leck57

This has been the situation for at least two weeks, so it's taking a while to fix up.

I couldn't agree more and this whole situation drives me to drink. I also like to turn up when ready and Princess have mucked this up and I think the old system was much better. The last cruise we did we were often met with a queue but in the end we just got used to taking a buzzer and heading to a bar and waiting. It was never more than 30 minutes and if that mucked up our intention to go to the theatre we just went to the later show. They certainly should have plenty of tables for those that want to book a set time but my main beef is that these tables have to sit empty well before the booking time. You arrive at the dining room entry desk and get told that there are no tables available at that time for walk ins, yet all you see is empty tables. When we have been in dining rooms we have seen tables that were never occupied the entire time we were there so obviously no shows. They have the balance all wrong but we just go with the flow now. But, this has been done to death and Princess seem to be happy to cop the complaints.

No, we didn't. We just purchased on our arrival. On completion, we actually caught the bus back to the centre of town to near where the ferry leaves. At the end of the street that leads to the house there is a bus stop with the route number. The walk to Osborne was very pleasant as we saw a bit more of the island and also had to cross a waterway on a small chain barge (they call it a floating bridge - takes about 10 minutes). That didn't cost much and added to the adventure.

Well if the unthinkable happens it's only about 3 hours by car up to Auckland which is assume is your next stop. If they guarantee to have you back in time, many operators offer to get you to the ship if they fail to get you back in time. Do these guys offer that? Like you, I'm always concerned taking private excursions that are a long way from the port, however it is not like you have to get across a body of water (meaning a flight) to catch up to your ship. Tauranga to Auckland is quite easy. Also easy for me to say.😬

While you are waiting for @TenneSeato answer I'll give you my opinion. We stayed in Southampton for two days prior to a Princess cruise last year and went to the Isle of Wight for a day. It is very easy by ferry and we actually walked to Osbourne House which is well worth a visit. It took us about 30 minutes from memory but we are good walkers. If you are not, take a taxi. There is also a bit to enjoy around the area where the ferry arrives, very quaint. We are doing another cruise from Southampton next year and plan on going back over to soak up the atmosphere a bit more.

For me at least your pics haven't loaded. I have seen the pics from your earlier posts but the above post, for me , just has the image notation and the jpeg number. (using Chrome)

It's not just the change in lane status, it's the fact that the App is now showing I haven't selected my medallion wearable which I have done and have the confirmation emails of my order....which shows a cost of $0.00 which is because I just ordered the standard medallion and lanyard. I already have the wrist band from previous medallion cruises.

Sorry if this has been asked but I couldn't find it in the last few of the 229 pages of this thread. We have two upcoming cruises and we were green lane until the recent changes and we went blue lane as we cannot have the medallions mailed to us in Australia. However we now have the little exclamation mark next to our profile photos and it appears this is because we haven't done the Medallion wearable part. The only thing is that I have done this and when I go in to check it even shows my Medallion order (just opted for the standard medallion and lanyard). I have also received the emails confirming my orders even though there was no cost. All the other parts of the check in process have been done and have the green tick next to each item. I know it isn't important but it just bugs me.

Why would you get a refund. Didn't you just pay the lower amount at final payment?

There was someone on FB very recently that posted exactly this problem and about the "Computer " charges. It might be worth checking it as I think it is also ongoing.

Absolutely agree. That's why I use a TA, so they can sort this stuff out. The odds are that if you used a TA, then Princess will not deal with you anyway.

Not all places in Aust charge a credit charge fee, in fact most don't, yet. Most supermarkets, restaurants, and clothing retailers don't charge a fee although I do notice the number that do is increasing.. The fee can be 1.5% but starts at around 0.5%.

Ah, ok thanks for responding. I just looked up what AARP is and we don't have them here.

Sorry for dumb question, but when I want extra OBC I just go in to the Personaliser and get it that way and it's charged to my card. You mention Gift Cards. Why do you use gift cards? Is there some benefit using these as against just doing it via the Personaliser? Thanks in advance for your respo5. In answer to your question, I have been on a few cruises that are segments and my OBC has always carried over.

Mine has changed from green lane to blue many times, however we should be blue as we have to pick up our medallion at the pier. As far as I know Princess have discontinued the need to select an arrival time.

Interesting. If a person books a 21 day cruise that can be booked as 3 x 7 nighters, the Cruise Personaliser will show that you have three cruises sailed so I agree that each leg should entitle you to two visits, total 6. It's quite strange in a way. I've been following and commenting on this subject for a few days and can barely keep up with the postings. Yet, today I still booked another Princess cruise, so I guess that even though I don't like the changes, they are small fry for me in the overall picture. (plus we did a HAL cruise recently that wasn't as good as Princess, and Celebrity prices have gone through the funnel).

Agree with you. I stop by Vines quite a few times on every cruise we have done but I was surprised to read you could get food there. I mustn't be very observant but I've only ever seen people drinking or ordering wine there and if eating, it has been a snack brought over from the International Cafe. For me, that's way I'll keep it.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I was just generalising and didn't want to cover every scenario. We love Alfredos but because we prefer the dining rooms or specialty restaurants for dinner we were only infrequent visitors there as we don't want a large lunch. If I didn't have Plus, would I pay $14.99 for a meal at Alfredos when there are so many included options about? Nup.

I love the bit about if you have the latest package then enjoy even more perks at no additional cost. It's what you were getting anyway and what everyone used to get at no cost. Talk about twisting words.

I don't disagree but leaving it until passengers are on board will result in the staff copping some complaints which they don't deserve. Not to mention the queues at the Customer Service desk. I get all the comments about this charge being unfair etc etc etc but for $15 when people are outlaying thousands for a cruise, some of the reaction is over the top to me.

I think you are right there but I had never really thought about it like that. We have done European cruises which are very port intensive and we wouldn't drink anywhere near as much as a cruise with many sea days when you are on the ship. I guess for me, I get the Plus package just to save getting a bill at the end of the cruise. I don't really bother whether one or the other options is best cost wise as there wouldn't be enough difference to worry. I just rather have everything paid for upfront.

Beef and Guinness pie. They only have them every 4-5 days but they are a great late morning snack or a lunch.

This exactly. It seems the OP is not aware of all the options. Been on many Medallion Cruises and never used the smart device to order.

I did see them once. I took a whole plate full of them thinking they were calamari rings. Quite embarrassing when I ate about two and then had the waiter take the rest away. 😬

I never have a problem ordering a drink for me and my wife. I cannot order, say 3 beers and 3 glasses of wine for the two of us. Yet I can and have ordered that much at a time, for room service. Strange that they enforce this at bars to stop sharing yet I can order extra to my cabin and have people, who may not have the drinks package, visit us there for drinks.