tailspintom

9 minutes ago, Grammyluvs said:

 Boy was that a costly lesson. 

Probably for the travel agent too.  I am sure that you shared that agency's practice with everyone willing to listen. I will bet that you would like to name them right now, if allowed. Most have long memories when being wronged.

2 minutes ago, chamima said:

Trying to check pricing for a 2020 cruise and the website keeps freezing.

(And yes I have re-booted my computer)

Works fine for me.

1 hour ago, Scougs said:

Hi again,  some of you might remember I posted a few weeks ago about finding my upcoming Midnight Sun cruise (Crown Princess, June 2020) advertised are a lower price with an agency. That thread was removed because I named the agency, which I didn't realise was a breach of forum etiquette.  Some of you gave me some helpful information before the thread was zapped, so I thought I'd say "thanks" and let you know what happened.

 

After much consideration, I phoned Princess and basically said "what would you do?".  They repeated the advice given here that Princess do not do price matching. So I asked her what I would lose by booking with a third party - Princess status, ability to book excursions and extras on the Princess web site and so on.  She explained everything would remain the same.

 

So, I cancelled my cruise, losing the £50 deposit I had paid.  I then went on to the agency website and booked not just the same cruise, but the exact same cabin, for over £500 cheaper, and with $400 onboard spend.  Logging on to the Princess website I can see my new booking and can still manage it in exactly the same way.

 

All strikes me as very strange, as I'm so used to always, always booking direct with airlines and hotels, for all sorts of reasons.  Now I know that's not the case for cruises!  So I'm $1000 up on the deal. Thanks for your help.

We typically hold a cruise on the princess site and then work with a TA for that cabin and or another like it. We almost always look for the cabin and mark it for no upgrade. Generally the cruise cost is the same for both the TA and Princess, but the TA will contribute some of their commission and add some benefits to reduce the overall cost. 

On one occasion, I was booking a cabin through the Future Cruise person on board and she indicated that, while she would be happy to book the cabin and have me move it to my TA, the TA had better cabins priced for less blocked out and reserved for their  customers.  It was quite easy to contact the agent and get one of his cabins using the FCC.

It is the passenger set that gives the ship class.  I would imagine any of the Princess ships would be enhanced with your presence. Pacific Princess reminds me of classic sailing more than any of the other ships.

6 minutes ago, janina said:

We love the freedom that Anytime dinning gives us.  We see what shows are playing and plan our dinner around them.  Or if we're really tired from a shore excursion we can rest and eat late.  Usually if you share you'll get seated faster.  Some days it is nice to be at a table of 2 and not be social.

I suspect that you are always social.

We do anytime dining whenever we are traveling alone or with, say, just another couple. One dining room will be set up for early fixed dining and at around 7:30 will change over to anytime.  Another dining room will be set up for anytime all the time. Both work the same way, show up and let the person greeting you know whether you wish to share or dine alone.  Sitting at a shared table will typically keep your wait reasonable.

I would suggest that, if you would like to have a meaningful conversation at the table, ask for a six top.  We have found that larger tables are difficult to handle conversations. But then, I am stone deaf on one side. We have met many interesting people and no one uninteresting over the cruises.

While every cruise differs in the dining preferences of the passengers, we have found that the later the seating time, the quicker the seating. There will be times when you may experience a wait with a beeper.  We have never waited a long time in the 7:00 to 7:30 time frame.

16 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

You’re welcome!  

 

I like their policy allowing passengers to bring onboard as much wine as desired that’s subject to the $15/bottle fee for more than 1 bottle.  We’ve brought a bottle or two from ports of call that’s also subject to the $15/bottle fee but haven’t been charged the fee.  We take our wine to the dining room where we pay the $15 fee so we either pay it sooner or later unless consuming it in our cabin.

Our experience also with some very rare exceptions. We had a bottle fee for a bottle of red from the Maui vineyard (Tedeschi at the time). A rather mediocre wine but I am glad I tried it. The $15 fee is very reasonable for the privilege of consuming what you enjoy or what you want to experience for the first time.

