Crown Princess Thoughts

[Astro Flyer]

I forgot to add, in relation to rude staff - I am amazed sometimes how the crew keep calm and professional. We witnessed some passengers being extremely rude to staff who were there to help them - one time in the buffet I could not ignore this and politely told the passenger that they were probably the most ignorant and annoying person I had ever had the misfortune to come across on a ship, and that it was people like her that give cruising a bad name...the crew are there to help and not to be treated like servants, which is exactly what she was doing...

While you experienced this one inappropriate passenger's actions it's probably not the only time they've acted this way & they're not the only passenger who treated crew so rudely. And such rude passengers are more likely to unfairly report crew to supervisors which I've seen has resulted in cheerful crew becoming more sullen while remaining efficient.

 

Maybe this cruise was one where a higher percentage of passengers either reduced or eliminated the auto gratuity. And crew had to answer management about why so many were changed which reflects poorly on crew performance.

 

More rude passengers & tip changes are bound to affect some crewmembers. For some crew it's not merely a brief job but it's their career. And passengers who treat crew as servants can also severely damage crewmembers employment with unfounded complaints.

[matadams4u]

One of the reasons I cruise on Princess is I like to play a little game of counting everything that goes right even in situations where something has gone wrong. It is a way for me to reenergize my sense of customer service or creating positive experiences with ordinary interactions. Personally I love the diversity of the princess staff and how everyone has their own unique way of creating a great guest experience. A couple things went slightly awry - mostly minor flight issues and a bus with a flat tire - but even then I was blown away with how even minor situations of slight inconvenience were handled. I've learned the hard way that it is much more fun to expect little but delight in every positive experience no matter how small the experience.

[antsp]

I was on the Transatlantic, one day whilst getting ice cream on lido deck, just as i was being served this women pushed in front of me, threw her tub of ice cream at the staff member and yelled at her that is was disgusting and shouldn't be described as ice cream. I did explain to her that i was in line and she was extremely rude . 5 minutes later she called one of the supervisors over, she was some distance away from me at this point, by chance my daughter showed up too, so i made great emphasis on pointing this person out to her just so she knew i was talking about her. The crew member just kept smiling politely all through this.

[mellon1]

I forgot to add, in relation to rude staff - I am amazed sometimes how the crew keep calm and professional. We witnessed some passengers being extremely rude to staff who were there to help them - one time in the buffet I could not ignore this and politely told the passenger that they were probably the most ignorant and annoying person I had ever had the misfortune to come across on a ship, and that it was people like her that give cruising a bad name...the crew are there to help and not to be treated like servants, which is exactly what she was doing...

 

 

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Good for you. The staff work so hard. We have witnessed people complaining because they were taking our order for dinner and not theirs. Who cares, we are on vacation and don't have to cook!

[hope2]

We are just off the Crown as well. First time with Princess and not too worried about going with them again.

Our cabin was fine and our steward lovely. We enjoyed some of the entertainment and watching films up on deck. However, there are major problems in the main dining rooms. Service very slow and distracted. On one occasion our row of 5 tables for two were waiting for 45 mins for our main courses. When they came they were cold, we were all very British and no one sent their food back mainly because the waitress was clearly on the verge of tears. Some tables were offered petit fours others not. Our bills were handwritten and twice we found our account had been charged wrongly, once by a bottle of wine which had been ordered by the table next to us.

The immigration problems for Zeebrugge were ridiculous. I can't understand why it was not made clear from the bridge that all non uk had to have their passports checked whether they were getting off or not. Instead there were very quiet announcements that were not at all clear and could easily be missed. We felt very sorry for the people that had come especially to go on the Battlefields tour.

For Helsingborg obviously it was very windy and I wouldn't have fancied going on a tender but the Captain definitely implied that as we were so close there would be a way to go to Sweden. We wondered if it was another problem with immigration that stopped them going there.

The Captain did not come across as very imoressive.

There is a lot of hard selling going on,

We did not remove our tips but can imagine with all the problems a lot of people did. There were several times we heard people being advised to do that to save some money.

We got a good Black Friday deal for this cruise, we enjoyed Copenhagen and Oslo and obviously with all the problems in the world, it is a bit ridiculous to complain about minor things but I think we will not be sailing with Princess again.

[Griller]

Art Auctions.

 

I just wondered how they fared on our mainly British cruise (13.05.17)

I think it's something that the Americans expect, but going by the lack of diners in the Crown Grill (+$29) and lack of interest in the Casino I wonder how many pictures were purchased.

I know that Azamara have listened to their passengers and have stopped them.

 

 

We found that if we had the time, it was better to eat breakfast and lunch in the MDR as it was always difficult to find seating in the Horizon.

