17 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I have no experience in regards to the main gist of your question,  but if you are going to be on the Sky for that itinerary then note that people on the current sailing are saying that Starlink has been installed. While using this would of course require an internet package the service *should* be much improved.  We will be on the Sky next week for that same itinerary.  If you use iPhone you can reliably use texting and *maybe* FaceTime. If you use Android (as I do) you should look into WhatsApp. It is free and works very well for texting and voice calls.  This would allow you to receive calls via ship internet. 

 

I did see where someone posted a speed test showing Starlink, but the speeds displayed were still pretty slow.  Of course, living in rural TN I know the numbers don't always represent an accurate picture.  Up until last year, my ISP only provided 25Mbps to my house.  It would function fine for surfing the web at 15Mbps or streaming Hulu.  With my new fiber service, if it drops to 50Mbps, I can't do anything!  I'm looking forward to hearing what folks on your cruise say about the internet.  Even if it is working fine, the thought of spending $210 for one device (or unlimited devices!) makes me cringe!  

Does anyone have experience getting phone calls made to the ship from family back home?  Hubby & I are leaving for our cruise (Southampton--Norway--Iceland) in about 3 weeks.  The kids will be staying w/ grandparents.  Our cell phones should work while in port.  I don't want to pay for expensive internet especially seeing all the reports regarding how slow it is.  I plan on leaving the phone number for the ship with my mom & dad in case of an emergency.  Does anyone know how reliable it is?  Is it safe to say, if a call to that number doesn't go through neither would a call to my cell if it were running on the ship's internet?  

2 hours ago, Novicecruiser74 said:

I have 2 cabins for an upcoming Alaska cruise, with one parent, one kid in one room, and one parent, two kids in the other. I called Princess, and they were able to give me the Princess Premium just for the 2 adults and to split between the rooms, so that I only paid for 2 total. 

Did they give you the Princess Premier Fare or the Premier Drink Package?  Everything I've read indicates that in order to purchase Princess Plus/Premier fare, the first 2 passengers in each cabin have to get it.  It really doesn't make sense for them to penalize large families.  It is bad enough we have to book 2 cabins!  I hope they gave you the $90/pp/day fare that includes tips, wifi, etc.  

4 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I consider that a total waste of money. 

Enjoy. 

I agree.  I doubt I'll drink 15 drinks the entire cruise, much less each day.  I'm just waiting for my husband to insist he needs internet to keep up with work.  If you purchase internet, then the package looks favorable.  

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

 

We gamble it in the casino. 

That was my plan, too…unless my hubby decides last minute that he will drink enough to warrant purchasing Princess Plus for the two of us. 😉 

40 minutes ago, sandyoftheseas said:

Yes our CCL stock is in both our names.  If the CCL stock is just in your hubby's name only the cabin he is in will get the OBC.

Thanks.  That is what I assumed.  I guess hubby needs to add my name to that account.  🙂  

2 hours ago, sandyoftheseas said:

No you only need to own 100 shares. We do this when we take my in laws on a cruise. We send the requests a couple days apart just so the person doing the OBC doesn't think it's a duplicate request for the same cabin.

When you do this is the CCL stock in both your names?  We are a family of 5, which will require 2 cabins.  CCL stock is just in hubby's name.  I'm wondering if we can get OBC on both cabins. 

31 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

The "real money". They hate to see people not spend it on the ship. 

We occasionally do indulge but most times we just remove it. 

I don't view the OBC as money to be spent. It's real dollars to me & I treat it as such. Why but something for the heck of it just to spend it? 

I don't do it at home so why do it on the ship?

Isn't the shareholder's benefit non-refundable, use it or lose it?  Not trying to join a debate... this is a serious question.  If it is refundable, I'd prefer to do that.  🙂  (Sorry if I missed part of the context here.  It has been a day or two since I read all the previous posts.)  

On 4/19/2023 at 10:05 AM, memoak said:

If you have a CVP they will automatically be made aware your booking and get credit for it. We have had the same one for years and she has become a very good friend 

Interesting.  Are they just notified or do they get credit?  I didn't book my upcoming cruise w/ a CVP, but she did help me re-fare (or rebook???) when the price dropped.  Afterward, I asked about the best way to get her credit for a booking I want to make outside her business hours.  Below is her reply... 

