Steelers36

I would no longer be confident - without research and not sure I have the backup - that we paid gratuities back in Winter 2019 for our NZ voyage out of SYD. You are right there. TIP: I did happen to see this post, but when you want to tag a fellow CC member, do these steps: 1) Type "@" Symbol. 2} Immediately after, begin to type the member's handle: @Ste... etc. 3) As you type letters, a pop up box of matching member handles appears and the list shrinks as you type more letters. 4) As soon as you see the member handle you want, it is CRITICAL that you click on their name with mouse. 5) If you do it correctly, this is what you will see: @Steelers36. (Note the dark blue highlight). 6) You can continue typing more words. 7) When you submit your post, any CC member appearing as my handle is above will be alerted on Cruise Critic that they were tagged in a post and can click into it.

Now there goes IT again, costing PCL real money. Can they not fire the dummies and get a good CIO executive to clean house?

Some people tune out. Others like to be in touch with home or in contact with tour providers in upcoming ports. Do whatever you like.

Ouch on the exchange rate, though.

What? You don't like the current one? ETA: https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/

IMO, PCL did "publish" and explain what the policy was the transition to new packages. Unfortunately, two factors at play: (1) Many cruise guests are not well-informed nor research what they have bought; (2) Many TA's are also not going to be experts in all PCL policy working with many lines, etc, and just pass on misinformation - or their client doesn't "get it". I do agree that it will be important to see what versions of the packages the changes apply to because not everyone who purchased the prior versions will have sailed by now.

There will be a new thread next Thursday. Watch for more "Breaking News ...." in title.

You need to wait until Thursday afternoon. You can bank on at least me posting what the changes are to them as well as to dining arrangements.

I was surprised last October as original Medallions lasted us for 25-nights of B2B2B - although I could tell she was weakening towards the end in terms of how close I got to the door. Another day or two and I might have broken my nose on the door.

The other thread seemed to hint at that in a couple of posts. (Still this could be one thread IMO, but I am not the thread police - LOL).

Right - would be drinking virtually nothing. I think you and I touched on this before. It might be worth it for the other "desiring" cabin mate to pay a "couple" of dollars over the $60 to "make up" a shortfall on the other person in order for them to have the Plus. After all, many folks find the Plus well justified even if the price for them was a little over $60/day.

I do not understand your approach above. Plus is $60/pp/day, inclusive of gratuities. Take out your $17 and your $15 and you are at $28/pp/day for the balance of benefits, including beverages. Also, do you not get 50% off Medallion Net as yet?

Affects Canada as well. The fee is actually 7 EUR and the ETIAS registration is good for 3 years. Seems like a minor process to do online and a very di minimus amount all things considered.

Not an issue at all IMO.

I am most interested to see what is coming down the pike for increased cruise fare packages and for dining changes. I plan to tune in next Thursday afternoon - or at least do the replay. Will be actually get details or over-the-top Carmen talk? We shall see. I am intrigued. Changes to DMW reservation process? A return to some TD? Who knows?

Sharing a portion of @Coral's recent post on Alaska 2025 release./news. Next week's Carmen Roig seminar has new news about dining and added value to Plus/Premier packages with no price increase. I want to tune in for this: Webinar: Thurs., Jul 27 – 11am PT/2pm ET Join us next Thursday for a very important webinar that hits on two of my favorite topics. Princess Plus and Alaska. You know "It Pays to Plus," but did you know our cruise packages are soon going to be an even bigger value – and there’s no cost increase! Plus, we're evolving our dining program and making some key service changes on board that you’ll want to share so your clients get the most out of their Princess cruise. What is coming in way of change for dining? What will improve - we hope!!

Why was another thread started about AMEX card benefits?

I believe most restaurants work with every 15 minutes, so minutes seems easier.

Yes, water is available free by the glass. If you want a bottle to carry around on or off the ship, you either need your own container(s) to fill and take or buy water by the bottle from Princess. We get a starter package (only available in advance of cruise in Cruise Personalizer) which is 12 bottles for about $7. We then re-use those a couple of times or so by re-filling with ship's water which is fine for us.

That is the only one that works - if all one wants is the soda package, then the pricing works better than Plus.

Have to disagree. The Zero Alcohol package costs $35.40, Add on minimum $16 CA and now at $51.40 per day. Internet for $7.50 - IF you get it 1/2 price brings it to $58.90 - virtually the $60 for PLUS and you get Medallion mailed for free. If you don't qualify for 50% off Internet, then the cost for separate purchases is over $60. I maintain the separate drink packages are inflated in price to make the packages look good. I'd either go full cruise package or standard.

No, the information above in post #2 is wrong ( @J13C85 ). For the separate beverage packages, yes, one person can purchase, but let's step back a minute and review. The Plus beverage package is the same cost on all ships. However, the actual cost is nearly $77/pp/day because 18% in gratuities is added to the $65 base amount. Same with Premier. So, let's say you did that. You both need to pay Crew Appreciation and that is at least $32/day for the cabin. We are now at $109/day for the cabin. Is one or both of you getting Internet? That is $15/day minimum for 1 device and you could share the access as long as only one of you on at a time. Otherwise $30/day for both to be connected. Once you achieve Platinum or Elite member level with Princess, you get 50% off those rates. Now, is the other guest going to drink anything at all? Coffee, bottled water, soda, mocktails? You can both have the Plus Cruise Fare package for $120/day and we were at $109/day, just $11 shy of that before considering internet or the other person. Generally, it makes zero sense to purchase Princess separate beverage-only packages as they are inflated in price to make cruise fare packages look very economical. I recommend reconsidering what you are thinking and consider what beverage consumption might be for the voyage. PS - For greater certainty, while the standalone beverage package can be purchased by one person, the first two in the cabin must both purchase the Plus Cruise Fare option if elect that.

Story doesn't sound right. Are you saying you paid $80/pp/day for Premier and not getting all benefits? The "old" Premier did not cost $80/pp/day. Otherwise, it seems to me you have not kept up with news and changes at Princess.

There is a web version of the Princess App (Ocean Ready functions, plus Dine My Way (DMW). If you login to Princess.com and access Cruise Personalizer, you will see a reference to the App on the main page and there is a URL link to the web version. No, it is not required and you can do it at the port and the check-in folks can enter data and take your photo, etc. See responses above in blue.

Sure but if they were serious about doing it, @CruiserMickey brother could book two cabins, splitting with spouse/partner if necessary and add Mickey and spouse/partner as cabin mates and then swap names later or upon boarding. Works I think as long as everyone was agree to Standard or Plus fare and Mickey pays his brother what he owes.