latebloomer56

4 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Washing machines....

On another thread someone said washers/dryers are free....but you need to buy detergent.

True or false?

I paid on the Sapphire in 2022, 3.00 per load both wash and dry. I bring my own laundry tabs and dryer sheets. Machines are hit or miss sometimes but I was refunded after I went to CS. Wouldn't have bother but when I called from the laundry area the young lady wasn't the usual polite service rep. I went in person to make sure they understood they had defective washer and dryer at !east one of each. 

4 hours ago, beg3yrs said:

OK, since nobody has answered the question, I'll give it a go.

 

We were on the Island late in 2022. Got an unexpected upgrade to a suite in the back of the ship. It was on Baja deck. We did notice a little bit of vibration now and then but nothing like has been discussed previously. It certainly wasn't 100% of the time and it may have been only at higher speeds. Of course all this is subjective but ... it was nowhere near what previous posts made us think it would be.

 

So, we're now booked down low in a rear suite Plaza deck for a 54 day cruise on the Island in 2026. You could say we're OK with what we experienced in 2022.

Glad to hear this, we are in B745 next year for a Panama cruise. I love aft cabins so do have some vibration at times.

4 hours ago, dides said:

When we went on Sun Princess last month, we were surprised to get a top shelf full of canned cocktails in the fridge instead of the normal Elite mini-bar spirits. We normally take the spirits home in our suitcase but didn't really want to take these back!  I know other passengers got these too but the spirits appear to be back in circulation now.

 

I assume we can still swap out for all cans of soda?

31 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

No...as I understand it, you forfeit the medallion if you choose to go with a card.  (I may be wrong...just something I've seen here on CC.)

I read that two, but the card does fit better in the album. We just kept them husband will get use to it. We lock up the phones so no app which is fine by me. Now though when the bartender at the pool bar knows my order before I tell him it's because of the medallion not because he remembers me from every morning. Was nice on the Regal before medallions he knew hat I needed each day even a year later I walk up he said diet coke no ice 😁.

26 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

"Mango Meltdown".... 

Yes I get one each time and half through I tell my husband this is so sweet 😅.

50 minutes ago, AZaTaz said:

I have been reading through this thread and have come to realize that it is a wasted effort to try and change people beliefs. All those that do not like the Medallion technology have a clear chose, cruise with a different company that use cards. Simple.

You can still get a card if you want once you board, then just put your medallion in the safe, your cruise your choice.

44 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

I was surprised, it was a cocktail from real bottles of the relevant ingredients not a premix from off ship in kegs/bladders..

 

I am a beer drinker  which is a challenge on Princess as they don't have a good selection.

 

The best beer I had was in Alaska we had this on an excursion and that night I found out they had this on board. 

9 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

 

NCL they mix on board in bulk(at the bar) for some cocktails on tap.

I've had a couple only remember a mango drink. I tend to only drink in the evening and its a martini, something on the rocks, or wine.

And if you do buy a canned cocktail check the ingredients. My sister thought she was doing something easy and a treat and every mixed drink pina colada, daquires, frozen rinks were all made with white wine not liquor. Other than the fruit flavor they were all the same, not bad but sweet.

Personally I have loved this option once it started. I was always fretting that I forgot somebody. To be honest until this pre pay was available I didn't even think about some of the crew that made our cruise a memorable vacation. I do give a little extra to a few folks that I fell do a little extra to make us happy. I know it's their job 😊 I hope they do in fact get to keep it.

4 minutes ago, lanabanana said:

We have cruised extensively with RCL and Celebrity, but this will be our first with Princess. Looking at the Sapphire Princess South America and Antarctica 1/8/2026. Does anyone know if there should be a preference for port vs starboard for this particular cruise? And, we're trying to decide between a BE Balcony on the Caribe Deck vs a Premium Balcony on the same deck. Is the difference really just the location? Would love to have a loveseat vs a chair. All input is appreciated!

No sure about which side but balcony cabins don't have sofas. Mini suites do which why we cruise in the minis. I like deck eight for the covered balcony.

21 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Are you using a computer or phone to post on cruise critic?  You're being tracked more than any medallion would onboard. 

I told my husband the same thing 😀. We do shut off our locators unless we need to use the phone GPS then you need this feature. Don't stress it your on vacation enjoy.

1 hour ago, geoherb said:

 

I don't see anything open that early on the schedule. The earliest is 6 a.m. for Good Spirits on Deck 5 and Horizon Court on Deck 14. They have them available on the app for ordering any time.

Thanks will need room service.

52 minutes ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

 

It is probably a 15 minute walk from 2B to the Aloha Tower.

Would you remember if this is the normal dock for Princess? Know we have had the clock outside our balcony one other time and have walked to the diner cruise on Star of Honolulu twice. The 15 minutes sounds about right.

Thanks as always for you help on these boards.

12 hours ago, SCX22 said:

I've met people that are too friendly--intrusive.  You share a table at the buffet and suddenly, and some people think that your BFFs.  There was a lady that tried to add me and my girlfriend as friends on Facebook.  We literally talked to her once on the cruise.  We asked her how she got our names and she said it was through the shipmates function.  We didn't add her, avoided her the entire cruise, and blocked her on Facebook when we got to the airport.

