goofy559

We've never been asked for ID for the kids to get back in the port area - just the adults.  As noted, a copy of the passport is a good idea, but likely unnecessary.

It is per item not per bag.  On longer cruises there may be a "per bag" special, but it is not the norm.  There is also a self-serve laundry facility on every deck with cabins.

Many are likely put off by ending their cruise in Russia...it likely isn't selling as well and they are trying to fill unsold cabins....

You could try booking the longer cruise and asking for a route deviation, which would allow you to leave the ship early.....not sure they'd go for it but it never hurts to ask

4 minutes ago, FSU Girl said:

I'm trying to decide when to book my hotel for my cruise in May leaving from Southampton. I'm going to spend 2 days in London before the cruise. I was thinking about doing a cruise transfer, but the hotels they have listed aren't ones I want to stay at. Is there a way for me to book the hotel I'd like and then go to the hotel they are picking up from? Or go to the airport? Or is it easier to just take a train from London to Southampton on our own? Using the Princess transfer seems like the easiest option, but I've never done any of this before so unsure.

Book your own hotel and book a transfer with Princess separately.  The have buses that leave from Victoria Coach Station.

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

We will be sailing in a Forward balcony cabin and a far-Forward inside cabin.

I am nervous about motion, as I have not sailed Forward, or that high, before!

Will we be fine, unless there are some pretty rough seas?

 

In the Caribbean, we have experienced the rougher sailing on the first night, as the ship clears Florida and crosses the Gulf Stream.

I am hoping it is not too bad this time!

 

What ship are you on?  On the Royal class ships there is very little motion....we've sailed there numerous times in rough seas and felt nearly nothing

Bringing food on board is not an issue - just make sure you eat it all as you cannot take it off.  Sounds delicious.

13 minutes ago, Pia1913 said:

Incorrect.  There are major steps and family preference is not one of them. Depends on which jurisdiction it occurs. Unfortunately  I know.  Personally.

Thanks for clarifiying that piece - I was going from memory from a ship tour.  Very sorry you have the experience to answer this question.  

37 minutes ago, Pagan said:

Hi there 

No, we really want to do the cruise and have already flown in to stay in Fremantle for a few days pre cruise. Yesterday things really ramped up on the offer front though, three different offers, culminating in this one - so if anyone had decided to wait out and see what more Princess would offer before accepting a Moveover then they  will have got an amazing deal. 

 

Special Free Cruise Offer ** DONT MISS OUT **

Princess is extending a special offer to guests booked on the 03 November 2018 Sun Princess sailing. Move from this cruise to any other Princess voyage up to 30 nights worldwide and receive:

* 100% of your cruise fare back as refundable onboard credit * Free Princess cruise up to 21 nights + either 3 night(C905) or 7 night (C906) * Complimentary upgrade pending availability * Up to $500.00 per person air change fees (EzAir protected) * Up to $1000.00 per person out of pocket expenses (receipts required) This offer is only available by calling 1300 300 621 in Australia or 0800 446 865 in New Zealand, but please act quickly as this offer will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. * Travel agencies will receive a $100.00 bonus commission per cabin if offer is accepted. Please note, cruise fare refund excludes Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses.

 

No matter how badly I wanted to cruise I would take this in a heartbeat.....amazing offer....free 30 day cruise plus free 21 day cruise plus free 3 or 7 night cruise......unreal!!!

33 minutes ago, grandmacruise said:

Thanks.  I figured it was US dollars but I was a little hopeful as more thinking’s are listed as Canadian. I guess I missed the disclaimer on the excursion page.  

Buy OBC in advance and use it to pay for your excursions in advance - just put an equal amount in each person's account.  The rate in cdn for buying OBC ($130 =$100USD) is the exchange rate in effect for any OBC you buy as well.  Given the weak CDN dollar right now, depending on when you booked, this can be a great deal.

Sad to say, not in Canada either...Their website says limited US markets....

18 minutes ago, voljeep said:

what is the advantage to pre-purchasing OBC and then using that to book excursions versus

just using that money/ credit card to book the excursions directly ?????

If you are Canadian, the exchange rate provided by Princess to buy OBC, prepay gratuities, etc is the rate they were charging at the time you booked.  Right now, 1USD costs $1.35 CDN   The OP booked when the rate was $1.25.  

