kywildcatfanone

Elite benefit have been cut, including the free minutes. You now have to pay for any internet.

Should have went with the fitness classes. If all you drink is water and coffee I would avoid the packages. Not sure but would guess mocktail mix has lots of sugar in it. But I haven't had one in a long time.

Packages aren't for being healthier. it's one reason we don't get them 🙂

I've said many time a $30-35 a day non alcoholic AI would help people who don't drink a lot of alcohol.

Why is cruise line support so bad?

My TA said she was told most sailings were 75-80% with a plus or premier package. She said Princess told them that on a call maybe 6 months ago.

Actually it has, as referenced in your post. If you change anything with a loyalty benefit, you change the overall benefit, even if it's just the items included with the benefit. The reason is, different people value the options in a different way. Lots of complaints I remember when they removed Strip Steak from the anytime menu years ago in the MDR. You still had dinner, but if you couldn't get the meal you wanted that you could previously, you might not enjoy your dinner as much. Benefit is in the eye of the beholder. For someone like me, I valued the ability to trade the mini bar for coffee because I preferred the coffee to the other options. I do still have the overall perk, but it is worth far less to me than it was before as I don't value water or soda in the same way.

There are options when you order your medallion for things like a wrist bracelet, etc. You can also buy them on Amazon. If you haven't ordered yet for your cruise you will see the options princess offers that you can order

Yes, we take European to US adapters and a non surge protection outlet with usb. Powers everything we need.

I guess I hadn't thought about this, but now I guess there is no priority check in for loyalty anymore, it's whether or not you pay extra or buy packages. Another benefit lost it seems. Is that true?

🤣

Where was their cabin? What deck?

We have done 2 cruises on Celebrity and 28 on Princess. Beyond will be a bit smaller and less people. Food and service will be relatively equal. I would choose based upon itinerary and cost. Celebrity will likely be higher.

I typically only remember seeing actual trash cans out on upper decks around pool areas. Maybe there are ones down by IC.

I complain a lot about the cutbacks. I also fully understand that cruise lines lost a lot of revenue being shut down for over a year. It cuts both ways. I will remain loyal to them if they remain loyal to me. Prices have to go up, everything is. Don't cut loyalty benefits as part of your cost increases/cutting. You should want to keep loyal customers who were loyal before the shutdown to be loyal after. I think the prevalent thought amond cruise line execs after the pandemic ended and ships started really sailing full again that more people are cruising after lockdowns and therefore they can afford to be less loyal to previous customers. That might work for a while, but with the US economy suffering and getting worse, biting the loyal hand might come back to be an issue for them. It also might not. Only time will tell.

Yeah. They should have them and ask if you want one or not. Seems simple enough.

Just checked a March cruise, and it's higher with this promo than what I booked, lol.

Haven't seen them give those out for years now.

On our last cruise, not on Princess, we had our taxi driver stop at the Publix near the port, and I bought 2 12 packs of their water. I was surprised it was almost $6/pack. A 12 pack here at home is about $2. I guess being near the port, and a vacation location is why, but in the future if I think I need to buy water for a cruise on Princess, I will pay the $7 they are currently charging. I won't be surprised that it will go up soon, but at least for today, that is a good deal compared to buying it 500 yards from the ship. 🙂

I've said before, a non alcoholic AI for $30 and I would buy it.

I was able to do this on our first cruise right after the announcement about this benefit cut was made. I think I will ask on my upcoming cruise for OBC and see what happens. Can't hurt to ask.

My point is, a bag to take your purchases back to your room should be provided, and not part of the cost cutting the cruise line is doing. Paper or plastic bags do not cost much to provide, so they aren't saving enough money to justify this downgrade to the customer.

I wonder of all the ships have Lavazza yet?

Packages should be in effect until your medallion shows you have left the ship at the end of your cruise.

That is the weirdest thing. I think I would be mad if they wouldn't put my purchases in a bag for me to take back to my room. I get cost cutting, but this is ridiculous.