Even if you love Princess, help them with ideas to improve

[jennew]

That is my biggest complaint. We bring coffee and a coffee maker from home, but really I can't believe they can provide top notch food and no coffee thats worth drinking.

We are from NY and are avid coffee drinkers...perhaps we are choosier than others?

[FairwindLover]

I used to love Princess back in the early 90's. The line has changed so much that I barley recongznize it. I hope the decision makers read these posts and act on them. I'd change:

1) The CONSTANT onboard marketing. Art auction goods all over the ship blocking passageways, lounges/dining rooms, stairwells. This greatly cheapens the experience. At no time on a Princess cruise am I left with any other impression than " it's all about revenue production"!:mad:

2) The new ships are ugly inside & out (IMHO), and too big. Make ships that carry no more than 1,500 pax. Return to those light filled public rooms with floor to ceiling windows and Scandinavian modern furniture. It was a mistake to replace the Vista lounges from Sun class ships to the horrid Club Fusion on the newer ships.

3) The focus should once again be on service and quality. Have the white gloved stewards escort pax at embarkation to cabins intead of simply pointing the directions froms elevators and stairwells as is the current system. Food and beverage departments need MAJOR overhall. As another member said, most of us live in areas where we dine out often and now when we're being served excellent food or junk. Princess should raise their bar.

4) Guarantee Traditional dining preference on do away with Anytime dining.

5) Enforce passenger conduct/dress codes.

6) Bring back Sitmar!!! Just do everything the way is was on the Fairwind!
(It's an actual re-occuring dream I have in my sleep that Princess decides to do this.)

[wayneruth]

would like to have return trips to Vancouver. Had to use Holland America last trip to Alaska. Don't want the return trip to and from Seattle as they travel on the western side of Vancouver Island, it can be rough and you miss all the beauty of cruising between the Island and the BC mainland.

Serve drinkable coffee instead of the motor oil they use.

replace the furniture on the balcony with a better quality table and chairs.

[Len3]

We recently cruised the Inside Passage on the Sun Princess and loved our trip....but they need to improve the payout in the casino. After the first night, no one even bothered to play. The slots were locked tighter than a drum - no fun for anyone. They need to "give a little" in order to keep interest going throughout the cruise.

[KAJOKG]

To add to my original post....I wish Princess would have the Star do alternating itineraries. We would love to take a b2b, but not if it goes back to the Western Carib each time.
I hope that Princess is satisfied with the one mega pax ship, the Caribbean Princess. I hated it, but it's a money maker. It rarely leaves port with an empty cabin, and 1st time cruisers love it. My favorite ship?....The Coral!

[Smiles3usa]

I'm a new Princess cruiser (my first on Princess is in a couple of weeks). With that disclaimer out of the way, I wish Princess would adopt a consistant policy regarding the $$$ for cruises. Sometimes those who book early secure their rooms at the best overall cost. Sometimes those who book later do so. It seems routine for Princess to drop the cost of the cruise SIGNIFICANTLY--and generally in ALL cabin categories--once the final payment period rolls around. The only exception seems to be when the ship sells out early. I would prefer that those who book their cruise earlier are rewarded with a lower cost, then those who wait till the last minute. But consistency would really be appreciated. Then I could easily decide whether to book up front or not. For me, the particular room is of little concern--and I surely would not knowingly pay a premium of up to $100/pp per day, to select a room as opposed to waiting and just take what is left--in the same category.

[madelinerose]

Interactive tv. ;)

[JohnLauben]

A few more design considerations:
1) The (old) PACIFIC, ISLAND and (if I recall correctly) SKY PRINCESSes had water coolers near the pools areas ... these should return
2) Every elevator in a bank should service the same decks. Note that on the GRAND-series, certain elevators don't service the traditional dining room. You finally give up waiting for one of these, take one of the others down, and walk the remainder of the way. Same with SKYWALKERS. (This was fixed on the DIAMOND-series, but, just a reminder.)
3) The area outside the EXPLORERS lounge, at least when I cruised on the GRAND, seemed to be a "choke" point, as far as traffic was concerned. (I didn't notice the same problem on the STAR or SAPPHIRE.) Maybe this was related to the art auctions; but, things always got slow around there.
4) On the GRAND-series, you have forced to walk through one of the alternative restaurants on your way to/from the theater (show lounge). BAD DESIGN!
5) ALL dining venues should have rest rooms nearby. On the GRAND-series, the closest rest room to the traditional dining room is a deck away. And, one of the other dining rooms on the GRAND (only ... fixed on the GOLDEN and STAR) was across the atrium! Even our beloved REGAL shares this fault, but worse (up a deck, half the ship away)!

