Changes to Princess Plus, room service fees, Alfredo's and others. Fee changes. Etc

[UT-Volsfan]

27 minutes ago, LBL said:

I have a question. I have a cruise booked on the Discovery next year that includes the Plus package. Will I be entitled to the new plus package items or will I have to upgrade?

If you had the $60 per day plus package already booked (the $60 plus package was first offered Dec 14), then per the webinar you do not have to upgrade to receive changes.

[Yowman]

5 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I do not believe the cabin is going to count as an Ocean Now location.  Otherwise, why have the separate RS charge?  Folks would just pay the one $15 fee and be done.  Separate items.  Not saying I agree, but this is what I get from the change.

Before the new change, was RS free for PLUS passengers?

[Jeter02]

Just now, Yowman said:

Before the new change, was RS free for PLUS passengers?

RS was free for everybody no matter if they had a package or not.

[Yowman]

Just now, Jeter02 said:

RS was free for everybody no matter if they had a package or not.

 

So for those of us who bought PLUS @ $50 then this is a downgrade (losing free RS)

[Thrak]

They specifically spoke about the new charge for room service. They said that their nearest competitor (I'm assuming they meant cruise lines in the same general class or price point) charged $7.95 for room service and also added an 18% gratuity on top of that charge.

[Jeter02]

Just now, Yowman said:

 

So for those of us who bought PLUS @ $50 then this is a downgrade (losing free RS)

Pretty much! It's a downgrade for everybody.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

4 minutes ago, govanguy said:

All recently changed on Oceania. No Olife. You pay all inclusive and this includes an excursion  O.B.credit that you may not wish to use, drinks you may not wish to have. No opting out.

I booked 2024 and 2025 with Oceania onboard in March so I haven't paid attention to this.  I'd still suggest looking at their pricing.  The newly upgraded cabins on the Marina were stunning.  I had a balcony B3 category on deck 7.  #7119   The balcony was huge and it had 2 thickly padded loungers as well as a table and 2 chairs.  The room also had a lovely comfy couch.  Their basic balcony was waaaaayyy nicer than a princess mini suite.  And because of the included dining it is even nicer than the Club Class (Reserve Class) minis.  I think Riviera has been upgraded now too?  And of course the new Vista will be shiny and new.  

[SCX22]

18 minutes ago, damiross said:

Look up the word "Princess" in the dictionary. The newest addition to the definition is "the nickel and diming by a cruise line"

 

To Princess' credit, they did take on an astronomical load of debt to survive the pandemic.  The "nickel and diming" isn't uncalled for so they don't default on their debt.  How else are they supposed pay back their creditors?  The creditors won't take drinks, room service, or specialty dining as payment.

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SCX22

[PacnGoNow]

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

Interesting for standard that if you don't do the $14.99 activation of the ocean now on the app, You cannot access housekeeping for such as like a bathrobe, laundry pickup, nor were room service or housekeeping to come pick up your dirty dishes from room service. That sounds silly.

There’s still the telephone.  RS, Cabin steward, unless they charge for that too. 😳

[UT-Volsfan]

5 minutes ago, Jeter02 said:

I wasn't a fan of the remarks they made towards the end of the webinar, in regards to people who opt for standard fare. Pretty much saying we're an anomaly and what's wrong with us. And even continued to say even if you don't drink alcohol why wouldn't you want it at least take the plus out, as you're getting so much. Sorry Carmen, you're not getting so much of most things in the package don't pertain to you on things you won't use. 

I agree.  If their sales people have that attitude, then they do not understand a pretty good size segment of their target audience.

 

Also thought it was interesting to see the TAs earn a 12% commission on selling the Plus package, and 15% when selling the Premiere. Had not seen those numbers before. 

[sunviking90]

2 minutes ago, Thrak said:

They specifically spoke about the new charge for room service. They said that their nearest competitor (I'm assuming they meant cruise lines in the same general class or price point) charged $7.95 for room service and also added an 18% gratuity on top of that charge.

So they see Royal Caribbean as their closest competitor. Celebrity charges more than that as I recall.

[UT-Volsfan]

1 minute ago, PacnGoNow said:

There’s still the telephone.  RS, Cabin steward, unless they charge for that too. 😳

Calling Room Service with the Standard fare will now cost $5 per delivery to the room.

[Thrak]

2 minutes ago, UT-Volsfan said:

I agree.  If their sales people have that attitude, then they do not understand a pretty good size segment of their target audience.

