whitecap

We just got the email as well (sailing Jan 2024)however, there is a contradiction between the email and the Princess website. Website, under FAQ states that the $5 room service fee only applies to room service orders "placed by stateroom phone". The email states: OceanNow delivery: To ensure you can have whatever you need during your cruise delivered directly to you, a nominal access fee of $14.99 per guest per voyage will now apply to OceanNow deliver." Next paragraph: Room service fee: "A $5 delivery fee will be charged for all room service orders (except complimentary stateroom breakfast orders)." No where does it exempt those that have paid the OceanNow fee. Am I confused or is this just another poorly written message from them.

Good catch, thanks.

Dear Mr. Padgett; I am writing to express my concern regarding the latest changes that Disney, uh, Princess has made to the Plus and Premium Drink Packages including the higher cost and the removal of previously "no cost" items to the drink packages that are now at a cost. As I have reviewed these changes along with the ever-diminishing loyalty amenities, I find myself describing the current situation as "Mickey Mouse" like, and wondering if the person(s) who developed these changes and those that approved them are from another world, such as Pluto. These changes, which by the way seem to have started when a former Disney executive joined Princess, have caused many conversations among the most loyal of Princess cruisers and almost to a Tea cup, they agree that the diminished loyalty amenities and current changes are just plain Goofy. Things are so confusing that not even Buzz Light Year can keep up. Even Donald and Daisy can't Duck fast enough from all the disparaging comments. When the Pixie Dust settled, even Tinker Bell couldn't calm the masses. Although I have written this with tongue in cheek, I still find myself asking: Is the new goal of Princess to replace loyal cruisers with first time/family cruisers? Has the reduction of Elite in cabin amenities really reduced operation cost? Did anyone consider that charging a fee for room service will reduce the "tips" received by room service staff? Did anyone consider how adding a fee to previously free food venue would be accepted by cruisers? Did anyone consider grandfathering in those passengers who had already purchased drink packages? Why weren't ALL BOOKED PASSENGERS, regardless of whether or not they had purchased a drink package, informed of the changes, and here is the crucial words, before implementation? Luckily for most, we are no Dumbos and we can, with the help of Aladdin's lamp, see a very Frozen future for Princess. Sincerely, A very loyal Princess cruiser now sitting on the fence.

So glad it was located. Now relax and Sail Away!!

Wow. I sure hope they show up soon so that you can stop worrying.

Did you travel from the hotel in Miami with your luggage? From the picture you posted it looks like a marina just north of Miami.

That sounds Great and we'll be looking forward to your post. Have a good un.

blondcat, will you be doing some live posting once onboard the Adventure? We board on Sep 2d so would love some current information and or pictures. Thanks and have a great cruise!! 🥳

Samsung remote, HDMI cable and firestick. Call room steward!! Thanks.

I would love to do this but am not very tech savvy and don't know how to set it up. Someone tried to explain it to me but it was over my head.

Thanks. I'll start looking at what is available to download and hopefully, they will have some good choices on the big screen.

Apple TV here I come. Thanks.

Been a little while since sailing on RCCL. Can anyone advise the tv entertainment? Broadcast networks? Movies? etc. Trying to decide if I want to download a couple of movies for late night watching. Thanks

I think there are times we get bogged down in the weeds and forget the main issue. I believe that each passenger must decide for themselves if a drink package is the best value for them, but that isn't the main complaint here. The complaint is the way Princess has rolled this out. The complete lack of communication with booked passengers. And as far as loyalty, Princess has changed its attitude toward loyal passengers but that has been changing for several years now with the slow removal of amenities and I do believe there is more change coming. But all the cruise lines are doing the same. The problem comes in with the way its done. A webinar with TA's encouraging them to sell more drinks packages is not communicating with passengers. All it does is exactly what has happened here on Cruise Critic, confusion, debate and yes, sometimes rude and insulting comments, all of which, keeps us from discussing the real issue. My DW and I are very loyal to Princess but over the last year have had many issues with them concerning their advertising. Not long ago they sent out an advertisement that was worded in such a way a person would believe that by booking a certain cruise, the drink package was included. When trying to book the cruise, we were given a completely different price and told that the additional cost was for the drink package. After several emails and phone calls from well up the chain of command at Princess, it was agreed that their advertising was not worded properly. This is just one example of the poor communication between Princess and its loyal/potential clientele. We are not drinkers, alcohol or soda, and could never consume enough to make a drink package a "value". But each much decide for themselves. As far as Princess goes, well, like others here, we have been doing our research and determining what is best for our cruising future and have come to the realization that when considering everything, Princess may not be our next choice.

