Wishing on a star

Those insurance web sites are good! But, we generally go directly with the National insurance carrier that offers specialized cruise insurance. I thought they offered all coverage options, until final payment date. Which means that you can buy the Policy up until you know you will be. going on the cruise, unless something really does happen. But, I am thinking that might have changed. We might just go with Princess and the included upgrade to Platinum. I think the pre-existing and CFAR are a step up. Dog, ohhh, that is so sad. I really feel for them. I don't think we would have any issues with pre-existing. I checked and the look-back is 60 days, and we have had no major medical care in months. Thanks everyone!

I am SO enjoying your trip report! You are excellent at posting, and your photos are amazing! While some of the menus look a bit underwhelming, that blackened corvina and polenta does look very good. That is great info about the AFT balconies. I was thinking that should be the case, but was not sure! Of course, it is a hassle - but one can book a third person (friend or family) to select a Deluxe Balcony, and should be able to cancel before final payment. I have hesitated to do that, and accepted a standard balcony (one with a larger exterior balcony). But we are using this workaround as, on this one cruise, it is important to be where we wanted to book, and to have that Deluxe Premium balcony.

True!!! But, just personally, I like the walk-in concept, that does not open up into the narrow walking floor-space in the main area of the cabin. Need the best of both worlds!!!! PS: This thread was supposed to be about the brand/identity that Princess seems to be moving towards, and if there seems to be some issues with it. Seems the conversation has been a lot of complaints and discussion of everything but!

We are looking at insurance, and it looks like the costs are about the same. We would automatically get the Princess Platinum coverage by Captain's Circle Status. The other Cruise Insurance plan would have good coverage (would get the upgraded plan) But, with them I am finding out that the Pre-existing condition waiver, and Cancel for any reason, are not possible. I thought that they used to offer all options until Final Payment Date, but now it must be purchased when you book the cruise. Any insight is helpful !

Well, we are going into language and semantics discussions, and other things that really do not apply to the changes at Princess. Okay.... Yes, they are making changes. That does not concern me at all. It is HOW they are doing this, and the specific changes that they have been making recently. (cabin design, while a much needed change, is the least of these issues....) The changes that they are making are taking away basic things that we have enjoyed about Princess. Adult Retreat Pool.... now gone... enclosed with cabins and no real deck area, at all. The Sanctuary area... any open access adult area... now gone. Being replaced with an exclusive, way over-priced 'CLASS'. The Piazza, as an inviting place for cruise guest to hang out and enjoy cruising and bars and food... now gone. Replaced by an open 'big convention hall' concept with screens and loudspeakers that seem to be intrusive at any time of day or evening. I could go on and on. Change, I have no problem with. One can partake of new offerings or not. But, when you go after the core aspects that have made your line successful and that guests have confirmed time and time and time again that these are things that they enjoy.. ??? They claim they are changing to embrace multigenerational family cruising. Well, that would include grandparents/adults - but NO open adult area? How about kids - years after it's announcement... Park 19 is closed and is not showing on some deck plans. (Just personally, I think a small splash-pad a couple slides and ropes is a very very poor attempt at this. Don't have to have flow-riders and the whole gamut. but this is a very poor attempt. If this is what Princess wants to go for, then go for it, commit to it.) I agree that it seems that, as a corporation, they are changing.. no doubt about that. But what concerns me more is how this is being handled, the decisions being made, and then changed again... and again. Something is off, all the way to the very top.

I am a huge fan of the Princess Piazza... Love the concept. Not a fan of how they are using it. Expected periods of a more relaxing vibe, and some periods of loud entertainment vibe, that don't overlap and interfere with he time of day/evening... Admitting, this is only from what I have seen and watched, not in person.. But on the Sun, it just seems, well, corporate... like a big corporate convention... Screens, loudspeakers, etc. That, I am not a fan of.

Blerk, Slick glossy images... Basic PR is expected.... No problem. A multigeneration cruise/vacation experience that is expected, and promoted, to have an adult area and a kids area, but has neither, is a problem.

I would try to ignore that tern, no matter what the intended meaning, or whether it is being used in a positive or negative way. Just as I did when I saw it used here. Is this board the place for such a discussion?

