Thrak

On 5/31/2024 at 11:20 AM, latebloomer56 said:

Just not having to go into the site and book every day is a treat for me 😉. Plus who knows may be worth the extra for the mini that includes this for the future.

Thanks

We haven't had to do that even one time since the restart and the Dine My Way craziness. We've booked same time every night with another couple, same time every night sharing, and same time every night table for two, etc. Even when booked for same time every night sharing we were able to get a table for two the few times we wanted to eat alone.

Don't get me wrong - I would love to have Reserved seating but I won't pay the extra fee for the privilege.

8 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

On my upcoming cruise, I called to add Premium to our third guest’s itinerary and they just added it to my booking and it bumped up my balance due. They didn’t require payment over the phone. So since my balance was increased, I was able to use AARP GCs to pay for the package along with the rest of my fare. I assume that the same would be true if you booked without a package and called (or chatted) to add one later. 

I paid for 63 days of cruising and a transpacific flight using nothing but Princess gift cards. Plus was booked from day 1.

7 hours ago, Yehootu said:

That works great if you're not using Princess insurance. If you do use Princess insurance then it will increase your fare by 9% or 12% depending on what level of insurance you booked. I just take my ARP cards and add to my OBC to purchase onboard.

Exactly why I plan to add the package onboard. I have no desire to pay increased insurance due to having Plus on my cruise from the start. Paying onboard also breaks up the payment a bit as I can pay for the cruise in full just before final payment date and then not have to pay for Plus until we actually sail.

On our last cruise it took me two different people at customer service to be able to add a Princess gift card to my account as OBC. The first one said she didn't know how and I would need to speak with her coworker. (This is after waiting through a fairly long line to get to the counter.) She then proceeded to handle issues for two more people without ever speaking to her coworker about my issue. (I had zero interest in simply moving to the back of an even longer line in order to get to one of her coworkers who may well have also had no idea what to do with a gift card.) I got a bit peeved and commented on her complete lack of service at which point she seemed surprised and got her coworker to help me. Pretty poor customer service.

There was a fairly big deal about Conor McGregor and Proper 12 Irish Whiskey. It is not what I would consider a good Irish Whiskey by any means. (McGregor has since sold out and no longer owns the brand he founded.) Having some idiot celebrity's name associated with a liquor or a wine doesn't mean it's good stuff.

12 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

We did our 2nd sailing to Alaska on the Majestic. We thought it was great...but then we somewhat take the stance that *any* day on a cruise is a good day!

Not the day Noro hit me like a runaway truck. That was not a good cruise day. (Actually, while the first day was the worst the next two days after that were pretty terrible as well.)

We always have Medjet. If we are hospitalized anywhere in the world they will fly us back home to our local hospital. It not only covers us when we sail but also when we do our multi-week camping trips in the US. It's cheap insurance against what could otherwise be a disaster.

Buying Plus onboard is the exact same cost as buying it in advance. I will be buying onboard on our next cruises as one doesn't end up paying extra on the cruise insurance like they do if buying in advance. I will also be using discounted Princess gift cards from AARP for an 8% saving on the price. If some clown tried to add an extra 18% onto the cost I would be speaking with a supervisor right quick.

We are looking hard at the Ring of Kerry cruisetour for next year followed by a 2 day stay in Southampton and then a transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale. I'm getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on booking these so am trolling around for info on the cruisetour.

2 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Lol...mine was never quite that long but when we got married I cut it way back to become "more respectable"! 😀

I was married with two kids when that picture was taken. 😁

9 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

We found that also, so we bought the PCL wristbands a couple of years ago.  

We found that the local port custom agents DO look at our wristbands to check the ship and date when we return to the ship. Did not want to dig the medallion out of the air tag holder or the fit bit band every stop.

 

You can use the provided lanyard, if you don’t mind it around your neck.

 

We have never (yet) been asked to take the Medallion out of the holder. We just flash it as we approach the ship and that's it. Having used these holders for multiple cruises in multiple countries I guess we have been lucky.

Times change. I was never a blow drier user but I did used to have hair. These days, not so much... 🤪

Sometimes I think I must be the ony person who hasn't had any issues with making dining reservations. Yes, I agree with the multitude of people who think it's idiotic to expect people to "know" when they will want to dine on specific evenings. Port days (and various other happenings) can change the dynamic of dining times. I think the reason I don't have issues is that I "surrendered" and just book dining in the same dining room for 5:30 PM every night.

In the past this was too early for us but these days it seems to work out fine and allows us to make it to the early show in theater if we so desire. It also allows us to do almost any of the evening activities being offered whether it is the Yes - No Game, Trivia, Liar's Club or whatever. I have been able to book a shared table, a private table for 4 with cruise friends, a private table for 5 with family, and a table for 2. I originally thought I would absolutely hate the new dining arrangements but have found that I was wrong and the new system has worked quite well for us.

I am happy to corroborate the info above from @reedprincess. My wife and I use Air Tag holders for our Medallions.Air Tag holders definitely hold Princess Medallions and hold them quite securely. However, there is one slight caveat. I don't know about all Air Tag holders but the ones we use obscure our names and the sailing information that is shown on the Medallions. The Princess holders don't obscure that information. See what I mean about obscuring the information in the pic below.

