ChutChut

Booking early has its advantages - room selection, etc. Booking late may have an advantage - lower fare.

Problem is all the houses now cost $600,000 so, in effect, you've gained very little....

Change is being rolled out now.

No - you can purchase a non-alcohol version of the Plus package. I cruise with my minor daughter and I get the Plus with alcohol and she gets the Plus minus the alcohol (price adjusted to reflect no alcohol). Unsure, though, whether he can get the Plus package (including gratuities, etc.) and you merely get the classic beverage package (no gratuities, etc.).

I'm just another "regular" cruiser who tips what is required unless someone does something above and beyond. I don't tip extra for someone merely performing their required duties (then I tip what is required). Extraordinary service yes, absolutely.

I agree both OBCs should be non-refundable and should be used onboard (or you lose it).

Sedate? No. Lots of kids excited for Christmas, etc. Fun and festive? Absolutely.

I've been told that the children in the cabin will get the reduced cost non-alcoholic beverage package.

This is a little off-topic but in the future just pick them up at the terminal. Princess was supposed to mail mine - but didn't - so I just picked them up once I board and they gave me two extra cool medallion "watch" bands for my inconvenience.

I sailed on the Caribbean Princess during Thanksgiving 2019 and had a great time. I just had the Princess Plus package on my most recent Princess cruise (Sky Princess) a few months back. Loved it. You'll have a great time.

No flame, but if it were me, I wouldn't give up. I had a FCC after an unfortunate incident in late 2019 after a Thanksgiving cruise. I had to use the credit by November 2021 but cruising wasn't that attractive to me at that time....Anyway, it expired, but I wrote Princess customer service and asked for it to be reinstated. They reinstated it without issue. I understand you're frustrated, etc. (I would be, too) but I would press the issue and get it reinstated.

Lighten up, Francis.

Absolutely!

I stayed in a deluxe oceanview cabin on Deck 17 (Sun Deck). It was S102, I believe. Best (and quietest) cabin I've ever had.

Glad you got the booking back minus the OBC. However, YOU cancelled your cruise by failing to pay. Princess did NOT cancel anything.

Agree with everything you wrote.

Why should Carnival refund the cruise fare? It didn't nothing wrong. Hopefully, OP had travel insurance. If not, you take the risk and sometimes you lose. There is NO WAY SW is going to reimburse anyone the cost of a cruise. That's not gonna happen.

You have cruise insurance, right?

AWESOME!!!! NOW GO ENJOY!

Actually, I think SW is 4th.

Isn't there anything positive about the cruise? I mean, you sound so incredibly negative about everything....

Thank you so much for allowing us to follow your journey!!!!

Yes, if you're all linked. I could watch as my teenager walked from the buffet to the International Cafe and back to our cabin. It was handy!

Depends on how you deal with risk. 0900 is a big risk. You could go for it. But if you miss it, will the airline charge you a rescheduling fee, etc. for the 1500 flight? Is the 1500 flight oversold? If you're a gambler, then do it. I would book the 1500 flight because I don't like feeling self-imposed stress.

It's right there on Carnival's website. They might not ask for it - but then again - they might - so I would have what Carnival requires.