Ombud

@Strauss1020 I stand corrected. I'm on night 14 of a 21 night cruise from Sydney to Yokohoma & there has not been a production show with a story line. Just 2 'variety' shows to date; plus pianists, magicians, comedians,  and a hypnotist.  OPAt least they shortened the shows to only 30 minutes to fit in 3 a night. Gotta find the positives.

@nzrainbow (also posted on Au/NZ board) where did it drop off? Hoping to get near North Quay ferry stop or Anzac plaza

@nzrainbow where did it drop off? Hoping to get near North Quay ferry stop or Anzac plaza

4 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

It is the nickel and diming that is entering into everything

This is where you lose me. PLEASE EXPLAIN! I always paid for gratuities, drinks, and learned how to avoid wifi fees as 250 minutes was never enough. I still pay for gratuities, drinks, and wifi in port. The wifi change was instituted by a change in technology not a money grab by any of the cruise corporations. So, in effect, no change. 

Is it because if I want those awful over-the-top ice creams I can only have them for free in MDR after lunch & dinner? Is it that I have to get to the theater early to get the seat I want just like before? Or is it the constant advertising for the add-on packages? Yes that is irritating but so easy to ignore

A big change (actually huge) is that I no longer get a warmed block of tofu when wanting protein? I appreciate the vegan menu. 

But to get back to OPs issue: The cruise lines have evolved. Suggesting Azamara or Viking 

3 hours ago, cruisinsince75 said:

Pay more but get less seems to be the new rule.     

13 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Princess doesn't seem to care about people... period!!!

Help me understand what the change is:

> Less dressy / stagnant 👍

> Have to purchase Plus or Premier to have gratuities, wifi, drinks rolled into fare. Ok. Really confused here as I ALWAYS paid gratuities & drinks (so no real change).

> Is this just re-upping the b?!?hing about those 250 minutes at daily up speed? 😂 You LIKED dial up speed? The entire world moved on. 

> different entertainment / activities? 👍

> focus on vegan & vegetarian dishes? 👍

PCL isn't my parents cruise line anymore & Princess just wants / needs to attract a different / younger clientele.

I wish all of you who long for 'the good old days' to find whatever you feel is the best value for your $€£¥. There's no going back

1 hour ago, landnsea said:

Damn post a comment make a statement or voice your opinion up in here. Some of You People…..

... 19 years 38 Princess sailings this cruise line has changed greatly and not for the good. It is really going down hill from what it once was.  I miss the old Princess 

 

landnse 

John 

Seattle, Wa.

That's subjective.  I prefer the new Princess. It was getting stagnant (just as long as were mentioning our totals on PCL only .... it's 55 for me with 4 booked on PCL / fewer on other lines as they're upping their game maybe on the new sphere class  / we're RCCL when family going / cannot get my early 40s son to book anything without an amusement park 😅🤣😂). But it's great that you found a cruise line that doesn't feel like a downgrade for you. Me: I actually like not having to pack a suitcase for a 3 hr formal night 3-4 times on a cruise. I prefer just one 22" case and slumming in jeans, flats, and shirts. Will upgrade to 'fancy top / pants' for that formalish night. Just give me a good beer or glass of wine, guitarist or horns, and some lecture of some sort (cruise next week is all about pirates). Will miss SD Gastropub for dinner (that tomato soup & grilled cheese is so good) but at least they're keeping the Irish Pub 

🍿

13 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Did they not offer the Japanese "Always Available" MDR menu items on your cruise, as well as one or two Asian dishes in the main section of the menu?

 

We cruised on Diamond around Japan last November and I was in foodie heaven with all the Japanese/Asian selections in both the MDR and the buffet. 

 

But it very much depends on what your personal tastes are. I love Asian food, especially Japanese, so it suited me perfectly.  

 

However I have heard there are noticeable cutbacks on the ships sailing out of Australia this season nonot what I want to hear with a 110 night world cruise starting in a month's time!

 

 It would be interesting to hear if many people have noticed menu/buffet cutbacks on US-based cruises.

Did they have the make your own sushi, udon miso, and Ramen station in the buffet?? Love that menu in post#6!! (Just booked Singapore  -> Tokyo [Yokohama] February 2026)

1 hour ago, phabric said:

With Unlimited Specialty Dining, you will not be able to get any reservations.

 

With OBC for excursions, would you be able to use pre cruise to book any excursions?

Its not unlimited on HAL. It's 1 or 2 nights based on cruise length per post #30. I'm still confused as to how this is different from Plus / Premier other than replacing over the top sundaes with excursion OBC. 

Adding: is this bc not enough ppl book Plus / Premier OR ppl don't drink as much as thought so it's more profitable  OR CC is getting ready to increase packages across all lines ? (C, HAL, PCL etc)

Can you shed some light on the Princess shuttle? Prepay only? Other options? Are there busses waiting at the dock or do I need to buy a ticket from the excursion desk onboard?

Can you shed some light on the recent Princess shuttle? Prepay only? Other options??

Any info on: HOTEL PRINCIPADO? Looks like its close to the terminal. 

