kywildcatfanone

I think my biggest issue, which I haven't really articulated well in my comments here, is just the sheer cost. I understand that if Princess charges $10 for a $1 shot of Jim Beam, but because you are on a ship or at a bar, and not at home, the price doesn't seem too far out of line for what someone might pay. To me, that is a to each their own kind of thing. If you pay the package fee, and are okay with it, then it's okay with me that you do that. I don't really care, and in fact, it helps keep the cruise fare down for everyone, and therefore can add value to those who don't partake. If I were a drinker, I would probably view it differently. But I also rarely eat out without it being takeout because I want to avoid large required tips, and the exurbanite cost of even soft drinks or team. For me, I look at it this way, for a 7 day cruise, the cost for two of the plus package is $840. Tips cost about $210, wifi (with elite, which has doubled in price) is $140, so that is $350. I can buy a morning coffee in the IC, and bring soft drinks on board that I want (i.e. something different than just coke, diet coke and sprite - another beef I have with Princess, offer more options) for $15, so now I'm at $365, and can either hold onto or spend on other things the difference is $475, which can easily get me another cruise fare booked most times I'm booking anymore. Right or wrong, that is how I look at it. I do not mean to say that people paying for a package aren't getting their money's worth for them, that is for each person to decide. I just can't justify it myself, but everyone does vacation the way they want to do vacation and that is fine with me. Like I said, it sort of helps me if I really think about it.

Yeah, I see it all the time at ball games. People spending hundreds of dollars on beer. To each his own I guess. It's their money and not mine. I can't personally justify it. Some of the money I see spent is enough for another cruise. I'm sure Princess and the other cruise lines are very happy with it, as they should be. It's helping them make up for the year sitting idle.

I suspect they are making most all of the profits on the drink/plus packages and will continue to increase the price as long as the uptake is there. There is a lot of profit to be made, and it helps to keep the cruise price down to entice more bookings.

Retreat pool is adults only. But it's down in a hole and not a lot of seating. Adding cabins really messed up the retreat area on the newer ships.

I paid $29 in 2010. I think it got over $60 at one point.

I bought in 2010. Got more in OBC than I paid. Someday soon they will cut out the shareholder credit with people buying it so cheap.

We were overcharged every day for coffee on our last cruise. I went down twice to passenger services and asked them to correct. Could never get any from food and beverage to pick up, so refunded all the charges. I didn't want that, but he insisted. I check daily now.

No issue. If people do that, they get what they deserve.

Seeing as how they just raised prices earlier this year, I would think they would have to give it decent run time to see how the price increase impact sales. It seems Princess method is keep the cruise price as low as possible, and then charge more for everything else. If it's working, it's working. Everyone can choose what and what not to participate. Celebrity Cruises prices are even higher, so I'm sure once they feel comfortable they will initiate another increase. I suspect regular price increases are going to be the norm till they start seeing reduced bookings. Same with any other business. My take on that would be that th update on it was very satisfactory, in fact, so much so that significant increase could be made and their research would show most people would continue to pay, even at the increased prices. I suspect that is working overall. Same with the removal of benefits which seem to occur regularly now. I do wish they offered a coffee/soft drink/mocktail package for like $30 for those of use who aren't either big drinkers or drinkers at all. I would very much consider that, regardless of whether I could justify the price with a spreadsheet. I do think for many people, vacation is something they don't watch their spending that closely on because they choose not to, which is perfectly fine, and everyone's freedom to do.

What is my comment that big a deal with you? Do you not think 3/4 used to get a package? I don't understand the hostility in your comment?

I think it's higher quite honestly, or it was before the recent increases, but my TA has told me that in calls she has been on with Princess reps, that number has been mentioned, as well as her own bookings reflect that. Based upon the conversations on cruise critic, I think it's probably pretty accurate. It might have dropped based upon the recent price increases, but that was from a conversation I had with her last year.

I always get a better prices and OBC from my TA that I don't get booking directly with Princess.

You don't think they make huge profits on packages they offer in lieu of higher cruise prices? Have you bought the same thing in a grocery store, and then in a hotel or other business and the price was 3-10x? That's what I was talking about. Sorry for the confusion.

Anymore, cost cuts and higher prices are everywhere. You are paying for prime, and getting select.

They don't have to. The plus package is purchased by 75% of guests, and they are making huge amounts of profit on it, so they can let some go for free. I would guess this occurs when the bars are busy. The medallion isn't perfect, as if there are 10 people squeezing into a space at the bar, it's still time consuming for the bartenders to determine who you are, and for a coke or water, if you are busy, why bother.

The drink packages only work if you drink a fair amount. We went packageless on our last cruise. I took on 3 packs of coke and sprite zero with no issue, and we drank those for the 8 days we were onboard. Very easy, and only about $15 spent. Since Princess doesn't offer the zero drinks, that is now our preferred method. We pay for wifi and gratuities, so our total cost for 2 was around $300, whereas the plus package would have been over $800. Easy decision for us. It's our new normal.

Usually 30 minutes prior

That is the Power Up points subscription? I did find that one.

How do you sign up for this? On my online account it says "Click the subscribe button at the top right", and there is no subscribe button at the top right.

Thanks, makes sense.

Thank you for the reply. Exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I will call about the wifi and tips and see if I can pay over the phone. I'm not seeing any OBC like you are showing, so I'm going to have to call my TA I think and ask, because the online booking shows it, but it's not displaying for me.

So, we have our second cruise booked with Celebrity, on the Equinox in October. On our first, we had the all inclusive package (tips, wifi, drinks) and it was significantly cheaper than it is today, so I'm going ala carte this upcoming cruise. I see in the online reservation system for my existing booking that I can add wifi and I guess prepay. Do they every offer any kind of pre cruise or first day onboard discount of the wifi cost? It's very high, even for basic. Also, I was thinking to book the Tuscan Grill the first night because they offer a discount, but the only seating time online is 9:30, and that is way too late for us, does that ever open up, or could we book it now, board and call, and get a earlier time? Can you prepay gratuities? I thought I saw that, but now can't find it on my reservation. And lastly, is there somewhere you can see whatever OBC you got for your booking somewhere online? I thought I remember seeing it on the last cruise on the reservation somewhere, but I'm not seeing it under my login now. Thanks in advance for any replies. PS: I have read on threads that you can take your own soda/water on at embarkation and from ports. Do they really check how much? Princess says 2 packs per person, but they never actually check.

From the conversation, I assume anyone at 1mb or lower is on basic, and anyone getting a higher speed is on premium. I guess they know that 1mb is good enough for web and email traffic, and lock it down there. I will have it because I do need to keep in touch with my work, but these prices are outrageous for what you are getting.

Is this on the app or the website? I can't find a Cruise Planner on the website at all. I assumed it would be under manage reservation, but don't see anything about payment or OBC anywhere. Can you be more specific? Does it only show up after final payment or something?

Thanks for that. We are the same. Go to few shows and just like to go back to the cabin and relax. I will bring some dvds and download some Netflix offline stuff. We love the options on Princess.