Comments from table companions who were all Platinum status made us think that there certainly were certain reductions e.g.:

No fruit basket to welcome them to their cabin.

No Princess bag-on the bed on arrival. Apparently they hadn't been delivered.

 

 

 

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Been Platinum since Platinum began and never had a fruit basket yet, nor do I want one, didn't even know it was a perk that they came by default, although I think we could order one if we wanted to, and the bags usually turn up several days into the cruise depending on who knows what factor?

 

No art auctions on Pacific Princess any more and I am told Cunard stopped them too, they are tacky

[DRS/NC]

"Here is how we deal with Art Auctions......We don't attend them......we dump the flyers in the waste basket, we ignore the announcements for the auctions and we only go to the Explorer's lounge when entertainment that we are interested in is advertised.

No one has ever pressured us to do anything on the ships we have sailed."

 

AMEN!

[vet6691]

It's me again! Just reading on another post that the Crown does NOT have the new beds/bedding. I thought the suites and mini-suites had the new beds/bedding. Has anyone been in a full suite and know if the new beds were there? We are going to be in D737. The new beds for us are wonderful. I know we could not take being on a horrible mattress for 34 days.

 

We were on the 13th May cruise, we were in a club class mini suite and we had the new bedding. It was really comfortable, the linen was gorgeous and the pillows were like clouds.

[berlingo]

Been Platinum since Platinum began and never had a fruit basket yet, nor do I want one, didn't even know it was a perk that they came by default, although I think we could order one if we wanted to, and the bags usually turn up several days into the cruise depending on who knows what factor?

 

 

Yes this is what we understand to be the case.

You can request a fruit bowl via your steward and the blue bags arrive at some point later in your cruise.

I do struggle to understand why some people spend time out of their cruise trying to find examples of so called "falling standards". It does seem something of a hobby of my fellow Brits.

[we3peas]

I usually do not review my cruises on here but this one was the worst one I've ever been on. We were sailing the first sailing from Southampton to Zeebrugge-Copenhagen-Helsingborg-Olso of the season. We have sailed Princess 9 times now and are Platinum members for reference. We booked P244 and had a great room in a great location with a great room steward, Ian.

Checking in Ocean Terminal in Southampton was so easy. It was not crowded we walked right up to the desk and were checked in and through security in about 7 minutes total. Wish Port Everglades was so easy. The only bad up til now was the traffic on M3. It was a warm day and everyone in England seemed to want to go to the coast and the M3 is under construction.

After check in we went straight to the room and unpacked since we only do carryons we were able to finish that in 10 minutes. Then we went to check out the ship and do our raffle stamps. I didn't notice anything being over worn or stained at any time while on the Crown.

As for the beds, while on ship we were told by the Future Cruise consultant that the Club Class, Suites and minis all had the new bedding and all other rooms would be finished system wide by the end of 2018. I asked Ian, our steward, to place an egg crate on our bed and he willingly found one for me.

The captain on ship was Justin Lawes and he did not impress me. He would start to speak and have very long pauses in his messages so you never knew if he was finished or not. Duke, the cruise director, made fun of him at several trivias I went to. At first he was giving us enough information about why we were delayed from Southampton( an IT problem that was Princess' fault with hardware, enough that they couldn't check in 300 people in the terminal). And for this we received $100 cruise shipboard credit. Then he gave us conflicting info the next day about non EU people and "surrendering" our passports at 1330 when we docked in Zeebrugge that caused a massive PR problem and lots of pissed off passengers. I guess if you are EU or from Britain you didn't have as big an issue but those that weren't literally had a port taken away from them. We had planned to go into Brugge, but by the time we would have gotten off the boat (lines were very long) at 1530 and then waited for the port bus to take you out of the port, we would have missed everything we planned to see. Brugges' attractions all closed at 1700 and most shut their doors at 1645. We had friends on the ship that literally had a church door closed in their face after they had raced to get there. We are not drinkers so pubs aren't attractive to us so we gave up one of our days not knowing that we soon would be giving up two. And for this we received nothing.

He announced around 1645 on the Copenhagen day that the weather was bad and we would not go to the port of Helsingborg and tender. This was his only announcement that I heard and most passengers were still off the ship since we weren't supposed to leave until 0300. The lines at customer service were always long on this trip because of all the problems. Princess offered nothing to get to Helsingborg except to tell us about a bus or train schedule. I know the city isn't the greatest but we still wanted to get there but Princess offered no help with transportation.

