1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said:

I have been reading about the decline and watered down benefits in high tier categories every time something is added to enhance the experience of a first time or not so traveled passenger since I joined Cruise Critic in 2008. Princess isn't unique to this. It's the same on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and any other line that has a so called "Loyalty Program".  It's always the same people who feel slighted. Why should the cruise line bend over backwards for a group of people who continue to book over and over again. They have you where they want you. You choose to put your eggs all in one basket and now you are stuck just to so you can get your knickers washed. If things are so great for newbies become one on another line. The only thing the cruise line owes you is the experience you paid for and if that's not up to par then stop hanging on until the next cut. The cruise lines love new cruisers. They have no clue how things used to be 30yrs ago. Everything is new to them and wonderful.  After reading this thread I don't know why people would jump through hoops and spend extra money to reach the top for some free laundry and a bar set up. 

The only thing I disagree with you on is your 30-year comment - it is more like 10 years:

We used to frequent Las Vegas with Caesars tier status. We were never gambling much but we still were given free flights, rooms, and comps for food. We would get lounge access. Then around 2015 or so the lounges started going away, the free flights were going away. They started "resort fees" and said that exempting you from this junk fee was a "benefit". Our last trip was 2016. Nowadays, Las Vegas is very expensive. Only high rollers get perks. The Caesars lounges are closed. However, they are showing record profits because the kids (under 40 crowd) now swarm this area like its South Beach and will pay for the high priced, hotels, restaurants, and clubs. They don't know or care that the prices have tripled over the last decade or so. 

We now are cruising because we find it economical compared to land trips. And now I am the one that doesn't care what the benefits or prices were 10 years ago - as long as it appears reasonable to me. When it doesn't, I will move on.

24 minutes ago, FLAlaska said:

Agreed.  I know its been 2 years but I paid just under $4000 for a PH suite on the Sky in Jan 2023. The Sun PH (now called Vista) is $12000. The added Sanctuary and Premier package do not cost $8000.

That was why I mentioned above I was sticking with Royal Class. I have 4 trips in queue, (PHs between this fall and early 2026), and they all less than 50% of the equivalent rate on the sphere class. 

6 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@Laszlo If you need a break from driving there is a MGM casino in Springfield

Would probably pay off better than Gem Casino. I lost $100 one day in the casino - just walking through to get to Stardust Theater, lol. 

8 hours ago, vino100 said:

Does anyone know of private tours to Breakers that pick you up where the tenders are. 
the cruise excursion is sold out. 

Two options:

(1) You can Uber to the Breakers which is 2.5 miles away. A self tour includes the audio tour if you want to spend a lot of time in the mansion.

(2) Just north of Perrotti Park is the Newport Tarvel Trolley Tours in the visitors center which will give you options such as looping around the major mansions and allowing a tour a mansion of your choice. 

Newport Trolley Tour with Breakers Mansion - Viking Tours

28 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Four days and counting. 1.5 days of work this week and we are off for Boston

 

 

 

As of now, weather up here and in Hamilton will be 80ish by end of week so you are off to a great start.

3 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

As a Canadian, I thank you for recognizing the obvious.  The east coast of Canada and the US is quite lovely.  Looking forward to our sailing in August on Enchanted.  Honestly, the least romantic place is the Caribbean.

My profile picture shows how much I like Canada. The picture is cropped but to the left of the lighthouse is the distant Toronto skyline.

2 hours ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

I was shocked to see that this cruise is doing a Canada New England itinerary. It has no connection to The Love Boat other than being on a Princess ship. To me, the Canada New England cruises are the least romantic cruise itineraries in the entire world, so it really feels like a mismatch to have as The Love Boat themed cruise.

 

As for this new VIP package, I may actually be tempted to pay for it because of the dinner with the cast, but it is a very steep price. When we were on a Med cruise years ago, Jill Whelan was onboard with her family, so we got to see her in her every-day element with her family as they enjoyed a cruise. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I didn’t talk to her or ask her for an autograph, but it was super fun seeing her on board. 

 

Yeah, unfortunately New England and Canada doesn't have the blazing heat, pickpockets of the Med or Carribean tourist traps such as Senor Frog and Diamonds International that you must find romantic, lol.  

49 minutes ago, wcook said:

I’m a huge love boat fan. The basic cruise would be neat. But the VIP package price falls into AYFKM territory. 

At least one can't say Princess is nickel and diming on this package. 

