Guardsy

19 minutes ago, BBurnsG550 said:

As I pointed out earlier, we never received a clear indication on the original offer that there was an expiration date, we had no reason to go on Princess.com during the pandemic, and we never received a single communication from Princess about their policy, an impending expiration of a substantial credit, or even a "hey, how are you, when would you like to cruise again" marketing email.  Epic fail.  The attitude of the "customer service" rep today was EPIC fail.  
 

But it's all good.  We just booked a larger cabin on a longer cruise on roughly the same itinerary with a comparable cruise line at about the same time frame for 2/3rds the price.  
 

I'll miss the fettuccine alfredo though....

 

Happy cruising. Out.

Bye-bye.

17th & Eisenhower IS right at the entry to the Port.

12 minutes ago, memoak said:

It’s a third party vendor working with Princess to do a bunch of future upsells where you pay a whole bunch of cash up front to get discounts later on.  No thanks. I will keep dealing with my CVP and getting casino deals 

I don't get the vibe it is that at all.  As someone else noted, the pre-cruise for some guests could use some work.  Maybe this is a step in that direction.

4 minutes ago, tngman said:

I got the same phone call today from the same number and it did say Princess Cruises on my phone. The message was the same - the lounge is located at 17th St and Eisenhower Blvd and they will offer perks for suite guests like excursion booking, Sanctuary booking, spa treatments and specialty dining even if the desired booking is showing full.
They will shuttle you to the cruise terminal. If I remember correctly the agent said the VIP lounge will be available from 8am until 2:30pm. As the OP said it is a soft opening for Princess to gauge customer interest. I declined because it is easier for my wife and I to take a taxi to the terminal than a Princess shuttle. We booked a Princess transfer one time from FLL to the cruise terminal. It just took too long and really didn’t save us any money. The other reason I told the agent I declined was that I would much prefer the VIP lounge be located at the Princess cruise terminal. 

Yes, that is exactly the same call!  So, after 45-minutes of two phone calls with Princess, and I am sorry for this comment, no one could understand English enough to understand what the question was I was trying to get answered.  However, I was told twice that the Caribbean Princess has a Concierge Lounge on the 14th deck!  Yeah!  Well, actually, that is wrong.  No such lounge on the CB.  We are coming from a hotel that morning, so if I could get stuff handled in this way, vs. onboard, I would be happy!  My caller did say that this was ONLY for suite holders at the moment to gauge interest and helpfulness.

Just now, memoak said:

Sounds like a cone on to me. Like the cold calls people are getting about “deals”

Yet they had all of our info about our cruise and the phone number he called from comes back to a legitimate Princess Cruises #.  I am on hold with them now.

Update.  The phone number does come back to "Princess Cruises".  My PVP did not know anything about any of this, but she said it could be brand new.  Just sounds odd, especially since they didn't have an email account to send the info from.

Did anyone else get a phone call about the soft rollout of the new Princess VIP Lounge for suite holders?  Supposedly it is a new airport-type lounge located on the way to the ship, where you would be able to check-in, get complimentary food and beverage, be able to drop your luggage for transport to your cabin, make spa and dining reservations before you get on the ship, etc.

The young man who called had all of our cruise info for our cruise that leaves this Saturday.  The # he called from is 833-679-3272.  However, how could not email me the info on the location of the "lounge" as they did not yet have the proper email addresses to send from.  He could only tell me the address over the phone.  It is at the corner of x and y streets.  I was in the car and couldn't write anything down.

Anyone else?  It sounds too much like a scam, but he had our info regarding our upcoming cruise. ????

Keep in mind that if you are flying, you need paperwork for the ashes.

Is there a cost for the Chef's Dinner?  Is it available in each of the dining rooms, or only in certain locations?

We carry a pack of $2 bills on cruises for extra spiffs here and there.  Yes, after 35 years of cruising, I can say that it does make a difference, even at a crowded bar.  I don't know/care what sort of service you get, but I do know what service I get.  I will keep peeling of a $2 every 3-4 drinks.  I also use those $2 bills for room service deliveries.  Quick, easy.

22 hours ago, MileHighAko said:

1. Do you have to make advance reservations for the specialty dining on the 1st night? (medallion app not letting me make any reservations right now.)

