chisoxfan

5 minutes ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

I just used my Green card with the AMEX offer ($350 off $1200 for me) to make payment on an existing reservation with a prominent online cruise agency. A few minutes later, I got an email from AMEX congratulating me on using my HAL offer, which is usually what happens when I redeem an offer. I will watch for the payment to post. My Vacation is ready to go…

That's what you want to see.... immediate confirmation of your credit. Otherwise you have to call and 'roll the dice'.

I don't think this should be a problem but the terms are 'confusing'.

 Valid only for reservations and any additional purchases booked at the time of initial reservation purchase.

Based on these terms I think you would be excluded. That said I had added a payment after initial reservation some months ago (similar offer), did not get credit, but went back to AMEX and they eventually applied a credit even though by my reading of terms ????? I guess you could argue additional money was for reservations?  Frustrating as they only offer to certain cards (I was years with Platinum and Gold and never got any). One year with Plat I called and they said no worry we rotate the offers and you will get it soon- never happened.

So I will probably add an additional 1000 payment (through big box TA) and see what happens. 

These offers in my mind are a hassle. There is enough money involved that you want to take advantage but if you don't qualify it is frustrating. Not sure the offer (intention I am sure) would cause me to make a new booking so what does it accomplish?

EDIT I should add that my offer on Blue Card was 300 for 1000.

3 minutes ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings chisoxfan:

I do not know of any CC equivilent for bus tours; googling came up with many sites with reviews, but the sites were affiliated with tour sales. Rick Steves is a more neutral source of reviews.

Have not done a River cruise, will do so in the future. Will sail in June when the water levels are lowering from their peak spring runoff. Will try one and see, all one can do.

One of the greatest land trips I have done was the Mighty Train, the Glacier Express, up to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn. Working on a River cruise with a land trip with the Glacier Express and then over to north Italy.

 

I agree with you that if you want to Really see a place, the land tours are great for that. Cruising has its place but it is a drive by - AND - with the cruising priority to shorten ports for "environmental" reasons and the seeming increase in cancelled ports - cruising is not a priority for my family or friends now. 

Hoping you wonderful travel experiences ahead.

Blessings.

 

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Cruising has become an 'all inclusive' resort for us and maybe we are getting a bit 'lazy' in our old age but as you said it is less of a tool to really see other cultures. Cruising is 'easy' and being on the water is always a joy.  As much as we (I) complain about pricing it can be an enticing value. I don't see us travelling (as Mr. Steves espouses when he is not on his private plane) with three pairs of shorts and one khaki pant in a backpack for three weeks but hoping to compromise with some adventure and creature comforts (which most of us have become accustomed to).  That said,  despite complaining about air travel/TSA (my pet peeve), no butlers in the suites, excluded wines on packages, etc. etc. we are a blessed generation to have this unique travel opportunity and shame on us if we do not take advantage in ways that appeal to each of us.

37 minutes ago, QuestionEverything said:

Greetings Gracie115.

I have not get used Insight tours, but looking that their offerings for next year. Your tour for Switz, Bavaria and Austria sounds Fab. Hoping they include a trip on the Mighty Train, the Glacier Express, up to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn.

The said poster who is scoffing at land tours appears to be a cheerleader, maybe paid, for Celebrity. Rather sad to have such a closed mind to river cruises, land tours; there is a big world of travel options out there - I have done most.

Safe travels and I hope the sun is out on the Matterhorn - I only got a 3/4 view!

 

We are considering a land based tour(s) also just because it offers the ability to see more of a country ie. want to spend more time in UK and cruises seem to just hit the same ports.  With all the talk of tour companies just wondering if there are sources (ie. cruise critic for tour companies)  for info as I find the discussion interesting.

Just a comment on river cruises... had intended to do one but on researching just don't think it is for us. Ship too small (personal preference), regimented dining times, limited bars and restaurants, and my biggest fear... water levels that can massively change the intended experience.  Just reasons we have ruled it out for now.

The Alps is a great case in point for a land tour, such beautiful scenery, and quaint towns and inns... We had a Holy Land cruise set for last year (cancelled of course) and I had been dreading long bus rides back and forth to ship and limited days to explore this amazing area. We vowed then that when (hopefully) we finally go there it will be doing a land based tour.

21 hours ago, C4HCG said:

What’s “bad music”? All very subjective, you like Rolling Stones, not for me at all. We just got off the Edge and a house band there, Essence Quartet, absolutely brilliant, you would probably hate them, your loud bad music.

