Sapphire Princess--update on changes being made

[ibfern]

Dave and Trina,

 

Why not join us on the Sapphire on December 18th, its a 21 day back to back Southeast Asia cruise out of Singapore? We can discuss this in April when we see you, hopefully not a windy weekend. Thanks for the lovely pictures...

[MauiLvrs]

Dave and Trina,

 

Why not join us on the Sapphire on December 18th...

Thanks for the lovely pictures...

 

Hawaii ...

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[nyc12345]

Will be cruising her on 12/29, hoping the price will drop a bit. The cruise plus airfare is costing a fortune:mad:...when can I expect the price to drop?

[Colo Cruiser]

Will be cruising her on 12/29, hoping the price will drop a bit. The cruise plus airfare is costing a fortune:mad:...when can I expect the price to drop?

 

If you are talking about the Asian market I would not hold your breath, it may turn out very popular and sell out. If you see what you want you should book it. I doubt the price will go down.

[Pam in CA]

I disembarked the Sapphire this morning. As said, a lot of changes. The Limelight (formerly Meridian Bay) never opened even though the Patter said it would a few days ago. We were told that all of the shops would get a turn being updated. Once Limelight opens, another shop will be closed and updated, and so on. There will be some really good bargains on the next few cruises sine they are selling off most of the jewelry. They will have only a small jewelry shop and mostly watches in the $8,000-12,000 range.

 

Service was sub-par on this cruise with a few exceptions. Frequent complaints of "so-so" or bad stewards, including mine.

 

The new TV system isn't working and has a lot of problems. It won't be interactive like on the Royal (no folio, no smart phone version) but lots of movies on demand. However, my TV didn't work the entire cruise. Couldn't even get the music or bridge cam.

 

Lots of staff/crew leaving in the next month, most going elsewhere. I booked the Sanctuary for the cruise and the manager there in January had left and it showed. Worst Sanctuary staff I've experienced. Paid the newly doubled rates. Only ten people booked for the cruise. Once set up in the morning, I was ignored the rest of the day. No one in sight or coming around to see if I wanted something to drink or eat, was I comfortable, etc. Sad to say that I felt no need to tip extra. I usually do. :(

 

Paula, Manager of the Sterling Steakhouse, is leaving later this month and going to the new Regal. She said that new tableware, utensils silverware are coming. For instance, porcelain Japanese soup spoons instead of the current soup spoons, small, thin, narrow cups instead of the current coffee cups.

 

The Sapphire is overtly in transition so expect a different cruise experience.

 

FYI, Alfredo's was great.

[caribill]

I disembarked the Sapphire this morning. As said, a lot of changes.

 

I was another cruise line last year on a ship being relocated to the east Asian market. I suspect much of what happened on that ship is being done to the Sapphire.

 

a) Most shops being upgraded to very high value merchandise. Think Bvlgari Watches and Coach handbags.

 

b) Signs in the cabin and around the ship appearing in multiple languages

 

c) Approved tea kettles being placed in every cabin

 

d) PA announcements in multiple languages. You can expect a three minute annoucement to take 12 minutes if done in four languages.

 

e) Asian staff (in our case mainly Chinese). For the cruise we were on the customer service desk personnel, dining room personnel and cabin stewards were mostly Chinese. With these being plum jobs compared to what employment could bring in China, the selected staff had a high level of language skills in English. In fact, for the first time on any cruise we have talken, anything we said to any of the front desk personnel, dining staff and our cabin steward was perfectly understood as was all of their responses. And the front desk personnel were well trained in everything from solving passenger Internet problems to correcting any errors on cabin accounts. After we left the ship, the CD and other staff were going to be replaced with Asians.

 

In addition, around 60% of the scheduled cruises in that market were going to be charters. I suspect these were charters to travel agencioes who would be responsible for filling up the ship with no selling of cabins for those voyages by the cruise line.

 

f) Expanded casino with less slot machines and more game tables including an area dedicated excvlusively to high rollers.

 

g) Planned entertainment for the Asian market was going to be more that would not depend on language knowledge (dance, acrobatics, music) and less that did require undertanding another lanugage (comedians, for example).

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes lots of changes for the Asian market.

Like sailing before and after a dry dock.

[caribill]

Will be cruising her on 12/29, hoping the price will drop a bit.

 

This is a new year's eve cruise. Expect the prices to remain high unless the ship is really not selling well.

 

This type of price is not limited to the Asian market. Looking at a cruise I am on on the Royal later this year, holiday pricing is $60 to $70 per night higher than on the same itinerary pre-holiday.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I'll be on her last sailing before she leaves. I sure hope my TV works by then! That must've been frustrating, Pam. Did they offer an OBC or apologize at least for it being out?

[nyc12345]

If you are talking about the Asian market I would not hold your breath, it may turn out very popular and sell out. If you see what you want you should book it. I doubt the price will go down.

