Observations on my recent Crown cruise 4/25 - 5/2

[bcnvcanada]

Suggest that you try MSC, their full suites have seperate area for check in, buter, seperate lift to uper deck where all suites also priviate dinning area and pool. You are taken down lift to get off in a private area, at the time you wish. It might be more to your liking than Princess

[LabGuy64]

Thanks,...But, I was not soliciating options for alternate cruise lines. I was just giving my impressions of my Princess experiance.

 

Suggest that you try MSC, their full suites have seperate area for check in, buter, seperate lift to uper deck where all suites also priviate dinning area and pool. You are taken down lift to get off in a private area, at the time you wish. It might be more to your liking than Princess

[Colo Cruiser]

the town of Cannon Beach for 1.5 hours of shopping and Seaside 30 minutes sitting in a parking lot

 

 

Excellent deal, and degraded transportation. Sign me up. :rolleyes:

[LabGuy64]

Actually, after doing the excursion I think it should have been free....all it turned out to be was a ride to a shopping area....nothing more...the store owners should have clubbed together to pay the bus people to bring us there

 

 

Excellent deal, and degraded transportation. Sign me up. :rolleyes:

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

Actually, after doing the excursion I think it should have been free....all it turned out to be was a ride to a shopping area....nothing more...the store owners should have clubbed together to pay the bus people to bring us there

 

 

I agree totally. We just took the 5 dollar transport down town round trip shopping and lunch but your deal sounds to good to be true. Just joking

 

 

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[robandana]

Suggest that you try MSC, their full suites have seperate area for check in, buter, seperate lift to uper deck where all suites also priviate dinning area and pool. You are taken down lift to get off in a private area, at the time you wish. It might be more to your liking than Princess

 

Why is there always someone that needs to tell you your better off on some other cruise line.....

 

I also believe that if you pay the price of a suite its not just for the extra cabin space, the perks should be commensurate with the price paid.

 

It can't be the same to pay $7000-$8000 for a suite and under $2000 for a balcony....there needs to be some major differences.

Edited May 7, 2015 by robandana

[ROCruiser]

Yes, we saw those school buses and thought that they were for us waiting for the shuttles. Then they drove past us to the tour groups and I thought that must be a joke. Wow! Riding on those buses to Canon Beach must be so uncomfortable!

We did the $7 shuttles but the line for the Astoria Column ride was so long that we just gave up. The little train ride was fun though.

[tootsiescurly]

It is my understanding that a perk for suite passengers is priority disembarkation when tendering into a port.

Otherwise,passengers leave the ship while docked at a pier on their own schedule.

As to seating for shows, it seems fair to keep all seating open to all passengers on a first come ,first serve basis.

Granted, suite passengers pay a premium fare.

However, if I choose to book a suite, I do so to enjoy more space in the cabin and on the balcony for DH and myself.Spending the extra money is our own choice.

We do not feel that our own comfort should come to us because other passengers are inconvenienced.

Whatever perks Princess offers is secondary to us.

What you are suggesting in this post is reminiscent of the classification system employed by Cunard.

I am not certain of what the present policy is, but for years on Cunard ships, passengers were assigned MDR venues according to level of the booked cabin.

I also recall that on the QM2, certain areas of the ship were restricted to passengers booked in upper cabin categories. It is/was a bit of an elite system that goes back to the days of the class system on ocean liners that included steerage, second class and first class levels.

Also...Astoria is really a small coastal town in Oregon.

Pleasant for walking around, not for extensive ship excursions-IMHO.

NCL gives suite passengers priority seating at shows. We were in a suite on the NCL Epic in the Haven. The concierge took us down to shows early in a back entrance prior to allowing the general public in. This being said, although we enjoyed the Haven, Princess far exceeds NCL on many levels IMHO.

Edited May 7, 2015 by tootsiescurly
addition

[AZ Ocean Lover]

I grew up in Oregon and it seems strange to me that Astoria would be a stop but that being said, renting a car and driving down the coast of Oregon would be a great day. Oregon's coast is absolutely beautiful. Stops in Cannon Beach, Seaside, Ocean City would be a lot of fun. It's also a very easy drive. I would highly recommend this to anyone that might be stopping in Astoria in the future.

[AKman2495]

You can't understand that if you go to a theater show seat prices are different by where they are?...and also, as i said before it is the availability without the wait that is most important.....if you can't see this ...ok...

 

I agree with Caribill. I consider the Princess theater to be one big orchestra section (no balcony or Loge section).

 

And I have seen the same thing. According to you when the theater is mostly empty, the few people all scattered about the theater would actually be bunched together in the "best spot" in the house.

