shiner6

Ok, I just tried everything and it did not work.  I then called Holland rep. and got the same spiel as yesterday.   Finally, I called my PCC Shandra at HAL and got through! She was expecting my call  through telepathy!   LOL! She said that even the cruise consultants are experiencing the same problems with the website, so she is going to investigate further and get back to me.  

Thank you everyone for your kind suggestions! I love this online community.

11 hours ago, cbr663 said:

Isn't it amazing how the internet has evolved?  I have 4 web browsers on my laptop cause I have to find the right browser for the right web page.  It is frustrating.

 

One option is to delete the cookies for the website and then restart your computer.  A mis-behaving cookie can often be the issue.  Deleting your cache files can often help.  I completed a deep maintenance clean up of 2 of my computers and it has helped address most issues.

 

When all else fails, I use a basic install of a different web browser.  My choice is Chrome.  I used it without any add-ons, ad blockers or trackers.  If successful, once done I always clear all browsing data so as to have a clean browser for the next incident.

 

OK, good to know. I am going to give this a try now! Thank you!!!!!

12 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

What error message(s) are you receiving? You're able to log in - is it just the check-in portion that is not working?

Like Kazu said, sometimes using a different browser helps, but I would also like to understand how far into the process / booking you're getting.

I am able to log on and navigate around the site. When I go to "Manage my cruise", the screen to check the boxes to declare that you have read the contract appears. I click on the boxes and this is as far as I get. The error screen shows something is wrong with my phone number in the contact info. I can go no further. 

My hubbie is in an IT engineer. He has tried different browsers and has told me that I need to contact a different rep. because it is a system error.  (He refuses to call any cruise line, that is my responsibility, due to all kinds of website issues in the past with all cruise lines we use, lol). 

Does anyone have a contact that I can call or email?

I think she meant that Instead of refunding cash to her, they were offering the OBC. Doesn't sound like they were offering OBC if she kept the excursion?

I booked a cruise on Jan. 23. I have tried everyday to "Manage my cruise" without success.  Today I called HAL and after a lengthy conversion/ explanation and multple tries of logging off and then back on per the agent's request, I was told to "try again tomorrow because it is a system error".  I asked "what was going to change between now and tomorrow to enable me to complete my check in?' and she replied "Maybe try again next week".  I thanked her for her help and hung up.  It was obvious that she was reading answers from a scripted page of responses. I am exasperated. I tried to contact my planner, but she sends emails telling me that she is planning on calling me soon, but  so far =NOTHING.  I am running out of patience.

On 4/5/2022 at 8:08 PM, waltd said:

So if I get this right charge is billed directly to your credit card and does not pull from any on board credit you might have in your shipboard account.  The advantage is the credit you get back from using the Medallion. Too bad you couldn't use up your OBC this way.

Remember, if you choose to use the card linked to your shipboard account on land purchases, that the "little" mom and pop shops suffer, as they have to pay Princess a high fee to have this service.  I tried to delete my card after learning this, however, it would not let me enter the green lane. so I put in a card that I do not plan on using. Makes me seethe.

Love reading your blog every day! Thank you for your thoughtful posts.

I wonder if you might answer some questions for me? I have a trip on the Ruby coming up next month and I have searched the forums, however, cannot find definitive answers.

1. Do you remember how far in advance you received your boarding time?

2. Was the butter served in the MDR real butter or a substitute? (I know this question may sound trivial to some, but it is important to me). 

3. I have been unsuccessful in upgrading my cabin (sold out cruise), so am considering alternatives for viewing. Is the Sanctuary worth trying to "run" for a spot as soon as I embark, like other threads have implied?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. Greatly appreciated.

Gail

Your choice of balcony is very important for Norway cruises. We normally get an inside room, but for Norway we splurged on an aft balcony. We spent most of our time there.  Having some shade was very helpful.

9 hours ago, alpencoolcruiser said:

If it helps, and I hope it does - I wrote some tips and information on a visit to Vatican city

. 

I absolutely love your blog!  I am mesmerized by your talent and experience. Thank you soooo much!

On 1/25/2024 at 3:00 PM, kohanfam said:

We are planning to do Walks of Italy Pristine Sistine tour for early entry. This was based on my own research and not personal experience.

We just booked our first trip to Rome and of course The Vatican is number 1 on our list to see. Can you help me decide which tour to book?  What is the tour that you are going on? We will be in Rome for 5 days before our cruise in November. No mobility restrictions, but we are old. Thanks for posting!

