croozer

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Right.  You cannot judge Princess pricing policy based on special Drop 'n' Go or other circumstances where they drop a Saver fare in order to make more sales.  I have done more than one test on "regular" bookings and the single fare situation was not double-charged for PLUS or for Port Taxes.  This makes sense to me.  If it wasn't working that way, I would contact Princess and get it escalated as I would presume some sort of pricing quirk.  I have seen more than one pricing issue over the years on Princess.com.  They usually get fixed once they know about it.

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Steelers36, I still am having a hard time understanding their logic.  This is my sailing, although this is not my exact booking because they're sold out of Balcony, so I priced it just today with an Outside Cabin.  But here are screen shots of the exact same pricing, whatever "special" they want to call it.  The double occupancy is charging $400 per person for Princess Plus but the Solo is considerably more.  They cannot charge double for Port Charges; there was a huge legal case a few years ago and Port Charges are now charged per person, not per cabin.  What am I missing here?

7 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Have you passed this on to Princess management?

 

Those in authority may not realize this is happening.

That's a very good suggestion, and one I've tried by communicating with different cruise lines (also under the aegis of Carnival Inc) with negative results.  I think the only thing that would make them listen and change would  be a class-action suit that shows redlining and financial discrimination against solo travelers.  The deal on my cabin was good because it was less than paying double occupancy.  The Princess Vacation planner laid out how it was still only $400 if I didn't use the "Drop and Go" or "Saver" rate or other discount, but the whole cost was even higher.  I still think the add-on should be an add-on to my best rate, as it was when I when on Holland America last month (but I declined the package because it didn't include gratuities and I already had so much onboard credit.) I sincerely thank you for your interest and support, caribill.

21 minutes ago, geoherb said:

 

The Princess Plus isn't always $40 per day. Here's an example where it's over $100 per day (CB, 12/5/21, solo inside cabin). 

 

I had the same experience, although I can't find my screen shot of it.  The solo price for my cabin was $1280.  The Princess Plus price was $2348, thus making the cost $1068 extra, while the double occupancy rates were exactly $400 more per person.  I kept telling  the  Cruise Vacation Planner that I don't want to pay for two drink packages, two wifi charges and two gratuities (and more) but she didn't understand the inequity of it.  Whatever you pay for your cabin, the add-on of the Princess Plus should be the same per person.

11 minutes ago, figmentdj said:

Thanks for the reply, however our confirmation statement only says "Confirmed Main, request table for 2" with no mention of fixed, early or late or times. Suggestions?

I believe Main is the second seating at 8 p.m.  I'm confirmed for the Main, my table size is listed as "on request."

On 10/3/2021 at 2:41 PM, Razz21 said:

Just tried to make an appointment for the Rapid Test in Southern California at CVS.  There are no rapid test available period in a 100 mile radius.  No one will answer the phone to find out if this is temporary.  Where are these tests coming from CHINA?  PCR tests take too long.

I'm in So Cal also.  I had the same experience at CVS, although there were "Neighborhood Testing Sites" that were recommended, but I don't trust.  At the Walgreen site, their results showed the closest locations were in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.  WTHeck? Once I did a search for Covid Test Near Me on Google, I've got lots of ads for Rapid Covid Tests (Rapid Antigen, no cost, results in 15-30 minutes) so I'm going to go that route, but also have a Plan B and a Plan C as backup.  If you need some names of places, let me know.  I'll be happy to pass them along.

I'm going to be on the sailing next week, so I will be hanging onto your every word.  I hope you have a marvelous time and I look forward to your posts.  Thank you for doing this.

Just now, roxybear135 said:

Have you tried logging out of the app, closing it out, and then reopening it and logging back in?  That seems to fix a lot of the issues I've had.

Hahahahaha! I'm NOT laughing at you, I'm laughing at the app.  An hour ago, when I tapped "Wallet,

" absolutely nothing happened, not even an error message, so I decided it wasn't important and set it aside.  I just opened it now and it's working.  Hahahahaha!

9 hours ago, Willard23 said:

Am not seeing daily MDR menus in navigator. Just one generic menu. Where did you find dailies? This is for Kdam November coastal.

I'm sailing in 20 days and I only see one generic menu, also.  I even updated the app. 

Also, my boarding pass shows up in my iPad mini, with an option to download it to my Apple Wallet, but the iPad mini is not compatible with Apple Wallet.  So I went to my phone, and it says the boarding pass will be available after I've checked in, but I've already checked in and downloaded my boarding pass on my computer, but the phone Navigator doesn't understand that.  

