ExploringTheGlobe

On 4/14/2024 at 5:37 PM, smwg said:

I just want to make sure you  know that if you use a gift card and later cancel your cruise, the money will be refunded to the gift card you used.  So don't throw away those "used" gift cards until well after the cruise is over and you know you will not be getting any refunds.  Learned that the hard way. 😉

This happened to my friend as well.  Now we are all diligent about keeping a copy until we are certain we no longer need it. 

I actually had this issue on a cruise about a year ago.  I tried and tried to get into one of the specialty restaurants, I was flexible with times and was told each day there was no availability.  This was a 4 day cruise so I'm sure more people had Premier than on a longer cruise.  I went down to guest services and just asked what my options were.  The person said she would just give me an OBC for the cost of the cover charge.  Since then, I haven't had trouble booking any of the specialty restaurants but I've also only been on longer cruises since. 

Soleil because I like to grab a glass of wine at Vine's to bring with me....then I'm less likely to spill any on the way!

I have done both ways.  If you use the gift cards prior to boarding, you will have to call to make it happen because there is no option to use a gift card to purchase.  If you wait until you are on board and have not already added the gift cards to your account, take photos of your gift cards because they will take the paper copy and it will take an hour or so to apply to your account.  Also of note, if you have purchased the insurance, if you add the fare package prior to sailing, it increases the cost of the insurance but if you wait until you are on board, it does not. 

9 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

We have an awesome roll call going - not sure if you have joined yet, but here is the link:

 

 

 

I am on it! Way too many pages of it though.  I'm also on the Facebook page.  

On 3/16/2024 at 12:42 PM, karatemom2 said:

Well they definitely are this summer. We are doing a Land of the Midnight Sun cruise on the Sky in June. It includes three major fjords and cruising into the Arctic Circle to Honningsvag to visit the North Cape. It’s an incredible itinerary - can’t wait!!!

I'm also on this cruise!  Can't wait!

Not sure where you are looking but I'm booked on a June 14 day with almost all Norway stops. 

6 minutes ago, rjack22 said:

Princess certainly does have fresh flowers available for purchase!   I bought a beautiful bouquet last year.   You do have to go to Customer Service to order.  Not available online in advance unless that has changed.

It has changed!  You can now order online and there are usually 3 options.  I ordered flowers through the personalizer a couple times last year.  They are listed under the Extras tab.  

It's really just a putting green.  Some of the ships actually have a mini golf course, albeit not like you would find at an actual mini golf place.  Also, since you are a "do it right type of guy", it would be helpful if you put mini golf in the title of your post.  

I'm confused.  Is the popup on Cruise Critic or the Princess site? If it is Cruise Critic, why is this post in the Princess boards?  Also, I haven't had that pop up in either site.  

I emailed Stockperks last year for my January cruise.  Told them I didn't want to use the app and they added my benefit no problem.  I sent them an email last week with the same request for my June cruise and they added my benefit no issues. 

54 minutes ago, rheathslc said:

That's good to know. I haven't cruised since before the casual dining change. We mostly like to have Sushi several times on the Royal Class ships with Ocean Terrace. I do miss the included Sushi at Vines. I'm not a fan of the charcuterie boards they serve now. 

If you haven't cruised since before the casual dining change, how do you know you aren't a fan of the new option in Vines?  They didn't have it before. 

I'm new to NCL also.  Are there any specialty restaurants not included in a dining package?  I am on the Pearl next week and have a package for 3 specialty dines. 

Caribbean Princess!  Crooners is right outside of the Casino and I love the people mover up to the nightclub! 

On 1/5/2024 at 1:26 AM, beshears said:

Exploringtheglobe, in regard to getting the 3 pictures, even though they really were not the ones that you wanted. What is the best way to choose ONLY 3 pictures to be printed? Just checking every day to see how the pictures they day/night before turned out? Can you pick out one or two, and then maybe a day later pick out the 3rd one? Do you know how that works?

I downloaded them daily to my phone to decide which ones I liked the best.  I decided to wait until the last day so I could see all of them before I decided on the 3 I really wanted.  For me, it was really easy.  The pics that were just me, I only wanted digital.  The pics I selected had more meaning to me, such as one was with one of my good friends and we were enjoying some wine together. And the one with the Captain was a must! Then I worked with one of the attendants to get the photos just as I wanted.  For example, the photo with the Captain I had them put a border around it that said something like Captain's Circle Party or something like that.  And one of them was when I got off the ship at a port so I had them put the border with the name of the port on it.  I do not know how it works if you pick up one one day and want another later but I suspect they can see in your account how many you have picked up already. 

I'm all for the Premier package!  I love having all the casual dining now included (hello sushi!) 2 specialty dinners included (yum).  The chance to win a free cruise through Door Prizes.  And I've really enjoyed the photo package.  On my last cruise, I really hammed it up a lot with the photos.  Got some with friends.  I was able to download all of them but I did actually select 3 printed photos.  I just went to the photo counter, told them which ones I wanted, went to dinner, then picked them up after.  Super easy! If you wait until the last day, just give yourself enough time for them to print them although the Regal did have some preprinted, they weren't the ones I wanted.  Enjoy!

12 hours ago, Belle2002 said:

So let everyone off the ship even though luggage wasn’t ready it seems the porters pull the luggage for the later colors and it if had an 8:00 walk off time we didn’t get our luggage until almost 10:00 so everyone waited like sardines in a holding area no face recognition customs looked at each passport

If you did the express walk off, then you are expected to walk off with all your luggage in hand so that would probably explain why your luggage wasn't out yet. 

22 hours ago, Torfamm said:

No, it is only possible to request it through Stockperks. What trouble are you having?

Where is this information about only being able to use Stockperks?  I just looked on the Carnival Corp website regarding shareholder benefits and it says to email, fax, or mail.  Those are the only options listed. 

Is there a new backdoor way into the offer?  It used to be americanexpress.com/wclc but it no longer works.  😞 

I did Chef's Table a couple weeks ago on the Regal and we had steak and lobster as the main dish.

French onion soup and goat cheese soufflé. 

Yes, when I've tried to add it myself, it wants me to pay immediately but if I have my Princess Vacation Planner add it, then I don't have to pay immediately if it isn't already due in full. 

I just got off the Regal today.  The app was working great on my Android until the app update happened.  Then I couldn't use the app at all.  Now I'm home and it works fine. 

23 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

People love to comment about the price increase.  But what nobody seems to remember is that pre-Covid, the drink package alone was about $67.00 per day per person.  Now you get tips, wi-fi (I know, don't go on about the Elite wi-fi) and beverages for $60.00 per person per day.  Looks like a bargain to me.

Yes!  My friend and I talk about this often.  It is such a better deal now!

19 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said:

What difference does it make? 

 

None but some people are just curious about some things.  I know I am curious about this topic even though it would not change whether I buy a package or not.