 

We usually sit behind the break between the lower theater and upper theater-not right in the first row, but a few rows back. To us, that is ideal. We also tend to sit towards the center of the aisle rather than take an aisle seat.

 

Other do just the opposite. Remember, this is for a virtually empty theater. people can sit anywhere they want. And they still sit all over the place.

 

So, Just where do you think are the "ideal" seats?

[LabGuy64]

Yes,

 

we should have stayed in astoria and just walked around...or took the trolley

 

Yes, we saw those school buses and thought that they were for us waiting for the shuttles. Then they drove past us to the tour groups and I thought that must be a joke. Wow! Riding on those buses to Canon Beach must be so uncomfortable!

We did the $7 shuttles but the line for the Astoria Column ride was so long that we just gave up. The little train ride was fun though.

[LabGuy64]

I really don't get how you are fixated on this ideal location thing...my point has NOTHING to do with being placed in some ideal location. ALL it had to do with was being seated in a place with a good view and NO LINE TO WAIT IN. guarenteed seating in a theater that can't hold more than a fraction of the passengers onboard. this is not a complex concept. Just a bit of special treatment that I think Suite passengers deserve because they pay a premium.

 

 

I agree with Caribill. I consider the Princess theater to be one big orchestra section (no balcony or Loge section).

 

And I have seen the same thing. According to you when the theater is mostly empty, the few people all scattered about the theater would actually be bunched together in the "best spot" in the house.

 

We usually sit behind the break between the lower theater and upper theater-not right in the first row, but a few rows back. To us, that is ideal. We also tend to sit towards the center of the aisle rather than take an aisle seat.

 

Other do just the opposite. Remember, this is for a virtually empty theater. people can sit anywhere they want. And they still sit all over the place.

 

So, Just where do you think are the "ideal" seats?

[RDC1]

only for tender service...if there is a dock you wait in line. as for your other comments they don't really make that much sense. anything one passenger has that another does not is the same thing...be it cabin space, priority embarkation, a free specialty dinner special lounge that other passengers may not use, you would have to term as a form of "elitism" you can even say the same for services one passenger can't afford. but it is not...you are simply getting more because you pay for more. not a status thing....it's value for the dollar spent. and while you might think that it is the room you are paying for others view it differently.

 

Other cruise lines have gone that route, you might like them better. I like Princess because they haven't.

[LabGuy64]

Thanks,

 

if I need any suggestions on alternate cruise lines I will let you know.

if you are not a Suite cruiser why do you care what benefits are available to them?...has nothing to do with YOUR cruise experiance. plus, I was hardly asking for the sun and moon...just 2 very minor perks. of course if princess wanted to knock a few grand off the cost of the suite ...I would have no problems with what they are offering. I just think they charge a bit much for what they offer

 

Other cruise lines have gone that route, you might like them better. I like Princess because they haven't.

Edited May 8, 2015 by LabGuy64

[RDC1]

Thanks,

 

if I need any suggestions on alternate cruise lines I will let you know.

if you are not a Suite cruiser why do you care what benefits are available to them?...has nothing to do with YOUR cruise experiance. plus, I was hardly asking for the sun and moon...just 2 very minor perks. of course if princess wanted to knock a few grand off the cost of the suite ...I would have no problems with what they are offering. I just think they charge a bit much for what they offer

 

Actually it does. For example one cannot set in the center in the Balcony on Celebrity if not in a suite. So if you like sitting there it is a negative. If you used to like Micheal's club on Celebrity too bad it is now suite only. If you wait to exit and someone else can jump the line it impacts the experience. If the amount of public space is reduced it impacts the experience. The list goes on.

 

Celebrity and NCL have moved portions of the ship to Suite only and increased suite rates. On Princess you basically pay for the room and the rest of the services are the same. Suite prices tend to be lower and one gets pretty much the same access and the same services suite or not. I do sail in suites (when I have reasons to do so), I have also sailed in insides and just about every other class. I like the idea that I can count on the consistent access and service no matter what room I book.

 

I used to sail primarily on Celebrity, the more they have copied NCL the less I have sailed on them.

[LabGuy64]

But, they are not charging the same.....again I go back....if they want to reduce the price for the suite then that level of services is fine.....you begrudge the people in suites a few extras even though they pay many times what you are probably paying....you should happily wish the suite passengers their little perks.....them paying 10X an inside's cost keeps the price lower for the others....especially as they also spend more on incidentals and in the shops upping Princess revenues

 

 

Actually it does. For example one cannot set in the center in the Balcony on Celebrity if not in a suite. So if you like sitting there it is a negative. If you used to like Micheal's club on Celebrity too bad it is now suite only. If you wait to exit and someone else can jump the line it impacts the experience. If the amount of public space is reduced it impacts the experience. The list goes on.

