UpcountryTravelers

So...just what is the difference between traditional and reserved?  Just the times available? I predict confusion by eliminating anytime, which has been our preferred for years.

Disagree!  We have done two Princess cruisetours in Alaska.  The Denali Lodge is delightful, with a main building that would rank with the best of national parks lodging.  Same with the others.  These are unique lodging, a bit above national park accommodations (think Grand Canyon lodges) and well worth the time and $ to do it.  I highly recommend, to get to see Alaska more than just the coast.

On 3/9/2024 at 3:37 PM, Wishing on a star said:

FOOD!!!   love this topic...

No Souffle on embarkation lunch????   That was supposed to be my first soufflé on our next cruise!!

I wonder how many of the Embarkation Lunch fans here might 'develop' food allergies!!!

And...  What is a Bratwurst Dog????   Is it the standard hot-dog, dressed differently?  What the heck does 'curry' have to do with Bratwurst??? 

Bring back the 'wurst with kraut'!!!

 

Currywurst is a popular dish in Germany.  Yum!!

On 1/15/2024 at 10:15 PM, beshears said:

I just found out about the clip, and I was thinking of ordering the bracelet, but I'm thinking the clip might be better. If any of you have used the clip, can you give me your pros/cons on this?

I've used the clip on several cruises and will next one.  It's easy to clip on a shirt, or stick in your pocket, and pull off for scanning.  My medallion for upcoming cruise is already in the clip!

I have both the old and new app.  New app is S L O W to load, and only the old app shows my boarding QR code and my loyalty status.  So I will definitely use the old app to board and as long as I can.

We have written in specific items and received them 95% of the time.  I like their jalapeno omelet, but was refused on the Enchanted Princess.  (Did the same on Celebrity Reflection over Christmas.)  I say go for it!

24 minutes ago, SaltyDoggg said:

This brand will never evolve as long as they continue to believe everything is great.  That wake show is nothing more than an infomercial that intrudes on guests while they are trying to enjoy their cruise.  It’s so narcissistic and egotistical.  Celebrity does not heavy hand you like that.  

Just off the Celebrity Reflection.  Their morning CD show is worse than Princess.  And other things....can't wait to get back on Princess!  Just a few weeks......

11 hours ago, doghog said:

I realize that. That's why you need to reread #post 29 to understand # post 34. 

Post 29 does not explain why they are thinking someone is requiring them to refuse the drink.  That is said nowhere.

I usually wear a white dinner jacket on Caribbean cruises formal nights.  That is, of course, not formal.

On 12/13/2023 at 4:48 PM, doghog said:

No kidding! Reread post # 29.

 

 

 

 

I was referring to Post 34.

On 12/11/2023 at 3:24 PM, runner15km said:

If you cannot find the link for the tags you can get them when you reach the port from the baggage handlers. 

THAT....is a PITA.  Print them ahead of time and save time at the port.

On 12/11/2023 at 1:00 PM, doghog said:

Sounds like a personal problem. No one is insisting you stop and except the glass. No thank you...

No, no one is insisting you refuse the glass.

On 8/12/2023 at 8:38 PM, mcatmcat said:

princes is related to Carnival right?, no thank you 

Not related to Carnival Cruises at all (worlds different).  Just owned by the same huge corporation.

On 8/12/2023 at 10:23 AM, doghog said:

Were taking our 6th Princess cruise March 2024 (Enchanted, booked it December 2022) and have never experienced being moved from the specific cabin numbers we originally booked. 

Same here after 26 Princess cruises.  Never changed from what we booked.  Had an offer once, but declined.

23 hours ago, YoPhilly said:

Thanks for posting this comparison.  I totally agree that X is a better product.  After 12 Princess cruises, we left them long ago for Celebrity, and even beyond...to Oceania.  

Yeah.  Oceania now owns my two favorite Princess ships!

It is ridiculous.  Ham radios not allowed, but business and other VHF radios (of similar frequency and higher power) are just fine.

After 26 Princess cruises, mixed with 3 Celebrity (Reflection, Equinox, Constellation - and more booked), (and 4 other cruise lines) I find the two to be pretty much the same level.  Celebrity has a bit of an edge in Main Dining, but Princess Royal Class has a FAR superior buffet. I like the showers on Celebrity, but the stateroom storage on Princess is better.  Balconies (what we always book) are larger on Celebrity than on newer Princess ships.  Service is outstanding on both.  All said, Celebrity is more expensive, both overall and on-board prices (a favorite drink of mine is $8 on Princess, $15 on Celebrity.)  Decor is personal preference.  Princess has more of a nautical feel (which, as a former sailboat owner, I like), Celebrity is more like a hotel at sea (but I do like the quirky artwork on Reflection).  Bottom line: it's all about the itinerary for us.  And as the ships get bigger and bigger, we want to find smaller ones, even if older.

We like both Princess and Celebrity. They are pretty much equal overall.  It is all about itinerary to us.  We have two Celebrity and one Princess cruises booked right now.  I consider them about equal BUT!  Celebrity is definitely more expensive, both in booking and especially while aboard.  So, is the better cruise worth it?  It has to do with looking at all the data.  One of the things we consider is that Princess is better for longer cruises, as Celebrity does not have laundromats (which make packing for long cruises much easier).

On 7/21/2023 at 7:35 PM, marshacruises said:

You will be charged the difference between the $10 allowance under the classic drink package and the actual cost of the drink, plus gratuity on the difference. ....

Thanks!

So, does anybody know the answer to this?  Celebrity website is no help.  If you have the classic drink package and you get a drink above the package limit.  Do they charge you the full amount of the drink, or the amount above the $10 limit of the classic package?  Or or is it like Princess, where it depends on the ship?

Celebrity is one of our two favorites (future cruises booked already).  MSC is our NEVER AGAIN cruise line, even though, with status match, we were Black Card.

17 hours ago, nini said:

Remember, that if you order a drink which costs more than $15.00 then you will just  be charged the difference. So, you might just want to keep the Plus package.

THAT.... depends on the ship.  I got a double scotch on the Discovery last summer, first day aboard.  It came to $16, $1 over the $15 limit, and I was charged the full $16.  From that moment on, just ordered two drinks, one on the rocks and one not.  Problem solved.

Just now, Steelers36 said:

As someone else suggested, perhaps you arrived after general boarding had begun and then there is no need for a lounge nor priority waiting area as you just head right onto the ship after completing the check-in process.

We usually get there 11:30 or so.  And, yes, after the normal check-in process (same for everyone) you can usually just go on aboard with everyone else, from blue on up.  (Medallion makes it about 30 seconds faster, as the only difference is that they don't have to go get your card.)

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

What terminal were you at?  Something a-miss here.  Most certainly there is as others attest.

I think it was #2, but not sure, as I never look at terminal numbers, only ship name.  Even then, the shuttle takes care of that.

1 hour ago, remydiva said:

First cruise post Coid. Do they still have Elite check in line and pre boarding lounges? We leave from FLL.

We need to pick up medallion at check in so won’t have any ‘ID’ to show our ‘loyality’ level like in paper boarding pass days.

We have sailed from Ft. Lauderdale since Covid.  No, there is no Elite check in line, and no lounge (that we saw).