Random thoughts about my 1/5-15 Sapphire Cruise

[Pam in CA]

Pam -- AV incorporated July 1, 2001.

Thanks! I should have known that. It was great meeting you and I look forward to our Star cruise.

[u2cruiser]

On our Crown cruise in Sept, the same Captain (Nick Carlton) announced at the Captain's cocktail party that he hated Cruise Critic.

 

How rude! Did he say why Quenby?

 

IMO CC generates a lot of business for Princess and all the cruise lines. How many of us act on hearing reviews of ships and destinations by booking cruises? I know I do! :(

[tango55]

Good morning Pam and others! We were on the same sailing, and I briefly met you at the meet and greet I think! I agree with many of the things you have said, but have a few more opinions to add.

 

We did ATD this time, as it was just the 2 of us and no friends or family with us. For the most part it worked fine. I still prefer getting to know my waiters and vice versa, but this worked this time. I was rather disappointed in the menus - wish I had known there things not on the menus as I was looking for french onion soup!! How did you hear about it?

 

I was very disappointed in the Patter situation. On every other cruise I've been on, with every line, it has always been delivered on the evening turn down service. I enjoy reading it before going to bed, and knowing what I have to look forward to the next day. On this cruise it only appeared before my bedtime twice - I do go to bed early, but still!!

 

We also do not do the evening activities, so can't comment on them. The only time I saw the CD was on tv on his morning show. The others that I met at trivias etc. were very nice and funny though!

 

The food we did have was fine, but nothing exceptional stands out.

 

I have a couple of complaints and will be telling them when and if I get my survey/questionnaire about the cruise. It was supposed to come on the last day and I haven't received it yet.

 

Firstly, we walk the promenade deck every morning. I don't like the jogging track as it is too short. Every morning there were fellows on the life boat deck above swabbing the deck or something and water constantly dripped down onto the deck. It was very slippery. I don't wear the best shoes, but I shouldn't have had to worry about every step!! There was no need to be doing that every morning with so many people using the deck. I'm sure it could have been done at some other time.

 

My other complaint was not able to access my account or the menus on our cabin tv. I've had that on other ships, so just assumed it was everywhere. Having to walk down to the dining room to see what was on the menu wasn't very good.

 

We too went to the special skywalkers evenings before dinner, and quite enjoyed trying some of the new drinks they offered.

 

All in all we had a great, relaxing time which is what we wanted this time. The weather was wonderful and everyone at work loves my tan!!

 

We loved the Sapphire and wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again - but not to mexico. Been there enough times, don't need to go back.

 

Terry

[mississauga]

Hi Pam,

 

One more question: did your iPad fit in the safe? Also, were you having a problem with the ship's wifi or your cellular service?

 

Is the ipad the same size or even smaller than a netbook? I never found that I needed to put my netbook in the safe either. However I did test it to see if it would fit and it did fit at a very slight angle. I did already have other items in there such as wallets, cell phones and there was still plenty of room.

 

Hope this helps.:)

[Pam in CA]

My other complaint was not able to access my account or the menus on our cabin tv. I've had that on other ships, so just assumed it was everywhere. Having to walk down to the dining room to see what was on the menu wasn't very good.

Terry, hotels and cruiselines that have account information, menus, etc., also offer PPV and adult programming to defray the cost (about $1-million per ship plus maintenance). Princess doesn't plan to offer PPV or adult programming so thus no interactive TV. HAL doesn't either.

[geejay]

There is a printer at one end of the purser's station that you can put your info into and your charges will print out. I had never seen this before, so don't know if they have always had it or not.

 

We were on the Sapphire in December. Had late traditional, good waiters and the food was very good. No complaints at all

 

We spentmost of our time on our balcony reading, especially this time as DH had to go to ER in San Pedro and was in a knee brace and on pain pills. Didn't go to any shows and the casino was too far for him to walk :D. I thought that wasn't a bad thing.

 

Mexico isn't our favorite destination, so the quiet time was fine. We have done that itinerary many times because it is so much easier to leave from the West Coast (flying out of Montana).

[Quenby]

How rude! Did he say why Quenby?

 

IMO CC generates a lot of business for Princess and all the cruise lines. How many of us act on hearing reviews of ships and destinations by booking cruises? I know I do! :(

 

He thinks CC folks criticize and complain too much. I charged right up to talk to him. He appeared embarrassed (or uncomfortable that someone would challenge him on his rudeness), but he did not offer an apology.

[Celandine]

that sucks about the Patters not being delivered on time.

 

I don't think I COULD sleep until I've gotten them :eek:

 

I will be the first to admit I'm obsessed with planning my next day full of activities.

[rdsqrl]

that sucks about the Patters not being delivered on time.

 

I don't think I COULD sleep until I've gotten them :eek:

 

I will be the first to admit I'm obsessed with planning my next day full of activities.