 

Thanks, I have booked. Just hoping it would drop a bit so I can use it toward shore excursions. Sometimes Princess send offers to select past guests, wish I am selected in the promo when they do...:)

[nyc12345]

This is a new year's eve cruise. Expect the prices to remain high unless the ship is really not selling well.

 

This type of price is not limited to the Asian market. Looking at a cruise I am on on the Royal later this year, holiday pricing is $60 to $70 per night higher than on the same itinerary pre-holiday.

 

Yeah, I should have thought of that when I booked, and that's why the airfare is ridiculous too.:eek:

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks, I have booked. Just hoping it would drop a bit so I can use it toward shore excursions. Sometimes Princess send offers to select past guests, wish I am selected in the promo when they do...:)

 

 

Just keep an eye on the fares.

[Rosefloater]

I disembarked the Sapphire this morning. As said, a lot of changes. The Limelight (formerly Meridian Bay) never opened even though the Patter said it would a few days ago. We were told that all of the shops would get a turn being updated. Once Limelight opens, another shop will be closed and updated, and so on. There will be some really good bargains on the next few cruises sine they are selling off most of the jewelry. They will have only a small jewelry shop and mostly watches in the $8,000-12,000 range.

 

Service was sub-par on this cruise with a few exceptions. Frequent complaints of "so-so" or bad stewards, including mine.

 

The new TV system isn't working and has a lot of problems. It won't be interactive like on the Royal (no folio, no smart phone version) but lots of movies on demand. However, my TV didn't work the entire cruise. Couldn't even get the music or bridge cam.

 

The Sapphire is overtly in transition so expect a different cruise experience.

 

 

We were also on the cruise with Pam. We noticed the one shop closed and being refurbished. Didn't bother us. These updates have to be done.

 

Unlike Pam, we had excellent service from our room steward Joey and in both the dining room and up at the Horizon Court. The few times we ate in the dining room, we sat in the Santa Fe and our server, Monika was great. We would also see her in the Horizon Court in the morning. When we ate dinner in the Horizon Court for dinner, the waitstaff, some of the Head waitstaff (the men in the green coats) and some of the chefs would warmly greet us. This was one of the friendliest group of staff in over 35 cruises on 4 cruiselines.

 

We also had problems with our TV's. Luckily when they were changing them, we noticed ours weren't working and the technician changed the tv's back to the old system. Then the last night the technician came and updated our system and then the system wouldn't work. The picture would pixelate for a few seconds, then go back to a main screen.

 

The casino was also moving things around. 2 banks of slots were removed and others weren't working the whole cruise.

[Rosefloater]

I'll be on her last sailing before she leaves. I sure hope my TV works by then! That must've been frustrating, Pam. Did they offer an OBC or apologize at least for it being out?

 

No OBC offered. The tech who worked on our televisions was upset about the tv system not working. When he 1st changed our tv's back to the old system, he said the problem might either be ship wide or an area of the ship.

[MTJSR]

I'll be on her last sailing before she leaves. I sure hope my TV works by then! That must've been frustrating, Pam. Did they offer an OBC or apologize at least for it being out?

 

Hi Mark here, Christmas cruise just wasn't long enough was it? As you get off you will pass My mom and aunt who are taking the reposition to Japan. Must be nice!:D

Edited March 12, 2014 by MTJSR

[DrivesLikeMario]

Hi Mark here, Christmas cruise just wasn't long enough was it? As you get off you will pass My mom and aunt who are taking the reposition to Japan. Must be nice!:D

 

Hi Mark! :) Yeah, I figured I'd do one last bon voyage cruise on the Sapphire. I'm going to miss her. Wish I could take the cruise your mom is taking! I hope they have a fantastic time and you too on your October (was it?) Panama cruise!

[kath00]

I am SOOO sad to hear about all these changes. I love the Sapphire and I am very unhappy to lose her forever. With these changes, it is likely she will stay in Asia forever and ever instead of switching back to the West Coast or Alaska at times. :(

 

Best ship in the fleet IMHO. And she will be too far away for us to sail...

[MsSoCalCruiser]

I disembarked the Sapphire this morning. As said, a lot of changes. The Limelight (formerly Meridian Bay) never opened even though the Patter said it would a few days ago. We were told that all of the shops would get a turn being updated. Once Limelight opens, another shop will be closed and updated, and so on. There will be some really good bargains on the next few cruises sine they are selling off most of the jewelry. They will have only a small jewelry shop and mostly watches in the $8,000-12,000 range.

 

Service was sub-par on this cruise with a few exceptions. Frequent complaints of "so-so" or bad stewards, including mine.

 

The new TV system isn't working and has a lot of problems. It won't be interactive like on the Royal (no folio, no smart phone version) but lots of movies on demand. However, my TV didn't work the entire cruise. Couldn't even get the music or bridge cam.

