Wishing on a star

Yes... Spring for one of the Premium Balconies like on Caribe, if at all possible, and enjoy!

During the roaring 20's people loved to enjoy themselves and live on the edge. Bubbles will eventually burst. Always happens.

There are a lot of people younger than your generation who do work, have worked, and who do have a lot of money! They might also be in debt, and do not begin to understand the concept of saving. But, they do have spendable money. People have opined about the younger generations, I think, since the beginning of time! The negativity is rarely helpful. Yes, there are HUGE differences, cultural, etc. between the younger generation and these 'old folks'. And, these can be troubling. But, that has been the case before, as well. Even my son, seeing how things were going with everybody in his age group, said the other day... "Is this the new normal?" If things were only for the 'older' generation, then things would not last very long.

Not a lot of truth regarding Alaska. The brand new Discovery sails the Inside Passage. Preferences are what they are. Prefer smaller... Great. Choose the older/smaller ships. But information that is untrue or is misleading is not helpful. Which brings me to a new point, with Princess, yes, the decision is between older or larger. No sign or hope of new smaller ships.

PS: Just in case this is something you aren't aware of... The best way to get a drink package is to book with the PLUS package, where you get Plus drink package, Gratuities, WIFI, for a flat rate of $50. per day pp.

Yes, 'Sales' will be shifted around and come and go. No real Black Friday deals. It is a matter of which promotion benefits you the most. Drink/Plus package, Third and fourth passenger free, Onboard Credit.... You can refare to get some new Promos before Final Payment. Technically I believe the current Love Boat Sale is 'new bookings only to get the additional $100. OBC'. If they require you to totally cancel the old booking and re-book, then you would loose any perks that were associated with your old booking. That is when you get out the old calculator and do the numbers.

I will be honest, and chime in here. We would choose to sail on newer ships. I prefer toilets that flush, newer cabins, less rust. Like the larger public areas and amenities. Just me. That being said, Princess has totally ruined their newer ships with things like small balconies, no Crooners, closing in the adult Retreat Pool area to fit in a few more cabins to sell (good god, no!). Everything is relative... Pros and Cons.

Yes, I wasn't surprised at all, but, those numbers!!!!! Again, not surprising.... But. Ohhhhh my!!!! These people have slept with people, and cheated on people, more times than they have brushed their teeth!!! Hahahaha!!!!! Stupid reality show for sure, but the entertainment factor was there on this one. And, good gracious, how flipping 'photogenic' is that new model guy.

We have stayed at the Hyatt and like their shuttle service. thanks for that info above. I had never heard of that parking service for non-guests. I know that they have always had hotel guests sign up for the shuttle, so I hope that means that (if we stay again) we would have priority and not have any problem getting on the earliest shuttle departures!

Yes, the above is a good point. (wine or drinks in the MDR aren't always fast or seamless) The midship dining rooms are right there with the bars, music/entertainment etc. If you don't mind the walk, you can still stop by the atrium/piazza and then go to dinner. The plus for us, on our last cruise (Regal) the aft lower dining room was half empty, unlike the other two which were busy. The ambiance and service was great.

I am not sure if it will show the Plus package. I know it shows all the drink package options. If there isn't an option there, and you are still within the window before sailing, then call Princess or your TA. The PLUS package is $50. pp per day, and the Premier is $75. pp per day. The better wines are one of the things people like about the Premier, but it seems that many of these aren't to be found onboard. We have brought our own bottles of wine. There is a corkage fee for bottles of wine except the one bottle per person allowed with no charge. (to be enjoyed in cabin, not restaurants)

I believe that, technically, once you make a bid, if they accept it and assign a cabin, it is a done deal. But I have see a couple of comments where maybe bidders have been able to stay in their original booking, or to change location. I would love to consider an upgrade, but I like a mid-ship location, so if I were to get, for example a far forward upgrade, then I could only move to another forward cabin. Since categories go along with mid, mid-forward or mid-aft, forward, or aft. It would all depend on what the exact category (or subcategory, the second letter, like BA or BB... BE etc...

I noticed that!!!! Kills me!!! Hahaha! Why did they do that? This is an exclusive area where everybody has their own reserved loungers anyhow. Maybe that thought that would make the image look more real....

I have seen them setting up for this once, several years ago. I think it was the Regal? It was in the one circular area in the Piazza, and they had it all set up and decked out with tables, nice dishes, white tablecloths, rose(s) on each table. It did look special. Something that I would want to do, but always so many other things on a cruise! I would consider it on our next cruise. But seems they don't offer it any more?

