capriccio

6 hours ago, LittleTinker said:

But cant you have this anyway without paying extra?

Pretty sure you can have room service breakfast in with the standard cruise package?

 

You can but you have to pay extra since the delivery charge isn't included in the standard package.  Get Ocean Now for a one time fee of $14.99 per person to cover delivery anywhere on the ship.

Here's the food and drink menus from last year to give you an idea (items may have changed and prices - for those that are extra - may have also):

https://profcruise.com/princess-oceannow-food-delivery-menu/

https://profcruise.com/princess-oceannow-beverage-menu/

Since your friends will have a car to transport you to downtown, take a look at the hotels in Dania Beach just south of the airport.  Further west and therefore less expensive is Plantation and most of the major chains have hotels there.

1 hour ago, vjmatty said:

So in other words, two “Sanctuary Class” dining rooms formerly known as Reserve and Signature? As long as the menus are the same hopefully it won’t matter which one is assigned. 

But if I remember correctly the Suite dining was advertised to be unique menus (not a single special dish as in reserve dining) and the current suite dining is offering a special breakfast menu similar to that offered in the designated specialty restaurant for suite passenger breakfasts on other Princess ships.  We booked a suite expecting different menus not the same.

11 minutes ago, techsearch said:

 And the plot thickens - I read everything you did and decided that the Premiere was NOT included. And then I logged into my Princess account and went to the summary page and then see the ‘options for upgrades’ and then I click on “learn more” next to Bev Packages and then a screen pops up and says - you have already purchased the Premier Package. Goodness. 

Ours still says ‘you have Plus.’

3 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Does your Travel Summary now state Premier package?

 

I purchased Plus with my Penthouse Suite and it is still Plus.  Absolutely no refund to me.

 

 

Same with us (an S9 with Plus).

14 minutes ago, justjan2 said:

With Chase Sapphire Preferred, if the cruise line offers travel insurance, then the Chase Sapphire card cannot be used for insurance.

I had never heard that so I googled it.  According to https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/travel-insurance-faq/

Does Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Travel Insurance Cover Cruises?

This part is a bit confusing, but yes. Chase’s benefits guide for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card states explicitly that cruise lines aren’t included in the definition of a “common carrier.” However, cruise lines are included in the definition of a “travel supplier.”

Why does this matter? Many of the trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits only apply to travel with a common carrier, which doesn’t include cruise lines. However, some benefits do apply to cruises. These include stolen luggage benefits or even canceling a trip if delays mean you’ll miss at least 20% of the trip or that you’ll miss the departure of your cruise ship.

The travel accident and injury benefits also apply while you’re cruising, but it’s worth noting that returning late to your cruise ship, only to find it’s left for the next island without you, isn’t a covered expense. You’ll be on your own for the costs of catching up to your ship.

46 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Sure nothing is absolute with Princess, but generally, the line with res is different than the line without res.

That has been our experience also in three cruises on three different Princess ships (Enchanted, Coral and Caribbean) post Covid including two in 2023.

Assuming you really are staying in MIA (the airport/airport area), that depends on how you define 'best.'  If cheapest is best, take tri-rail (https://www.tri-rail.com/) to FLL and then Uber/Lyft to Port Everglades.  If comfort and ability to schedule your departure time whenever your want is best, I would opt for Uber/Lyft directly to the port and you know the cost before you leave which is important if you get stuck in traffic.  My last choice would be a taxi because the price will be higher and much higher if you get stuck in traffic.

If you are staying in downtown Miami forget the tri-rail and go with Uber/Lyft.

6 hours ago, Les_Bill said:

I couldn’t agree more with Crown vs. Catch. You really are sitting in the back of the buffet at the Catch and the menu is about 60% of other ships. 

More than a decade ago we had our first cruise on the Sapphire Princess that has a similar setup for the Sterling Steakhouse.  The food was very good but on subsequent cruises on the Sapphire - which is one of our favorite ships - we've never even considered eating there again because there was absolutely no ambiance.  In fact it had negative ambiance.

I'm dumbfounded that Princess is making the same mistake with the new Sun class.

