duck65

1 hour ago, swigso said:

@duck65 hi great review we normally sail on X but noticed on another post that the casino smelt of smoke. Do they allow smoking in the casino 

or anywhere inside.

thanks

 

X is our primary line also. I saw people smoking at the slot machines on both sides of the casino, did not notice the smell but grew up in a smoking household. No smoking at the tables. One problem with casino is no bar near and waitstaff were few and waiting for your drink could be some time.

5 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

Is there a time you would recommend getting to the Barcelona port or the time you arrived for embarkation?  We sail from there later this year.

The time listed on our boarding pass was 11:30. We arrived at 11:00, the line was short, our luggage was put on a conveyor belt, just like an airport, and was into the terminal in less than five minutes. One look at our passport, then to the agent for two minutes, then straight to the ship. Total time less than 15 minutes. Was warned that traffic could be a problem but had no trouble, even on a Saturday morning.

12 minutes ago, worldtraveller said:

Could you get drinks (tea, coffee etc) when there was no staff like on other ships?

I never did go up to the lounge after dinner so I cannot answer that, sorry.

30 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Did you ask them to change the chairs for recliners?

I've seen photos of reclining chairs on Reserve mini suite balconies so it would seem to me that if a  full suite guest requested those recliners (not full lounges but just reclining chairs) the steward might be able to accommodate.

No, did not think to ask. Did not spend much time on balcony, most of the free time was up in the Sanctuary.

3 minutes ago, capriccio said:

Did the two balcony chairs recline and was there a small table too?

Chairs did not recline, had foot stools. There was a table.

12 hours ago, worldtraveller said:

Was the lounge staffed 24/7?  I am assuming not but you could still go in and get hot (or cold) drinks and possibly snacks even if not staffed like on other ships?

Staff worked from 7am to 10pm. Snacks were on the bar, 4 or 5  different items.

3 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

@duck65 Were you aware of any non-suite guests in the Sanctuary?

 

my understanding is that it costs 99 per sea day to book a lounger for a non-suite guest and I wonder if demand is high?

Two of the sea days the area was busy but not completely full. It made getting a drink a little longer, maybe 5-10 minutes from order to delivery.

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Did the signature restaurant become full?

Of the 7 dinners we had in restaurant, only once did we not get seated with regular waiter, his section was full. At breakfast I never saw more than 15 couples. Only seating I did like seeing were tables next to enterance, felt out of placed there.

22 hours ago, dog said:

Heard that the ship is hot. Is the AC working in the cabins this cruise?

Yes, would come back to room and temp. difference would be noticeable from hallway. Digital thermostat did not allow to set  to exact temp.

6 minutes ago, dog said:

Thanks. We will be in a S9 in 2025!

 

Do you pay for anything offered in the Signature lounge; Sun deck; signature restaurant?

can you reserve a lounge for the week or only daily?

Hi dog,

   We had the premier package, so everything was under the $20 limit for drinks. ( white pear bubbles was the drink, very tasty). The lounge had a drink menu similiar to the Sanctuary. Lounge had snacks all day long, did not cost. Restaurant had no add-on charges that I saw. About the loungers, did not ask to reserve, but again not many people up there. We usually sat on one of the round beds next to water bar. We were up there every sea day and two days at port when we came back from the city. Those days had Sanctary to ourselves for about 2 hours.

10 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

@duck65 if you would like, I can put Sun Princess in your title.

 

Thank you for taking the time to do the review.  

Please do, thank you for asking

Sorry, no pictures.

Sorry about the title, also was from 3/9-3/19.  Lounger question. Not enough people around and waitstaff did not remove towels from them when some did leave. Did not see more than 20 people in suite area all cruise, but did not see waitstaff remove towels from loungers when someone did leave. Best answer I can give.

Sox Fan, when we did a tour of the spa is was not mentioned if Enclave was free. Asked about day pass, they said only sell pass for whole trip, was I believe 176 dollars.

Just got back from the 10 day cruise form 3/9-19. Seeing many questions asked by others I decided to post and try to answer as many as possible.

Embarkation was great. Barcelona terminal was easy. Small lime to drop off bags, just like at an airport. One check of our ID and then to check in. 5 minutes later was completed and on the ship. Less than 15 minutes total. If ship was not ready there was a lounge for suite guests in wait in.

