Skai

Thank you for the information. So, Princess is not honoring the $15 limit, despite clearly stating it as currently included with the Plus Package when one looks at their Personalizer? Do they have a bunch of monkeys at the helm of their IT dept.? I'm curious as to the people that may be purchasing 'Drop & Go'/'Last-Minute' offers for sailings occuring before Feb 20th -- Are the packages being offered to them at the previous prices, or the updated prices, and if the latter, what are their drink price limits?

I would like first hand accounts before that date. There isn't a 'NEW' preceding the wording: Plus Beverage Package(drinks up to $15 each) that I have showing on my Personalizer for the Plus Package 'Purchased'. There is also no mention of any other exemptions in red specifying a different price limit for beverages.

(A) The first one (which introduced us to cruising) -- S. Caribbean, (RT) out of San Juan -- It's a shame Princess doesn't offer that itinerary anymore. (B) Well, besides the next one in a couple of weeks, the Total Solar Eclipse sailing in Apr. '24. (C) In addition to our first as a favorite, our second sailing -- French Polynesia, (RT) out of Papeete -- Again lamenting about itineraries that are no longer on offer. As for recent land-based trips -- The Philippines. (D) 8, so far.

Have you confirmed this, or is it your assumption? (Along with the OP)I too would like a definitive answer on this from anyone who is actually currently sailing under the recent promotion change. I'm set to sail in 2 weeks. When I look at the package on my Personalizer under 'Onboard Services' it reads: I read those green checkmarks and Purchased to imply that I will be entitled to every item stated on that list; including "(drinks up to $15 each)" on my sailing; with the only exemptions being those with "NEW" in the description. I'd rather not have to confront the beverage manager onboard about what seems to be clearly stated above.

I concur.

The traditional (believed to be invented in Jamaica)'Dirty Banana' recipe calls for Tia Maria dark coffee liqueur.

In our experience, dining for two, usually goes much quicker. We've grown to accept that the MDR is often a protracted event, but 2 1/2 hrs. is ridiculous. Even in efficiently run times, our experience has been that shared tables make the MDR dinner service take much longer. One is often dependent on how much time the other diners take to order their courses, and how long they take to finish each course. While there are occasions that we enjoy meeting and conversing with new table-mates; if we're looking for a more expedient MDR dinner service; we will opt to wait for a table-for-two (if not immediately available). Many a time, we've been forced to skip dessert at a shared table when wanting to catch a particular showtime.

We've sailed HAL only once. It was an Eastern Med. sailing, and I believe a perfect fit for trying out HAL. Being such a port-intensive sailing (12-day cruise w/ only one sea-day), we were mostly too wiped out by day's end to be concerned about onboard evening entertainment. We attended the BBQ Blues Club and a funny comedian a couple of the nights; missing out on the Lincoln Center Stage - which in retrospect, would have been nice to attend. Holland had an event night that we really enjoyed; an expansive Mediterranean themed buffet-spread; served on the rear deck. It was very good. We too found HAL to be slightly above Princess in the buffet/included casual-dining dept.; w/ a much better layout, decor and quality of offerings. One really nice touch was having live orchids on the tables. However, while the burgers on HAL are much better than Princess; enjoyers of pizza will be pretty disappointed on HAL. -- Princess clearly wins here. OF NOTE: We've yet to sail a Princess ship with the newer Lido World Fresh Marketplace design, so it would be interesting to experience something different than the cramped buffet design on the older ships. The MDR experience was pretty much the same on HAL in comparison to Princess. Good service, banquet quality fare. We did try the Pinnacle Grill, and found it to be a somewhat disappointing experience compared to the Crown Grill/Sterling Steakhouse -- where we've never had a bad meal. I'd be willing to chalk it up as it merely being a one-off bad night for the Pinnacle, but first impressions are pretty important. Where HAL really outshines Princess is cabins. Now, it's been a few years since our sailing, but at the time HAL had recently upgraded their beds and installed wall-mounted large screen direct-TV style sets on the wall. At the time, Princess was still using small corner-mounted TV sets, and we've never been too enamored with Princess beds. The HAL cabins were much more spacious; w/ a full couch in our inside cabin. This has been one bone of contention with Princess; the need to purchase a mini-suite (on most ships) for the same. The shower was also more spacious on HAL, w/ no disgusting clingy curtain to contend with. All in all, we really enjoy the Princess product. Of course, we've watched the gradual decline w/ cutbacks over the years, but we still find it to be a great value. We have fond memories being snuggled up in blankets on deck being served popcorn, cookies&milk while watching MUTS, memorable acts in the Explorer's Club; meeting and making connections with friendly co-passengers; winning BINGO jackpots etc. etc. etc. Going into our HAL sailing, there was somewhat of a preconcieved notion that we would be sailing with a bunch of octogenarians in a 'Hospice Care' type of environment. There were visions that our trip would consist of having to dodge the multitude of electric scooters in public venues/spaces. Yet, while we've usually been among the younger set on board most cruises, we didn't find that to be the case. Whereas, the average age onboard a Princess ship might be a couple years younger, it wasn't really that noticeable in that the median-age still felt the same, but perhaps there were a lot less younger families w/ kids/18-35 y.o. passengers onboard. We prefer sailing on mature ships. HAL felt classy and refined, and in some ways a slight step-up from Princess in some areas. The smaller amount of PAX also made the ship seem less crowded overall. We would absolutely sail HAL again; likely for a more port-intensive itinerary. Unless we were looking to really relax, we would probably opt for a different line for an itinerary with a lot of sea-days.