Lago Mar and the Pelican Grand are often mentioned (I'm a local so haven't stayed in either).  They are right on the beach unlike many of the pricey hotels on Fort Lauderdale beach that are across the street (A1A) from the beach.

https://lagomar.com/

https://www.pelicanbeach.com/

4 minutes ago, Mattsudds said:

As the ship steels down, my wuestion is whether the ship is not fully operational. From the things that were closed or unfinished on the maiden voyage, I would welcome updates. 
 

Arena theatre and shows - I think at least one show is up and running, are they all? 
spellbound - is this open? 
Deck 19 amusements - Is it open yet? 
the done, including the entertainment - up and running? 
love by Britto - is this o[en yet? Anyone seen a menu? 

Many of these questions were answered yesterday in @reedprincess's post #485 on this thread.

59 minutes ago, telecheck said:

I actually think that in addition to lowering the port fees, they should also reduce the fare a little bit. Generally, this 5-port itinerary is priced slightly higher than other similar 4-port itineraries. Now that the 5-port itinerary has become a 4-port itinerary, the fare should be adjusted accordingly. The issue is that Princess may not want to do that.

I think Princess, and all other cruise lines, would rather not cancel a port.  When doing so they lose the income from one of their biggest money makers:  ship's excursions.  Their costs increase significantly.  They need to feed lunch to all passengers because on a port day the MDRs are not open for lunch.  Adding lunch and filling the day with alternative on board entertainment and other events means big adjustments to on board staffing schedules can be an administrative challenge more so with a cancellation with little advance notice of course. 

28 minutes ago, Globaler said:

wow Princess has caused some major brand damage on this one.

Definitely amongst those of us paying close attention.  I  wonder how many Signature Suite passengers that don't read Cruise Critic or FB will be shocked when they board after October 14th at the changes to what they were promised.  There is an uproar now, imagine what the reactions when confronted with the changes upon boarding.

51 minutes ago, PensFan1028 said:

The best thing I learned from this thread is that MSC matches loyalty benefits! We have been cruising with Princess primarily, on the first half of our May B2B we will be elite.... the benefits have been completely depleted at this point that loyalty means nothing. Some of MSC's voyages and new ships look like they are worth a try, thanks for the push Princess!

 

Signing up for the Voyagers Club gives you a 5% discount and if early booking an OBC.  MSC sales are often 10% or 15% for members of the Voyagers Club.

If you are active or retired military, or a federal, state or local employee you are entitled to a 10% discount.

5 minutes ago, TRLD said:

As far as I have tried to find any example of the Sun completing a call on a tender port without success.

 

@Sox Fan Cruiser has first hand experience

1 hour ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

Yeah, Princess has been pulling out of Santorini because of the cable cars.  It's a mess when there are a few ships in port.  We were the only ship in port and things started to get tense with the people waiting in line.

 

But will STILL have never gotten and explanation for why they are skipping Kotor.  Very frustrating.

@Sox Fan Cruiser We were posting at the same time.  I was looking up the name of your great thread

9 minutes ago, Mark_K said:

Yes, my insurance covers overseas medical.  I read somewhere that your odds of needing a helicopter evacuation are something like once in every 10,000 cruises. I decided to take my chances.

It is not just for an evacuation from the ship since that is usually handled by the nearest country's coast guard.  It is for evacuation back to your home from hospitals anywhere in the world.  Obviously it doesn't happen frequently but when it does it can be more costly than medical charges.  Do some research here about medical evacuations here on Cruise Critic.   Put MedJet Assist in the search field and chose Everywhere.  You will get lots of information.  We use it and it is available on a trip basis or an annual policy.

1 hour ago, amurray88 said:

 My question was relating to if what is said on the website is played out on reality. 👌

Reality on one cruise on one ship at a specific time is just a single data point. We know enforcement can vary from ship to ship depending upon the current management.  But if it is in the T&Cs and is violated and you get called on it you don't have a leg to stand on.

3 hours ago, Mark_K said:

My SIL, the insurance agent, tells me you shouldn’t buy insurance if you can afford the loss.  I wouldn’t be cruising if I couldn’t afford it.

Does your medical insurance include overseas coverage and do you have medical evacuation coverage?  Those expenses are the big ones that many couldn't afford the loss. 