 

Lots of staff/crew leaving in the next month, most going elsewhere. I booked the Sanctuary for the cruise and the manager there in January had left and it showed. Worst Sanctuary staff I've experienced. Paid the newly doubled rates. Only ten people booked for the cruise. Once set up in the morning, I was ignored the rest of the day. No one in sight or coming around to see if I wanted something to drink or eat, was I comfortable, etc. Sad to say that I felt no need to tip extra. I usually do. :(

 

Paula, Manager of the Sterling Steakhouse, is leaving later this month and going to the new Regal. She said that new tableware, utensils silverware are coming. For instance, porcelain Japanese soup spoons instead of the current soup spoons, small, thin, narrow cups instead of the current coffee cups.

 

The Sapphire is overtly in transition so expect a different cruise experience.

 

FYI, Alfredo's was great.

 

This is sad news. When you book a Princess cruise you expect just that not a sub-par cruise. I hope you let them know you were not happy.

 

If my TV wasn't working, I would be at the front desk every night. We watch TV every night while we are trying to unwind. We sleep with the Bridge Cam on so we know if it's day or night.

 

Would you suggest the Sterling Steakhouse? That's horrible about the Sanctuary! How much did they charge for a full day? I hope they get it together!

[Colo Cruiser]

This is sad news. When you book a Princess cruise you expect just that not a sub-par cruise. I hope you let them know you were not happy.

 

If my TV wasn't working, I would be at the front desk every night. We watch TV every night while we are trying to unwind. We sleep with the Bridge Cam on so we know if it's day or night.

 

Would you suggest the Sterling Steakhouse? That's horrible about the Sanctuary! How much did they charge for a full day? I hope they get it together!

 

We found Sterling lacking too especially when we are used to the CG.

Its kind of a step down. :(

[caribill]

That's horrible about the Sanctuary! How much did they charge for a full day?

 

Its $40 for a full day now.

[ibfern]

I am so surprised to hear that Pam had a so-so experience, I take this info seriously since I know Pam is honest and straight forward. I figured the last few cruises on the Sapphire (before she leaves Los Angeles) would be so-so because of all the staff changes and the construction of new shops and all the changes that are happening on her. I was there when the TV's were being installed and we had no problems with ours but that was before they changed the system.

 

Wow $40 a day for the Sanctuary is pricy. I'd be upset if they ignored me when I was paying that much for others to attend to me! :eek:

 

When I was on the Sapphire in January and February I was in the same room and I had the same steward and dinner wait staff (Mark and Gerome) in the MD. The wait staff was superb both times, and the room steward was so-so both times! It really makes a difference having a great wait staff which insures a better dining experience, and somehow the food tastes better when the service is better.

 

I am toying with the idea of taking the transpacific in April. If it wasn't for the stop in Shanghai, which means I have to get a Chinese Visa for one day's visit, I would be on that ship without hesitation because the prices are so good. Otherwise I will wait until December when I will be on her again for B2B Southeast Asian cruises. It will be interesting to see the changes by then. Regarding the Christmas cruise, which I will be on as well, I paid the same price for airfare home from Singapore as I paid for a one way ticket to Berlin!

 

OK I hope things get better for those on her last few cruises here. Please let us know how it goes.

[Pam in CA]

Please don't get me wrong. We had a nice cruise and I had an incredible private whale watching tour in Cabo. I posted some great photos on FB for my friends. It was an amazing experience. And, I met some great people through our roll call. :)

 

Rey from the bar staff in Club Fusion was great, our waitstaff (late traditional) was very good. My cabin steward was just OK. Little things like he didn't empty the wastebasket several times, never received my Elite amenities in the bathroom, took three days and three requests to get laundry bags, etc. Nothing major.

 

Food is very subjective but we were very disappointed by Sabatini's and the Sterling Steakhouse. In Sabatini's, I ordered the garlic shrimp, pasta and lobster three ways. The shrimp were small, obviously previously frozen, overdone, rubbery and tasteless. I was expecting shrimp with a rich garlic flavor but that wasn't the case. The pasta was excellent. The lobster was also obviously previously frozen, overdone and rubbery. It reminded me why I never order lobster on a cruise ship. :)

 

In the Sterling Steakhouse, I ordered the shrimp cocktail, petit filet mignon with loaded baked potato, and pecan pie for dessert. Like Sabatini's, the shrimp was overdone and rubbery. The shrimp cocktail in the dining room was better. The steak and baked potato were delicious but we'd ordered medium rare and it first came out literally raw and dark purple on the inside, and that was close to the edge. It took three tries to get it so it was a light red inside... still very rare but fine with us. The Béarnaise sauce was strange and separated quickly into an oily mess on the plate. The pie was delicious. The bottom line is that we didn't think either meal, while tasty and good at times, was worth repeating or paying extra for. :(

Edited March 13, 2014 by Pam in CA

[senior lady]

Pam, sounds like you had the same room steward we had on our cruise in Jan. He was ok, just wasn't up to the usual standards.

[Colo Cruiser]

We have never had a good baked potato on any cruise!

Always undercooked/hard, blech. :(

And on prime rib night they didn't either. :cool:

[Pam in CA]

Keith, my baked potato was small but thoroughly cooked. Best I've had in a long time. :)