Ombud

Love Alfredos and will pay to eat there UNLESS the upgraded pizza offerings within the buffet are significantly different from Slice (inferior crust = inferior pizza). And yes, mozzarella has lots of flavor for all those of us whose taste buds haven't become accustomed to piquante food

Wow @Boiler Cruiser! I would have promptly been at the shore excursion desk to vehemently complain & request compensation to protect other cruisers of a similar disaster.

Whenever you want provided the cashier is open ... You do not have to lose anything to get the $10 free play. I figure out how much I'm willing to lose for the cruise, load it into my bank, go to the window & have the $10 added to my bank. Use free play 1st.

@euro cruiserMy flight changed so instead of customs / immigration in Munich it's now at FCO landing at 8am. Can I buy the train ticket after landing? I would need a printed ticket as I won't have wifi. And I'm just going to a hotel in Civitavecchia -- not flying in embarkation day "just in case" . Been there, tried that, never again

Thanks. That worked, couldn't figure out how to do this on my phone:

Yeah, we've got to go 22 miles west but it's all on 1 Bart line (Clayton grew due to shutdown to ~ 11,500)

Nice! I wish the US could get its act together like that! @Rick&Jeannie can you get same day service at your local state dept office like we can in SF & other major cities? Rafa had an 9 AM appointment a few months ago (this year), they changed it to 11 AM due another person's emergency request w/o completed forms, he returned 2 hrs later at 11 submitted his completed forms / verifications / picture, returned after lunch at 1 o'clock, picked up his Passport & supporting documents, hopped in an uber, and was on a plane to Paris at 6pm. 1 day. No problem. Did not charge expedite fee. A little faster than when Sohnjay got his: he had to drop it off on a Friday & pick up Monday morning for a Tuesday flight to Europe.

Also check the group size. The above example has 44 participants. I only book ones that max out at 20. Considering this one as it's a smallish group, lots of walking, I know anticipated free time, gotta read the whole thing

Why not ordering via Ocean Now?

FWIW same day processing is available in a number of State Dept offices. SF among those that even have Saturday appts. I cannot imagine how Maryland wouldn't have a same day federal site within driving distances https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/san-francisco.html Note:: this service isn't for everyone, only for those with international travel within 15 days. How it worked for Rafa: he had an 9 AM appointment, they changed it to 11 AM due an emergency request w/o completed forms, he returned at 11 submitted his completed forms / verifications / picture, he returned at 1 o'clock, picked up his Passport, hopped in an uber, and was on a plane to Paris at 6pm. 1 day. No problem. Did not charge expedite fee https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/san-francisco.html

Crew appreciation 16-18 Classic Soda Pkg 17.69 so daily cost = $33.69-35.69 If thinking of upgrading to: then at mid 50s you might as well buy Plus ➕ as you'd still need to activate Ocean Now for $15

Not free at International Cafe and Princess Live Cafe. But yeah, free elsewhere

So you're pricing out: Gratuities. 16 Coffee / tea 5 minimum. 21 per day vs 60 per day on Plus➕? Just doing the math ..... I drink a little, generally a bottle a week which I take onboard with me. The beauty 9f Standard vs Plus vs Premier is that we can all do the math based on our individual consumption levels .....

Yes if you have OBC they put a "hold" against it to use OBC onboard. No problem to cancel, the OBC will immediately be available

I've gotten cash refunds in as little as 3 days. I'd be concerned these days if it goes a week over that

You should be able to see it on both the Personalizer and MedallionClass app -- and be able to cancel it in both places.

My account is back up & EZAIR fare is 15% lower! So try again (Enchanted & Royal Princess ships)

I just ordered my medallion shipped to my home for $10 so Standard cruisers can still opt to get it at home

@NoWhiners and @Travlin grrl why stand in line when you can just use crew chat to dispute items on your bill??

And it is not in any way equivalent I always leave my cc to guarantee anything I owe onboard I just don't want to use my card in these ports

PCL gave me a lousy rate!! My 400usd shareholder + FCD = A$400. I completely trust Aussie bank ATMs & my bank charges then reverses 1% foreign transaction & ATM fees. So will take out 'extra' A$s to convert in Hong Kong / Taiwan / Japan. Was totally ripped off on conversion then hacked in Indonesia necessitating closing card so I will lock down my card & leave in safe. Better to pay an extra fee then to go through that again. Be Aware

I thought about using a prepaid card but hijacked enough of this thread ---- I'll just convert cash.

Someone on my roll mentioned: "Always use a zero forex markup credit card or debit card to pay & choose to pay in the local currency on the EDC swipe machine." I asked him but he hasn't come back to the roll call Embarrassed to say I don't know (1) what's a zero forex markup up card (2) how does it differ from a prepaid card (3) is that the same as a travel card and (4) where do I get one? Not concerned about a currency conversion if from my bank as it reverses the card (or has in the past). I'm returning to a port where I've been hacked before (yeah I'm sure that can happen anywhere) so I'd like to unlock my debit / visa card once & immediately relock. But it would be even more ideal if I could use a completely separate card NOT tied to my bank Thank you / anyone who replies ================== Adding: this is not for the ship but for DIY at various ports

If I pre-pay my gratuities will it reflect as paid on my travel summary? I'm getting on a ship in a couple of months for 22 days & have VERY little OBCs. Not enough to cover gratuities but my gratuities / everything else is set at 2019 rates so I'd like to take advantage of that (long story. Deposit + significant partial payment .... covid canceled but accepted PCL rebook as they added days / canceled / accepted PCLs rebook / canceled / PCL redeployed / canceled/ PCL redeployed / hoping it goes as they've had my $$s since January 2020)

@cruzin4us were you charged a room service fee to get elite tea set up?