"I appreciate you wanting to give me credit as well. You should be allowed to place a hold on a cabin online then I can assist you with taking the payment. The only way I get credit is if I take the initial payment on a booking or I make the booking.

You can also send me an email with all of the details (room number if you have a specific one, if you want transfers, insurance or the beverage package) and I can send over a confirmation number and then you can pay the deposit online whenever you have time."

If the difference is a couple of hundred dollars, it could be that the customer service rep. quoted you a price where you pick the cabin and the price you saw online is the price if you let Princess pick the cabin.  It is cheaper if you let them pick, but the deposit is non-refundable.   

Will you have any onboard credit?  If so, maybe you should book the basic fare and then use your OBC to pay for the Plus or Premier onboard.  That will also give you 14 months to think about it. 😉 

29 minutes ago, wndyctygal said:

We are sailing out of Vancouver on the Sapphire on 5/10. I originally booked a balcony room for the 4 of us knowing it would be a squeeze, but that we were planning to spend minimal time in the room, but I did put in a bid for an upgrade to a mini-suite. I bid the minimum - $135 - and was informed at about 32 days out that our bid was accepted. Totally worth $270 for the duration of the cruise to have that much extra space 😄 

So is the upgrade bid just for the 1st two passengers in the cabin?  Are passengers 3 & 4 upgraded free?

10 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

90% of the time, an inside.  I usually prefer a discount instead of OBC.  I had a TA that I used to give all of my business to, but he put the screws to me once and now I only give him my Carnival business because of his great rates with them.

My recently booked Princess cruise which is 14 days in August of 2024 gained me  50 in OBC and just over 450 discount on 4900 including taxes.  So saving just over 10% combined with saving another 10% with AARP gift cards is nice.

That is decent savings.  Was that off the brochure price or the price you could book direct through Princess?  I started to get AARP gift cards to save on my cruise, but given the uncertainties in travel these days I chose to pay cash to keep things simple in case the trip is canceled.  (I don't want to worry about needing to spend a gift card.)  I need to check the terms of AARP gift cards.  If I can use them onboard or to purchase OBC, I'll grab a couple a few weeks prior to the cruise.

24 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

I think I would make more towards my discount or OBC from my TA if I paid everything up front at final payment then I would make by not ordering the plus package and paying for it on board.

But as usual, you do you and I'll do me.

Hearing things like this is why I wish we could share TA names on these boards!  If I could earn a discount and/or onboard credit by purchasing the fare in advance, my position might change.  I’ve never had any luck saving a lot by using a TA on a cruise.  I tried to use the same TA I used to plan my wedding/ anniversary years ago, but she stopped selling cruises.  I believe the COVID fallout was the last straw for her!  I also tried big box, online, and insurance membership perk.  I either saw no savings or hourly agents that may or may not know what they’re talking about.  Maybe I’m not seeing any real perks because I’m looking at lower end fares….ocean view or balconies?   Do you mind sharing what type cabins you usually book?

On 4/2/2023 at 6:16 PM, Lorenky1 said:

Hello. I’ve never been on a cruise before but my husband and I are considering taking the Enchanted Princess 10 day Carribean cruise next February. What is the difference between standard package and plus? It looks like it would be $1200 more for 2 people for the plus plan. Is that really worth it? We would want wi-fi for both of our phones, and might average 2 drinks each day for each of us. And I guess tips are included in the plus plan. How do we figure how much extra that would cost us if we don’t take the plus plan? Thanks.

I didn't read all the replies.  It drives me crazy to see internet math.  I wouldn't be surprised if there are at least 5 different solutions to the same math problem in this thread!  🤣  Forgive me if I'm repeating something that has already been said....My suggestion is to purchase the standard fare.  As of Feb. 2023 Princess started allowing passengers to purchase the Plus & Premier packages as on Day 1 onboard the ship.  If you purchase onboard, you can use any OBC towards the upgrade and your insurance premium won't increase.  Even if you don't have any OBC to use, you'll get to keep the $1200 in your pocket a few months longer since it won't be due with your final payment. You'll also have additional time to research the cost of your preferred beverages and do your own math.