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I was just there last November for a week (the week of Thanksgiving). I was lucky that the weather was terrific; I have been in Rome that time of year before and it can be rainy, so be prepared with a rain jacket or poncho, umbrella, and shoes that can handle getting wet. 

 

In past years, the hotel had completely shut down the rooftop terrace/bar by November. This year, the terrace was open, but there was no bar service. You can still bring your own drink up there and sit, if the weather is fine. (And the inside bar is off the lobby.)

 

Rome was more crowded than I had experienced in past years at this time of year. But still much better than in summer!  Lines at the Pantheon, for example, were rarely long and I could roll up and buy my ticket on the spot and get in, rather than having to buy ticket in advance online. Other places (like the Colosseum and Vatican) still require a reservation though, unless you want to spend valuable time waiting in line.

 

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

     Thank you cruisemom! I am about to book my Flights.  I was thinking about flying into Naples for 3 nights, then heading to Rome on the train for 4 nights before boarding my cruise. I have been reading posts about getting tickets beforehand to the most important sites. It is great that people like you offer your advice. I like to do it for others as well.

     We will be there around the 2nd week in November, so we will be prepared with appropriate clothing.  I love to hear the details like you provided about the bar.  These are the tips that I find very helpful in planning. 

We are planning on staying at the Alberto del Senato because of your great advice. My question is: Has anyone stayed during the month of November? Any tips or advice? This is our first trip to Italy.  We are flying into Naples for a few nights, then on to Rome before our TA cruise.

well, I have tried everything for pre-booking dining-got charged for every single one even though the app states that 2 specialty dinners are included. The times are now gone only ones left are for 8:40-too late for me (I have GERDS).  So, I just paid and hope I can clear this up once on board. I have sailed with Princess for 14 years.  This simply adds another layer of aggravation pre cruise. I am hoping the rest is clear sailing. 

7 hours ago, DHP1 said:

Click on the three dots where your credit card is shown and select delete.  I have been told it works. 

Thank you very much! I have been going crazy trying to do this!  Now, how do you make specialty dinner reservations without being charged if you have the premier package?

On 4/13/2022 at 6:32 PM, Thrak said:

I think Princess is really hoping to cash in from the Diamonds International purchases. Personally, I declined to sign up to use Medallion Pay on shore. I've read a post where someone else who also declined to enter that information in the Medallion App was told by the onshore vendor that it didn't matter if he had signed up for it or not and he was able to use the "service".

 

Thanks for the information regarding the (ridiculous) charges to the vendors. I figured there would be a "catch" but didn't realize it would be that big of a financial hit. It makes no sense to me that a vendor would want to pay that unless they are hoping for a vastly increased amount of sales.

How did you decline to sign up for the onshore credit card on the app. I do not want it, but there is no place to opt out

 This question is for those of you who have taken excursions from the ship which include Airport transfers.  I am interested in taking one from my Princess sailing to FLL which includes a notice which states "this tour is for people whose flights depart after 3pm domestic or 4pm international". I have read on some posts that people had their excursions cut an hour or more because there were people who had booked earlier departure times. How frequently does this happen? I don not want to pay for a shortened excursion and I am following the rules by booking a later flight. Does this mean it is ok to book a 2pm flight and they will make sure that I get there in time? 

3 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

When you hear of anecdotal experiences like given in that other thread, you really don't know all the facts.  Does one person's definition of "full" *truly* mean full...there are absolutely NO tables available at ANY restaurant for ANY time at ANY seating quantity.  I really doubt that.  Plus, you don't know when the actually tried to make those reservations.  In my experience, when we have done SD we have rarely seen the restaurant "full" and we have even been able to do a walk up when we did not have a reservation...on a "full" ship.  So...I take threads like that with a big grain of salt.  Plus...if by chance you booked Premier...they are holding tables for those bookings.

Thanks Rick, but the short answer is "no", I have been trying to make these reservations for over over a month now. There were plenty of spots left, however, I had to pay for them, my Premier Plus package was not accepted although it was paid for. Just very confused as we have sailed with Princess many times and had not encountered this difficulty in the past.