 

Also thought it was interesting to see the TAs earn a 12% commission on selling the Plus package, and 15% when selling the Premiere. Had not seen those numbers before. 

 

Have to wonder what the commission is on Standard.

[Jeter02]

1 minute ago, UT-Volsfan said:

Calling Room Service with the Standard fare will now cost $5 per delivery to the room.

Now you really got to check your account daily, just in case they accidentally charge you for when you call room service to ask them to exchange your elite mini bar setup all out for water. Sorry ma'am we need to charge you $5 for delivering that exchange. I can see it now. 

[Yowman]

4 minutes ago, Jeter02 said:

Pretty much! It's a downgrade for everybody.

 

 

Seems so.

 

Looks like I'll be paying $15 x 2 for the app activation and $5 per room service delivery.  Not the greatest surprise I've ever had but it still beats paying an extra $10/day/person x 14 days ($280) to "upgrade" to the current PLUS.  I'll just spend (lose) a little less at the casino to make up for it.

[azbirdmom]

7 minutes ago, Thrak said:

They specifically spoke about the new charge for room service. They said that their nearest competitor (I'm assuming they meant cruise lines in the same general class or price point) charged $7.95 for room service and also added an 18% gratuity on top of that charge.

 

Did they say if any of that $5 or the $15 Ocean Now activation charge would go to the crew?  If not I suspect that the crew will take a hit because people will assume that those charges are going to the crew and won't tip on room service or other deliveries.  That would be very, very sad.

[sunviking90]

2 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Have to wonder what the commission is on Standard.

10% I believe.

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

Watching the webinar now. Clearly stated that there will no longer be any free food at Alfredo's/Gigi's. Everything will have a fee.

 

https://www.facebook.com/PrincessVPSales/videos/555336443308063

Yep right around the 21 minute point it is rather clear that they are now changing.

[Steelers36]

Just now, sunviking90 said:

10% I believe.

Cannot be the case.  I don't think we know exactly how larger agencies earn their income.  My discounting off the cruise fare has been more than 10% for some years now.

[sunviking90]

3 minutes ago, Yowman said:

 

 

Seems so.

 

Looks like I'll be paying $15 x 2 for the app activation and $5 per room service delivery.  Not the greatest surprise I've ever had but it still beats paying an extra $10/day/person x 14 days ($280) to "upgrade" to the current PLUS.  I'll just spend (lose) a little less at the casino to make up for it.

I wouldn’t pay the $15 for app activation. I don’t need anything delivered to me. It has always seemed easier to go up and get what I want. We have used RS occasionally, but mostly for breakfast so that won’t change. I guess I just proved I’m not the type of passenger Princess wants, lol.

Edited July 27, 2023 by sunviking90

[jinpasco]

1 hour ago, villauk said:

 

It states that you can keep your original ‘Plus’ package and enjoy your original perks, so does that mean you can go to Alfredo’s as many times as you like for free as that was included in your original purchased package 🤔?

Exactly what I want to know. 

[PrincessLuver]

7 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

 

To Princess' credit, they did take on an astronomical load of debt to survive the pandemic.  The "nickel and diming" isn't uncalled for so they don't default on their debt.  How else are they supposed pay back their creditors?  The creditors won't take drinks, room service, or specialty dining as payment.

 

 

You have to be joking.  They are price gouging, moving the goal posts and providing a much poorer product.  This is no different than what the airlines did when they unbundled their services.  

 

I expect the creative charges to keep coming, ie. MDR is $10.00 extra each night per passenger but you can still eat in the buffet free.   But Princess is going to enhance your buffet experience by adding a new express line to the buffet for $5.00 extra per use.  It is true there are suckers born every minute. 

[Catchum]

We were very surprised room service was included when we started sailing princess and have only used it once or twice a cruise. My DH likes coffee, merlot, fruit, cookies and sandwiches in the room but I have never charged him for fetching them so no change for us.

[Yowman]

1 minute ago, jinpasco said:

Exactly what I want to know. 

 

I suspect original perks means the perks that were explicitly associated with the package.  I don't believe free food at Alfredos was a part of either PLUS or PREMIUM

[sunviking90]

5 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Cannot be the case.  I don't think we know exactly how larger agencies earn their income.  My discounting off the cruise fare has been more than 10% for some years now.

I was shown a screen that I wasn’t supposed to be shown onboard when booking a cruise, and the commission to the TA was clearly 10%. It may vary depending on whether it is group space, etc.

Extras may be a higher commission and I know for a fact that insurance commission is huge.

Edited July 27, 2023 by sunviking90