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

[JGmf]

12 minutes ago, mtt said:

21 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

That really surprises me, that they would charge suites for RS.  I haven’t seen that clarified by Princess.  SMH
 

 

I just have it confirmed by my personal princess cruise specialist here in the uk by email.

 

I have to believe that any notion of charging suite passengers for RS will be recanted and 'fixed' in the coming weeks.  This entire change is sort of going through a live, out-in-the-open, beta testing, so tweaks in the devil of the details will of course be made. 

 

Why? Given that Princess suite perks and amenities are less generous than other lines, to start charging $5 for suites would put Princess at a greater competitive disadvantage for something so petty.  Also, to just waive them for suites -- which I'm guessing they will do -- will likely only have marginal revenue opportunity cost as I'm assuming most suite passengers have the Plus or Premier packages.

 

(Charging for RS for non-suites, for non-package holders, however, is what other lines do -- and it's usually more than $5, so Princess is catching-up there). 

[Steelers36]

12 minutes ago, mtt said:

By email after i emailed and also called her.

No.  Did she say Suites will be charged or not?

[stevenr597]

1 hour ago, mtt said:

Our princess ta has said no, its only for bookings made after jan 2023 

We booked Princess Plus with our cruise well over one year ago.  It is now listed as one of the perks that we get. 

[AlibearNS]

17 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

 

I do not have a current booking so can only imagine what you two are describing.  Is it possible the Upgrade banner is there to indicate what you get in addition if upgrade the package to the $60 level?

 

My understanding is that the new benefits only apply for guests who have booked/paid/upgraded at the $60/$80 price-point and don't get them otherwise.  Basically, the old Plus gets the new drink cost limit.  Anyway, they were pretty clear about the new things only applying to those who pay $60/$80.

 

Under package banner claiming all the new stuff is already purchased is small print that may be missed - "Select items may not be included in your current package. You can review your travel summary for a full list of included items. Please contact us or your travel agent to make changes to your package."

The link takes me to the travel summary. In my case plus 50 with no extras, not even the stupid desserts as I booked last October for next year.

 

[DRS/NC]

I think it says that there is no charge for the breakfast if ordered from the door hang-tag (basically continental b'fast). 

 

Wonder if they'll charge me for the bacon that I always add?

[deltahog]

I went through the first few pages and the last few.  Maybe it's somewhere else in the dozens of pages but can someone bottom line it for me:

 

What remains available for free on a basic package?

- MDR

- Buffet

 

Anything else?

[cruise2relax]

I am a little surprised at the staunch reactions on this thread.  I am fine with the changes and am looking forward to see the three courses menus.  That said, the reality is the business model is an important and probably a necessary one right now.  One cannot forget that all these cruise lines are bleeding heavily from the pandemic and will for years.  So to stack the packages to entice and move people over to them rather than no packages or "standard" because it is identified stable income rather than the variable of standard and what they pay on board.   That assists with budgets, provisioning, projections debt reduction etc.  On some level you could think of it similar to an HOA monthly fee, it allows the HOA to plan, contract, look ahead, save for projects etc rather than frequent special assessments.    The flip side for the consumer is a known fixed amount that can be budgeted appropriately in advance.  And if you think this is unique to Princess, you are very much mistaken.

[Kamastar]

21 hours ago, roxievegas said:

choosing a seat

Funny you should mention that... You pay extra to choose your cabin - didn't used to be that way!

[jimmieg]

15 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

 

I do not have a current booking so can only imagine what you two are describing.  Is it possible the Upgrade banner is there to indicate what you get in addition if upgrade the package to the $60 level?

 

My understanding is that the new benefits only apply for guests who have booked/paid/upgraded at the $60/$80 price-point and don't get them otherwise.  Basically, the old Plus gets the new drink cost limit.  Anyway, they were pretty clear about the new things only applying to those who pay $60/$80.

It says "purchased" so it is only eligible for an upgrade to Premier. And, that was my experience in May.

How it plays out in real time for next cruise, time will tell

Either way, it won't effect me more than I allow it to.

I will go away relaxed, well-fed and happy with stories to tell.

These minor issues are just a part of life. 

[roxievegas]

1 minute ago, deltahog said:

I went through the first few pages and the last few.  Maybe it's somewhere else in the dozens of pages but can someone bottom line it for me:

 

What remains available for free on a basic package?

- MDR

- Buffet

 

Anything else?

the grill and pizza on the upper deck

[Steelers36]

Just now, deltahog said:

I went through the first few pages and the last few.  Maybe it's somewhere else in the dozens of pages but can someone bottom line it for me:

 

What remains available for free on a basic package?

- MDR

- Buffet

 

Anything else?

A lot of the casual dining locations.  In fact, all of them that were free before, except for Alfredo's/Gigii's which will now have a la carte prices and well as a full meal package price of $15/pp.

 

[stevenr597]

2 hours ago, ldtr said:

They have packages but do not have classes by cabin type such as Celebrity went to years ago and Princess is going with Sun and Star.  Separate lounges and restaurants for different class cabins.

 

One can be in an inside or any cabin class can buy club orange, same with any of the packages.

 

No movement yet in HAL to a class system. 

I believe that one can be in any class cabin to upgrade to Princess Plus or Premier. 

