bonox55

Posted this on the Princess forum. Last time I cruised with Princess, the cost to eat at the Crown Grill was $42 pp. Noticed recently that the cost is now $63pp. I believe that represents an increase of 50 percent. I don't think I will be troubling the wait staff at that venue on my upcoming trip on the Royal in March. Paul

Just noticed that cost of eating in the Crown Grill is now A$63 per person. Last time I cruised with Princess I paid A$42. If my maths is correct, that is a 50 percent increase in about 12 months. With the additional charges now to eat at Alfredo's, it looks like my love affair with Princess is looking a little shaky. Am I being unfair to Princess? Paul

G,day All, Just had a question re Alfredo's new charges. My wife and I are booked on a cruise in March. We have both paid for the Plus Package,so we each receive 2 complimentary vouchers for the $14.99 set menu. We are not big eaters and we have in the past ordered one starter and one pizza between the two of us. My question is, does anyone know if we would be able to just use one voucher between us? Paul

Thanks for your input. They are not "hard up" , but with most folks of my generation, they don't want to waste their money on what is just a bed for the night prior to boarding. Seems as though anything near the OPT is out. Will let them know all your thoughts. Paul

G,day All, Have seen this topic before, but cannot find it. I have some friends from the bush who want to arrive the day before their cruise leaves. They are pensioners and would like to find reasonably priced accommodation close to the OPT. Can anyone give me some alternatives to offer them? Paul

Thanks for the information. I knew the cruise critic community would have the answers. Regards , Paul

Just a question regarding my upcoming QLD cruise which includes a "service call" to Willis Island. Is Willis Island considered outside Australian Waters and does that mean that the casino and duty-free alcohol can be sold? As we arrive at 9am and depart at 10am, I cannot see the purpose of the "call". Can anyone enlighten me as to what it's all about? Paul

So, having read recent posts re mask wearing on board, I am thoroughly confused as to what I should do. I am cruising on the Majestic Princess in February for 11 nights to Qld from Sydney. 5 days ago, I received an update stating that masks must be worn indoors (except when eating/drinking etc.) and also outside if in large gatherings. Also on embarkation and disembarkation. If this is still correct, it means that traveling by cruise ship is now the only method of transport in this country that requires the mandatory wearing of a mask. Jeez, I don't have to wear one in my Doctors' surgery anymore!! Surely these mandates are discriminatory. We all know about the Ruby Princess debacle, but isn't it time we all got over that? I will still cruise, but it is lessening my enjoyment of the onboard experience. If I simply refused to wear one onboard I'm sure the crew would say nothing. I would just have to get used to the glares of other passengers I guess. When will it all end??

Hi again, Cut me off prematurely there!! Just wanted to ask anyone who has cruised from OPT recently if masks were required inside the terminal. I know arxcards has posted that it was not necessary, but wanted to confirm that this is the norm. My DW has some breathing difficulties and finds mask wearing a pain, but still wears one if mandatory. Thanks. Paul

Hi, Looking for information about current health protocols at the OPT. Cruising with Princess in November and their health protocols state that masks are to be worn on embarkation. But read on CC recently that masks were not mandatory in the OPT and also

Good news about the OPT. Was a bit confused with Princess's requirement for masks to be worn on embarkation. Good to know that common sense has prevailed. Paul

G,day arxcards, Trip is only 7 days. Seems to be a number of slots still available. Will do as you suggest and keep an eye out for diminishing restaurant and slot times. Would appreciate your feedback when you have returned from your next sailing. Thanks Paul

G'day fellow Cruisers, Have seen a recent thread regarding difficulty booking specialty restaurants once on board the Coral Princess. I am travelling in November on Majestic Princess and have OBC I would like to use at these venues. However, to book prior to cruising, I have to pay upfront from my credit card. Was wondering if anyone has had difficulty booking once on board Majestic? Thanks. Paul

G;day Arxcards, Just dipping my foot in the water at this stage. No firm plans as yet. Got 3 upcoming with Princess to clear FCC's from March 2020!! Paul

G'day again, Seems as though I've been kidding myself . I have since checked a similar cruise with Princess, and Celebrities Inclusive fare is on a park with Princess's Plus fare. No fool like an old fool I guess. Paul.

G'day again, You're right. When I progressed further along the booking process, I found the two separate pricing structures. But my question still remains - are we being discriminated against? Appears as though any Celebrity Cruise apart from the Aus/Nz Itineraries are all inclusive in the fare. Do they regard us all as big drinkers and that they would lose on the deal? Paul

G'day All, Have mostly travelled Princess and always opt for the Princess Plus package which includes a drinks package and free wi-fi. Was looking at Celebrity Cruises for an itinerary in the South Pacific and somewhat confused as to what is included in the cruise fare. On some sights it states cruise fare includes a drinks package and free wi-fi. But when I go to do a trial booking, wording in what is included in the fare makes no mention of any drinks packages for free wi-fi. Am I missing something, or are we being discriminated against? Has anyone travelled Celebrity within Aus and received these additional benefits free? Paul

G'day All, Thanks for all your replies. Has been fantastic. Although, as a former Australia Post employee, I have been rather hurt by all the comments re delayed parcels!! I think the plan will be to use my phone as a wi-fi hotspot and connect our tablets through our Optus network. Think this should solve the problem. As both our phones are getting on, their built-in redundancy should kick in by this time next year and we will need new phones that will be upgraded to Android 11, 12 or whatever, so it will no longer be a problem. Thanks for all your advice. Hope to see you on board at some stage . Paul

Thank you all for your help. Will certainly post when i try again. Lost count of the number of hours of lost sleep brought about by this Medallion App. Remember the good old days when all you had to worry about when you got to the Terminal, was making sure you boarded in time for lunch?? Paul

Thanks Arxcards. Still 68 days before we travel. Probably why nothing is showing at the moment. Will try again in 8 days time. If I still have problems, expect another request for your help. Paul

G'day again arxcards, Must admit again that I cannot find where to select a boarding time. I was under the impression that they would advise what time to board depending on your deck #. Hope you don't charge for your consultation in these matters? Paul

Thanks arxcards. Have another question though. I am in the "green lane" , but I cannot find my digital boarding pass or QR code anywhere on the App. Help!!

Can anyone tell me if there is free wi-fi at the OPT in Sydney? Will be using the Medallion App on a tablet and may have to buy a data only sim for it if there is no free wi-fi. Thanks.

Princess now allows you to do the Check-In info through a web page. There is a notation just adjacent to the Medallion App info. I had been struggling with the app for some time (my phone is quite slow), and found it much easier to use the web page. Same info required but much easier to work with. Cheers