57 Comments

1. Harland Traphagen says... May 20, 2013 | 4:37am

   Hello there Stephen Elliot. I just got a letter dated 1/19/12 from Lorelie Lee in an envelope from you. We have no idea whatsoever how I got on your list. But I’ll write Lorelie again (a real letter, even), because it was pretty fucking brave of her to write that.

   Reply

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3. Quibids.com Software says... May 8, 2013 | 4:14pm

   I genuinely loved this brilliant article. Please continue this awesome work.

   Reply
4. Evelyn Evans says... March 27, 2013 | 3:37pm

   Hi Peter,
   Can you tell me if you have enhancement speakers/lecturers on your Asian based cruises. I am an experienced cruise ship speaker with south east Asia and australia a speciality having spent most of my life in the region.
   If you do, could you please tell me who to contact?
   Many thanks,
   Evelyn Evans, Somerset, England.

   Reply
5. Daniel says... December 6, 2012 | 11:11pm

   I’ve sailed princess last year and found it wonderful. Can you let me know who to contact to be considered for entertainment on Princess? My website is danchanmagic.com and we look forward to working with you in the near future. Dan Chan

   Reply
6. Paul says... November 27, 2012 | 10:49pm

   Hi Peter, I am a proffesional DJ, I had a fantastic summer season this year on Crystal Serenity.
   Can you please let me know where I can send my details regarding enployment with Princess Cruises.
   When you have a spare minute , please visit http://www.paul-j.com

   Reply
7. Princess Cruises says... October 9, 2012 | 12:49pm

   Thank you all for sharing your comments and valuable feedback with us.
   In order to best assist you with customer service concerns and booking support, please call us at the Princess Cruises office that is closest to you:

   1-800-Princess (US)
   13 24 88 (Australia)
   0843 374 4444 (UK)

   Reply
8. Phil says... September 30, 2012 | 10:11am

   I am VERY anxious to find out who the cruise director is for the Caribbean Princess relocation from NYC to Fll on Oct 31st, 2012. Could you PLEASE send me that info. Thank You. Phil

   Reply
   • Princess Cruises says... October 9, 2012 | 10:30am

     Dan Styne is scheduled to be the Cruise Director on the Caribbean Princess during your cruise.
9. Charlotte Emery says... September 25, 2012 | 3:53am

   My Name is Charlotte Emery, I am an A-level student and I am currently under taking a project on the growth in popularity of cruise ship holidays. I am investigating what the factors may be which have induced this increase in cruise ship holidays. I have written a number of questions I would appreciate if you could answer or forward on to anyone that may be able to help me pursue this project. My aim is to find out how cruises have developed and changed and what factors have led to increased, desirability of cruise holidays.

   Questions
   1. What is your role in the cruise industry?

   2. How long have you been in the cruise industry?

   3. How have cruise holidays changed since you first began working in the cruise industry. .
   Price?
   Entertainment?
   Catering?
   Size?
   Activities on board?
   Excursions?
   Health and Safety?

   4. In your personal opinion what do you think has increased the desirability of cruise holidays?

   5. Have you noticed a change in the age range of people that go on cruise holidays?

   6. Do you think advertising and marketing has influenced more people to go on cruise holidays?

   7. Would you agree that people’s lifestyles influence them to go on cruises?

   8. Have cruise holidays become cheaper and more accessible to the less wealthy?

   9. Do you think if people knew more about cruise holidays more people would want to take a cruise holiday?

   10. Do you think there is still a gap in the market for more advertising?

   11. Would you agree that the cost of other more ‘traditional’ package holidays effects the desirability of cruise holidays?

   12. Do you see the growth in the cruise industry to carry on increasing in the future?

   Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
   Yours faithfully,

   Reply
10. Louis Scalzo says... July 18, 2012 | 8:14pm

    My wife Claire and I are currently on the Diamond Princess for a cruise in Alaska. We scheduled what was advertised as a 14 day cruise and it turns out we are on 2-7 day, back to back cruises. This was never communicated to us before we booked and they turn around day was very inconvenient for us. We are Platinum members so we have a great deal of experience with Princess. Also your TV choices are terrible. What happened to CNN? All the news we can watch is Fox News. There should be a few choices. Also the internet service and phone service is terrible. The internet has been down more than it has been up and we keep getting overcharged for time. I have been trying to contact Princess through its customer service email but it has not been available to us online on ship. What kind of a business are you guys running these days?