2 hours ago, wallyj said:

@Rick&Jeannie, the OP did not state the length of sailing as this can affect SD availability. Last November on Discovery 4 day sailing, I asked shortly after boarding if any SD was available and was told they were fully booked, but they said they would put me on waitlist and I could check back in person everyday for possible cancellations.

 

When I passed by the restaurants, they were not full, so I assume they could not accommodate more passengers because of staffing/crew availability.

 

There was a previous thread discussing where you could not purchase Premier package on day1 because all SD was fully booked. I believe OP was still willing to get so they could get the higher priced drinks, but was denied.

 

Sold out SD is possible, especially on shorter sailings.

It is a 10 day cruise to Panama Canal

3 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Unfortunately there is a current glitch with the APP. I have the Premier package for a 4 day on Discovery in Feb 2024 and a 7 day on Ruby in April. A few weeks ago, the APP allowed me to make my 2 SD reservations and recognized I had dining credits so there was no charge. I made these on the ‘Old’ APP, but saw a YouTuber report recently the old and new APP is not recognizing Premier pkg dining credits.

 

As far as you trying to upgrade, something does not sound right, did you get an explanation why Princess was quoting more than double than what you were seeing in the website. Why did your TA need to call Princess, as upgrading your booking should be doable with their booking software.

Thanks for the helpful reply. My TA said that she must call and speak with Princess for the upgrade and that it is generally a toss up as many of the Princess reps. are not well informed.  I will call Princess directly again.

On 1/5/2024 at 10:09 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

When you put it like that...yeah, it sounds a bit silly.  But...we view it as just a part of "the big picture" being the overall cruise and the costs involved.  We *know* we're always going to do some kind of SD so we prefer to pick the particular restaurant/day/time so that we are assured of getting what we want.  Also, for our past 2 cruises we booked Premier fare.  We really had NO interest in doing so since it first was introduced...but then we finally said "Let's give it a shot just to say we've done it."  Our concern was primarily the cost.  Surprisingly...we liked it!  We booked it again for the next cruise.  

 

You pretty much HAVE to use the same approach with shore excursions.  If you don't "pay" for them (either credit card or OBC) possibly months in advance then you may very well NOT be going on that excursion! They fill up. Same scenario.  If you really want to experience some of the things that are offered on a cruise...you have to be of the mindset that you'll be paying in advance.  After all...they don't let you pay for the cruise when you first board the ship!

 

You may think "Why the heck is this person rambling on about the fare package?  What does it have to do with the thread topic?"  Well, Premier includes 2 "free" (obviously not free...) SD reservations.  If you book Premier...you DO NOT have to pre-pay for those reservations.  The system *should* know that you have it and give you credits.  (I know, some people have had issues where the system did not recognize that they had Plus or Premier and they had to involve technical support...but by and large, the majority of people do not run into these issues.)

No, My app shows that I have the premier package, however none of my sailing dates come up when I try to book. It will let me book a specialty dinner for tonight but not when I am on my cruise.

5 hours ago, TheDawg79 said:

Dump the big box TA and get a legit one.

I believe you jumped to conclusions. MY TA is not at fault, it is Princess who will not allow booking until onboard unless you prepay. This speaks rather poorly of promoting the packages which seem to allow this.

3 hours ago, Rmyoung said:

This depends on how crowded ship. We are on now I tried to book Rudy at 10:30 embarkation day it was full for 10 days. Crown was full except for 5:30 and 830

This is why I paid for them.  I will try to sort it out on board, what a hassle though.

 1.I have pre-paid for my entire cruise costs including the Premier Package.  It is my understanding that 2 Meals at the Specialty restaurant are included. Why did Princess charge me for the 2 Specialty dining reservations if they are supposed to be included? I like to have my dinner reservations made ahead of time, especially on an excursion heavy trip. 

2. I wished to upgrade my room from inside to obstructed window, so I called my big box TA and they called Princess. The cost for the upgrade was more than twice as much on their current website price. I refused the offer. I sent an email to Princess last month, but no reply so far.

Any suggestions?

Thank you for your review. We have also purchased the Premier package and are wondering if it is worth it. I am somewhat disappointed in the dining choices and concerned about availability because it is a sold  out cruise. Wondering how difficult it might be to book those casual and specialty restaurants included in the Premier package.

23 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

I found this to be true when I booked through the big box store where you get $1.50 hot dogs and coke.  It was in the fine print that I didn't read.  Cheers 

 

Yes, I just realized this as well. Won't be booking through them anymore.