Totally agree -- they're crucial! -- I need them to read while I eat my pillow chocolates! In general, I don't complain about much but I think not getting Patters timely would have driven me straight to the Purser's Desk to politely suggest that they get their act together.

[Pam in CA]

Totally agree -- they're crucial! -- I need them to read while I eat my pillow chocolates! In general, I don't complain about much but I think not getting Patters timely would have driven me straight to the Purser's Desk to politely suggest that they get their act together.

It's the CD's job and responsibility to plan events and set up the Patter for printing. The delay was not steward-related but rather a poor CD not doing his job.

[rdsqrl]

It's the CD's job and responsibility to plan events and set up the Patter for printing. The delay was not steward-related but rather a poor CD not doing his job.

I know, but where else would one go to complain? I've only twice laid eyes on a CD other than him being on stage. I always wonder about these posters who claim to have long conversations with them . . . where? How? I saw Tim Donovan smoking a cigar in the Wheelhouse Bar one night but surrounded by a phalanx of his employees, like a destroyer screen around a carrier, so even if one had been tempted to go up and say hello (holding one's breath the entire time -- did I mention the cigar?), one never could have penetrated the security perimeter. I prefer the folks behind the counter at the Purser's Desk -- at least you can walk right up to them.

[Pam in CA]

I know, but where else would one go to complain? I've only twice laid eyes on a CD other than him being on stage. I always wonder about these posters who claim to have long conversations with them . . . where? How? I saw Tim Donovan smoking a cigar in the Wheelhouse Bar one night but surrounded by a phalanx of his employees, like a destroyer screen around a carrier, so even if one had been tempted to go up and say hello (holding one's breath the entire time -- did I mention the cigar?), one never could have penetrated the security perimeter. I prefer the folks behind the counter at the Purser's Desk -- at least you can walk right up to them.

Yeah. I hear you. I wrote a comment card about the deficiencies of our CD plus re-iterated it in my e-mail survey. I figure the Purser's Desk isn't going to make a difference but using the Comment card and online survey will make me feel better.

[tango55]

I still haven't received an email or anything to submit comments. Is there somewhere I can get one?

 

Also on the last day of the cruise they delivered a card and pin for me - but it was Platinum and I am Elite. I will be contacting them one of these days - but haven't had a chance yet.

 

bye for now, Terry

[Happy ks]

I was happy with the food -- but, as I always say, if I don't have to shop/cook/clean up, it's always good :D

 

This is how I always feel on cruise ships ;)

 

 

On our Crown cruise in Sept, the same Captain (Nick Carlton) announced at the Captain's cocktail party that he hated Cruise Critic.

.

 

 

Interesting comment by the Captain. One would think that getting free feedback with almost no effort on their part would be a pleasure. If there are complaints, they know what those complaints are and can work on them. I think a lot of companies out there, not just cruise lines, would love to have this advantage.

[gertz]

Last time we were on the Sapphire we think a couple of years ago we thought the food and service were some of the best we have ever had. Pam was on that cruise also, she is a very lovely lady it was an honor to meet her, we did the UST along with her. We did a short review on it and gave it a 5+. Although, I just remembered, we had a horrible experience on that cruise. The mini (AD) next to us had 4 adults in it and they all smoked excessively and we can't stand smoke. But we gave it a 5+ ratting. Strange. I don't do reviews any longer.

Also on that cruise was another lovely long time CC poster with her husband and Hero service dog. We love animals especially dogs see Gerdie (Gertz) above our lovely Black and Silver Miniature Schnauzer. Spent time talking with them. Great memories, maybe that influenced our ratting.

Entertainment, we love entertainment and especially production shows, we try to see them all over and over again. Some better than others but so what we are having a good time. And yes Wayne Newton does the same show over and over again at least in the 35 times I have seen it.

We have a file of each cruise we have taken and actually take them out once in a while not just for reference but for enjoyment. We have never had a bad one. And we do fill out the comment cards each cruise now at home and we call it like it is but we try and be constructive also.

I've sailed with Capt Nick and he is a very nice and competent individual, competent is the key word here. But an incompetent CD is another matter and we have had only one, thank goodness and it was a her.

Oh on the scooters, and hope I'm not a walking hart attack but some of us might have to be in one at some time.

This is just some of what we get out of cruising.

Next cruise Sapphire Princess May 7th AD E728 Wine Country cruise sold out for a long time.:D

 

[Pam in CA]

Oh on the scooters, and hope I'm not a walking hart attack but some of us might have to be in one at some time.

Jack, it was great meeting you, too. :)

 

I realize that many of us will still be cruising when we're zipping around on scooters or in wheelchairs. :) I know I plan to be.

[gertz]

Jack, it was great meeting you, too. :)

 

I realize that many of us will still be cruising when we're zipping around on scooters or in wheelchairs. :) I know I plan to be.

