Ruby Princess answer for hard mattress

[Jetnoise]

The memory foam "smell" that many are reporting is from the fire retardant chemicals used in the manufacturing and, as has been said, will (eventually) disappear. If yours does not/did not have a "chemical" smell when first unwrapped, particularly if purchased from a discount store, then I would recommend that you carefully check that it has been treated with fire retardant chemicals, otherwise they burn fiercely (don't smoke in bed!).

 

Cheers,

Ralph.

[Maverick430]

I haven't been on cruise lines like HAL or Celebrity which other posters say their mattresses are much better.

 

I'm sure they also have frequent passengers placing heavy suitcases, etc on those beds...so why aren't those in the same poor condition if it's not a quality issue?

 

Been on all three. HALs beds are to dye for the bed I’ve experienced. Just off the Solstice and the mattress was hard and horrible. The Crown Princess was much better the Solstice. JMO.

[Coral]

All these hard mattress talk really makes me worry.

 

I am a side sleeper and really prefer my bed on the softer side. I dont remember our bed on Crown this Feb was that hard. I had eggcrate as usual but may be also a duvet? I really cannot remember. In April we were on Eurodam and the bed was a marked improvement from the bed on Princess.

 

We will be on Emerald in a week for her 10 days South Caribbean Medley.

 

Should I bring an air-mattress? I think we have it at home but the last time it is used would be at least 5 years ago. I am not even sure it still works.

 

Is this the problem only on Ruby or it is fleet-wide?

 

They have been bad for years fleet wide. If you were ok on the Crown, I wouldn't worry too much. Granted, at any given time, there may be some worse then others.

[Katie333]

We are in the camp that really dislikes the beds. We both typically wake up every day with some back pain, but fortunately it goes away very quickly. Still, it would definitely be our preference NOT to have this experience.

 

We tried the eggcrate last time and it helped a bit, I think there was a morning or two we didn't have any issues. I'll have to consider an air or foam mattress topper for our longer cruises.

[kymbakitty]

The memory foam "smell" that many are reporting is from the fire retardant chemicals used in the manufacturing and, as has been said, will (eventually) disappear. If yours does not/did not have a "chemical" smell when first unwrapped, particularly if purchased from a discount store, then I would recommend that you carefully check that it has been treated with fire retardant chemicals, otherwise they burn fiercely (don't smoke in bed!).

 

Cheers,

Ralph.

 

 

I've read a few reviews that discussed this odor as well. I also read a few reviews that said "Febreeze" helped tremendously and they could barely smell it after applying that a few times.

 

You could probably bring a few dryer sheets and place them under the sheets...

 

Dawn

[BridgeMates]

Maybe you should send the cc threads on this issue directly to Princess for review!!! It keeps coming up over and over again. They will have to address it sooner or later as I am sure people considering Princess along with other cruise lines will make alternate choices when they read this stuff. I agree there is no reason not to have decent beds on their ships. We like Princess a lot, especially the wonderful itineraries. But, dragging our own mattress on board is more than I want to do. I can appreciate why you're doing it, but you shouldn't have to. They need to get this issue resolved and soon.

[iancal]

Bring your own mattress pad on board??? We would never do it. We pay the hotel, cruise line etc. for a comfortable bed. If we don't like the bed on the first and perhaps second (if there is a second), we just do not go back. Whats the point of paying for a good hotel or cruise when you have to take your own mattress topper on board. If I were a hotel manager or cruise line hotel and bev. manager I would be ashamed if I saw this and I certainly would NOT want any of my other guests to see someone bringing a mattress pad into the hotel or on board.

[Toto2Kansas]

Bring your own mattress pad on board??? We would never do it. We pay the hotel, cruise line etc. for a comfortable bed. If we don't like the bed on the first and perhaps second (if there is a second), we just do not go back. Whats the point of paying for a good hotel or cruise when you have to take your own mattress topper on board. If I were a hotel manager or cruise line hotel and bev. manager I would be ashamed if I saw this and I certainly would NOT want any of my other guests to see someone bringing a mattress pad into the hotel or on board.

 

But this is one of those preference things. Some love the extra firm beds, some hate them. I honestly don't expect the cruise line, any cruise line, can please all of the people all of the time with sleeping comfort. Since we are on the 'hate' side of this mattress debate, it is up to us to find a way around the dislikes onboard IMHO. I do admit, when Princess provided a decent foam topper for the beds, it was less of a hassle, and they could improve on that end and not have a huge investment as they would replacing all of the mattresses onboard their ships though. ;) Maybe Princess is listening (or reading) and can do something to improve these new thin (almost non existant) mattress pads, that would work for us totally!

[fun and breezes 2]

If I have enough room in my luggage, I bring it back home with me (borrow the Room Stewards vacume cleaner), if I don't, I just leave it onboard. A small price to pay for a great nights sleep for us. :D

 

Toto have you ever had a problem using the steward's vacuum to put your topper back in the space bag? We cruise frequently enough, I was thinking I'd do this and bring it home for the next cruise rather than buying them over and over. I know that last morning is busy, and sometimes hard to find the steward. How do you do it? Or do you suffer without the mattress topper that last night?

