partybarbie

The last time we used the Princess transfer was in July of 2022. Due to the major construction on Hwy 5, we didn’t reach the Seattle airport until 5:30pm. Many of those on the bus missed their flights and were scrambling to book new ones. YMMV

My most recent experience was on the Crown in January 2023. We got off the ship and took a private bus to LAX. I believe it was $60 for the two of us, cash only. We didn’t pre-arrange it, just noticed it when we disembarked.

I just completed a cruise under the old Princess Plus. We weren’t supposed to get the included casual dining, but our dinner at Alfredo’s was complimentary. We also had a $29 credit for the Specialty dining. We went to the Crown Grill, but we weren’t charged the difference between the old and new pricing. I didn’t try to get the desserts or the fitness classes. YMMV

FYI, La Paz is in Mexico. It’s the capital of Baja, California.

In the past, we’ve received a paper ticket just like any other excursion. Maybe there’s a different process out of LA?

If you are talking about the transfers you take to board the ship, they’re listed on the travel summary. The Princess Representative that meets you at the airport will have your name on a list.

As of last week, yes.

I was on the Royal last week and even in Australian dollars, the prices seemed comparable. The plus package allows any drink up to $22 AUD. The Crooner’s menu hadn’t changed and only a couple of the martinis were over $22.

The wines at Vines on the Royal are your best bet. We like to stop and get a double pour to take with us to the dining room.

I’m on that one too. If things still aren’t working, are you up for a mutiny? 😆

We’re also waiting until September to sail on the Sun. Our main reason for booking this ship is to experience the new shows and venues. We’re going to have eight straight days at sea. I would expect everything to be operational by then.

I’ve never seen anyone get “carded” at an excursion. If you are healthy and active, I can’t imagine the tour operator will make you prove your age. If you want a private tour, you should be able to take the shuttle to the downtown marina and get something there.

I’m tipping after receiving the service, not prior to.

So if someone wants to tip extra for good service, they are liars, braggers, or just over-tipping? This thread has been so enlightening. I’m sure the OP has all the information they require now.

So very true. As you have almost 15,000 posts, you probably would know a lot about that.

Well thank you so very much for the clarification. It’s insightful and helpful comments like yours that keep me coming back to this forum.

We cruise a lot on the Royal so that is the ship I was thinking of.

So I shouldn’t tip extra because the crew will expect it from everyone? That’s a good one. 😂

If you are looking for an amount on the specialty dining, it’s already included. We leave an extra $10 for two people, but the amount is totally up to you. In the main dining room, for normal service at different tables, it’s not necessary and at your discretion. I believe only the suites have a concierge service and that is at your discretion.

We don’t cruise without Princess Plus, but even with the crew appreciation included, there are some things we still tip extra for. Our SD was a gift from our TA, so we left a little extra. We spend a lot of time in Crooner’s, so if our drinks are are good and coming quickly, there’s extra tips. In Vines, we get double pours for dinner and get to leave with the nice glasses. They get extra tips. Our cabin steward changes out our minibar, takes care of the laundry, and we don’t think they get tipped enough anyway, so they get extra. Our waiter brought us a couple of off menu items for dinner, so he received an extra tip. When I receive complimentary suite breakfast, I haven’t paid any gratuities on it, so the wait staff receives extra. It’s not a requirement to tip extra. You will know when someone has gone above and beyond for you. We normally wait until the end of the cruise to tip anything. Enjoy your cruise.

I love the lunches. Here are some photos from the one on the Royal Princess last week. The beef was out of this world. As for the number of days needed, I made Number One Most Traveled with only 250 days, but sometimes the cutoff just to get an invitation is over a thousand. On this cruise, with 814 days, I was number three. Or as my DH likes to say, the second loser. 😂

Last week, we purchased a bottle of wine In Wellington, New Zealand. No one said anything when we brought it on board the Royal Princess.

The only port that mosquitoes were a problem for us was in Skagway. They bit right through our clothes. If you stay in town, it’s not too bad. We were on a tour that took us into a forest.

Dude, we’re talking a suite here! Take a friend with you. Host a party in your suite. You’ve got this!

That’s too bad about your wife. I see a suite in your future. I hope you still go on another cruise.