As for me, I have a 14 day cruise coming up in June.  The Plus package will add another $1680 for the two of us!  I'm not sure I can justify the splurge since I'm not a huge drinker.  I don't include wifi in my math, because there have been too many posts about slow/non-existence internet at sea.  My cell phones will work in the ports, so I'll keep in touch with family that way.  I would be very upset if I paid $420 for internet for the two of us and it didn't work, so I'm not including it as a package perk.  If someone on a similar itinerary in May posts that the Internet is great on the Sky Princess, I'll will reevaluate.  If I were on a shorter cruise, I'd be more likely to upgrade as a convenience to not have to keep track of my drinks, etc. 

3 hours ago, afurman said:

Starlink isn't as great as everything thinks right now.  It has been pretty bad on Royal Caribbean ships right now.  I think we need the gen2 satellites to fix the issues that exist right now, also don't trust what marketing says until real people test it out. 

 

Someone talking on a thread about Symphony of the Seas transatlantic a few weeks ago, said internet was horrible and that ship is Starlink already.  Also, someone said Sky Princess had working internet this year on its transatlantic.  I can say last year Sky Princess Internet didn't work well but it might also be the route they take since the route was different this year than last year, but I can say Princess changed from O3B when leaving Port Everglades last year to high orbit satellites for the crossing not sure what they did this year.

I'm curious.  How do you know they did this?  Did they make an announcement?  

19 hours ago, JRork2001 said:

I have a little different take on this as my Wife and I live in Washington State and have booked a cruise that starts and ends in Vancouver on Holland America.    We both have Enhanced Drivers Licenses from Washington State BUT were told we should go ahead and get passport books.     We paid for Expedited and at the time (Feb 8, 2023) we were told 5 to 7 weeks.   When I go online and check status it now says 8 to 11 weeks AND that they didn't receive our applications until March 3rd.     Since we're driving to Canada on May 5th (6 weeks) we're getting super nervous.   Will there be any challenges with getting across the boarder with our EDL's and a copy of our birth certificates (the originals went with our passport applications).    Thanks for any tips or tricks you might have.....john

@JRork2001 I'm curious.  Did you check to see what day your check cleared the bank?  I submitted my application 2 days before you.  The system shows they received mine 2 days after yours. My check cleared the bank 3 weeks before they "received" my application!?!  I didn't expedite my application.  The guy at the passport office told me to save my money...processing time was 6-9 weeks....plenty of time even with mail.  😨  In hindsight, I wish I paid for expedited service, but I'm not sure that would help.  

10 hours ago, Calif Explorer said:

I plan to take a roundtrip cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver and Victoria in 4 weeks.  Is a US Passport necessary to board or will a Birth Certificate and/or Real ID Driver's License be sufficient?

 

At the time I renewed my passport on-line at the end of January, the estimated wait time was 6 to 8 weeks.  It is now 8 weeks and I am still waiting.  New renewals now take 8 to 12 weeks (only by mail and not even by on-line).  I will be boarding in another 4 weeks.   I know if I have not received my passport in another 2 weeks, I can call and go through the process, expense, and anxiety  of expediting the passport.  I will if absolutely necessary, but is there an alternative  (such as above birth certificate, real ID).  Can I even board with my old passport still in my possession (still valid by date on passport, but technically invalid at the time when I sent in my on-line renewal).  Can I trust what Princess says when I call them about the alternative IDs.  I was told that birth certificate is OK.  I hate to be denied on the whim of someone during embarkation.

 

Thanks for any insight.

I have no idea about your question, but I’m worried my passport won’t be here in time for my cruise either.  Would you mind letting me know when you receive your new passport?  I applied the beginning of Feb, when the wait was 6-9 weeks.  Now the processing time is 10-13 weeks & my cruise to Europe is in 12 weeks.  I’m getting really anxious that I’m going to miss the boat.

20 hours ago, XBGuy said:

@jwattle I would definitely have @JimmyVWine on my team.

