Amuse Bouche

Thanks!

Hi, Yes, I did a search. The most recent thread for this subject was 2015

Does anyone have the list of liquor bottles and their prices for buying onboard?

Its our first time cruising on NCL, and there’s no option for prepurchasing a bottle of liquor to be sent to your cabin...but It seems you can buy one at any bar once onboard?

The list i saw for 2015 had a long list of brands, and they were 1 litre bottles. 

Thanks for your help! 

This is not what they use onboard. The stuff onboard is much lighter in color than stuff. This is a balsamic reduction, which you can easily make by boiling balsamic vinegar. I make a reduction to use on Asparagus and its great with strawberries too. When it is boiled down to a thick syrup consistency it is really sweet.

That's a black plastic shrink label, but you're right it's a reduction. I've made a lot of reductions, but prefer to only for special occasions. I don't care to reduce vinegar, it scorches the sinuses. :rolleyes:

This is a good hassle free product and is wonderful on asparagus. They use grape must in it. It gives it a nice little fruity taste.

Save yourself and your house from vinegar steam. This product is great, and probably what they use. It's organic, made in Italy, and not too sweet and not too sour.

You can find it at Costco or Amazon.

I love the bottle too by the way!

And it's thick. I currently have 6 bottles in my cupboard and I'm a finicky foodie. ;-)

http://www.amazon.com/Acetum-Blaze-Balsamic-Glaze-Count/dp/B005UMR80I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1391275042&sr=8-5&keywords=balsamic+glaze

To the OP-

This is the first post from the first sticky on the boards-

In January 2012 Princess implemented a new fleetwide smoking policy on their ships.

In this thread -- http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1352093 -- we've asked you to limit smoking discussion to the most recent thread on the subject.

The purpose of this new "sticky" thread is to be the thread for discussion about smoking on Princess and your experiences with the new policy onboard the ships. This is in lieu of having multiple simultaneous threads about various aspects of the policy, and this is where we will combine posts and new threads with cruise-related questions and discussion about Princess's smoking policy.

Thank you to all for participating in our community!

__________________

Host Michell

Cruise Critic Message Boards

I hope this thread disappears soon.

So a cruise line should give Elite customers whatever they want, no matter how absurd (which most respondents seem to agree is the case here)? Crazy, IMO.

I so agree with you billie5!!

Ok, the rest of you, please don't get mad at me. I'm working on becoming Elite sometime in my life...

Now, realistically, a business would know that they can't change their product enough to not become stale to their frequent customers. I imagine they would try to keep people happy for as long as they can, but they know the elite will leave eventually. The only way to stay in business is to cycle people in and out. Keep giving the elite people everything that they have come back for, but know that they will go eventually...and entice the new people so that they will stick around long enough to become elite.

If you became elite, they already succeeded with you.

Just my opinion on what is logical. Of course, they aren't going to project this...and they will accept what they can from someone they know thinks they are special and entitled. That's why they call them loyalty programs. And really? The benefits they offer on paper should be enough. Special individual VIP treatment is too much to ask. Even if a person cruises 3or 4 two week voyages a year, in the great big fish bowl of customers...they aren't even a tiny dent.

Id try calling Princess a few times. Sometimes you get different customer service from different agents. It may help if you already have a booking and want to see if you can change. That may be treated differently than for someone who isn't booked yet.

The Grand had the mats removed when it had a major drydock a couple of years ago. Many passengers have been unhappy with the resulting metal floor on the balcony which collects water that the mats had kept hidden.

 

Based on posts, at least some of the Grand balconies have had new mats installed.

 

Other Princess ships that had mats never had them removed.

Thanks! I was on the Grand last year and remember the complaints about the metal balcony deck. We didn't like it much either. I wasn't sure if it was just the Grand tho, since I was only focused on that one vaca ;)

I did not see any problems but understand that there was some water problems and some balcony decks still don't have the blue mats.

 

Tom:)

Hi, I haven't been on the boards since last April, and I did do a search but it didn't come up for me-

They are putting new blue mats back in??? On just the Grand? Or on the other ships as well?

Thank you!

When you get there, it looks expansive and wonderful. As you get further into it, it's like being dumped in a funnel. The last time I was there, it was hard to tell where the line between Princess and HAL was, the priority line was moving slower than the steerage class, ;-) (just a joke) the lines for the bathroom were crazy, and there were port people running around apologizing for the delay, blaming it on dealing with NV! We were freaked out.

