Wishing on a star

And yes, the balconies on Royal and Regal are like what... Is this a joke? They did add many premium larger balconies on the newer ships. : )

I don't care what extras they add, Let them have activities and Guy.... Those things can easily be avoided. Just keep the Piazza, Crooner's type bar, open the Retreat Pool Deck back up. And have some version of the Sanctuary. Don't turn the ship into a floating enclosed building. that is not what sailing is about. I can stay on land for that. Princess has taken away the open Retreat Pool deck, the promenade areas, and so much more. I have no desire to be on any new ship of any size due to those factors. The new Prima looks amazing and absolutely beautiful. Somebody just mentioned the Epic. But, I am still not convinced these could replace these features on Princess that we enjoy.

Back to the original topic of NON-EXISTANT CUSTOMER SERVICE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. We have had a calls in to PVP for not only days, but weeks. We were aware that there was a changeover and issues with their phone systems, so tried again and finally got thru to voice mail. STILL NOTHING. A freaking call center out of a foreign country might be better than this. At least there would be human beings there. PS: to anyone who is wanting to use EZ Air.... The problems with the air industry are bad enough, but to try to deal with that thru Princess non-existent customer service would be something I would not want to have to do.

mam11, I believe that there ARE discounts that are offered to customers thru their Princess Account. If you are logged in while online, you will see this. If not, you will get standard offered fares. And, yes, I have been told by TWO travel agents, on of them a Princess PVP, that even though they have our Princess Captain's Circle number, they do not show these fares. We showed a discounted fare online this way, but then it disappeared when the Promos recently changed over. If anyone sees a fare like this that their favorite TA is not seeing, try this, put it on HOLD, or BOOK it... Then transfer to your TA.

I was just saying it is small. (which I think most agree) I didn't mean to start any arguments on semantics!

I swear I saw a video or photo of a mini suite with the sofa made up with a mattres, like from a pull-down, on it, and not pulled out. But can't seem to find it now. It looked nice.

Great video! I have heard it mentioned that perhaps the steward could place a mattress from a pull down berth and that might be better than the thin fold-out mattress. Or maybe double up both mattresses? Do you know if your cabin has a pull down 4th, berth? or does it sleep max 3.

Thank you! The only thing for us is, we might forego an excursion, based on availability of the Sanctuary. Which of course, Is booked when you get onboard.

NO.

I wish they were more clear about the last cancellation date on excursions. Doesn't it just say 'see the excursion form' onboard. Can I assume that almost any excursion can be cancelled on embarkation without penalty? I know certain outside excursion companies have their own requirements, like Helicopter Tours and that kind of thing. But can any usual Princess excursion be cancelled on embarkation day?

Yes! We don't want confusion for any newbies! They are very small. A taller person might have to turn the chair at an angle to have room put their legs out without hitting the glass. There are a lot of good cabin tour videos online!

There are many things that I like better on the Regal than I do these other newer ships. A complete mistake to close in the nice open retreat pool area, for one thing. I will book Regal again in a heartbeat. But, yes, if a real balcony is important, book early and get one of the mid-ship or aft balconies!

Yes, be aware that the balconies on Regal are just SMALL. Like only walk-out (Juliette) in depth. If the enjoyment of a larger balcony is important, go for mid-ship, or Aft wake-view. Other than that, I think you have a good idea of which areas which are above or below loud venues, etc... Study the deck plans on those wake-view or mid-ship bump-out balconies are larger. And, of course, you want to avoid those mid-ship balconies that are on higher decks below the Sea-walk. I love the Regal.

The thing is, even if it is possible to make an equal cabin change, if they don't notify until the very last minute, the chances of any 'desirable' location being available is very very slim! I am picky about location. So, bidding might not be the thing for me!

I wonder if, for sure, that once a bid/upgrade has been done, that they would not allow a move to an equal category cabin. I do not like the idea that they would take away the option of any equal/lateral move. Doesn't make sense or ring right to me. In most cases, an easy equal category move is no problem.

Hey, which ship are you sailing on?

I would def. ask for some kind of manager, to talk to them about the type of massage you want. I have seen where people asked about the massages, and they seemed to want to offer what was needed. I would try that, and then decide from there. I haven't had a massage onboard, but did stop by the 'sampler' once. it was a smaller young female with small 'pinchy' fingers. I passed and just didn't pursue a massage. Especially since avoiding that specific tight pressure/pinching to trigger points is imperative with triggered fibromyalgia.

I do believe that the little sofas are most, if not all, pull out. Again, that would limit access to the balcony sliding door.

I do not know, but would assume that, in any Deluxe balcony, the bed is over the little sofa love-seat, as to leave the bed unobstructed for the other two guests.

I am hoping to find out if they really do not respond to bids until last minute before departure.

I don't know if you would find out if your bid was accepted today, but if any mid-ship obstructed balconies are available, and you could get one of those. (simple equal-cabin move) then that would be GREAT for that price. I would still take an obstructed Deluxe over any interior, especially with 3 in the room.

Also, I don't know if this was mentioned. But, about the invitation to bid on a cruise that is showing not available. It is my guess that 'not available' does not mean Sold Out. I am thinking that Princess is limiting capacity on many cruises because of staffing shortcomings. In that case, a LOT of invitations to bid would go out, as they would try to improve the revenues on a partially filled sailing.

That was my question as well. So, you are committed once you make a bid, but they are not committed until 3 days before departure? My decision to bid would be made after looking at availability. Because, if the bid put me in a location that I didn't like, once I had that new cabin category, I could move to a cabin in that category in a better location if there were any available. We have booked an extended balcony mid-ship. (Many balcony and deluxe balcony are still available). I might not want to move to a larger cabin category with a tiny balcony. If this is true, they might not notify anyone until that last week, when there is a huge chance that the better locations are all taken.

If you can choose the imported water, then I would think that one could certainly bring bottles of water with them as they leave the cruise. Not so much with unused coffee drinks. To the poster here, I know you said that you are not a big coffee drinker, but wanted to remind everyone here that there are all the options for the more 'fancy' coffee drinks, lattes, cappuccino, iced mocha.... My husband quite enjoys these!

That would be great if more info came out. I would be interested in the deck plans. Even though I am not looking forward to sailing on the new ship at this point, as I think it will be another behemoth salt-box with yet even more cabins, and less public deck area. I would be happy (and VERY surprised) to see if this were not the case.