Sky Princess Norwegian Fjords 4th June 2022

[Neil_c]

Sky Princess Norwegian Fjords 4th June 2022

 

Just back from this cruise and thought would share my comments, these are my personal view as edited by my wife.

 

We have previously sailed on Celebrity, RCL and P& O but this was our first on Princess

 

Embarkation and Disembarkation – Very good slick and efficient. From car to deck 16 in 40 minutes. From designated lounge to car 20 minutes

 

Food  - we ate breakfast in the buffet – food good, strange layout meant a bit of to and froing but no problems getting a table, waiters serving drinks constantly walking around and also clearing away plates.

Lunch was Buffet or Salty Dog Grill, again no problems, there was a queue at the Salty Dog but it moved very quickly because the staff had such a good system in place to get through the queue.

Dinner every night in Soleil , no bookings but we never queued as we were happy to share. After a couple of nights we met up with 2 other couples and just asked for a 6 top with no problems. Food was okay to good; we have had better on other lines but as this is our first post pandemic cruise we feel it is difficult to compare. Waiter and drink service was good, we sat at our table for over 2 hours but that was our choice and drinks were being offered regularly.

Entertainment - went to the theatre every night shows were good, and we enjoyed them all. Went to in the jazz bar “Take 5” again the trio there were good. Also did a couple of quizzes which were difficult but fun.

 

Wi-Fi was a bit slow and patchy – but what do people expect in the middle of a sea or below mountains.  We only used app once to order drinks but looked very flaky – needs a good upgrade.

 

Staffing – there was not enough crew but they are having difficulty recruiting along with all other cruise lines and other in the leisure industry, Staff where rushed but very helpful and polite  – unlike some passengers.

Overall we had a great holiday and would go back on Princess again – shown by us buying some Future Credit

[Coral]

How was the ports?

[Neil_c]

The views while sailing in the Fjords were stunning,  the ports are small and expensive but great to walk around. We did not book any ship excursions did a couple of small trips booked when we were in port. We were also very lucky as had great weather which is not guaranteed 

[Pink-belle]

2 hours ago, Neil_c said:

Sky Princess Norwegian Fjords 4th June 2022

 

Just back from this cruise and thought would share my comments, these are my personal view as edited by my wife.

 

We have previously sailed on Celebrity, RCL and P& O but this was our first on Princess

 

Embarkation and Disembarkation – Very good slick and efficient. From car to deck 16 in 40 minutes. From designated lounge to car 20 minutes

 

Food  - we ate breakfast in the buffet – food good, strange layout meant a bit of to and froing but no problems getting a table, waiters serving drinks constantly walking around and also clearing away plates.

Lunch was Buffet or Salty Dog Grill, again no problems, there was a queue at the Salty Dog but it moved very quickly because the staff had such a good system in place to get through the queue.

Dinner every night in Soleil , no bookings but we never queued as we were happy to share. After a couple of nights we met up with 2 other couples and just asked for a 6 top with no problems. Food was okay to good; we have had better on other lines but as this is our first post pandemic cruise we feel it is difficult to compare. Waiter and drink service was good, we sat at our table for over 2 hours but that was our choice and drinks were being offered regularly.

Entertainment - went to the theatre every night shows were good, and we enjoyed them all. Went to in the jazz bar “Take 5” again the trio there were good. Also did a couple of quizzes which were difficult but fun.

 

Wi-Fi was a bit slow and patchy – but what do people expect in the middle of a sea or below mountains.  We only used app once to order drinks but looked very flaky – needs a good upgrade.

 

Staffing – there was not enough crew but they are having difficulty recruiting along with all other cruise lines and other in the leisure industry, Staff where rushed but very helpful and polite  – unlike some passengers.

Overall we had a great holiday and would go back on Princess again – shown by us buying some Future Credit

Thanks for review Neil, I laughed at the “personal view, as edited by my wife” comment.

 

Really glad you enjoyed your first Princess experience. We were also on the cruise, and agree in the main with all that you say.  
 

However, we only ate twice in the buffet, once for breakfast and once for sushi for lunch yesterday, both experiences good.

 

We had one meal in Bistro Sur La Mer, we rated this as excellent, great food and service.  

 

Crown Grill, food good, usual Crown Grill standard. However our experience was really spoilt by the passengers at the adjacent table.  One of whom created a scene, and the way he spoke to his wife/partner and the poor staff, had us on edge. 

 

Sabatini Rated as poor, service, and food quality. Main was cold.  Drink service unacceptable, one drink ordered at beginning of meal, no refills of water or further drinks. We did ask the waiter but he refused to take the order saying the assistant waiter would get to us when he was free, he was never free!. Feel as if we wasted our money on this meal. 
 

All other meals in MDR,  no issues with getting tables breakfast and lunch where we shared with some lovely people.  Dinner was in Cielo where we requested and had a private table for 3, with no issue.  Food and service were both really good.  Our third Princess post pandemic, and I was glad to see the proper Menu back, rather than a piece of paper.  On the 5th June over the Jubilee weekend, it was nice to see the chefs dessert was the “official” “Platinum Jubilee Pudding”. Lemon trifle, nice touch from the Chef.  (I appreciate this probable means nothing to non UK members) 

 

Only attended the theatre for 5 Skies and Rock Opera, I love these shows, both standing room only, needed to be there at least 30 minutes before show to sit in preferred areas. 
 

I was really disappointed in Good Spirits, this has just become a regular “bar” yes you can order from the Good Spirits menu, but no shows/ videos or information.  Apparently the shows may return in the next few weeks.  In fact Vines also seems to be just a “bar” as well, we were in the minority drinking wine. 
personally I missed the different bars feeling different and venues in their own right.
 

