blkspy

We prepaid our gratuities for the Royal for March/April, and there was no mention of it on the account, nor were we charged the daily hotel charge.

I had the same experience. I asked about it and was told, since I prepaid...it wont show on my bill at all. That was fine with me.

I always slip my Steward an extra $20. Only he and I know he received it. Its done in private. I truly hope he keeps it--its meant for him. Not looking to get into a debate about honesty. Just that I give something extra.

Can only speak to Delta and United. I book EZair and monitor their prices till final payment. I also monitor the seating chart for my flights to make sure the Comfort Plus seats are not being taken. So far there has been plenty of choices left when my final payment is due. When I select my flight, I will also select regular coach seats and Have Princess add those seats to my flight booking. Delta and United will not let me select or pay for the Comfort Plus seats until the flights have been ticketed. I Made final payment on 26 April for Cruise and the Delta flight that is on 4 August. Today I faxed in my request for early ticketing to Princess. Once Princess issues the "real" ticket I will not be able to take advantage of any lower prices that might occur. I will check with Princess in a few days to see if the tickets have been issued. Once they are, I will call Delta and select and pay for the ComfornPlus seats.

Sounds reasonable. Thanks. You've explained things nicely. :)

I am such a control freak, that I prefer to purchase tickets with airlines directly-- the one time I booked with Expedia to save $20- They screwed up my seating so badly-- bottom line- never again----

 

OK: For those of you in the know: We always fly either Jet Blue or Delta. We also will only fly comfort plus/extra space, whatever the most comfortable in coach- can't stand being squooshed---- Here is what I am trying to understand, should we use ez air----

From above comments: If using ez air, it is better to do flexible fare and check constantly to rebook as fair goes down in price? But if booking comfort plus, it requires paying upfront, so that you can choose your seats on Delta website? I'm real picky and want to pick the seats as soon as flight is shown. On Delta website, how do you do this, as it says you need to purchase comfort seats directly- no upgrade from cheaper seats?

It seems from comments, that the ez air is only easier if booking the cheap seats or business class? I understand that often the prices are less with ez air, but not always, and should compare prices direct, etc.

I always flew jetblue and purchased the extra legroom seats. Im 6'3" tall. Now I love EZ Air. The flexable pricing is wonderful. If you monitor the pricing as I do--you can beat anything found on airline sites. I have free money left in my jetblue account. Its use or lose, I'll probably lose it.

Not only do I like the EZ Air pricing, I like the locked in pricing without payment upfront. And as you know when you see the price you like, you don't need to monitor any more....Why not then call the airline and pay the extra $$ for the roomy seat you prefer? My 2 cruises this year using EZ Air savings allowed me to pay for my gratuities. You'll have a airline booking number, you should be able to pay for a seat upgrade. Most 'extra room' seats on 3 hour or less flights don't usually book quickly......Just my opinion.....Happy sailing.

For our upcoming European cruise I got round trip Atlanta, Barcelona Spain, Rome, Italy, Atlanta for $523.00 per person. A whole lot cheaper than Kayak

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As stated earlier, ships departure at times is determined by Tides. Even if you are on a ships excursion. ....The ship will leave you......In this case, Princess will take care of ALL cost incurred in you catching up with the ship or getting home. Having said this.

There is NO tour, shopping disount or special booze found on ANY island (especially Nassau :eek:) worth you missing a ship. My basic rule is this.....If its a first time visit to a port I use the ships tour. If im comfortable with the port, ill do my own thing...BUT if the boarding time is 4:30pm. Im back no later than 2:30pm. There is Nothing worth missing the ship.

NOTHING ....

Happy Sailing Everyone :)

Mother's Day sale.

I agree.....Mothers Day week sale has offered great reductions the past 2 years. My Princess cruise consultant is prepared to reprice all my cruises to take advantage of sure to come reductions.

IMHO Princess isn't a big mystery regarding pricing. Most of us sail 4-6 times a year. Theres usually a july sale, winter sale, September sale, Mother's Day sale. Flash sales are what you need to keep an eye out for.....The current Casino rate is in effect until December 17th on cruises, combinable with most promotions.

Sail On.

Thanks for all the replies. I will just have to be patient and see what develops. Did look at the Quebec to Port Everglades but it did not fit our schedule.