4 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

Actually that's not accurate. If you pre-purchase enough OBC in each person's name, you can use that to pre-purchase shore excursions. I've done it for both of our 2019 Princess cruses. 

Good to know - I had been told the opposite but had never tried it as we very rarely book Princess excursions.

46 minutes ago, mrandmrsdd said:

Hi, if I buy 125can $ as I have the option on my booking, would that give me 100us $ obc to buy whatever including excursions or gratuity

thank you diane

Yes it would.  Given the low value of the canadian dollar we always buy extra OBC .  You can pre-pay your gratuities before you sail at the same rate, but NOT excursions.  You can use the OBC you buy to book excursions on board.

22 hours ago, WVBill said:

Is Share still there or did they change it back to Sabatini's?

 

Share was closed on our cruise right before dry dock

According to someone who just returned from the Ruby, Share is still there (and tasty as always!)

13 minutes ago, Kate45 said:

Thanks for the info. Can I call Princess and do this direct with them (we booked thru a travel agent). Our internet is not very good; we live in the country. I just don't want to get it half completed and have the Internet go wonky and either not have it completed or go thru twice.

Yes you can.  Just call the main princess number and they will direct you - i've had to call a few times as even with a good connection their site sometimes can't process my canadian CC.

It should show up on your account.  It usually takes an hour or two - you will also receive cards with the amount on it in your cabin.  If you have any left over, it will be sent via cheque in 4-6 weeks, or, you can visit the casino and get US cash on the last night.  If you cancel, you get it back.  We do this all the time to take advantage of the preferential exchange rate.

4 hours ago, Kate45 said:

Why do I need to buy for each of us? Isn't obc on an account that covers both of us (per stateroom)? Any cruises we've done in the past, we have 1 stateroom account but we are itemized separately. Can't I buy obc say of $400 US$ and use it to pay gratuities for both of us andsoda pkg for me?

The way the princess online systems "works" it will only use OBC if the person going on the excursion has some in their account.  Once onboard it doesn't matter.  As noted, gratuities and the soda package are already priced in canadian at the rate in effect when you booked so no need for OBC to buy those.

Also, any unusued OBC you may have purchased can be cashed out in the casino on the last night so that you have US cash for future travels.

For me this time around the value was negative. I wanted to move our 12 day cruise to the Sip and Sail. For 12 days the "value" of the package is $827.88 per person but Princess raised the price of my cabin by $500 per person the day the "sale" started. Not a bargain. Today the price is even higher. The 3 for Free price as of yesterday was $1,430 per person more than before the Sip and Sail price increase. The price of a balcony for the 12 day cruise is now $4,979 per person. What a "bargain"!

Holy crap - I paid less than that in Canadian for that cruise with sip and sail! Glad I booked when i did!

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If you can, spend a bit more on premium economy - much more leg room and better service. Also, as noted, get up a lot and walk around. Lots of water, and depending on your issue, an anti-inflammatory might be a good idea.

Depending where you are from the exchange rate when you prepay could be beneficial as well - we are Canadian and always prepay and buy obc to get the better exchange rate.

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Hey guys,

 

Cabin is D206. We did not get a new cabin or any compensation, at least not yet. I am honestly so tired of speaking with the people in guest service that I might just give up and try to enjoy rest of the cruise.

Forget guest services. Ask for the Hotel GM and don't leave until he comes out to talk to you. His name and photo are on the wall on deck 7 with all the other crew.

We have been doing the repositioning from NY to Ft Lauderdale for the past 7 years, and my DH, does not have a passport, nor wants to get one..but he does have an enhanced license, and has never been questioned....

This is a new requirement so what was previously allowed will no longer work. We have a closed loop panama canal cruise booked for December. We just received the notice that we will require a passport with at least 6 months left on it. So, don't assume that what worked before will work going forward.

L104 without question!

I'm currently wearing the Shinola watch I bought on board the Royal in December. It was on sale in the shop 30% off, plus I used my elite discount. Saw the same watch on my recent Grand cruise for full price! I had had my eye on a Shinola for quite a while so was very pleased. Came with the full warranty etc so no concerns there.

Checked there are three sets of stairs from Deck five to fourteen. Front , mid and aft .

Where did you check? They may show on the deck plans but having just sailed the grand mid February I can confirm the midship stairs stop at deck 7 - they are only available to passengers in an emergency

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