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... July 19, 2012 | 4:28pm

      Providing our passengers with the best possible cruise vacation is our primary goal and we apologize for your frustration. We have shared your comments with the Customer Relations Manager onboard and you will be contacted so we can discuss your concerns further.
    • sue says... August 4, 2012 | 6:16pm

      We went on a 14 day cruise to Alaska on the Amsterdam with Holland this past June. We had done the 7 day cruise last year on the Diamond Princess but wanted to experience docking at more ports and more days cruising. We visited Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Homer, Kodiak, Anchoage, Tracy Arm, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier and Victoria, British Columbia. Unfortunately, Holland is not planning to offer the 2 week cruise next summer. Not sure why because it was a wonderful!!!
11. eric.asquith says... May 1, 2012 | 11:47am

    I have just seen Dennis Walker on stage. Please look to book him on Princess Cruises, the guy is fantastic and his audience participation is brilliant.
    Regards,
    Eric Asquith

    Reply
12. Dee Moon says... January 5, 2012 | 2:15pm

    Watching Location Location Location tonight, me & my husband were both thinking the same thing ” I’m sure we have seen them before”, then discussed {and googled} You were Cruise Director on our last Princess cruise !!!

    Reply
13. Kate Lusted says... January 4, 2012 | 12:33am

    Hi Peter
    I am Zumba Fitness Instructor living near Sydney, Australia. I had heard recently from one of my class participants that they attended a Zumba Class on a cruise, but were disappointed that it did not cater to her age group – Senior 50yrs+. I am interested in offering my services as an instructor on a casual basis – I can cater to all age groups – including Seniors and children aged 4-12 years. Would Princess be interested in this?
    Kind regards
    Kate

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 9, 2012 | 4:09pm

      Hi Kate,

      Thank you for your interest. For employment information in the Lotus Fitness Center please email Steiner Leisure at: http://www.str.co.uk
14. Pat says... November 29, 2011 | 3:18pm

    Hi Peter,
    Going on the Caribbean Princess on January 15th. Wondering who the Cruise Director will be and any information on him.

    Pat

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... November 29, 2011 | 4:42pm

      Hi Pat,

      Thank you for your interest. Currently the Cruise Director is Dan Styne, but this is subject to change due to schedule changes. 15 days prior to sailing an email will be sent to you with information about the Cruise Director and also will include information about the entertainment programs scheduled for your specific cruise.
15. Lynn says... June 3, 2011 | 3:03pm

    I am on the July 17, 2011 cruise with my husband, sister and her husband and two grandchildren. We would like to dine at Sabatinis. How do we make a reservation before departure? We heard reservations were hard to get.
    Thanks,
    Lynn G.

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... June 6, 2011 | 1:01pm

      Hi Lynn,

      Unfortunately, you are unable to make reservations for any of our specialty restaurants prior to boarding the ship. Once onboard you are able to then make reservations through our Princess Concierge Service line (ext. D.I.N.E. ).
16. Richard Tapil{Jnr} says... April 20, 2011 | 6:01pm

    Dear Peter,
    I have read through the 50 essential experiences and was very convicted by the general comments posted by different tourists.However I am a Local Tour Operator in Rabaul Of Papua New Guinea East New Britain Province.
    Iam interested in contracting your cruise ships interms of providing tours in Rabaul , East New Britain Province.
    Please contact me as soon as possible to seek futher clarifications on this matter>
    Hoping to hear from you.
    Kind Regards,
    Richard Tapil {Jnr}

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... April 21, 2011 | 12:22pm

      Hi Richard,

      If you are interested in possibly providing tours for Princess Cruises, please email moliver@princesscruises.com. Please include your contact information and any questions you might have.
17. pam says... April 18, 2011 | 8:54am

    hi peter! My class is doing job research on jobs and i got cruise director! i found this website and i was wondering if you could give me a brief, short job description on what you do. Also do you use math problems in your daily routine?

    Reply
18. Nancy Siehl says... April 9, 2011 | 9:02am

    Peter,
    Now I understand your “Wonderful Shoes”. You were in Venice when TRAVEL MOTTO (#4) kicked in!! Can’t wait to see you on another cruise! (The New ‘Royal Princess’ maybe!)

