GottaLuvCruising

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

On some ships but ended like 2008.

Our most recent NCL cruise was in 2007.  All of our previous NCL cruises had them.  We've sailed Carnival (23 times) and Princess (13) most often and they both have guest laundries.  I like the convenience and being able to pack less, but it's all good!  

On 3/2/2024 at 4:47 PM, Victoria Darcy said:

Oh this is very tragic indeed!

Yup.  NCL used to offer guest laundries.  

30 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL Tours pick up/drop off at Wards Cove. 
 

When booking a private tour, you need to ensure that they are picking up at Wards Cove and not a central point downtown. 

Thank you kindly!  

Booking excursions for our 2nd NCL Alaska cruise.  Last time we docked by downtown Ketchikan - it was brilliant!  

Now, NCL docks 10 miles out of town, requiring a 20 minute shuttle each way.  

Does anyone know if NCL tours meet @ Ward Cove or someplace downtown?  If downtown, do tour participants get shuttle priority?  

We booked a private tour to avoid the shuttle, but asking on behalf of some shipmates.  Thank you!  

We are platinum and sailing a 32 day cruise WITHOUT the plus package.  Can anyone tell me approx how much a data plan for ONE will be?  We have to stay in touch with home, but we are not glued to our phones.  

As I understand it, we have to add the plan on board to get the discount.  Is that accurate?  

DAMN I MISS OUR FREE MINUTES.  As our Hawaii cruise was ending, I still had 70+/- minutes left.  

We're so disappointed with the changes that our dilemma is Princess or not.  We're seriously looking at other cruise lines.  New system just doesn't work for us.  

44 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi @GottaLuvCruising🙂

 

Without knowing which ship you'll be sailing, it will be easier to tell you which Carnival ships (Do Not) have Self-Service Laundry Rooms. 

 

⬇️ Information Below ⬇️

 

Self-Service Launderettes are featured on most Carnival ships (With The Exception Of The Following:

• Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee & Mardi Gras (Do Not) have washers & dryers; but have ironing rooms on several stateroom decks.

• Carnival Firenze, Carnival Luminosa & Carnival Venezia (Do Not) have washers, dryers nor ironing rooms.

 

All other Carnival ships have Self-Service Laundry Rooms. 

 

 

 

💃🍹💃

Many thanks!  

We're platinum and Carnival will do our laundry.  We don't like it.  I don't like filling out the form.  I don't like others handling my unmentionables.  I don't like waiting a day or two to get my clothes.  I simply prefer doing my own laundry.  We've taken 54 cruises on seven lines, but mostly Carnival & Princess.  Disappointed with recent changes and might be done cruising, but considering a last few itineraries.  

Can anyone please tell me which ships do still have guest laundries? 

When considering a future cruise, internet access (much less speed) is NEVER a factor for us.  

Our first Alaskan cruise was in May.  Seattle pre cruise was frigid and we bought parkas there.  We did NOT need them on the cruise.  Weather was beautiful!  

Our second Alaskan cruise was in July and we froze.  You just never know.  BUT...we are looking at going again...in May!  

Consumers have the power.  I'm speaking with my wallet.  

54 cruises might be enough...

On 8/28/2023 at 4:22 PM, that said:

@GottaLuvCruisingIs it AARP or is it Princess

that reduced the % off?

Since none of the other cruise lines discount percentage has changed, I'm assuming it was a Princess decision.  

1 hour ago, a.madruga said:

Saw that AARP lowered the savings to 8% is this the new rate? We noticed all other cruise companies were still at 10%
thanks in advance 

Yet another in a long list of disappointing changes from Princess.  

Maybe 54 cruises are enough.  

9 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

It was a big letdown when we went from the Grand class ships to the Royal class. Although we still like the Royal class ship layout, most of their balconies are small.

But covered - I love Royal class deck 15 / Marina as lido overhang offered excellent sun/rain protection.  Mid-ship obstructed balconies are excellent choices.  

I hate the grand class tiers and exposed balconies.  Mini-suite E731 is my go-to for a large, private, covered balcony.  

7 hours ago, theloo said:

With the machines being free, does that make it more crowded?  I was just on the Emerald and getting (paid) self service laundry done was a challenge!

My thoughts exactly.  It's hard enough already to find available / working machines.  

On 5/9/2023 at 12:35 PM, Dreamcruiser185 said:

So the Caribbean Princess won’t be using Ft Lauderdale anymore?  I was looking at march 2024 cruises?

Moves to Port Canaveral November 2024.

I think I figured it out.  Both are CLOSED LOOP, so we're OK, right?  

We are currently holding the 6/1 Hawaii cruise on Emeral and shopping for flights.  It is to our benefit to stay on board or the follwing California coastal cruise as well (would make us Elite.)  Flights home 6/24 offer better options than 6/17.  But since each calls ONLY in Ensenada as the "foreign" port, would back-to-back be allowed?  

I know I can call Princess three times and get three different answers.  Does anyone here know for certain?  