I really like the addition of the “entertainment” in the PES lounge, we enjoyed our pre dinner drinks here.  
 

Staff were excellent, working exceptionally hard and doing their best to cover shortfalls. We saw staff arriving at Bergen, and on a couple of days saw new staff joining the dining room teams.  My understanding is Sky is at almost full staff, they are just working through some issues and establishing good working teams, I’m sure in the next few weeks everything will be a bit smoother. 
 

weather was better than I hoped for.  Our Fourth time to the Fjords and the best weather we have ever experienced in Norway. 
 

Bergen, a Bank Holiday, so we opted to stay on board, having visited in the past, we enjoyed time at the Retreat Pool, seeking out the shade.

 

Skjolden, was a bit of a gem of a port in the sunshine.  We opted to not take an excursion as all seemed like a lot of travel time, for relatively short visits.  This tiny little port was simply lovely, beautiful views with e bikes, paddle boards and rib boat rides. A little bar/cafe offering Norwegian waffles with jam and cream which many of us were trying. Having stayed up until 1am and getting up again at 6am to enjoy the fjord sailing,  this lovely relaxing day was much enjoyed and most welcome.

 

That evening we were advised that Sky Princess had lost the use of one generator, so our arrival and departure times for the next two ports was changing, this affected our plans in Olden.  ( we had the same amount of time in port, just arrived and left an hour earlier.)The issue was never mentioned again, so I don’t know if this means they were able to fix the issue? 

Olden, is a beautiful port, one of my favourites in the Fjords, we had a pre booked Princess Kayak excursion, the earlier departure from port meant we couldn’t  also fit in the trip we intended to make up the Leon Skylift, slightly disappointed by this, so it’s still on my list for next time.  We took an hour long trip in an open top bus, it had a nice commentary and was enjoyable.

kayaking, according to my husband was great, due to the local guides and the experiences and knowledge they shared.  You can book kayaking directly with Olden Adventures if you don’t want to take the excursion. 
 

Stavenger, and the weather was overcast, we had pre booked an independent fjord cruise out to Pulpit Rock, at a fraction of the Princess excursion cost.

 

Medallion worked great, app and WiFi both non existent, it wasn’t just the mountains, as it didn’t work in Southampton!  It was great on my Sky and Regal cruises last year. I think Princess need to be honest, they have really made some bad decisions with the changes they have made between then and now.
 

Overall we had a great 7 night cruise, I love Princess, I want to keep loving them and them be my first choice, but they need to improve some aspects for that to be the case for me personally. That said FCD’s duly purchased and I’ve already browsing what is available. 

[kodykatt]

Thanks for all the info.  We are thinking about the fjords for 2023 but one thing is holding up our decision.  My traveling partner is on a power wheelchair so port access becomes important.  What ports on your trip were tendered?  We're looking forward to the scenery but if he can't get off the ship then we are stuck on board with little to do. 

Appreciate your input.

[Neil_c]

24 minutes ago, kodykatt said:

Thanks for all the info.  We are thinking about the fjords for 2023 but one thing is holding up our decision.  My traveling partner is on a power wheelchair so port access becomes important.  What ports on your trip were tendered?  We're looking forward to the scenery but if he can't get off the ship then we are stuck on board with little to do. 

Appreciate your input.

Hi no tendered  ports. Olden used to be and was actually quoted in our documents as one. However there is a new dock there so we walked of at all the ports

[PescadoAmarillo]

3 hours ago, Pink-belle said:

Medallion worked great, app and WiFi both non existent, it wasn’t just the mountains, as it didn’t work in Southampton!  It was great on my Sky and Regal cruises last year. I think Princess need to be honest, they have really made some bad decisions with the changes they have made between then and now.. 

I agree with this.  We encountered the same thing on the same route on the same ship (Ruby Princess) pre and post COVID. Something has changed. Couple that with the fact that we are now paying for WiFi, it’s disingenuous for the president of Princess to claim they offer high speed WiFi on their ships anytime, anywhere. It’s simply no longer true. 

[Pink-belle]

1 hour ago, Neil_c said:

Hi no tendered  ports. Olden used to be and was actually quoted in our documents as one. However there is a new dock there so we walked of at all the ports

Not quite, Olden has always had a dock, but more than one ship in port and someone has to tender, we were lucky someone changed their mind and we got the spot.  That said my forth time here, from memory all on Princess and we have not tendered any time. 

[Pink-belle]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I agree with this.  We encountered the same thing on the same route on the same ship (Ruby Princess) pre and post COVID. Something has changed. Couple that with the fact that we are now paying for WiFi, it’s disingenuous for the president of Princess to claim they offer high speed WiFi on their ships anytime, anywhere. It’s simply no longer true. 

I have just said the same thing on my post cruise survey.  They need to stop advertising something they currently can not deliver. 

[nini]

We were just on the Emerald (May) and it was our 7th Princess cruise- first post-covid. This was not the Princess we knew and loved. The "energy", service, food was not what we remembered, which kept us coming back.

We will be on the Grand in September and will be able to make a good comparison.

[Roberto256]

On 6/11/2022 at 8:17 AM, Neil_c said:

Just back from this cruise and thought would share my comments, these are my personal view as edited by my wife.

 

I know that feeling!

 

 

On 6/11/2022 at 8:17 AM, Neil_c said:

Staffing – there was not enough crew but they are having difficulty recruiting along with all other cruise lines and other in the leisure industry,

 

I know several crew on land who are very anxious to come back to ships, but no call from princess.

 

I know one waiter who did one post pandemic contract on princess.

 

He said with reduced capacity, the pay was terrible.

 

He and several people working on the same ship left princess, and went to another cruise line.