[DesrtDrmr]

[quote name='bdjam'][font=Comic Sans MS][color=black]Some observations:[/color][/font]
[list]
[*][font=Comic Sans MS][color=black]The problem with more handicapped cabins on the Sun Class ships is that it would make the standard cabins even smaller – assuming that Princess wanted to keep the same passenger complement. I wonder how fully booked those handicapped cabins are with people who need them?[/color][/font]
[/list][/QUOTE]

I dont believe that having H/C balcony cabins on the Sun would do anything to limit the standard cabins. They would lose two cabins if they made four H/C balcony cabins, or one, if they made two. From what I can see on deck plans, two H/C cabins equal three non H/C cabins. If they put them on Riviera Deck, it would be easy.......on the Sun, Dawn, and Sea. Of course, with the modular cabins, I don't know how easy it would be, but it would be welcome. They could open the H/C cabins to general booking, or upgrading, after final payment.

I can't figure out how to put another quote on here, but for imsulin, there was fresh squeezed OJ on the Island last April. It was in the morning, and carried an additional charge of $ 2.75, but it was there. "Regular" OJ, was also available at no charge. This was in Horizon Court.........I don't know if you could get it in the dining room. Walter squeezed the oranges right after you paid, so it was very fresh!! :)

[UKLady]

Improve the UK website or allow UK passengers to register their circle membership and use the cruise personaliser properly on the US site

Bring UK pricing inline with US pricing

Play relaxing music in the thermal spa and hot bed area to make it a relaxing place rather than listening to the thud thud thud of the music from the pool area

As others have said enforce policies that are in place but not enforced

Make sun lounger hoggers and other rule breakers walk the plank

Stop offering cruises that stop at Ochio Rios - no one likes it (well no one I have spoke to)

More seating on grand class ships, there is nowhere to sit in the shade, should be more like sun class with loungers on deck 6 (or 7 cant remember) that are in the shade (I hope they are still there for my next cruise!)

Offer belgian waffels for breakfast - because there are not enough weight gain products on offer!!

Get rid of the gym and have a deserts only restaurant in its place

Give the pursers desk staff a big stick to hit passengers who yell at them over things that are not their fault

Get rid of the champagne fountain - we all know its cheap and nasty - and replace with a chocolate fountain, much more fun

[UKLady]

Oh and I nearly forgot

Although I like the coffee, change it, so everyone who hates it wont have to spend hours on CC talking about hating it.

Princess you owe it to your passengers, give them their lives back, change the coffee!!

[Coral]

UK Lady - you are hilarious! Thanks for the laughs :)

[Arlened236]

Originally Posted by bdjam
Some observations:
The problem with more handicapped cabins on the Sun Class ships is that it would make the standard cabins even smaller – assuming that Princess wanted to keep the same passenger complement. I wonder how fully booked those handicapped cabins are with people who need them?

Dear Bdjam...I need the h/c...I am an above the knee amputee and need the extra space in the handicapped cabin for my w/c for night use, and and the scooter for day use. When my husband and I tried to book a cruise in Jan, Feb or March (we tired in early June) there was only one ship that had a balcony handicapped cabin available) so we booked it...it was not my destination of choice. So to answer your question they are booked by people that need them...and if they are not booked they should be available to anyone after final payment is due.
Other requests for Princess.
1. More auto doors to the outside decks...not push/pull doors
2. more auto doors to public bathrooms on other decks.
3. at least one pool and spa that is w/c accessible (without stairs)
4. Do not charge for ice cream...or at least have a free soft serve Ice cream in Horizon court.
5. have less obstructions in the hall ways ...difficult to get thru with my scooter
6. Also I third the suggestion that they consider number of days not number of cruises for Platinum and Elite status. I have never taken a Princess cruise under 10 days...and will just be getting Platinum status next cruise.
7. And lastly please go back to traditional seating for dinner...there are always arguments and yelling at the head waiter the first night.when people do not get their choice...not many on the waitlist seem to get changed.
Inspite of these needed improvements ...I still prefer Princess..have never had a bad cruise with Princess...wonderful staff, good food, and interesting passengers and destinations.

[MaryPoppinz]

I wouldn't mind a ship in Galveston year-round....

[bdjam]

[quote name='Arlened236']Originally Posted by bdjam
Some observations:
The problem with more handicapped cabins on the Sun Class ships is that it would make the standard cabins even smaller – assuming that Princess wanted to keep the same passenger complement. I wonder how fully booked those handicapped cabins are with people who need them?