FYI - I see these fares below.  Hubby does not.  I may put cruise #2 on hold to see if I get a warning of some sort....


wouurrently holding the June 1st Hawaii cruise on Emerald.  The following cruise is 

On 3/24/2023 at 9:30 AM, cruzfiend said:

We are on the Princess Train from Denali to Whitier before our cruise. Has anyone done this? Wondering if you have storage (like an airplane) for carryon? Also, does it make ANY stops or just one long train ride?  Is one side better than another for viewing? Thanks. 

We did land after our cruise last year.

We LOVED the train ride!  It doesn't stop, but depending on your route, breakfast and/or lunch will be offered on board (a la carte, but reasonable pricing.)

Our bags were handled by Princess.  We each had just a backpack / small bag.  They fit under the seat in front of us.

Princess land portion was very well organized.  You'll received a detailed itinerary at each painless, hassle-free "check in."  

IMHO doing the land portion first is preferable.  It wasn't an option for us, but hoping it works great for you.

3 minutes ago, pathi said:

There have been a few posts about this. The consensus seems to be that this is not a very good deal. Plus people get aggravated by the sales process used by the vendor.

Thank you!  I was surprised to not find anything about it, but if the promo has an official name, I don't know what it is.  Not knowing what hotel options might be available is a red flag for me.  

I'd pre-pay future cruise credits for real measurable benefits!  

Actually answered a phone call because it came from Princess' area codes 661.  Spoke with person who claimed to be representing Princess, offering a Princess Future Cruise promotional package available "only to" Platinum and Elite cruisers.  Email confirmation indicates she's a "contractor" and "cruise vacation planner - promotions."

Mid-range package runs $5,999.  It includes $4500 future cruise credits
                                                                       $200 OBC
                                                                       $600 pre/post cruise hotel credit
                                                                       TWO 7-night resort stays for two
                                                                       ONE 2-night hotel stay for two

We declined the offer because they only way to benefit from it is by maximizing the return on the resort / hotel stays.  Too speculative for us. HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD ABOUT THIS?  WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Caller stated that info is available on Princess website, but I can't find it.  

Below are details copied and pasted from her email:

 

Princess Future Cruise Package provides incredible incremental value and flexibility by allowing you to reserve your next Princess cruise without having to commit to a specific sail date. Priced at $5,999, your package includes $4,500 Future Cruise Credits, $200 Onboard Credits, $600 Hotel Credits, (1) 2-night Pre or Post Cruise Hotel Stay Certificate(s), and one 7-night Stay Certificate. Here’s a bit more information on each of the package components:

Future Cruise Credits (FCCs)

Future Cruise Credits allow you to purchase your Princess cruise(s) once you are ready to book. Each FCC is worth $1, allows you to sail over the next 24 months, and can be used towards any future cruise booking with Princess. FCCs may be applied to one cruise or multiple cruises - the choice is yours!

Onboard Credits (OBCs)

An Onboard Credit (OBC) is a dollar amount that will be credited to your account for the first cruise booked as part of your Princess Future Cruise Package. Onboard Credits can be applied to expenses charged using your Princess Medallion during your cruise and can also be used as credit towards shore excursions, beverages, items purchased in the Shops of Princess, and services at the Lotus Spa.

Hotel Credits

Hotel Credits are exclusive to Princess Future Cruise Packages and allow you to save on hotel rooms found in the Princess Promotions hotel store. This booking engine includes tens of thousands of hotels around the world, including some of your favorite resort and island locations. Your Hotel Credits expire in 24 months, giving you plenty of time to find your next exciting destination.

Stay Certificates

Your package includes a 7-night Stay Certificate that can be used to reserve accommodations, at thousands of top-rated hotels and resorts around the world. You can combine your Stay Certificate as a pre- or post-stay with your cruise or use it for an entirely separate vacation. Like your cruise, you must complete your stay within 24 months of purchasing your package.

Pre or Post Cruise Hotel Stay

Use your Pre or Post Cruise Hotel Stay certificate(s) within 24 months to ensure that you are making the most of your Princess Cruise experience. Whether you are flying or driving to set sail on your next cruise, the Princess Promotions hotel store has hundreds of hotel options near your embarkation or debarkation port. Simply apply your certificate(s) when booking your Pre or Post Cruise Hotel Stay and let us do the rest.

Thank you for your review.  We were you years ago!  We had done many Carnival cruises before trying our first Princess.  I would compare them very much as you did, but we are the old people who do have a preference for Princess.  We are sailing Carnival in February and Princess in March.  

I expect this to be a real bugaboo.  We prefer theater seats "on the shelf" as do many others.  We ALWAYS get to the theater early to secure the unobstructed view.  

Princess is totally messing with me here.  (Not paying for Princess premier.)

8 hours ago, VibeGuy said:

I’m currently booked with both a casino rate and Plus added on; my booking was handed by a PVP, not the Casino department. 

Same for us.  Casino rate, added Princess Plus (by phone) after booking online.  

On 8/16/2022 at 1:01 PM, 492030 said:

We used the government tests with OnPoint in July and had no problems at all.  

Same here.