It was about this time that since we were doing trivia between the Explorers Lounge and Club Fusion that I found out that the ladies room nearest those had 2 stalls go down out of 3. This was on our 2nd day and they stayed that way for the rest of the trip. So in that instance maintenance was an issue for me. Otherwise I saw workers always cleaning, painting, and general housekeeping much of the time. There is a strong dirty diaper odor coming from the starboard side of the ship. I smelled it every time I walked out on deck 7. Early morning when I got my coffee, lunchtime, and evening hours. It did not go away. Not a problem on the port side of the ship.

Food on board is ok. Nothing to write home with fanfare about. We usually eat in the buffet because the dining room just takes too much time. Sometimes we will go to the Crown Grill for a nice night out.

The ship was supposedly sailing full but in the last 3 cruises I have taken the crew never opens both sides of the Horizon Court. This is why it gets really crowded in there. And they close seating down in the side they don't use. And with bad weather everyone was inside- only a few hardy souls were outside on the pool decks and for our 2nd day in Copenhagen since the winds were so bad they wouldn't let us out on the open decks at all.( I understand this). Which is why it gets more crowded but there is not enough seating to eat inside when this happened.

I do have a praise of the medical staff on the ship. Our daughter came down with Noro and became very dehydrated the last day. The nurses and doctor were excellent on board. She ended up getting an IV and staying in the medical bay for 2 hours. After releasing her they called several times to check up on her. As a bonus to that we got to be first off the ship the next day when we docked. I always wondered what the medical area looked like but it was never on a tour. Now we know and never need to see it again.

We've decided after this experience we need to take a break from cruising and let this experience dim in our memories before trying again. A shame too because I booked 6 cruises during their recent $2 sale.

[Griller]

Sorry to hear about your daughter's tummy trouble. Was it definitely actually diagnosed as Noro?

E Coli is more common, but of course Crown P had an ongoing frequent Noro problem for years, they thought it was fixed now though.

I''ve been on many ships with it, not that it is just a ship problem, but due to frequent handwashing and sanitizing of everything I touch AND not putting my fingers near my orifices AND not putting my fingers on elevator buttons or handrails AND being lucky that I didn't get it from infected galley workers I never got it on a ship yet.

[dickinson]

We3peas - Sorry to hear about your unpleasant cruise. However, you have sailed Princess 9 times already. Clearly you know that each ship is managed differently depending upon who is in charge because you kept cruising. I understand not wanting to cruise again next month but you should reconsider canceling 6 cruises... especially if they are on different ships.

 

I sailed the Crown this past Oct/Nov for 28 days. Had a great time but of course not everything was perfect. Will be sailing on her again for 10 days in November. Hope the cruise is better than yours.

[upwarduk]

I found out that the ladies room nearest those had 2 stalls go down out of 3. This was on our 2nd day and they stayed that way for the rest of the trip. So in that instance maintenance was an issue for me.

 

 

Same on the previous 2 week cruise.

[Grego]

We'll be on the Crown in December for a quick 5-day voyage basically because the cost was "almost free" and it hit a couple of ports we haven't been to yet....had to figure but true. I'm sure it will be a good cruise or it will be our own fault.

[mellon1]

We'll be on the Crown in December for a quick 5-day voyage basically because the cost was "almost free" and it hit a couple of ports we haven't been to yet....had to figure but true. I'm sure it will be a good cruise or it will be our own fault.

 

That is wonderful for you! We have found the prices increased year to year. Our 2019 cruises we are looking at cutting back as prices have been much more than previous years.

 

So in 2018 paying a lot more than before we are hoping for a wonderful time.

[mellon1]

Good for you. The staff work so hard. We have witnessed people complaining because they were taking our order for dinner and not theirs. Who cares, we are on vacation and don't have to cook!

 

Wow, we had that also. People seem to want to complain about everything. We told our waiter, take care of them...don't want you to get in trouble as they did complain Really. Don't even get me going on this. Our waiter did everything to help them and they were totally mean to him.

[Blondilu]

Three months, 3 weeks and counting to the Crown. 2 days in New York, then New England and Canada.

 

Count me in the group who really can't tell which ship is which. I'm sure it will be fine, it always is. But, then, I used to travel with my mother and her sisters. Referred to affectionately as the "the Aunts". The stories are famous/notorious in our family. The sometimes bad luck in lodging (think Bates Motel, without the blood), the great little out of the way restaurants at the top of somewhere, the funny people we met, and the times we spent "lost". Or as my mother used to call it: "the scenic route." I learned early from them that it was about the journey, not the destination. And if you're lucky enough you won't remember the funky little details as much as you'll remember the laughter and good company. These are the memories I'm trying to build with my own sisters now that we are the "Aunts".

 

So, if the Crown turns out to be less than expected, then I expect it will just become another long-winded and entertaining story.

 

I could complain all day about work, traffic, clients, laundry. The list is endless. It would take something really, really bad for me to complain about vacation. At least on a cruise if bad things happens, they give you free stuff. Nothing there to complain about.

