Annette24

On P&O OH was charged for gin separately from tonic, as there was enough tonic for two gins, he only purchased a second gin, at that time saving £1. I know its not the money if you can afford to cruise etc etc, but its also about waste. Why buy something you don't need. Admittedly he didn't drink much on Cunard as they have hiked their prices over the last year.

Thanks for the info, did not see separate prices on menus that have been uploaded so think it included in the price but worth asking. P&O and Cunard charge separately hence the question.

Sailing on Sapphire Princess soon. Most answers to drinks package questions are well documented elsewhere and I am sure the answers to these will be straightforward.

We don't drink enough to warrant an alcoholic drinks package, so are considering a coffee card and soft drinks package. If I want a G&T, can I just buy the gin and get a tonic on the soft drinks package (same for other mixes, rum & coke/malibu and pineapple)?

I appreciate the 1 bottle of wine per person and that's ok. There is a make of wine we often purchase in a box (3ltr) to take home, when getting off in a French port, and usually have no problems when returning to ship and store it in the cabin. My question on this is if they take it away until the last day, is it safe in their hands?

The original post is from 2010. Yes, you print everything on line in 2018 and yes you have to provide a credit or debit card number to print. The credit card is to cover on board expenses such as beverages, tours, purchases in gift shops, spa, auto-tip. It isn't ridiculous. It is common for cruise lines to get your credit card for on board expenses up front. Each line in the Carnival Corp. operates independently. I have never been on P&O nor Cunard, but I'm willing to wager that they also get your credit card information up front somehow before you board or soon after. On Princess you can enter your credit card, print your docs, then remove the credit card info. However, if you do this you will asked to show a credit card at check in or provide a cash deposit.

New to Princess so cut a little slack here, have been cruising for 10 years so know how most of the systems work, and this is the first time I have come accross this. Didn't realise the original post was that old. As you haven't been on P&O and Cunard your wager would be lost! I just find it odd that I couldn't print my docs without it.

In about 2 weeks our cruise will be departing but I have received no information from Princess other than the 2 mails (one requesting final payment and another about booking shore excursions). When I called Princess I was told they are now electronic and if I wanted boarding pass, luggage tags ect. I would have to go online and print them. I guess Princess is the adopted Delta and Spirits policies.

 

So I went online, but I could not print my boarding pass because you must provide the cruise line with a credit card for on board purchases before you will be allowed to print boarding passes. Even though I paid a substantial amount money to this cruise line they will even give me boarding pass, and to top that off the cruise line representative stated your boarding will be delayed because you have not supplied a credit card number.

 

 

I've cruised with Princess before, but never encountered anything like this.

 

I wish I could still cancel this cruise and get my money back

Just found this, after having same issue. Sailed with P&O and Cunard (both Carnival Group) and never had this before and have always printed documents off with no problem. Its almost like they want to know if you can still afford to go! Ridiculous......

we offer room service on all our ships between the hours of 6am to 11:00pm with the exception of Adonia which is only available between the hours or 7am and 11pm (6am on selected port days). Most room service items are free of charge however there are some exceptions to this, please see the *room service menu for an idea of costs.

Also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/fleet/room_service

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/example_menu

Further to prior post, I have looked at the menus online and only continental breakfast items are free. There are charges for everything else after breakfast hours. If there are some other items free please upload the complete room service menus.

But the ships buffets are generally open until 2.30pm, and after that we can always get a sandwich/cake up there anyway. Good enough for us.

My comment was about room service charges and how room service benefits 'our needs' in particular. Not what else was available.

Just looking at the new menu room service menus from the P&O website, in particular Ventura etc. It looks a good menu, quite similar to before just that everything now has a price, except breakfast it seems. Perhaps this is not just to increase revenue, but to discourage people from room service. It would be nice if they extended the lunch times in the MDR a little (1/2 hour?). Have often made efforts to get back on time to the ship to be hampered by tender problems or embarkation delays, not our fault but missing lunch often means room service is a better option (one of us needs to rest/eat regularly). Also note that in the past the MDR is not open for lunch at all on short cruises when in port.

I second the thank you for the information! It sounds like a rather complicated matter to get into town, if you were unable to pre-book a taxi, but I am very reassured to hear that it can be done!

 

Annette24--does the "day rider" tram ticket also cover the train? You mention that you can use it to get into Bruges, so you just buy the 1 ticket for both tram and train?

 

Thanks!

Our ticket (bought last Friday) definitely covered coastal tram line, not sure about tram routes in city centres. At Blankenburg you will need to get a train ticket (about 5 euros return based on search results and other trip advice sites). Unfortunately didn’t clarify what the kiosk chap meant about getting to Bruges as it is in the 'same zone'. A combination of tram and train on separate tickets is a safe bet when planning your day. It still works out at only 10 euros pp return to get from the ship to Bruges.

Celebrity charge 12 euros each for a return to Blankenburg, then you need to purchase a train or tram ticket to where you want to go, ie Bruges etc. The alternative is to take the FREE port shuttle to the gate, this stops to the right of the ticket kiosk as you get off the ship, this runs very regularly (check for any break times if you are coming back midday). At the gate turn right and walk to the Spar mini mart, about 10-15 mins flat walk, there you can purchase a ‘day rider’ tram ticket for 5 euros each. This will take you to Blankenburg, Knokke, Oostende etc. There is also a kiosk opposite the Spar, which sells the tickets and will give you a map. The chap here said we could use this ‘day rider’ to get to Bruges as it covers the same zone. Knokke is very pleasant if you have been to Blankenburg before, as is Oostende.

With regard to a previous review, the crew take no interest in those who are obviously going to take the FREE port shuttle. This single shuttle is generally not a hired coach but a red bus (although this could change), as it works alone you may have to wait about 10 mins for it to return. You can see the gate to the left of the ship as it is quite close, if a shuttle is running you will see it there if it is not at the dock.

Hope this helps :)

Thanks to all the responders!

 

I get that people wear suits or tuxes and cocktail dresses or gowns. Are the tuxes Armani and the dresses Dior? I have a feeling that we are going to have to shop for formal wear, and I'm putting together the master plan...

My hubby has M&S Dinner Suit, lightweight and cost about £50 for jacket and trousers (sold separately -now about £70), has since paid for itself many times, bow ties are cheap enough, start with black. The usually do a plain suit version as well. As posted before a dark suit, shirt and tie should suffice. I find it difficult to get nice dressie outfits. have a long black dress from Debenhams, and 2 shorter cocktail style dresses, a nice black skirt with a couple of sparkly tops, again M&S and Debenhams. These have sufficed for many cruises, and now form part of a cruise wardrobe. (Other cruisers will identify with the 'cruise wardrobe' I expect).

Relax and enjoy it, its a chance to dress up if you want to, although you will probably find once you see everyone else do it you will want to join in.

Last cruise P&O, saile on same ship twice, first time not so strict, this time hubby not allowed into main restaurant as he didn't have his jacket! Had to go back and get it. Other tip, take a throw or shrug, air con sometimes a bit cool.