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

No the price doesn’t change at check out.  You pay full price when you book on line and then will receive on board credit for the 25% discount on your specialty dining.

 

Thank you so much for this answer.  Very kind of you to respond.

Here's another question:  Three-Star Mariners are supposed to get a 25% discount on specialty dining.  (I know you 4-Star Mariners get half off!) I've always gotten the discount when my bill comes at the table, but it's showing full price on my account if I purchase it in advance.  Does the price change at checkout or something?  I didn't click that far to find out.  Anyone have any experience with that?

32 minutes ago, grsnovi said:

Although we've used the app on previous cruises, I would have never thought to use it prior to a cruise. My experience with the app has always suggested that it was a poorly cobbled together app that was of minimal use while on board.

I'm with you on that.  When I have full access to a computer, with download, screen shot and printing capability, I have no use for an app.  Maybe on the ship, if I want to look at a menu or perhaps the day's events, I might glance at it.

Apparently, Navigator still thinks I'm sailing this Sunday, too.  Oh how I wish it were so.

It happened to me, too.  I would have had no idea that my Sept. 25 Zuiderdam cruise was cancelled if it hadn't been for me checking out Cruise Critic every day.  I already had my luggage tags and boarding pass, so I was good to go. I searched my computer for an email, checking my account, my spam folder and my trash.  Nothing (except for my confirmation and the notices about Visa, Covid Test, etc.) I kept checking my booking online and the countdown was active.  I was thinking of booking excursions or dining just to see if it went through but didn't want my credit card charged.  Finally, I called a number in Seattle on 9/2 and the person there said the cruise had not been cancelled and she saw my booking was still active, too.  I asked why other people had received cancellation notices but not me, and she said it was probably because the HAL was probably trying to keep capacity down for CDC requirements.  It sounded to me like she just made it up off the top of her had and I asked her if she could check into it and if she found out anything to contact me back.  She never did.  The next day I called a HAL reservation agent and rebooked.  I guess I fell through the cracks, which makes me feel very insignificant.  And I have to wonder--if I hadn't checked on Cruise Critic, would I be arriving at the pier with my suitcase to find no ship there?

6 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

I realize that you are asking here on CC, but what did Holland America say when you asked the same question to them?

They said it was a "deployment" decision.  I don't expect them to say the real reason, which could be anything, anything but good.  Many theorized the bookings were too light, the weather too bad,  to make September cruises profitable.  But that doesn't explain the swap to the Koningsdam.  I thought maybe there was a Covid outbreak among the crew and everything had to be cancelled for isolation and thorough cleaning. I also thought it might be a lack of trained and available personnel after a 16 month pause. I still don't understand the reasons but I sure am ready to get back on a HAL ship.

1 hour ago, Heartgrove said:

 

I was only trying to be helpful by explaining some of the logistical  problems between substituting the ships and cancelled cruises.

 

 

But they actually did go ahead and substitute the Koningsdam for our Zuiderdam cruise, just a month later. They made the swap, but thousands of people had to change their plans and schedules when the ship is already RIGHT THERE.

I wondered the same thing.  I will be on the Koningsdam's Oct. 17 Mexican Riviera as a replacement for the scheduled Zuiderdam Mexican Riviera on Sept. 25.  If the Koningsdam is RIGHT THERE NOW, why wasn't there a lateral move for the booked people to that ship for the 3 (or more) cancelled itineraries  from the Zuiderdam?  Anyone have any ideas?  I thought maybe they just don't have enough cruise staff trained and ready yet, but there must be some reason.

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

I also enjoyed getting the NY Times puzzles (and also sports scores though they were a day late). I don't remember them being on our last HAL cruise and that was in 2019. Maybe they were available for pickup, but I am sure they were not delivered to the cabin.

My last few cruises on HAL, I inquired at the front desk and was told  the New York Times was available for delivery to the cabin "on request."  I thought that was a great idea to not waste paper for those who just throw it away but still give excellent old-time service to those who value the Digest.

And how about the New York Times Digest?  It used to be delivered to the room, but I understand the need to save paper, so it was available in a rack at the front desk.  Do they still have that or is it gone for good as another casualty?

2 hours ago, zelker said:

I don't understand why everyone that's being effected hasn't been told yet either.  How frustrating.  I have a friend who was booked on the first two Zuiderdam sailings and she already switched to the K'dam.  Also, the Zuiderdam doesn't show up on HAL's site to book until its first cruise which is the November 6th Sea of Cortez.