Don't go during high crush time. Wait until they get all the excitables on. I'll never be overly anxious again.

No. It's all based on supply and demand. More demand for a particular category with few cabins available, the greater the chance of being upgraded.

 

Personally, I think your chances of an upgrade are higher if you book one of the lowest categories of a particular type. The highest category of inside, oceanview, balcony, etc., the less chance of being upgraded. Annie is probably correct that using a TA, particularly one experienced with Princess and a high booker, is to your advantage. They can go much further up the chain to district managers, if necessary, and Princess doesn't want to piss them off. They have much more clout than you do. :)

This is really giving me food for thought Pam. I've always booked direct after my first cruise, since my TA did nothing to help us at all after we booked and paid in full our honeymoon cruise and everything went wrong.

How can you tell if a TA does a lot of business with a cruiseline? I've seen dozens of TAs in my area that advertise cruises extensively, but I wouldn't know the difference from one to another.

Please remember tho that sometimes there are sub categories to a type of cabin. Like mini-suites are MA, MB, MD or ME. They are all the same cabin basically, but location can be very different in what you may want. Typically, a "better" cabin in the same category will be on a higher deck, according to their letter rating. For some reason, they buy into the penthouse theory. If it's higher, it's better...but the location and what's around it may really suck compared to a location on a lower level.

For example, and this is only an example since it's what I prefer. I've heard that there are other things about cabins that are coveted, but I don't know that much about them, like the Caribe cabins. Some of the most coveted cabins are the MEs that are covered by the balconies above and have shade and protection from the rain. An MA would be an upgrade, but it could have a fully exposed balcony that the person booking the ME would consider a horrible move for them. But, ME is the lowest grade of the mini suites.

Do your location research. There is TONS of information about specific cabins on here. If there's an issue with a cabin, you can find it. Some have noise, some are next to stuff that you may not want to be next to. Some premium cabins have beams or soot. The booking agents typically don't know the difference and they could put your someplace that sounds better according to the level, and they aren't.

Wow. I've been reading each post all day long now. I know more about your cruise than the Hawaii cruise I took in April! The depth of your descriptions is astounding. I now feel like I didn't pay attention to a moment of my vacation.

I mean that with all flattery intended. This must have truly been a dream for you to remember so many minute details to a photographic memory.

I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed this review. Over the years, I've come to rely on Cruise Critic postings to meticulously (altho, not as well as you) plan our experiences and not miss anything we would love. Unfortunately, when we were primarily cruising on HAL, there were a few times when all of the complaints, rantings and negative posts only prepared me for battle with any known disappointments I'd read about. I leave CC occasionally for extended periods because I'm aware of the dismal effect it has on me. When I was booked on the Zuiderdam, I fully expected that my entire investment was going to be ruined by faulty plumbing. As fate had it, our toilet didn't work most of the time on that cruise...but you know what? Reality hit me when it happened that it's just a toilet. It broke, they fixed it and then it broke. I wasn't on vacation to use the toilet. I shrugged it off and had a spectacular time in spite of it. And I realized the first day that I was allowing the negativity on CC to affect me needlessly. I then booked on Princess after a 12 yr absence in 2013 and I found much less negativity in these boards, and had a wonderful cruise on the Grand to Hawaii.

THIS. THIS exact type of review is what we all need! Small appreciations for all the little things that make us happy! The way you planned, the plans changed and you found unexpected pleasure in what came your way in alternatives! This is exactly how a vacation should happen.

Your wife is extraordinary. I love the way she rolls along with your plans, the plans that you make for her, and she adjusts and trusts your judgement when things take a new path. Bless her, and bless you for loving her so.

Thank you for taking us on 14 days of memories so far. I anxiously await the bittersweet disembarkation. Forever you will have a perfectly documented journal of a lovely two weeks of your life.

And might I add, I find it shockingly voyeuristic to read the passions left in your relationship, but I have to admit, after 20 something years and ELEVEN children, it's a testament to your love and a welcome addition to your story.

Ok, now back to my life :D Please finish soon. Oh, and P.S. If you have notes of your prospective plans on island days is summarized somewhere, I'd be very appreciative. I didn't take notes, and halfway through, realized that you did more research than I can ever do. And I'm a master at that to most standards! I can't start back at post #1 again. I'd lose an entire day of my life.

