Tripmode33

Thanks for replies. Will try guest services but hold very little hope of scoring the $25! Hopefully no covid for us! After reading your post in theatre and couple coughing behind us, decided to mask up. Supposed to sail at 4pm, but still tied up at circular quay at 7.30!

Boarded Majestic today. Recently received an email from Princess re guests to receive $25AUD regional spending credit for Plus/Premier package guests who booked before 14 December 2022 (package price rise date) to compensate for new changes to inclusions announced July 2023. The email also states guests on standard fares will receive this credit but it's a bit ambiguous if the 14 December 2022 date applies to those on standard. Has anyone on standard booked after December date but before announcement of inclusion changes received this $25 credit once on board?

I agree - unless they specifically exclude cruising, the existing policy may well cover it. Certainly worth asking them to clarify/confirm. Email may be better than phone as then you'd have it in writing.

Sounds like you are pretty well covered for what New Caledonia would be worrried about. If taking out multiple policies, I would suggest taking with same insurer or underwriter. The first question asked when I made a travel claim was 'are you covered fully or partially by another insurance policy '. Both will argue you're covered under other policy and may be situation where neither will agree to pay out......

A vote for YTD. We eat at the same time each evening - early at 5.30, so you would think set time would suit but... Last year we did four carnival cruises quite close together, two in set dining and two with YTD. All at early time slot, so we could enjoy the first theatre show. Without exception we enjoyed YTD much more. Set time felt frantic and crowded and staff overworked. YTD was much more relaxed, much less busy at the early time, and hence staff much more relaxed. We often ended up with same staff each evening. We were sailing and dining in groups from 2 to six persons. For our next three booked carnival, we've chosen YTD.

I have to say a positive word for Luminosa. We sail both carnival and princess, but have only done Alaska on Princess. We have done three cruises on Luminosa and really loved the ship. We are not ones to get involved in many activities onboard, instead love cruising to take time to relax and 'connect' with the ocean. The ship suited this, with great sea views from within public areas and many quiet areas to sit and enjoy the views. Never felt crowded. We enjoyed the food and theatre shows but these change over time. But yes, plumbing issues did arise on one of our cruises. If this is your first cruise to Alaska and plan to have future ones with other itineraries, you will love your cruise on either ship. Alaska is stunning and truly blessed with natural beauty. And agree, those interiors with full length glass, are excellent value, even if obstructed. We loved all three of our Luminosa cruises. (Spirit was too far back to recall.)

I would definitely phone your insurance company to discuss what the policy covers. The 'cruise specific ' term may just refer to minor items like cabin confinement, missed ports, etc, but your main general cover may still cover you for medical expenses irrespective of what type of travel you're doing. Most Australian policies will have unlimited medical expenses but you need to ensure it covers cruising. I'm sure authorities in New Caledonia would definitely not consider $2000 medical cover adequate.

I've written it on breakfast form several times very recently and always delivered.

Is anyone aware if Majestic has the juice bar? Location and opening hours? Thanks.

Yes, a bit wary. We had a cruise booked with CMV fully paid (Norwegian Fjords) when Covid arrived. With no word on possible refunds after we knew it was cancelled, I finally requested a refund on compassionate grounds due to a devastating health diagnosis. They promptly refunded and the very next day went into liquidation. I still don't know if the refund was granted by my long-term travel agent or CMV. I too was extremely surprised they were permitted to restart operations under a new name but essentially same company.

Godwin certainly made a very positive impression on us too when we started cruising with Princess many years ago. He's a real credit to the Princess family and we hope to run into him again onboard in the future.

Over the past six months, we've noticed here in Australia they've stopped issuing cheques (checks) for refundable OBC. Instead they are using a third party to refund to your chosen bank account. You receive an email first from Princess explaining the new process and supplying you with a code that you will need to enter. Then you get an email from the finance house and you follow the instructions using the code that came from Princess. Has worked promptly for our past three cruises with refunds.

Agree with others - we've done Majestic a few times and found the Hollywood pool and conservatory totally unusable. The chlorine smell is so overpowering. We tried to make it work as conservatory has lovely seating and views, but simply could not stay. So disappointing.

I regularly buy dairy free cheese, dairy free yoghurt, dairy free cream and dairy free sour cream. However I have yet to find any of these on a Princess ship. They do have a small range of non-dairy milks available, and more vegan (including dairy -free) options are popping up on the menus.

We were told it was pure butter (unsalted) whipped with a little water. I will certainly be asking the head waiter again next cruise. We definitely don't eat margarine or blended butter with oil (unless a healthy oil). Hopefully we won't have to carry it from the buffet, but if enough people do that, they may take notice!