roadster08

I did write a lot and not all for a reason. Maybe Luxury is not the term everyone would use, but Princess is generally considered more upscale than lines like Carnival and RCL. It's reasonable that customers should be able to expect any addon services Princess offers are in kind.

The plus package includes a lot of box wines and $10 bottles of well drink liquors we stopped drinking once we got our first jobs after college. So, the only package they should be offering as a luxury line is the Premier.

Okay. I agree that when you show a server the web page that clearly states your drinks are covered up to 15 and they still decline to honor it , we should request to speak with the manager. If the manager still insists on the 12 max, however, I'm going to take my concerns to corporate.

His concerns are not without some merit. Using the medallion with GPS and charge tracking, Princess knows a lot about us. They know when we are in our cabin, for how long, and where we go when we leave the cabin. They know where we get our food and drink and how long it is between drinks and meals and snacks. It's tracking all our personal data about our entire cruise and yes, that data, combined with all the precruise data they collect about us, can be used to make decisions about future cruises with demographics on who their high margin customers are.

It's probably best to not lose a lot of vacation time arguing with employees on the ship. When everyone gets home, they can pursue it with Princess corporate and likely get a refund for the overcharges.

I used to have the same problem with my kids.

This discussion should be one of those stuck to the top of the forum (and a few of those already there need to be retired).

Well you could stop flirting with shower curtains.

Some cruisers mention watching Netflix via the ship wifi. Has anyone ever tried connecting a Roku streaming stick to the tv and wifi?

I thought it was hard core cruiser slang they use when they want to keep the conversation among themselves.

With all due respect, after we pass a new law in Austin, it is not part of the protocol for someone to stand up and say "Whoa, should we exempt cruise passengers that live in other countries from this? "

You're probably right, but my explanation is a lot funnier 😉

Perhaps they should play Bach's "Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor" while making one of those premium desserts.

The white sauce is probably a bechamel which is how Mamas from Tuscany might make Lasagna. One of my Grandmas was from a small village near Naples and she used ricotta. Never made anything with a bechamel sauce. I would not be surprised if there are even more variations on this dish.

A lot of you seem flummoxed by the Texas liquor laws. They are strict for a reason. We have a lot of guns. Guns and liquor don't mix. It's that simple.

Depends on the local city port but for Princess it appears that all of its Alaskan ports are charging sales tax now. The sales taxes were approved by the cities mostly since the COVID lockdown. Some only charge while docked, others charge while in their territorial waters as well. The ships are required to pay the sales tax and how they are collecting it is up to them. Many are passing it along to the passengers, but some may be paying it themselves.

I believe from what I read that the Alaskan port cities on Princess cruises are all charging sales tax now on drinks. The tax varies by city and should be around 5 to 7 percent per drink while in their waters and some just when anchored in the port. Many passed laws during the covid lockdown. Charge is over and above what is paid for a drink package and all cruise lines are required to pay them. Celebrity mentions possible additional taxes in their drink package offering. Don't recall it in Princess's.

Not intending to be an apologist for children who behave badly. Unfortunately, there is an Adderall shortage in the US now. Many kids normally on medication are not getting their regular full dose. I can quickly tell when my grandson is off medication. It's tragic to see parents trying everything to compensate for the missing medicine and nothing works.

Although red king Crab and snow crab seasons were cancelled, golden king crab is still allowed. So not the highly prized crab, but lesser king crab still available.

Sometimes I wonder why the buffet is treated differently than any other ship restaurant. Why is there not someone to greet you at the door and escort you to a table? Should at least be that way during crowded hours.

Rusty, that list of plus package wines is shocking, almost criminal. For a few listed, I can buy nearly 2 bottles locally for what Princess charges for one glass. The Premier options are much more realistic. Thinking the per glass premier upcharge would be worth it.

The world is changing my friend. I'm beginning to think it is changing at an even faster rate than it did in the 1960's -- and that was one wild ride, at least here in the US. Back to your point. Yes, like everything else, inflation is pushing up the cost of cruising. Some people who used to be able to cruise are reconsidering whether its still worth it. I don't like being told I have to tip an extra amount but for me it's maybe skipping a spa treatment or a specialty dinner. For the crew those increases could mean the difference between being able to continue affording their own home or being forced to live elsewhere. Cruising has always been a privilege as much as a right. I'm not criticizing nor judging you. All I'm suggesting is that you consider holding yourself to a higher standard when you enjoy your next cruise.

Agree I am exactly like you. The menu should say Lasagna, prepared X-style.

But what is Italian food? Every region in Italy has its own. Being of Italian heritage, I have always considered Italian food to be an invention of non Italians. There is Neapolitan cooking, Milanese cooking, Calabrese cooking, Bolognese cooking and dozens of others, but Italian cooking exists only in the minds of those outside of Italy. Italian-American cooking, however, now that does exist. It is pretty predictable anywhere in America or around the world.

We set an orange cone on the table we want and never have a problem with it or the table being stolen.