Just now, MacMadame said:

Given that the price of cruises go up over time, it's hard to say how much of that difference is for Premier and how much is the normal raising of prices that always happens, though.

That price difference is between January and April!  There is nothing ‘normal’ about a $2700 increase in less than 100 days.

8 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

The question is, will they give up their habit of booking Suites and drop down in protest or switch to another line?  Guests like me are certainly not chomping at the bit to fill ay void and snap up those expensive Suites.

For us the answer is, assuming we don’t cancel before final payment due to crowded conditions, this will be one and done with Princess suites.  We’ve had 2 great cruises in MSC’s Yacht club for the same price as this booking with more perks.  We will continue to sail Princess in our usual mini suites when sailing with my siblings and on special itineraries.

16 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I have two main observations/questions on this matter since Suite accommodations are not in our future (save for a freak Powerball or or Mega Millions win).

 

Several posters have mentioned how much the Suites and Minis included in the new Sanctuary badging have jumped in price.  On a pure math front, PCL has bundled in the Premier Cruise Fare package at $80/day.  They have also bundled in Sanctuary access (Sun/Star) which is $100/day.

 

Did the prices of these cabins jump more than $180/day?  Not withstanding perceived value of these new forced inclusions, any price increase beyond $180/day seems like gouging and not in line with the increased value-add.

 

IDK the interest of Suite and Mini guests for the Premier plan versus the Plus plan, but my impression from posts is several book it, but many don't see the added value of $20/day over the Plus.  I also wonder how many Suite guests have interest in Sanctuary since you get loungers and spacious balconies with Suites.  I am not sure I have read a high correlation here, so not sure if those guests who prefer to book Suites really want to be forced into the bundled extras.

Those of us who already have reservations in the Signature Suites are already paying for the Sanctuary (actually the formerly named Sun Deck that is now part of the Sanctuary Club).

Here's the difference for my S9 cabin between my

• booking made in January for two with the Plus package web price: Signature category S9 (deck 15): $2629 plus $153 taxes and fees per person (total = $5564)  (My TA charged $5164)
• booking for two today with the Premier package web price: Signature category S9 (deck 15):  $3979 plus $153 taxes and fees per person (total = $8264)

A difference of $2700 with the only additional benefit being $20 per day/per person ($280) for the Premier package is highway robbery.  Especially when it seems the Sanctuary and Restaurants may be much more crowded than originally planned.

16 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

Do they still offer the trike excursion (3-wheel motorcycles)?  It's been a few years since we did this, but it was fantastic. I don't believe it was offered through Princess. I think it was called Trike Tours Aruba. I would have to dig through some old posts. We drove all over Aruba. We also stopped at the lighthouse. There was a group of us, and we followed a tour guide.

 

 

 

We had a great time on that excursion in 2016.  We have a similar picture.  For that Christmas our son gave us t-shirts with the picture and "Born to Be Wild." 

They are still in business:  https://trikes-aruba.com/

15 minutes ago, hpeabody said:

customerrelations@princesscruises.com is what I have.

That's what I used successfully last summer.

The best place to start research on excursions is in the appropriate Ports of Call board.  For these ports go to https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/  for the islands and https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/  for the Canal ports.  On the latter board you will need to use the search function by port (upper right corner).  Good luck with your research,

21 minutes ago, dlca1 said:

Is there any feedback from those who have sailed on Sun Princess about noise level for deck 6 balcony rooms that are underneath the unlabeled space between Crown Grill and OMalley's (Deck 7)

 

I'm usually really careful about studying the deck map.  I rushed to grab the last two adjacent balconies and forgot to look around. I'm now worried because my wife is a light sleeper and gets grumpy if her sleep is disturbed by noise.

 

A good question (which I don't have the answer to) since that configuration looks like it is either a shared kitchen area or two distinct kitchens without the details in the diagram.  Another example of a large white space is between the Reserve and Signature Restaurants that has been identified as a shared kitchen.  If that is true in this case, neither Crown Grill nor O'Malley's serve breakfast so I would suspect little, if any, early morning noises.  I'm not sure what time dinner service ends in both restaurants and what you would consider too late.