[Sasksilver]

"I learned early from them that it was about the journey, not the destination. And if you're lucky enough you won't remember the funky little details as much as you'll remember the laughter and good company"

 

 

Very well said Blondilu!

[we3peas]

Thought I would update on our disaster of a cruise. After writing in to Princess I finally had someone contact me and was offered a specialty meal in one of the restaurants onboard my next cruise. Hmm...I wonder if they will pay out on the Celebrity ship I'm taking next. Since I'm putting Princess in my rearview mirror for a long while.:D

[travelgirl45]

While it's understandable to want to learn about cruise experiences, for the reasons you posted it's the unhappy cruisers who are more likely to post. And for some reason such negative reviews are too often given more credibility by some passengers who overlook the positive reviews.

 

Even when any ship seems to have a disproportionate number of bad reviews that's still a minuscule number of the total number of passengers who are on any cruise. That results in threads from passengers who worry that they've made a mistake which for me has never been true. A few things may go wrong but that doesn't make my experience a cruise from hell & having a great time on the same poorly reviewed cruise.

 

If I allowed negative passenger CC reviews to affect my decision we would have missed out on many great cruises. And after a cumulative total of several months on the Crown, I wouldn't hesitate at all to sail on the ship again.

 

 

Well said & we've only had good cruises and some that were slightly better.

 

 

I have been on the Royal twice and had a GREAT time. Ship and staff were wonderful. Now going on the Crown in August. If I let these negative posts affect my decision on which ship to sail, I might never leave my house. So, as some have said, it is in all that you make it. Have fun and enjoy! You might not be here tomorrow to go on another cruise. And don't let the cities we visit stop you from exploring. Things happen everywhere. I am not going to let the London or Paris bombings keep me home. Going to enjoy every minute of the day and hope everyone else will, as well. Love sailing Princess

[upwarduk]

I have previously been positive in posts # 42 & 48.

However, now I am loosing patience with Princess.

We are due some OBC which we didn't spend. I had pre purchased it in February and according to my final invoice, we would have it refunded by cheque in 4-6 weeks. We disembarked 6 weeks ago today and so far no cheque.

I have e mailed and you guessed it, no reply as yet.

I will be ringing Southampton on Monday.

Celebrity have a much better system, they credit your credit card on the final morning.

[Host Jazzbeau]

I have been on the Royal twice and had a GREAT time. Ship and staff were wonderful. Now going on the Crown in August. If I let these negative posts affect my decision on which ship to sail, I might never leave my house. So, as some have said, it is in all that you make it. Have fun and enjoy! You might not be here tomorrow to go on another cruise. And don't let the cities we visit stop you from exploring. Things happen everywhere. I am not going to let the London or Paris bombings keep me home. Going to enjoy every minute of the day and hope everyone else will, as well. Love sailing Princess

 

I would be terrified to see how those posters would review my house! :eek:

[Woobstr112G]

Three months, 3 weeks and counting to the Crown. 2 days in New York, then New England and Canada.

 

Count me in the group who really can't tell which ship is which. I'm sure it will be fine, it always is. But, then, I used to travel with my mother and her sisters. Referred to affectionately as the "the Aunts". The stories are famous/notorious in our family. The sometimes bad luck in lodging (think Bates Motel, without the blood), the great little out of the way restaurants at the top of somewhere, the funny people we met, and the times we spent "lost". Or as my mother used to call it: "the scenic route." I learned early from them that it was about the journey, not the destination. And if you're lucky enough you won't remember the funky little details as much as you'll remember the laughter and good company. These are the memories I'm trying to build with my own sisters now that we are the "Aunts".

 

So, if the Crown turns out to be less than expected, then I expect it will just become another long-winded and entertaining story.

 

I could complain all day about work, traffic, clients, laundry. The list is endless. It would take something really, really bad for me to complain about vacation. At least on a cruise if bad things happens, they give you free stuff. Nothing there to complain about.

 

Well said.....:):):)

Bob

[Lizzyanne]

I have previously been positive in posts # 42 & 48.

However, now I am loosing patience with Princess.

We are due some OBC which we didn't spend. I had pre purchased it in February and according to my final invoice, we would have it refunded by cheque in 4-6 weeks. We disembarked 6 weeks ago today and so far no cheque.

I have e mailed and you guessed it, no reply as yet.

I will be ringing Southampton on Monday.

Celebrity have a much better system, they credit your credit card on the final morning.

Our last two refunds both took two months. I was told on each occasion that the paperwork goes to the US and the U.K. Office cannot refund until they receive authorisation from the US. I agree that Celebrity's system is much better.

[upwarduk]

Lizzyanne

Thank you.

 

 

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