Discovery Princess April 29th Coastal

[ceilidh1]

13 hours ago, cruisingrob21 said:

I was on the sampler voyage after the coastal voyage.  I may get flamed for saying some of the below but its my honest opinion.  

 

My last 3 voyages have been on the Sky, Majestic, and Discovery.  At this point, I can't say that I will seek out the Royal Class ships to sail on in the future, and may even avoid them.  If it wasn't for copious amounts of FCCs from cancelled voyages, I'm not sure I would even sail on Princess again as they have changed a fair amount from where they were just a few years back.  I realize I have a choice to sail with other lines, and plan to continue to do so - It just makes me sad that, in my opinion, princess had a pretty solid product a few years back, and now they seem to have lost their way.

 

Not happy about:

• It's been mentioned elsewhere, but the majestic and this ship are NOISY - not from a movement perspective, but just that there is music piped in everywhere it seems - and right on the verge of being distracting.  Near the wakeview pool and bar, it was especially annoying as it seemed to be the same ten, top 40 songs that were remixed.
• The outer promenade on deck 7 of the Sky was "open" in that you could walk it from near front to back.  But its not useful for walking and the areas near the lifeboats are single file.  On the discovery, most of the outer deck areas were closed off on deck 7 for much of the cruise.  I'm not sure if that was because it was pretty chilly out, but it was darn hard to even find the doors to the outside.
• The doors to the Vista Lounge and Take Five were always closed - maybe to keep the sound in, or the ambient music elsewhere out but it made me not want to go in for fear of disturbing the bands that were performing.  Maybe that's just me, it just wasn't welcoming as the vista lounge or wheelhouse bars of the past and I'm wondering if the bands in those venues had low attendance because when the lights are low in those areas, it looks closed.
• The buffet and gym are the only climate controlled areas on the upper decks to observe the scenery.  Both are pretty loud.  Obviously the Majestic has the Hollywood Conservatory and they probably should have done something similar on the Discovery since she will be based on the west coast for the foreseeable future.  The voyage I was on was early in the season so I'm sure it will warm up, but the first and last day at sea to/from Seattle when the ship is sailing full speed is windy and chilly.
• I avoided elevators due to covid which was my choice, but I typically avoid elevators anyways - the hike from deck 8 to deck 16 should be sold sold as an "8 minute quad workout" - this is not unique to princess but I miss the buffet and pools being on deck 14.
• The IC seemed to have the same stuff at all times and every day.  Maybe just an anomaly.
• Good Spirits at Sea is a nice thought, but I found that if it's not staffed with effective presenters, its kind of boring.
• Some of the bigger game shows and audience events should have been in the vista lounge - Princess live isn't big enough for the crowds for the couples game show at 7:30.
• The former high limits gaming area on the majestic, which is take 5 on the Sky, Discovery, and Enchanted, was turned into a defacto sports bar with a wall of TVs on the handful of sports that the satellite picks up.  I couldn't find something similar on the Discovery other than some tv's in the casino, above the tables - and you can't really sit there and watch sports without actually playing at the tables.
• MedallionNet on the first day was not stable and very slow.  It improved after we left vancouver.
• MedallionClass app - not that functional - clunky, unorganized, and why is the font so huge on phones - looking through the schedule requires doom scrolling.

Very Much Enjoyed:

• The crew was for the most part excellent and friendly
• Some of the new game shows have upped their production value
• I continue to favor the world fresh marketplace layout and size compared to the horizon courts of the grand class ships.
• The Crown Grill bar was a nice space

We are sailing to Alaska this summer on HAL - and I used to slightly prefer Princess to HAL even though they can be similar, I feel like Princess just isn't selling what I'm looking for in a cruise anymore in either their ships or onboard programs, and that kind of bums me out.

I'm the OP and pretty much agree with all you said! Even though I had a GREAT trip and felt that the ship and crew were wonderful, I fully realise that this was partly due to my expectations being pretty low given the circumstances. Honestly, after so many cancellations and disappointments over the past 2 years, I think ANY cruise would have been fabulous!