I was responding to poster who suggested someone found the E class 'loud' and implied it was because he was old. My response (as a senior) was that I like good music that can be loud and cited the fact that I booked HAL precisely because of good live music in BB Kings and Rolling Stone (a venue not 24/7 RS music).  Every cruise is different but on Apex and Ascent the house bands played 'live' through a mixing station (with full time operator) and (I believe) recorded backing. The sound was flat and sounded more like processed music. When we went to a jazz performance with the house band it was a totally different vibrant sound that live music should provide. There was an amazing performer on Apex doing Billy Joel in the atrium (he only performed twice) and I would gladly go every night to see him if offered. I like rock , blues, classical, and folk and if it is good it can be loud and enjoy music enough that I would pick a cruise partially based on it. It's difficult to find live music on land and it is a treat when cruising to find it which is why I am so dissapointed (subjective of course) to see marginal artists regardless of music category.JMHO

12 hours ago, cue881 said:

As I understand it, the two vloggers were asked to stop filming because a guest in the Yacht Club didn't want to risk being filmed on the cruise.   It immediately made me think someone was cheating on their spouse and didn't want any evidence being recorded!  Who knows?  There are plenty of videos on YouTube recently so I do not believe MSC had banned filming.

Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.William Shakespeare 

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

It will be interesting.  Right now the ships are filled, but future bookings into next year?  Maybe not as much.  Credit card debt is at an all-time high.  But even more important - the delinquency rate on credit card payments is also going up considerably.  So can people keep continuing with the attitude of live now as tomorrow is not guaranteed?  That's fine if you can afford it.  Apparently many people actually can't but are spending wildly anyway.  Sorry folks, but if you're looking for that debt to be eliminated by the government I think you will have a very long wait.  It has to catch up to them sooner or later.  I'm hoping for sooner!  

Agree totally with your assessment and share your thoughts on a debt driven economy but..... some of us oldsters (a significant cruise segment) who have saved for a lifetime and have provided for our grown children look to travel in our retirement.  Don't really need a new Rolex or more jewelry for the wife but the chance to travel is as they say 'priceless'.  Interesting thought also is that higher current interest rates (no thanks to the central planners just a return to historical norms) are generating some returns for savers with cash. So I can see a continuing demand from cruisers who are older and have some funds and want to fill their retirement with travel. I would agree that mainstream cruising will see a downturn soon based on the economy, disposable income, and debt.

While we will look for relative value when cruising we will likely do more while we can and like you (without wishing ill to anyone) look forward to more aggressive pricing in the future with additional cruise capacity and need for cruiselines to satisfy debt loads.

On 5/17/2024 at 9:08 AM, RMac713 said:

I've been on Beyond and Ascent with another Beyond this summer.  I have been in suites so I really enjoy the E class.  My suite trip on Equinox was not so special because there is no retreat pool deck.  I've booked Reflection 4 night in a concierge this fall so I will see how that goes.  But if I travel in Retreat again it will have to be E class.

 

Agree Retreat is a decent product on E Class. But a terrible value on X currently and inconsistent service/ ammenities. Am going back to MSC YC next year and will try new Princess Sphere class suites also. It will be interesting how things shake out in the large ship suite world.

11 hours ago, avonlady6390 said:

My cruise on the sun is this November 30th and I just checked and could make a reservation for spellbound although we're not planning to do it but for those that are make sure you check different days because if you just look at the first day it was not available.

I check the app occassionally and no dining or Spellbound yet for early Jan 25 cruise.  As stated my frustration is that corporate (one rep and a supervisor) say they will not be availale for 90 days and posters have had a different expererience. My only conclusion is that there is no clear communicated timetable for release of dates (somebody at Princess must have a clue but they aren't telling) and it will be incumbent on the passenger to dutifully check the app.

13 hours ago, KLM3164 said:

We were able to book SD reservations 6 months in advance. Our cruise is 11/2/24 and we booked all SD reservations on 5/7. For Spellbound we booked on 3/22 when the reservations were open for a few hours one night. 

Appreciate the feedback but still in a quandry when Princess (two) people say '90 days in advance' I can read the writing on the wall here as I told the rep..... I will follow their lead and 90 days before will look to book Spellbound and dining..... sorry sir everything is booked..... Oh we are sorry you did not have better info....   I don't think I should have to spend every day trying to make some simple reservations.  As Platinum and staying in suite (not pulling rank because I did not even know I was Platinum) all I was seeking was definitive info on when I can book and yes my expectation is that I should have an opportunity to do so prior to the general booking time.