@Cruise Raider FWIW I agree 100%. Wish I had known about this before booking but not much I can do about it now

Booked 2 this morning & no OBC. Well outside of FCDs. Will need that shareholder OBC but they know I'll repeat without any promo code 

On 3/20/2024 at 1:16 PM, galensgrl said:

I understand this. I don't eat meat at home, but I will have something like a beef filet or a lobster on a cruise. I hope I can look at the Vegan menu in the MDR though, as I know I would prefer veg/vegan meals most meals. The vegan menu shown on this thread is very appealing. Fingers crossed it's on the Enchanted Princess when we sail in August.

Lorie

There was last November. See posts 165 & 171

On 2/23/2024 at 2:13 PM, SCX22 said:

Princess Promotions can be purchased in installments.  I'm only repeating what I heard one of the Future Cruise Consultants said to a potential taker last cruise, so don't quote me...The packages can put but on a monthly installment plan.  A minimum of 25% down and monthly payments after.  After you reach 50% of the total due, you can use the FCC part towards a cruise and the rest of the "benefits" will follow upon full payment.

 

The thought going through my head, "Yikes!  Why are they this desperate?"

On 2/29/2024 at 5:37 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

Why so much confusion?  Would simply find out if cruise is booked thru cruiseline or TA.  Then get the booking number.  With that you can call and verify everything.

PS, there are companies that will finance a cruise so that is possible.

No booking number - I would walk away.

So it's like a loan  .... maybe check your FICO to see if it shows up??

14 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Stock perks will apply way ahead.  Applied it last week to an October cruise. Don't understand the tax free comment as you are receiving a discount not actual money

Actually I am getting 250 obc on all of my future cruises that I can use however I want (onboard or not-to-be-stated) meaning that at the very least I, a standard fare cruiser, can disembark without a bill and recently with $s. So I've gotten $1100 and getting $750 so far for a total of $1850 on an investment of $650. I consider that pretty sweet!! 

Adding: that's since October 2022. So 18 months??

@Thrak thinking of it. Thats why I haven't booked anything for the summer. Its more like one of these but with a 7 lb (his) & 20 lb (mine) dogs

10 minutes ago, cruiserdf said:

33 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Best stock 'dividend' out there! Bought at 6.50 in 10/2022, have received 1100 so far, getting 250 in 11 days, and another 250 this fall. All tax free!! Of course, the incentive to continue with CC lines has worked for them but it also works for me 🤑

 

Someone said they shortened the timelines for applying for it. Used to be whenever but now it's must cruise within 3 months???

 

 

Best stock 'dividend'??? The stock does not currently pay a dividend.  It previously (several years ago) paid $ .25 per share.

That's why dividend was in quotes 😅🤣😂

I got $1100 obc for owning shares that I bought for 650 with at least another 500 this year. 

44 minutes ago, Coral said:

Yea - Alaska is huge and so many areas look so different from other areas. I would love to have a car and spend 1-2 months driving around. I treasure the excursions I have done in cruise ports - some rank as some of my favorite. Cruise ports and those areas accessible via land are both worthy of visiting! 🙂 

One of our dog friends is doing just that ...

Driving from SF Bay Area up to Canada thru to Alaska and explore in a converted minivan. I'd go but not great at car camping. Will still be a summer to remember / bucket list trip

7 minutes ago, memoak said:

If you are elite I can tell you that you will get a 2nd mini bar regardless of how you book

My upcoming cruise is sold as a 2 day + 19 day but I booked as a 21 day. Do I get 1 or 2 minibars?? 

Best stock 'dividend' out there! Bought at 6.50 in 10/2022, have received 1100 so far, getting 250 in 11 days, and another 250 this fall. All tax free!! Of course, the incentive to continue with CC lines has worked for them but it also works for me 🤑

Someone said they shortened the timelines for applying for it. Used to be whenever but now it's must cruise within 3 months???

4 hours ago, Titanfan22 said:

FCC, I consider my money.  

Yes Future Cruise Compensation (FCC) is my money but it doesn't have OBC. Future Cruise DEPOSIT (FCD) is also my money and it comes with OBC.

If the cruise has extended (overnight) stays in a port that has expensive excursions I've gotten a lot more OBC (Lima for instance had an overnight stay, $2000~ overnight excursion to Manchu Picchu, voyage had a very large amount of extra OBC but I didn't have to go to Manchu Picchu to get the OBC.)

forget exact amt but it was $××××

1 hour ago, Titanfan22 said:

How is everyone getting so much on board credit?  Are you overpaying for the cruise?just wondering. 

I always have at least 400+. That's 150 from FCD and 250 from shares. Add in a Specialty Dining voucher on my next cruise. But it's been a few years since a CVP had obc to gift out. My previous one retired 12/31/22 and that was the end of that. 

8 hours ago, VaCruzers said:

... the inability to do whatever we pleased at our own pace and being held to a specific schedule combined with the slow service which prevented us from being able to do as much as we may have liked. ...

Yep. 1000% Some places are just better off as land based trips. 

6 hours ago, Globaler said:

We have AirTags but if your bags are left not much can be done 😳

Do you have insurance in case its lost or delayed? Mine gives $500 to cover until bags catch up. Frankly if I can find a Marks & Spencer i can probably replace clothes & wine for $500