16 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Princess uses PVP's (Princess Vacation Planners) they can be very pushy.

I tell them to pound sand.

Not sure who called you.

Yeah, I prefer to tell them to pound salt.  It may be a generational or cultural difference but, I am sure, they get the idea.

20 hours ago, West Coast Gal said:

What IS a samovar?

It is a fancy tea kettle of Russian origin.

51 minutes ago, The Mikado said:

Because they might go broke if they didn't get the $15 per bottle of wine we plan on drinking in the room. 

You seem to resent that Princess has a corkage charge for those bottles of wine beyond the allowed one per passenger.   I have found that , over the years, Princess has been very generous in their practices of allowing passengers to board with a wine of their choice, whether on embarkation or at wine producing ports. And , by the way, after you go through the "BS" you are free to enjoy your wine for which you have paid corkage anywhere on the ship no just your cabin. A $15 corkage fee is quite modest in any establishment.

Enjoy the cruise.

19 minutes ago, kw1966 said:

My phone provider says that on my Baltic cruise I can use my mobile phone in all destinations apart from st petersburg, russia.

My question is this , If I make a call within the port (but not on the ship)can I still be directed through the ships phone system or not.

Or is it best not to use phone in port at all. Im a new cruiser and dont want to get hefty charges that im unaware of.

I would be less concerned about picking up the ship's wireless antenna in the port than being charged some substantial roaming fees in the countries.  Just check the actual charges that will be incurred in each country.  Your provider should have them listed on their site according to the plan you have purchased.

8 hours ago, Potstech said:

If the price of flights continue to be almost if not more than cruises we will just stop cruising.  There are plenty of places here on the Easy Coast we can go to.

including your home town.  It is a great historical city... for as long as it will be allowed to be.  A goodly amount of American history took place within an hour or two from where you are.

20 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

Here are the fleetwide prices & generally they’re available on cruises of 10 or more days.  I always purchase it from our dining room waitstaff so they’ll get the benefit for selling it.

 

On the Royal in April I was able to purchase a wine package on a 7-day cruise but don’t know if that’s a fleetwide change.  You get a punch card which can be used in any dining room but can be consumed anywhere onboard.  If you want a wine that’s over $45 you pay the extra amount.

 

Gold Package (wines up to $45 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $217 (average of $31 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $290 (average of $29 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $336 (average of $28 per bottle)

We have found the gold package to be of decent value.  Most recently on the Regal in April. I am a table wine drinker of reds and have been generally pleased with the variety.

4 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

The device in the photo is a food warmer, not an oven.  The potatoes are already cooked when they are placed in there.

Like a Horn and Hardart without having to put in the coin(s). 

27 minutes ago, BarbinMich said:

We haven't been on the Regal, but have sailed on the Royal twice, the first one in 2015 when the ship was 3 years old.  That year (and I assume prior years) they offered a "high" tea (for a fee) in the atrium, while the regular tea was served in one of the dining rooms.  As I recall the latter was free for Elite pax.  It included a selection of finger sandwiches and sweets. https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/products/activities/afternoon-tea.html

Barb, I do not believe that there is a charge for anyone in in the daily afternoon tea.  Elite passengers do have the benefit of taking their tea in their cabin / balcony.

3 hours ago, kyflamingo said:

We are on the September 14 2019 Ruby Princess sailing and have a total of 11 friends sailing together.  Is it possible to get a table for 11 with Anytime Dining.? Should we see the Maitre'D when we get onboard? This is our 15th cruise but 1st on Princess.  Thanks for your help!

May I make a suggestion?  We had a large group on an RCCL some time ago.  We arranged for two adjacent tables. We then set up a rotation where one or two couples moved each evening to the other table.  We then had the opportunity to meet each person and to beak bread with a different combination each night.  Too boot, we all shared the excellent wait staff in the dining room.  Just a thought.

20 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

Do people go on cruises just to eat and find things to complain about?

