Jimmys Chippy

Unable to understand why anyone would want to give Princess money before they have to at the end of the cruise.?????????????

If this is in response to my pre-purchasing of drinks packages, I do so because I don't want to mess around at the pier filling in forms and signing stuff then being given three souvenier cups to which I have to try and stuff into my bag somehow. Also I have $300 OBC, that will cover all gratuities, so all my drinks and tips are now taken care of which means I could actually leave the ship without owing anyone a single penny. It's how I choose to do my business which means at the age of 42 I have gone through my life without owing anyone anything (apart from my mortgage which is now paid off).

I sleep well at nights.

:)

Drinks packages sorted, I've decided to live dangerously and opted for the soft drinks package which includes milkshakes and mocktails, I'm on my holidays after all.

Thanks Crotchetcruise and Pam In Ca for your help.

I have already purchased the PrePaid Gratuities for my B2B on Royal Princess this coming December. The way it shows up when you get aboard and check your onboard account is a 'negative' dollar value (credit), and they will still 'charge' the daily gratuity amount, but since you have already been 'credited' the total value of that cruises gratuities it equals out at the end of the cruise. Also don't forget to have Princess Cruises send you an email confirmation. Here is a screen shot of mine off of my iPhone:

 

 

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Can drinks packages and coffee cards be purchased before travel? I always try to cut down on the amount of faffing about before boarding.

When in Olden take the service bus to the glacier (£10ish return) instead of the ship's tour (£60ish return). Both buses follow the same route and pick you up right next to the ship, the only difference is that you don't get a waffle and a coffee on the service bus.

You won't get any help from the people in the tourist information office as they try to deny the service bus exists and try to get you to take a taxi, but the bus is real and our driver stopped the bus a couple of times to take photos of us (there was only us on it!). All in all this option saved us around £140.

Bergen and Stavanger are easy to places to see as the ship's dock centrally and don't require an excursion in my opinion as there's lots to see and do.