cruising deacon

I am a lifelong Princess cruiser, but our son cruises with Celebrity exclusively except when cruising with us.  He talked to me the other day about a 'good deal' cruise that he was going to take on Celebrity, and wanted to know if we wanted to join them.  As it turned out we decided not to go.  But, when looking online at the Celebrity website a different cruise interested me,  I went on their website  this morning and brought up the cruise, selected a 'Aqua Class Cabin', for 2 people, made the cabin selection, and a screen popped up saying I could choose 3 of their 4 perks, which I did, then it came up with the 'Final Price Screen' showing the price with the 3 perks with a button on the bottom to push that said LOCK IT IN.  Before hitting the button, I called Celebrity to book it (1-888-751-7804).  Their representative told me his computer wasn't showing him the same pricing, so he went in via the web and came up with the same DEAL that my screen was showing.  He put me on hold to talk to their RESOLUTION department, and came back to the line about 30 minutes later and told me they would NOT give me the deal that was online, instead they offered my 2 specialty dining dinners.  To say the least, I was totally disappointed in the way they handled this situation, and I have learned not to trust Celebrity with any future booking considerations.  If they won't honor their online advertising offerings, then why would I ever trust them cruising.

Thanks to everyone who responded

We have 2 $32 per bottle wine coupons that we will be getting on an upcoming cruise as part of the DEAL from Princess.  Does anyone have any idea how they REALLY work?  Do you have to order the wine through 'room service'?   Can I get a bottle at any bar?  Can I get a bottle in the MDR?  The selection is SOOOOOOO poor for a $32 bottle of wine, if I purchase a BETTER more costly wine will I only be charged the difference?  Responses from anyone who has personally used one of these recently would be appreciated.   Thanks

I when I checked this morning, one of the cruises that I am booked on in May went up $275 per/person with this new sale, compared to yesterday.  A cruise that I had been watching (that is not selling very good) for April, went up 63% over yesterday.

Sounds to me that t is a 'Best Sale Ever' deal for Princess.

I recently booked a cruise with that sale as the promotion.  Does anyone have any idea how the actual WINE portion of the promotion actually works?

It mentions you get two vouchers when you board, each may be exchanged for any $32 bottle of wine.

†Wine and Dine offer refers to 2 FREE Bottles of Wine vouchers ($32 value each) per stateroom and guests must be 21 years of age or older. Non-alcoholic options are available. Bottle of Wine vouchers will be presented in stateroom on first day of voyage and are quoted in USD.

Looking at what I think is the current wine list, there are only 5 bottles at that price (over a hundred are higher prices), and I don't feel that any of those 5 varieties are drinkable (even free).

I am hoping that you can choose a better wine from the list and only have to pay the difference in price between it and $32.  Does anyone know for sure if that is possible?

Cabin E620 is located on the Emerald deck about 8 cabins (100 feet) forward of the rear elevator hallway

(look on the deck plans for the Emerald deck and Promenade deck)

The deck on top of it is the Promenade deck, where there is access to the lifeboats (when needed) and the life boats are hanging.

If you look on the Promenade deck's plan, there appears to be a lifeboat that is going to blocking your view on the balcony (obstructed).  You may be seeing a lot of ORANGE.

Secondly, I have never been in a cabin which has upper berths (I avoid them), but my guess is that part of the message means that when that berth is lowered, it is blocking your door to access the balcony.

18 hours ago, CruiseNut24 said:

I noticed on my Travel Summary,  that my TA has a Cruise Night Coupon Book included.  Has anyone seen this coupon books and/ or know what they may include?  I have never seen one before.

 

Thanks for all responses

I am not sure where the idea that these come via TA ever got started.  We have not used a TA in the last 10 years, and all of our cruises in the past year or so as well as those that we currently have booked, all have come with these books.  I have only used the BOGO coupon for Crown Grill on the first night, although some guests may find some of the others useful.  But since I feel the Crown Grill is overrated (and not worth the price, even at half price), I doubt that I will ever use it again.

On 10/6/2018 at 1:03 AM, jlp20 said:

My cabin, my balcony and my light. While it may be rude you have zero right to ask anyone else how they use their cabin.

I could not agree with you more   

We were on the Ruby the first week of August 2017 and were invited the first time to the most traveled gathering which in our case was a cocktail party in Adagio lounge. I later found out at the customary gathering that there were only 51 elite aboard. The cocktail party was nice and we were given a picture standing next to the captain who was very gracious. I told the DW it would probably be decades before we were invited again. In the mean time we are having fun cruising mostly with Princess aka the LOVE BOAT! ;p;p

We were on the same ship in May and were also invited to the cocktail party. We both thought it was outstanding, and truthfully to us sounds like it was much better than the luncheon. We had the opportunity to talk to all of the staff officers. We were in small groups of about 6 per group but ours only had 4, so the staff members kept coming by and joining our group in conversation for about 5-10 minutes each. Even the captain sat with us for about 10 minutes. The drinks, appetizers, desserts and conversation were outstanding.

You may not be to happy when you get your laundry back.

Sometimes you get it back with little holes in it. :eek: We are elite members and I stop sending it out.

