Questions to Princess Management

[trbarton]

I was at a Travel Program with someone from Princess Management. I posed the following questions and they promised to pass my suggestions along to Princess and advise me of their response.

 

Here's my questions:

 

Holland American Line daily schedule is called the Explorer. The schedule has an easy tear off part of the schedule that has all of the daily activities which is easy to take with you rather that the Patter which is so big to take even folded up. Why can't Princess schedule be more user friendly?

 

Sanitation...On Holland American for the first 24 hours your not allowed to touch anything in the buffet. The staff serves the food to you. Also in the buffet as you first enter their is a sanitizing machine there so it's the first thing for you to use. Also outside the MDR their is a sanitizing machine with an attendant to make sure that you use it. All of this on Holland American Line. They thought that both ideas were good and that they would pass it on.

 

It was also advised to avoid a cruise before or after a dry dock as they sometimes bring on-board workers the cruise before the dry dock.

 

I'll keep people advised as to what response I get if any.

 

Tom:)

 

Edited February 4, 2014 by trbarton

[RetiredNTraveling]

The parts of you suggestions that are not part of PCL are good ideas. However, in the buffet it would require an overhaul as there are several areas where having a staff member serve you would not be possible. But there needs to be continuous improvements to keep ahead of the game.

[spindrift]

We just got off of the Zaandam, and I love the Explorations folder. The tear-off had the port map and info about the port. It was fabulous.

[puppycanducruise]

I believe that it's 48 hours (not 24) on Holland America that the buffet is NOT self-serve. It's supposed to cut down on the chance of NORO spreading.

[Pam in CA]

I believe that it's 48 hours (not 24) on Holland America that the buffet is NOT self-serve. It's supposed to cut down on the chance of NORO spreading.

You're right... it is about 48 hours. And it's supposed to cut down on Noro; maybe it does but you are just as likely to get Noro on a HAL ship as Princess. They've had outbreaks themselves the last few years. :( The worst sickness I've ever seen on a cruise ship was on a HAL cruise. Not Noro but many got severe (really severe) colds. A couple of cases I know about were pneumonia. We joked about the constant "kennel cough" heard everywhere. :(

[Eddie and Park]

On my recent Caribbean Princess cruise they had figured out how to not let us serve ourselves in the buffet.

[JF - retired RRT]

You're right... it is about 48 hours. And it's supposed to cut down on Noro; maybe it does but you are just as likely to get Noro on a HAL ship as Princess. They've had outbreaks themselves the last few years. :( The worst sickness I've ever seen on a cruise ship was on a HAL cruise. Not Noro but many got severe (really severe) colds. A couple of cases I know about were pneumonia. We joked about the constant "kennel cough" heard everywhere. :(

 

Just a guess...that "kennel cough" could have been whooping cough. Even if you had the immunization as a child, many adults loose the immunity and need a new shot.

[Times Prince]

The parts of you suggestions that are not part of PCL are good ideas. However, in the buffet it would require an overhaul as there are several areas where having a staff member serve you would not be possible. But there needs to be continuous improvements to keep ahead of the game.

We have been onboard Emerald Princess and/or Crown Princess where the buffet was completely manned by staff members serving for the first two days. It is possible, and IMO a very good idea. The was no norovirus outbreak on those cruises.

 

For the center (salad/dessert) islands they stood and blocked anyone from serving themselves. The odd part is that there were people who would try to do this, even though they were not supposed to.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I was at a Travel Program with someone from Princess Management. I posed the following questions and they promised to pass my suggestions along to Princess and advise me of their response.

 

Here's my questions:

 

Holland American Line daily schedule is called the Explorer. The schedule has an easy tear off part of the schedule that has all of the daily activities which is easy to take with you rather that the Patter which is so big to take even folded up. Why can't Princess schedule be more user friendly?

 

Personally, I like the Patter the way it is. I'm the one who carries it for my family and I fold it up and it fits in my purse that I carry around. I don't want to be tearing off parts of the schedule and then having to find the other part if needed. I would rather that more attention is given to finding typos.

 

...

 

It was also advised to avoid a cruise before or after a dry dock as they sometimes bring on-board workers the cruise before the dry dock.

 

I'll keep people advised as to what response I get if any.

 

Tom:)

 

 

So are you suggesting that Princess have the ship sit there for another week, rather than putting it back in service after the work is done?

[TM]

Not to stir the pot here but I guess with this response I will. Noro and any other communicable disease are not restricted to cruise lines. They happen every day across the country. Cruise lines just get a bad rap for it as it makes for good reading/viewing of the news reports. While sanitary habits are encouraged throughout life, and particularly on a cruise by the staff, how many people practice the same habits at home? When was the last time you saw anyone using a hand sanitizer before entering a restaurant or a fast food establishment? Or before or after touching doors to enter a store? Or before or after using a shopping cart in a supermarket? When someone gets sick from not doing those things who do they blame - the supermarket or the retail store? Not likely. They just chalk it up to bad luck. But when it happens on a cruise ship they blame the cruise line, when in reality it is the fault of the person or persons that came on board sick. Or maybe it was brought on board from a passenger returning from port. No one wants to be sick on vacation, nor do they want to be sick when at home, but sometimes stuff happens.