 

People nowadays are crazy!

Not a new issue before the social media we met a nice couple at the meet and greet. We like our minis for the sofa and balcony and this lovely lady thought because we were on the same roll call we were friends. Invited herself to our cabin after the meet and greet, ok no cabin crawl this trip wants to see a mini, fine. Made herself at home until her husband needed his meds so they left. Next day after slot pull their at our door with food and drinks to eat on our balcony said we were leaving but that was fine they would only stay a few hours 😅. Found out later they do this every cruise, get an inside then use others balconys, to funny now.

4 minutes ago, skynight said:

Yes. You have to set up an account by scanning your medallion. Slot payouts are to your account. You cash out your account at the cashier.

With table games there is no account. You just carry your chips to the cashier to trade for cash.

Thank you wasn't positive about this and plan a few morning trips to donate my OBC gift or some of it 😁 and have fun.

On 2/20/2024 at 2:23 AM, KeepCalmBearOn said:

 

There are only two, Pier 2 and 10/11 (Aloha Tower). Look for your ship in the schedule below.

 

https://hawaii.portcall.com/#!?tab=2&port=Honolulu - Oahu

Is 2B close to the clock tower? Last two Princess we were because we walk down the street to the next pier for an evening sunset dinner cruise.

Thanks

On 5/23/2024 at 7:54 AM, skynight said:

Yes, the casino takes cash at bot the slots and tables.

The casino will also charge play to your onboard account if that is what you wish. At the slots you just scan your medallion and select the amount to be charged. At table games you provide your medallion to the dealer and request an amount to be charged to your on board account. Once approved after a few minutes the dealer will provide you with the chips. 

At the slots with the medallion do you need to set up your account even with cash so when you cash out it goes on your medallion? I can't remember how I did this in 2022 I only went in the early AM because it's to Smokey later in the day. I think it worked like the cabin card use to but not sure.

Thanks

3 minutes ago, geoherb said:

 

After answering that I had not ordered through the app, I realized that I did not want to go to the dining room for breakfast this morning. I ordered the breakfast sandwich and fruit plate. Wow! They were quick. It took just six minutes for the delivery person to bring my order.

 

The sandwich was just OK. It could have been hotter. They're better at the International Cafe on the ships that have those. The fruit was very good.

 

Without the IC do they have something 24/7 for my latte fix? I'm roaming around at 5-5:30 and my first stop is generally the cafe.

Thanks

I think I will like the medallion my husband will get use to the idea. We don't have location turned on for our phones or any device so he feel a little uncomfortable. I had him read though these posts and he did get a chuckle from some, thanks. Just as a note I don't use the app so all those features won't be any use to us, we lock up the phones when we board. I personally like going to the IC counter or bar myself so ordering won't happen.

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! Unfortunately, we neither used the Lotus Pool nor even surveyed that area of the ship to see if anyone else was using it. Sorry.

Thanks for your quick response.

First let me thank you again for the wonder pictures and taking us with you on this cruise. Have been 3 times now must return.

I have a question as you have been on the Grand lately. Did you use the Lotus pool? Was it open from the outside like most other ships or was access through the spa? I'm curious because the deck plans show the teen and kids clubs at this area as well and we love the lotus pool but really don't want a group of teens jumping in this small area. I like seeing kids have fun, but it is generally small and I just want to think about other options in early mornings or after dinner when we don't bother with a show.

Thanks again

Always have been able to track your movements by your purchases even dining preferences. It helps their business when we get home ads for various things appear. Lots of businesses do this every time we shop at BJ's within a week we get coupons for several items we just purchased, etc.

8 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Yep…I’m afraid you might be right!

We have a suite on Grand this year but looking forward to aft suite on this ship next year.  I know you will keep us posted.

Enjoy thus upgrade.

6 hours ago, milolii said:

We sailed on the Island last July in one of the corner suites on Lido.  I don’t remember any soot issues, in contrast to last week on the Sky.  There wasn’t any noise from the teen club, but we didn’t see many teenagers onboard either.  Lido is an odd deck. Only a few cabins.  There isn’t a laundry room on this deck. Sending laundry out took three days, but I should have stressed more that suites have priority.  So, yea, it’s included. 

Not sure about the different cabin sizes, 400 sq feet sounds about right except for the two larger suites, but the aft balconies on Lido were deeper than most other balconies. The aft was chopped up several years ago and just looks weird.  The corner suites have two separate balconies;  like I said, just weird. 
 

In order to reach the forward area on Lido;  the pools or the buffet, you have to either walk outside on the port side or go through the spa area. No problem unless you are sailing in a cool/rainy area.  But again, weird. 
 

We didn’t hear much noise from the Sanctuary one deck above either. 
 

No suite lounge. Supposedly there is a concierge,  though.  This position was new when we sailed and that person wasn’t very helpful. We did go to the Wheelhouse Bar for priority tenders and were on the first tender each time. You could get a speciality coffee to go at Sabatini’s in the morning, and go to Suite/Elite/Platinum Lounge in the Evenings.  Breakfast at Sabatini’s is a great perk. 
 

Be sure to review the pdf of suite perks.  Print it out and take it with you.  
 

Congratulations and enjoy. 

 

We have a corner suite next year B745 nice to hear no soot. Thanks