Wishing on a star

I believe that gratuitous/free upgrades are very very far and few between. Especially now that Princess has the Bidding for Upgrade system fully operating. I wouldn't count on an upgrade. And, if one is picky about location (mid-ship/aft - no noise from nearby venue - etc.) then it is best to just go ahead and choose a cabin you will be happy with and possibly have Princess mark it 'No Upgrade'. An upgrade can be a very small incremental upgrade, and is not necessarily a higher cabin category. For example a mid-ship location, the same main category (Inside, OV, Balcony...) is usually a slight 'upgrade', but not a different type of cabin. On our last cruise it was only like 60% booked, but the upgrade we would have wanted if we could upgrade upon boarding, for an increase in fare (from standard balcony to deluxe balcony) none of the cabins we would have wanted to upgrade to were available. All had been filled, assuming these were filled with passengers who had bid to upgrade.

I just thought I would go ahead and post this. One person, on Discovery, says that it IS covered. But, it seems others are not so sure. Is this a case of things not being all the same on Princess? Could change our mind on whether PLUS works for us!

Interesting! Yep, it def. shows 'fully refundable' for a mid-ship deluxe balcony, mid-decks... when you 'choose a room now'. I am not even logged in... How ODD !

Hello, Yes, I pulled one up on my screen to re-check. April 27 - 7 day, Balcony (deluxe) showing fully refundable when you CHOOSE A ROOM NOW. Are you, maybe, looking at a lead-in, lowest level in a category, that we have seen mentioned where they only book as GTY?

The April Med. cruise we were looking at is refundible, if you 'choose your cabin'. But non-refundable if you book GTY.

I wish Princess would build smaller (Viking style) ships. I know, of course, that the fare would be much greater than the fares we are seeing on Princess ships right now. But maybe lower than Viking, which is high for us. Unfortunately, this is just not in Princess corporate vision, at all. Unfortunately, while we still enjoyed our last cruise (Regal Princess) to keep these fares where they are, Princess has cut staffing, service, and food to the bone. I would book a smaller, but not 'small', Princess ship in a heartbeat! While I enjoy everything that Princess current ships have to offer, I definitely won't be planning on spending time on the new Sun Princess around those upper levels with the ride, climbing wall, etc. Nope.

Yes to all of the above! The buffet will probably be crowded, but will have the biggest variety. Alfredo's is very good! That is where we had lunch last time. Had the pizza with the ham and artichoke. (very good!) and the mini ravioli (good! but different than one would expect - sauce was more like a gravy, and no obvious cheese) The main dining room is a good choice to have a nice sit-down lunch, and it is always worth going to the MDR for the souffle!!! (The last souffle I had on Regal was on Italian night. While many do not think they are fond of Italian night, the food was good, and the Souffle was OMG, to die for.

Thank you lx200 for that specific info! I imagine that you booked a mini or a suite. But, anywhere near that for a balcony would be good!

We haven't yet booked this cruise, but are definitely interested if we are not able to sail in Europe before she gets here! Working on a quote from the infamous 3-Day sale. I am wondering if anyone thinks that Princess will offer any 'deals' on this. Which might be 'new bookings only'. I would think that this ship is more heavily booked. but doesn't seem to be. There is not much a roll call yet. I would have thought that this sailing would be showing some real interest. I really did not think that Princess would offer any specials on this sailing. But, right now, they are not even offering any OBC or anything at all on their current promotion. What are you all thinking?

" At 10 AM, all my flights were good, confirmed, eticketed. By 11 AM everything fell apart. Found out via United Chat that first leg of trip (Quebec to Toronto on Jazz/Air Canada) was cancelled due to schedule change. I can understand that, but never heard from Princess. " I have a question, just in case EZ Air is a lot cheaper on a possible future cruise from Rome. It seems the flights here were confirmed and e-ticketed. Once your flights are ticketed, are YOU not in control from that point? And not necessarily EZ Air? Could that be why the airline contacted you, as YOU are now the current ticket-holder? If that is true, I am not sure what role Princess would continue to have? Anyhow, if Princess were to offer a really good rate for a better class, like Premium Economy or First. Then I wonder if we should consider that or not? We had thought about booking, then request ticketing, and then be able to use Miles to upgrade. But, with the insane number of miles just to upgrade, on Delta, that idea became a non-starter.

I think they referring to the other agency, that is not the one with this 3 day sale. It seems that the 3 day sale used to be something worth putting on your calendar. But, now maybe not-so-much. Our booking with a TA from another big agency, is a bit less than Princess launch fares, and also throws in additional OBC. We haven't even got a quote from the 3-day Sale, but I imagine it would not be significant enough to change. Now if one does not have a existing booking at at a good rate, compared to what Princess is offering right now, it might be worth checking???

We have one booking, with another agency, that ts at a good rate, because it was launch fare, with a bit of a discount and a bit of OBC. I kind of doubt whether this 3 day sale would make enough difference for us to change. I don't know what kinds of fares others here are finding on that sale. I am not sure if those lowest rates are online? Or do you not have to have an agent/contact.? If they were throwing in free gratuities, or drinks, or anything at all. then THAT would be a sale worth noting.

Ken, I am thinking that maybe PAYING for your tickets does not automatically mean that your flights are ticketed. That seems to be a different thing, to request your tickets before Princess gets around to processing the final ticket with the airline. I am just curious.... Just in case EZ-air does offer a good fare. If you can use EZ-air, and have your flights ticketed, then from that point on, you are in control. You have your actual tickets. So, would could there be any other problem with using EZ-air? While EZ=air is supposed to be cancellable. I am assuming that once you have them ticket your flights, from then on it is NOT cancellable?

