Burgmeister

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news [emoji45]

 

 

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That's OK. I appreciate that you are merely the messenger!

At least I know that I need to start softening the wife up in preparation!

Ah. OK. Thanks IECalCruiser. Might be a tough sell then.

Lauren,

We love to go to Alfredo’s. The food there is sooooooo good. The Horizon Court is a madhouse stay away.

By the way there’s no charge at Alfredo’s. :)

Tony

We are on our first Princess cruise next May (the Sapphire) and I think we will head to Alfredo's upon embarkation. Just need to convince the wife (daughter will be no problem to persuade). Is it just Pizza or are there other options?

Figure of speech meaning we would still be part of the Commonwealth instead of an independent country.

Sorry to come across as a pedant again, but Commonwealth countries are independent. I guess you were probably meaning Empire countries?

Don't think we have of those anymore though. They appear to now be independent and, in the main, part of the Commonwealth.

You must have forgotten about Biafra,1979 Zimbabwe Rhodesia or Hong Kong under British rule, did you? Both UK and UN were dead set against their independence or self determination and decided democracy or wish of the people should take a back seat when it came to protecting their own self interests. It is what it is.

No, I haven't forgotten. Mistakes were definitely made in the past, doesn't mean that we can't learn from them does it? Opinions have moved on since then.

Edit: For the avoidance of doubt, I don't have a lot of faith in the UN at all. I'm just pointing out what they "say" they believe in.

Really - Captain Smith was a highly regarded officer with White Star. Passengers sailed on his ships because of him - he had a loyal following.

Just emphasizes the point I'm trying to make - Does it really make any difference to whether you go on a cruise or not if you know who the captain or CD is beforehand?

Seems odd, given the stated preference of people in Catalonia is against separation, that the Spanish government didn't do what the UK government did and hold a legal referendum. If they were confident that they would have won anyway it seems like the way to go. Would have avoided all of the violence (whoever caused it).

I thought the UN were very keen on the "Will of the people"? If the will of the people is to stay in Spain, so be it, but if the will of the people is for independence it should be granted - old constitution or not. I would certainly have accepted Scotland's choice just as I respect the choice of the EU leave vote. Wasn't what I voted for but the majority of the people did. Isn't this what democracy is all about? Something western governments (and the US in particular) always seem to bang on about when they invade a country in the middle east.

Just my tuppence worth.

If the Boston Tea Party settlers dressed as Native Americans had not illegally boarded that ship, stole the barrels of tea and dumped them in the bay, we would still be singing "hail to the queen"! Luckily they chose to "break the law" and revolt against their king. Those loyal to the king moved to Canada. You could say they felt entitled to do that. Something to think about.

 

 

 

Oh how true and a long standing posting on cruise critic including the various ways to do it. I imagine it is still quite well today.

What the hell is "hail to the queen"?

Who the captain is can be very important. Ask the passengers on the last cruise of the Costa Concordia or the Titanic.

Yes, but, if you had been given the Captain's name on either of those ships prior to boarding, would you actually have known not to get on board?

My apologies. I haven't tried booking Princess with a US agent I have booked other cruise lines.

I knew there were some lines you can't book with a US agent, I didn't realise Princess was one of them.

The card is $31 + 15% as posted above. If you have a card, no drink cost posted to your account. If you buy a coffee priced at $3, your account is charged $3.45.

 

Yes, hot chocolate = coffee. Same - either free with a new card or cost of a punch on an old card.

Thanks for that Steelers. Definitely buying the card even if its just for the free tea and hot chocolate

Michael, sounds like you are on the same cruise as us - Whitsun half term on the Sapphire.

Maybe see you on board!

No idea how it is in the UK. In the US, my travel agent would quote me a price, and put a 24-hour hold on the cabin,

just to avoid this situation. If he failed to do this, I would be upset. In 20 years, he hasn't failed.

Yes, this is how it has always worked with us in the UK too.

So, you had already set your grandchildrens' expectations before you even called for a quote?

I was curious about this point too but assumed they were looking at the ship between receiving their first quote and the agent ringing back after their "lunch" break.

Just curious, but does it affect whether you go on a cruise or not if you know the captain or CD in advance?

Coffee menu is in THIS POST

I notice at the bottom of the menu it says...

"A 15% gratuity will be added to your bar account for all beverage and coffee card purchases".

Presumably (and sorry if this is obvious) this means that if you buy coffee (or another drink) you add 15% and you add 15% for actually buying the card, not 15% is added to your bill if you use the card?

Also, can you use the card for Hot Chocolate?

Cheers

 

I still don't understand why when they offer a Sip and Sale promotion that it's not a global promotion and not just for US passengers who happen to be sailing in the same parts of the world as others without the package. It means that as a couple who likes to relax and drink that I'm paying AUD$3354 more for a cruise than a couple from the US. I find this extremely unfair just because of where you live. I feel as though it should be classed as Geographical Discrimination.