Signage or not, this is to be an adult 'Retreat' pool area. Majestic and Sun Princess do not seem to have an adult area, at all.

WHOA!!!!! I think maybe the Ocean cruises and Ships are now a big step-up. I do agree that a cruise, for me, should not be 'sleepy'.

Love your trip report! Great photos!!! That show looks like quite a visual production and set! Have not seen that one. What other shows are onboard???

Do you like one of these cruise lines better than the other. I would like to try Viking. I think we would love Viking. But the fares, and some of the itineraries, are the thing for me.

The meaning of new words evolves... Language evolves. WOKE has a much broader meaning today. That is the the way I would use it. I am very aware of how this word is defined and used today. People are free to their thoughts and opinions on these kinds of topics. Some good, some not so good. Note: I have never thought to apply that word to Princess.... WOKE?Hhhhmmm?????? On this same note... Yes, the only constant is change. I have NO problem with that!!!! (don't lump me in with the 'old folks' who long for the days when cruising was a very different thing.) It is some of the particular changes and the HOW and the WHY that concern me. As mentioned in my earlier post. And, please do NOT portray and sell me something and then deliver something that it definitely is not.

I am trying to figure out what the 'story' was with two guys/persons lying on the floor. How did that fit the narrative. Or was it just their contribution to some kind of dance routine/performance. (and, that still does not explain no shirts) Just trying to gauge the whole thing, as some persons def. of raunchy might be more sensitive than others. NO judgement. : ) Not shooting the messenger!!! I do believe, from all the recent feedback (not boarding again until later this year) that Princess is going thru an identity issue. But, my bigger concern ( MUCH bigger ) is how this corporation seems to be operating, or the failures in operating, from the very top down. All the way up to the top. Look at all of the changes over the last few years. Look at the roll-out of this new ship. We have. always enjoyed Princess, at a comfortable price point... But slowly and surely, like incrementally increasing the temperature to boil something in a pot without it jumping out... Or, another analogy would be death by a thousand tiny cuts. Princess has been doing away the the things that we have loved about Princess. In all areas... Food, Ambiance, Adult areas, etc... etc... etc... (While also being fair and noting that the food quality of most items and meals last time we were on Regal was very very good!) Perhaps loyalist and cheerleaders adjust and do not see these things as I am seeing them... Sometimes people are slow to see what they do not want to see. But, did somebody just mention jumping ship????

'... where they will end up.' That might not be too difficult to foresee, when one looks at the direction they have been headed.

I have used the term 'Identity issues'... To have a ship 'branded' and promoted as a multi-generation family and adult cruise line, and the Sun has NEITHER an open kids area or an open adults only area. It is clear that all of these things go all the way up to the very top..... We will be boarding the Sun... have had this reservation and had been looking forward to a new Princess ship for a long long time. But, I will be going into this with realistic expectations, and do not foresee booking again. And, I have noted several incidents of these chair-side injuries.

Welcome onboard!!! We have been considering booking Specialty Dining for the first night, as this menu does seem to be, well, not the greatest. I notice that the early show in the theater is 7:30. Not 8:00. On our next cruise, we could not get an early reservation for supper on the first night, so this would make an early show possible. Like you said... Lots of options onboard!!!

