Currently on Sky - Churchills going away?

[Lady Arwen]

2 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Well, put me in the non happy with this camp.  On Equinox in October and the smoking area had the walking/running path going right through it.  I would think they could put it away from stuff like that.

On Sky, smoking area is by wake pool, so non smokers using the wake pool have smoke around.

 

All cruise lines should designate a smoking area away from other public spaces 

I agree with you.  

[Lady Arwen]

4 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

I wasn't bothered as you put it. But you seemed to speak for everyone when clearly you don't. I for one would much prefer the entire ship to be smoke-free and from talking to others (my friends and family mainly) about smoking in general I am certain many others may think the same. It is pretty arrogant to just assume that you speak for everyone else.

 

I accept that you haven't heard anyone complain but that doesn't mean that they are all happy with the situation. Not many people complain even when they don't like something, especially when on holiday.

 

 

I agree that all cruiseships should be smoke free!  I absolutely hate it.  However, I try to be understanding of those who do smoke.  I think we have to respect them and offer them comfortable outdoor spaces away from other passengers.  I never, ever said I speak for everyone and I really wish you would stop trying to speak for me.  I will leave this conversation in your capable hands   Have a blessed day.

[kywildcatfanone]

Couple of other Sky specific comments:

 

No Lavazza coffee yet.

 

No coke zero. But did have sprite zero.

 

In the buffet, one coffee machine not working on one side, and ice machine not working  on the other.  Fix these Princess.

Also, for ice on that side, they had a plastic bin with a scoop, so people were putting their hands in the bin to grab the scoop.

 

At the retreat pool today, workers were trying to pull the overhead lights down and knocked several bulbs into the pool when people were swimming.  You would think they would either do this when the pool isn't in use or have deck hands get people out of the pool for a few minutes.  One bulb almost his a guy and they had no idea it had even fell till we got their attention.

Edited December 3, 2023 by kywildcatfanone
More detail

[blondee419]

3 hours ago, memoak said:

I am not convinced putting a children’s arcade basically inside a casino is a great idea

NGL, I'd rather play the video games than the slots. Hope it's open to all ages! 

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

 

 

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

I agree that all cruiseships should be smoke free!  I absolutely hate it.  However, I try to be understanding of those who do smoke.  I think we have to respect them and offer them comfortable outdoor spaces away from other passengers.  I never, ever said I speak for everyone and I really wish you would stop trying to speak for me.  I will leave this conversation in your capable hands   Have a blessed day.

No point in us getting in to a tit-for-tat argument over this but I will challenge you when you say that you never said you speak for everyone... 

 

In the following message you said the highlighted...

 

3 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Smoke free EXCEPT for outdoor smoking areas.  On Celebrity, which is indoor smoke free, there are designated OUTDOOR areas for both guests and crew.  Everyone is happy with this policy.

Now, correct me if I am wrong but what you said there was speaking for everybody. In fact your very words said "Everybody is happy with this policy".

 

I am not going to say anything else because I have made my point and everyone else can see that I am not trying to speak for you in any way... you speak for yourself.

 

[memoak]

Just now, blondee419 said:

NGL, I'd rather play the video games than the slots. Hope it's open to all ages! 

I am sure all ages are welcome to spend money but no chance of a jackpot there

[rmsmith]

Not a smoker, but a little bummed Churchills is going away. Enjoyed grabbing drinks in there and the smell of cigars from time to time. Would have preferred they kept the bar and made it non smoking as it became when cruising got back underway after the pandemic. Looks like it's become more kid venue space. 

[Over from NZ]

9 hours ago, deliver42 said:

That eliminates Princess for our future cruises. I smoke cigars, and that was the only comfortable place.

That's ok. They'll gain more people that they'll lose. It's almost 2024 - it's long past time where you should have learned how to stroll outside for a smoke. Who still smokes inside in this decade - how backward would that be?! 

[Hlitner]

9 hours ago, deliver42 said:

That eliminates Princess for our future cruises. I smoke cigars, and that was the only comfortable place.

I get it but wonder where you will go?  
 

Hank

[Hlitner]

22 hours ago, Sweet Dreams said:

Other than princess orchestra what band is on Sky now. Looking forward to our upcoming cruise but not the  arcade

We have a jazz quartet plus singer in Take 5.  There is also a rock group , a

violin/cello duo, a guitar/singer (we have yet to hear).  The jazz group is decent smooth jazz.