My wife has the suite preference which I cater too. For Princess we book the penthouse on royal-class ships and at this point I will not pay a more than 100% premium for a chance to be on the Sun or upcoming Star. I guess I will wait until these ships have some mileage on them. We are also not foodies so fancy cuisine (assuming they have it) is not a benefit.

Good luck on anyone cruising this ship in the near term.

We are on this cruise because my wife is a Love Boat fan. She was not tempted based on this pricing. You are really paying for the dinner. Anyone can go to the meet and greet - the package just lets you get priority access. She just plans on buying merchandise. 

This cruise is not selling well. The itinerary has been a mess. Newport was dropped. The Maine stop is now showing Eastport without excursions. 

8 minutes ago, So_Tweetie said:

It only seems odd until you realize that you are the exact demographic that Princess (all cruise lines) wants to capture as a repeat customer. 

Except for the fact that by paying the suite upcharge the Elite status provides no real value except maybe the 10% discount. Said differently, this promotion does not sway my decision making. 

19 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I wonder what the Old Guard thinks vs Princess cruisers who started after Carnival bought the company?  I imagine they think it has gone downhill ever since, yet many still cruise.

 

Resources on a cruise ship are limited and shared by all. Princess isn't going to give you more - there is nothing more to give.

Since that was April 2003, you may need a shovel if you want to do a survey.

Seriously, I would be interested in just 2019 versus now (Covid effect). We used to frequent Las Vegas and post Covid the prices have doubled/tripled and they still have record attendance. We haven't been since 2017 when the resort fee nonsense started the price escalation. Ramifications from the shutdown continue to this day.

8 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Absolutely. In fact, package price and inclusivity is the reason we cancelled a Holland America cruise in favor of one on Princess this fall. I don’t mind purchasing a package if it includes tips and WiFi fast enough to do some minor streaming. That’s actually a product I’ve wanted for years when I used to say there was room for a cruise line priced between Princess and Oceania / Azamara. Purchasing a package provides that. 

We just resumed cruising after pricing against land trips. We only take a few trips a year in suites. Based on itinerary and food choices (we want quality food but don't eat or care about fancy cuisine) Princess is a better value than HAL and the other mid-tier - never mind the luxury level. 

Interestingly, our first Princess cruise is in August. We have three more booked. Assuming Princess were to extend this doubling effect (like any other sale) we would be elite in 4 cruises. This does seem odd. I did confirm with Princess that suites will count as 4 cruises under the promotion. 

2 minutes ago, 555 said:

Maybe it wasn't their intent but it sure has irritated quite a few. 

I just wanted to remind people to at least aim their vitriol at the correct group. Email Padgett with your complaints. Or bash him on his LinkedIn account. 

Princess clientele is the older, mostly retired crowd with plenty of time on their hands to complain. I should know, in the past year I have retired, booked Princess cruises and increased my complaining. If Padgett was smart, Princess Plus would include unlimited Metamucil and early bid dining to boost the package sales.

FYI - If you are complaining please at least blame (1) the marketing group for coming up with this and (2) senior management for approving marketing's idea. As a former "bean counter" / "pencil neck" for over 40 years in corporate America, the accounting/finance area does not come up with these ideas to annoy people. 

7 hours ago, SCX22 said:

 

Millennials know that loyalty means nothing anymore.  There are simply too many consumers in today's world.  (Maybe if you want a Birkin or Rolex.)  Maybe it's time to cruise with other cruise lines rather than waiting for Princess to give you more.

 

There's lots of talk about MTG gatherings.  Not quite sure what the draw to these events are.  The cruise fare already includes food so it's like you already paid for it.  It's also like saying you need to cruise X amount of days to schmooze with the crew.  I've made the cut and have been invited twice and never understood the draw and never went.  One CC Host even told me that everyone there that everyone there would be twice my age and I wouldn't have peers.  Now that this is handled by Future Cruise, it's been expressed by a few that these are seen as a chore in talking to these folks.

 

Don't understand the draw to the CC cocktail party nights either.  My loyalty is worth a drink and if I had a package, I basically paid for the drink.  These parties turn into a whose pee goes higher in terms of comparing days cruised.  It doesn't really matter!

 

Even something like the minibar and the MedallionNet discount are redundant if you have the package. The excursion discount is nice, but if you're like me and only book Princess excursions with excess OBC and otherwise go independent, it's really not beneficial.

Sorry but everyone, regardless of generation knows this; at least should know this. Loyalty programs have been around forever, and the intention is to generate enough "stickiness" to keep people without having to incentivize them any more than they have to. 

