Something strange is going on (positive)

[jondfk]

Currently onboard Ruby.  This is the cruise where we’re finally using up the fcc issued when our February 2020 Grand cruise landed us at Travis.

 

We’re in a suite, aside from boarding frustration in SF, the cruise has been wonderful.  What’s strange is that everyone we interact with seems to know our names, first names mind you.  Everyone.  CC reception, CC host, suite breakfast, steward, everyone everywhere, they keep bending over backwards asking if we need anything.  Examples, steward chased me down the hall today asking if I need laundry done, knocked on the door within seconds of entry to deliver ice and bottled water.  Housekeeping manager came to the cabin to spend 5 or so minutes asking if everything is okay.  It’s all very nice, but after about 25 Princess cruises I know it’s not in any way normal.  I’m sort of looking forward to this level of service when we sail Seaborne next year, but on Princess, never?
 

So my question is, has anyone else experienced this?  Is this some sort of “thanks for hanging in there” related to the Travis experience?  Is this a new level of suite service?  Maybe we’re just fortunate being seen to by an exceptional service team.

[Lady Arwen]

Honestly, I don’t have a definitive answer for you, but congratulations on being on this wonderful cruise.  Perhaps Princess is stepping up its level of service or you just got  lucky.  I do have to say that I find the crew and staff onboard all Princess ships to be very personable and professional.  We only sail in mini suites, not full suites, but we’ve always been impressed with the service.  Enjoy the suite life!

[skynight]

40+ Princess cruises. Always had great service in the past, but never to the extent you describe. Maybe because you are in a full suite?

[partybarbie]

I know that when you stay in a suite, or are celebrating a milestone cruise, your name goes on a special list. Your medallion may be showing the staff that you are in a suite. 

[cruise2relax]

If this is your first cruise with the medallion, they can know your name from that being in your close proximity.  Or your just their favorite guests!!

[jwattle]

The medallion lets them know your name, as well as accommodation. We found them to be delightful and just as "bend over backwards" on Majestic in March. Maybe it's your personality, maybe it's the suite...maybe it's just great staff! 🥂

[jondfk]

Yes, I know the medallion can, theoretically tell them who’s nearby, but it feels as though we’re on some sort of list too.  It’s true that we have an anniversary while onboard.  I took special care not to make note of this (I can’t eat the cake, and don’t enjoy the singing) but I do know that the information is nonetheless in the profile, so perhaps that explains all. 
 

Fingers crossed my mention here doesn’t jinx us for the remainder of the sailing…

[bassmk]

The last cruise my husband and I went on was a Carnival cruise about a year ago, but it was a big deal that the staff should be addressing us by name. We were told to let someone know if they weren't, so maybe Carnival Corp (to which Princess belongs) is stepping up their personal service game a bit.

 

(I would never in a million years have tattled on a staff member for not addressing me by name, just to be clear, but that's what we were told to do.)

[pris993]

3 hours ago, jondfk said:

Currently onboard Ruby.  This is the cruise where we’re finally using up the fcc issued when our February 2020 Grand cruise landed us at Travis.

 

We’re in a suite, aside from boarding frustration in SF, the cruise has been wonderful.  What’s strange is that everyone we interact with seems to know our names, first names mind you.  Everyone.  CC reception, CC host, suite breakfast, steward, everyone everywhere, they keep bending over backwards asking if we need anything.  Examples, steward chased me down the hall today asking if I need laundry done, knocked on the door within seconds of entry to deliver ice and bottled water.  Housekeeping manager came to the cabin to spend 5 or so minutes asking if everything is okay.  It’s all very nice, but after about 25 Princess cruises I know it’s not in any way normal.  I’m sort of looking forward to this level of service when we sail Seaborne next year, but on Princess, never?
 

So my question is, has anyone else experienced this?  Is this some sort of “thanks for hanging in there” related to the Travis experience?  Is this a new level of suite service?  Maybe we’re just fortunate being seen to by an exceptional service team.