I don't have a lot of hair left and my wife doesn't tend to use the in-room blow dryer (she doesn't take one of her own either). However, I definitely have used the blow dryer a couple of times. Of course I was using it after the *&$#&!! faucet in the bathroom splashed on the front of my suit pants.(Yes, I wasn't "vigilant" and it happened twice.) No way was I heading out on Formal Night wearing a suit with the front of my pants wet. Nope, nope, nope. The in-cabin blow dryer came to the rescue and I was able to dry the front of my pants before venturing out into the public areas. I will, however, verify that it has been a fairly pathetic stream of hot hair that issues from the dryer. If you have long, thick hair I would recommend taking a "real" blow drier with you if you want to have one that works well.

Back in 2019 we flew from SMF (Sacramento) to LHR. We had to fly economy so I wanted to try Virgin Atlantic as they have better seating and perks. No matter where I checked the cheapest flights I could find were more than $5,000 per person - one way. It was crazy. I checked EZ Air and got the exact same flights for $500 per person - slightly less than 10% of any other quote I could find. Needless to say we jumped on it.

Having flown from Melbourne, AU to SFO last year in Premium Economy we will never fly that far in cattle class again. The difference in comfort and service was phenomenal. Less than Business Class but so very much better than Standard Economy. It costs more but is soooooooooo worth it for us. We will likely be booking flights to SNN (Shannon in Ireland) for next year and will definitely be checking out EZ Air pricing for that flight. I'm sure it won't be as fantastic a deal as we got back in 2019 (nothing is that great anymore) but I doubt we will find better pricing anywhere and the convenience and ability to change or refare with no cost is a great perk. (We will also be able to include the price of the flights in the price of the cruise tour and pay for everything using discounted Princess gift cards purchased through AARP.)

Try sending your info to customerrelations@princesscruises.com

Include the necessary info and (nicely) request that they kick somebody's butt and get them to send you what you need.

We have never sailed in a Window Suite but would love to do so. I see the lack of an actual balcony as a very minor "downside" and everything else about them as a major "upside".

8 hours ago, puzzums said:

So, do I understand correctly, then, that one does NOT have to adhere to the time given in the boarding window?  My window is 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.  I’m one of those keeners who likes to get on board as soon as possible to start exploring.

If it makes any difference, it will be the June 1/24 sail date aboard The Royal Princess departing from the Vancouver terminal.

Ignore the boarding window. There's no way I would adhere to that boarding stricture. Of course boarding in Vancouver tends to be a zoo... 🤪

46 minutes ago, I object 2 said:

There were slot machines against one wall in Take Five on Discovery Princess last October.  We spent time in there because it wasn't as smoky as the main casino. The rest of Take Five was seating area and the bar.    

We sailed Discovery in April on the Total Solar Eclipse cruise. There were no slots in Take Five. We were there every evening. There was a glass door into the casino from Take Five.

On 5/4/2024 at 2:36 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

Nearest is Mount Gay…. Better tour and rum is Foursquare, but this distillery is further away.  Whatever is the selection, best to book one’s tour in advance as spaces are limted.

I second the vote for Foursquare. Absolutely wonderful rum - much better than Mount Gay in my opinion. I won a bottle there and, once I was home and had time to savor it, ended up wishing I had bought a case to take home with me. I can get Mount Gay at the local grocery store but getting Foursquare is just not going to happen here.

Sounds pretty idiotic if true.

6 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Anyone gets lunch in the MDR, not just elite. 

6 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

I'd love to do that when I board the Discovery June 15th!  Much more relaxing than the lido on embarkation day. How long is it open that day?

Usually closes at 1:00 PM. That's why we only do embarkation lunch in MDR if we are able to board early.

I would definitely be writing to customerrelations@princesscruises.com

Keep the information civil and calm and make it complete.

Additional contact info:
 
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@princesscruises.com

If we can manage to get to the port early (if we have stayed in a nearby hotel the night before) we try to be there by around 10:00 - 10:30 AM. It's then a fairly short wait to board and we get on in time to check in at our muster station, watch the safety video, and have lunch in MDR. I like starting with a nice sit down lunch and a glass of wine.

13 hours ago, skynight said:

I would write a letter to John Padgett and send by the postal service. I would include copies of your on board folio and all the emails you received from customer service. Customer service is not up to the task.

From you signature it appears you are from Australia. Were you on an Australia based, Aust$ cruise? Maybe Princess, Australia has different rules than those here in the U.S.

We did 63 days on Grand Princess last year - the second half of that was in Australia and New Zealand. I can assure you that they used my non-refundable OBC first. I got a chunk of Refundable OBC back in a check after the cruise. It has always been the case on every Princess cruise we have taken that the non-refundable was used first.

We were also on the recent Total Eclipse cruise to Mexico. Our non-refundable OBC was used first and the remainder of our refundable OBC was, once again, sent to us in a check.

1 hour ago, mahasamatman said:

I recommend AdBlock+. Never seen an ad on CC.

Second that recommendation. I never see any adds on CC.