[Pam in CA]

Just a guess...that "kennel cough" could have been whooping cough. Even if you had the immunization as a child, many adults loose the immunity and need a new shot.

Not whooping cough but the coughs sounded like it: deep, rib-breaking coughs. Really nasty. Not your average stuffed nose and mild cough. You couldn't go anywhere on the ship without hearing someone with a deep, "barking" cough. Edited February 5, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Rosefloater]

I was at a Travel Program with someone from Princess Management. I posed the following questions and they promised to pass my suggestions along to Princess and advise me of their response.

 

Here's my questions:

 

Holland American Line daily schedule is called the Explorer. The schedule has an easy tear off part of the schedule that has all of the daily activities which is easy to take with you rather that the Patter which is so big to take even folded up. Why can't Princess schedule be more user friendly?

 

Tom:)

 

 

Carnival also has the tear off. I agree it is much better than having to take the full Patters around the ship. Every time I get a survey, I include this suggestion.

[Mapu]

Carnival also has the tear off. I agree it is much better than having to take the full Patters around the ship. Every time I get a survey, I include this suggestion.

 

Actually, the best "patter" is on the Royal where you can get the hour by hour activities on your tv, phone, or iPad through the ship's intranet.

[HRPro]

Actually, the best "patter" is on the Royal where you can get the hour by hour activities on your tv, phone, or iPad through the ship's intranet.

 

I agree--loved the intranet on the Royal. I just recently cruised Carnival and really liked the "tear off" schedule. It was very useful and much quicker and easier to use when out and about on the ship.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

You're right... it is about 48 hours. And it's supposed to cut down on Noro; maybe it does but you are just as likely to get Noro on a HAL ship as Princess. They've had outbreaks themselves the last few years. :( The worst sickness I've ever seen on a cruise ship was on a HAL cruise. Not Noro but many got severe (really severe) colds. A couple of cases I know about were pneumonia. We joked about the constant "kennel cough" heard everywhere. :(

 

There were a LOT of people coughing on the Royal TA in October, one lady was playing cards in the IC and coughing so bad she could barely breath, poor friend had her coughing right into her face.

I was just amazed that being that sick she didn't stay away from such a busy place and in her cabin.:eek::eek:

[ar1950]

So are you suggesting that Princess have the ship sit there for another week' date=' rather than putting it back in service after the work is done?[/quote']

 

It sounds like he is saying to avoid those particular weeks if you don't care to share your cruise with a bunch of workers either prepping for or finishing up the dry dock projects. :cool:

[Opua Kiwi]

"in the buffet as you first enter their is a sanitizing machine there so it's the first thing for you to use. Also outside the MDR their is a sanitizing machine with an attendant to make sure that you use it."

 

On Both the Sea Princess and Diamond Princess there were Sanitizing machines as you entered the buffet area and at the entrance to all meal areas including ice cream, pizza and the various restaurants.

 

The trouble with the coughing is in most cases it is airborne so unless people stay in their cabin and have room services they will pass it on, even if unintentionally. Not a great fan of those who dont make the effort and cover their mouth with a hand I have to say.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Opua Kiwi

[cpj]

Not to stir the pot here but I guess with this response I will. Noro and any other communicable disease are not restricted to cruise lines. They happen every day across the country. Cruise lines just get a bad rap for it as it makes for good reading/viewing of the news reports. While sanitary habits are encouraged throughout life, and particularly on a cruise by the staff, how many people practice the same habits at home? When was the last time you saw anyone using a hand sanitizer before entering a restaurant or a fast food establishment? Or before or after touching doors to enter a store? Or before or after using a shopping cart in a supermarket? When someone gets sick from not doing those things who do they blame - the supermarket or the retail store? Not likely. They just chalk it up to bad luck. But when it happens on a cruise ship they blame the cruise line, when in reality it is the fault of the person or persons that came on board sick. Or maybe it was brought on board from a passenger returning from port. No one wants to be sick on vacation, nor do they want to be sick when at home, but sometimes stuff happens.

 

Everyone knows they did not bring the virus onboard. But are some things they could do to help prevent it from spreading.

[caribill]

So are you suggesting that Princess have the ship sit there for another week' date=' rather than putting it back in service after the work is done?[/quote']

 

Regular drydocks where the work is mainly what cannot be done while at sea (repainting hull, upgrading navigation instrumentation, replacing carpet in common areas, etc.) is not the problem.

 

It is when there is major work such as adding new cabins, relocating the casino, adding Alfredo's in the Atrium, etc.