I will be going on my 31st cruise in December, what you described is something I have seen on Princess often for years.  I book a mini suite so no suite.  My Dh is very picky, the housekeeping manager often comes and spends 5 minutes early in the cruise after we have given our steward our special requests.  Enjoy it not that unusual.  When we cruised in January this year on the Ruby, all the staff on board went out of their way,  they were so happy to be back working.  The crew and staff are what makes Princess the best of us.  

[Oceansaway17]

3 hours ago, jondfk said:

Currently onboard Ruby.  This is the cruise where we’re finally using up the fcc issued when our February 2020 Grand cruise landed us at Travis.

 

We’re in a suite, aside from boarding frustration in SF, the cruise has been wonderful.  What’s strange is that everyone we interact with seems to know our names, first names mind you.  Everyone.  CC reception, CC host, suite breakfast, steward, everyone everywhere, they keep bending over backwards asking if we need anything.  Examples, steward chased me down the hall today asking if I need laundry done, knocked on the door within seconds of entry to deliver ice and bottled water.  Housekeeping manager came to the cabin to spend 5 or so minutes asking if everything is okay.  It’s all very nice, but after about 25 Princess cruises I know it’s not in any way normal.  I’m sort of looking forward to this level of service when we sail Seaborne next year, but on Princess, never?
 

So my question is, has anyone else experienced this?  Is this some sort of “thanks for hanging in there” related to the Travis experience?  Is this a new level of suite service?  Maybe we’re just fortunate being seen to by an exceptional service team.

well since you were on the grand cruise and had fcc perhaps this got someone's attention and now you are getting attention.

If it continues just nicely say no thanks I am good, or go to customer services or loyalty desk to inquire.

 

I agree too much attention is rather odd.  Enjoy your cruise

[PacnGoNow]

3 hours ago, jondfk said:

Currently onboard Ruby.  This is the cruise where we’re finally using up the fcc issued when our February 2020 Grand cruise landed us at Travis.

 

We’re in a suite, aside from boarding frustration in SF, the cruise has been wonderful.  What’s strange is that everyone we interact with seems to know our names, first names mind you.  Everyone.  CC reception, CC host, suite breakfast, steward, everyone everywhere, they keep bending over backwards asking if we need anything.  Examples, steward chased me down the hall today asking if I need laundry done, knocked on the door within seconds of entry to deliver ice and bottled water.  Housekeeping manager came to the cabin to spend 5 or so minutes asking if everything is okay.  It’s all very nice, but after about 25 Princess cruises I know it’s not in any way normal.  I’m sort of looking forward to this level of service when we sail Seaborne next year, but on Princess, never?
 

So my question is, has anyone else experienced this?  Is this some sort of “thanks for hanging in there” related to the Travis experience?  Is this a new level of suite service?  Maybe we’re just fortunate being seen to by an exceptional service team.

That’s so great to hear!  I tell PCL in every review, “Your Crew is what makes Princess so special!”  We had a cabin steward for 6 weeks this year and when he came to our room to bring us something, he told us, thank you so much for sailing again with Princess.  If it wasn’t for you folks, I wouldn’t have a job!

We were so honored to have him as a steward.

 

 

 

[93yearsyoung]

It is the Medallion, which is one reason the Medallion kind of creeps me out. It seems like a Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov book come to life.

[KreinKrunker]

With close to 400 days on Princess, I agree with others that the service is great.  We've often had bartenders and stewards call us by name.  But, on the Royal in June to Alaska our waiter came around and named all eight of us by name the first night.  I'm sure it was medallion assisted, as your picture shows.  This was a first for us.  We've had waiters call us by name before, but not until a few nights into the cruise.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

Without counting exactly, I’ve sailed around 60-70 days on the Ruby since last November.  In everything from a balcony to a full suite. Every sailing I’ve experienced this level of attentive, professional service. The exact details differ from sailing to sailing but the crew is exceptional.  I am a very happy, positive person who is polite to the crew and express my appreciation regularly to them. I imagine you are the same. Crew are so happy to work with happy passengers they definitely step it up I think. 
 

