Redwing55

That's why we do it. We're flexible on cabin location and in the past it seemed like we'd book the lowest GTD and usually got bumped up to a higher cat. This even happened when a free balc. upgrade was part of the booking. We'd receive the upgrade cat when we booked. Then, more often than not, our eventually cabin would be in an even higher cat. Now, with the bidding exercise, I do wonder if those upgrades may go by the wayside. Time will tell. But yes, we book GTD as one can get the lowest fare with a chance to get a higher fared cabin.

I'm not complaining, but I thought they use to offer a fruit basket in most cabins. There would be a card in it and one would check what fruit they would like to see in it. Neither of the 2 cruises we've taken since July '22 had this.

You may be referring to me. I'm in that boat. And FWIW, I was randomly looking at another cruise while on one, just for grins. This was also before we were planning to go again. I too noticed that the differential from a no frills fare and the packages wound up being more than the $60/80/day. I blew it off at the time. Then we booked this 14 day and found a similar thing. But this time, I never actually saw this lower fare anywhere. It was lower than the Princess site.. quite a bit. I don't have an explanation other than my TA told me right off the bat that our fare is some special.. It was booked while the recent Best Every Sale was on... Late Feb '23. So she said I could get the PP, but the base fare would be higher and I couldn't add the package to my lower fare. She rebooks for me often, so I know she wasn't being lazy. We've been with her for years. And I don't know if this is boilerplate but this was part of our confirmation. "Please be advised this selected special promotion is not combinable with select discounts." It's this language that makes me think the my pricing is one that won't allow me to add the PP package.

I'm pretty much in that situation. We booked a 14 day cruise. TA mentioned that we had a special fare and that adding the those packages wasn't an option for that fare. I could get those packages, but then the fare would be higher. So, we passed on the packages and are taking that lower special fare. We had a bit of this discussion on another thread We were on the fence about getting the Plus package and this pushed us to "NO." We might think about seeing what would happen if we added on board as some have done. The cruise is in Feb '24

I think a reg. coffee is $1.50 or so. I'm like you in that regard. I like getting decaf in the evenings as DC has that caffeine. Not sure what to expect next time we cruise in Feb. but I hope it's different than what's going on now.

Curious, how do you know there is no price increase to your cruise fare? I only went as far as adding the upgrade, but I didn't go to the "pay" step. I did that due to that wording that ones fare may increase.. which my TA agreed (she also talked to Princess.) I admit, if we pull the trigger, I'll likely just wait until we get on board and add it then.

Not complaining. Just stating my experience.

I suspect this will be a net negative for Princess. That's why I'm wondering why they a killing the program. Reg. coffee isn't costly and the markup on the specialty ones is pretty good. So for me, it's that much less they'll be pulling our of my pocket. I do hope they offer some coffee package before we cruise again next year. One can hope.

Nothing to do with insurance. It's due to the fare we got. I just booked it last week and fare was less than the Best Ever Sale that was going on. (Sorry for hijacking the thread.) As Caribill and some others mentioned, maybe we'll get it on board... if it doesn't increase even more. Or maybe we'll just pass on it altogether since spouse doesn't drink and frankly, I'm not not a big drinker... though I do enjoy it.

I get the same thing. But then click on the upgrade price button. It shows the same price, but has this note: In some circumstances, package upgrades may increase your cruise fare. Please review your remaining balance on the Payment page or contact your travel advisor. I never can see remaining balance, but my TA confirmed w/ Princess that my increase would be like I described above... Increase in cruise fare that is.

Yes, I understand both prices for each package. BUT, my cabin fare goes up for me to be able to add the package. So no matter, if it's $60/day, $80/day or whatever/day, my cabin fare goes up first, THEN add in the cost of the package. So if my fare is say, $1500, Princess wants will change my fare to $1900 then allow me to add the package for the $60/day. I was told this when I booked it so I'm not surprised about it. I'm saving over $350/person over the published fare. So I would be charged over $700 first to get Princess Plus or Premier. Then add in the per day costs.

I'll keep watching. Our TA got us a rate that IF I want to have PP package, it winds up being an additional over $80/day. Apparantly the rate we have is lower (I agree it's much lower than what I can find) and to add the package, the cabin rate goes up. So, it's not that the package is more than $60/day but it's that they won't allow me to add the package to the rate we have. Odd IMO. We're on the fence anyway, so it'll be a savings for us to not purchase it, but I find it odd. Though if things stay as is, we may try to purchase the package once we're on board. But who knows what it may cost next Feb?