When your friend switched to the Koningsdam, was it for the same time period or was it a month or so later?  I'm more concerned about my time frame than which ship I go on, but I don't believe the K'dam is sailing until mid to late October.  Thanks for sharing the info.

4 minutes ago, zelker said:

Zuiderdam's first cruise isn't happening until November 6th.  They consolidated all her Mexico and Pacific coastal cruises with those on the Koningsdam.  I do know Zuiderdam has crew onboard already so don't know what they'll be doing between now and then.  Anybody?

I'm scheduled on the Sept. 25 Mexican Riviera sailing.  The first Zuiderdam cruise is  the Sept. 17 California Coastal.  The one after me is Oct. 2.  I've been told that all three have been cancelled, but I haven't been notified yet, although some people have gotten an email.  If it were not for the Roll Call board, I'd never know and I'd be happily making plans and spending money.  My booking is still active in my account, and I probably could have booked shore excursions and restaurant reservations.  I don't know why they cancelled but I think they should put a little more effort into getting the information to the people affected.

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Please read posts #8 and #14 

 

That was my problem too--I'm the lead passenger, I'm the Elite passenger, I', the one who made the booking and the cabinmate's form is fine and she has everything.  I'm leaving tonight for FLL for my sailing Saturday and they never fixed the computer glitch; I spent quite a while on the phone, with the Captain's Circle rep and writing the recommended email to the Celebrity Engagement Center.  That got me my Ticket and luggage tags and I'm set to go, but they ignored the other problems I brought to their attention.  Maybe if you contact the Celebrity Engagement Center they can clear this up for you.  

12 minutes ago, ExArkie said:

On our cruise planner, both of our names have check marks next to them. For some reason, I was under the impression that the check mark showed that the passenger's pertinent information (address, date of birth, Captain's Club #, etc.) had been entered. Probably connected to the inability to update your information. 

 

As the "primary guest", my name is listed first. I assume that's because when I made the booking, I listed me first. 

I have the the same problem.  I sail this Saturday and it has never been fixed.  I believe the check mark means the Passenger Information form has been completed. I am unable to complete mine and instead of fixing the glitch Celebrity (non)Engagement Center sent me a pdf of my Cruise Ticket. The phone number of my emergency contact from my boarding pass info has mysteriously migrated to the passenger fill-in form and has not been changed, despite my notifying the line that this is incorrect. Apparently, all this did not affect my ability to fill out my boarding pass information, but it still rankles me that this is the third problem I've had with them even before I'm on the ship.  I'm putting my faith as a cruiser loyal to the brand that the line will take care of me, but my faith is shaken if shoreside can't get their act together.

On 6/22/2021 at 4:49 PM, Tee & Chilli said:

Great news 

Is anyone getting calls if you booked with a TA?

I'm on the July 3rd sailing and booked through a travel agent.  I got a call from from the 305 area code, location Miami, to confirm my vaccination status.  

I have this problem and it hasn't been fixed yet.  My cabinmate's form is fine but I can't fill in any information on mine.  She has her Ticket Documentation and luggage tags, mine is screwed up.  When I called, Celebrity wouldn't do anything because it was booked by my travel agent.  The travel agent called Celebrity and they said they just needed my Captain's Club number and everything would then be filled in from my record.  Now my Captain's Club number is there, but not my address, etc.  Oddly, the emergency contact's phone number from my Check In information for my 7/3/21 upcoming cruise migrated to my passenger form as my personal phone number. Also, my dining time kept changing, from my requested Anytime to Traditional at 8:30 p.m. and now Traditional at 6 p.m. I talked to Hilario of the Captain's Circle desk and he said they have all my information but it looks like a technical glitch that has to be fixed by IT.  I had to capture screen shots and explain the situation, and did so in a very lengthy detailed email to the "Celebrity Engagement Center."  Is that crickets I hear?  Because it certainly isn't the sound of a phone call from them apologizing and explaining how they fixed it, and it's already been a week.  So, yes, I am not a happy customer.

3 hours ago, gone2c said:

How are solo cruisers going to be handled.  If I am forced to pay for packages that I can't use, I am afraid Celebrity will be off my cruise list.

I feel the same way.  As it is, I'm paying a straight double fare, even though I'm not eating for two or using double the ship's resources.  If I have to pay for a second drink package, wifi and tips, Celebrity will be off my list too 😢