charliedalrymple

We leave tomorrow for 14 days in New Zealand (on Majestic), and your review has really whetted my appetite for what lies ahead. Thanks for this comprehensive review, especially all of the lovely photos!

We leave in about 24 hours on a cruise that is "sold out" and our upgrade bid still shows pending. I'm not expecting it to happen but will be pleasantly surprised if it does.

Thanks so much, metnesterz--you've put my mind at ease! Our cruise is from Sydney to New Zealand, so no visa issues. Much appreciated!

We sail tomorrow (December 22) and the checklist says we we should have our QR when we board the ship. I have the Medallion App on my phone and cannot for the life of me find the QR code. Can anyone help? I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world, but I'm not an idiot either. (Our upgrade bid is still showing "pending," but that's another issue.)

Umm...I would say that they have been spared the unbearably hot, humid climate of the Gold Coast! 😉

Great, thanks Leck. We are so excited for the cruise, but it is pouring rain in CBR today.

Thanks, Robbie from Adelaide. That sounds incredibly easy and puts my mind at ease!

We will be boarding the Majestic Princess at Circular Quay this Friday, December 22. We are taking the train from Canberra to Sydney Central Station, but I'm not familiar with what happens then. I know there is a train to Circular Quay, but will it be very difficult with our luggage? And when we get out at Circular Quay, how far is it to the ship (again thinking about luggage)? We are four people, so a taxi would be challenging. Feel free to make fun of us country folk from Canberra lost in the big, bad city. 😁

Nah, we're good. But thanks for the apology anyway! 🙂

No, they don't tell a story (they really aren't long enough for that), but they do have themes that make them more cohesive than a variety show. The production standards on Princess are quite high and the performers are generally extremely talented. Calling it glorified karaoke is doing a disservice to all of those who work hard, both on and off the stage, to present quality shows.

Thanks, boeckli. Not bad, but not great either...

I can understand not wanting to roam the city to fill the time. San Francisco used to be one of our favourite cities, but we were there last year and I'm sad to say it has really gone downhill. Don't think we will be going back.

That sounds lovely--thanks!

Definitely spa treatments if you want to do them on sea days. They will be fully booked well before the cruise date.

Poindexter, you are someone after my own heart. Who cares about deck chair hogs and smokers--as long as the cocktails are good!

Thanks, Beth. That's very helpful and good to hear. Yes, I do remember that we can order from the menu the night before, which is nice.

Thanks you so much--I really appreciate it!

We leave Sydney next Friday, December 22, on Majestic for a 14-day NZ cruise (wheeee!). I am coeliac and am wondering about the range of gluten-free options on Majestic (or other Princess ships, which are probably similar). We have been on Princess several times before, and they are generally very good about helping me avoid gluten. I also know that they can do bread in the dining room and gluten-free pizza crust in Alfredo's, but I'm wondering if someone who has sailed recently can talk about other gluten free options, including: - "Real" hamburger and hot dog buns - Croissants and other breakfast pastries - Cake in the International Cafe (and other flour-based desserts in the MDR and buffet besides the ubiquitous orange/almond cake) - Gluten-free soy sauce for sushi For once, I'd love to have some viable gluten-free alternatives, instead of just avoiding things with gluten. Any information would be appreciated!

What is an azipod?

Just my opinion, but the events that highlight jewelery/spa/artwork are little more than promotions designed to encourage people to spend money in those venues. I've avoided them since my first cruise. If there are concurrent events that interest you, I would attend those instead. Otherwise, which events are worthwhile is very much a matter of personal tastes. There are enough events on every Princess cruise that you are sure to find things to your liking.

I'm wondering whether chair hogs who smoke on their balconies while drinking liquor they have smuggled on board are the same passengers who don't honour the dress code on formal nights and eliminate the crew gratuity. Discuss.

It seems they rolled out the Medallion app too quickly and are using real passengers as guinea pigs to work out the bugs in the system.

Just to clarify--we DO get off the ship and sightsee at every port and take advantage of what the location has to offer. My point was that we do it on our own schedule and at a leisurely pace, stopping for coffee or whatever when we feel like it. Joining a Princess-sponsored excursion at every port is what makes us feel "over-programmed."

To be honest, even one excursion in each port is too much for us. We might book one every second or third port, and the others we'll take a relaxing stroll through the town. If we are over-programmed during a cruise it's harder to relax--which is the main point of a cruise!

Crooners!