Worldtraveler 4727

So your opinion is that we CAN take wheeled carry ons to the motor coaches as they will be stored below? They are allowing us one 30" suitcase to take along on the land tour, but not to actually be placed in the belly of the planes. Instead the information I have read is that our larger pieces of luggage will go by motorcoach from one city to another and be available to us by evening at the hotels. We are also allowed to leave one 30" suitcase behind in Sydney, and that one will appear onboard the ship in our cabin. Besides your one soft day pack and the 22 inch wheeled suitcase, were you allowed to carry onto the planes a personal item like a purse? Thank you for your time.

I posted this on the Princess page, but I am hoping that someone here might be able to help... There are several CC posters who have taken the land tour of Australia before the cruise around NZ. They have kindly taken time to answer questions before, and I am hoping to hear from all of them again. We are on the land portion in October, flying from Sydney to Uluru, Darwin, and Cairns, most likely, according to Princess, on Qantas. From Princess website: Land Tours/Australia: For domestic Qantas flights within Australia, you are allowed to check one piece of luggage per person, not to exceed 50 lbs per bag. One piece of carry-on baggage is allowed, not to exceed 15 lbs. Hand-Carry Tote/Backpack • You'll want this bag with you every step of the way, so include only the essentials. • Items to pack in this bag include travel documents, photo ID, important medication, toiletries, camera, insect repellent, and any extra layers of clothing such as jackets or hats. • Your hand-carry tote bag should be a size that is comfortable to carry and should be able to be stowed under your seat. We recommend soft-sided tote bags or backpacks no larger than 17" x 14" x 4" with a zip enclosure. • Wheeled carry on cases that are used to carry-on luggage on airlines are too large and are not suitable as hand-carried luggage on motorcoaches in Australia. OUR QUESTIONS: I understand the weight restrictions, but please note the last line above--is it really true you cannot take the usual wheeled (15#) carry on onto motorcoaches??? With one case in the belly and one carry on, can I also bring a one personal item (a purse??) Were your cases measured and or weighed before flights--both the ones going into the belly of the plane and/or the carry ons? The Bob Wood Group that heads up our land tour will not answer questions. They refer us to Princess. Princess reps know nothing specific--only what is printed, which I can already read. We are looking for people who have done this land tour to give us some advice. Thanks for your time!

There are several CC posters who have taken the land tour of Australia before the cruise around NZ. They have kindly taken time to answer questions before, and I am hoping to hear from all of them again. We are on the land portion in October, flying from Sydney to Uluru, Darwin, and Cairns, most likely, according to Princess, on Qantas. From Princess website: Land Tours/Australia: For domestic Qantas flights within Australia, you are allowed to check one piece of luggage per person, not to exceed 50 lbs per bag. One piece of carry-on baggage is allowed, not to exceed 15 lbs. Hand-Carry Tote/Backpack • You'll want this bag with you every step of the way, so include only the essentials. • Items to pack in this bag include travel documents, photo ID, important medication, toiletries, camera, insect repellent, and any extra layers of clothing such as jackets or hats. • Your hand-carry tote bag should be a size that is comfortable to carry and should be able to be stowed under your seat. We recommend soft-sided tote bags or backpacks no larger than 17" x 14" x 4" with a zip enclosure. • Wheeled carry on cases that are used to carry-on luggage on airlines are too large and are not suitable as hand-carried luggage on motorcoaches in Australia. OUR QUESTIONS: I understand the weight restrictions, but please note the last line above--is it really true you cannot take the usual wheeled (15#) carry on onto motorcoaches??? With one case in the belly and one carry on, can I also bring a one personal item (a purse??) Were your cases measured and or weighed before flights--both the ones going into the belly of the plane and/or the carry ons? The Bob Wood Group that heads up our land tour will not answer questions. They refer us to Princess. Princess reps know nothing specific--only what is printed, which I can already read. We are looking for people who have done this land tour to give us some advice. Thanks for your time!

This may help.... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2560841-trip-review-connoisseur-land-amp-sea-rb8-june-19-july-4-2018/

We LOVED the Connoisseur Tour: land and sea. This might help you decide....

Try reading through this blog for a good idea on what to expect. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2560841-trip-review-connoisseur-land-amp-sea-rb8-june-19-july-4-2018/

Perhaps. But that doesn't address my basic concern: to ticket early or not to ticket early. Looking for the path of least resistance.

