khoffman

We have sailed several lines. Have done a couple of Disney cruises. Concerning food the last several cruises, it is not s good as several years ago. We asked a cruise line chef we know why this is. He stated two big reasons. Inflation and cost control. Restaurants and cruise lines can pick from different levels of food to control costs. Inflation has hit the cruise food industry very hard. 
Once things are down graded, they do not return to prior levels. 
 

I wonder if Princess Cruises are having difficulty getting vaccinated staff and getting them trained. Very few are from the US or similar countries. Lots of hoops to jump through to get crew/staff on board. 

 Jondfk,

Meds are my big concern. What did you do?  Cut pills get a script when you landed. I use a pill caddy also. I take a couple days extra but not a weeks worth. What would be a good rule of thumb. 

Kirk

Thanks everyone for the info. Makes my decision easy.

Kirk

Is there any advantage to making a final payment early, prior to the due date? Example upgrades or move over offers.

Thanks

Kirk

Although popcorn is an inexpensive snack it is very messy and difficult to clean-up. Would be difficult to clean on the rugs and round corners of a ship.

Yes, I know they have it at MUTS, it goes with the movie concept but is is for the staff a PITA.

Thanks everyone for all all info

We are going on a cruise with children and grand children, however due to mobility issues walking is sometimes difficult. If we chose to stay on the ship at Castaway Cay stop, is there anything to do on the ship?

I too am on a salt restricted diet. Because of so many diet restrictions, Princess tends to prepare their food with little or no salt. That said you must manage your orders, such as no cheese, bread which contains a lot of salt, butter, etc

Light is bolted from below. Power screw driver, they would never know.

Years ago we left from New York City, had a great view of the city and the Statue of Liberty.

When you sail from the other New York ports what are your views?

Thanks

Kirk

Hey, nice job---good video. Will be on the Crown in the spring.

Hope you spent most of your time enjoying your trip rather then just recording it.

Thanks

Kirk

I want to thank everyone for their comments.

Luckily it is not spring break for Florida schools and colleges. Many universities are not on break that week but a few are. I did check that prior to booking.

I would like to address the salt issue.

I had a conversation with Princess cruises due to my need to be on a low sodium (not salt free) diet. They informed me they use little or no additional salt in the dining room food.

Later at Chefs dinner I spoke with a Princess Chef who confirmed that they use low salt. However, he said cheese sauces, breads cookies, butter, ice cream

and fish do have lots of salt. That I was already aware of and I order appropately

He told me speciality dining,however, does have a lot of additional salt or sodium seasoning and I should avoid.

I have two concerns with this incident.

First: It was wide spread, several ships were doing it. Therefore it was a well known practice with a large number of people involved. It had to be well known through the fleet/princess. This means Captains and several " higher ups " ignored the issue and walked away with no repercussions. Princess did not do a detailed internal investigation. They would have uncovered the problem after the charge, corrected it and fessed up.

Second: Princess made a big deal about how environmental they were in Alaska cruises. Although not mentioned what else are they doing. It is cultural thing. Their culture does not support an honest environmental process.

If I was to impact them I would limit their access to Alaskan waters, which is a big long term money maker.

Those of us that have stock (and a lot of cc users do) should ask the board about the incident. How can this or a similar isuues not occur in the future. Remember it effects our dividends and stock price.

My wife and I have signed up for a short quick get away of 5 days in March of 2017. We have always Taken 7 and 10 day Princess cruises. We just decided this would be a nice getaway

Curious, what will the differences be? I know as example no Chefs dinner (one of our favorite things). Anything of which we need to be aware?

Thank you

Kirk and Connie

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I do not know about cost and times after Cont. and United merger but direct to Chicago then direct to Anchorage. Return works from several airports into Chicago then to Southern Florida

Rue Pereira

Rui Pereira was born and raised in Viseu, Portugal, a famous wine region about 50 miles from historic Porto. Its close proximity to the country's beautiful national parks and inviting geothermal waters makes Viseu a popular destination for travelers, perhaps enticing Rui into the hospitality industry.

Rui began gaining career experience in some of Lisbon's best restaurants, including the Conves, which was owned by a famous Portuguese theatre manager. He later had the opportunity to work as a waiter in the five-star Hotel Do Mar in Sesimbra, a charming fishing village just 20 miles south of Lisbon.

Seeking a change of scenery, Rui eventually joined Princess Cruises, where he started as a Junior Waiter and worked his way up through the ranks to become Maitre d'Hotel in 1995. Earning this new title onboard the Island Princess was, in Rui's words, "the ultimate prize."

Rui had the good fortune of working at the christening of Crown Princess in New York during a Gala Dinner Party in which both Monaco's Royal Family and Sophia Loren were in attendance. He considers this experience the highlight of his career thus far.

Gianfranco Verde

Originally from a small provincial town on the northwest of Italy called Alessandria, Gianfranco moved to Milan at the young age of 16 to continue his studies and follow his passion for music.

After joining Princess Cruises, Gianfranco worked his way up through the ranks and was later involved with the opening seasons of the original Star Princess in 1989, Sun Princess in 1995 and Grand Princess in 1998.

When he is not helping passengers escape completely onboard, Gianfranco enjoys music and carpentry.

Kirk

Captain Mariano Manfuso

Captain Mariano Manfuso was born in Meta (often known as Meta di Sorrento), a small town in the Sorrentine Peninsula. After graduating from the Nautical Institute "Nino Bixio", he started his career as Cadet with Sitmar Cruises on board the "Fairstar" in 1975 and then served for approximately two years in the Italian Navy.

After completing his service in the Navy, he went back to the merchant navy where he spent approximately eight years on various cargo vessels before returning to cruise lines in 1988 as a 2nd Officer.

His first senior appointment was as Staff Captain on Star Princess in 1997. In 2002, he was promoted to Captain and he has been in command of Dawn, Regal, Tahitian, Grand, Coral, Island and Caribbean Princess.

Currently, Captain Manfuso resides in Borgo San Lorenzo, Tuscany, close to Florence, with his wife Lilly and their children Annarita and Alessandro. When on leave, he enjoys spending time with his family. Computers, home videos and woodworking are also favorite pastimes.

Kirk

Wife and I are on the June 11th cruise. We have enjoyed the speakers on past cruises and look forward to hearing your husband.

Has anyone given you your original info request?

Kirk