jagoffee

On 4/8/2024 at 9:35 AM, RDJ said:

We are not due for final payment for a while yet. But in 3 calls to princess, no one has said that is a requirement.

I was giving you details about my success.  I really do not know why some people have an issue booking the Premium included Speciality restaurant reservations and others do not.  It would not be unreasonable for Princess to want one to pay for their Premier package (with final payment) before making a no charge booking.  
We usually stay in a suite and I have read reports that some people are able to make the embarkation speciality dining reservation without paying. I have never been successful. I have also booked it after boarding and I have never had any problem getting the place and time that I wanted.

Does your AP show that you have the premier package?

2 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

I am on Discovery…”My Journey” only shows my dining reservation & bookmarked activities for today. Below that is the “Show My Entire Schedule” option which when selecting it shows all of my dining & bookmarked activities for the entire cruise.

 

Thanks.  I am too relaxed.  I meant to ask if you can see the MDR menu for the days in the future. I just see the current day.

Ordered mine with a form at GS using the form at around 6 PM.  They were delivered by noon on the next day.

I am current in board.  Should I be able to see the MDR for the length of my cruise?  I only see the current day.  Sometimes I get cruise lines mixed up.  Is this possible on Princess?

Thank you.

16 hours ago, RDJ said:

I have the premiere package which comes with 2 speciality dinners. When I try to make the first reservation, it’s wants to charge my credit card (the total is not $0.00). I have tried both the app and the web version of the app. I have called Princess 3 times and they haven’t been able to help. First they said they fixed it and I just needed to wait 24hrs, didn’t work. Then they said it’s because I wasn’t Ocean Ready so I did that, it still didn’t work. The last time they just said they’d put in a technical ticket with their IT team. I don’t want to miss out on the time slots, should I just pay now and deal with the refund later? I’ve read some had difficulty getting the refund, etc plus that’s not how I want to spend my first day onboard. Any one else have this happen and have Princess actually fix it? I don’t get why they just can’t make the reservation for us if the app isn’t working correctly.

When are you cruising?

I was able to book mine on the AP with no charge.  There was a note stating that I have to credits.  It was after the Final payment.

It seems to work for some people and not others.

22 hours ago, talkorpi said:

I don’t expect anything nor do I really WANT to be compensated. Not the crews fault AT ALL. I just didn’t want to walk around the ship with someone else’s luggage and wanted Guest Services to handle it. They just removed it and will check for identification. Verified that this is in fact my cabin and the other guest must have  misplaced the luggage when cabins were not yet ready. 
 

Our steward will have to come fix the mini bar because some items were taken. No big deal to me either. Just a rather comical start 😂

Welcome aboard.  Luckily, we did not have the same issue.  Our cabin door was open, when we stopped by to drop off our carry on and leave.  

what was included with your mini bar?  4 dewars, 4 gins, two beers, and some non alcoholic drinks.

We dined in Catch last night and it was amazing.  Enjoy.

46 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

From what has been shared here that benefit has been discontinued and is only available on your cruise if you made the booking prior to the end of December 2023.   
 

Not sure when you booked, but if it was after the beginning of this year, it will not be offered for free as a suite benefit. If it was prior to then end of year deadline, you should still get it as a perk, but may have to call ahead to get it worked out or have your concierge arrange it onboard.  
 

I can say based on our experience doing it on the Discovery on New Year’s Eve, it is well worth the price if you do end up having to pay for it. 

I received an email stating that since I booked a suite prior to 12/1/2023 I received a free 360 experience.  Dining there tonight.

I wonder why the two casual restaurants are not included on this Plus list.

3 hours ago, memoak said:

The only circumstance where a beverage only plan would be useful is if you drink and your cabin mate won’t pay for the package 

I can see where someone might make that decision.   The Plus Beverage package is $76.90 per day for one person.  The Plus bundle would be $120 a day for two people.  The difference is only $43.10 a day for two people.  But I understand your point.  

9 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

As stated by many, some buy the packages some don't. You have to do the math and determine if it is for you and in your budget. 

My personal opinion I would not purchase a Plus or Premium Beverage package vs. a Princess Plus or Princess Premium package. Personal note: I wish they would change the name, very confusing.

Just comparing the Plus and Premium Beverage packages to the Royal Caribbean Beverage package.

Plus Beverage $64.99/day plus gratuity.

Premium Beverage $84.99/day plus gratuity.

I'm booked on an RCL cruise early 2025.

The beverage package currently, is $87.99/day plus gratuity. This price varies by ship and length of cruise and can change in price up until sailing. So, you may or may not get a great deal.

Personally, I'm getting the better deal with the Princess Plus package.

Everyone has their own opinion, but you have to make sure you are doing your due diligence and compare correctly.

Good luck.

Wish granted:  Princess Plus and Princess Premier.  (Not Princess Premium)

I agree that there would certainly need to be a strange set of circumstances for the Beverage packages purchase to make any sense.

3 hours ago, ninka26 said:

Would that be located near guest services? Thank you for the tip!!!

It was actually @Thrak’s tip.  I was just explaining what he met by machine.  
 

if I recall correctly, yes.  You can also request a print out at the desk.

@MacMadame, I agree with you.  
I know that no one knows for sure, but I read that up to 70% of cruisers have one of the packages.  Why the heck would Princess ever offer  a lower level bundle?