I'm getting through this wonderful review, and haven't been far enough to see if anyone has told you, but there is one Vancouver to Hawaii one way cruise in 2014 on Sept 16, and one from Hawaii to Vancouver on April 23, but this one seems to be sold out.

Sorry, this was the first time I used quick reply. It was something for Cr8tive1, in response to this, which I wanted to quote:

I have been waiting for Princess (lobbiest) to put the pressure on our congressmen to add an addendum to the Jones Act or similar restriction. There are only a few coast to island cruises (usually only repositioning ones). I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen in my lifetime (it was possible 60 years ago).

I am jaded and the NCL cruise around the island is a great itinerary (and I have done it), but prefer Princess to do the round trip. The experience on NCL just isn't the same as your foreign serviced fleets.

Thanks Tim for all your recognition. Hopefully, I did not misdirect you too many times. And you did not miss Diamond Head. Once on H-1, you can't see it anymore.

I wouldn't recommend using this reasoning when discussing with Princess. They moved her from E731 to E726 which is also a fully covered minisuite, so that's not a good argument to get moved back, receive compensation or whatever.

Ah, alas you are correct. I wouldn't be able to go to a sunny destination with a balcony if there was no shade. It's hard to believe these ships only have a handful of shaded balconies.

But my gripe is not being informed about the change and the CR rep's tough luck attitude. Remember they took a cabin that I had already paid in full. Did not even upgrade me, because I had do not upgrade on my booking...and the attitude was "well its only 2 cabins down what's the big deal??? She should have taken the time to understand it was a big deal because I had lost 1 of only 2 cabins that are availbel like this on the whole ship.....

I feel your pain. I just booked a 2015 cruise 3 months later than I wanted to go just because a cabin just like this one was booked on the earlier dates. I'd be tossing an EPIC fit if I were moved.

In my opinion, if it was bookable, it should be yours. My guess is that someone had it booked, it was upgraded, they weren't marked as do not upgrade because they didn't know they could do that, and they tossed an epic fit.

You have to explain to the reps the benefits of this cabin. They most often don't know a thing about special locations. Many of them don't know the ships at all, and when they book you, they see what anyone who has never been on a ship sees when they go on the website.

I stressed to the booking agent that I want to be marked to not upgrade, told them nothing would be comparable to me. If they move me, not likely since I'm booked 16 months out, but if it happens, I will cancel.

It's not like any other cabin. There's the shade, there's the wake view without being totally aft, and I'd prefer it even if it weren't a few feet longer.

Explain to them you need the shade. If I couldn't have shade, I'd be wrapped like a mummy the whole time. Maybe they can put you in an aft cabin?

Ordering liquor and getting the Unlimited Soda and More card go hand in hand. Get a mocktail and top it off. Works brilliantly, and you aren't in violation of any ship policy.

Mine downloaded and I was able to set it up, but after a reboot, it wasn't on the desktop anymore. I have to go find it in programs to see it.

You might want to check that social network site that no one can mention. Princess maintains a page for each cruise. You may be able to track down a few more people there and invite them to the roll call on CC.

Sorry, that sounded grumpy.

Well, it seems that some are more defensive of Princess and some of us are more for handicapped person accomodation. To me, given the average age of cruise passengers, it seems it just makes good business sense to accomodate. For many people, cruising is the least strenuous way to have a vacation and see the world. It should be a priority! I'm a fairly young person, and I know of at least half a dozen people I know who were near the end of their time due to illness and opted for a cruise because they were no longer able to get around easily. Imagine if your time were limited, and you had to see Maui from a balcony because you weren't helped onto a tender. Or if you wanted to lay in the sun and drink lemonade because you were having a "good" day, but the lounge hogs got to them first...

Depressing, I know, but these are the realities.

The lift for Skywalkers was indoors, so not subjected to the extreme weather elements an outdoor lift on a cruise ship would need to be designed for. If I undrestand what you meant, to say using the skywalker lift for the sanctuary would have been an "EASY" retrofit is a HUGE misrationalization!!

Apparantly, that is EXACTLY what they have on the ships that do have a wheelchair lift on the Sanctuary deck.

It's not a misrationalization. You just have to be familiar with modern engineering. Yes, it would take some maintenence, as does everything on a ship that is exposed to the elements. Hmm, the mechanics of the tender and lifeboat cranes comes to mind...

I do have some knowledge of construction engineering. I don't design ADA contraptions, but I am a construction engineer for a health care company.