25 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Reading this thread, I can see why Celebrity made the E class different...they can't keep catering to an older and older crowd.  

 

Complaints about music etc...younger folks like music...I'm 60 and I like to hear music around the pool etc...at my house, there is music going around my pool when I'm out there...

 

They do have the solarium on these ships if you want tranquility...puts me to sleep.  

 

Choices are good..glad Celebrity made this one.  

Sorry, don't buy the 'old guy' doesn't get it. Hear this always when tech fails (which it often does) I don't love tech but understand it as well as any user should be expected to (don't get me started).  We aren't fans of the E Class but have booked HAL precisley because of good LOUD live music.....BB Kings /Rolling Stone....bring it on. Just don't need loud bad music as we experienced on two E Class cruises.  JMHO

Post piqued my interest. Is there any reason for YC passenger to visit Aurea sundeck area.... on Seascape is it adjacent and perhaps more loungers?

1 hour ago, 555 said:

Not quite the perceived value if someone has either of the drink packages. 

The same can be said for specialty dining of course ie. you have paid for meals. It is what it is. At least Princess does not appear to add a gratuity to the experience as most cruise lines do with specialty dining. 

12 minutes ago, 555 said:

Of course they're counting on people such as yourself to experience it at least one time. I'm almost positive if they could sell it to 40 to 50% of their cruisers at least once it would be a money maker even at &149 p/p.

I think we'll give it a hard pass. 

Obviously we are all free to spend our money in the way we see fit. Coming off of Ascent some specialty restaurants were 129-179 pp plus gratuity. Not my value cup of tea. Spellbound, with a small venue with (what looks) to be very unique drinks, on-going entertainment, dinner, and an intimate show, doesn't seem so outrageous in price. I personally question the value propositions of art auctions, on-board jewelers, and most spa services but they are cruise ship staples because they make money and remain popular. 

Just curious..... has anyone ever been contacted by X as a result of comments or scores given on a survey?

14 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

We were hoping for a show & drinks that we would pay 49pp for, similar to what is charged at specialty dinners.  An extra 200 on top of that for a meal puts it out of what we deem reasonable.

The drinks I've seen on YouTube do seem to be really nice though.

We knew this venue was 149 and I agree that this really stretches the pricing boundary (we just got off X Ascent and there were several specialty dining options that were over 100 pp).Because it is so unique will probably try it once..... reminds me perhaps of the ice bar 'fad' which we first experienced on Epic many years ago... once and done in that case.

59 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Not sure why you're encountering issues, given your Platinum, etc 

 

As I noted, I've booked MDR and specialty dining for my Dec and early Jan cruises.. 

Spellbound is not available yet - it comes and goes for whatever reason, with every update. I'm not worried about getting a night though as it's twice a night every night and it's very niche (and pricey, for Princess) and not appealing to a majority for whatever reason.  By then, the bloom will be off, so to speak, lol...

 

Dinner reservations really aren't necessary, BTW.. walk-ins are completely easy and welcome..and there's also 2 set dining times, if that's more your speed. 

 

As a massive MSc fan, and a regular X cruiser also, overall, Princess is our go to for easy cruising - but the Sun launch and subsequent changes are a debacle of epic proportions. It's unbelievable that, within less than 2 months of launching, they're making massive changes to cabin categories and inclusions, deck spaces, etc. That, almost three months in, there's still several venues not open..that, for a ship of this size, the theater sits 1000 and the Done only seats approximately 230. And shows are only twice a night!  That there's only 2 casual dining (and they're small!), but 7 specialty - and the specialty is more expensive than other ships! 

Overall, we're looking forward to our cruise, but yeah - it's a major departure, and a headache.   I'm not even going to look at it again til we're within a month of final payment, it's just overwhelming!

 

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, once aboard.....😉

It wasn't clear (to me) in your earlier post that you had made reservations for dining on Sun. If that is the case the fact that I cannot do this speaking directly to Princess (and a supervisor)  is even more confusing.  We can agree that Princess has mucked up this Sun intoduction.

Just got off the phone with Princess. Was not trying to reinvent the wheel but simply reserve some specialty dining. I found I was a Platinum so should have option to do this well in advance (had waited patiently on app to try and do this). I was told that Sun dining (and I assume Spellbound) could only be made 90 days out (platinum, elite or suite) - no logical reason for this just 'sorry for the confusion'. At this point nothing Princess comes up with for the Sun would surprise me.

