teenieleek

11 hours ago, kstrittm said:

I was just on the Discovery, and we received the fruit bowl, canapes, and strawberries.  I chatted with my room steward and told him he could have all of them.  I said he could order canapes every day if he wanted them, too.  The stewards seem to like the food, so why not let them eat it?  We are so spoiled in suites - no way I could ever eat that much food!  

11 hours ago, Guardsy said:

A reminder on some items...............The fruit bowl is done at the start and may be in your cabin upon arrival.  You may need to request fresh fruits as you like, they won't change them daily or touch them.  On the canapes, generally your first evening they are delivered to your suite.  After that, you need to order them and it must be done 24-hours in advance.  Otherwise, you are out of luck.  If you are lucky, you can request specific pieces of the canape tray if the one first-delivered on your first evening is not to your liking.  Your steward can assist with this.  Much more enjoyable.  The one day I didn't order in advance (the second day, because I didn't know yet) I went to the buffet and made up a mini-charcuterie board and brought it back to the suite.

11 hours ago, kstrittm said:

I was just on the Discovery, and we received the fruit bowl, canapes, and strawberries.  I chatted with my room steward and told him he could have all of them.  I said he could order canapes every day if he wanted them, too.  The stewards seem to like the food, so why not let them eat it?  We are so spoiled in suites - no way I could ever eat that much food!  

We eat a lot of fruit so like to have the bowl, less bothered about the canapés although it fills a wee gap since we very often skip lunch.  As you say there’s a lot of food on ships! 

On 9/1/2023 at 6:27 PM, Yowman said:

Up until today (or perhaps a day or two ago) some of the suite perks as listed on the Princess website indicated afternoon tea in stateroom as well as treats like chocolate covered strawberries.  There was also a link to a downloadable PDF that appears to have gone.  Now the info/perks for a suite, as found here:

 

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/products/staterooms/default-suite.html

and here:

https://www.princess.com/learn/ships/staterooms/suites/

 

don't list these perks.  Have these perks gone away or are new website updates just missing these perks?

No mention of Afternoon Tea in your suite or fruit bowl or daily canapé. 

P.S.  I’ve just checked, Mormons make up 1.7% of the U.S. population.  Extrapolate that to a cruise ship and……

1 hour ago, cruzsnooze said:

Pretty presumptuous. Many people don't drink, I am one of them and sail in full suites. Many people are diabetic and can't drink, many people are Mormon and don't drink, Many people attend the friends of Bob and can't drink. My friends who we sail with also in suites don't drink.

I don’t consider it all presumptuous.  The categories you list exist but their member number is small, particularly in reference to a 3000+ passenger cruise ship.  The percentage of cruise passengers who book a suite is small to start with and the percentage of those who fall into one of your categories will be very small.  I expect this is why so far on cruise critic we haven’t heard from anyone in a suite who does not have a package.  Someone in one of your categories will post eventually but they will definitely not be typical of suite passengers.

38 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

I am not sure that is true for suites. Can someone confirm please?

As I understand it, if you don’t have a package, yes you pay the $5 a time for room service.  

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Guest services can *easily* switch your account to your new card if you like. Trying to get the app to cooperate in this area is crazy persnickity!

Good word “persnickety”, new one on me.

16 hours ago, NavyVeteran said:

Although onboard charges will be in AUD, your final charge will be converted to USD.

You may want to use a debit card if you expect a significant onboard bill, since Princess charges a 1.1% fee on all charges on an AUD currency sailing, in addition to any foreign transaction fee your credit or debit card charges. Read the information on Cashless Cruising in Pre-Cruise FAQ.

Even though you need to give them a credit or debit card, you don't have to charge your folio balance to the card you give them pre-cruise. You can give them a credit card to avoid holds on your debit card during the cruise. Then on the last day, you can go to Passenger Services and pay using cash or a debit card - you don't need to pay using the card you used to guarantee payment.

I was wondering about this.  Since I gave credit card details on the app I have got myself a cc that doesn’t charge foreign exchange transaction fees. So, rather than try to change details on the app (took me long enough to do it in the first place!) I can just go to GS and pay with my new card?  If this is correct, thank you for the information. 

4 hours ago, DCThunder said:

Very true about to each their own.  But most silly internet clickbait lists of "Things Millennials Are Making Extinct" all include bar soap, since only old fogey Boomers still use it. 

 

I hate body wash because I'd use up a whole bottle in about three showers!

One time my young granddaughter came to stay and pointing to the bar of soap in the bathroom asked “what is that, can I use it?”  I felt very old fashioned!