I'm only familiar with the Skywalker removal from the video, but it did come from a floor that still exists, and went into an enclosed structure that no longer exists...there had to be a shaft.

The ADA issue has been pretty much hashed out, but just in case people come and look at this later I'd like to add a few points.

 

As noted, the ADA only requires 'reasonable' accommodation. If a facility can show the cost or providing accommodation exceeds the perceived benefit, then they do not have to do it.

 

In determining that, it is also considered whether the item in question is 'core' or 'unique'. For example, on a cruise ship, access to one's cabin or the dining facilities would be core features. The Sanctuary, being an add on feature (and this is the key part) with functionally similar areas being available around the ship, even if not as nice, would probably not qualify.

 

Basically, given that there are already accessible loungers throughout the ship, with drink and food service, there's no ADA requirement in play here.

Wow. I'm sorry, but if I were limited to a wheelchair, I wouldn't sail Princess.

Cheryl, I can answer your question. Having been on the Grand a number of times both before and after the major retrofit by Princess in which Skywalkers was removed and other major structural changes were made to the ship such as building One Five and adding the Piazza and International café area, among other changes, I can tell you that there is no wheelchair access to the Sanctuary and never has been wheelchair access to the Sanctuary, as we looked both before and after the retrofit. I was surprised with all of the major structural changes to the ship that a lift was not added, since it would be a minor change to do. There was a lift in Skywalkers which took wheelchairs from one the lower floor to the upper floor (which was all discarded when Skywalkers was taken off the ship and One Five was added). So the idea of using a lift to take wheelchairs from one floor to an upper level was already in use on the Grand before the retrofit in Skywalkers--just never applied to the Sanctuary.

 

On the Crown Princess, the wheelchair access is a lift from one deck to the Sanctuary deck. The lift goes through a cut out area in the deck. It is not an actual elevator, but indeed only a lift very similar to the one which had been used on the Grand in Skywalkers.

 

Having been on the Golden, the Caribbean, and the Star Princess ships since the Sanctuary was installed on those ships, I can tell you there is no lift or elevator access of any kind to the Sanctuary. Apparently Princess chose not to include a wheelchair lift when these ships were retrofitted to add the Sanctuary feature. And even though there has been additional retrofitting by Princess to add features such as the Piazza and International Café, among others, Princess has not added a lift to the Sanctuary or added other accommodation features/changes.

 

I agree with you about just ignoring Tanzer22pilot who apparently is being irrational and using hysterics instead of approaching the issue in a common sense way.

 

There are many areas that people in wheelchairs cannot access on ships because obviously it would not be structurally possible to make such changes or it may be cost prohibitive. But I agree with you that there are often cost effective methods of accommodation which can be applied to allow greater access.

 

Something of which you should also be aware as it is a change in Princess policy that occurred approximately two to three years ago--if you cannot walk onto the tender, you are not allowed to tender. This is notwithstanding the past Princess practice of using crew tender teams to lift those in a manual wheelchair onboard the tender and also the fact that a wheelchair tendering system actually exists and is in use by Princess' sister subsidiary Holland America. (and wheelchair bound guests are still required to pay the port charge for a tender port even though Princess doesn't permit them to tender.)

This is just terrible, but not too shocking. I had a feeling that they had the lift infrastructure in place with Skywalkers. That would have been a VERY easy retrofit. Shame on them.

Thanks for the info. And thankfully, the moderators have cleaned up the thread.

To put it in perspective, ADA passed in 1990.

 

23 years ago.

 

Most US transit stations are not ADA accessible, even though the deadline was 1997 for retrofits (then changed). In NYC, for example, the nations busiest transit system barely has any elevators.

 

Many US sidewalks still lack basic ramps.

 

Dont expect cruising to be 100% accessible until every existing ship gets retired....so 2040+

We live in a suburb of SF. Most politically correct place in the US...and just in the last couple of years have we gotten the corner ramps at intersection crossings. I don't think there will be any upgrades that aren't to generate revenue.

To everyone else that found the information on Princess' website, thank you very much.

And thank you, DMWNC1959, for the article you posted. I'm sure they are anticipating that these ships may be decommissioned before it's really an issue. Locked up in bureaucracy to buy time no doubt.

I think Princess should make a note of this on the booking page. For instance, in 2013, only one out of four ships (Sapphire) had access on a Hawaiian voyage. Pretty important info, I think, since the Sanctuary is a sanctuary :p