I didn't catch it if their pre-cruise hotel is planned. But, of course, that is another thing for you to add in. If either of you have points, then that could help with the hotel. We often stay at the Hyatt Cruise Port. It is so very seamless and easy. The have the airport shuttle, and a great shuttle service to the Port, for a very reasonable fare.

How wonderful and nice of you! I noticed that you liked the idea of wine.... It it might be nice to gift them a couple of bottles of nice wine, and then tell them to make sure that they can't open it until their planned anniversary... and THEN tell them that they can enjoy the wine on that nice Princess cruise! I do understand how the price of the Plus package can add up on longer cruises! OBC might be the better option anyhow. I am thinking that they would understand onboard credit. I think that is a good idea. Only if I knew that they would want to plan an anniversary supper at one of the specialty restaurants, you could make reservations for that. (I believe that you pay for this when booking, pre -cruise... But it can easily be changed or cancelled.)

Thanks! Yes, I did select Premium seats, fully Round Trip, Flexible... and their website is subbing in MCE for the two shorter domestics. The thing is, I don't know if when they switch those short flights over to MCE, whether they are more restrictive when it comes to changes or cancellations. I know the seat class is changed, but I have no idea about the fare code. This should be WAY more obvious and transparant. I will check again, looking to see if I can find specific fare codes for each flight. Thanks!

I have seen similar issues as this as well. Going back many years. You might want to double check that connection flight. There might be hope. Just a heads up for anyone else reading here. When one of your flights is with another cooperating airline, this just sets this kind of thing up. We had the jumper flight to Kauai booked, and then the cooperation on these flights fell thru and we were just left hanging. For some reason Delta decided that they were not 'offering' and coop with that jumper flight. When we called them and said, UMMM, you just can leave us hanging like this. They put is on a jumper 3 and a half hours later. A simple 35 minute puddle jumper! Sitting at the Honolulu airport for half of the day, and then reaching Kauai after dark was NOT in our plans. If I remember right, we went direct to the Hawaii airline, saw that our original flight was STILL there, with seats available. I think we cancelled out with the full trip with Delta, rebooked just to Honolulu, and then booked our own flight on that original jumper flight to get us to Kauai early afternnon, as planned.

Thanks! Yes, it is premium economy with MCE for the shorter domestic flights. (at least that is what it seems) Both do say refunds and cancellations allowed. But, I don't know if that shorter flight where it has to offer you MCE might also might be changed to restricted. It should show these things! I hate to deal with calling the customer service on these big airlines, sitting on hold, etc... Looks like that is what I would need to do before planning and booking specific seats and flights.

I am looking at flights to Europe and back, and see some better fares on AA. When booking Premium ( Comfort ) seating, the two short domestic flights are on planes that do not have this section, so it looks like I would be selecting Main Cabin Extra seats. That would be fine. It is the long overseas flight that matters most. Okay, then the website shows a notice Mixed Fares - Highest Restriction Fare Rule. Both of these fares could be refundable? But I don't know exactly what those MCE seat fare rules are. Very confusing. Also, I am seeing 'REFUNDABLE' fares, as well as 'FULLY REFUNDABLE' fares. Can anyone help!

Thanks for the link to that other board. I am heading that way! Thanks so much CruiseMom, you are always so helpful! It could be either thru Delta, or thru Princess. Depending on if one is lucky and Princess offers fares at a lower rate. (I understand that you can have your EZ Air ticketed upon request, and then go to Delta for the upgrade. It still seems iffy if Delta would actually have some seats available that they would make available for the everyday (non miles-elite) flyer. And, you would never be able to guess the amount that they would set. A whole lot of IFs !!!! We would be booking early, as Comfort is the first to sell out.... So seats would be available... but maybe not to us to upgrade.

Our planning for a cruise next April-May has hit a snag. Flights have not become available just yet, but looks like the fares are just incredible. I have wondered if we could book Main Cabin, and use Miles to upgrade. But, the Delta system does not let you do that. Have to book the ticket and THEN find out if you can upgrade, and how many miles. I know it is a long shot. Does anyone here have any recent experience upgrading from US to Rome with Delta Miles? We would also have to fly back from Athens, a one way cruise.

Flights have not opened up for next year, yet. But, from what I am seeing, the fares are very high. Help!!! I am wondering what has been the pricing and experience booking thru Princess. I hear that it can be less. But, I also wonder about any pitfalls. Hoping that if you book thru Princess, you can request to have your flights ticketed so that you can control or upgrade them?

On the Regal earlier this year, it was the new menu, with no Alfredo on the favorites, everyday, menu... I was one, of perhaps many, who made a point to see the Princess got my feedback on that! I understand the the Ruby also has the menu with Alfredo always available. Perhaps they are seeing the guest feedback and adjusting a bit!!!

I am thinking that they are not operating with online sales. As the site mentions, this service is offered, according to demand, when cruise ships are arriving below Fira. I have always heard that they will depart for Ammoudi Bay once the boat is full. Which, as mentioned, could take some time. I just wish that we could hear from somebody, now that the cruise season has begun, that can verify that they did see this ferry boat operating!

Yes, TRUE memoak.... TRUE They do listen to some guest opinions and feedback, But I don't think this is going to change anything with the Sanctuary. Now, if they would just listen to our frustration regarding their current blocking of cabins and very limited cabins to select!!!!