[roxievegas]

2 minutes ago, cruise2relax said:

I am a little surprised at the staunch reactions on this thread.  I am fine with the changes and am looking forward to see the three courses menus.  That said, the reality is the business model is an important and probably a necessary one right now.  One cannot forget that all these cruise lines are bleeding heavily from the pandemic and will for years.  So to stack the packages to entice and move people over to them rather than no packages or "standard" because it is identified stable income rather than the variable of standard and what they pay on board.   That assists with budgets, provisioning, projections debt reduction etc.  On some level you could think of it similar to an HOA monthly fee, it allows the HOA to plan, contract, look ahead, save for projects etc rather than frequent special assessments.    The flip side for the consumer is a known fixed amount that can be budgeted appropriately in advance.  And if you think this is unique to Princess, you are very much mistaken.

How about the short notice.  This new policy goes into effect next month, within two weeks.  Most people purchase/pay deposit/pay in full a year in advance.  Now they have to fork over more money.

It should be that the policy goes into effect for new bookings.

[CruizinSusan70]

6 hours ago, mthomp5 said:

 

We had sailed NCL, then Royal Caribbean before becoming Princess loyalist.   Not saying we won’t be cruising Princess anymore but we’ll be exploring other lines now.  

We're late to the Princess table, but have at least 7 times each on Celebrity, NCL and RCI as well as 25 on Carnival.  The Plus package is the best value out there as far as we're concerned.  It was unbelievably great at 40 and still provides great value at 60.  The drink package on the other cruise lines are more than 60 a day and with Princess you get the tips and wifi included.

Now, the reduction in times that we can go to Alfredo's/Gigi's (2 per sailing) is what is really stuck in my crawl.

[deltahog]

6 minutes ago, roxievegas said:

the grill and pizza on the upper deck

Thanks to you and my Steelers buddy.  Doesn't sound like a big deal then.  Even room service sounds like we can still get at breakfast.  I probably wouldn't use it any other time.

 

Onward!

[mtt]

14 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

I have to believe that any notion of charging suite passengers for RS will be recanted and 'fixed' in the coming weeks.  This entire change is sort of going through a live, out-in-the-open, beta testing, so tweaks in the devil of the details will of course be made. 

 

Why? Given that Princess suite perks and amenities are less generous than other lines, to start charging $5 for suites would put Princess at a greater competitive disadvantage for something so petty.  Also, to just waive them for suites -- which I'm guessing they will do -- will likely only have marginal revenue opportunity cost as I'm assuming most suite passengers have the Plus or Premier packages.

 

(Charging for RS for non-suites, for non-package holders, however, is what other lines do -- and it's usually more than $5, so Princess is catching-up there). 

I hope so, fingers crossed

[Sea Hag]

4 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

I believe that one can be in any class cabin to upgrade to Princess Plus or Premier. 

This is true, but Princess Plus or Premier don't correspond to HAL's Club Orange. HAL's Have It All is the nearest thing to Plus or Premier. Club Orange gets you priority boarding, priority customer service line, cabin upgrades within the meta category you book, and either special section in the dining room or separate dining room entirely on the new ships. I might be missing some things on Club Orange, but those are the broad strokes. No drink package with that.

[mtt]

17 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

No.  Did she say Suites will be charged or not?

I have checked and yes the charge is in place for suites also I am afraid.
 

 

this is her reply

[cruzrbachoua]

34 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Dec 14 was the pricing and benefit change date mentioned.  If you have had a re-fare since then, you are likely (well, should be) at the $60 level.  

one would think/hope...online it shows i have all the new benefits if i do the upgrade look as suggested but my TA pulled the info off Polar (SP?) and it doesnt show any of the new items so which am i to believe?

[cruise2relax]

14 minutes ago, roxievegas said:

How about the short notice.  This new policy goes into effect next month, within two weeks.  Most people purchase/pay deposit/pay in full a year in advance.  Now they have to fork over more money.

It should be that the policy goes into effect for new bookings.

That I agree is tight.

[mtt]

24 minutes ago, stevenr597 said:

We booked Princess Plus with our cruise well over one year ago.  It is now listed as one of the perks that we get. 

How much did you pay, our ta said we paid £40 last june and to get new perks it £10pppd

only free if you booked after jan when they made the first changes to plus to include desserts, juice and fitness classes which we also do not get

[LMaxwell]

2 hours ago, ldtr said:

HAL is about the only remaining North American focused adult focused cruise line without a class system.

Club Orange is one toe in the water. 

[dides]

4 minutes ago, cruzrbachoua said:

one would think/hope...online it shows i have all the new benefits if i do the upgrade look as suggested but my TA pulled the info off Polar (SP?) and it doesnt show any of the new items so which am i to believe?

Just seen this key disclaimer underneath the Upgrade banner - the true picture will be under the Travel Summary section of your personaliser 

[LMaxwell]

2 hours ago, emeraldlake said:

Someone posted this menu on facebook so it looks like $14.99 is cover charge to choose 1 appetizer, 1 pizza or pasta, and dessert.

Gigis Pizzeria by Alfredo_EX-XP_2023-7-24.pdf 1.26 MB · 102 downloads

 

All the apps are basically available at salad bar in buffet; so what. 

 

Pizza is good but paying for pizza on a cruise ship is chintzy. Sorry, it is. Just off Virgin Voyages; amazing made to order pizzas, grab and go caesar salad, no charges. Princess needs people willing to routinely pay VV per diem prices, not MSC per diem prices. 

 

Coin Operated Cruising and Premium Brand doesn't really mix 

[Jeter02]

30 minutes ago, deltahog said:

I went through the first few pages and the last few.  Maybe it's somewhere else in the dozens of pages but can someone bottom line it for me:

 

What remains available for free on a basic package?

- MDR

- Buffet

 

Anything else?

MDR, buffet, grill and pizza on the pool deck, swirls, and international cafe.