2/20: Changes, Price Increases, etc. MEGATHREAD

[Cruise Raider]

35 minutes ago, voljeep said:

or start a new "Live From ___________ (the SKY in currently docked in PE) thread.

headed out on the Royal in an hour or so.  I will try to start a Live From post with the new info.  
sometimes cruisecritic fights with me onboard, though.  
I did just notice on FB in the Princess elite forum that the drinks in the PES happy hour have gone up from $6.50 to $8.  

Edited February 25, 2023 by Cruise Raider

[PacnGoNow]

1 minute ago, Cruise Raider said:

headed out on the Royal in an hour or so.  I will try to start a Live From post with the new info.  
sometimes cruisecritic fights with me onboard, though.  
I did just notice on FB in the Princess elite forum that the drinks in the PES happy hour have gone up from $6.50 to $8.  

Big change.  Could you verify with the Baristas if the coffee package (15 drink) is definitively discontinued?

 

Also, what your choices are for the elite mini bar switch out?

 

TIA

[Cruise Raider]

6 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Big change.  Could you verify with the Baristas if the coffee package (15 drink) is definitively discontinued?

 

Also, what your choices are for the elite mini bar switch out?

 

TIA

I will do that.  

[MsSoCalCruiser]

4 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

headed out on the Royal in an hour or so.  I will try to start a Live From post with the new info.  
sometimes cruisecritic fights with me onboard, though.  
I did just notice on FB in the Princess elite forum that the drinks in the PES happy hour have gone up from $6.50 to $8.  

And if you have time and don’t mind, would you please take some photos at the international café so I could see the signs along with the food.  I am hoping that they have added some dairy free items.  I would love some dairy free sandwiches, and desserts. Darn allergies.  Thank you so much.  Enjoy your cruise!!!

Edited February 25, 2023 by MsSoCalCruiser

[Z0nker]

On 2/20/2023 at 9:18 AM, billco said:

We are on the Discovery now. The internet is still terrible.

Is the internet bad in port, at sea, or both?

[Cruise Raider]

On 2/25/2023 at 12:43 PM, MsSoCalCruiser said:

And if you have time and don’t mind, would you please take some photos at the international café so I could see the signs along with the food.  I am hoping that they have added some dairy free items.  I would love some dairy free sandwiches, and desserts. Darn allergies.  Thank you so much.  Enjoy your cruise!!!

I answered your question on the wrong thread.  
So, photos of food and menus are really not something I do but I did check for dairy free items in the IC.  While there are some obvious dairy free options, Sandwiches without cheese, fruit, etc … none of the other options were dairy free.  I don’t eat meat and asked them to pull the roast beef off the sandwich a couple,e of times and they had no problem with that.  It was delish!  So, I’m sure they could do the same with the cheese on the different sandwiches before serving them, as well.  Now, in terms of the custards and such, no, that is just not going to be good for you. 

[Cruise Raider]

On 2/26/2023 at 2:34 PM, Z0nker said:

Is the internet bad in port, at sea, or both?

the internet was just not great, whether in port or at se,  

[KLM3164]

6 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

the internet was just not great, whether in port or at se,  

I believe the internet being good or bad is in direct correlation to the ship’s capacity. In November we were on the Royal and ship was at 109% capacity = internet was horrible. In February we were on the Royal and ship was at 75% capacity = internet was very good. 

[Cruise Raider]

19 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

I believe the internet being good or bad is in direct correlation to the ship’s capacity. In November we were on the Royal and ship was at 109% capacity = internet was horrible. In February we were on the Royal and ship was at 75% capacity = internet was very good. 

We were just on the Diamond a couple of weeks earlier and although the ship was full, the Internet was actually half way decent.  But, with all things equal, the Royal’s 75% capacity is probably way more than the Diamond’s 100% capacity.  
And when taking into account the ship’s position and itinerary, there are just so many variables that come into play .. and as you say, the capacity when onboard.  

[MsSoCalCruiser]

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I answered your question on the wrong thread.  
So, photos of food and menus are really not something I do but I did check for dairy free items in the IC.  While there are some obvious dairy free options, Sandwiches without cheese, fruit, etc … none of the other options were dairy free.  I don’t eat meat and asked them to pull the roast beef off the sandwich a couple,e of times and they had no problem with that.  It was delish!  So, I’m sure they could do the same with the cheese on the different sandwiches before serving them, as well.  Now, in terms of the custards and such, no, that is just not going to be good for you. 

