jagoffee

2 hours ago, mahasamatman said:

AA das decided they don't want leisure travelers any more.

Obviously you have not been following the AA changes over the last couple of years.  
It is true that they want you to book on line via AA.com.  
Major emphasis on earning miles with charge cards and shopping.  Mostly focused on Credit Card spending.

Does anyone know the name of the consolidator that Princess or other cruise lines use?

4 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

I am 99% certain they had not booked a PCL transfer.

Let us make it 100% as she indicated on her initial post.

It was an emotional time for them and it may have been hard to think logical.  
 

4 minutes ago, sabookkeeper said:

We never used it for drinks as DH would just go to the bar.  We did use it for room service and always gave a couple of dollars cash as a tip.

I used it a few times for drinks last year.  (Once to our cabin).  IMO this process is better in theory than it is in practice.  

5 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

she already said - it was prohibitively expensive.

Glad you are feeling better.

1 hour ago, zogrand said:

I booked a cruise to the Antarctic on the day these were options.  I booked Princess Plus.  Does anyone know how this $900 OBC will be provided?  It's not on my OBC profile in my account.  I'm not sure how to guarantee that I will receive it since it is also not listed in my receipt.  I obviously have the screenshot as well as the dated receipt.  

I suggest you log into your Princess.com.

1. see photo.  You can try clicking on luggage tags and travel summary.  Scroll down to print summary and see if it shows there.

2.  You should have an invoice showing the cost of your cruise with your deposit and what is included.  When I use a TA, this is created by my TA.  If I book direct from Princess, the invoice will be created and sent to you directly from Princess. Both of these documents will show what is included.

3.  You could try to book an excursion and the Princess OBC will show up so you can use it to pay for the excursion.

i have never seen what you attached with an OBC on each option.  Since it is just a step in the booking process it does not really mean anything as it is not booked.  The next page might show the OBC.  
 

For instance, I always get Military OBC, but it does not show up on the photo you show, but is reflected after I book only.

Good luck.

What  category did you book.  Is this the December 2024 Sapphire?  I notice it does not include the up to 40% off statement that is now included.

@mamafun, Awesome for you.  How exciting.  The anticipation is part of the fun.

@Snaxmuppet, thank you for the follow up.  I will see what I can find out on my April cruises.

2 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

I take that to mean...

 

Only one person can enroll the cabin... that means only one entry.

 

But once the cabin is enrolled each guest is also enrolled.

 

That means that you only go into the draw once per stateroom at a time... in other words... if you both enter the room together you get just one entry to the draw because the second person entering is not more than 5 mins later than the first. However, if just one enters the cabin gets an entry... then the second person enters more than 5 mins later then the cabin gets another entry.

 

So one entry, two guests. Each entry must be separated by 5 mins minimum.

 

I agree, it isn't clear until you realize  what they are trying to say.

Your explanation is very helpful and it makes a lot of sense to me as I was getting more confused. 
 

Is your 5 minutes, just an example?  Or is it really 5 minutes?  I know they reserve the right to make it what they want.  
 

The bottom line is that the more we enter our cabin (with the limitations), the more entries we have?  If we came back to our cabin at different times, we will increase our odds?  (This part seems ridiculous to me).

Thank you for taking the time to provide an explanation. It is much appreciated.

Couldn’t your TA get it fixed for you?

7 hours ago, Catbert234 said:

Bottom line: They could dump everything but the profile tab and have a better app. Most of the tabs and pages are duplicative and useless and the content isn't helpful. The login needs to be made secure.

 

My detailed observations about the new app are as follows:
- Login using userid+password is broken. The workaround is using booking number and passenger name, but that's not secure. Since payment methods are stored in the app, ONLY login credentials should be accepted and multi-factor authentication/biometric login should be available.
- A lot of content on the front page has a lot to do with Princess selling stuff (Upgraded dining, upgraded drinks, excursions) and NOT managing the voyage. Since MY priority is to manage my voyage and not hand Princess huge sums of money, my preference is an app that makes managing a voyage easy.
- The ribbon on the front page is awful for navigating. Would rather just see buttons without having to move or scroll.
- Too much of the screen real-estate is spent on pictures of people gambling or drinking, etc. I want buttons that drive function. Too much scrolling required vertically and horizontally on the app, which makes it less usable. 
- Managing multiple voyages - no longer possible unless you log out of the app and back in using each of the individual booking numbers for the voyage you're interested in which is horrifically clunky. This is a failure
- Functions on the front page - Reserve dining - the ONLY useful function on the front page of the app. Unfortunately, it does not work for all ships in the fleet (e.g. Sun Princess). 