[karinad]

For anyones that's interested, Boscov's has a topper on sale for $29.99. It comes in a Queen size. It doesn't say how thick it is, and looks can be deceiving. www.boscovs.com.

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto have you ever had a problem using the steward's vacuum to put your topper back in the space bag? We cruise frequently enough, I was thinking I'd do this and bring it home for the next cruise rather than buying them over and over. I know that last morning is busy, and sometimes hard to find the steward. How do you do it? Or do you suffer without the mattress topper that last night?

 

You can either make arrangements with the cabin steward the night before or just brave it the final night and sleep without it. Personally, since the luggage has to be out in the hall that final night, it is much easier to do this before you pack and go without it the last night. Just watch your luggage weight limit as if you purchase much during your cruise, you could be overweight in the luggage area going home. This is one reason we just leave it behind. An overweight charge for luggage on a flight can be half the price of a new memory foam topper or more. ;)

[cruz guy]

Okay....this question if for anyone who cruised Princess 1 - 2 years ago and used the egg crate mattress toppers back then and found them comfortable...and who have recently cruised princess...

 

I found the mattresses on Princess with the egg crate toppers from 1-2 years ago comfortable.

 

For anyone who has cruised more recently....are the new toppers that much different?

 

If you liked the mattress with the old topper, what is your opinion with the new toppers?

[kymbakitty]

Bring your own mattress pad on board??? We would never do it. We pay the hotel, cruise line etc. for a comfortable bed. If we don't like the bed on the first and perhaps second (if there is a second), we just do not go back. Whats the point of paying for a good hotel or cruise when you have to take your own mattress topper on board. If I were a hotel manager or cruise line hotel and bev. manager I would be ashamed if I saw this and I certainly would NOT want any of my other guests to see someone bringing a mattress pad into the hotel or on board.

 

 

If a cruise line was like a "hotel," I would agree with you. But comparing a cruise line/ship with the amenities of a hotel is apples and oranges.

 

People make concessions every day of their lives. Even if they don't think they do, trust me, they do. It may not seem so "obvious," such as this memory foam topper discussion, but people make them all the time (especially people that have children--OMG...the concessions they make on a daily basis blows my mind).

 

But the bottom line, it is not a "deal breaker." I am some what of a coffee snob too, but for over 15 years, I've been taking my own so I don't even drink cruiseline or hotel coffee (well, I do have a latte now and again now that they offer those these days). I travel for my job....50% of the time. Making concessions is a part of life and everyone makes them. But what someone considers a 'trade off' someone else would consider a "deal breaker."

 

We really do like Princess. And spending a $100 to bring a 2 1/2" memory topper is totally doable and hubby is happy. It is such a SMALL price to pay for comfort. I do not expect Princess to put Tempur-pedic beds in their state rooms (I think having such a wonderful mattress at home makes it worse!)....and as you have undoubtedly read, many people are fine with them so how can they fix this for some and not the other.

 

For others, this issue is a "deal breaker" and they will go elsewhere. For some, not having washer/dryer available is a deal breaker....for others, not having a casino is a deal breaker. And yet others, smoking is a deal breaker so they find non smoking ships.

 

There is something for everyone and if it is something you can work around, then you find a way and you have a completely different way of looking at it. If not, it is a deal breaker and you keep walking.

 

:)

[Toto2Kansas]

Okay....this question if for anyone who cruised Princess 1 - 2 years ago and used the egg crate mattress toppers back then and found them comfortable...and who have recently cruised princess...

 

I found the mattresses on Princess with the egg crate toppers from 1-2 years ago comfortable.

 

For anyone who has cruised more recently....are the new toppers that much different?

 

If you liked the mattress with the old topper, what is your opinion with the new toppers?

Actually, it depended on the ship also a few years ago. Some were still using the thick foam mattress pads (with an egg crate deep crevice design) and they were fine. They were probably several inches thick and really helped to soften up those beds. But since then, two things have happened. Princess has pretty much changed out all of the mattresses to the newer extra extra firm ones, and switched to the very thin foam pads (that aren't really an egg crate mattress pad and just a thin foam pad).

We had absolutely no complaint on our Egypt/Aegean cruise on the Star with the older type egg crate mattress pad back in 2007. We didn't cruise at all in 2008 (because a tornado wiped out our town, I know, way too much information there but wanted to say why). But since then, we have had the new mattress on four Princess cruises, and also tried the thin mattress pad, and it is intolerable for us. The most recent cruise was May of 2010 on the Emerald Princess.

[iancal]

I do not think that I am particularly fussy. In the past eighteen months we have been on Carnival, HAL, and Celebrity ships. We never had an issue with the mattress on any of these ships. So, as DW says, why bother taking another chance with a Princess ship when the others are just fine for us.

[rlmosher]

We just got back from our Alaska cruise. We like a soft bed. I got two twin air mattresses from amazon to put on top of the mattress. The cabin steward took off the regular mattresses and just put the air mattresses son the bed. We were in heaven, they were easy to pack and they came with a small inflator / deflator. Nice thing is you can inflate them firm or soft, what ever you want. We are going to take them on all our cruses now.