Room: was very comfortable and spacious. The bathroom was fine, the shower could hold two people very easily, but the hot water would change a few degrees at random times. 3 small shelves located on right side of sink held all our toileties and more room under the sink. There were two hooks on bathroom door to hand towels or bathing suites. The closest area was large. There were at least 50 hangers in the 2 closets to put your good clothes on. three dresser drawers and 3 cubbie hole style to put everyday clothes in, and shoe area for at least four pairs. The vanity was OK with very bright lights for ladies to get ready. Night lights would come on when getting up when dark and bathroom light would turn on also. Only negative was where phone was placed, on vanity, not next to bed. Two TV's offered ten channels and many movies, only thing I could not get was my account to see what I had spent, must use the App. Veranda was OK, did not use much, had two chairs with footstools to relax with. Bed was comforable, but there was no sheet between you and duvet, and duvet was very thick. Had to set room cold, wake up sweating from duvet, remove and then get cold again. Was hard to get right temp. There was also a welcome bottle of red wine waiting for you and the frig. was stocked with want we wanted plus two bottles of water delivered every day. Shout out to Christian our room attendent who did a incredible and fantastic job of keeping our room spotless.

I cannot talk about most of the ship because I only visited the Dome once, nice seating. The wakeview terrace once, they did not have the nice loungers as in the pictures, the pool deck just a walk thru or any of the lido deck eateries, so I hope no one asks about it. Here is our suite expericene:

Sanctuary: being most suites on back on ship there is an elevator on back of ship on both port and starboard side. They only go from floors 8-18. Once you get off elevator, door opens to the Sanctury. It has a nice pool, temp. was air temp days I swam in it. Two hot tubs, one did not have jets working on 2nd day but was working after day 3. The jets are very powerful ( called it super bubbles). There were 10 day beds around the pool, 5 funky chairs and a few loungers there. Shade was only in morning. Only shade in non-suite area was in seating area near front enterance or by bar. The suite only area was nice, again shade was limited to two circular couches and a couple of tables. Loungers were very comfortable and attendant should set up your lounger with towels. Some asked if loungers were reserved, answer is no. Staff: could not have asked for any better. Marc and has staff were awesome, waitstaff were always around asking if we needed anything. Shout out to Wadee, Bennie, Rutvic, and Stehany  for treating us  like royality. Only slight negative was then place got busy, bar service would slow down, only one bartender to tend to all guests. They had a special menu for lunch with 7 different items to choose from, my favorite was the califoria roll. Someone asked about cabana prices, answer is ouch. Sea day was $500, port day $300.

Lounge: Beautiful area, was nice to stop in to get something cold in the morning instead of going to deck 8. We would stop in for before dinner drinks and again were treated nicely. Waitstaff included 4 waiters, one bartender and 2 concierges working hard to make sure you were comfortable. Only had to use them once for dinner reservations but they would come over and talk to you everyday to make sure your day was going OK. Waitstaff would have a new drink for within minutes and Luchian the piano player was incredible. Only downside I could see is if they had more than 50 people come at same time it would be very crowded.

Resturant: It was very nice place to eat in and was happy to be there instead of the long lines going into the Horizen restaurant on deck 7. Someone asked about the noise level. If door was shut, you could not hear anything from the atrium or the Bellini bar area, if open it would be loud. Service was  good, our head waiter, Dennis, was funny and attentive. The assistant, Roel, knew want drinks we needed without asking, and the sommular, Radu, was spot on the wine selection for the main course. My only complaint: all the restaurants, Horizen, Reserve, and Signature, had the same menu, 5 starters and 6 main courses, with cocktail shrimp and ceaser salad on daily menu. Only thing different was the free filet mignon and prime rib.  I have only sailed ne other time in a suite ( on X) and they offered a completely different menu from the MDR. So if there wasn't you liked it could be troblesome eating that day.

I won't comment on the other aspects of the ship, other than I enjoyed the Small Craft bar on deck 7 front, nice to watch a small presentation on how the drink is made.