Personally I would never cruise without a package. 
It is my opinion  the 15 drink per day alcoholic drink limit is very seldom reached and that the current Plus package can make financial sense even for people that drink little or no alcohol.  The limit makes some people they should share, because Princess owes them 15 drinks.
 

It is great that the 30% or so of the cruisers that cruise with no package have the option to spend less money.
 

Just my opinion.  

1 hour ago, ninka26 said:

Machine?? Sorry ... 1st time cruiser and 1st time on Princess.

A Kiosh where you can print a copy of you bill in real time.  

11 hours ago, Torfamm said:

My point isn’t that I can’t afford international cell service or paid wi-fi, or try to find free wi-fi that I’m willing to use to upload credit card information, it’s that I think it’s ridiculous to have to work that hard to check in or make dinner reservations for a cruise. I don’t understand why the app blocks access to future cruises when you are on a cruise. 

Even if you log out and log back in with the future booking number?

2 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

@jagoffee

 

So, does Princess designate certain loungers for “complete cruise booking”?  No, they have all been available for 1/2 or full individual days or for a "complete cruise."
 

If I am doing a B2B can I book the second cruise on the first day of the first cruise? Yes.  We have done this many times.

Thank you for your quick response.

On 3/31/2024 at 10:13 AM, LACruiser88 said:

The Sanctuary is one of our favorite venues on Princess ships.  You must book your loungers in person at the Sanctuary.

 

Rush there as soon as you board the ship.  Depending on the itinerary, it can book-up very fast.  You can book full or half days for the entire length of your voyage.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Does Princess designate some loungers that can only be booked for the whole week?  i booked the Sanctuary once for a  complete cruise. (I was booked in one of those mini suites that were completely uncovered). At that time the 1/2 and 1 day bookings could be not in advance.  Perhaps only in the morning of the day desired. 
 

I do know that Princess now allows 1/2 and 1 day reservations on any day in advance.  I would imagine this reduces the possibility of booking for the whole cruise. So, does Princess designate certain loungers for “complete cruise booking”?
 

If I am doing a B2B can I book the second cruise on the first day of the first cruise?

Thank you.

I agree that the ship will adjust the ship time to match the local time.

i will confirm for you in the next 3 weeks.

1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

I figured as much.  Hopefully we'll be able to do it on the second half of the B2B on the Sun.   If not hopefully gift cards can be purchased on board. 

You are referring to the 14 day cruise on the Sun as a B2B.  Since you did not make two separate purchases and do not have two different booking numbers, I am not sure if it is a correct description.

I do see your dilemma.  If you book it has two 7 day cruise (B2B), Princess may not allow you to carry over the OBC from the first 7 day cruise to the second 7 day cruise.  If you stay with the 14 day booking, Princess might not allow you to count day 8 and 9 as a 1 and 2 for the purchase of the upgrade on the last 7 days.

Actually I do not know.  Worst case is that you cannot, then you can use the Casino to turn your OBC to cash.  

Good luck. 

50 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

I don't believe we've seen gift cards onboard. 

Even if Princess were offering gift cards, they certainly would nit  allow you to use non refundable OBC for the purchase.  Just like you cannot use OBC for an FCC.

14 hours ago, disneyochem said:

Yes, we’ve started to book more cruises with HAL based on their package.  Booking HIA Early Bonus gives us upgraded drink package, WiFi, crew gratuities, shore excursion credits (varies based on cruise length) and specialty dining.  Add to that, we also get loyalty OBC, shareholders OBC, AARP OBC and Educator OBC.  Compare that to the Plus /Premier package on Princess.  Don’t want or need the desserts, exercise classes or the casual dining meals.  Also didn’t like that Princess didn’t grandfather in those of us who had already purchased a package prior to the roll out of the new and improved Princess Plus.

 

We love Princess (elite) and will continue to sail with them, but we’ve found better values with HAL.

My understanding was all you needed to do was pay the extra $10 a day per person (making it $60 a day instead of $50) and you have all the increased benefits of the $60 a day Plus package.  Is that not true?  Are you saying that you paid $60 a day pp and could not get the extra benefits?

It does say UP to 20% off. Mine was 0%.

48 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Yet another excuse to put up the price. DOH!

I agree. I suspect some people are not connecting the dots.  Personally I do not think either one of those two options are worth a price increase.  I am not sure if the survey shared what the cost would be.  

3 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

Not to my knowledge. It’s a Panama Canal crossing, LA to Miami

I am confident that it is a single segment with that itinerary.  I have enjoyed that cruise twice.  

6 hours ago, happy42cruise said:

I had the same thing happen to us. There was no change to our booking but we are in an accessible cabin & since there is NO way to request an upgrade to an accessible cabin I thought that might be the reason. I resubmitted a bid but I'm ambivalent about it. I may go ahead & cancel it. I wish they would let us bid on all categories & not limit them & to be able to request accessible not just give it to anyone who bids if there is someone who might need it (there are videos of people being given an accessible cabin that didn't need or want it). 

I assume you booked an accessible cabin, because you have a need for one.  If true, I suggest you cancel your bid as the terms of the bidding are clear.  

2 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

It is a little strange that you pay more and get less. On a 15 night we only got 2. I think it should be equivalent with the number of formal nights. If a 15 day is long enough for 3 formal nights then it should be long enough for 3 specialty dining reservations as well. 

Was your 15 day cruise also sold in smaller segments?

I can relate. Several years ago I cruised RT from San Pedro to Tahiti.  I was a single 28 day cruise and I only received one min bar set up.