Hi, the cruise is scheduled :) take a look at the Princess video on YouTube when you have time. Hope to see you onbard:)

There is NO EX sailing NY o FLL:eek: This cruise sails every year....we sailed to Houston in 2011 ONLY. There is a group of Cruse Critic members from all over the world who meet yearly on this very cruise. Our name is the 'RETREATERS'

Princess made a cruise long video of the activities organized by the Cruice Critic group such as Meet & Greet, Slot Pull, Beach Excursions, Dinners, Halloween Party. It was shown in the Princess Live Studio and included in the ships Reflections DVD. On YouTube the title is...

'Regal Princess October 2015 Halloween Cruise'

Princess has committed to a video for this year also. Take a look....its very nice.

The 2017 cruise is already listed with some booking sites for October 26, 2017. This cruise is a yearly tradition for many cruisers.

I think Princess knows exactly what they are doing. They are filling more cabins with those rules.

Yep.....an empty cabin can't drink, gamble or pay $39 for Curtis Stone. Heck :) if I could avoid giving at the casinos , move to Seattle, I could sail almost for free:cool:

As a lady, i would know nothing about that. And, yes, we dress for dinner every night. Not just formal nights.

 

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Lady's have it so much harder than we do..:)....put us in a pair of dockers and a polo shirt with shined shoes and we are ready for dinner. I too dress (as mentioned) for dinner nightly:)

I forgot that one, but I must be lucky because even before when I lined up with the lowly gold and blue card people I never waited real long.

You're were very lucky :) The last Sea day before docking from a Caribbean Cruise can see a huge line form. Most Elite members (at least I do) check their bill for unmade charges often instead of waiting for the last day to dispute something and standing on line.

Cunard's World Club gives two hours internet for Gold Members after only 20 cruise days. (Opening tier is Silver for those with fewer than 20 days).

If you live on the West coast, you can sail in a Suite as a solo for 2 one night cruises (3 points each) at a cost of $149 and be Platinum. Or, sail 8 over night cruises at prices as low as $39 and become Elite. Its the 'hole' in the way Princess allows you to move up the Loyalty ladder. Wouldn't be surprised if Princess eventually move to a 'Days at Sea', (not # of cruises) way to earn loyalty level only. That's for another conversation :).

There's some good stuff there. Laundry is nice for us especially if you have some sort of wardrobe misshap. Shoeshine is just silly. I think the wine tasting could be nice and the canapés on formal night are an interesting touch...

 

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May be its just me :) The mark of a well dressed man is a nice shined pair of shoes. I understand lots of people could care less about dressing up anywhere anymore. Ever see a man in a $500 suit or tux With scruffy shoes? Now--to me--thats silly :)

IMHO The best Princess perk is internet minutes for Platinum members after only 5 cruises is unheard of on other lines. OBC option for Elites would be nice....What if you dont drink alcohol or coffee.

The cruise is on the books as sailing on October 26, 2017. It will show up on the Princess website etc. During the Mothers day sail in a cpl weeks-if not sooner. It's the Regal again and the same ports as this years. This cruise has an amazing following--this will be my 6th year in a row for this sailing. Also Princess is committed to filming the onboard Cruise Critic group during the week for an addition to its Reflections DVD. Halloween party is Amazing.

Oh my, what's a cross dresser to do! Just kidding.

Im just waiting for a cabin steward to 'Mention my Unmentionables, in a conversation he has No Right to Mention' :eek: :) I need a cruise :D its been six weeks

Seriously, I send out what ever I wish that fits in the provided bag with the filled out receipt. NEVER has anyone questioned my items.....Mentionables or Unmentionables. The bottom line is this......If you put it in the regular wash at home--send it out......if you are nervous about a certain item--take it home and have your local cleaners do it.....or :) you can hand wash it yourself........Easy Breezey, Pick A Neezy.......how ever it goes :cool:

You do not get next day service. We got that in a suite. But, we have never gotten it traveling as elite members, unless there weren't many elites on board. In a suite, you get next day service, regardless.

My rule for laundry is simple....If it can go into the regular wash at home--I send it out in the morning. ...If id dry clean it at home--thats what I do--I take it home and send it to my trusted dry cleaners....Not the ships...

IMHO ....The number of Elites is a load of junk.when it cimes to getting laundry back....ive sailed on the Royal and Regal ...more than once, each...once getting items sent out on Monday. ..back on Friday. ....Once doing a B2B Royal to CB--500 Elites on Royal. ..700 plus on CB...I received my items the next day the entire cruise on the CB.....Matter of fact....I consistently send items out one morning and get them back with my turndown service the next day on Grand Class ships.......most recently on the Emerald last month.