 

That being said, I agree that the Princess product is definitely not what it was - they were my go-to line and always my first choice. That is no longer the case. Like you, I don't love the Royal Class ships and despise the new app (the medallion features are actually really great - IF/WHEN the app functions). I don't enjoy the constant plugging of "medallion class cruising" by the CD and staff, don't like the loss of Internet minutes for Elite guests, the loss of Loyalty credits based on number of sailings, the loss of upgraded bathroom amenities (may have been unique to Discovery, but we had no Elite amenities in bathroom), and don't love their new menus. I went on this cruise with a positive attitude and knew that I would have a good time - I also went on with the expectation that this might well be my last Princess cruise. Of course, I got suckered in to buying FCDs on the ship, so chances are I WILL sail them again...but not in an immediate rush right now.

[cruisingrob21]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

I'm the OP and pretty much agree with all you said! Even though I had a GREAT trip and felt that the ship and crew were wonderful, I fully realise that this was partly due to my expectations being pretty low given the circumstances. Honestly, after so many cancellations and disappointments over the past 2 years, I think ANY cruise would have been fabulous!

 

That being said, I agree that the Princess product is definitely not what it was - they were my go-to line and always my first choice. That is no longer the case. Like you, I don't love the Royal Class ships and despise the new app (the medallion features are actually really great - IF/WHEN the app functions). I don't enjoy the constant plugging of "medallion class cruising" by the CD and staff, don't like the loss of Internet minutes for Elite guests, the loss of Loyalty credits based on number of sailings, the loss of upgraded bathroom amenities (may have been unique to Discovery, but we had no Elite amenities in bathroom), and don't love their new menus. I went on this cruise with a positive attitude and knew that I would have a good time - I also went on with the expectation that this might well be my last Princess cruise. Of course, I got suckered in to buying FCDs on the ship, so chances are I WILL sail them again...but not in an immediate rush right now.

NCL has been attempting to position themselves more upmarket after the shut down.  While I have enjoyed parts of NCL in the past, I don't enjoy the NCL "class" system they have inherently created and their promos are very deceptive.  Unfortunately, I think Princess is, either by choice or decree from Carnival management, shifting to more of a mass market line.  The next class of ships will be larger yet and I'll be curious to see if they put back some of the things that are omitted on the Royal class.  The reason I bring up NCL is that a few years back Frank Del Rio, NCL CEO determined that the sweet spot (for NCL anyways) was around 4k guests and any larger than that was more trouble and cost than what was returned (NCL Prima is around 3100 guests).  I hope Princess makes this realization soon an sticks to the low 3000 passenger numbers.  Cruise ship design is an evolving science, but I hope princess realizes that some things, like a nice open promenade deck has a value that may not have a direct return on investment.  NCLs newest ship is eschewing the "life boat access" promenade design for an actual usable one and the newer carnival ships have figured out that alfresco dining on promenade deck, with lifeboats below can work as well.

 

Meanwhile, while HAL and Princess used to be similar they are differentiating further and I'm okay with that. Makes my choices easier I suppose.

[markjvanb]

On 5/5/2022 at 10:43 AM, Cruise Raider said:

 

It was so fun visiting with you and Julie as well.  We had a great trip home to SFO and got home to absolutely gorgeous weather.  Now, onto the getting all the chores ... almost time to get ready for our next adventure.  Hope to meet up with you both again soon!!  

September 20 on the Caribbean Princess. Be there! 

[caribill]

On 5/9/2022 at 3:28 PM, cruisingrob21 said:

The reason I bring up NCL is that a few years back Frank Del Rio, NCL CEO determined that the sweet spot (for NCL anyways) was around 4k guests and any larger than that was more trouble and cost than what was returned (NCL Prima is around 3100 guests).  I hope Princess makes this realization soon an sticks to the low 3000 passenger numbers. 

