2 cruises a year

You have to spend $20 to get the $10.

That went away years ago.

Sorry, you are misinformed here. Fares are higher out of Australia because Australia has a living wage "culture".

👍👍👍

Australians don't have a tipping culture because they pay fair and living wages. In America, people in the service industry earn less than a living wage. Tips are necessary to get by. This is also true on Princess. I don't care where the ships or corporation is registered, Princess is an American company. They have two major corporate offices in America, the corporate philosophy is American. And their service sector is under payed with out tips. They need the tips. I like @rickays attitude toward tipping around the world. He gets it. When in Rome, do as the Romans.

And half price for 65 years old and up.

To be sure that I understand this. By specifically omitting "and any other discretionary cash gratuities", Princess condones crew keeping for themselves, any, and all cash tips that they personally receive.

Even another example of why I call it a shell game.

Personally, I believe it is a shell game on Princess' part, and a wash to us. This way, it is non taxable to Princess. They just pass it on, no income, no tax. They could drop the Crew Appreciation and raise the fares, that would be taxable. AND, as mentioned a couple of times, it is really none of our business. It is between employee and employer. But I hope that Princess stating that it all goes to the crew makes you feel better. According to: https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/onboard/onboard-experience/ And you dig down deep enough: The last paragraph, I've highlighted it, ALL of it, less credit card fees, is passed on. Crew Appreciation and Service Charge Policy The “Crew Appreciation” is a daily amount for each guest that will be automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience, to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of all our guests.  The crewmembers eligible to receive these funds work in various departments, many of whom rotate among different ships, throughout our fleet of ships. The amount of the Crew Appreciation will be based on stateroom category, as set out below: For voyages departing through February 19, 2023: Stateroom CategoryDaily amount per guest Interior, Oceanview and BalconyUS $14.50 Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection US $15.50 SuitesUS $16.50 For voyages departing February 20, 2023 and beyond: Stateroom CategoryDaily amount per guest Interior, Oceanview and BalconyUS $16 Mini-Suite and Reserve CollectionUS $17 SuitesUS $18 We pride ourselves on excellent guest satisfaction and our onboard team is available to immediately address any concerns you may have about your cruise. In the unlikely event you remain dissatisfied for any reason, the Crew Appreciation is subject to adjustment, at your discretion, at any time during the cruise up to the time you settle your onboard account prior to disembarkation. If you do not choose to adjust this daily charge while on board, your payment becomes final and nonrefundable. A nonrefundable Service Charge of 17% - 18% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the Cruise Fare. The Service Charge amount is based upon the service/product purchased and is applied as follows: Service/ProductService Charge Specialty Dining17% (included in total cover charge) Specialty Food Items17% (included in total item charge) Drink Packages18% Drinks18% Corkage Fee18% (included in total charge) Private Group Functions18% (of total cost) Spa Services*18% * Service Charge payments for spa services are not pooled for the fleet. If you pre-paid the Crew Appreciation and/or Service Charge as part of an all-inclusive or other applicable package: (i) the payments are bundled into your fare; (ii) the payments are nonrefundable from the time of purchase, except as part of the cruise fare, which refund shall be provided in accordance with our cancelation policy; and (iii) no additional amount will be added to your onboard account for the Crew Appreciation or for those Service Charges covered by such package. All of the Crew Appreciation and Service Charge payments made by all guests on all ships in our fleet are pooled, net of credit card transaction fees. The pooled funds are distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.

Thank you. Is that standard, or does the "palm greasing" 😉 vary, depending on the length of the cruise?

If I may ask, what do you tip? I worry about too little insulting her/him, or too much, wasting my hard earned retirement. Financially, I'm comfortable, and willing to share the wealth. But the wealth is limited. And which one is the Restaurant Manager? There are always quite a few people involved in getting seated.

I don't see any contradiction. You did say "if".

The difference in cost for a Club Class Mini-suite over the cost of a Mini-suite should more than cover the added service, tips and all. As always, a little extra cash in their hand is always appreciated.

If someone knocked on my door at 4:30 am, I would have a tip for them, and it doesn't begin with a $. Just kidding, I earned my cruising being called out at all hours. I'm used to it, and can fall right back asleep.

Agreed, I couldn't have said it better myself!!

The first 7 responses answer your question pretty well. If you are going for the decor, buffet, covered pool, newer ship, take the Majestic. If you are going for Alaska, take the Crown, anything but a Royal Class ship. Also, if you are going for the ship, don't go to Alaska, go anywhere else. Alaska cruises tend to be more expensive than other destinations. My opinion, take the Crown to Alaska.

And now that you can decline the Effy ads, even paper is harder to find.

Sadly, thanks to "the package", this age old very sociable gesture is just not as much fun as it used to be. ☹️☹️. I miss the days when it really meant something to offer to buy someone a drink.

Redundant

I guess that you showed them. Maybe really show Princess by cruising RCL or Norwegian.

Vines, Yes, seating in Vines, No.

That you can buy in the Ship's Store! Don't do it, but we'll sell you what you need to do it.

My sentiments exactly!

It's under the "My FAQ" guideline....

The shower curtains, and shower heads are changed out frequently. I'd noticed over time, while wetting the bottom of the shower curtain to "stick it to the lip at the bottom that the length, and even the number of hooks changes frequently. I've even seen room stewards scrubbing a bunch of shower heads and talking to one, he confirmed that the shower heads and curtains cleaned and are changed frequently.