Bottom of screen navigation buttons:
- Home - This button works fine. Takes you back to the home screen. Wish the home screen was actually useful.
- Service - has no actual functions active just a screen explaining that I can order stuff. Why?
- Journey - Takes you to ship maps. Ship map navigation REQUIRES that you use the pull down in the upper right to pick the deck. This is slightly better than having to scroll through all the floors by swiping left and right but decks have no names along with numbers. This contains book shore excursions (which can be done on the home screen), Explore dining options (which is also on the home screen), "Show Entire Ship Schedule" which is not a button like the others but an underlined link and it DOES NOT show the entire schedule - it ignores sea days. Under "My Journey" it apparently allows for customized bookmarks, but Lord only knows how to set a bookmark
- The content on the MY JOURNEY and SHIP SCHEDULE sub-tabs is exactly the same - why?
- Crew Call Chat - doesn't work on shore
- Profile. This is what the home screen should be - EXCEPT, I don't need a picture of myself, the medallion color is wrong, the My Voyages only has one voyage in it (I have 5 future cruises booked, I should see them all)

I am not sure if it is broken or just how it was designed.  If you wish to use the AP for future booked cruises, you need to use your booking number and name, correct? To your point, the AP can be redesigned.   I certainly would not want to “sign in” again, ever time I needed to use the AP, especially when cruising,  

9 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

I think you have this wrong.

 

Both can play AFAIK. But any prize goes to the primary person on the booking as it is the cabin that is registered not the person.

Makes more sense.  Does that mean when my DW and I enter our cabin, we get two entries for the game?

How about when we depart?

i hope you are correct, but rule 5 is confusing me.

“

3. “An Authorized Guest must enroll his or her stateroom in the Promotion while onboard a Participating Vessel (“Current Cruise”), and during the time the Casino onboard the Participating Vessel is open, as determined solely by Princess, (“International Waters”), by either: i) signing up with Guest Services; or ii) through the purchase of a Princess bundle called “Princess Premier” (“Enrolled Premier”); (“Eligible Entry(ies)”). An Authorized Guest will be automatically enrolled in the Promotion upon the purchase of Princess Premier. For the avoidance of any doubt, only one enrollment per stateroom is permitted and each stateroom, which is or may be connected, suite, or specialty accommodation is considered a stateroom for the purposes of the Promotion.”

26 minutes ago, jbcallender said:

If they get too many winnners, they turn it off.  That's a "cooling off" period I guess.

Perhaps.  I suspect  it may be a way to stop people from going in and out too many times, thus the cooling off period.

Thank you. You would think that the newer designed ships would have provided more shade.  I would be surprised if cruisers today are requesting more sun, but maybe it is age related. 

On 2/17/2024 at 5:33 AM, kenzie said:

I was fully paid up and waa only able to book 1 free, charged for other bookings- hope to get refund for the second 

Did you cancel one of your reservations and then book a replacement for another restaurant, time, or day?

On 2/17/2024 at 10:48 AM, jbcallender said:

So, what is Princess Prizes that is part of the Premium Plus package?

One free entry per cabin is included with the Princess Premier package.  

I just read the terms closely and I see that although both people in a cabin have the Premier package only the primary guest in the cabin can play. Seems like Princess owns us $10 for the second person.  Doesn’t look right, but I will not be complaining.

This is interesting  “

3. “After enrolling in the Promotion, when an Authorized Guest approaches his or her Enrolled Stateroom, while in International Waters, the door panel of the Enrolled Stateroom will automatically play the Princess Prizes game (“Game Play”). Princess reserves the right to implement a cooling off period or otherwise limit the number of times Game Play is activated by an Authorized Guest unlocking his or her Enrolled Stateroom.”. How is that for covering your butt?  They could make it so that it only enters once every four hours.  Which woukd make more sense.  

9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

I am happy to hear some more specific clarifications!!!

Thank you experts, so much.

I hate if this is a bit of a contentious topic.   But those who are unfamiliar seem to be asking.

There are just two of us... so that is great.

We would def. consider a Cabana, if no loungers available.  (either full day, or 1/2 if offered)

It seems that in these newest ship's Sanctuary, shade is hard to come by.  They do have the tarps in the very front.   But, good shade is another reason to book a Cabana.

Just to clarify.  The Enchanted Princess’s Sanctuary has on average less shade than the Emerald Princess’s Sanctuary?  