Dear Bdjam...I need the h/c...I am an above the knee amputee and need the extra space in the handicapped cabin for my w/c for night use, and and the scooter for day use. When my husband and I tried to book a cruise in Jan, Feb or March (we tired in early June) there was only one ship that had a balcony handicapped cabin available) so we booked it...it was not my destination of choice. So to answer your question they are booked by people that need them...and if they are not booked they should be available to anyone after final payment is due.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]I dont believe that having H/C balcony cabins on the Sun would do anything to limit the standard cabins. They would lose two cabins if they made four H/C balcony cabins, or one, if they made two. From what I can see on deck plans, two H/C cabins equal three non H/C cabins. If they put them on Riviera Deck, it would be easy.......on the Sun, Dawn, and Sea. Of course, with the modular cabins, I don't know how easy it would be, but it would be welcome. They could open the H/C cabins to general booking, or upgrading, after final payment. [/QUOTE]
[font=Comic Sans MS][color=black][color=black][font='Comic Sans MS']My comments about handicapped cabins were in no way meant to deny anyone their due. If a passenger is handicapped, they certainly deserve to use one of those cabins. But here are the facts:[/font][/color][color=#3300cc][font='Comic Sans MS'][/font][/color][/color]

[list]
[*][color=black][font='Comic Sans MS']There are a good number of comments from non-handicapped people on these boards who are booked into handicapped cabins – that leads me to believe that Princess is not fully booking the handicapped cabins they have in the proper way. I see very few complaints about handicapped people being denied a handicapped cabin - so I have to assume the number of handicapped cabins Princess already has is adequate for the demand.[/font][font=Verdana] [/font][/color]
[*][color=black][font='Comic Sans MS']Basic ship and cabin design would dictate that one additional handicapped cabin would reduce the standard cabin count by more than one – thereby reducing the number of passengers Princess can book. I’m sure they wouldn’t like that.[/font][font=Verdana][/font][/color]
[/list][color=black][font='Comic Sans MS'][color=black]I didn't mean to rile anyone up - I was just thinking practically. [/color][/font][/color][color=#3300cc][font='Comic Sans MS']

[/font][/color][color=black][font='Comic Sans MS'][color=black]And while I'm at it - it seems from the posts here that lemonade, free ice cream and coffee make up the majority of issues with Princess. Considering the real issues that face Princess and discourage those of us who are loyal, my opinion is these are minor.[/color][/font][/color]

[/font]

[kryos]

[quote name='Pam in MA']Here's another one for the list that's one of my pet peeves. I've completed 109 days on Princess with another 34 booked and I still have several more cruises beyond those to get to Elite status.

Platinum and Elite Captain's Circle should be based on the # of days cruised, not the number of cruises. Most of my cruises are 14 - 21 days (they average out to 11 days/cruise) and are they counted as only 1. The Captain's Circle reward system doesn't seem quite fair since someone could take 3 or 4 coastal cruises to my one cruise.[/QUOTE]
Thank you. You beat me to this comment. I'm nowhere near the number of days as you are, but I have 25 days on Princess, but only two cruises to my credit. I'm a long way from seeing any sort of benefits. Yet I hear about people who have little more days than I do who are already enjoying Platinum and Elite benefits.

Another pet peeve, and I know this is gonna p*ss some people off. Limit the free internet for those who get it. It should either be free email only, or there should be a minutes limit. Because everyone getting unlimited free internet is working on their ebay sites for hours, or just idly surfing the web, it's taking me an hour to just read and respond to a couple of emails. It's nice that you are getting free internet, but I don't think that it's fair that Princess is requiring me to subsidize it with the incredibly slow internet speeds. I can't even afford to try to bring up Cruise Critic while onboard because it takes so long to load the website ... and then, heaven forbid, to actually post. I've spent plenty of time in HAL's internet room, and have easily been able to get on, do my business, and get off in a reasonable amount of time ... so it can't just be a slow satellite feed. I say Princess should either drastically reduce the cost of internet access for us slugs that have to pay for it ... or they should limit the amount of free internet time provided to those who have earned the privilege of not paying for it. After all, I think the whole purpose of the free internet was to allow folks to keep in touch with family and work while enjoying their cruise. I don't think the purpose was to have people parking it in the internet room all day, doing stuff that they could well wait until they get home to do.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[greatuncle]

A sister ship to the Coral and Island Princesses to operate the Southern Caribbean itineraries and find another home for the Dawn or Sun. I just can't stand the cutout balconies on the Dawn/Sun I find them too small and very claustrophobic. I just love the tiered decks (aren't the BA balcony cabins on Caribe deck just wonderful?) and the high space ratios of the Coral/Island.