We are cruising Princess because of (1) itinerary (2) ship class (3) food options (4) price point (5) pax type (older crowd, few kids). I would rank name of ship higher then loyalty perks.

On 6/13/2024 at 11:44 AM, spotfish said:

Do the craps tables have "bonus" options like All-tall and small?

What on earth are these bets? I am assuming prop bets with massive house edge.

I was on the Gem a few weeks ago and the active tables were mostly 10-15-25 range. The poker related games were the busiest with the highest minimums. Craps was mostly hearing crickets. 

8 hours ago, BarnCat1 said:

So sorry to hear that, that was a beautiful walk.  I will make sure I check the Wharfs tours. Thank you

Sections are still walkable. On the northern side there is a detour around the Salve Regina Campus due to some rockslides. 

20 minutes ago, BarnCat1 said:

Did the Cliffwalk and mansions back in the early 2000's. Can't imagine much has changed since then, but still might want to go again.  Thinking of doing the boat ride on the Harbor out to Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort. This would be late September

Anyone ever do this tour before?  

Well two parts of the cliff walks are damaged, so things have not changed in a good way.

If you are talking about the boat tours out of Bannisters Wharf, I find them enjoyable. Just book a schooner so you can enjoy the sailing aspect. 

The benefits of concierge are summarized well by complawyer. We have found the best benefit is the ability to get reservations booked/changed. For example, Cagney's showed 100% booked on the app but the concierge told us he could get any time / day we wanted.

On 6/16/2024 at 4:19 PM, stellarose33 said:

the fish eater is not happy.  hubby does not eat shell fish- so no cagney s for me

I went to Cagney's for fish (going there so my wife could get steak). I had to get a steak due to menu change and it wasn't that good.

On 6/13/2024 at 9:46 AM, Laszlo said:

For anyone who has done this cruise this year feel free to chime in as to what time the cruise Terminal opened up on departure day. We like arriving early but I don't want to stand around outside. I've seen its been 10am, maybe earlier? In NYC its always 9am

I think you were on the Gem thread but just in case: I was on the May 31 to June 7 ailing and it opened at 10AM for both Haven and non-Haven. The outside security told us they would start at 10AM and they were prompt.

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

It's definitely good it works for you! I know it works for others, too. It's just not something we'll ever do. We much prefer having a conversation with the butler each day of the cruise. I don't want to tell the butler to just refer to the letter and, in my experience, the butlers seem a little awkward if you don't have anything to tell them each day. They seem to be much more grateful when we're able to give them an idea of our day. But, to each their own. I'd never tell someone not to provide a letter. If that works, wonderful!

 

Cruising is joyful. That's all I know!

Nothing against actually talking with them. I just think it may be better to talk and give them the letter / note so they can use it as a cheat sheet. My thinking is that if the butler has 12 cabins to go to on day 1 and everyone just tells him/her what they want it needs to be memorized. I'll probably offer them the note or ask them if they want it left in the pantry area. Mine is simple:

Please stock us with the following:

(1) M&M peanuts

(2) cashews and walnuts

(3) pitcher of ice water 

(4) lemonade

Please note as to canapes that we only will eat dessert items and cheese platter items. 

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

That's great! We've had that on one of our five cruises, letter or not. Letter only one time, actually - our first cruise when we didn't know anything but what we read online. We realized (for us) that it negatively impacted our cruise as it limited interaction on the first day with the butler.

 

On Pr1ma, in November, our butler did bring only what we requested. Mostly. He did still bring cookies one day and pound bread another. I think it truly varies based on the butler you have. And we consider all the butlers we had, good. Pr1ma's butler, Jefferson, was the best we've had.

I realized that by not "bothering" the butler with a letter I made it more difficult for him since he had to figure out what we wanted. After I talked to him about this and the fact that he had 10 suites on two decks that the more information he got the quicker and easier he can provide his service. Granted it is no guarantee using a letter, but I will do it going forward if I have butler service.

1 hour ago, ggTexasGal said:

You are not alone in that area!  We have had very mixed results with that request. We have not found a solution for receiving only very few things and only on certain days.

It seems easier (yet, very wasteful) to let them bring whatever the other suites get on any given day.  SIGH!

Yeah, that is why if I do Haven again, I am using the sthrngary letter approach. Once our butler knew what we ate he didn't automatically bring us the same thing as the other cabins. For example, we told him only cheese platters or dessert canapes and that is all we got the rest of the trip. It will look simple like the BirdTravel example: (1) what we want stocked daily and (2) here is what we want with regards to the canapes/other offerings.