I have only been in the Emerald’s Sanctuary that IMO needed mor shade, so this seems backwards.  
 

Thanks.

10 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

@20165

Have you gone all the way through the transaction?  If it "works right" it will say that it's going to charge you but then at the end you will see a credit which will zero it out.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not!

Obviously I agree with you about that possibility.

1 hour ago, 20165 said:

so the other half dont get charged pre cruise?

I cannot attest to the percentage quoted.

 I was successfully able to make each of my two included Speciality dining reservations for no charge.  Although I may have needed to enter my CC number.  After I made my choice, it showed the cost and showed that there was not a charge.  
When I initially started to make a reservation, I received a reminder in the AP that I had some credits for Specialty dining.  I was using the old AP.

The only way to make a change is to cancel your current reservation and make a new one.  I found that I had to wait some time before my cancelled credit showed up to be used for another booking.

No idea whey it is different for some people.  Some people may not be looking closely at what is and is not being charged?  But the issue has been reported numerous times, so there must be an issue.

i suggest you try to make a reservation all the way to the end and see what happens.  You can always immediately cancel the reservations for a refund on your credit card

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

Our cruise is 3 segments, so we were able to book 3 reservations in each of their 4 specialty restaurants.   DW and I have been debating whether we need to buy the drink package ($30 per person/day) but I am thinking it makes sense if one has 3 drinks a day (their new system already includes wine/drinks at lunch and dinner).  Funny thing about Regent is that none of our friends who have tried Regent have not been pleased.  

 

Hank

Very fortunate about the 3 reservations in each of the Specialty restaurants. (Nice strategy).  Our Oceania cruise was during the post COVD restart for 14 days.  The cruise was less than 50% capacity, thus our Speciality dining was unlimited.  Make sure to try the informal dinner AFT dining at least once.  Excellent items grilled to enjoy in the moonlight.  
We also loved the breakfast and lunch area near the pool.  

The included Select alcohol Drink package was wine and beer only at lunch and dinner.  But Oceania had a pre dinner cocktail time that had free cocktails. (If I remember correctly).  Tough call on the regular upgraded extra cost drink package.  I found it somewhat limiting.

My comment about Regent was meant as a complement to Oceania and not a criticism of Regent.  We did enjoy Regent, but enjoyed Oceania more. (I know that is a little unusual)

7 hours ago, tinkerbelluk said:

Don't know if anyone can help me, but has anyone had any luck bidding for an upgrade on the Sun Princess? I've checked the site and it says I'm not eligible. I don't know if it's an issue with the app or if upgrades simply aren' t open.  

Any guidance would be great

Have you made your final payment?

Hank, enjoy your cruise.  
We also cruised on the R class ships starting with Renaissance followed by the ship’s Princess purchased in the French Polynesia.

The newer Oceania ships have amazing Speciality restaurants with no extra charge.  
It will be interesting to see how the experience compares for you.

We enjoyed the overall experience more than Regent experience.

Steelers8054, excellent and entertaining review and comparison.

Your and effort is very much appreciated.  Thank you very much.

6 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Terrific post/review and we thank you :).  I will point out that what you describe, about Virgin, also applies to nearly all of the so-called luxury lines (i.e. Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Explora Journeys, Scenic, etc) which is why we prefer the luxury lines (although we still enjoy some cruising on Princess).   Virgin also catches our interest because they allow no children/teens (18 minimum age).

 

We would also mention that the one thing that has kept us away from Virgin are that they are basically a short cruise line without exotic itineraries.  Other than an occasional repositioning cruise they focus on itineraries of 7 days or less.

 

Hank

Hank, why haven’t you tried Oceania?  You might want to try them sometime, especially if food is a priority for you.

On 2/16/2024 at 8:11 PM, mattR said:

Got a notification that the return flight for my brothers flight has been changed.   I booked them their flights with EZ-Air.  I want to pick a different return flight for them but keep the original inbound flight.  The problem is the price for the inbound flight has gone way up so if I rebook both inbound and outbound the price increases however if I could just rebook the outbound flight the price wouldn't but I can't figure out how to rebook just the return flight.

If you have a different return flight that they like better, you should call.  It cannot be done on line without affecting the pricing.  How much of a change did the airline make?  

4 hours ago, ISABELLA said:

I booked R/T flights to Rome and back from Barcelona. Just in case if I would like to change inbound or outbound flights, I wàs told by Princess that I have to cancel the whole reservation to make any changes.

That has also been my experience.