Shall now get back under cover with my hard hat on to avoid the flak coming from the Dawn/Sun devotees!!

More British senior officers upholding the fine traditions of the Merchant Navy - that's too much to hope for.

I think it's great that we all have such different ideas. As the majority want - I too would like to see present rules/guidelines enforced, especially in the dining rooms.

Peter in the UK

[Opinions]

If Princess is truly the cruise line of Personal Choice then make formal night optional on those ships with multiple main dining rooms...Make at least one main dining room casual all the time and enforce the dress code in the others.

[spongerob]

Aaah, but Opinions, it's formal [b]night[/b], not dinner.

[bdjam]

[QUOTE]Make at least one main dining room casual all the time and enforce the dress code in the others. [/QUOTE] [color=black][font=Comic Sans MS]Doesn’t NCL do that?[/font][/color]

[color=black][font=Comic Sans MS]There have been a couple of posts which favor returning to Traditional Dining – how about this? Since Princess has many ships with multiple dining rooms, stagger the dining times like they do on Carnival and get rid of the Anytime product which just seems to hamper the smooth flow of passengers to evening events, causes passenger frustration and is the root of many quality complaints. On ships with three dining rooms, you could have up to six starting times for dinner and Princess could schedule the start times with the most demand with the greatest number of tables. Since those who choose Anytime Dining all seem to want to get into the dining room during the same general window of time (hence the need to curtail reservations for that time period) a start time somewhere between early and late could be designated in the dining room with the largest capacity. Passengers can have their Personal Choice by determining what time they want to dine when booking. [/font][/color]

[color=black][font=Comic Sans MS][color=black][font=Comic Sans MS]As for changing the way Captain Circle tiers are designated, I’m all for changing from number of cruises to number of days – with the caveat that those of us who have already reached one level or another (in my case Elite after my next cruise) aren’t pulled back to something less.[/font][/color]
[/font][/color]

[Ula]

I think the handicapped cabins are kept open till the last day. We book our cabins just in case with my husband. The mini suite has the room. Rich has degenerative spine disease and there are times it is bad. The family quote is as long as we can get him on the ship he will still have a good time. He does.
We save and book the possible needs.

[jnc411]

Hi, I already posted on this thread with my suggestions. But I need to add one more, after reading another thread on this board "Nightmare- what would you do?" I would suggest that Reservations/Customer Relations do a better job of communications with passangers, obviously there is a problem there.

Cori

[jean s]

I would love to see another ship built in the Coral/Island class. I've sailed on a number of Princess but Coral was my all time favorite. There never seemed to be crowds and the ship just flowed nicely. I would also love to see Tortola put back on Star's itinerary. I don't understand why it was taken off. We loved it when we cruised on Star last February. :o

[scottydog123]

1. Get a stage for the bands playing outside on the pool deck. I could not understand what Tenacity was playing..Accoustics are lousy.

2. Deck Parties need more umph. Have been on Celebrity and Carnival and they always have great Mexican Buffets during the Deck Parties.
As well as great decorations. No decoration on CB for the big deck party other than streamers and Leis.

3. More entertainment during the day, other than money making schemes for Princess, Bingo, Scholars at Sea, Art Auctions, Spa Treatments, etc.

4. Better Movies on the TV as well as MUTS. Interative TV to view your bill

Thats it for now.

[sradogna]

Clarify once and for all a position on formal attire aboard ship, make it consistent and mean it and then publicize it accurately.

Right now there is a policy that there is formal dining and a casual alternative for those who don't wish to dress. Perfect! ! However, there is also a statement on some patters that says 'Please respect the dress code for the entire evening'. Offering a casual dining alternative AND asking that the dress code be respected for the entire evening is inconsistent, not enforced and just plain wrong. They don't really mean 'Please dress casually, enjoy your meal and now go scurry back to your room or hide on Lido deck' so why do they pretend to.

In practice, Princess offers me a casual dining alternative AND welcomes me with a smile into the casino, any bar, any show and gladly takes my money regardless of my attire so why do they pretend to support an entire formal evening when in reality, they barely support a formal 'dinner'.

Princess needs to take a clear consistent position on the issue and mean it. If they truly mean dress formally all night or sit on Lido Deck they need to say it, enforce it and suffer the consequences of the lost revenue from that decision. But to say it only in a half-hearted attempt to please the 'formal' camp in words only is annoying and creates problems between passengers.