Thank you.  That is something new if they now have sandwiches without cheese. All of the sandwiches had cheese on them before except for the rare tuna or BLT.  Unfortunately, I am not able to remove cheese from a sandwich because I have an actual allergy and not an intolerance.  I am looking forward to a roast beef, ham or turkey sandwich without cheese.  Again, thank you so much for checking.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Can someone please ask how much the daily cost is for Princess Plus if you do not have the Premier package.  I have read two different prices.  

[Thrak]

14 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Can someone please ask how much the daily cost is for Princess Plus if you do not have the Premier package.  I have read two different prices.  

 

The reason for the two prices is that if you BOOK with the Princess Plus plan it costs one thing but both passengers in the cabin MUST pay that fare. That fare includes gratuities, WiFi, a couple of specialty desserts, and a couple of fitness classes.

 

If just one person wants to add the Princess Plus Drink Package they can get the more expensive price and it doesn't include the gratuities, WiFi, etc. That price is:

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by Thrak

[suekel]

Have the new prices kicked in?  Is anyone on board who paid the lower price for the Plus package and are you getting drinks included up to $15?  Just curious as to how things are going right now with the changes.  

 

We cruise in a couple weeks.  My TA paid for the plus package for us.  I asked about upgrading to the Premier Package and was told $1072 each to upgrade.  Yikes, that's a big no.  It's a 18 day cruise.  

[MsSoCalCruiser]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

The reason for the two prices is that if you BOOK with the Princess Plus plan it costs one thing but both passengers in the cabin MUST pay that fare. That fare includes gratuities, WiFi, a couple of specialty desserts, and a couple of fitness classes.

 

If just one person wants to add the Princess Plus Drink Package they can get the more expensive price and it doesn't include the gratuities, WiFi, etc. That price is:

 

 

 

Thank you.  I somehow messed up a few words…. How much is Princess Prizes per day if you do not have Princess Premier?  

[Steelers36]

38 minutes ago, suekel said:

Have the new prices kicked in?  Is anyone on board who paid the lower price for the Plus package and are you getting drinks included up to $15?  Just curious as to how things are going right now with the changes.  

 

We cruise in a couple weeks.  My TA paid for the plus package for us.  I asked about upgrading to the Premier Package and was told $1072 each to upgrade.  Yikes, that's a big no.  It's a 18 day cruise.  

Something wrong there.  Who told you $1,072 each?  That us virtually $60/day.  The difference is only $25/day.  How much was the PLUS being sold for when you booked?  Might cost you more than $25 as they had a time period folks could upgrade for $25.  Still the worst should be from $40/day Plus up to $85 Premier.

[Steelers36]

2 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Thank you.  I somehow messed up a few words…. How much is Princess Prizes per day if you do not have Princess Premier?  

They may be selling tickets in casino at different price points, depending on how much you buy.  I seem to vaguely recall seeing that last Fall on Regal, but I had no interest, so doesn't stick in my mind.  Minimum $20/day, IIRC.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

2 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

They may be selling tickets in casino at different price points, depending on how much you buy.  I seem to vaguely recall seeing that last Fall on Regal, but I had no interest, so doesn't stick in my mind.  Minimum $20/day, IIRC.

Thank you.  I probably won’t try it but was curious.  

[suekel]

17 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Something wrong there.  Who told you $1,072 each?  That us virtually $60/day.  The difference is only $25/day.  How much was the PLUS being sold for when you booked?  Might cost you more than $25 as they had a time period folks could upgrade for $25.  Still the worst should be from $40/day Plus up to $85 Premier.

That's what Princess told my TA.  We booked this cruise over a year ago so my TA paid what it was going for at the time.  I'm going to ask when we board.  I'm more concerned about being able to get drinks that are priced up to $15 as there has been price increases.  I only get a few glasses of wine that are more expensive than the package allows.  Gotta have my Barolo when dining in Sabatini's.  

[polmcs]

I boarded the Discovery Princess on the 20th and the bar prices were exactly the same as my TATL on the Island last November. My travel companion ordered a $14 cocktail from Bellinis a few hours after we boarded and they were charged the $2 delta from the $12 limit, plus 36c gratuity, plus LA sales tax as we were still alongside in San Pedro. I tried to order a Bellini cocktail at Bellini’s only to be told that they were out of peach purée, so couldn’t make me one! I mean, it’s only the name of the flippin bar! Did I mention that we were still docked in San Pedro! 
 