    Reply
19. Darlene says... March 23, 2011 | 8:19pm

    Peter,
    Thanks for sharing this fantastic experience. We will be joining you for the April voyage on the Royal Princess. We look forward to some once in a lifetime adventures during the trip and especially to enjoying the fabulous Princess hospitality. Looking forward to meeting you in two weeks!
    Darlene & Larry

    Reply
20. Don Chandler says... March 23, 2011 | 4:42am

    Hi Peter,
    Our group of 8 adults are cruising from Honolulu to Sydney on the Dawn Princess…23rd April,2011. I understand Mark Turner is the cruise director. We know of the formal nights but would like to know how many theme nights(& what they are) there will be on that cruise as we like to prepare before we board.
    Is there anyway you can tell us or can we e-mail Mark and find out ?
    Thanks, Don Chandler

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... March 23, 2011 | 2:45pm

      Hi Don,

      15 days prior to sailing an email from the Cruise Director will be sent to our passengers giving information on the majority of the entertainment programs scheduled for your upcoming cruise. However, we do not have a set schedule for the possible themed nights onboard as they are planned individually for each voyage and are always subject to change. We are very sorry but we are unable to give our Mark Turner’s email address.
21. cchittock says... February 24, 2011 | 10:44am

    Hi Peter
    I am on Ocean Princess in August for her Greenland and Iceland exploration. Who will be the Cruise Director please?
    Thanks
    Carol

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... February 25, 2011 | 9:42am

      Hi Carol,

      Frank Castiglione is scheduled to be the Cruise Director unless the schedules change. Please call Princess closer to your sailing date to check for possible updates.
22. Donald & Helen Auramenko says... February 10, 2011 | 6:47pm

    See you on the 21 of Feb.

    Reply
23. Donald & Helen Auramenko says... February 10, 2011 | 6:46pm

    Coming to the Royal Feb 21 to Mar 3. Look forward to seeing you again . It has been a while. Anything from Canada that we can bring? See you soon

    Reply
24. Grazia Quaranta says... January 12, 2011 | 10:26am

    Hi…
    Hi, my name is Grazia Quaranta, italian singer.
    I perform all over the world as guest Entertainer on Costa Cruises.

    http://www.youtube.com/graziaquaranta

    I performed at M° Pavarotti’s Marriage Party and duetted with many International Stars (BONO – U2, Tony Renis, Zucchero… on my website: http://www.graziaquaranta.com).

    I’m looking for somebody to book me with other Companies..
    Can You give me some good tip?

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... February 3, 2011 | 3:25pm

      Hi Grazia,

      Thank you for your interest in working with Princess Cruise. To view information on employment opportunities please visit:
      http://www.princess.com/employment/index.jsp
25. Judy Currin says... December 27, 2010 | 10:43pm

    Do you know who the cruise director will be on the Diamond Auckland to Sydney 27 January 2011

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 20, 2011 | 5:18pm

      Hi Judy,

      The cruise director will be Warren Smith. Just a few more days until your cruise – enjoy!
26. Barbara Fisher says... November 24, 2010 | 2:52am

    Hi Peter
    We are going on the Island Princess on the Kenai explorer on the 31st May 2011. And I am so excited and after reading your article I just cant wait this is something I really want to do as we will be celebrating my 60th Birthday. I have a couple of questions I wonder if you can help me with. I understand it is going to be cold so lots of layers, but will we need special walking boots, and do we get a bigger luggage allowance to accomadate all the extra cloths and boots? Also on the formal nights does everyone dress up as I have some beautiful ball gowns but they take up so much room in the luggage? Have you got any suggestions? And will we need any summer clothes? Will the pool on board be open? Oh so many questions sorry but I really hope you can help me with a few.
    Thank you Barbara

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 20, 2011 | 5:17pm

      Hi Barbara,

      We hope you enjoy your upcoming cruise and hope your birthday is a memorable one!

      The pools and spas will be open during your voyage and it’s a special experience to be in a hot tub while sailing through Alaska! We find that most passengers dress as formal in Alaska as any other itinerary. Depending on the weather, the days are cool and dressing in layers is your best option.
27. OD2 says... November 10, 2010 | 7:05am

    Hello Mr. Roberts -
    We would like to take a segment of the Dawn Princess world cruise, which begins May 25, 2011. We would like to start on Day 12 in Singapore and end at Dover, i.e.