Yes, unfortunately, there are those.  And to add to those, the folks predisposed to complaining who will find a myriad of other things to be dissatisfied. It is they who feel that they are entitled to perfection because they are so perfect. There, I feel so cleansed.

7 hours ago, skynight said:

Royal Princess made to order omelets in the buffet.

It is in the most aft serving line. You order whatever and as many ingredients you want. It is made to order and served to you while you wait, or if you want you can give your order slip to your waiter and they will pick it up for you. I find them very good.

I likewise believe that the omelettes are pretty good. I especially like when they are prepared in the aft section on the ships fitted for the World Fresh Marketplace.  I typically hang around as they are being prepared since I like them loose. I ascribe to the adage "done in the pan, overdone on the plate". If you leave them up to the crew cook, you are likely to get them browned on the bottom.

8 minutes ago, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

 

I asked the chef a few days before my dinner reservation if it was possible   And it was.  Very tender and juicy veal shank.

Good luck.  And enjoy.

 

Got it.  Thanks, you just put another arrow in the quiver.

On 7/22/2019 at 11:04 AM, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

Dine at Crown Grill.   Order a 48 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye with all the sides you can eat.   

Or, you might get lucky, and veal chop will be available on the special secret menu.   One time the chef prepared Veal Palliard for me.   It was delicious.   Another time  Veal Osso Buco..   Ask the chef.  I always leave satisfied and full. 

Good luck, enjoy your cruise, and eating.😀

On 7/22/2019 at 11:04 AM, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

Dine at Crown Grill.   Order a 48 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye with all the sides you can eat.   

Or, you might get lucky, and veal chop will be available on the special secret menu.   One time the chef prepared Veal Palliard for me.   It was delicious.   Another time  Veal Osso Buco..   Ask the chef.  I always leave satisfied and full. 

Good luck, enjoy your cruise, and eating.😀

Just for clarification King.  The Osso Buco was available as an off menu selection?  I ask because it takes some time to get the veal shanks cooked up.  The Palliard I can see as prepared on request.  If it is the the former, how did you learn of its availability?

6 minutes ago, Buffy56 said:

We were due to cruise March 2020 to Hawaii but due to sudden cancer diagnosis will need to delay trip until 2021.  Will Princess allow me to transfer my deposit and promo package to a new booking?

Sorry about the diagnosis.  My wife had a like diagnosis with a Princess trans-Atlantic scheduled a bit after her radiation treatments.  We ended up cancelling the cruise (with the Princess insurance).  All monies were returned and, after a polite request, our Future Cruise Credit was restored.  I very much doubt that your promotions will carry over unless they are still offering it with the new cruise.We ended up taking a shorter cruise followed late with the same cruise we cancelled.  I think you will find both Princess and the insurer very empathetic to your situation.  Good luck in the treatments.  Both I and my wife are cancer survivors; she for over 10 years and myself 4.

1 hour ago, jimlouisesophie said:

R U saying some vendors take Canadian $, not knowing that the US $ is stronger?   It is costing us about 33% more to buy US $.

Nope Jim, just the opposite.  What I am saying is that some shops have their products priced in Canadian (or you may substitute another currency) and will accept that price in US currency garnering a 33% increase. It happens a lot in the smaller shops where a credit card will not be accepted on the sale.

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

Much better flow the MP along with a larger variety of food. I personally prefer the MP over the older HC anyway. However the Royal class ships have the best buffet setup overall.

I agree in all that Jeter02 mentioned.  Another aspect of the Market Place update is that the aft section has a small selection of items prepared, or at least presented, in smaller batches. Breakfast is significantly better back there. Improvement likewise took place in the the Slice, Coffee and Cones and Salty Dog offerings.

31 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Also when taking cash into a port be sure to have a variety of different size bills. Some vendors will show prices both in the local and American currency.  They will give change in the local currency. Ask if not sure before paying for an item.

Yep. I especially enjoy the vendors who decide there is currency parity (IE in Canada).