 

Hank

[eagletwo]

We just got off the Sky Princess yesterday. When we came down to deck 7, Promenade, at the aft stairs, as soon as you made the turn past the starboard doors to the smoking deck, the smell near the Vista lounge was nasty! I hope folks in the cabins above were not affected. If you went to the aft of the ship on deck 17, same, nasty. The casino was also over powered with smoke. One day, the cruise lines will do as the airlines, no smoking. Yep, airlines are full. 

[Sweet Dreams]

Any chance anyone on Sky knows name of rock band performing now?

[RD64]

4 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Couple of other Sky specific comments:

 

No Lavazza coffee yet.

 

No coke zero. But did have sprite zero.

 

In the buffet, one coffee machine not working on one side, and ice machine not working  on the other.  Fix these Princess.

Also, for ice on that side, they had a plastic bin with a scoop, so people were putting their hands in the bin to grab the scoop.

 

At the retreat pool today, workers were trying to pull the overhead lights down and knocked several bulbs into the pool when people were swimming.  You would think they would either do this when the pool isn't in use or have deck hands get people out of the pool for a few minutes.  One bulb almost his a guy and they had no idea it had even fell till we got their attention.

Re Lavazza - not sure why people continue to think Lavazza is the be all and end all of coffee. In Italy it is the equivalent of a house brand - the North American equivalent of Folgers or Maxwell house. Lavazza is what we give to generic visitors when we dont want to waste our good coffee on them.

[deliver42]

NCL, and some of MSC still have a cigar lounge, and most Celebrity ships have a lot of very covered areas for smoking.

[Host CJSKIDS]

8 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Couple of other Sky specific comments:

 

No Lavazza coffee yet.

 

No coke zero. But did have sprite zero.

 

In the buffet, one coffee machine not working on one side, and ice machine not working  on the other.  Fix these Princess.

Also, for ice on that side, they had a plastic bin with a scoop, so people were putting their hands in the bin to grab the scoop.

 

At the retreat pool today, workers were trying to pull the overhead lights down and knocked several bulbs into the pool when people were swimming.  You would think they would either do this when the pool isn't in use or have deck hands get people out of the pool for a few minutes.  One bulb almost his a guy and they had no idea it had even fell till we got their attention.

Yikes! 
 

I'll have to remember next week not to get the ice. 
 

hope you are having fun!!

[Over from NZ]

5 hours ago, RD64 said:

Re Lavazza - not sure why people continue to think Lavazza is the be all and end all of coffee. In Italy it is the equivalent of a house brand - the North American equivalent of Folgers or Maxwell house. Lavazza is what we give to generic visitors when we dont want to waste our good coffee on them.

Yeah but to be fair.. Many American's think Starbucks is good coffee.. haha 🙂 

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

If you like coffee then IMO Lavazza is not great. Neither IMO is Starbucks, Costa or any of the large chains.

 

I will be taking on my next cruise (April 24) my Aeropress, my 1Zpresso J-max Manual Coffee Grinder and some decent single-origin, recently roasted beans.

 

Ground and brewed within minutes preserves the great flavors. It is a completely different drink. I was shocked when I first tasted good coffee recently ground and brewed. I used to love Costa and still drink it when there is no other choice (as I do Lavazza BTW) but I can't now call it good coffee... good by chain standards yes but tbh that is a pretty low bar.

[kywildcatfanone]

10 hours ago, RD64 said:

Re Lavazza - not sure why people continue to think Lavazza is the be all and end all of coffee. In Italy it is the equivalent of a house brand - the North American equivalent of Folgers or Maxwell house. Lavazza is what we give to generic visitors when we dont want to waste our good coffee on them.

I guess, but had it on Celebrity and noticed it was better than the syrup based coffee Princess was using.  They aren't using that now, but at least it's mildly better coffee.  Anything is better than that syrup based stuff. 🙂

[kywildcatfanone]

6 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Yikes! 
 

I'll have to remember next week not to get the ice. 
 

hope you are having fun!!

Maybe it will be fixed by then, but so far not.  Coffee is in those hotel style containers you push down on the lid to dispense.

Some lady commented to me yesterday standing there that with Princess issues with coffee and ice machines are ongoing.  

