Luckybee

Thanks for asking...In post 18 I asked "When I first booked on a certificate (which I had to cancel because of expected surgery) I was able to get a PH on the Dolphin deck where the balconies look huge. This time there was only one suite available on the Aloha deck which has a much smaller balcony. The cruise is not until Febuary of next year so Im hoping to be able to move to any of Marina, Riviera, Baja or Dolphin decks and I have been stalking the website but of course I could miss an opening. Can one waitlist within a category that you are already booked in ?" I also wanted to know if the suite perks apply with the certificate such as 1st night specialty dining (I have 2 different answers from reps on that) I also wanted to know if there was a way of finding further info on shore excursions since for example a couple that I might be interested in such as beach breaks dot tell you which beach you are taken to so I can determine whether I should book or DIY

My certificate was good for any of Carnival, HA or Princess. When I first called I had checked with the sub line for HA (had to push different extesions for each)but the cruises and suites I could get were more limited so I chose princess because I was able to book the suite I wanted (at least the category).

Thanks Karate...the number I have was the number on my certificate which is 1-800-819-3906. When one calls that number the recording asks that you choose between Princess, Carnival, and Holland America for booking your cruise certificate then once chosen takes you to an agent. I had assumed, perhaps wrongly, that the was just for the original booking but I will try them...Thanks for the idea !

In the meantime I wonder if anyone knows the following ... When I first booked on a certificate (which I had to cancel because of expected surgery) I was able to get a PH on the Dolphin deck where the balconies look huge. This time there was only one suite available on the Aloha deck which has a much smaller balcony. The cruise is not until Febuary of next year so Im hoping to be able to move to any of Marina, Riviera, Baja or Dolphin decks and I have been stalking the website but of course I could miss an opening. Can one waitlist within a category ?

I booked through the casino department as I was given a cruise certificate for a free suite from my local casino so I dont have the options that many have suggested. When I did my original booking a couple of months ago I didnt have any issues with the rep I dealt with. When I call now on the "already booked" line this seems to be where the problems arise. I have travelled extensively but not with Princess. I think what surprised me the most is that I have dealt with companies all over the world for bookings since I always book without an agent and I have never seen the language issue this bad even when Im dealing with a hotel in Timbuktoo where one might expect a language problem

I am a new Princess customer but have sailed on other cruise lines. I've called Princess 3 times within the last week to sort out a couple of issues and have been waiting for a call back from to no avail and have been totally unable to understand the various phone reps I have spoken with because of their extremely poor English. I explained my queries to one rep who didnt even understand what I was saying and it wasnt complicated , had to get another rep to repeat what they were saying 3 times before I could barely understand them and now when I called back to see why I hadn't as of yet heard back I have no idea what I was just told. In my profession I often deal with people whose first language is not English but they are not generally in first line customer service positions. Is this the norm for Princess or am I just not calling the right number or at the right time? Very frustrating !

And alot may have to do with "new" casino promotions being offered. I have never been on a Princess ship before now but my home casino recently had promos through Princess for "free" cruises. I recieved a free suite up to 12 days which allowed me to book an aft penthouse for a 10 day Caribbean cruise. I know others who got the same thing and there were ALOT of people who got a "free" cabin( lol.... including my secretary who plays pennies/nickels only and has no interest in taking a cruise even this one ). Port fees and taxes were extra and of course plus/premium not included . This is just one (albeit large) casino and there are many other casinos doing the same thing. I could be wrong but I would think that has a big effect on filling ships.

Sorry ? I dont understand the comment.

Thanks for the responses ! It would probably be a a different casino though and likely on land. I just couldnt say no to this offer :)

And lol....it is only "free" until I get in the casino :)

Thanks Its not really about the cost that Im considering but rather does having the package improve or lessen the service.or be more convenient ? I've been to resorts where I have seen those on the AI package get ignored by bartenders etc where those on pay as you go get treated better becuase they are hustling for tips. Or alternatively if you are on AI then you dont have to worry about the bill etc but those paying as they go are waiting around. What is Princess like for this ? Other than the cost what are the pros and cons for either choice with Princess ?

I forgot to add, does it matter in terms of convenience that I'm in a suite? On other cruise lines I've been on the service is vastly improved in some suite categories. Im sort of getting the impression there is no real difference with Princess in terms of service?

Hello all I had planned my first Princess cruise for next month but unfortunately Im dealing with a stress fracture so my cruise will be in Feb/25 instead on the Enchanted princess for a 10 day Caribbean cruise in a aft penthouse. I have booked through a casino promo and have only had to pay port taxe . I am trying to determine whether to add plus or premier to my booking and after having crunched the numbers I've decided cost wise its a few hundred $ with or without or one way or another , so I wont bother unless it is worthwhile from a convenience perspective. I tend to not like all inclusives but rather just ordering what I want and paying as I go......So, if I order a glass or two of wine with dinner or soda by the pool, as an example does it take longer if paying as you go ? Do you have to clear accts more ? More errors with/without ? In other words does it simplify things more if I have a package ? Im mainly concerned with reducing annoyance and not about the cost differential since I dont think its enough savings with a package for me to bother unless there is a more intrinsic benefit. Im the type of person on my normal land based holidays who will book all of my restaurants in advance before I travel so that I dont have to think while on holidays lol. I will be booking an internet package if I dont get the premier or plus( I've sort of concluded that if I do go for the "all in package" I should go for the premier because the wines I would want would all be over the first limit)...and I will be booking mainly specialty and casual dining whether I have a package or not. Opinions pls ?

Thanks everyone for the advice !

cheetorevil....I had already searched (and searched and searched finding a great deal of contadictory info and no info whatsoever on some of my questions) Thanks Kiwi....yes it is on the Enchanted Princess and I appreciate the comments about the balcony. I had looked at 726 on a video I had found but it was hard to determine if the balcony was shaded or not in that video. Good to know that a comped cruise gets all the benefits as well :) I've already booked each of Catch, Sabatini's and Crown Grill so now I know to do the 360 experience too !