cruzsnooze

Gratuity IS included in the specialty restaurant up charge

 Gratuity is included in the up charge.l We don't care to triple tip. We've already tipped for the MDR we're not eating at and the gratuity is included in the service charge for the specialty restaurant. Twice tipped on the same meal. enough is enough. 

I did it via email last month so the APP is not required ONLY SUGGESTED. email to

SBPCL@Princesscruises.com

 Booking a GTY can be anywhere on the ship and past assignments have nothing to do with future assignments, keep that in mind. 

9 minutes ago, c-boy said:

America's  capitalists at work. If you have spread it around .

Many of these "supposed" over tippers are not really tipping they're bragging.

On 3/4/2024 at 8:42 AM, 20165 said:

Yes, another tipping thread, but the one i was going to reply to was closed...  Since most of our dinners are going to be in a different venue every night, what do people tip the wait staff for that particular night they eat in that restaurant?  Also, do you tip the concierge daily or at the end of the cruise?  I usually do it at the end, but on on last NCL cruise the seemed to want it daily or at least we saw others doing it as they requested something.

Thanks and sorry, i know this is a touch subject but wanted to brush up on the norms...

 

Nothing and I reduce my auto daily gratuity to $10 PP PD. Feel free to do whatever you want. Those that reduce or don't over tip won't answer on this board because of flaming they get so take answers from the over tippers  with a grain of salt.

16 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, but I think the main reason they keep it is it is a marketing tool that costs them practically nothing.

The loyalty benefit also cost them nothing and they dropped that perk so it wouldn't surprise me if they did away with this one too. 

2 hours ago, artvlay said:

So, to get clarification from the Knowledgeable people on cruise critic. If I want to get food sent to my room at 4pm, what are my options and costs?

$5 room service fee

5 hours ago, CulverCityCruisers said:

I tried this and it was rejected by Princess.  I emailed them and they informed me that this is the only way to get the share holder obc benefit.  They are NO LONGER taking a redacted copy of your brokerage statement

This is mis-information. I used email and took an extra day. 

use this email address

SBPCL@Princesscruises.com

I just sailed 28 nights on the Island and liked her very much. I did miss the international cafe but her size and friendliness made up for it.

I recently had similar issues dealing with Princess customer service out sourced. I sailed last week on RCL. I wanted to compare both the cruise experience and the service between the two lines. I like RCL equally but prefer RCL customer service. 

31 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

 

We have Trawick International (their best policy) for a May trip/cruise in Europe that will be almost 4 weeks long.  For two short week long cruises out of the Caribbean, we purchased IMG SE.  All 3 have a good amount of medical evacuation included.  Unfortunately, for the shorter cruise to the Bahamas, I waited too long to take insurance out.  So it does not cover pre-existing conditions.  Two of the 5 of us going on the cruise have pre-existing conditions.  My husband (staying back at home) also has a PEC.  Hope this does not come back to haunt me!

 

 

teddies post has me thinking!  I do not think that any of our medical evacuation coverage promises to fly us back to our home hospital. I am going to double check the Trawick policy since that is an overseas trip.   Can Medjet be added after final payments have been made on trips/cruises?

Medjet is an annual policy for anyone, not just travelers. If I get sick in Las Vegas they will fly me home to Los Angeles because I am over a certain mileage from home. I forget all the particulars but have never had to use them but have had their coverage for years. The good part is that you're covered for multiple trips annually not just the one you buy individual insurance for. Keep in mind they do not cover your medical expenses except for the medical transport. 

   I did a Greenland cruise and felt good knowing they worked so far from home. It's not for everyone, I merely wanted to let others know insurance for a cruise isn't always the best way to go and it's very expensive for just one trip.

3 minutes ago, jerseygirl3 said:

Most health insurance does not cover you out of the country. We always get travel insurance. Last year we were due to leave on a European cruise, very pricey as it included a precruise stay in Italy, a 6 day European cruise,followed by a transatlantic cruise. One week before departure I had a massive brainstem stroke. Out of nowhere. No known health issues except very mild hypertension controlled by med. Hospitalized for a week and subsequent hospitalization for closure of a hole between the chambers of my heart (apparently born with it but never knew, no symptoms). Thankfully we were fully reimbursed by our travel insurance. Just thankful it didnt happen when we were in the middle of the Atlantic on our way back to the States. 

Insurance was what you needed and you got it. My point is and was that not every one needs it. Check out what you may already have before you may the decision.

  I hope you've recovered and are looking forward to many more cruises. 

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

This is so true.  People should first check to see what their existing medical insurance covers before deciding anything about buying additional insurance.  I suspect that many people overinsure.

It reminds me of how people take out car insurance when they rent a car when they're already covered by their own insurance. Many credit cards also give travel insurance. 

  I have been cruising every year since the 70's. I'm around 90 cruises now. If I had taken out insurance on every cruise at only $500 per cruise that would be a whopping $45,000. Then of course there's my spouse so that number would double. IF you have Medjet which costs about $400 annually per couple you have transport home to a hospital. My HMO ( Kaiser) would cover the medical services. My only loss would be the cruise fare which is no big deal when I consider that $45,000 I've saved over the years. 

Why not wait until you're on board. I tip based on service received not before so I better decide how much I want to tip. You can adjust the amount at guest services up or down or away. 

I had this issue just this month. I booked directly with RCL about two months prior to sailing and paid in full at the time of booking. About two weeks before sailing I saw a balcony cabin I preferred and they do not allow changes. It doesn't hurt to ask. I think your TA can do it because you're so far out and the fare is the same so it's more of a cancel and rebook. 

 So sorry you had such a bad experience. For you insurance was a necessity. 

   I carry Medjet which gets me transported home. My large HMO covers medical anywhere in the world. The blanket advise to get insurance is not right for everyone. 

1 hour ago, mattR said:

Used a TA to book cruise but booked EZ Air on the Princess website can I call EZ Air and make changed to flights or do I have to get the TA to do it?

You can do EZAIR directly with Princess no need to go through your TA

Gift card balance will go back to the gift card not refunded as a check.

Did you use more then one device per person which was the allotment on your plus package causing the extra charges?

If your flight has in any way been changed then EZAIR will allow you to make changes at no cost. If you merely want to make changes because you like something different then you cancel and rebook at the current pricing. 

  There is no direct number to ezair, you go through the regular number and listen to the menu which has air as one of the options

 Is full suite room service upgraded and complimentary?

You pay for room service either $5 per order or if you do the medallion activation. The exception is the paper breakfast menu you place on the door the night before which has some basic's like coffee tea and toast. 

I believe you can get coffees loaded onto your medallion in exchange for the mini bar. Call room service to do the trade. 

You can do it via email as I stated earlier. It takes an extra day but most of us do it well in advance of the cruise. 

email to   SBPCL@PRINCESSCRUISES.COM

1 hour ago, memoak said:

You can get coffee through the door hanger no need to pay $5. I would advise using the app to make sure you aren’t being charged for someone else’s drinks or specialty dinners

That's exactly what I stated, no charge for continental breakfast menu via the card you hang on the door

1 hour ago, memoak said:

The MDR menus are in the app every morning. No problem ordering. Why would I order room service breakfast when I can go to a suite breakfast with incredible service. We also sail with the plus package which covers room service charge

Maybe you wouldn't order room service but many people might. I order room service coffee to be delivered every morning before going to breakfast at Sabitini's. I don't use an app so don't bother with looking at menu's since i won't pay that $5. I don't drink so would never buy the over priced alcohol package. 

I don't use their app but submitted my statement through the email. It takes them about 2 days to apply it that way but I'm in no hurry since I do it with plenty of time before my cruise.