lucksak

ive just booked a river cruise on it for next october 2017, No absolutely nothing but couldnt resist the great deal.

will be doing lots of research between now and then.

We booked a great deal on the Monarch Baroness Oct. 8 th leaving Amsterdam. This is our 1 st. river cruise.

Like the baggage guys at Fll or Miami who I am told get a union negotiated $38 an hour yet still aggressively demand a tip for moving your bag several yards to a cage - and if you don't pay them they rip your tags off. Happened to me when I had no cash to tip once.

You know the guys I mean, there is usually one standing around taking it from the others with a huge wad of cash stuffing it into a brown grocery paper bag.

A airport police officer's rate is $21 a hour. A customer service attendant 's rate is $ 8 a hour . I seriously doubt a baggage handler 's rate is $ 38. Where are you getting your information from? They need 3 positions filled right now. I don't think anyone is rushing to do that heavy lifting job for the low wages they pay.. They don't even post what the hourly rate is for that job.

Whilst I am quite happy to tip extra for someone who has gone above and beyond to provide a special service and I do tip the room steward/assistance steward, I don't consider that I should tip people for doing their job. Yes, its a rotten job, but (I presume) its their choice. I pay for a certain level of service, which should be provided as standard, not just for those people who tip extra. After all, I don't get tips for doing my day job.

I worked in the retail industry for 42 years. Also I belonged to a union. We were paid good wages. We provided good customer service. No

tips were received. When we go out we tip because we know service staff , hairdressers,housekeeping ,bell hops, food delivery people etc. don't make a liveable wage. If your conscience allows you not to tip so be it. Millions work in industries not by choice . They work to survive instead of hand outs and welfare. A person who goes on a cruise was lucky to live in a country with many opportunities.

Simple I refuse to pay it so will be removing gratuities. It has been said that you are making staff suffer when it is not their decision to raise gratuities, but writing to managers or complaining to Princess on Facebook/Twitter falls on deaf ears. This is the second increase this year totally 17% increase in wages and I have not received that amount in total over 5 years so do not believe all the gratuities go to the staff just to boost Princess profits.

We are Canadian and our $ is low compared to the US $. For our future cruise we will be paying $35.00 a day for a couple . We know that going in. The majority of the staff make low wages. We all know that. Princess could choose to raise the price of the cruise ,pay the staff more and end tipping as we know it. To them it doesn't seem to be good marketing.

When we go to the US we tip more than we do at home. We tip even more in Mexico. Why ? Because we know they make a lot less in the service industry than Canadians. We hardly tipped in Italy because waiters are paid a living wage.

We pre pay our gratuities and it seems to be less painful . We look at the tips as part of the price of the cruise same as port fees.

We tipped a little extra in cash for excellent service this past cruise.

Don't take it out on the staff. Most of them come from 3 rd world countries.

Work very long hours and are away from their families for long periods of time.

There is usually 2 shows in addition to the welcome aboard show. It's possible the cast was changing over sometimes during cast changeovers the schedule changes or they may have been switching out a show for a new one. Depending on the show it often gets skipped on a cruise while the cast learns it. Having a singer sick wouldn't cancel the show, another cast member fills in to cover.

 

 

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We heard a rumor there was 3 . Might of meant 3 cruise staff. We missed the 1 production show. We were surprised it was the only one. The entertainment was very good.

How was the weather over all... we are booked on the October 21 crossing in 2017 out of Barcelona... wondering what to expect, realize weather is unpredictable...

It was cool in Rome and sometimes raining Oct. 5-8 th. We were prepared for the rain because we checked the weather forecast just before we left home. Rain didn't last long. I t was cool in the morning and evening. I'm glad I threw in my puffy down jacket at the last minute.It was overcast in Florence Barcelona & Ponta Delgada. Sunny for the most part in Aix de Provence. Wore a light sweather & light scarf. We only sat around the pool 2 of the 9 sea days. We had overcast weather and 12 ft. waves crossing the Atlantic. At one point we were 500 nautical miles away from Tropical Nicole during the crossing. The day before we reached Ft. Lauderdale it was very windy. This was our 3 rd TA . We had warmer sunny weather later in the year on the previous TA.

The weather didn't take anything away from visiting Rome and the 14 day TA. We always sat outside at cafes in Europe except for our last night in Rome. it was a bit too cool.

We our booked for the Royal 2017 Oct. 21 st cruise also. The only thing I will pack different is less bathing suits for me and more casual pants for hubby. He also wants a sweater instead of just his rain jacket.

Ciao

Ollie

Did you get the chance to see the Bar Flair performance at the Seaview Bar? It was fun to watch.

Yes we did and it was fun to watch the staff acting like Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail They gave me a huge Gordita. A margarita with a beer. I have seen this drink in Mexico never have ordered one. I gave the beer to my husband. They gave my friend a lemon & lime margarita with a foamy top. The last thing we needed because we had the Sip & Sail. Didn t want to be rude and refuse the drinks. The staff appeared to be enjoying themselves as we were also.

Ciao

Ollie

Did they make masks in the Piazza before the party?

We made masks in the morning at handicrafts. So much fun.

This was our 3 rd. TA. Didn't have great weather ,it didn't take anything away from the cruise.Sip & Sail helped. The staff on the Royal Princess was the best we ever had. Smiling all the time.Big shout out to Jude waiter at Crooners.