A couple thoughts... The week you are sailing should be really good!!! We have sailed during this timeframe, by design. Either families are sailing over Thanksgiving, or much closer to the Christmas holiday. So, a good week! Most all Christmas decorations will be up. You might get a simple claw/clip keychain holder for your medallion. then, you can clip that to a lanyard, wristband, clothing/belt-loop, a chain that you already have, etc. Would not cost much, and give you all options for keeping your medallion handy! If you plan to make good use of all of the non-alcoholic perks on the Plus package, yes, I think it would be quite possible to 'break even'. And, just gives the all inclusive feel and freedom from thinking about all of the little charges every day. International Cafe is wonderful... Take good advantage of the specialty coffees! Alfredo's/Gigi's is also really good. It looks like you have booked a lower category level Balcony Cabin. BD. It you were to consider any other options, or just good info for other newbies... Here are a few balcony stateroom tips. 1. The Balcony cabins, as mentioned, are small. I actually love the walk-in open closet area, which means no cabinets with doors that open up into the narrow cabin interior walkways. It is great. But, if you want a nice sized cabin, consider a Deluxe Balcony cabin. The cabin space is a bit bigger, with room for a small two-seater sofa. Regular Balcony cabins do not have any seating except the desk/vanity chair. I would always recommend at least the Deluxe balcony if possible. If any are available, they probably won't show up unless you put in three or more guests. (just the way it is with Princess????). It will just show Reserve or Guaranty. There is a workaround if you are traveling as two guests. 2. Check out the deck plans carefully. There are Premium Balcony and Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins that have larger/deeper balconies. Look on Deck 9. The balconies on most standard and Deluxe balconies on this ship are very small/narrow. It is possible that there are Balcony cabins that have the deeper balconies that do not have the Premium Category. So, no extra cost. (Dolphin Deck, Deck 9 D701-D710) I notice that these are often booked up, and you might not see any available. 3. There are Balcony and Deluxe Balcony cabins, located mid-ship on the bump-out, that would give you more space on your balcony. Many have angled balconies. A few are even-strait non-angled balcony rail. This would give you a great mid-ship location. If there are any of these left available on Deck 8, these are sold for a bit less as 'obstructed'. (You might have to look under the Interior cabins, not Balcony cabins where this category will be shown.). There is no real obstruction on these bump-out cabins, just that there is that open public deck area just below.

A dining room will be open. Easy enough to see if it is one of those that are there near the Piazza. If not, ask around, or head down to the Aft dining room on Deck 6. (Have to get there by the Aft elevator.) I have not seen that one being the one open. And don't know why they would change. If they are trying to 'hide' the fact that a dining room is available, then this be one way to help do that!

It is BOTH.... They want a bit more money from you, AND they want to be able to rebook your cabin at the current fare. (or even later at a Drop and Go fare) These computer algorithms and revenue specialists are not just 'whatever'. They know what they are doing, and whether it will increase the fare revenue of that sailing. They want your money, even if the current fare for the cabin they are offering is more than what they would get by offering you the upgrade. I am thinking that lower category cabins are booked up faster than some of the higher categories. While some of the higher categories stay available. They are going to fill more cabins if they move guest up into those categories and then their vacated cabins are booked by those who are not early bookers. Then, of course, there is the Bidding System that they have in place. If the upgrade looks good to you at a decent price... go for it. Don't try to second guess it or understand the Corporate details. Either way, enjoy the cruise!

Thanks!!! Yes, it seems to be something like you describe. But maybe some confusion or IT problem. It was so confusing, and kind of bugged me, not knowing why they didn't want to take a customer's money for an upsell !!! (kind of getting a run-around) We are going to stay just like we are, with the PLUS package. No biggie... First world problem!!!

Update: No matter what has been going on at Princess with this Premier Package thing, it seems that the problem that I am having here might be a more specific problem to our booking... Like maybe an IT thing after all. Premier seems to be showing available with no problem online. Leave it to me to be the one to hit upon something like this!!!!! I am the problem child!!!!!! Anyhow, most people probably would probably not see this problem. Ugggghhhh!!!!!

I am also remembering the issue where you could pull up a cruise, and it would only show PLUS. Like it might have been an IT problem. But, now it seems that cruises are showing both PLUS and PREMIER. If they had reached the limit or cap on Premier, then it shouldn't be showing Premier as an option when going in like you are making a new booking. Seems like something is going on with all of this?

I went and looked up dates for the changes when PLUS went to $60. per day. I believe this was effective Dec 2022. We booked last year in 2023. Any major changes since we booked???? I don't know? None of this makes since.

Thanks for the info and the code! Yes, I know this is what should be... That is what one would assume... But my TA, who is now management/supervisory, is going by the info she received when she forwarded this to somebody, who called Princess. I would mention the Agency... but of course can not here on CC. And, on my second Chat with Princess... the agent also mentioned some 'language' where this could not be upgraded. (Promos... changes to Plus and Premier since we booked... on and on.) I don't know what the issue is... But there are ten different stories out there. This should not be the case. But, believe me... This has been my experience.