mtnesterz

Inside now shows about $1600 on Princess website. I didn't log in, sometimes a lower price if you do. Princess doesn't discount much and other TA's don't advertise lower. But sometimes they offer a gift card, or other perk. Right here on CC, they track price trends and the price shows a downward trend, but not by much. Inside cabins are few on Royal Class. If you book now to get the cabin you want, and the price falls, you can get an adjustment, before final payment. But having gone to Hawaii this year, tourism has not come back to usual. Prices on everything were high. This is the double Honolulu and Kona itinerary. Just be sure that's what you want.

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Thanks! Good to know things are getting back to normal. I guess we started back cruising too early.

As of March, word puzzles, Sudoku and the Wake Show response forms were gone from the library due to Covid. The libraries were empty shelves, well, a few boxes of games. Paper is hard to find anywhere. Not even notepads or pens in the cabins. Pack a Sudoku book from a dollar type store if you like them on paper.

Non-refundable? Dinner for two at Sabatini's. ($50)

You describe our experience in March. We gave up calling Princess, which didn't fix anything. Bring your booking summary, credit card, passport and (for our sailing) SafeTravelsHawaii plus Covid test results. Couldn't get a boarding time. No problem. Nobody checks. They fixed our Medallion problems at the pier. Onboard, the app didn't work either. They're aware of that and you can do things as you used to. Don't worry!

About the same time as the OBC loyalty change happened, they also took away free internet for Platinuim and Elite. It's now half price. You may have known, but just so it doesn't take you by surprise.

"What are the formal nights?" On a seven night cruise, Princess hosts two formal evenings. The number of Formal Nights varies by cruise length. Menu is fancier than the other Smart Casual nights. I find also the entertainment is better on those nights, but that's a matter of taste. There are photographers around the ship. Those photos are pricey, IMO. On the final Formal Night, the Captain will usually give a talk in the atrium and complimentary cocktails are served, well, they used to do that before Covid. Princess has an online page with recommendations of what to wear, about 5 PM you'll notice people have changed for the evening. You will see tuxedos and suits on men, but some choose not to dress for the evening too. Hope that answers your question.

Yes, we did on the Grand in March. And saw several others with them. They also sell them in the onboard store. If you don't buy the coffee package, know that the buffet coffee changed from Douwe Egberts to Nescafe and it's an improvement. Personally, I bring Starbucks Via.

I'd word that, "Princess leaves you to your own devices."

We are also in California, but prefer things simply and pick up the Medallion at the pier. It may arrive in a small box about ten days before your cruise, but maybe not. Then, the battery may be dead on arrival. Either way you can get a substitute at the pier. So, delivery is really not an issue. No one else can use it unless they board and no one can use it to board but you. If it disappears off your porch or mailbox, the only concern is that whoever steals it will know when you'll be at sea. Oops! One way or another, you'll get one that works to open your cabin door and buy things on the ship. Pretty much otherwise useless. Can't buy FCDs, excursions, make dining reservations, etc... I'm told you can gamble with it, interesting to some adults, and select a stupid avatar, interesting to a seven year old. For most, it's a non-issue, but you can be tracked on the ship. If it's a concern, dig through your kitchen for a metal foil tea ball to keep it in.

You might enjoy this recent thread on Harmony restaurant dining. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2848759-worst-disappointment-from-recent-majestic-cruise-swirls/page/2/ Bottom line, conflicting reviews. Probably depends on who works in the kitchen. I cook mostly Chinese, which is technique dependent to get it right.

Crowds? Strangely, the Coral feels more crowded in many spaces. Someone on CC came up with a calculation of passenger space based on tonnage and passenger count... Over my head. More importantly, where are you going? If going to Alaska, then the only good choice is Coral. The main difference is the buffets. The Coral's Horizon Court has a panoramic forward view with buffet lines port and starboard. Relaxing place to sit, eat and enjoy the view! By comparison, Majestic's World Fresh buffet has a single area of serving stations that gets crowded.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2850605-live-from-the-crown-princess-return-to-service-cruise-may-7-2022-to-alaska/page/3/ Post #1 for the letter. I could not find the letter about a second generator on a quick search.

I find that @CineGraphic often cuts to the heart of the matter, so I respectfully disagree. He did answer your question. If you look on Youtube, back to January and perhaps before, there have been problems with one generator on the Crown. That matter dragged on for months and now commencing an Alaska season with not one but both generators out. A letter to passengers regarding both generators has been posted on another thread. Perhaps a repair was made on the day's layover in Seattle, but ultimately, it always comes down to what we, as passengers, choose to accept.

If you end up with OBC to use, consider Effy Jewelers onboard. I have no idea about onboard jewelry prices compared to land. They do have what you describe. Search online store for size and color. DW has something from Effy and she really likes it.

"Anyone who says getting there is half the fun, hasn't traveled lately." Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick

Dine My Way did not work on our cruise, along with most Medallion functions. Just go to the Crown Grill and the person at the door will take your reservation. I suppose you could call from your cabin too. With ships running half full, it was no problem getting the seating we wanted. Same with buying excursions, or FCDs. Just go to the appropriate desk. The less you expect from the Medallion, the less frustrated you will be.

Some Americans just tip. Tipping is not so much part of the culture in the UK, but you will find diverse feelings about tipping, varying among regions and cultures in the US. True or not, it's in people's mindset that the mass market cruise lines pay low wages to keep their fares low, then add auto deduction of "Crew Appreciation." True though, it is tipping on top of a tip. But it's not like they're someplace like Singapore where people get insulted if tipped or the tipper accused of bribery. I'm sure the servers are happy to receive extra, but not necessary.

Thanks for getting back to us. I was suprised he called you back. It means he knew there was a problem. I could understand if the software they use is set up the way he describes. But then, it would happen all the time and it doesn't. Bottom line is the customer is always right, even when they're wrong. I like using CVPs even if there's a bottle of wine or promotional offered. I've looked at online prices. They're always exactly what Princess charges. Guess I'm not looking at the right TAs.

Last thing first. Crown Grill serves the best steaks we've ever eaten. Must try the smoked applewood salt with your steak. MDR food was slightly different since restart. 1. Smaller protions of the same dishes. Which is about waste. You can order more. 2. Less salt in everything. With Princess Plus, alcoholic drinks are often prepaid. Less salt=less thirsty. Less booze Princess has to pour. My perception, not a statement of fact. 3. A few new MDR dishes. I'll say less challenging, broader appeal. I did send one entree back, forget what. No problem doing that. 4. MDR desserts continue to exceed expectations. Dessert Souffles? OMG. 5. You didn't say which ship. The Majestic is also in Alaska. Harmony gets very conflicting reviews. Ask shipmates before booking.

Go Connoisseur and get excursions thrown in.

It's happened to us. No worries. Call back in tomorrow AM and the booking will be deleted and your FCDs restored. Since his/her name is attached to the booking, unlikely that it's an attempt to wrong you. The easiest explanation is a simple mistake. I wouldn't make more of it than that. Since then, we got a CVP we really like. Sorry I can't give you his name here.

Depends on what you perceive, "tipping'" to be. Crew Appreciation is automatic and means crew in areas of the ship you don't see, get a percentage. If you see Crew Appreciation as a salary, then Princess is asking you to pay extra to keep their published prices low. Then tipping will always be a moot point, based on your country, culture and personal preference. If you see Crew Appreciation as a tip, then additional tip is not indicated. Decide what you think about Crew Appreciation and you will have the answer.

The Ernesto Burger. Sadly, this was gone on our March sailing, and something I was so looking forward to.