damiross

Again, just because someone is in a suite doesn't mean he is Mr. Rockerfeller. Some people could be saving for years for a true cruise of a lifetime. Then Princess, changing course in midstream (no pun intended), decides getting the last dime out of passengers is the only way to go. I am just hoping that I am not making a mistake by not cancelling my January cruise before the final payment date. Who knows how many more changes will be made in the next few months, even to those of us with premier packages. (Normally, I wouldn't have gotten the premier package but i was given a good casino package that included premier).

Not really. You are still saving hundreds.

Yup, I just checked it. I show 2 gift cards at $100 each bought today. It shows the cost of $90 each. But my credit card account shows $92 each.

I would love to go on a UST but I think the price is overblown. I just want to see the bridge, the engine room, and (being the geek I am) the server room. I really do not have any need or want for any of the "trinkets" you get such as the chef's jacket, picture, personalized note pad, etc.

I wonder if the prize can be changed to OBC. My wife and I are not foodies. I have the feeling one or both of us will win the Chef's table!

Yes, I know but as I mentioned, one day AARP may start requiring membership for the card. I didn't rejoin until after my 4th gift card was bought. I figure $12 is not a bad fee. I can get the following members-only gift cards. I also looked at discounts offered by membership - turns out some are pretty good.

I don't know why companies that do what every other company does aren't charged with conspiracy to limit competition.

I actually rejoined AARP because of the cards. I have saved $120 on my fare so far. I figured that at some time, the Princess cards will be available for members only. So, after $12 renewal fee, I'm still ahead by $108.

Look up the word "Princess" in the dictionary. The newest addition to the definition is "the nickel and diming by a cruise line"

Look up the word "Princess" in the dictionary. The newest addition to the definition is "the nickel and diming by a cruise line"

Get the classic soda package is my advice. It includes canned sodas .Order 2 or 3 sodas from room service. You may be able to order more; I only did 3 at a time on my last cruise. You also get other items. It's more than just the soda only but if you have OBC, you cold order it on the first day of your cruise using OBC. From the Princess web site (my emphasis) What is Included The package includes all, fountain sodas, and cans of soda and juices (excluding the fresh juice bar), mocktails, and smoothies as per the menu. The package may be used on our Private Islands and all onboard Food and Beverage Venues and other areas such as the Theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. Selections and service are limited to that venue’s menu offerings and operating hours. Package Details and Qualifications There is no age restriction for purchases of the Classic Soda Package. The Classic Soda Package is USD $14.99 per day plus 18% service charge (totaling $17.69 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. The package is AUD $23 per day which includes a service charge for all Australian based vessels. A tax may be added at the time of purchase for certain itineraries or ports of embarkation. You will be charged the full amount for the complete voyage at the time of purchase. The Classic Soda Package must be purchased for every day a passenger is sailing. Partial / Pro-Rated Packages or segments of a guest’s voyage are NOT accepted, although some exceptions may apply, such as the World Cruise. These exceptions, IF applicable, will be displayed in the Cruise Personalizer at the time of purchase. The package is offered onboard on day one and day two only. The package is NOT available for pre-purchase within 3 days of sailing. The package is NOT refundable or transferable once purchased onboard, and for advance purchased packages, NOT refundable or transferable within 3 days of sailing. Exclusions and Limitations

I have had no issue with our name on the door. Well, technically, to the side of the doorl

I'm looking forward to our Hawaii cruise in January. The majority of the days will be AT SEA!

They probably did. I was a victim of my company firing me and 1799 other people with lots of experience. The CEO, for the first time in the company's over 100 years history, hired a CEO from outside the company. She, just like whoever decided t get rid of American based CSR, prefer lower pay over great experience. I remember my first cruise in 2015. The service I got from the CSR was the best. Now, on my next cruise (January 2024) and the cruise I just took in April of this year the CSR service ranks about 5 out of 10 stars.

Not sure if these are offered anymore. In any case, the cruises originated from non-USA ports.

Card not charged. I did see pending charges on my card but these came off in a couple of days.

Definitely not unique to Princess. I worked for UPS. They hired some CEO from outside of the company (first time in the company's history). She sent 1800 AMERICAN job s to India and Costa Rica. The person I trained in Costa Rica via phone was not even at the beginning level of Excel (a vital part of the job). I had to tell him several times while training him that he had to reduce the background noise. In my case, I don't mind spending more in order to get better service, especially when it comes to be spending thousands of dollars like I do with Princess..

Yes. It's the way I have my coffee. Just ask for black. (not being facetious - I've drunk black coffee for so long I think I would die if someone added sugar to it)

Yes For the Princess gift cards, no AARP membership is required. Go to https://www.aarp.org/rewards/discover/ then select Redeem. then All Rewards

Of course they did.😃. I sold all but 100 sales last week. I still made a decent profit, though.

I'm not one for bottled water in daily life. I can see its usefulness in travelling or as part of an emergency kit. If the tap water is too bad, I figure filtered water (think Britta) is good. The best way, by far, is to get your water from Diet Dr Pepper!

Kirkland water is bottled by Niagra Bottling

I've never heard DOD pronounced anyway but D O D

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What I do for abbreviations/acronyms is to spell it out the first time give the abbreviation: e.g. Princess Cruise Lines (PCL) By the way, there is a difference between abbreviations and acronyms. All acronyms are abbreviations but not all abbreviations are acronyms. An acronym is an abbreviation that can be pronounced (e.g. NASA). An abbreviation is not an acronym when you cannot pronounce it or it usually isn't pronouced (e.g. PCL, COD).