 

@wendellman I would say that I have felt more stuffed after the UBD than after the Chef's Table.  I don't necessarily feel that it is more food, but the more social environment of the Chef's Table either distracts me or enhances the digestive process.

 

Now, if you ask which one I prefer, there would be no debate in my mind that it would be the UBD.

 

Now, if you are cruising on a Royal Class ship, see if they are offering the Super Tuscan Dinner in Sabatini's.  In my view, this was better than the Chef's Table, but it is still behind the UBD.

 

@TN-Mountains The room service menu is very limited--think burgers, sandwiches, fries, salads, cookies, cake, various drinks. .  There will be a complete menu in your cabin, but I would not be surprised if you could find it if you invested some time in an internet search.   We have made dinner out of room service many times.  As much as we like dining, we prefer not to indulge ourselves every night.  So, I may order a burger and fries, Mrs; XBGuy might order a salad and a roast beef sandwich with a piece of chocolate cake, and we will drink wines that we have in our cabin.

 

You can see from the menu I posted previously, the UBD is a very complete dining event.  As much as I enjoy the meal, it is the service that makes it an over-the-top event.  Two servers are dedicated to you.  Before my first experience I was a bit nervous about having servers hovering over us while we ate.  However, these people are very well trained.  Once you are settled in with a course, they disappear.  We like to linger over our meals and not rush through them.  Somehow, the servers know that we like to relax for a few minutes between courses before they sweep away finished dishes and present the next course.  I think think the tariff for the UBD is $100

 

The Ultimate Balcony Breakfast is a bit different.  It is a very robust breakfast--from memory I recall orange juice, coffee/tea, a half-bottle of Champagne (?), slices of fruit, danish, quiche, rolls, lox and I have probably forgotten something.  However, this entire package is delivered to your cabin all at once. You serve yourself and enjoy it at your own pace.  My recollection is that the UBB costs $45.

 

Regarding the timing of your event, call room service as soon as you arrive at your cabin on embarkation day.

Thank you for such a detailed explanation!  It is greatly appreciated.  I feel much more comfortable splurging for the UBD!  

Can someone explain the difference between “free” room service and the Ultimate Balcony Dinner or Deluxe Balcony Breakfast?  Is it just the menus?  We have a large balcony overlooking the wake.  I really want to do the dinner and/or breakfast, but I need to justify the cost.  🙂 Also, I see where I can book the day for Balcony Dining reservations, but it doesn’t show times.  How/when do I get to select a time?  I would love for it to be while cruising in/out of the fjords!

On 3/14/2023 at 1:31 PM, enzeno said:

We are booked on an Alaskan cruise on Princess with a couple of families.  We are being told two different things when it comes to the way Princess Plus works.  

 

We are a family of 5 (3 kids under 18) which means we have to get two state rooms.  So we just wanted to get Princess Plus for the adults.  This kids do not need a package.  We had to put one adult in each stateroom so just 1 person in those rooms would get Princess Plus.  We called and they set this up for us no issue.  We will just pay gratuities for the 3 kids.

 

However, friends that are going with us are in a similar situation are being told that the first 2 people in the cabin HAVE to get plus regardless of the situation, even though they are minors, and are being charged the same thing as adults. 

 

Has anyone else been in this scenario?  What has Princess done?  It seems rather unfair after already booking 2 rooms because we have 5 people to then also require princess plus for 4 out our 5 instead of just the 2 adults.

 

Would love any feedback you may have.  Thanks!

I don't know the answer, but as another family of 5, I'll be following this!  Any chance you are booked in connecting cabins and your friends aren't?  If so, maybe they do allow both adults to be booked in one cabin and all the kids in the other?  

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 

IMO, parents with kids shouldn't sweat this any longer.  Just book Standard fare and then order either Plus or Premier package on board.  

 

 

I haven't checked the boards in a week, so maybe this question has already been answered...but I thought in one of the "live from" posts it was confirmed that even when purchasing Princess Plus or Premier onboard, guests 1 & 2 both had to purchase them.  I thought it was just the plus/premier beverage packages that could be purchased by a single cabin occupant.  I really hope I missed an update and someone else confirmed this not to be the case!  