Nope. I would tell him, "Son, life doesn't always play out like one may hope it might. Many things in life reside outside of one's control. How one chooses to respond to adversity, and by focusing on what one can control; removes the temptation to concentrate on external circumstances as the justification for our own inadequacies. As deserving as one might feel, life owes us nothing. One can choose to be a victim of circumstance, or one can accept life's challenges. -- with the understanding that doing so will help one dedicate one's energy to growing stronger; gaining wisdom on one's journey, and not waiting for someone else to fix our problems. At times, life may throw a curveball; knock one down and scrape one up. It's important to pick oneself up, and then rub a little dirt in it. It will help one to grow a tougher skin, and eventually one may become calloused and leathered like your old man; capable of letting life's woes shed off like the water on a duck's back. Now go and do your chores."

That really sucks -- To be led to believe that one has won a Grand Prize, only to find out afterwards that they're ineligible. The ship's entertainment/casino staff apparently dropped the ball on that one. However, I'm not really sure what sort of compensation that you're expecting. An apology; an offer of a $100 OBC, and/or some comped specialty dining seems fairly reasonable.

The violence has occurred, and has been limited to in and around the city of Culiacan(135 miles/3 hrs. from Mazatlan). The airport that was affected was also in Culiacan. Mazatlan aiport was closed for one day by officials out of an abundance of caution. It has since reopened. It deserves to be stressed that the unrest that occured in the city of Culiacan is indeed a serious situation. Yet, to imply that it is also occuring in the city of Mazatlan is patently incorrect. https://globalnews.ca/news/9393029/sense-of-normalcy-mazatlan-cartel-violence-bc-travellers/ It's akin to advising people in San Diego, Seattle or Quebec City to hunker down because of violent riots that are occurring in Los Angeles, Portland or Montreal. Most of the violence in Mexico occurs outside of the areas where foreign tourists frequent. Yet, much akin to the U.S., it has at times strayed into popular areas frequented by tourists. Is it smart to rent a car and drive off willy-nilly into the mountains of Sinoloa as a gringo? It's not advised. However, sitting at a restaurant/bar in Zona Dorado, or Stone Island washing down some Ceviche, Aguachile or Pescado Zarandeado with some Margaritas or Pacificos... Odds are slim-to-none that any harm will befall one as a day-tripper off of a cruise ship; any more than could occur at any port of embarkation in the U.S. The cartels have no interest in attacking tourists. Their beef is with their rivals, and the Mexican government. Due to the importance of tourism to the Mexican economy, the Mexican government is very determined to keep cruise ship tourists as safe as possible in Mexico. Hence, it's why they make their presence so very visible while ships are in port.

As would I.😉

When I go to my 'Cruise Personalizer' to the 'Onboard Services' section and click on the UPGRADENOW button it shows that I have the Princess Plus 'Purchased' w/ the notification that: "New" items are not included in your current package. However, it does show under the Plus Beverage Package - (drinks up to $15 each). The way that I read that is we are now entitled to "drinks up to $15 each" under the package. The questions are: Have beverage prices been raised in-line with that limit increase, or are prices as they were before the changeover occured? If it is the latter, is the $15 limit (as stated below) being honored on current sailings?

My question is the same as the OP's (pertaining to anyone currently sailing under the revised Plus Beverage Package - 50). Is the $15 per drink limit currently being honored, and have drink prices increased to reflect the new packages yet? The way that I understand it is that the 'new items' aren't yet to be implemented until sailings after Feb. 20th, yet Princess has already upped the limit to $15 per drink for Plus Packages purchased before Dec. 20th. I.E. -- Under the old Plus Package, if I wanted an $18 glass of wine at dinner, I would be charged an additional $6 to do so. If the menu prices are still currently the same (as they were before the switchover), that same $18 glass of wine will now only cost me an additional $3 to purchase.

