cr8tiv1

The Visitors Center/Jaggar Museum has been closed for several years due to earthquake activity in 2018. https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm

My TA reminded me several times that I electronically received a link to the coupon book on my last and next cruise. Printed it out at home. When I redeemed the free wine on embarkation meal at the Crown Grill, server needed to verify and cut off coupon. Received a Chardonnay. Did not use any of the other coupons. On my next cruise, I’m thinking of sitting for Platinum free photo. Hesitant about free $10 casino for $20 spent. Last time, I did something like that, it was a fiasco EFFY…. Such a joke

I don't sail on Royal Class ships. So only stated specific ships I have sailed on (the Grand/Gem class ships I've been on). Can't speak for Royal Class. Won't be on any soon.

On the Grand, Caribbean, Emerald, and Diamond (that I am familiar with), the Reserve Dining room is on Deck 6, starboard side (ship terminology/right side of the ship). Standing and facing the dining rooms/aft, Reserve dining room will be on passenger’s “left”

Wow...Glad i caught covid while on my cruise. I was isolated for a sea day and Halifax (which I will be returning to at the end of the season). Sad that time in Halifax will be so much shorter than the time I missed it.

I was isolated in a different cabin for 2 nights after I was tested by the Medical Center (already "used up" 3 days after symptoms began). This was at the end of July 2023. Isolate for 5 days from start of symptoms, wear a mask for 5 days (the don't do post tests). I am in the process of filing a claim with AON. I was told by agent that I qualified for a refund by check.

It will never be the last night before disembarkation. When is the sea day? Often they will designate a shorter port day for your other formal night (or dress to impress night). How many days is your cruise?

Interesting, first time I heard this. I was on the Emerald, Deck 6 Port side dining room. I had a set time and table. The hostess was turning away passengers and telling them that she could not help them make reservations. They had to do that on the app. Lots of very unhappy guests. She was "full" (with reservations) and could not accommodate walk ins. Don't know if any other MDR was capable of walk ins.

There is no difference in dinner menus for any of the MDRs. Only difference is size. The aft dining room on Deck 6 is the largest. The one on Deck 6 midship is shared by Reserved Dining Room. If Deck 5 dining room is open it is still smaller than Deck 6 aft.

I booked with EZ AIr Delta and was able to select my seat and luggage was free. I called Delta to verify. Agent said that as long as I had the card with me...(plus I would bring copy of payment with Delta card), I would be fine. Did cancel outside of 45 days since Delta direct was much cheaper. You might want to consider watching the weather (hurricane Lee) if you are sailing next week. There may be all kinds of interruptions. Funny story. Passenger made flight from SEA to FLL. Luggage never caught up to them until Boston (6 days later). Nope: Sea Day, Norfolk, Sea Day, New York, skipped Newport, Boston.

@Esjung1 Still doesn't account for dollar differences. So did you bite? and make the $540 payment...or wait to make purchase onboard? Is this US or UK value? Please let us know when you solve this mysery.

oops. Blame it on time zone changes. (got to find a good excuse)

Any relationship to @NavyVeteran?

Okay, I am now awake and am capable of making a few more thought out comments. My $42 for insurance is because I booked my voyage in a suite. I hadn't considered "total" fare would be different for someone in, say a, interior cabin. DUH.... Ha! you think Princess would "credit" you $10 for Medallion Shipping Credit? It's the same as saying that I won't use Planks, so I want that credited to me. Or how about the dreaded Exercise Classes. After all, I'm on a cruise to GAIN weight. (aka Sheldon Cooper)

You may be correct. I added the plus package AFTER initially booking the standard fare. Then removed the Plus Package when I did a passenger change (I was able to keep original fare). Then regretted removing it (ha ha). The mystery is still there...Why is OP only paying $540 for a 10 day cruise?

Maitre d' no longer holds embarkation day meetings. Good luck with trying to have set (3) tables for 18. You might have a little better luck if you plan on the aft dining room (deck 6). It's larger and most passengers don't care to dine there. Also, if you choose a later dinner time, it will work more in your favor. Also, first persons on board should check with the Assistant Managers in the MDR at lunch time. They might give you a better insight on whether this will be doable.

You can imagine my "sticker shock" when I was charged $642 when I added the Plus Package to my already confirmed fare. My original fare was standard. This cruise was many months down the line and I wanted to "lock in" the current rate before Princess had any more great ideas to raise the rate. I counted on $60 x 10 = $60. $42 was the increase in base fare for insurance to cover fare and Plus. It's a hedge agains inflation. You either pay the insurance or risk Princess raising the rate on a cruise down the line. You can always cancel Plus Package x number of days before cruise and then buy it once on board. Thank you for helping out those who are still trying to piece their lives together. It's only been a month, but for these residents, I am sure they see a very long road ahead of them.

I gave up trying to book first night suite dinner. Never have been successful. I am early to board. I just stop off at the Crown Grill and request a dining time. Rarely more than a handful of passengers dining at 5 PM. Or even at 6:30 when we leave. I would guess the same for Sabatini's. ONCE, I was called as soon as I entered the room. Dine line wanted to know what time I wanted reservations.

Most often, last call is by 9:30 AM. Sometimes they are much quicker and other times, disembarkation is delayed. They want to be zero'd out by 10 AM. I have been on ships that they are asking everyone to leave by 9.

OP is getting the plus package. No need to pre-order and pay for water. Every time you pass a bar, pick up a couple of bottles Specialty coffees are covered. Prosecco is included. Yes, you can order specialty coffees in the MDR. You can even have coffee with a shot of Baileys.

I didn't think the OP was confused. I knew from the get go that they were looking at standard fare to buying Princess Plus on the ship. It's Princess that chooses to confuse everyone with all of their meaningless and confusing names that do not represent the actual item (I won't go into all of the misnomers). I knew about the $642 Princess Plus added to fare ($60 x 10 days plus insurance) since I got sucked into that one. I am confused about the $540 for seemingly purchasing Princess Plus onboard the first day. I am also confused why the OP was given the option of an upgrade price of $540 (instead of $642). I'm not a gambler...and wouldn't take the risk to upgrade at $540 for a $600 package. Is this really a 10 day cruise ($600) or a 9 day cruise ($540)?

Using the OPs prices ($540 and $600), and PLUS.... OPs was not considering Premier. But looking at the "other beverage package", the numbers still would not add up to $540. https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/beverages/ (drinks ONLY) I was just trying to let the buyer beware. Don't get sucked into their drink only packages. $60 a day = $600 if purchased on board FOR PRINCESS PLUS $60 a day + insurance = $642 if purchased with fare FOR PRINCESS PLUS Don't see anywhere where $540 would even calculate out correctly. Princess Premier does not factor into this equation at all.

Yes, I sat by the door. There was a Reserved Dining sign. But after 2 weeks, you’d think they would “know” by then. Almost as entertaining as watching newbies trying to find the aft dining room.

There are 2 different beverage packages. Be careful to NOT select just the drinks (without wifi and crew incentive).

If you are looking at inside cabins, I would recommend Plaza Deck 300s. Much better location. Avoid the quad cabins. Do a mock booking with 3 passengers, make note of cabin numbers, and avoid them.