To answer your question there’s no limits on times or how much. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 days to get your laundry back if there’s a lot of elites on the cruise. Take all your clothes you may get lucky. :confused: :D

Tony

We have used it many times, we feel it is the best thing about being Elite. Like you said, at times 2-3 days, probably because most Elites love it.

I hope Princess decides to can the whole idea, they already want to know too much information on me. At least right now I have a little control over it.

Interesting CruisingDeacon! If it were 100% implemented on the Regal for all passengers don't you think there would be more chatter about how it's going? I'm skeptical just like you. Guess I will find out next Saturday, 9/22 when my wife and I board the Regal for our cruise to New England and Canada.

Please let me know via this post whatever state ***** is in. Thanks

When I talked to someone at Princess the other day I was told that ***** was 100% implemented on the Regal. I called them because it was total disaster in January when I was onboard, and we are on it again in October out of Brooklyn. I was told we would have the ***** by Sept. 20.

What is the real truth, because I usually don't believe Princess.

Just one more suggestion to think about.

I quite often find myself on a cruise when the final payment is due for the next one. I call Princess right before I leave on the cruise and tell them to place an "AUTOMATIC PAYMENT" on my booking and I give them the credit card number, I always ask them to send me a new 'Booking Confirmation' when I do this. The first line in the NOTICES section will read:

Per your request, the credit card registered will automatically be charged when final payment is due.

Then on the final payment date they will send you another 'Booking Confirmation' that reads in the PRICING DETAILS section:

Total Amount Received: x,xxx.xx (the amount you are being charged)

Net Due: 0.00

Payment Details

Booking is paid in full.

I have used this method dozens of times and it has never failed me yet.

Just don't try to get the waiter to package it up for you. They won't!!! My friend wanted to take the rest of her steak back to the room (also for breakfast) and they would not even put it in foil for her. I fought and fought and finally got the head waiter who also refused. I had a plastic bag in my purse and gave it to her.

 

Another problem I had at the Crown Grill was when I asked for an Ice Tea. They said that they would have had to go to the Horizon to get it because they didn't have it there. I said go, but they didn't! They really want to sell you drinks.

On our 30+ Princess cruises we have only gone to Crown Grill once and 'walked out', They said they didn't carry the wine that my wife asked for, I told them that we got a bottle of it in the MDR the night before, they refused to check with them to see about getting it. Crown Grill is out for us.

It has been my experience that the Future Cruise Consultants think they are doing us a REAL BIG FAVOR. 'Customer Service' never enters their mind.

upcoming Ruby cruise - please keep us informed

No. It was soooooooooooo slow I didn't even think of that those.

I just got off of 2 weeks on the Regal. I found the internet to be terrible, particularly when trying to go to Facebook. Before they went to the unlimited, I never had a problem getting online. The first week (2/18-25) there were over 800 Platinum and over 400 Elite onboard. Gridlock..... I would get on and go pretty good but then it would bog down. I noticed that there is no suggestion to "log out". If all these people are on, then they go off ( not logging off) and leave their wifi on their devices on...then with all the automatic updating, etc. that most people have their devices set for ( I shut all that off when onboard), am I wrong in thinking that this is a large part of the problem?

 

I'd rather have the set minutes that I was allowed for Platinum (or whatever Elite was, now that I've just reached that--yay laundry!!:D). At least then I could get things done.

 

Linda R.

I agree, it was really slow :(:(

Just the opposite for us, we will never go to Alaska without a balcony. We have taken 12 cruises to Alaska, every day of the cruise affords you great opportunity to see this magnificent area at its best. We have never had a day that we haven't seen either a bear, whale or absolltely beautiful snow capped mountains and waterfalls from our balcony. For as many balconies as there are on the sides of a Princess ship, I am always amazed that so few people are out there to see Alaska's beauty. MANY times I have been out on the balcony and yelled 'WHALE' and no one heard me, maybe they were watching TV or sleeping.

I think cruisers get used to being on other area cruises where there is nothing to see but the sea, so when they go to Alaska they don't bother to take the time to smell the roses (enjoy a scenic cruise) . We will be back in Alaska again this season, we never tire of its beauty.

A couple of weeks ago we were on the Regal and the same 8 pm showtime for the first show. There was nothing prior to that each evening. Since we tend to eat early, we usually walk the ship now for some time after dinner. Seems to us that the entertainment on Princess has gone steadily downhill for the last 5 years. For most of us who cruise more than once or twice a year, the shows have been around for so long, we don't bother to go to see them. Although, on this crusie there was a new one for us "Born to Dance", and it was pretty good. The comedians are getting old, we don't bother to go see them any more either. Maybe its time to check out other lines.

Therefore for us, with the show times being later in the evening and lack of diversity in them, we tend not to go.

We have been elite now for about 10 years, if the number of clean clothes is the problem, pack more.

We recently got off of the Ruby, ate all but one evening in the MDR, we felt it was GREAT. (sorry no menus)

The other evening we ate in the Crown Grill, it was highly overrated, should have eaten in the MDR.

thanks for all of your replies, it sounds somewhat reassuring

Recently I heard that the selections have been reduced on MDR menus, also that they are now allowing people to wear shorts in the MDR. Does anyone know anything about these MDR issues?