TN-Mountains

I submitted a request via email after 5PM EST on Thursday. The $250 OBC for my June cruise was credited to my account today.

The New Grounds Coffee package is still listed on the website along with the soda package. https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/beverages/ Hopefully, @PacnGoNowis correct and it is just an IT issue causing the disappearance. ETA: I just realized when you mentioned it being missing from the website, you likely meant from the cruise personalizer view and not the general website. I would expect them to delete it from the website if it is discontinued.

I found google to be less than helpful when it comes to cruise ship specifics. If you've ever searched for photos/reviews of specific cabins you might have noticed there are several websites with different domain names that regurgitate the same generic information. When folks on a forum like CC mention they don't (or do) like Royal Class ships, they tend to know the class differences and can give an accurate answer. And, if someone provides inaccurate information you can bet someone else will tell them! 😂

Thank you for taking the time to list these for me! Much appreciated. I tried searching Princess' website, but for some reason, I couldn't find this.

I wonder if this has to do with all the website issues Princess has been having over the last several months. I've booked and/or canceled rebooked 3 times over the last 4 months. Two were cheaper directly through the Princess website. Of those, one was cheaper than booking w/ a CVP. The second was cheaper than what was advertised on the big box TA website. I think they were having issues because the next day the big box prices were the same (cheaper w/ gift card taken into account) as what I got direct through Princess.

I'm curious about this too. I booked directly online w/ Princess and didn't see an option to decline an upgrade. I called the 800 # and asked them to mark it as no upgrade. The lady said she did, but I still haven't found anywhere online or in the app to confirm it is actually marked that way.

I've been debating the upgrade from standard to Plus, too. Here is what I've learned from speaking with a Princess customer service rep. My numbers are in USD, but hopefully, it is still helpful for you. If one cabin guest upgrades to Princess Plus ($60 pp/day) or Princess Premier ($80 pp/day), the 2nd guest has to do so too. There are drink packages that can be purchased by a single guest in the cabin. They are more expensive pp/day than the Princess Plus/Premier, but it might be cheaper than purchasing the Princess Plus/Premier for both guests. Since you get a free upgrade from Princess Plus to Premier, I doubt you'll save any money by going this route, but I'll post the information below and you can run the numbers for your situation. There are also Soda & Coffee packages available, but since you mentioned alcohol, those are the only ones I'm listing below. The Princess Plus BEVERAGE Package (this is the beverage package that comes with Princess Plus) costs $76.70 pp/day. This includes the 18% service charge. What is Included: The package includes all beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $15.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s), or $22.00 AUD and under for voyages departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand. The package includes sparkling or still bottled water (500ml or less), fountain sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), specialty coffees and teas, Frappés at Coffee & Cones, and Red Bull energy drinks. The package provides a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and canned sodas. The package may be used on our private islands, all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. The Princess Premier BEVERAGE Package (this is the beverage package that comes with Princess Premier) costs $100.30 pp/day. This includes the 18% service charge. What is Included The package includes all beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $20.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s), or $30.00 AUD and under for voyages departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand. The package includes sparkling or still bottled water (500ml or less), fountain sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), specialty coffees and teas, Frappés at Coffee & Cones, and Red Bull energy drinks. The package provides a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and canned sodas. The package may be used on our private islands, all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. If dining at a specialty dining venue, a large (one-liter) bottle of still or sparkling water is covered by the package. Both Beverage Packages have the following exclusions: The package does not apply to bottled spirits or bottled wine or any items offered in retail venues or shops on board. The package does not apply to Mini-Bar items. The package does not apply to souvenir Glassware. The package excludes and is not combinable with other Programs, Promotions, Onboard Specials, or Events such as Wine Tastings, Chef’s Table, Buckets of Beer, Specialty Dining cover charges, or food items for sale such as ice cream, etc.

I keep seeing folks mention Royal Class ships and some other class(es) ships. How do you know what class a particular ship is?