It'll always be Patters... no matter what is printed on it.

One of the best threads ever! Great idea. Frankly, all my improvements are listed so I'm tapped out. Still, I admit that although I enjoyed being disconnected while cruising, having internet is just so large a part of my life, that I'm glad it's available at a somewhat reasonable cost. I also think (?) that Princess has expanded the use the Piazza as great entertainment venue on most ships. I think that really kicked off with the Royal class of ships. Some may have issues with it, but I love the option for another entertainment/people watching venue.

I only read the last few pages, but I get how some are upset. And yes, I'm one of those that are frugal, so I'll just probably pick ours up at the terminal. But, I don't think that's doable if one wants a custom medallion. I collect mine and I like some of the custom options. It appears that one has to get it shipped to ones residence since I doubt they'd have the custom ones available at check-in. To those that have picked them them up at the terminal, is your name and date of cruise on the ring of the medallion? They are on the ones shipped out. Finally, minor point, but is it $10/person or total order. I suspect it's total as both of ours came in one package with the previous cruises. TIA

We just got off the Royal (Hawaii) and rarely found things crowded. Granted, I heard passenger count was like 2900. Still, things moved smoothly. And we had weather that closed off the Lido and Sun deck off and on so that limited public spaces too. Interesting comments on this "live" thread.

Try using the crew chat feature on the Medallion ap. Might be qucker.

We just got off the Royal.... still get a ticket with a number and "O" is delivered to the table.

My experience is different. I've given the numbers to my TA to pay for a cruise. I've used them to purchase OBCs. I've used them to pay for the bid for upgrade. No different than using a CC for me.

Hope you heat those pools up for us boarding in San Fran on Friday. More than likely, just wishful thinking on my part. Thanks for your "live" though!

Yes, I just used it for ours.

Just a curiosity. We'll be boarding her on her next cruise. I think the cruise director just left (Corrine Steele?). Can you share who your current Cruise director is? Glad you got off to a great start. Enjoy.

Maybe not the most applicable situation, but we took our son's family on a 7 day. At the time, our Granddaughter just turned 2 so she wasn't allowed to be left alone at the playhouse. We were able to go with her to play there from time to time, so that was a nice option. Even on a 7day cruise, we rarely saw other youngsters so I can't comment on the program. She did get some crafts and a stuffed animal so she loved that. We had the place to ourselves... good and bad, but at two a parent/guardian had to be with her anyway. I suspect yours may be the only young one. If not I wouldn't expect more than 1 or 2 at that. Still, as was mentioned in comments above, I've heard so many great things about the staff of Princess at the kids care. With so few, they'll love him. He sounds well socialized so I would expect that he'll have a blast. And as long as he's not a huge screamer (doesn't sound like it) expect tons of attention from other crew members and maybe a gma/gpa or two. So many actually miss the young ones. As for food, the MDR will try so hard to accommodate you. With us, they would handle any request and then some. Sometimes dinner can be long, but if you sit at your own table, they should move things along quicker. And if you don't want the long sitdown, the buffet is a winner. We were on the Sky which had a great buffet but was pre-covid but I hope you find your ship close to the Sky's. Suffice to say, my Gdaughter is a kind of finicky eater and she did great. And they were in a balcony (3 of them) and used the ship's pack in play set up in the closet area. Worked well.. It was also easy to keep it dark during the day if a nap was needed. Being 3, it should allow more pool access etc. You may want to bring some floatation assists if he can't swim. I could go on, but I suspect this should be a great experience for him. Really I do. He may not recall it when he gets older, but the exposure to things he'll see will be great for him. Enjoy and safe travels!

We bid when it opened (Right after final payment 90 days until departure.) Bid was accepted about 2 weeks before departure. I've read some bids were accepted within a day of submittal to a day before leaving! I don't believe there's a pattern there and it's cruise by cruise and even then, cabin by cabin.

Limbo lower now.. how low can you go? Just kidding. No. I didn't get a thing once I bid until it was accepted. However, if you want to change your mind, you can sign back in and raise or lower your bid though. Once it's accepted though, that's it.