We booked our cruise (departing at the end of this month) on Dec. 8th. The change-over to the new packages/prices occured on Dec. 20th for packages purchased after that date going forward. Our package reads as the: 'Plus Beverage Package - 50' -- Drinks up to $15 each, but none of the new added perks(Premium Desserts, Fitness Class, Unlimited Juice Bar). As I read it... Since our cruise falls in between the window of the present and the implementation of the new packages for sailings after Feb. 20th(when drink prices are also expected to rise in-line); we will be entitled to drinks up to $15 under the current menu offerings/prices on our upcoming cruise departing in a few weeks.

Are Plus Package holders currently entitled to drinks up to $15 at current menu prices? -- A sort of transitional 'grandfathered-in' benefit before drink prices are (presumed to be) raised after February. There are a few spirits and cocktails that are currently priced in the $12-$15 range that were previously not included under the old package limit. So, is a 12 yr. Redbreast, or a 'Violet Cloud' from Crooners now on the table for those with the Plus Package sailing in January?

Carnival provides (sturdy) cribs. Call and request one for your cabin. We sailed Alaska this last summer in a balcony with our (just turned)2 y.o., and followed the advice of the below (linked)blog. We brought along magnetic hooks, and a 10' x 7' fabric shower curtain/drape -- (Configured the same, but more opaque than the one shown in this picture). It worked out great for us. http://www.teachermamma.com/the-blog/cruisin-tips

Thank you again for your help. One last query... When we were last in Castries, there was a water-taxi available shuttling people across to the other side of the harbor. IIRC, it was around $5(USD) pp. Is that water-taxi service still offered?

Thanks for the helpful response. We're in some ways, budget travelers. Not so much to imply that we're cheap or stingy, rather we prefer to stretch our hard-earned dollars; hoping to get the most 'bang for our buck'. We're also finding ourselves ever lagging behind with what we think things ought to/used to cost, versus what inflation currently dictates them to be.😏 It's with that reasoning that we prefer to utilize local public transportation whenever possible during travel. However, opting for taxis certainly comes into consideration when figuring for time, convenience and reliability. That all stated... In your opinion, would it be insulting(these days) to negotiate with a taxi-driver and offer $50(RT) w/ a set time to come pick us up? The distance is only around 6 miles/15 min., and I would imagine that traffic may be a little sleepier on a Sunday. Or might that be an invitation for scorn and ridicule?

Hi, Rather than start a new thread, I was hoping that you could help me with a couple of questions. We've been to St. Lucia (off of a cruiseship) a couple of times before; having taken a 'Land & Sea Tour' with Herod over a decade ago, and also a 'Sea Tour' with Spencer around seven years ago. This time, we're thinking that we would like to go to Reduit to spend a few relaxing hours in the area of the beach where Marie's Fish Shack is located. We're scheduled to be docked in Castries on a Sunday (I presume at Pt. Seraphine). Do you know if Marie's Fish Shack is still open, and if so, are they open on Sundays? Do the local buses run on Sunday? Where (and how) would be the best place to catch a bus(1A?)/minibus that would take us to the Rodney Bay Mall area; where we could walk down to the beach to Marie's? Thanks for any help that you can provide.

I thought that it was "Groundhog Day"(The Movie) for a sec. Thanks for helping to reassure me that I'm not losing my mind.. Yet.

Why not? Americans are generous and not as stingy as other cultures who might mistakenly believe that tipping is somehow insulting or degrading. We always tip extra and above(the suggested daily tip) directly to the room steward(and any additional assistants). We also will do this sometimes at specialty restaurants when the service has been top-notch. Or, at other times; having thrown in on a collective envelope with other passengers to be given as a special 'thank you' to a bartender that has gone above and beyond in providing exemplary service. It's a voluntary action, and a personal choice to do so.

Thanks for offering your comparison. For us, the age old adage applies: "Variety is the spice of life". We are not beholden to any one line, but we have sailed Princess and Carnival the most of any others to-date. We've found that the complimentary 'casual food' options are more plentiful on Carnival, however, the quality of certain venues/items to be slightly better on Princess. We're fans of the Deli and Guy's on Carnival; the Lido Pizzeria(& Alfredo's on select ships), as well as International Cafe on Princess. The M.D.R.s on both lines seem to be hit-or-miss -- Some fairly decent meals, and some unmemorable ones as well. The same could be stated with entertainment. We really enjoy the Comedy Club on Carnival, yet we've also seen some great comedian/variety acts on Princess as well. As for the productions shows, perhaps it's our age or tastes; we've found most to be pretty corny on both lines. NCL seems to be the one line that shines above most others in this dept. What's been a slight bone of contention on Princess is that on many ships one has to sail in a balcony cabin(and at-times even a mini-suite) to have a love-seat sofa in-cabin. We personally prefer this set-up as opposed to the walk-in style closet design(wasted space IMO) on Princess ships. FWIW, We have 2 Princess cruises and 1 Carnival cruise in the pipe-line.

Cruising is going the way of flying... 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s