How many folks are leaving multiple messages that she needs to tell folks to only leave one message? That is a red flag. I would assume that she has a habit of not returning calls promptly. I'm not saying it is necessarily her fault...Princess might not have enough workers...but it is obviously a problem. I wouldn't wait long for a return call. I'd either call back (you don't have to leave another message) or call the 800 #.

Thank you! Any idea how much it costs? I'm still debating on upgrading to Princess Plus...I don't really want to, but I need to run the numbers to see if any savings will be worth the hassle of having to track my daily spending.

This! Plus, it is odd that the one thing you can pre-book using OBC is shore excursions that occur off the ship. 🙂

Interesting. I originally booked back in November and the only option showing in the Princess App was for the Entire Voyage Plan. I cancelled and rebooked (new booking #) almost 4 weeks ago and still my only option with the new booking number is for the Entire Voyage Plan. I wonder if they changed the policy with the rollout of the new Princess Plus/Premier? I still have a few months before the cruise...hopefully they'll be other options pop up during that time.

As @jwattlementioned, it is typically renewed annually. I expect to see an updated Share Holder benefit letter sometime closer to July 31. Of course there is no guarantee it will be the same or any OBC.

I looked this up yesterday so I can submit a request for OBC. Here is a link to the benefit: https://www.carnivalcorp.com/static-files/bc1b7f04-a3e8-4176-91ac-a529290fe45d And, if like me, you don't trust random links on the internet. I copied and pasted the info your looking for here. 🙂 "The benefit is applicable on sailings through July 31, 2023 aboard the brands listed below. Certain restrictions apply. Applications to receive these benefits should be made at least three weeks prior to cruise departure date. This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, interline rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer. This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account. Only one onboard credit per shareholder-occupied stateroom. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2023. Please provide by email1 , fax or by mail your complete legal name, reservation/booking number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your current mailing address and your brokerage account number blacked out) no later than 4 weeks prior to your sail date to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below. 1 If you chose to email, you do so at your own risk and with the knowledge that email is inherently an insecure method of communication."

Yes, but if guest 2 doesn't drink & neither need wifi, it would technically be cheaper than both guests purchasing Princess Plus ($109.70/day vs $120/day for the cabin). It is not enough of a savings for me to have to worry about keeping track of extra purchases, but on a longer cruise that $10 would start to add up especially for someone who doesn't drink at all vs. my occasional drink.

Good to know! Was that once you were onboard or leading up to departure?

Thank you! Very helpful!

I thought I had read somewhere about single day purchases of wifi, but I don't know where I saw it...or it could have been when I was searching NCL, too. Last time I cruised internet speeds were crazy slow and definitely not worth purchasing a package. I'm sure they're faster now, but that could put them at a snail's pace instead of at a sloth's pace. I hope you'll give us updates after your cruise! Besides looking forward to cruising again, I'm really excited about this itinerary. My husband travels for work and visits a lot of places before I get to. Norway & Iceland are new to both of us and way cooler than Disney, Orlando & SC beaches, which with young kids have been our vacations for the last 13 years.

It has been a minute since I last cruised and I have a few questions. If it is pertinent to any of my questions, I’ll be on the Sky Princess 14-day Iceland & Norway Cruise in June 2023. PRE-CRUISE RESERVATIONS: It appears I can only use my OBC to reserve excursions and NOT spa services. Is that the policy or is there something wrong with the Princess website? My cruise isn’t until June. I don’t really want to pre-pay 100% this far in advance unless it is with OBC. THERMAL SUITE: How busy is the Thermal Suite on Sky Princess? It looks like I can only purchase a 14-day cruise pass. Do you get a reserved time each day or is it first come first serve? It looks so relaxing, but if you have to run downstairs first thing in the morning to get inside….I’ll pass! CASINO: When is the casino open? I know they close while in port, but I seem to recall they weren’t open all the time while at sea either. I’m hoping to schedule any spa appointments during times there isn’t much else to do. WIFI: I know WIFI is included with Princess Plus/Premier packages or $210 for 1-device if I purchase it separately. I don’t see any option to purchase for a single day or a block of minutes. Do they offer something like that once onboard? I don’t need daily wifi and I rarely drink alcohol, so I can save a lot of money if I skip the package. My husband travels to Europe frequently, so we have cell service while in port and we will be keeping in touch with the kids while on land. However, we will be at sea on my son’s 12th birthday, and I’ll need to call him. I’d hate to spend $210 for one phone call! Do I have other options? If I must purchase wifi for the entire 14-days, this would sway me towards the Plus package instead.