 

I do not know what factors NCL used in making that determination.

 

For Princess (and sister companies that use the same ship designs) and RCI, the larger ships do cost less to build per ALB (available lower berth) and also cost less to operate per ALB. So from a cost viewpoint, larger is always better.

 

However, the behemoths being built are much more limited as to what ports can handle them so what used to be unique and exciting itineraries cannot be offered with these larger ships. So instead the main itineraries for them are to overcrowded Alaska ports, over crowded Caribbean ports, and crowded European ports.

 

You will not see the ships that have 4000+ passengers able to go up the Amazon River or be welcome at ports with insufficient tourist structure such as the Falkland Islands or Bora Bora or Greenland.

[Cruise Raider]

10 hours ago, markjvanb said:

September 20 on the Caribbean Princess. Be there! 

We definitely would except we will be on the Royal Princess out of SF down to Mexico just a week after that.  Sure would be fun to cruise with you both again, though.  BTW, the Royal is doing a 12 night itinerary down to Mexico ... newly released.  So, if you're not married to the Caribbean Princess, check it out.  

[music]

We, a friend and I, are booked in a mini suite in October. Neither one of us like twin beds. Has anyone tried the pullout in a mini suite? 

[cruisingrob21]

On 5/14/2022 at 1:16 PM, music said:

We, a friend and I, are booked in a mini suite in October. Neither one of us like twin beds. Has anyone tried the pullout in a mini suite? 

We had it in a minisuite on the Sky in Feb 2020.  The kids slept on it and they didn't complain - I didn't try it for more than a few minutes so I can't comment on if it was comfortable for an adult for a full night.  Note that the "pullout" is basically another twin bed - maybe a bit wider?  But its not the full couch.  You might be better off switching to two obstructed view cabins that connect.

[JF - retired RRT]

On 5/3/2022 at 1:28 PM, Nebr.cruiser said:

 

I agree, the toilet paper holder on the discovery is too far away from the toilet!  We ended up taking it off the holder and putting it on the shelf.  Every day the steward would put it back!  Design flaw for sure.  The clamp was annoying too.

Easy solution: tell your steward to "leave my TP alone".

[JF - retired RRT]

On 5/5/2022 at 10:20 PM, highloyo said:

I don't think my wife ever used the toilet paper. She said it's too far away. Consequently, we went through a box and a half of tissues. I hope you didn't flush all those tissues...that's a NO NO. 

 

My big complaint....the time we were allowed in Victoria was terrible due to arriving 2 hours late. We had an excursion scheduled to Butchard Gardens. We were told to meet at 3:15 in the Princess Theater instead of 1:15 due to the delay. They said all excursions will take place as planned. what they didn't say was it will be a very abbreviated excursion. Seeing the number of people in the theater waiting I'm sure the financial aspect of cancelling the excursion was considered. My ticket was $120. We got to spend about 1 hr and 20 minutes at the garden, a crying shame. I felt really bad for those that opted for the afternoon tea at the garden. They never really had a chance to see anything at all for $159.

If you'd complained at the excursion desk, you would likely have gotten a discount or a refund.

We were on an excursion in the Caribbean and it was absolutely horrible. Not at all what was expected or represented. When we got back to the ship, we complained and got a refund.

[JF - retired RRT]

On 5/9/2022 at 11:41 AM, ceilidh1 said:

That being said, I agree that the Princess product is definitely not what it was - they were my go-to line and always my first choice. That is no longer the case. Like you, I don't love the Royal Class ships and despise the new app (the medallion features are actually really great - IF/WHEN the app functions). I don't enjoy the constant plugging of "medallion class cruising" by the CD and staff, don't like the loss of Internet minutes for Elite guests, the loss of Loyalty credits based on number of sailings, the loss of upgraded bathroom amenities (may have been unique to Discovery, but we had no Elite amenities in bathroom)

Agree with the above.