In the past, once the flight has been ticketed, I have been told that I had to then deal with Delta directly, or whatever airline was involved. Then in trying to deal with Delta, I was told I booked "through a third party" and needed to go through them (Princess). It was a mess, and now post-Covid with all the other messes going on with Princess, (ie SD booking, charging the wrong amount, not using SD credits), it's difficult to know how to proceed for the least amount of conflict and pain.

"Actually, guest can ticket anytime after the flights are paid for - which could be prior to FP Date for the cruise." But with early ticketing, will Princess EZAir still help you find other flights--and for the same price--if the airline winds up canceling--or re-scheduling at times that are impossible for your situation?

Because I have been reading all the threads on here that describe the horror stories of Princess EZAir canceling flights that people booked with them that are still showing available on line.

Does anyone have experience with early ticketing on EZAir? How far in advance will they do it?

Thank you. Glad you got a response.

I don't know what else to tell you or how to explain these odd charges either. On August 3 through the Medallion App, I made two reservations for 4 people (all have two specialty dining credits each) at the Crown Grill for Nov 7 & 12, 2023, and my Visa alerted me that there were two charges made on the same day for the same amount. My TA did get a hold of Princess. The agent said she could see the charges but could not do anything--wait to get onboard and they will be removed. I hope the agent meant refunded. I have been told by others on here that I would receive refundable OBC. Hi there, I noticed your card was charged twice for the same amount. Here are the details: PRINCESS CRUISE LINES Thursday, August 3, 2023 $142.93 Thursday, August 3, 2023 $142.93

What was the address you used, please.

Excellent thought! Yes, it is. I converted $142.93 from AUD to USD. It comes to $93.80 😵‍💫 The numbers are still not making sense.

I totally understand your frustration. I would not have knowingly re-posted from another CC member anything I did not think was helpful. But I did notice that all the other addresses in the above list include "princesscruises" in their address and not just "princess." Perhaps you could try to send your email again. Best of luck.

Thank you for that clarification. Appreciated.

Sorry for any confusion. The amount charged to my Visa twice on the same day for four people at the Crown Grill for both nights was $142.93 (not the $148.93 you listed) Both bookings are entitled to two specialty dining evenings, as I stated above. Only my Visa was charged, even though our bookings are linked, and both bookings on the Medallion app still state dining credits are available. How to get Princess to remove the Visa charges and use the credits from both bookings, seems to be the million dollar question here.

Isn't this insane? In addition, the cost/numbers are wacky. My VISA was charged $148.93, twice for two specialty dinners and our friends' booking linked to ours who have the same package. Nothing is adding up. $142.93 divided by 4 = $35.73 per dinner. Specialty dining is supposed to be $39 pp.AND to add to the confusion, my Premiere Gifts and Services Summary lists Gift ID 02 6709 as $109 pp per night. What in the world?? Contacted my TA. She doesn't think she can help either. She said since COVID, Princess is very difficult to deal with. So much for TA's. Thrak posted this: customerrelations@princesscruises.com is your first line of inquiry. If this is the address that is ignoring your queries try these: Princess Cruises Executive Contacts: Primary Contact 
Collin Steinke
 Director, Customer Relations
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
csteinke@princesscruises.com Secondary Contact
 Lorna Warren
 Vice President Guest Services
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
lwarren@princesscruises.com Chief Executive
 John Padgett
 President
 24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
 jpadgett@princess.com Also, try padgett@HAGroup.com Perhaps we need to begin an intense writing campaign. I know that we are not the only ones out there affected by this problem.

I did one for the land tour and cruise we took with Princess in 2018, and it was appreciated by many. I am hoping Princess does as good of a job on this one to AU/NZ! They were wonderful in Alaska.

Coco2/27 My husband and I and two friends are doing this land tour before the NZ cruise late Oct this fall. I plan on writing a day by day blog on CC since I cannot find any one done on this type of tour. I am not sure if I will be able to do it as we travel about, but I will certainly get to it after we arrive home (Nov 15) I will happily answer any of your questions. ~Kathy

Thank you for your reply. I hoping to straighten out Specialty Dining reservations and NOT receive refundable OBC, but in the event that is the only solution, I would rather not wait for weeks after the cruise to perhaps receive a check in the correct amount--too many horror stories on CC on that glitch.

Thank you, Thrak! I have printed this off--incredibly helpful 👍🏻

Does anyone know if you can still load your refundable OBC to your Medallion in the casino and cash out?

I really do not want hundreds of dollars in OBC. How do I avoid that? The Medallion app said I would not be charged when the reservations were confirmed, and they seem to be confirmed b/c it will allow me to delete if I want.