Well apparently everything Sun remains a mystery. I called Princess and spoke to a manager and while I (as a Platinum) can book specialty dining in advance on every other ship in the fleet this does not hold true for the Sun (nobody seems to know why) . So you can book 90 days in advance. 

Very frustrated to waste my time on this. I was looking at Princess suite on Sphere class as an alternative to X and MSC but there already (a few months later) are so many changes and confusion I may just give up on them.  

17 hours ago, reedprincess said:

If you're not Platinum or Elite, then after you've made final payment.

 

I can currently make reservations for my Dec and Jan cruises, but am Elite..  

Thanks for that. I am Platinum but nothing shows up in my app.....I guess I can reach out to my box store TA which used to be easy but now a bit frustrating. 

When would it be normal to book specialty dining and Spellbound? We have the newest Princess app installed (nothing yet)and will be staying in a Sanctuary suite.Cruise is in Jan. 25. 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

19 hours ago, 39august said:

Elite Plus, so have some experiences for comparisons. What we liked about Beyond: Eden, Oceanview Cafe, 4 MDR experience, and the Infinite Veranda cabin.. Of course, it's not a veranda at all, but a mini sun room. There is actually more storage space in the closet than pictures seem to show. The staff was incredible ship wide. That's it. The ship was loud over all and very dark in some areas such as  WCB. Craft Social is ridiculously small for such a large ship. A lot of areas encouraged use of stairs. Those at the Martini Bar seemed dangerous. And speaking of dangerous, who in the heck thought that dark maze approach to Eden was a good idea?! If no one has been badly injured there, I am surprised! Shows were strong on effects with the amazing lights and screens. however, only 2 production shows each of our two back to back cruises. Using acrobatics in all shows seemed redundant. Seemed as if every time I wanted to take a drink into the Club,to escape the noise of Craft Social,  it was not open. Just didn't like the layout of the ship and the noise. Have Eclipse, Reflection and Silhoutte booked for the future. 

Agreement here, bizarre entrance to Eden, while it is great to try 'new things' ship space is valuable and could be used to much better effect. While on the subject we did not get Eden at all. There is an interesting space on second level looking out aft but when you enter Eden during evening you don't see it and regardless access is a bit challenging (live music was terrible in my opinion.... a violin and guitar combo just doesn't cut it). So a huge waste of space IMHO. Although we stayed in Retreat we will not do Edge class again. We though S class ships were the best design at sea but like all of us they are getting old so not lining up for these either.  Other lines have perhaps been more innovative to our tastes moving forward.

I would agree with your logic particularly since you are on an S class ship. Our main (only) reason for booking Retreat was also the pool and sundeck on E class. On S class it just doesn't offer as much particularly on warm weather cruises or those with intense itineraries. Just curious as to why you would not book AQ as this was our go to on S class (subject to pricing of course). We are doing something similar next Jan. ie we will be in suite on Sun Princess go to a balacony on HAL (with Orange Club) and then go to YC. We certainly aren't 'dreading our balcony room on HAL. X Retreat has lost it's luster for us due to pricing and inconsistencies in product.

On 5/7/2024 at 8:33 PM, capriccio said:

What I am anticipating, unfortunately, is that Princess will turn both restaurants into the current Reserve format of MDR menus at breakfast and lunch plus one special dish at dinner. 

 

If that happens the suite passengers will lose the current suite breakfasts and the promised unique dinner menus.  Just another diminution of the originally promised Signature suite experience.

I cannot believe how botched up this 'introduction' to what are now Sanctuary cabins has been. 

I guess some of us who booked previously can take solace in the 50% overnight price increaase that took place. That said, we were excited about and applauded Princess for the long term prospect of offering more reasonable pricing in a dedicated area which now seems dashed.  We will watch with interest (and perhaps some trepidation) as the reviews from the new Sanctuary filter in.

Frankly after two Retreat cruises outlined above we booked another YC on MSC. I reviewed current YC benefits to refresh my recollection of last cruise(s). So you have a butler who stocks your mini bar daily, escorts you to theater shows (there was a reserved section on X but nothing special). Escorted boarding on embarkation (X had an OK lounge area but otherwise you are on your own), dedicated area on private island (did not go to X PI but understand there is nothing special for suite guests). Access to Thermal suites for YC. At no time in X Retreat did I feel 'special' ie. there was no apparent advantage in booking excursions or specialty dining. On Apex there were some very appreciated service people who we thought displayed the Retreat norm only to find out on Ascent that maybe this standard was not to be expected X wide. For my money the YC experience provided so much more value than Retreat. Interested to see how Princess executes their Sanctuary experience on the Sun.