It sounds like you are very laid back and casual and you are 'doing you'! The patters and the Voyage app should give you decent info on all the little things that are going on, like the usual trivia, etc. If you want to up your game a little bit, and haven't tried these... Watch what is going on in the Piazza on ships with the nice Piazza. You can get drinks, or coffee drinks, food and snacks from the International Cafe, and just take in what might be going on there. You can do that in the evening, and still then go up to the Buffett for supper. Also, if you like the R&R, then definitely try to get some time reserved in the Sanctuary. Main dining rooms are no longer traditional seating, and you might want to try them more often now. It is not gathering with everyone else to go to supper and walking into the dining room for a structured service. Check for menus for the cruise at the customer service desk on the first day. You probably know that the menus will probably be posted in front of the dining rooms each day. How about checking out the lighter entreatment that might be going on at the Steakhouse (Crown Grill) bar area? If you aren't into the main Shows, then look for other things going on at the Theater or the Vista Lounge. I am thinking that later at night in the Piazza or public area, when there is nightly main entertainment, (The ships party band or other major event), that might not be for you.

I imagine that the 70+ demographic is the one we are referencing here. And, the reasons for marketing to other demographics than this age demographic would be obvious. The huge percentage of population, expendable income, and just focus in general is now 50', maybe into 60's, and younger. It is what it is. And, to this: "But the 60+ (way plus) is the demographic that identified with the "Love Boat". Perhaps someone in Hollywood needs to create a new idea based upon one of the party lines (like Carnival) rather than trying restore an antiquated story line from a half a century ago." I don't think anybody thinks that this show is made to market Princess to the original 'old' Love Boat fans. Of course not. This is made to show that cruising could be an option for people who have watched the newer, Batchelor/ette, and other adventure types of shows. CCL knows that Carnival is known as the 'neon' fun ships. And, their marketing is definitely drawing a strong line between this type of cruise and the 'REAL" Princess cruise. So I don't think that this is 'the Carnivialization of Princess'

No PM messaging here on CC! You can't post referrals. Some people have put some kind of contact info in their 'signature'.

So sorry that you are going thru this and might miss your cruise. I am strongly assuming that if you have not prev. gotten an insurance policy, that you will be out of luck. Usually you have to buy them within so many days of booking the cruise, or within final payment. This close to departure, not sure if Princess would be able to offer much at all. Def. no refund. Maybe some Future Cruise Credit. (travel insurance can always be a good idea) PS: If you did have insurance, you would file for reimbursement of the covered money you have paid. Princess will often want to offer Future Cruise Credits. Check with Princess or your TA. Good Luck!

We need details. Is this the base fare. is the a base fare? Total fare? Includes the package? Includes the port charges? Are they not charging double, the singles supplement? Again, the port charges, and the extra package, are per person, and will not be charged, even when a single supplement is charged.

Port charges for only one... These are per passenger, not per cabin.

Yes, often you can find some price discounts or additional perks with some agencies. But, we found in our case, looking at a cruise that the cheapest fare was a promo fare offered thru our Princess Account that showed when we were logged in. It really just depends. Can't hurt to shop around. But, I wouldn't immediately discount either way of booking. Especially since Princess seems to have zero customer service right now.

I wonder if any of those who feel that they must 'express disappointment' actually know that their negative opinion just simply does not matter to TPTB. (I would guess that isn't the case) Time stops for no man.

Dave, yes standard balconies are SMALL on these ships! However, Princess now has most larger actual balconies (the outside balcony, all interiors are the same) re-categorized as 'Premium'. It appears that they might be putting the little actual table on these balconies instead of the side-table/footstool that is standard.. These can be regular balcony cabin size, or, deluxe balcony which of course is slightly larger with the little love-seat. On the Royal and Regal, I think these are very limited to the AFT facing deluxe balconies. There are more of these 'Premium' balconies on the newer ships. PS: This poster has probably decided on a group of Obstructed Balcony cabins that are all next to each other.

Yes, I am so sorry, as I can see that you have a lot of hopes and expectations for your cruise! The post just above is correct. I don't know when your sail date would be, or what the penalty for cancellation would now be, but it seems that the penalty would not make it helpful to cancel and re-book. If they have dropped these balconies such a significant amount, they will probably be up for bidding. Make sure you are set to get notifications from Princess, and go online and log in and pull up your sailing. There is an option there to see if your booking is being considered eligible for bidding for an upgrade. In general, you would have to be in a category that Princess is upgrading, you have to be paid, and it has to be around Final Payment Date, or beyond. Watch for a Princess Invitation to Bid for upgrade to come in. Enjoy your cruise whatever works out!

These are all just computer generated artistic mock-ups. We will see how close the real ship really looks! And, is this the the regular Sanctuary, or the exclusive area? PS: I might not remember which newer ship(s), but some of the newer sanctuary areas with their minimalistic (ikea) and box-metal loungers, etc. is really a huge miss. Bring back some attractive and pleasing design!!! (which might be shown above!)