Cruise Raider

That’s a great step in the right direction! Thank you for posting!

While we absolutely love sailing on these newer ships, this is exactly why we now stay close to home for all our cruising. We’ve been canceled for charters before and always have come out better in the long run. Always have a plan B in place for these inaugural sailings.

Enjoy your cruise!

OMG .. you certainly have been through the wringer for that reservation. I hope your new permanent CVP is worth her weight in gold. I know mine is .. but they are definitely not all created equally. I hope everything is sorted out and you get your CC refund back pronto.

Wow! So very sorry for all those that have had their vacations ruined on such short notice. And the discrepancy between the compensation is rather baffling!

I believe the OP was asked to put $1500 down thinking that was the full payment vs the down payment or deposit. As mentioned, it may work from some people but we rarely stay at hotels unless they are given to us at comps in Las Vegas. So, it just doesn’t work for us. On the other hand, those AARP gift cards are a staple in this household. 8% off is pretty darned good.

But, you are paying $6000 for the package when you can get the same cruise for $4462. So no, you are $1500+ in the hole. $1300+ when factoring in the OBC they also give you.

That is not my understanding that is how it works. You pay $6000 for the package that includes $4500 in future cruise credits, $200 OBC and 7 nights hotel stay. I believe it also gives you some credit to use on your hotel stay. If you never use the hotel stay you are still paying $6000 and it only provides you $4700 ($4500 in FCCs and $200 in OBC) for your actual cruise. If it truly was giving you $6000 in cruise credits for the cost of $1500, those packages would be flying off the shelf. They are not!

Some balconies are definitely larger on this class of ship. We stayed on the Baja deck once and the balcony is huge. There are a couple other decks that have the much larger balconies, too (the Marina, Riviera, Dolphin). Personally, I like the lower decks a bit more so would choose the Dolphin or Baja. I believe the inside of the cabins are all the same size but can’t say that 100% certainty.

It is a legitimate deal and offered through the new company that has taken over the future cruise consultants that are now working onboard. If you aren’t interested in the 7 nights hotel, then it really doesn’t sound like a deal to pay $6000 for $4500 dollars worth of credit. We flat out turned that down when contacted as we very rarely stay at hotels, although we cruise a lot. I’ve read that it can only be redeemed for hotels of their choice, not of yours. Not a deal for us.

I am sure it would .. you can taste the nutty flavor from the frangelico so, think that would compliment it perfectly. I’d go to good spirits it get it as they have the almond milk available nearby.

Coming from wine country, I can honestly say that we loved the wineries out in Guadalupe Valley, especially L.A. Cetto. Some impressive wines and facilities there!

I totally forgot you mentioned you were in a suite. Yes, I’m sure they will have eggs Benedict there for you. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a suite, but I always got those potatoes topped with a poached egg and hollandaise in that little glass bowl. Yummmmmm .. just thinking about how good those are!

If you like your wine from a thin rimmed glass and your cappuccino in a proper ceramic cup, I’m am sure we have some shared heritage. I worked and live in an all Asian community and so have tried to learn the trick of chopsticks by the best of the best. Nope, still can’t do it. I can stab it is the sushi is rolled tight enough. 😆 Anyway, at the Catch, I highly recommend the lobster tail in a citrus foam, the calamari and the crab cake as appetizers. The concerto is my absolute favorite as a main. I never have room for dessert. Ovidiu is the restaurant manger and is absolutely outstanding!

BTW, the lunch/brunch menu is no longer the one from last year so not sure they still have eggs Benedict. Instead, they have a constant small plate menu along with some other menu items that change. I love the small plate menu, though. The chicken street tacos and calamari … ooooo yum! Don’t let the description fool you .. they aren’t really small plates.

Either Crooners (with Lhei) or at the Gastropub Bar (with Francis). Both of them make it perfectly! It really is amazing! Also, ask for the nicer champagne since you have the premier package .. it’s really quite nice!

Actually, it was only while on the Discovery when I first tried sushi last year. I never thought I would like it either but they do such a good job making sure you will like it, they start you off slowly. Now, I even have my DH eating it. I just order the edamame and a vegetable or California maki roll. Neither of us are fans of raw fish. Oh, and both of us would starve if we had to count on chop sticks so, we always request a fork. 😆 They have those items called hamachi tacos for an extra coast and can make them all vegetarian, as well. I can’t imagine a bad review about The Catch. It is, by far, the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at, on land or at sea! The Winemaker’s dinner on the Royal came in at a close second. I don’t eat any red meat so, the Catch is right up my alley .. and my DH orders a filet mignon or lobster there and loves it, as well.

I discovered it when on the Diamond Princess because their wine choices were sooo very limited. it is made with - blackberry brandy - raspberry vodka - frangelico - raspberry purée (ask for half that amount so it’s less sweet) - cream Shaken well with ice (so there are a few ice chips floating when they pour it into your martini glass) and I request no sugar on the rim. It is so yummmmmmmy! But it is a boozy drink so, I just get one.

The 80’s night is soooooo much fun!

I didn’t try it as we love the Catch by Rudi so much and they are priced the same .. one for lunch and one is for dinner. The same service team for the Catch runs the Crab Shack. The Catch has a much better menu IMO. Maybe just get a small plate at the sushi bar .. even if you don’t like raw fish, they have both California rolls and vegetable rolls. Since you have the premier package, they are really great at adjusting what you can order.

For us, the premier package is definitely worth it if you like nicer wines and top shelf liquor. The casual dining is what we think is the most important perk but there are just so many days on your cruise to really take advantage of them all. If you’ve already used your two specialty dining options reserved (and you have 3), personally, I wouldn’t also book the Crab Shack. I’ve heard that Princess is suggesting booking the 360° now to make sure you get a reserved spot. Then, go to the front desk or suite concierge to be sure to get a refund. I always get one (2 at most) baccarat martini during each cruise. I have them mix it with half the amount of purée and no sugared rim as I don’t love sweet drinks. But this one is now a tradition. No better way to start a cruise. We book the premier package often and haven’t seen a prize (for us) in quite some time. The most I ever won was $25. However, they may not be giving them out for those that cruise as often as we do so, the fact that you haven’t cruised in over a year might bode well for you. My cousin won $5000 last year and a friend of mine won a free cruise for 2 just a couple of months ago. Neither cruise very often, so who knows. The food and service are fabulous on the Discovery and we’ve cruised with them 3 times in the last few months. GiGi’s definitely for embarkation lunch and don’t forget to go try Ocean Terrace if you love sushi.

I definitely recommend the Catch .. perfect choice. They have offered the Crab Shack for lunch in the GastroPub area on a sea day on my recent cruises on the Discovery. For me, I would hit up GiGi’s on embarkation day. What day is your sea day? I wouldn’t want a big lunch only to be followed by a big dinner and from what it sounds like, you have all big dinners planned, so I would skip the Crab Shack.

We never take any onboard anymore as it is so much easier to buy the package.

Still only $15 per roll and they are enough for one person.

After you’ve gone through security, there was almost always a table they send you to if they see wine bottles in your carry on luggage. You are charged your corkage for anything above two bottles you take onboard and they add a sticker to the additional bottles. like mentioned, it has been so crowded in the terminal lately, not sure if they are doing that at this time.