 

When major work is done, the last cruise before the drydock often sees some areas of the ship no longer available to passengers. This can include a pool area, the casino, a specialty restaurant and other areas. On the first cruise after the drydock it is possible that all work had not been completed and some areas of the ship are still not ready (again, the casino, specialty restaurant, a night club, etc.).

 

So both before and after a major renovation, the passengers often do not get the cruise experience they paid for and expected.

 

So maybe the pricing for those cruises should be reduced to allow for the lesser experience. Or maybe do schedule the ship to be in drydock an extra week so work can actually be completed before passengers get on the ship again.

[Grego]

"in the buffet as you first enter their is a sanitizing machine there so it's the first thing for you to use. Also outside the MDR their is a sanitizing machine with an attendant to make sure that you use it."

 

On Both the Sea Princess and Diamond Princess there were Sanitizing machines as you entered the buffet area and at the entrance to all meal areas.

 

This is a good first step, but there needs to have someone there to make sure you use it, or at least have that person in the MDR and HC areas before you go in.

[flamomo]

It might be helpful if there was a crew member posted at each public restroom to remind users to thoroughly wash their hands with soap after using the facilities.

 

There are far too many instances when many of us have observed fellow passengers who leave a stall and walk out of a restroom without even getting close to a sink, or they just stick their fingers under a trickle of running water and don't use any soap, and that is just plain disgusting! Then they go out and about on the ship, and touch surfaces and objects that other passengers will touch! Yuck!!

[RetiredNTraveling]

We have been onboard Emerald Princess and/or Crown Princess where the buffet was completely manned by staff members serving for the first two days. It is possible, and IMO a very good idea. The was no norovirus outbreak on those cruises.

 

For the center (salad/dessert) islands they stood and blocked anyone from serving themselves. The odd part is that there were people who would try to do this, even though they were not supposed to.

 

I stand corrected and am glad that PCL has found a way to make it happen. Thanks for the update and CC is just the place to spread the "news". ;)

 

I also like the idea of the tear-off for ease of handling!

[land lover]

Regular drydocks where the work is mainly what cannot be done while at sea (repainting hull, upgrading navigation instrumentation, replacing carpet in common areas, etc.) is not the problem.

 

It is when there is major work such as adding new cabins, relocating the casino, adding Alfredo's in the Atrium, etc.

 

When major work is done, the last cruise before the drydock often sees some areas of the ship no longer available to passengers. This can include a pool area, the casino, a specialty restaurant and other areas. On the first cruise after the drydock it is possible that all work had not been completed and some areas of the ship are still not ready (again, the casino, specialty restaurant, a night club, etc.).

 

So both before and after a major renovation, the passengers often do not get the cruise experience they paid for and expected.

 

So maybe the pricing for those cruises should be reduced to allow for the lesser experience. Or maybe do schedule the ship to be in drydock an extra week so work can actually be completed before passengers get on the ship again.

 

Let's talk about food choice and liqour.....prior or after a dry dock some normal items are very limited or unavailable.

 

I would be more concerned about that than and areas blocked off as this has happened during many of our cruises. On our cruise to Panama half the pool deck was closed for 2 days and then the other half the next 2 days.

Edited February 5, 2014 by land lover

[Cruisin' Chick]

It sounds like he is saying to avoid those particular weeks if you don't care to share your cruise with a bunch of workers either prepping for or finishing up the dry dock projects. :cool:

 

I get that he's saying sailing before or after a dry dock might not be the best experience for passengers, but in this case, he was talking to supposedly management level staff at Princess. So again, was he suggesting that the dry dock time be automatically extended so all work be done during that time?

 

Regular drydocks where the work is mainly what cannot be done while at sea (repainting hull, upgrading navigation instrumentation, replacing carpet in common areas, etc.) is not the problem.

 

It is when there is major work such as adding new cabins, relocating the casino, adding Alfredo's in the Atrium, etc.

 

When major work is done, the last cruise before the drydock often sees some areas of the ship no longer available to passengers. This can include a pool area, the casino, a specialty restaurant and other areas. On the first cruise after the drydock it is possible that all work had not been completed and some areas of the ship are still not ready (again, the casino, specialty restaurant, a night club, etc.).

 

So both before and after a major renovation, the passengers often do not get the cruise experience they paid for and expected.

 

So maybe the pricing for those cruises should be reduced to allow for the lesser experience. Or maybe do schedule the ship to be in drydock an extra week so work can actually be completed before passengers get on the ship again.

 

And was this what the OP meant to say to management?

[caribill]

Let's talk about food choice and liqour.....prior or after a dry dock some normal items are very limited or unavailable.

 

I would be more concerned about that than and areas blocked off as this has happened during many of our cruises. On our cruise to Panama half the pool deck was closed for 2 days and then the other half the next 2 days.

 

The only posts I remember complaining about reduced food and wine choices were when a ship was about to leave the Princess fleet, for example when the previous Royal Princess did it's last cruise. On that cruise not only were food and wine in short supply, the shops had very little to sell.

 

Of course even on ships not about to go to drydock, wine choices can get limited.