    12 Singapore 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
    13 Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
    14 Langkawi, Malaysia 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
    15 At Sea
    16 At Sea
    17 At Sea
    18 Cochin, India 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
    19 At Sea
    20 Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India 7:00 AM 11:00 PM
    21 At Sea
    22 At Sea
    23 Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates 1:00 PM 11:00 PM
    24 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 7:00 AM
    25 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1:00 PM
    26 Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Oman 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
    27 At Sea
    28 At Sea
    29 At Sea
    30 At Sea
    31 At Sea
    32 Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
    33 At Sea
    34 Suez Canal, Egypt 1:00 AM 5:00 PM
    35 Port Said (Cairo/Giza), Egypt 6:00 AM 8:00 PM
    36 Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
    37 At Sea
    38 Mykonos, Greece 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
    39 Istanbul, Turkey 9:00 AM 7:00 PM
    40 Anzac Cove, Turkey 6:00 AM 11:00 AM
    41 Athens (Piraeus), Greece 6:00 AM 5:45 PM
    42 At Sea
    43 Naples/Capri, Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
    44 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
    45 Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
    46 Monte Carlo, Monaco 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
    47 Barcelona, Spain 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
    48 At Sea
    49 Casablanca (Marrakech), Morocco 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
    50 Lisbon, Portugal 12:00 PM 8:00 PM
    51 At Sea
    52 At Sea
    53 Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
    54 London (Dover), England

    We have sailed already in Australia, but would possibly even contemplate starting at Sydney on Day 1, but just want the portion from Singapore to Dover. Will that segment be sold separately in the near future?
    Thank – you very much,
    Anne Wilson

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 19, 2011 | 4:59pm

      Hi Anne,

      Thank you for taking the time to comment. The segment of the Dawn Princess May 25, 2011 World cruise from Singapore to Dover is currently available to book separately, but the space is based on availability. Please contact Princess or your travel agent for more information.
28. Carol and Hank says... November 5, 2010 | 5:06am

    As we near the end of our 14 day adventure, 10-25 to 11-8 may we add these comments.
    The Grand is certainly ready for drydock. She is a bit tired on the edges. That being said may we say her crew has done a remakable job of maintaining her. We found the friendliest crew you could want, from The Room Steward to the Waiters to the Horizon Court staff to the crew we encountered on deck. The attitude of all the personnel on the Grand was outstanding. Very special thanks to the Captain who has kept us safe from nasty hurricane Tomas who refused to go away. Finally, drydock may make the necessary cosmetic adjustments to the Grand but drydock cannot fix the attitude of the crew of the old gal. They are perfect, no fixing needed.

    Reply
    • Princess Cruises says... January 20, 2011 | 5:16pm

      Hi Carol and Hank,

      Thank you for your comments. The Grand Princess is scheduled for renovations during its dry dock on April 11, 2011 through May 4, 2011.
29. Jane Carr says... November 4, 2010 | 10:24am

    Will this fantastic looking trip be an option on the Diamond Princess cruise from Vancouver to Whittier 17 to 23 Sept 2011?

    Reply
    • Sudarshan K Narula says... December 21, 2010 | 12:19pm

      Can the segment lengths be reduced to 4 to 6 days on World Cruises?
    • Princess Cruises says... January 20, 2011 | 5:12pm

      Hi Jane,

      Unfortunately, the shore excursion Dog Sledding & Flightseeing is currently not available on the September 17 Diamond Princess voyage. But we are offering the Musher’s Camp & Dog Sled Experience excursion! Enjoy your cruise!
    • Princess Cruises says... January 20, 2011 | 5:14pm

      Hi Sudarshan,

      To look into the segments of the different world cruises we offer please contact your travel agent or Princess directly to discuss.
30. Tony & Ruby says... October 23, 2010 | 9:19pm

    Great article! It makes us want to cruise Alaska again and try the Dog Sled Excursion. I have to say that you are one of our favorite cruise directors and you definitely helped to make our cruise wonderful. We love cruising with Princesses Cruises! Thank you!!! Tony & Ruby Lewis

    Reply
31. Peter Roberts says... October 21, 2010 | 10:31am

    Thank you to all who remembered me from your vacations. I really do feel like i have a FABULOUS job and don’t feel like I have to get up and go to work. That i guess is half the battle. I hope it shows in my day to day work.