 

Celebrity and NCL have moved portions of the ship to Suite only and increased suite rates. On Princess you basically pay for the room and the rest of the services are the same. Suite prices tend to be lower and one gets pretty much the same access and the same services suite or not. I do sail in suites (when I have reasons to do so), I have also sailed in insides and just about every other class. I like the idea that I can count on the consistent access and service no matter what room I book.

 

I used to sail primarily on Celebrity, the more they have copied NCL the less I have sailed on them.

[sjn911]

Just am so sorry they did such a terrible job showcasing Astoria, Seaside, and Cannon Beach. With scenic views, Lewis and Clark History points of Interest, Flavel House and Astoria column and cannery in Astoria..Antique shopping all places...view restaurants all places and Cannon Beach being one of the top 10 beaches in US for natural beauty and uncrowded visiting...those people and tour services blew it...there are nice new hotels there all the time...

 

Spent 21 years going to all 3 places a lot for several weekends a year...

Love San Fran and other stops and would have loved this cruise..thanks for sharing and hope the sharing of the visiting areas improves. They could have at least driven you to 3 gorgeous view places and given some great history.

 

Glad most still had a good cruise and thanks OP for report..was thinking of going back to Princess on these coastals...Sarah

[RDC1]

But, they are not charging the same.....again I go back....if they want to reduce the price for the suite then that level of services is fine.....you begrudge the people in suites a few extras even though they pay many times what you are probably paying....you should happily wish the suite passengers their little perks.....them paying 10X an inside's cost keeps the price lower for the others....especially as they also spend more on incidentals and in the shops upping Princess revenues

 

They do get extra, they get additional space. Space which is at a premium on board ship. Considering the relatively few number of suites they can find people willing to pay for that space. It is up to each if they think the price is worth that value. The wonderful thing about the cruise industry is that there are lots of price points and lots of decisions.

 

I really don't care what they give people in suites, as long as they don't start negatively impacting others on board, by reducing their space, restricting their access, moving them to the back of the line etc.

 

For example if they want to give drink packages, free access to specialty restaurants, butlers, etc. Those do not negatively impact others. Blocking off seating areas, closing lounges to make them private, etc does.

 

As far as spending on board not sure you can consistently make that claim as far as on board spending goes without having access to actual ship spending data. I have seen a very wide range with some people staying in insides spending a great deal between casino, excursions, bars, etc. and know people that stay in suites that have spent next to nothing on board.

[caribill]

NCL gives suite passengers priority seating at shows. We were in a suite on the NCL Epic in the Haven. The concierge took us down to shows early in a back entrance prior to allowing the general public in.

 

So for the benefit of getting priority seating, the suite passengers must get to the venue extra early so they can claim their seats before all others are allowed to enter.

 

Seems like the suite passengers will be spending a good part of their evenings just sitting in the venue waiting for the show to start.

[MJSailors]

They do get extra, they get additional space. Space which is at a premium on board ship. Considering the relatively few number of suites they can find people willing to pay for that space. It is up to each if they think the price is worth that value. The wonderful thing about the cruise industry is that there are lots of price points and lots of decisions.

 

I really don't care what they give people in suites, as long as they don't start negatively impacting others on board, by reducing their space, restricting their access, moving them to the back of the line etc.

 

For example if they want to give drink packages, free access to specialty restaurants, butlers, etc. Those do not negatively impact others. Blocking off seating areas, closing lounges to make them private, etc does.

 

As far as spending on board not sure you can consistently make that claim as far as on board spending goes without having access to actual ship spending data. I have seen a very wide range with some people staying in insides spending a great deal between casino, excursions, bars, etc. and know people that stay in suites that have spent next to nothing on board.

 

Excellent response.

[LabGuy64]

Can't say much for Seaside as we just sat in the convention center parking lot but, cannon beach was nice ...some good galleries ect....was just a bad tour company....and a bad reflection on someone at Princess approving them

 

Just am so sorry they did such a terrible job showcasing Astoria, Seaside, and Cannon Beach. With scenic views, Lewis and Clark History points of Interest, Flavel House and Astoria column and cannery in Astoria..Antique shopping all places...view restaurants all places and Cannon Beach being one of the top 10 beaches in US for natural beauty and uncrowded visiting...those people and tour services blew it...there are nice new hotels there all the time...

 

Spent 21 years going to all 3 places a lot for several weekends a year...

Love San Fran and other stops and would have loved this cruise..thanks for sharing and hope the sharing of the visiting areas improves. They could have at least driven you to 3 gorgeous view places and given some great history.

 

Glad most still had a good cruise and thanks OP for report..was thinking of going back to Princess on these coastals...Sarah