This is my experience. ......maybe im just lucky. ...Never will I send out any thing other than laundry items...Had valuable slacks messed up....thats another story. ...Happy Sailing everyone

I'd email the casino department now. Include your name, captain's circle number and a copy of the letter you received. I don't think the Captain's Circle rep can help with that. At least if you reach out to them now you'll know! They were super nice to work with!

I already did that first........I also contacted Carnival Corp. I was told my October 6th cutoff date was a firm date. I do understand if I want a different result, all I need to do is call back 10 minutes later:)

Not stressing it...just wanted to give my experience with Casino Cash. My NEW focus is to end my casino play :) it will allow me to cruise more, being that last month I lost :eek: more than the cruise cost. That'll teach them and hopefully I've learned also:D

Happy cruising to all.

I received the same offer on the last night of my cruise on the Royal Princess in January. I spoke with the Casino Manager and she advised me to contract the casino program directly. The email address is: casino at princess dot com

I wrote to them because I already had a cruise booked (Regal Princess in June). I sent them a copy of the letter and all of my information. After several email exchanges they confirmed that they could give me the offer for my June cruise.

Moral of the story...it never hurts to ask!!!

 

Good luck!

My offer had to be booked between March 9th and April 9th for a sailing by October 6th. My next cruise departs October 27th :eek: I was told to check with the Captain Circle Rep. Once I get onboard.....maybe they'll give me some of the credit. ...Can't hurt.

We are thinking of using ez air for our Feb. 2017 cruise as our airline of choice has stopped flying to Ft. Lauderdale. Just want to make sure I am understanding how it works.

 

1. You don't pay for flight until cruise final payment?

2. Can cancel/change flight up to 45 days prior to flight?

3. Princess assumes responsibility to get you to ship in case of airline delay?

4. Are you able to pick your seats at booking?

5. Can you pay for bags at final payment, go to airline website or pay at airport?

Hi Mama......Yes to the first 4.....you can pay for your bags on the airlines website or at the airport.

Are you sailing on the CB to the ABC Islands, February 11th ?

If you'd like to be in a Princess made video of Cruise Critic Cruisers. Sail on the October 27, 2016 Regal Princess. Princess plans to repeat the Documentation of Cruise Critic members onboard...with an emphasis on the Diversity of its members and where they are from. Maybe, the same will be done on upcoming sailings of others.

The answer is YES they do....at least on the Regal Princess they are a BIG fan of Cruise Critic. Take a look at the Video Princess did of the CC group posted on YOUTUBE..

The title is..

"Regal Princess October 2015 Halloween Cruise"

It's a great advertisement of Cruise Critic and what is done on these Roll Calls. :)

It was produced entirely by Princess and premiered in the Princess Live Studio and included in the ships Reflection Video.

I can see why that would keep you off of the newer ships.

To put this in more dollars and cents. With my Casino rate. I booked a 6 night Western Caribbean cruise on the CB for just $331 per (free Steam room) Just 33% more for the entire cruse than the Royal/Regal Enclave. Mind boggling.

Not sure who you asked, but if this happens to you again, ask the Maitre 'd or your headwaiter. They can influence what can be made.

I do understand this.....my point is, it shouldn't have to be done. Its a complete lack of caring . Diabetes isn't thought of as a major issue --yet---in many venues....some small local stores dont even stock diet (sugar free) sodas. Diet Is still viewed as for weight loss, not sugar free.

Remember when Princess had the mid day dessert displays on deck? People would take the Sugar free limited desserts because they LOOKED nice.

I don't like it...but im used to it.......The NY Cheese cake is always available. I just dont eat the Strawberries :)

I once sailed on a RCL ship and was informed there was NO sugar free dessert for dinner one night.

I can agree with everything you say. Although we don't use the steam rooms I would never pay for their use on the Royal or Regal even if I had the extra credit to burn. I personally just don't like them.

Actually the Steam rooms helps me maintain my sugar levels. A problem I have is the inflated pricing thats charged single users--my wife doesn't use the steam/sauna. Couples are charged $249 and singles $199. That is absolutely unfair.

This is the setup on Ruby and Crown, too. It's confusing because sometimes there will be one long line for both and sometimes it's split into two, one for ice cream and one for pizza. I guess they think if you want a hamburger for lunch, you should walk off the calories before you hike off to get dessert at the ice cream counter.

I knew there was a logical explanation to this set up :) Now if I can get them to serve a Sugar Free ice cream other than Chocolate. :D