We are Elite AND in a suite and got no Elite goodies and very few of the Suite amenities that are promised. Plus the ones that we did get, we had to ask for.

[memoak]

1 minute ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Agree with the above.

We are Elite AND in a suite and got no Elite goodies and very few of the Suite amenities that are promised. Plus the ones that we did get, we had to ask for.

Wow we were on the Majestic at the same time and walked into our suite to 18 bottles of water, full mini bar and all the bathroom amenities plus our glasses of champoo

[JF - retired RRT]

11 minutes ago, memoak said:

Wow we were on the Majestic at the same time and walked into our suite to 18 bottles of water, full mini bar and all the bathroom amenities plus our glasses of champoo

I'm totally jealous! Had to ask for the water, no bathroom amenities with the exception of a sleep mask and a shower cap (they're still on the ship), no bubbly (didn't ask for it because we don't drink). Got the welcome canapes and the slippers. Found a shoe bag & shoe brush pushed all the way at the back of a lower shelf in a cupboard (pretty sure it was from a previous cruise, because there was also a sugar dispenser there).

[CruzeQueen2]

4 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

I'm totally jealous! Had to ask for the water, no bathroom amenities with the exception of a sleep mask and a shower cap (they're still on the ship), no bubbly (didn't ask for it because we don't drink). Got the welcome canapes and the slippers. Found a shoe bag & shoe brush pushed all the way at the back of a lower shelf in a cupboard (pretty sure it was from a previous cruise, because there was also a sugar dispenser there).

Noticed that our room steward and our friends' steward were polar opposites in their approach! Theirs didn't leave them alone for the whole cruise; ours had to be tracked down every single time we needed anything. I'm talking about toilet paper, soap, towels. We were only looking for the basics! When found, he fulfilled our requests. Friends' steward anticipated their every need! Inconsistencies. Our steward completed the tasks adequately...just noticeably not around...we survived. Still enjoyed the cruise!

[dog]

I left the paper copies of elite perks & suite amenities on desk & checked off perks as we got them.

did pretty well on Discovery recently.

 

last time in a suite on Dawn Princess got nothing extra. 

[ceilidh1]

46 minutes ago, dog said:

I left the paper copies of elite perks & suite amenities on desk & checked off perks as we got them.

did pretty well on Discovery recently.

 

last time in a suite on Dawn Princess got nothing extra. 

I know you were on Discovery right after us - did you get the upgraded bathroom amenities? We got nothing in the bathroom (no biggie - just curious if it was just us). I think we got everything else - hard to know what perks are still included with the constant chipping away of them...lol. I think this was the first time ever (other than when in a suite) when the robes were in the room when we boarded!

[ellie1145]

On 5/6/2022 at 10:25 PM, cnd crsr said:

Even before the shut down my DH would pack tp as he said Princess tp was too thin!

Sadly, if everyone did this there would be continual blockages in the toilet system.
 

You are on a ship. You are not at home. Fold the TP to make it 2 (or 3 or 4) ply but please don’t be antisocial and bring normal toilet paper onboard. It is very selfish. The ship systems just cannot cope and you will end up causing problems in other cabins as well as your own. 

 

If toilet paper is such a big issue then don’t cruise! 

[Caribensun]

Discovery Princess, first cruise back from pandemic,

I did ask my room Steward on the 2nd day of the 4th  if I was getting the upgraded toiletries and I did get them because you have to ask.  
Sadly the gel mask and a few others have been omitted.  I was told gel mask no longer available in full suites either.  I got home and realized I did not purchase an FCC (forgot about them), nothing was in my room for it or I would have purchased.  My room Steward tried to kick me out of my room at 6:45am when I headed up to breakfast, that never happened before.  I didn’t realize we were losing or lost our internet minutes, thanks as upcoming cruises.  The mini golf was disappointing, just a putting green with 4 holes.  Did anyone else have to ask how to get to the Promenade deck outside, the doors were very heavy and couldn’t see out. 