 

And you too. Me also and did you see how I spelled heart?

[Quenby]

OMG - just had a MAJOR oops while cleaning out a cruise folder - the Captain on the Crown who said he hated Cruise Critic was Nick Nash, NOT Nick Carlton. My apologies to Captain Carlton.

[Coral]

OMG - just had a MAJOR oops while cleaning out a cruise folder - the Captain on the Crown who said he hated Cruise Critic was Nick Nash, NOT Nick Carlton. My apologies to Captain Carlton.

 

Captain Nick Carlton is quite the gentleman. I like him quite a bit.

 

I am not surprised about Capt Nash saying that (he is my least favorite Captain). He comes across very egotistical.

[lovevacadays]

Thanks for posting your thoughts. I'm hoping we will have a new CD on our Sapphire cruise in April

[SkystheLimit]

Captain Nash from the time he was on the staff of the original Crown Princesss has been wonderful to us. Definitely not egotistical. You may want to look back at some of the unwarranted posts on these boards and see why he might not be a cruise critic fan. However, knowing the gentleman that he is, I find it hard to believe he would have ever used the word "hate".

[Quenby]

well, I was there, and "hate" was definitely the word.

[beshears]

We are cruising on the Sapphire the 9th of April.

 

I try to read as much as I can about the ship and also the itinerary that we are taking, and taking notes.

 

You mentioned the Patisserie shop. I believe you said you get sandwiches there? Do you have to pay for them? Several places on the ships you have to "Pay" for the food, so I thought I would ask.

 

Did you eat in just one area, or did you try out different dining rooms, the ones where you "did not" pay?

 

If anyone sees this and wants to give me some "pointers" like she did in her review of the Sapphire, or the Mexican Riviera, I will gladly take them.

[Pam in CA]

I called it the Patisserie but I was wrong in calling it that. :( It's the Lobby Bar on Plaza deck in the Atrium. Yes, they had little sandwiches; no charge. In the morning, they have muffins and little cruellers, and in the afternoon, at about 3:30pm, they have fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, so hot the chips are still melted. Yum.

 

We had late Traditional dining so we ate in just one dining room. We like being able to just walk to our table without waiting and having the same waitstaff every night. We went to the Sterling Steakhouse one night, which was excellent. This had a $20/pp extra charge.

[2Oregonians]

 

-- No more balloons on doors celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, etc.; just a big sign. I believe the balloons were inside the cabin.

 

We sailed on Sapphire over Thanksgiving and saw plenty of balloons. Not sure if it has changed between then and now, or you just happened to not see any outside.

 

-- The Patisserie on deck 5 in the Atrium has started serving small sandwiches mid-day. I didn't go there but my sister did.

 

Glad to hear this. I was wishing they had this while I was on the Sapphire. It would have been so nice one day when we came back onboard from a long day and were so tired we didn't even make it to our room - we just plopped down in chairs in the Atrium and ordered a Coke! A sandwich would have been great.

 

 

 

-- The people-watching was pretty darned good on this cruise. I want to be politically correct but there were a lot of walking (or riding) heart attacks waiting to happen and some pretty "interesting" fashions displayed. The first formal evening, a woman had extremely short black shorts on but with see-through gauze black panels sort of like a skirt so I guess that passed as formal. There were scooters and walkers left everywhere, in hallways, elevator areas, etc.

 

Oh, you and I would get along splendidly!! I love to people watch! I completely agree about the people on scooters. There were lots of them. And the scooters were left everywhere to be recharged. Mostly in the elevator lobby on our floor.

 

-- Food is very subjective but we didn't think the food was particularly well-prepared or cooked.

 

We didn't either! Glad to hear it wasn't just us!

 

The kitchen was very, very, VERY slow with our Assistant Waiter often waiting 15 - 20 minutes to pick up a course. By the time we actually got it, the food was cool or cold.

 

We had the same thoughts. This was just our 4th cruise, but it was the worst in terms of wait time in the dining room. And they seemed so rushed that they really were not chatty and friendly like they had been on our previous 3. Some of them were sweating and made us feel like they were thinking "hurry up" if we didn't order fast enough.

 

-- The CD was Lee Childers and since I didn't go to the shows, I had no idea who he was. He showed up the final night for the "parade" in the dining room and I got to see him, and I could swear I never saw him walking around the ship, greeting passengers, etc.

 

We NEVER saw him walking around! I agree.

-- Using my iPad in my cabin was an adventure. If I tried using it during the day or evening, I'd lose the signal almost immediately. I wound up using it only if I woke up very early in the morning (5-6am) and then it would be OK.

 

We had our laptop and had no problems at anytime of the day or night.

 

 

Hi Pam. I only kept in the parts of your post I wanted to comment on. Hope you don't mind me chopping it up.