilities in each room, and also to enquire on the plug socket/outlets aboard the Crown Princess.

 

I have checked through other peoples questions and advice, and scoured photographs, and made peace with there being no kettle/coffee station, and got used to the idea that I'll be massively well acquainted with the room service fellow, or shall be traipsing down to the cafe in my PJs for my morning coffee!!! :')

 

As a last resort (and at my mum's request) I sent a quick email to our TA, with details of Ship (Crown), Destination (Med), Date (29th) and Booking References, just to clarify.... and received this email back...

 

"Good Morning

 

Thank you for your email.

 

I can confirm that your cabin will have a travel kettle with a tray containing an assortment of Tea, coffee and sugar. This will be re-stocked accordingly by your cabin steward. If your cabin does not contain a kettle on arrival then this can be requested from your cabin steward also.

 

With regards to the plug sockets in on board, these will be UK plug sockets the same as you will have at home.

 

Kind Regards"

 

Is this correct? I will be over the moon if it's true, but I was convinced that there were no kettles in the rooms, and that the outlets were US and/or EU 2-pin plugs?

 

Can anybody confirm for me please?! If it makes a difference, my mum has a wheelchair accessible interior cabin, and I have a standard Interior.

 

Thanks in advance! :)

 

Jodie xxx

I asked the same question just last week and everyone said no, but I knew that a lot of lines that go to the UK, Asia and Australia are changing their minds due to the demand. In some cultures its the difference between booking that line or booking another line like Royal Caribbean who now supply them. My morning routine like a lot of Australians (and English people) is get up, visit bathroom, put the kettle on. If Princess increases their cruises out of mainland China and don't supply kettles, they will loose many cruisers. I too don't fancy pottering along to the buffet in my PJ's to get a cup and if I use room service it will have to be at the time I nominate, not the time I wake up naturally and I fear the water won't be boiling like you need to brew a good cup. Can I ask who sent you that email? I'll ask the same question and see if I get the same answer. Sea Princess is going into dry dock in Singas just after my October cruise, perhaps they will consider including them then.

Hello

This is only my second cruise (apart from a River Cruise) and my first on Princess. The other was on Royal in a Grand Suite thanks to the upgrade paid for by a kind benefactoress (which may have spoilt me for life) though I realise that Sea Princess is one of their older ships with quite small cabins so am taking that into account.

I have some questions, more perhaps from Australian Cruisers as Sea Princess does spend the warmer months in our waters.

I have read they have a happy hour, buy 1 get 1 drink for $1. Can you tell me what time the happy hour is please.

I'm confused about restaurants. The list of restaurants on Sea Princess on their .http://princess.com.au/ website doesn't match the restaurants on the deck plan.

Included Restaurants has:Anytime (new from September) Traditional, Chocolate Journeys, Horizon Court, Terrace Grill, Amuleto Cafe & Room Service

However, the deck plan has Cafe Cornice and lists the Buffet and Horizon as separate restaurants.

Is the Amuleto just a new name for Cafe Cornice?

Thanks

If your on an organized tour. The leader will probably take to area where it is safe to touch things.

Unless you are an overseas tourist, then they will forget to check you are on board and sail away without you.

Yes! We always bring water bottles. We fill it up at the buffet. Just be careful that you fill it up using their glasses so that you aren't touching your bottle to the water dispenser.

 

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Think of the environmental benefit of filling your own bottle up from the buffet (via their plastic glasses). I know the plastic is crushed and recycled, but it still uses energy to recycle.

Not normally.

Room Service?

I believe there may have been some on the Asian market ship(s) at some point?

Yes, the Asian market, particularly the mainland Chinese avoid lines that don't provide a kettle. I don't want to generalise but I've noticed every second person on the streets of Chinese cities have a hot or cold tea flask with them.

When sailing in Australian (like on cruises from the UK or Asia) does Princess have electric kettle in cabins like Royal Caribbean do?

I, like many Australians, find the desire for a cup of tea/coffee (albeit instant) first thing on waking is only surpassed but the need to visit the bathroom.

I know it may not be far to go to get one, but that means getting dressed first and means you can't sit on the balcony in your PJs to enjoy it.

:D

Recently canx a Royal Carribbean cruise to NZ for early next year (2018). After 2 weeks of no refund, I followed up with Australian TA re the refund. Told it can take up to 6 months for RCI to refund the deposit. This seems absurd. What's the longest you have had to wait for a deposit refund?

I had to ask for a deposit refund for a Royal Caribbean cruise through a travel agent group last November. The delay wasn't with Royal Caribbean or the Travel Agent but the cruise booking agency that did the bookings with cruise companies in the US. It took about 2 months

Looks live Carnival/P&O are using the same tactics RCCL are using in Sydney & NZ. Understandable, as Freo Passenger Terminal has been upgraded since at least the 70's.