I didn’t realize we were losing loyalty credits too.  Never made it to the platinum/elite lounge.  Very disappointed in the shop with apparel and all shops.  After coming off of a HAL ship I found the food selection wonderful and plentiful.  I think they changed the Dining Room desert “Love Boat Dream”?  I did like my mini suite better than older ships, the longer desk and shelf above and on the side was nice, felt more spacious, might be the lighter colors.  Balcony, so tiny like Celebrity.  I did view the Sky Suite and after being in Grand Suites on the older ships, I still prefer them, especially the aft Grand Suites, but the outdoor space on the Sky Suite rocks!  Was not impressed enough with the full suites either to book one on the new class, was happy with my mini suite and would book it again.  
HAL Neptune suites still my favorite.  Wish the Cabanas in the Sanctuary were fully enclosed like the Royal, for Alaska itineraries would be nice.  Princess does offer a lot to do onboard and the shows were good, really liked the comedian and really liked the ship, the atrium is beautiful!

My opinion.  

 

 

 

 

 

[dog]

My first cruise as elite so I didn’t know what bathroom amenities there use to be.

nothing much in my suite- mask, nail file, a few other items I didn’t touch. 2 sets in 4 days.

 

the lotion & soap were same as in balcony cabins. Eucalyptus.

 

 

i take my own products & a bar of soap.

[JF - retired RRT]

5 hours ago, dog said:

My first cruise as elite so I didn’t know what bathroom amenities there use to be.

nothing much in my suite- mask, nail file, a few other items I didn’t touch. 2 sets in 4 days.

 

the lotion & soap were same as in balcony cabins. Eucalyptus.

 

 

i take my own products & a bar of soap.

Supposed to be upgraded soap, lotion, etc. Also, bath salts for the tub.

[KKB]

On 5/9/2022 at 3:28 PM, cruisingrob21 said:

 Cruise ship design is an evolving science, but I hope princess realizes that some things, like a nice open promenade deck has a value that may not have a direct return on investment.  NCLs newest ship is eschewing the "life boat access" promenade design for an actual usable one and the newer carnival ships have figured out that alfresco dining on promenade deck, with lifeboats below can work as well.

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Waterfront on the NCL Getaway & said we wished EVERY ship had this! 

We spent most evenings out there. We prefer to be outside & we like to be social. 

Unfortunately top deck bars are very windy at night, but the Waterfront bars weren't. 

We were even able to be out there when it rained. 

Plus the music from Syd Pour's was piped outside, 

[markjvanb]

On 5/5/2022 at 9:43 AM, Cruise Raider said:

 

It was so fun visiting with you and Julie as well.  We had a great trip home to SFO and got home to absolutely gorgeous weather.  Now, onto the getting all the chores ... almost time to get ready for our next adventure.  Hope to meet up with you both again soon!!  

We are on the Grand SFO-YVR Apr 28th and the Royal YVR-SEA May 3rd, almost a back to back. We will finally be Elite after these 2. It's a long shot but maybe you guys are on one of these as well?

 

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, markjvanb said:

We are on the Grand SFO-YVR Apr 28th and the Royal YVR-SEA May 3rd, almost a back to back. We will finally be Elite after these 2. It's a long shot but maybe you guys are on one of these as well?

 

nice job on getting to elite.  
while we are pretty much on cruises nonstop this year, to bad those are not two of the ones we are doing.  
we are leaving in two days to catch the Royal in SF and doing a B2B, home for two weeks and then back on the Royal for Hawaii.  We will be heading back out a few days later to head to LA to go on a Celebrity sailing but will be changing ships in port to get on the Discovery.  
After that … we definitely need to get new passports.  
 

but thank you for letting us know your upcoming itineraries!  
hopefully, we will cruise together again!  See you in the piazza!  
 

Edited February 23, 2023 by Cruise Raider