I loved the Mardi Gras party in the piazza. The entertainment was great. Loved hearing Paul Baker again.

I found the temperture on the ship generally after the first four days too hot. The only cool place was Club 6.

It was disappointing to have to wait 3 days to have balcony door

,TV and AC fixed. The balcony door was very difficult to open the whole cruise.

The food was great. The headwaiter said the source for the beef is always Argentina.

Anytime I used the infamous center stairs I never came across another person.

The captain on Gala night said the same thing lol. I don't remember ever being offered free cocktails in the piazza except for the Champayne waterfall event. I wonder if it had anything to do with that it was the Captain and his wife's 9 th. wedding anniversary?

We really appreciated there were 10 non US custom officers for disembarkation instead of 2 they had last time in Ft. Lauderdale.

Only 1 year to wait for Spanish passage TA 2017.

Everything was great till 2 days ago. TV & AC doesn't work in our room.It is very hot on some areas of the ship. eg. Horizon Bistro this morning. We have had 2 different repair men in our cabin working on the balcony door which we can't open. Since yesterday it has been sweltering in the room. I hope they fix it today.

Had lobster last night. Tasty but very tiny. Haven't had escargots yet.

The stairs are open and carpeted and look like the other stairs. I don't get the obsession with the stairs either, never did.:)

We are on this TA. Sorry some people had trouble with TV'S etc. We are on Emerald deck and haven't had any.

Dining: The beef is the best quality we ever had in 12 cruises. Talked to the head waiter and he said it's from Argentina and the difference is the chef.The food in the Horizon court is excellent also. Haven't tried any other venues.

We did a Princess excursion to Aix. Beautiful scenery interesting town and had a great lunch. Good thing my husband and I shared a 3 course.

Missed the M&G today for the 1st. time. Exhausted after walking in Rome for 3 days and full day tours at the other ports.

Cooler weather than other years. 14 C in morning 18 -20 C. afternoon.

Will be joining you on this cruise. Staying in Rome for 3 days pre cruise.

Let the fun begin.

Ciao

Ollie

She is getting the Seawitch logo on the bow - being painted as we speak

 

Captain is Craig Street currently

We will be on the Royal Oct. 8th. as well. I hope now with the center stairs being opened to the pax. the complaints will stop. We were on the Royal for 20 days and she is a beautiful ship. 5 sleeps till we leave for Rome.

Ciao

Ollie

Go to the medina in Tunis when the person at the information booth advised us not to go.

I say try MSC or Carnival you'll appreciate Princess a little more especially during spring break. :D

We have sailed with Princess appx. 120 days. We have always been happy with the food. We do find the service in the MDR slow because they don't have enough waiters. We went on a MSC Prezioa 7 day cruise and the food and service was pleasantly superior to Princess RCL and much better than NCL. We have 2 TA's coming up with Princess.

With being 80 now regular Insurance is so expensive on a over 30 day cruise.

Have Platinum level Insurance with Princess which I have got.Do I really need to get another Travel Insurance Policy which will add well over $1000 to the cost of my cruise ?

You should check with you Provincial Health Provider. Were from Manitoba and they will pay the same rate anywhere in the world as they pay at home for the same service. Wouldn't go very far in the States but is fine in Mexico. My husband had to use the Medical facilities on a Princess ship. Very expensive as the fee is in US $$$$$. Luckily we had extra insurance to cover the bill.

If your cruise price didn't go up after switching to the sip & sale you paid to much for your cruise to start with. They inflate the prices before they advertise the sip and sale. Then you think your getting a deal. Just because you didn't have to pay more doesn't mean you got a deal. These cruise prices will drop more then the sip and sale will cost as it gets closer the the cruise.

We booked our TA last year with the Sip & Sail. The price has gone up $1000.00 per person. The beverage package is a total bonus.We did get a great deal. I think it's all about supply & demand.

Ciao

Ollie

We had to go down from deluxe balcony to obstructed balcony to keep it at the same price for the Spanish Passage 2017. Oh well

Ciao

Ollie

I am not 100% sure on this, but I believe when they are showing you the price in CAD, that if the cents part of your cost is .80 then it's 1.20 that you are being charged. Same with .70 then 1.30.

 

For some reason I remember seeing someone mention that cruise critic before and when I just checked my current cruise that I booked last year, it ends in .80 and I know the rate is 1.20 since I can buy $100 obc right now for $120 cad.

 

Maybe someone else can confirm??

Yes that makes sense. The cruise we booked last year ended with .80. The cruise we booked for next year the price ends witjh .70.

Good to know.

:p I did the same exact thing. Glad I was not the only one.

This is probably a dumb question. How can you tell what exchange they are charging for the CAD price?

Well I suppose the good news is that this promo is not being offered in the Canadian market.:)

I don't understand your comment. Yes it is offered in Canada.

My vote is for Ruby. We have sailed on both. For me there was something special about the Ruby. We have been to Glacier Bay not Tracey Arm. Glacier Bay was magnificent.:)

Here's a photo of that balcony:

 

Thanks Pam. I finally get it Were on the Royal for 20 days starting next week.

Yipee.

Ciao

Ollie

No. It is clear glass.

Thanks for the response. I don t understand why they call it an obstructed view.

Ciao

Ollie

Sorry Yes Royal. What is the obstruction

Ollie