I’ve witnessed horrible behavior by passengers and the crew have always stayed professional albeit a bit less enthusiastic.  When I witness poor behavior by a passenger I make it a point to compliment or thank the crew member (in front of the sourpuss pax) for doing such an outstanding job. 

Edited August 11, 2022 by HaveDogWillTravel

[Happiest when cruising]

6 hours ago, jondfk said:

Currently onboard Ruby.  This is the cruise where we’re finally using up the fcc issued when our February 2020 Grand cruise landed us at Travis.

 

We’re in a suite, aside from boarding frustration in SF, the cruise has been wonderful.  What’s strange is that everyone we interact with seems to know our names, first names mind you.  Everyone.  CC reception, CC host, suite breakfast, steward, everyone everywhere, they keep bending over backwards asking if we need anything.  Examples, steward chased me down the hall today asking if I need laundry done, knocked on the door within seconds of entry to deliver ice and bottled water.  Housekeeping manager came to the cabin to spend 5 or so minutes asking if everything is okay.  It’s all very nice, but after about 25 Princess cruises I know it’s not in any way normal.  I’m sort of looking forward to this level of service when we sail Seaborne next year, but on Princess, never?
 

So my question is, has anyone else experienced this?  Is this some sort of “thanks for hanging in there” related to the Travis experience?  Is this a new level of suite service?  Maybe we’re just fortunate being seen to by an exceptional service team.

 

[Happiest when cruising]

1 hour ago, Happiest when cruising said:

 

I actually don’t care for that level of “service”. I feel it isn’t always sincere and can feel a bit fake. I worked in a customer facing customer service career for 25 years… you had 10 seconds to greet the customer by name or you got in trouble by management. I did like it when my room steward saw me on the hall, and said Hi. I guess he had his iPad handy, but I felt he at least tried to remember my name on his own. I am always taking notes and give the staff that deserve it credit when I complete my survey, too. I know how important those surveys are. 
I also don’t keep my medallion on me any more than I have to. I just have hubby carry his. Princess already knows enough about me, and your folio tells them a lot, too. Dollars spent in the casino charged to your cabin…  I have cruised lots and usually used cash there, - but that is because I don’t need my husband seeing it on the folio😉but last time I used my OBC and a casino offer came about 2 weeks later. Hmmm.. 

Anyways, I hope you love all the attention, that’s what makes Princess great. There something for everyone. 
 

[PrincessLuver]

Just now, 93yearsyoung said:

It is the Medallion, which is one reason the Medallion kind of creeps me out. It seems like a Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov book come to life.

 

Agree. They are not on a special list but we have noticed since the medallion and the cruises that we have done we are usually addressed often by our first names now.  Usually we have to correct them and ask them to call us "Mi Lady" or "Mi Lord".

Edited August 11, 2022 by PrincessLuver

[AZjohn]

12 minutes ago, PrincessLuver said:

 Usually we have to correct them and ask them to call us "Mi Lady" or "Mi Lord".

Seriously or are you joking?

[DallasGuy75219]

25 minutes ago, PrincessLuver said:

Usually we have to correct them and ask them to call us "Mi Lady" or "Mi Lord".

So I have a mildly amusing story about this... a long time ago on Royal Caribbean we had an assistant/junior waitress who was clearly struggling with her execution of English.  I fully believe she was trying to be polite and trying to address pax as "My Lady," but again her execution was a bit off and she kept addressing them as "Lady," which came across as quite informal and a bit brute to anyone who didn't realize she was struggling with English.

[Moondogy]

7 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Agree. They are not on a special list but we have noticed since the medallion and the cruises that we have done we are usually addressed often by our first names now.  Usually we have to correct them and ask them to call us "Mi Lady" or "Mi Lord".

Thanks for the idea. There is a spot on the app and website where you fill in your information. One line says "preferred name" I decide since DW says she is a princess, I was going to put that as her preferred name. But as usual it won't let me even save it after I enter it. Figures, they still haven't got it all fixed. 🤣