Overall it was a great time for my DW and myself but I believe we got a great deal for this room. Did price it in Dec. and it would cost $1600 more for 3 less days.

Please asked any questions about the suite experience that I did not cover. I check my email about twice a day. Hope this will help those doing there first cruise in a suite. Did not mention first time with Princess, but 25th overall.

2 hours ago, Cdude said:

Just got an upgrade from ocean view to premium deluxe balcony for $215 pp on the 2nd sailing, 3/9. I was assigned a midship on deck 12.
 

So many cabin posts, was this a score? Do I get sig benefits?

That was the room that I just left. We upgraded from that to an S9 room for 315pp. Took are minimum bid and two days latedr was accepted, did not think it would happen . See you on the 9th.

58 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

I seem to remember reading that the lower level would be used as a more formal and relaxed dining area, but I can’t find that again.  One of the other levels would be used for those who wanted to get in and out quickly, and the other dining level for somewhere between the two.  
 

Hopefully it will become clear soon. 

I believe what level you are eating at is when you want to eat. Went to the app last night to set up are dinner schedule. Level 6 you could not use, level 7 was a set time at 20 minute intravels, level 8 was only two seating times, at 6:15 and 8:30. I would believe level 6 will be anytime dining.

19 hours ago, SUgwoz said:

Aside from this case has their been any other similar incidents where people were denied boarding at Port and given no reason? 

 

Based on this thread and others one would think booking a guarantee cabin has a 50/50 track record of being able to board. 

 

Some years ago a couple flew from AUS to NZ for a X cruise, got to the pier and was told they double booked the room and ship was denied boarding. X reps stayed behind to find accommodations for the couple and to fly flight back to AUS. Somewhere on X board is the story.

Will be on this ship on Dec.7, by chance did you see cheesecake back on the everyday menu?

Hope one of the old items from the classic menu coming back is cheesecake. I cannot eat chocolate and usually have a Sweetooth after dinner. Rotating between vanilla ice cream and creme breme can get old, exp. on our 16 day cruise in Dec. ( Wish they had peanut butter ice cream every day!)

Thank you for posting this, just saved another 120 dollars for my 16 night cruise! 

Got the email this morning that are b2b cruises in march have been cancelled.

3 hours ago, Homestyle said:

Has anyone called Celebrity to see if they can match the price difference on the upgrade. Seems unfair to give a misily 5% off.

I called on Friday to see if they would and they said no. Would give me small OBC to cover about 16 percent of total cost ( doing 16 nt trip to SA in Dec.) of the upgrade but did not purchase. Would have cost over 500 dollars to upgrade.

1 hour ago, miched said:

I am surprised that no one has suggested the smoked whitefish that is available in the northern cities of Michigan and Canada.   If you still have a chance I would recommend trying some.  If lucky they may serve it on board.   It may be worth suggesting it to the chef to purchase some when in a port 

 

https://gandernewsroom.com/2022/08/03/smoked-whitefish-michigans-oldest-dish-is-a-northern-michigan-staple/

 

Years ago when  people would travel north they would take orders from friends and bring it back for them. 

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Being born and raised in the UP for the first 22 years of my life I rather have a pasty, cudighi, pickled egg with a glass of Guilt Edge beer before the whitefish.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thursday 

Up early.   We arrived Little currents at 7:30 and I have a tour departing at 8:15.   There are 3 tours. 
 

My tour is right up my alley.  Hiking.  As the tour is a bit aggressive there is a warning ⛔️ 

 

it is like a small group tour. 15 guests on a large tour bus. 

 

 

We were tendered ashore and now waiting.   Not for a passenger but for our guide.   That’s a new one for me. 

 

Jim and Iain,

Since you are big Jeopardy fans, here is your question about your location today.

"This island found in Lake Huron is the largest fresh water island in the world.'

Answer: your on it today

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I'm learning all kinds of new things, I had never heard of Racine.     I'm guessing we won't make it to Racine as it is an 8 hour walk one way (24 miles).     

 

Almond would be on the top of my list.  

Hello again Jim,

 I live in Racine and if you would like a kringle I can deliver one up to you and Iain either the day before or the morning of your cruise. Did one sailing with you in Dec. 22 My wife and yourself did the slot pull and won about a buck each.