On 3/10/2023 at 10:39 AM, zogrand said:

Yes!  I think this picture says it all.  We had a big balcony because there was a big family group together.  But here is our family on our balcony.

@zogrand, that looks like a suite balcony, no?  I'm curious.  Did everyone have their own balcony cabin?  Or, since you were with a large group, did one of you get a balcony suite and the others get a cheaper inside room knowing they'd have access to your balcony?  We are thinking about taking a family cruise and debating whether to splurge on one room and do interior rooms for the others or get regular balconies.  

1 hour ago, Mini BMG said:

I've been on two Princess transatlantic cruises, about to go on my third. "Best WiFi at Sea" simply isn't true. Ok, maybe the internet is great close to land, but it sure isn't on transatlantic crossing. And before someone says "when crossing the Atlantic, you shouldn't expect internet b/c of satellite issues", I assure you I've taken transatlantic cruises on other cruise lines and had screaming internet, even 10-12 years ago.

Over promising and under performing is not good policy for businesses. 

I bring this up because I will be working while cruising, and due to the anticipation of lousy internet, I have to let colleagues know I won't be able to Zoom or reply to emails in a timely manner. It's OK, I'll deal with it, but I don't like Princess boasting "best wifi at Sea" when it's not true.

And I'm not happy paying $40 for bad internet. I have 2-step verification for most of the websites I visit, so have to buy the 4 device internet.

Below is what Princess has on the website:

 

MedallionNet®
The Best Wi-Fi at Sea

Fast. Reliable. Unlimited. Affordable. Now on all ships.

Wi-Fi Wherever You Are

Access the internet everywhere on board so you can text, post photos, video chat and stream your favorite shows, movies, music and sports with ease. Read on to learn just how revolutionary MedallionNet Wi-Fi is and how popular it is with our guests.

Fast and Reliable Internet

MedallionNet Wi-Fi sets the industry standard for internet at sea. FaceTime your pooch in the morning. Stream your favorite shows by the pool in the afternoon. Post your Chocolate Journeys dessert from your dinner table. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can now stay connected with Wi-Fi coverage as you sail.

By clicking select links below, you will leave the Princess Cruises website and navigate to a 3rd party website that is not owned, operated, or controlled by Princess Cruises or any of its affiliates.

What Our Guests Are Saying About MedallionNet Wi-Fi

"I was so incredibly impressed with how well the internet worked and how fast it was too! It was so convenient to use and ended up being really cost effective too." – Lauren V. from Vandifair

"With the rollout of MedallionNet, Princess Cruises is completely changing the game for internet at sea – with blazing fast speeds – and it is now much more affordable." – Courtney O. from Sweet C's

"Knowing we could access and successfully respond to any pressing work stuff was probably the greatest benefit of all…we wouldn’t be leaving colleagues in the lurch or incurring the wrath of overworked bosses." – from the Kerrie B. blog

"I barely noticed a difference from my home internet…and knowing that I was going to have the internet at sea is probably what made me feel so comfortable leaving [my daughter] for the first time when she was just 6 months old." – Rebecca H. from Sugar & Soul

 

Am I the only one who feels this way?

I haven't cruised in almost 15 years, so I can't comment on how fast things are now, but they were crazy slow back in the day.  I've been debating purchasing the wifi on an upcoming cruise in June.  The thought of paying a premium for bad internet does not sit well with me.  I have only been looking at single-device packages (preferably a single day if they have it onboard).  I had not thought about the 2-step verification on some websites, that is something else I need to consider.  Thank you for pointing this out.

How tall are you? If you are short or traveling with someone that is short, you should seriously consider a balcony.  My husband (6'1") could easily stand behind someone and still see the views, but at 5'1", all I could see were a$$es and elbows.  There is too much stress having to plan our day around getting to the deck/rail at the right time for me to see anything.  If all I could afford was an interior, I would still go, but I enjoyed having a balcony to view the glaciers.  Plus, as was mentioned above, if it is really cold, you can step back inside to warm up and still get a view from behind the glass doors.