- YES. If you're not able to make reservations ahead of time, just pop in at the concierge after you board and ask them to do it.

 

2. Do you tip the concierge?  How much?

That's totally up to you. If you find them helpful, feel free to pass them some cash, but don't feel obligated to.

 

3. How long to get your laundry back?

We usually put our laundry out before the evening turn-down, and it's back the next day at the evening turn-down. If I need an item sooner, I ask for it and they've accomodated.

 

4. Do you get free access to the lotus spa thermal hydrotherapy pool?

No

 

5. How, when, where do you get the "welcome glass of champagne"?

Usually they have glasses of champagne waiting for you when you first enter your room.

 

6. Are the "chef's 'welcome goodies' on embarkation evening" the same as the canapes you can request on subsequent evenings? 

Sometimes, but usually we find something a little extra, like desert bites or chocolate strawberries, etc.

 

Are these in your cabin or in the concierge lounge?

In your cabin. And there are always snacks and small bites in the lounge in the AM and evening.

 

Have fun!

#4, free access to the spa thermal pool..........everything I have says suiteholders do have free access to it.  Saved me $259 PP on our upcoming cruise.

Maybe for the particular cruise you are inquiring on.  You will know at check-out if you move forward.

Send a message (email) to Jan Schwartz.  She has answered any of our emails in a timely, and positive, manner.

I only factor in two costs; drinks per day and gratuities.  The internet really doesn't even work, so no gain there.  The other "normal" part of PP are not important to us.

If we are in warm weather, yes, we will easily do 8-15 drinks between us, more for me than her.  Add in the waters for free and the coffees, and those #'s go up.  Then I figure in the gratuities.  Easy decision.

Going to Alaska or colder weather areas, neither of us drinks as much, even the coffee drinks.  

So, really have to deliberate on the beverage package in the farther northern hemisphere.  In warm waters, no argument.  Drink package all the way.

If you get bad or non-existent service, why is there not a class-action suit against Princess and other lines?  If you pay for a service you cannot use, you should have a legal claim to at least a refund.  We used to have "free" internet as part of our inclusive package, but the few times we tried it, ZIP.  Now, I am also someone who can really go without internet or cell service when on a cruise.  Could care less.  Actually, could care less than less.  But, my point is still, why do folks not start a class-action suit?

Also, evening drinks and apps in Skywalkers?

Can anyone currently or recently on the Caribbean verify where the suite breakfast is held?  I have seen Crown Grill and I have seen Sabitini's.  Thank you!

Is the 360 Dinner free to suite holders?  I assume it is by invitation only.

1 minute ago, kokopelli-az said:

Take care of the ship and F315 in particular 😊    Our cruise is April 22.  

 

You live in Washington !!??   Where?

Ridgefield.  On I-5, just north of Vancouver, WA.

23 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

April?   I hope it's not the same week we'll be in F315 😉    We love this suite and honestly, I can't think of one thing negative about it.    F315 is right next to the one door and we never heard anything door-wise.   And zero cigar/cigarette smell.  I've attached some more photos for you.   I'd book this suite again in a heartbeat.   

Thank you!  Yes, April 1.  Appreciate the feedback and photos!

On 2/24/2023 at 4:21 PM, kokopelli-az said:

It is.   But no bath tub, only a roll-in shower.  It's the accessible window suite.  F315.  We'll be in the same stateroom in April.    

We have this same suite in April.  Can you share your experience in it?  Good, bad? Is the door in the corridor as loud as some say?  Is there a strong cigar/cigarette smell?  Thanks!

Keep in mind that it is generally less expensive to buy in advance, rather than onboard ship.  We found out the expensive way!  Great space, though!  FREE on our April 1 cruise since we are in a full suite! Sweet!

Can anyone recently on the Caribbean Princess report if Churchills is currently in use, and if so, does it have an actual bar in it, or just bar service from somewhere else on the ship?

With a Princess drink package, bottled water and specialty coffees are included in your package, but they do not count against your limit of 15 drinks.  You just get them as a bonus.

If you sail Princess, their drink packages cover your day on Princess Cay.