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/poor-ports-turn-big-cruisers-off-wa-ng-b88463524z

Well looks like the rumours are partly true, just got the email, very disappointing for those of us in Perth.

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com.au/media/pdf/reports/RCI_201819_ProgrammeRelease_FA_Final.pdf

 

No top end cruises or starting/finishing in Fremantle. :(

 

No more Voyager.

I agree, we are left with Astor,who won't let me sail with them, even on a 2 night cruise because of a pre-existing medical condition, (not like they go very far out) I don't fancy P & O Aust at all, too 'party' for my tastes, and the Princess itineraries aren't very inspiring. Drat

I'm getting excited for our first cruise in many years and first Alaskan cruise. As preparing for the cruise- I realize that the Explorer spends most of the year in Australia and the summer in Alaska.

 

As I read current reviews, compass, menus etc. I'm wondering how much changes from its current schedule to its Alaskan summer schedule. Is it all new staff, shows, menus etc??

 

 

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We don't really have Explorer down here for 'most of the year' its only over our late spring to early autumn season, so that would be mid November to mid to early April. Same as Voyager and we get a short visit by Ovation. Would love it to be longer.

Agree but have found myself doing it on a river cruise along with others. Of course I only had to walk a few meters not up a flight of stairs.

If I request morning coffee delivery I feel compelled to be up when it arrives. Not a problem in a divided suite which CC is not. But that cuppa 1st thing in the morning is SUPER important.

RCL has coffee makers in the suites which is great !

I was also only few metres from the tea/coffee area on a river cruise, and seldom saw anyone that early.

I don't really fancy doing it on an ocean cruise either. It was great to find facilities on RCL, thats why I was hoping to have them on Azamara

Good Morning, does any fellow cruisers have any information on Voyager class explorer of the seas Owners suite 1308?? I am also interested in photos of the room and balcony and reviews. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some cruise critic reviews

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/explorer-of-the-seas-deck-plans/dp/owners-suite-os/cc/

Thank you all for your replies. I can see cabin space seems to be the main issue. For me, putting it out the night before probably wouldn't work as I'm a very poor sleeper and may have only been asleep a couple of hours at delivery time. As is seems to be OK to pop quickly up/down to Mosaic in my robe to get a cup to take to the balcony I might do that. Does mean my first coffee will taste like toothpaste, but never mind. :)

Its becoming more prevalent for cruise lines to provide an electric kettle in countries like the UK, Australia and China where having 'a cup of tea' is the first thing you do (apart from a bathroom visit) when you get up in the morning. Is Azamara considering this? Most lines do not allow guests to byo kettles, except for a few that are allowing the little Korjo kettles with the auto shut off.

Thank you

It's not actually 'new' to Australia but more 'the secret is out'. When we first started with Azamara in February 2012 there was only Aussie travellers in single digits. Now is quite a different story. We love the product, ship and people and sadly are flying home from LAX tonight to Australia having done the recent Panama Canal cruise on the Quest. We will see our Journey family in Brisbane on Friday when they are in our city!

 

 

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I didn't know that! Perhaps its because I never saw it advertised (over here in the west) until the last couple of years.

It would be nice to have this cleared up before boarding?

I have since discovered that the rule was set in place when White Bay was first opened and only one cruise line was using it. The port authority wrote the regulation based on that cruise lines policy.

Now other cruise lines use it, its back to being the responsibility of the particular cruise line.

Not that I can find an updated Port Authority policy.

Hello

A friend is sailing Singapore to London soon and I was wondering if CMV supply free sea sickness tablets like Royal Caribbean do. Thought I'd ask on this forum as CMV is a UK based line.

Thanks

Hi John,

 

Unfortunately what you are after is going to be more difficult and more expensive the more popular cruising gets. I would have to agree with your comments about cruising from Australian ports especially over the last few years. It would seem the more popular cruising gets the more Aussie bogans it attracts. I find it is more enjoyable cruising from an American port. It seems now days more and more cruise lines are making distinctions between passengers even on Royal Caribbean with their suite class. Good luck to those who can afford a suite these days as it's not cheap. They get what they pay for. I know people who have cruised on Seabourn and loved it. It would seem to me that is what you are after a smaller ship which is more up market and less kids. Even the new Celebrity Edge is catered towards adults so maybe give that a try but even they have something similar to Norwegians Haven. As I said it's the way of the future. Michael

I agree, my first cruise was Explorers first foray into Australian waters, Singapore to Perth and there were a lot less children than just out of Australian ports, never saw any misbehave.

That being said, a lot of adults can behave like kids too when they have had a skinful.