19 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I've said similar in this thread and others.  However, I think people who buy packages feel that is it s a good value to them either by $ value or just relaxation value as some have mentioned.  Either way, that is their choice.  I'm one of those Elite penny pinchers who uses OBC to pay gratuities and wifi, and bring on all the water and soda I will drink so I'm not paying onboard prices. It's staggering how much money they make off those packages. 

 

However I see it as a positive for me those that buy the packages, as it's likely to help keep the cruise price somewhat lower to entice more to book, and then upsell the packages.  So it's win for me, and the cruise line.

 

You haul water on board? In single-use plastic bottles?  Why? You can refill your own bottle at the buffet.  Our last trip (different line) had no bottled water either free or for sale (environmental considerations); there was a carafe in the cabin refilled twice a day and as much as you could drink served with meals.  A very popular policy.  I wish Princess did likewise, the waste must be enormous.

I’m enjoying reading your comparison with Cunard.  I’ve very recently done Norway and Spitsbergen on Balmoral from Rosyth.  We were on deck 6 I think, superior suite, which sounds fancier than it actually is!  The decor is dated (orange carpet and curtains) but it’s perfectly comfortable.  In fact the décor throughout is dated but it’s an elderly ship.  Like you I really liked the promenade deck and doing a mile round it became my daily exercise.  I am amazed and interested that you found some aspects superior to Cunard since Cunard is still considered by many to be the epitome of cruising.  Never been on a Queen, mainly because I haven’t found an itinerary that is enough of a “must do” for me to compensate for the trek to Southampton.  I enjoyed the trip to Norway and in fifteen days I didn’t get a meal I couldn’t eat, some food was inventive and delicious, some was okay and some was a bit boring but nothing to complain about. 
 

Rosyth being half an hour away for us is a big plus.

9 minutes ago, TCTXCruiser said:

Thanks!  I am looking forward to the MDR reserve section.  

It’s the best bit about Club Class (Reserve).  Only had it on Regal so far but no queueing, no need to bother with Dine My Way and lovely staff.  

On 8/26/2023 at 10:59 PM, Snaxmuppet said:

I too am a bit concerned about capacity and overcrowding. Although we didn't like cruising with all the covid restrictions it did mean that the ships felt almost empty. Last time we cruised was September 2022 and although things were starting to get back to normal the ship (Sky Princess) was certainly not at capacity. We next sail in April 2024 and I am expecting it to but totally at capacity given that a few of class of rooms are already booked out. 

 

This time we are taking a suite to try to mitigate some of our concerns. Having access to a good-sized cabin along with the suite benefits will make it easier for us if we start to feel overcome with the crowds.

 

We have only sailed in a suite once before but we decided after that to cruise less but in a mini-suite or a suite if we could get an offer rather than cruising more but in a inside or balcony cabin. We have been spoiled now... perhaps forever!

Us too!

54 minutes ago, TCTXCruiser said:

Is there a special lunch on embarkation day for suites? 

No not special, but it’s MDR Reserve section so it’s peaceful and a lovely way to start a trip…..with a wee glass of something to accompany it.  The buffet can be pretty chaotic first day.

On 8/18/2023 at 4:52 PM, TheMichael said:

Yeah, $20 extra/day vs. $14.99… 🤔 

Not even that much if you just want a pizza and salad à la carte for lunch.  Premier is not worth it to me but I am grumpy about the twice per cruise casual dining on Plus because we are going 24 nights in September and for that length I would definitely fancy pizza more than twice so I’ll have to pay for something that was previously included.
Regarding alcohol it wouldn’t cross my mind to lug a crate of wine onboard at Southampton.  I’ve never seen anyone do it and I would be embarrassed to do it.  This cruise is seriously expensive and no way am I going to deny myself what I want when I want it.   I’m not at home, that’s the whole point, it’s an indulgence I’m fortunate enough to be able to afford and I’m with the lady Arwen (?) on this.  I’ve looked at the Good Spirits menu and a cocktail (which I only have on ships) is $15, add a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, an Amaretto afterwards and I’m at least breaking even on Plus so all good for me.

In light of the recent changes I have just revisited the page on the website detailing Suite benefits.  Included items are Ocean now and Crew Chat.  No mention of room service.  Are crew chat and room service the same thing?  Otherwise I can’t imagine any crew member wanting to chat with me.  About what? The weather? The health of his Auntie Mary’s canary?  If this “crew chat” is on the app, does that mean suite guests without a package will be charged $5 a time for a phone call to room service?

On 8/25/2023 at 12:36 PM, dbjhughes said:

Can anyone who is currently on or has recently sailed on Balmoral please confirm whether norovirus has resolved onboard since these previous posts, as I am considering booking a cruise on her in mid-September..? Many thanks.