 

Having just come off a Celebrity cruise, their layout of having coffee and ice available in many areas of the buffet and pool areas is way nicer than Princess.

 

Yes, having a good time. Ship is in overall very good shape.  Normal wear and tear for 4 or so YO ship. Carpet needs replacing or a good cleaning in some areas.

 

We had a light out in our bathroom,and our shower head was clogged up and not giving a good flow of water, but they came and fixed both within an hour of calling about it.

 

There is one group onboard,some kind of karate organization, but not that big I think.

Edited December 4, 2023 by kywildcatfanone

[Lady Arwen]

1 hour ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Maybe it will be fixed by then, but so far not.  Coffee is in those hotel style containers you push down on the lid to dispense.

Some lady commented to me yesterday standing there that with Princess issues with coffee and ice machines are ongoing.  

 

Having just come off a Celebrity cruise, their layout of having coffee and ice available in many areas of the buffet and pool areas is way nicer than Princess.

 

Yes, having a good time. Ship is in overall very good shape.  Normal wear and tear for 4 or so YO ship. Carpet needs replacing or a good cleaning in some areas.

 

We had a light out in our bathroom,and our shower head was clogged up and not giving a good flow of water, but they came and fixed both within an hour of calling about it.

 

There is one group onboard,some kind of karate organization, but not that big I think.

Thanks for letting us know!  It’s always good to get first hand information, especially from someone still onboard.  Happy to hear your issues in the bathroom were addressed so quickly.  What’s with the coffee on Princess?  It’s never been great so we buy the coffees at the IC.  One of the reasons we now get a package.  I love my coffee!

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[kywildcatfanone]

One more coffee rant while I'm here.

Go get a Togo cup from the specialty coffee area on Lido.  Coffee machine still down, and the hotel style been removed to refill.  Wait 5 minutes, not back yet.  Realize they keep no sugar in coffee area and all tables are in use.  A little awkward asking someone to use their sugar container who is seated having a meal.

Walk to the other side of buffet and finally find a working coffee pot, and there are no spoons.  Come on Princess, have stirring sticks available.  Had to go hunt a spoon.

Note to self:  Have my own creamer and a spoon tomorrow in hand.  I bring my favorite creamer onboard with me, but didn't want to walk back to my room.  Oh well.

 

/rant over 

 

 

[Lady Arwen]

3 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

One more coffee rant while I'm here.

Go get a Togo cup from the specialty coffee area on Lido.  Coffee machine still down, and the hotel style been removed to refill.  Wait 5 minutes, not back yet.  Realize they keep no sugar in coffee area and all tables are in use.  A little awkward asking someone to use their sugar container who is seated having a meal.

Walk to the other side of buffet and finally find a working coffee pot, and there are no spoons.  Come on Princess, have stirring sticks available.  Had to go hunt a spoon.

Note to self:  Have my own creamer and a spoon tomorrow in hand.  I bring my favorite creamer onboard with me, but didn't want to walk back to my room.  Oh well.

 

/rant over 

 

 

Wow!  So inconvenient to just get a coffee.  They really need to get their act together.  I hope things improve for you.

[MissP22]

23 hours ago, Coral said:

I want to say on the Crown it was repurposed also. The room still smelled.

It'll take a change of carpet and some fresh paint to get that smell out.

[MissP22]

3 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I guess, but had it on Celebrity and noticed it was better than the syrup based coffee Princess was using.  They aren't using that now, but at least it's mildly better coffee.  Anything is better than that syrup based stuff. 🙂

Depending on who makes it can be a determining factor if you'll like it or not. I saw them on my last trip adding 2 fresh packets to existing grounds to make it stronger and it seemed to create a bitter coffee.

Not every crew member does that.

[mtnesterz]

40 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

Depending on who makes it can be a determining factor if you'll like it or not. I saw them on my last trip adding 2 fresh packets to existing grounds to make it stronger and it seemed to create a bitter coffee.

Not every crew member does that.

Coffee becomes bitter when it is weaker, not stronger. 

Not changing the filter could cause the maker to overflow.

I hope you reported that crew member. I suspect this practice is not within their training.

Fun fact though. If you do get a bitter cup of coffee, sprinkle just a few grains of salt. The chloride ions in the solution block the bitterness sensing taste buds on your tongue.

Edited December 4, 2023 by mtnesterz