    Reply
32. Emma says... October 21, 2010 | 5:55am

    Hi Peter

    What a great blog, really enjoyed reading it an only wish I had done that tour when I was in Alaska (instead of staying in the warmth of the buffett eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate!). I hope to be getting one of your christmas cards this year with you and the dogs on the front (rather than writing the envelopes for you!!) ha ha…the photos on your blog are great and i’m sure you have many more fabulous memories of your travels. Well even after 19 years at sea, it looks like you are still having an amazing time and living life to the full, which is great to see! Anyone who is sailing with Peter in the future, whether you are a passenger or crew, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic time, I know I did! Take care and will look forward to hearing about the next adventure! xxx

    Reply
33. Dimitriou says... October 19, 2010 | 5:53pm

    Awesome post Peter. I so badly want to do Alaska… Soon

    Reply
34. Dick Gold says... October 19, 2010 | 12:21pm

    Peters mushing adventure was every bit one of the many great times to be had in Alaska…. The Dogs reminded me of the Great Danes I raised before I joined Princess Cruises 30 years ago. As Danes are not built for mushing I tried with a wagon…. They laid down and that was the end of it.. Peters discriptiion brought back many memories and something to look forward to the next time in Alaska. Having cruised with Peter many times I look forward to the Royal this year..

    Reply
    • Skagway Slag says... November 6, 2010 | 7:15am

      I have successfully used a mix of great danes and chihuahuas for sled dogs.
35. sheldon gross says... October 19, 2010 | 6:29am

    We were scheduled to visit Skagway on WEDNESDAY August 18, 2010. Unfortunately my wife got food poisoning from the food provided by Princess. We only ate Princess provided food from August 14th through our departure on August 21st. The food poisoning symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, started around 11:00PM on August 17th and stopped around 5:00AM on August 18th.

    As a result, we were forced to cancel our ship excursion for August 18th. Subsequent to speaking with the excursion desk manager, their representatives contacted the ship’s medical staff. This medical staff contact was unsolicited by us, but we understand the need to prevent virus out breaks in a confined ship environment. However, Debbie did not have a virus or flu.

    Although Debbie experienced ONLY typical food poisoning symptoms, the ship’s nurse quarantined my wife for 24 hours. During the Nurse’s examination of my wife, there was no evidence of temperature, elevated blood pressure, swollen glands, tender stomach, continuing nausea, dizziness, diarrhea or any other symptoms.

    When the Nurse visited our cabin, my wife was fine, just tired. However, the Nurse “held my wife hostage” and demanded that my wife be quarantined for 24 hours causing us to lose expensive and valuable time in port, while also negatively impacting the remainder of our trip.

    What was particularly puzzling was that I WAS NOT QUARANTINED, yet I was totally exposed to my wife’s food poisoning symptoms of diarrhea and nausea. If the Medical staff was concerned about virus outbreaks, then they should have also been concerned about me being a viral carrier, thereby also quarantining me.

    Frankly, I thought this situation was handled very poorly. As a part owner of a travel related business we have traveled frequently and on many various cruise lines. The treatment we received was not up to the minimum standards of other vacation providers.

    Reply
36. Julie McIntyre says... October 18, 2010 | 5:05am

    Hi Peter

    Can’t believe its 19 years that you have been with Princess. I have promoted this blog on our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/cruiseconnections, so keep up the good work.

    Love and best wishes

    Julie xx

    Reply
37. Margo & Dale Chase says... October 17, 2010 | 6:33am

    Nice article. We were with you on the Royal in 2009. We thought you did an outstanding job. Being creative over a long haul is not any easy task. Hot air balooning over a wild life preserve, now you have us fantasizing. We are doing the Pacific Princess trip this year that has many stops in Africa. Any chance you will be with us????

    Reply
38. Valerie Jablonka says... October 15, 2010 | 2:08pm

    Great story! That’s such a fun tour. Loved your descriptions. Thanks, Peter.

    Reply
39. Wayne Bailie says... October 15, 2010 | 5:04am

    Hi Peter,

    Good to see your face again!!! Hope you remember Wayne and Twila Bailie. We have sailed with you and Jason on 3 cruises. Give Jason our best!!!

    Wayne and Twila

    Reply
40. Nancy Morris says... October 14, 2010 | 4:38am

    What about the shoes????

    Reply