I was on the Balmoral to Norway and Spitsbergen, returned 3rd August.  Great trip. No norovirus.  Helluva lot of coughing though and it got worse towards the end.  The Fred. demographic is probably why the line has so much illness.  My DH was heard to wonder on this trip if there was anyone left in Scotland’s care homes.  Cruel but not too far off the mark.

We too are just across the corridor from the concierge lounge on our next trip (first on Sky).  I’m anticipating a few early morning scuttles across and back with a nice coffee.  I’m a bit anxious about overcrowding on the ship.  I thought it was crowded last time on the Regal and one dining room was never opened due to low capacity!

1 hour ago, reedprincess said:

15 cruise credits (1 credit per sailing segment) or 150 cruise days.

Suites get double cruise credits per sailing..

I’ll definitely never make it to Elite then!  At a chat with the Captain on the Pacific Princess en route to Greenland he volunteered that many Elite members achieved that status in inside/ocean view cabins on a succession of four/five night trips from California and joining their club was not seen as much of an achievement by officers.  That trip (eighteen nights from Southampton) was our first with Princess and on the evening of the Elite cocktail party we were the only people eating in the club class dining area. We had to ask why the room was empty.  We felt like lepers.  The flip side was we got great service and the staff came to chat, presumably because they felt sorry for us.  It was apparently considered a “special” trip so mostly seasoned travellers (i.e. mostly elite) would go.  It was a fantastic trip and I’m still sad that we can can no longer go on that ship…..unless we go with Azamara.

P.S.  How many cruises/nights to be elite please?  Apparently I’m Ruby at the moment according to the app.  I might be wrong but do you get anything with Elite that you don’t get in a suite anyway?

Suites are the reason I will never be Elite and I couldn’t care less about that.  I’d rather sail in a suite once or maybe twice a year than sail many times in a lower grade cabin.  I love the space, the no wait dining, the concierge lounge (since often impossible to get seats in a bar for a drink before dinner as we travel with another couple), the speedy room service, the free laundry, the embarkation day lunch and the specialty dinner that evening, the Sabatini breakfast (although I’d rather have a Bloody Mary than a mimosa!), 
I know that everyone on board gets the same food, the same entertainment and the same joy of simply being on the ocean and I can understand wanting to go often but…..we’re all different and “we pays our money and we takes our choices”.

Haha, all this just to say that you’ll have a fab time in your penthouse suite (my favourite except for its mean little balcony, unless aft) and make sure you make the most of it.

1 hour ago, LittleFish1976 said:

Hi teenieleek, Any package purchased prior to 14th December, 2022 does not include the items that were new from that date (desserts; juice bar; fitness classes) and also now do not include the recently introduced changes such as the charge to order items on the app (I think it's called Ocean Now) as well as the room service charge, medallion delivery (for those in delivery areas) etc.

 

The premier package has increased in cost since I purchased it (purchase date was prior to that date mentioned in Dec, 2022) although I also will not be receiving the items that *were* included when I did purchase it which is disappointing, irritating and a bit of a nuisance.

 

If I wish to I can pay extra per day to upgrade my package and I may do so just to make the whole thing simpler but it grates.

 

I hope I've explained the situation as it affects me and others in my situation. It sounds like you purchased your fare/ package after 14th December, 2022 so you will have all the new inclusions (apparently!). Fingers crossed that it works out that way for you.

A suggestion:  swap your old premier for the new plus.  Not sure about the cost differential but that way you would get the new “stuff”, room service, ocean now etc.  Oh and of course these children’s party type desserts! 

Doh! I read June 22 as 22nd June (this year).  I knew about the December ‘22 cut off.  In fact we originally booked this Canada trip pre-pandemic but it got cancelled, next one didn’t include Quebec, this one does so when we booked it had the old Plus.  However there was a massive price drop a couple of months ago so, after some “negotiations” we got the latest price and it included the new Plus so I think we’re ok but we shall see.  
 

On a ten day cruise in October ‘21 we went to Alfredo’s for lunch twice, really good.  On the upcoming twenty four nights we would definitely have gone more than twice.  Now we’ll have to pay after twice.  “Enhancement”?  For whom?  
 

Re LittleFish1976 question.  Like him/her I paid for a cruise on 23rd September some time back.  We paid for Plus £50/$60.  That is still the price for Plus.  I assumed it would include the new “benefits”.  Why would it not as it is not possible to upgrade as we are already paying the latest price?  I thought I understood this but am now confused.  Could someone explain please.  

I’m remembering now that we didn’t have it on the Borealis in February and that was eighteen nights but I was quite unwell so it may not have registered with me if it was there. 
The seafood offered last week was excellent and I had lots!  For me the desserts looked better than they tasted but my partner happily scoffed his.  
This was a good trip and maybe I should do a review to balance my poor one for the earlier trip.

Smart casual is fine anytime in the specialty restaurants.