And yes, the Internet was awful the entire cruise which is why I never tried to post on CC. Upon arrival I. Cabo, I simply disconnected from the ships Wi-Fi and used the cellular connection on my phone. Good old T-mobile to the rescue.

 

I’m just grateful that I did not upgrade from the 1 device plan included with plus, to the 4 device plan on this voyage. They wanted $12.50 a day to upgrade vs. the $5 a day on my Island TATL last November. I would have been demanding my money back if I had done so.

[Cruise Raider]

14 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Thank you.  That is something new if they now have sandwiches without cheese. All of the sandwiches had cheese on them before except for the rare tuna or BLT.  Unfortunately, I am not able to remove cheese from a sandwich because I have an actual allergy and not an intolerance.  I am looking forward to a roast beef, ham or turkey sandwich without cheese.  Again, thank you so much for checking.

The excellent tuna sandwiches, which was made on a croissant, was available every day.  I was so happy, even though one should not eat tuna everyday.  But, I couldn’t help myself!  I’m sure you could ask for a sandwich to be made without cheese vs them just taking it off.  Most of the sandwiches they had available were made with cheese.  

They also have avocado toast with a sliced hard boiled egg in the morning. Their selections have changed over the last 20 months.  

[Cruise Raider]

13 hours ago, suekel said:

Have the new prices kicked in?  Is anyone on board who paid the lower price for the Plus package and are you getting drinks included up to $15?  Just curious as to how things are going right now with the changes.  

 

We cruise in a couple weeks.  My TA paid for the plus package for us.  I asked about upgrading to the Premier Package and was told $1072 each to upgrade.  Yikes, that's a big no.  It's a 18 day cruise.  

We just got off the Royal yesterday and the new prices kicked in.  Every drink was up to a $15 limit.  We also had booked under the previously priced package.  
There are new menus from several bars posted by @HaveDogWillTravel on the Live From the Royal 2/25 - 3/12 post.  Some wines we previously paid an upcharge for were actually now covered, even though several of the wines, but not all, went up by $1 or $2.  I was extremely happy with the Plus package.  A couple of times, we did order a wine over the package.  That was fine as we had a lot of OBC.  
 

I am thinking your TA probably repriced the whole cruise with the new package, including the insurance to cover the increased cost.  
 

When you get onboard, see if you are pleased with the Plus Package and if you find you are not, there is a place on the app under packages where you can upgrade for $30 a day pp provided you paid $50 for the package when your TA booked it for you.  You can just pay using your obc and only upgrade on day one or day two.  

 

[tutumomickey]

Cruise Raider ,It seems you booked plus at 50$ a day. If so, were you charged 3$ for every 15$ drink?

[MsSoCalCruiser]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

The excellent tuna sandwiches, which was made on a croissant, was available every day.  I was so happy, even though one should not eat tuna everyday.  But, I couldn’t help myself!  I’m sure you could ask for a sandwich to be made without cheese vs them just taking it off.  Most of the sandwiches they had available were made with cheese.  

They also have avocado toast with a sliced hard boiled egg in the morning. Their selections have changed over the last 20 months.  

Thank you again.  In over 20 cruises I have never been able to have a sandwich made for me.  I have been told to wait until the next day to eat when the dining room is open.  The avocado toast just may be the ticket!  

[JimmyVWine]

53 minutes ago, tutumomickey said:

Cruise Raider ,It seems you booked plus at 50$ a day. If so, were you charged 3$ for every 15$ drink?

The answer is in the post:

"Some wines we previously paid an upcharge for were actually now covered, even though several of the wines, but not all, went up by $1 or $2.  I was extremely happy with the Plus package."

 

This could ONLY be true of Princess honored the $15 limit. (Or if the price of some wines went down, which we know can't happen.)

[Cruise Raider]

47 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Thank you again.  In over 20 cruises I have never been able to have a sandwich made for me.  I have been told to wait until the next day to eat when the dining room is open.  The avocado toast just may be the ticket!  

Oh my goodness, they’ve done it for me several times.  I tend to go when it’s not too busy and and when there are two people working.  
 

But, here’s the thing, you can order a multitude of sandwiches from the app now.  They will deliver them to you wherever you happen to be, even if it’s in the piazza.  You can choose which sides you want, type of condiments, and type of bread.  Very nice service!