This is situation where Princess' naming convention is confusing...it is kind of like the mini-suites that aren't really suites when it comes to extra perks. There is Princess Plus ($60 pp/day) and Princess Premier ($80 pp/day). These both include crew appreciation, wifi, either the Plus Beverage Package or the Premier Beverage Package and a few other perks that I'm not going to list. I purchased insurance through Princess so if I purchase Princess Plus right now before my sailing date, I will pay slightly more than the $60 pp/day because I'll be charged a percentage for travel insurance premium. I do not know if this will be the case if I purchase onboard the ship. The prices I mentioned above are for the Princess Plus Beverage Package. It costs $64.99/day + 18% service charge totaling $76.70/day. It is the same beverage package that is included with Princess Plus which only costs $60/day, but the Beverage package does not have to be purchased by guests 1 & 2 where as the Princess Plus does. Depending on the length of the cruise, if only 1 guest in the cabin drinks alcoholic beverages, and neither care about wifi, the beverage package for one guest might be cheaper than the Princess Plus for both guests. My apologies to the OP! I thought I was being helpful trying to answer @Cruise Raiderquestion. I didn't mean to steer us off course!!

My understanding was this would not be allowed, but I'm eager to hear what is actually implemented on the ships. I suppose we should start getting real world experience in the next few weeks. I'd LOVE to hear we can mix-and-match the Princess Plus/Premier. That would make my decision so much easier. Fingers crossed!

I realize the price of Princess Plus is $60 pp/day. Someone asked if one guest in the cabin could purchase Princess Premier once on board without the 2nd guest purchasing it. As we all know, pre-cruise if one guest purchases it, the 2nd guest must get it too. I was told that policy would be the same for Princess Plus (or Princess Premier) if purchased on board, but the Plus Beverage Package (or Premier Beverage Package) could be purchased by only one of the guests in a cabin. The Plus Beverage Package is $76.70pp/day & the Premier Beverage Package is $100.30pp/day. Those prices do not include insurance, but do include an 18% service charge. I didn't ask if trip insurance would be included to Princess Plus if added on board the ship, so I can't comment on that.

I spoke to someone at Princess (1-800-number) a couple of weeks ago and asked a similar question about the Plus package. She said that the Princess Plus package would cost the same once we board the ship as it does today. When I asked if just one of us could purchase it if we wait until we are on the ship, she said, "no, both guests 1& 2 would both have to purchase it." I should note that she paused and took a moment to "look" for the correct answer before she blurted it out...instead of just guessing. She said the Plus Beverage package could be purchased by a single guest in the cabin, but it costs more per person ($76.70/day) than the Princess Plus package ($60/day). The premier bev. package is currently $100.30/day/pp.

I'm not an elite member and I'm not saying the OP's call wasn't a scam, but my CVP has cold called me. In fact she did so last week. Maybe it is a new policy?? Or, maybe it has to do with how seasoned the CVP is??? I haven't cruised with Princess in 15 years and never dealt with a CVP prior to a few months ago. I'm most certain she is green. When booking my cruise the prices she quoted were higher than Princess' website and she didn't care to investigate why. I suspect she is cold-calling in an effort to build up her clientele. She wasn't selling what the OP mentioned, but she was calling to see if there was anything she could help me with or tell me about discounted cruises.

Yes, I too have lots of OBC I'm hoping to use towards the Princess Plus fare. With any luck, in a few weeks @billcowill report back that using OBC to cover Princess Plus was easy peasy. Also, you specifically stated beverage package in this reply. In your original posts you just mentioned "Plus" and I assumed you were talking about Princess Plus. Is that right? I ask because they also have a Plus Beverage Package, which costs more per person, but it is only a beverage package and doesn't include the wifi, crew appreciation, etc.