[poodlewamp]

We have been on 19 cruises..( including this November).

 

I ALWAYS request, a topper, better pillows, robe & slippers

 

for our cabin...............THIS IS A MUST..

 

I have had no problems with any of this, and it is a must for a

 

pleasant voyage...

 

 

 

Remember the staff is there to please ****

 

 

B.J.:)

[4cats4me]

I've read a few reviews that discussed this odor as well. I also read a few reviews that said "Febreeze" helped tremendously and they could barely smell it after applying that a few times.

 

You could probably bring a few dryer sheets and place them under the sheets...

 

Dawn

 

I can't get past that awful odor of the memory foam and will take the

hard beds! We bought memory foam topper for our bed at home and

I tried to air it out for a month; odor dissipated. Put it on the bed

and odor regenerated with our body heat. couldn't get past it --

we bought it at Costco. REturned it.

[red4u2]

We have been on 19 cruises..( including this November).

 

I ALWAYS request, a topper, better pillows, robe & slippers

 

for our cabin...............THIS IS A MUST..

 

I have had no problems with any of this, and it is a must for a

 

pleasant voyage...

 

 

 

Remember the staff is there to please ****

 

 

B.J.:)

 

Better pillows, robe and slippers? can you explain please? is this for a mini or suite? i know you can ask for more pillows, but i didint know there were different kinds. And slippers?

thank you!

[fun and breezes 2]

Thanks for the help Toto. I really like your idea, and will try this next time we go if I can find a lightweight brand. Any suggestions?

 

We just got back from our Alaska cruise. We like a soft bed. I got two twin air mattresses from amazon to put on top of the mattress. The cabin steward took off the regular mattresses and just put the air mattresses son the bed. We were in heaven, they were easy to pack and they came with a small inflator / deflator. Nice thing is you can inflate them firm or soft, what ever you want. We are going to take them on all our cruses now.

 

What kind of mattress did you get, and did they fit correctly?

[Seal]

Better pillows, robe and slippers? can you explain please? is this for a mini or suite? i know you can ask for more pillows, but i didint know there were different kinds. And slippers?

thank you!

 

I think you can get the feather pillows in both the mini and the suites--the heavier robe and slippers are for full suites for sure--don't know about the slippers for a mini--also the robe for a mini is usually a waffle weave light weight robe.--

 

Slippers are a bit strange--one size fits all--but you can actually walk in them--they look like they should belong to a large man!!

 

Nancy:D

[rlmosher]

Thanks for the help Toto. I really like your idea, and will try this next time we go if I can find a lightweight brand. Any suggestions?

 

 

 

What kind of mattress did you get, and did they fit correctly?

 

They were a little big but that was not a problem. I will try to find the box on the brand. We got the twin size. They did squeak on the fram on the next cruise we will ask the stewert to put a sheet on the frame first.

[fun and breezes 2]

Toto, another question...What size air bag for a queen topper?

 

They were a little big but that was not a problem. I will try to find the box on the brand. We got the twin size. They did squeak on the fram on the next cruise we will ask the stewert to put a sheet on the frame first.

 

Thanks I'd be interested if you can find it.

[red4u2]

I think you can get the feather pillows in both the mini and the suites--the heavier robe and slippers are for full suites for sure--don't know about the slippers for a mini--also the robe for a mini is usually a waffle weave light weight robe.--

 

Slippers are a bit strange--one size fits all--but you can actually walk in them--they look like they should belong to a large man!!

 

Nancy:D

 

Thank you Seal- im in just a little 'ole BA on the Ruby,, guess no feather pillows or slippers for me-- have to make do with my huge balcony! tough job, but someone has to do it!!

[grammy c]

I take along our own memory foam mattress topper now. I love princess, but there are two things I don't love about their ships, the mattresses and the coffee, so I found a way around both problems. If I can't purchase one in the port of embarkation, I buy one at the store here at home, take it out of the box and let it expand for a couple of days (it usually takes that long). Then I put it in a large space bag, suck out all of the air, and when we get to the ship it only takes a couple of hours for it to spring back into the right shape. Something about those space bags compresses them, but they don't take long to expand when you open them again after the initial couple of days at home of allowing them time to expand. ;)

 

If I have enough room in my luggage, I bring it back home with me (borrow the Room Stewards vacume cleaner), if I don't, I just leave it onboard. A small price to pay for a great nights sleep for us. :D

 

Toto, I've read this tip from you before and found it a suburb idea which I have used on ALL my near port cruises lately, but have gone to the full extreme of buying NEW 2 in. memory form with the real egg crate effect, split a queen down the middle and do two twins. Put it in the extra large space bag as you say and ta da you are good to go. Have cruised princess and suffered before, but with 14 days coming in Nov. and then 28 days next fall I thinking this is a must have item even flying, so something else has to go! :D By the way, DH thought I was a genius for thinking of the stewards vaccum, but I fested up eventually;) Thanks for some really great ideas over the years, this board has made our cruise life even greater!