Well, I'll agree with you "as things are today". But, do away with the casino, specialty dinning, all the shops, bars, spa and so on, and operating cost go down. So really, its all relative.

Yea, don't think I'd go that far!! 🤮

day one: wear right side out; day 2: wear inside out; day 3: shower with them on, hang to dry.

Yes, cruise fare generates profit. How much, only the Great Oz knows.

Look at us, almost at an agreement. We agree that you can't compare Princess, one entity of Carnival, and what it has to offer, packages, loyalty etc. to say a whole corporation such as RCCL. As far as what business model each entity of Carnival uses, I would assume it is designed and controlled by Carnival, the parent company, but having never seen it, I would not say they are the same. I think we may be able to agree one another item; Princess is going to do whatever they need to do to increase their profitability. The manner in which they do that, we may still disagree.

You and I agree, there are two categories, each generates profits. We, at least I don't, know what the percentage is from each category that is profit so I don't believe that we can categorically state that onboard spending generates more profit than cruise fare. You would have to know the cost of all the alcohol, soda, juices, pictures, excursions, etc.; how many packages that cover these items were sold; how many alcoholic drinks were claimed, sodas claimed, pictures claimed, excursions taken, etc. to actually figure out if there was a profit.

Thanks for the information. I did find the reports and I'll say that, at least in my case, my confusion has been that we are on a Princess Cruise Line thread, discussing Princess Cruise Line and the things that Princess Cruise Line has been doing. These reports are Carnival Corporation as a whole, all of their fleet, all of their cruise lines and because of that, there is no way to compare Princess Cruise Line to any other cruise company. Princess is just one entity of Carnival Corporation and their reports do not break the figures down per entity, Princess, Holland, P&O, Carnival, Costa etc. Easy to compare CCL to NCL, RCCL etc. as whole companies, but not individual cruise ship/entities. I am not a CPA, Financial Advisor or Fiduciary but from what I have seen thus far, income from cruise fare is, as expected, higher than the income from onboard spending and even if 50% of each category is profit, the two, fare/onboard are pretty even. Nevertheless, very interesting reading.

In so many of your post you refer to the "10q and 10k fillings" as your source of information regarding percentages and income. It would appear that you have access to these documents and it would be most helpful to everyone if you would post the actual documents here for all to be able to review and come to a better understanding as to how you come about your figures. Thanks

I sure would like to see some actual numbers to verify your statement. Not that I'm saying you are wrong, I just find it hard to believe that a couple who spends thousands of dollars for cruise fare isn't adding to the profit margin more than "a drop of water in a large vat of water." Do you really believe that if Princess sold out a ship and no one purchased a beverage package, played at the casino, ordered a drink at the bar or went on an excursion, that Princess would go broke?

You can rest assure that the most current changes they have made, were discussed for some time before the roll out and that there are already other changes that will take place. It would only make sense.

Based on what I have seen, as an Elite passenger along with what I have read here about the experiences of others, I predict that the cost of the self-serve laundry will be increased, again, and there will be a cost associated with Elite laundry. It will be sold to everyone as a "new benefit" when in reality it will be another Elite benefit/amenity that is no longer free but comes with a charge (much like the internet minutes versus charges). Laundry will be add to the drink packages and the cost for the packages will go up. My prediction.