 

Perhaps next time you could just book with a US travel agent to avail yourself of any offers? Despite being UK based we have booked through US agents before to get the same deals US customers get

I stand corrected but the Princess cruises I've been on I think had no loss of any payment if cancellation was 80 days or more before the cruise. The TA might charge a small cancellation fee but probably not if another booking was made with them.

I the UK there is always a non-refundable deposit (usually £50 per person)

It is unfortunate that all cruise lines (and airlines for that matter) change their prices VERY regularly. If they sell cabins/seat quicker than anticipated then the price goes up, more slowly then the price goes down.

It really can be minute-by-minute. You appear to have been unfortunate but his could just as easily have happened with Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line.

I am not defending Princess, just saying they are the same as any other line in this respect.

As for trying to make as much money as they can, well, yes that is how business works. They have a duty to their shareholders to maximise return. If they don't then they don't stay in business for long.

I fully understand how this can leave a bitter taste in the mouth but you really have to try and move on and don't let it spoil your actual holiday. At the end of it you can follow through with your intention of not using Princess again. I honestly don;t think they (or any other line) would care too much though, as they will just find someone else to fill their cabins. But I'm sure it will make you feel better knowing you aren't giving them any more of your heard-earned cash.

I think that he was referencing people being despondent over butter and bringing trays from home.;p;p

First world problems, holy crabcakes!

This seems to be the response for most queries on this forum "First world problems" blah, blah.

Of course they are first world problems - its a cruise for goodness sake. Every problem with a cruise is going to be a first world problem. This is a cruise forum, its hardly going to discuss 3rd world problems is it?

Personally, I don't care about syrup and butter but some people obviously do. And they pay good money for their cruise (because they can, this is the first world after all) so they want it right.

Wouldn't have thought it was too much to ask.

The reality is, it can only be a "bargain" if you cruise a certain way. I have done many comparisons while trying to plan a vacation of a cruise vs an AI in Mexico or Punta Cana. AI always comes out cheaper. Why? Because literally every bite of food you eat and every single beverage you drink is included. There is little opportunity to spend extra unless you feel the need to get wine by the bottle or use the spa, or do excursions. We rarely use the spa, (which is more reasonably priced than a cruise spa) and we don't buy wine by the bottle or leave the resort. Even room service is included 24/7. And the room is super gigantic and extremely luxurious compared to what you'd get on a cruise ship in an OV, balcony or MS. We go to resorts that have 5-8 different dining venues, not having to worry about reservations like you would on a cruise.

 

On a cruise, the opportunity to spend extra is nearly unlimited. First off, we would not book an inside cabin so no savings there. We are not lovers of the MDR experience anymore so it's specialty dining at an upcharge. Drinks cost extra. Room service costs extra. Excursions cost, and it's only been one cruise we've taken that we stayed on the ship the whole time. If you want the adults only area, it costs (unless it's RCI). Gratuities are extra. So are port fees.

 

At an AI, this is all included. We choose high end adults only resorts so the child free experience is already paid for.

 

There are people who cruise who don't drink, don't use specialty dining, and would take an interior cabin. Lots of savings there. So, at the end of the day it depends on how you roll. But cruising is a unique experience and cannot be matched by anything else. So we are willing to pay the extras to enjoy that.

Whilst I'm not disagreeing with your comments I just thought that I could add that you can get "Adult only" cruise ships. I know P&O do them, many others may as well, I haven't checked as I have a child.

Seems silly.

Presumably, you won't be able to get a soda on your drinks package either. Not unreasonable to want a soda during a M&G.

London and the other British airports has always been outside of the Schengen area but it doesn't matter now with Brexit so now they are entirely out of EU.

Not yet we aren't! Still have, at least, 18 months of membership left.

These checks kind of make a mockery of the Schengen agreement. That was supposed to bring free movement without the requirement to check IDs (I believe the intention is to be "Passport-free" travel), so the EU starting to backtrack on that one.

Ah, another difference between UK and US then as, over here, they don't charge gratuities on the "free" drinks package.

I agree that they have increased their base fares to account for the "All-inclusiveness" of their package.

Only sailed with them once so far (Epic out of Barcelona) but I really enjoyed it. Now to try Princess.

Just saw a post of FB that Norwegian sent out. It's raising its drink pkg to $89 per day plus 18% gratuity.

works out to $105 a day

Princess still looks cheap.

Interesting that Norwegian still has a drinks package for purchase for US customers. In Europe (or the UK at least) they are now doing "All-Inclusive" pricing. The headline price you pay includes drinks package and pre-paid gratuities.

Is there any financial advantage to ordering 5-for-4 beer prior to sailing? I know they sell the package on board - I have never bought one, but I can see storing some beer in the room fridge since we have a long trip.

We've ordered 2 5-for-4s for our cruise next year. The only real advantage (that I can see) is that you know it won't go up in price before your cruise whereas drinks prices onboard may be reviewed in line with the increase in drinks package prices.