Response from Princess to email re changes

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, ldtr said:

I had a waiter from a bar track me all the way back to my room to deliver an order.  Great service.

 

Only problem was that I had not ordered it. The system placed the order for a beer which I do not drink as I was walking past the bar. Neither I nor the bar staff could figure out how that happened. 

My phone can have a mind of its own at times when in my pocket if I don't hit the power button to black out the screen and put it to sleep.

[cruising.mark.uk]

1 hour ago, caribill said:

Not a stretch to figure out if you are entitled to free Pizza based on the date your Standard fare booking was made.

 

 

Nothing to 'figure out'.  Everyone's entitled to free pizza - at Slice. Everyone can choose to pay for pizza at Alfredos if they wish and / or have exceeded the number of visits allowed by their package. 

[cruising.mark.uk]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

If everyone who is outraged by the changes refuses to book with Princess all my favorite suites will be available and all the bars will be less crowded. We hardly ever use room service or order through the app and sail on Grand class ships so no Alfredo’s to be missed. 

Sadly, I don't think that's right because, even on here and across all the related threads, there are probably only 20 or 30 posters who really seem 'outraged'.  I suspect that across the whole population of Princess cruisers, the overwhelming reaction to these changes will be a shrug of the shoulders.  And even those genuinely exercised about them now will soon discover that all the competing lines are doing exactly the same types of thing to raise increased revenue, so the grass is not greener elsewhere. Good for Princess.  Not so good if you are hoping for more suite choice and a less crowded ship.

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, caribill said:

 

Charging $14.99 for using the app the first time to order food/drink may be keeping up with industry standards.

 

What is next? Charging $14.99 the first time you use your Medallion to unlock your cabin door?

 

Your supposition is a bit silly .. 

Just look to see what other cruiselines are doing in terms of charges.  Princess may take a some time to catch up, but they will get there eventually! 

 

[oskidunker]

22 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

So much negativity. I couldn't help but notice the letter mentions door hanger cards which apparently have not been discontinued.

 

When demand exceeds supply, change is inevitable.

The ships are too big. More passenger cabins with dining venues staying the same size. Wait for  everything including shows.  shows. After 25 Princess cruises, we switched to Viking and Oceania. Yes it costs more but they are like Princess used to be. 
 

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for. 

[c-boy]

10 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

The ships are too big. More passenger cabins with dining venues staying the same size. Wait for  everything including shows.  shows. After 25 Princess cruises, we switched to Viking and Oceania. Yes it costs more but they are like Princess used to be. 
 

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for. 

your missing us already 😉 are you gonna upgrade to the prestige package on Oceania ?

[caribill]

43 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Only makes sense if they have a "no-show" fee charged to on board account.

 

Based on the number of posts in other threads about seeing waitstaff wandering nearby looking for them and having to flag down the server, "no-show" may often be "can't find" even if the person is there reading a book and not looking for a server with his/her order.

[caribill]

24 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

Your supposition is a bit silly .. 

Just look to see what other cruiselines are doing in terms of charges.  Princess may take a some time to catch up, but they will get there eventually! 

 

 

Not a supposition. An attempt at humor.

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, caribill said:

 

True the menu is different and limited, but the new charge for eating at Alfredo's does not indicate there is an exception for the Grand.

 

So if booked at Standard fare, will need to pay if you want to eat there with their limited menu.

No thanks. Grand Alfredos is subpar compared to Royal class ships.

[Steelers36]

16 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Based on the number of posts in other threads about seeing waitstaff wandering nearby looking for them and having to flag down the server, "no-show" may often be "can't find" even if the person is there reading a book and not looking for a server with his/her order.

Certainly seems possible on a deck full of bodies in loungers.  But then there are all the empty ones with a towel or a paperback "saving" them.

[PescadoAmarillo]

1 hour ago, ldtr said:

The goal is pretty clear to reduce the number of people ordering and to have more of those orders grouped into a single order.  As well as to encourage more people to step up to packages.

Encouraging all inclusive cruising is revenue enhancement, so of course that was an intended result. But I guess I give the marketing and “on board experience” heads at Princess a bit more credit than you do. I think they knew exactly what was going to happen- they certainly should have, as it’s human nature- and that, as a result, they could start to charge for their innovative service. After all, that’s what they’re paid to do.  

[Guest ldtr]

2 hours ago, oskidunker said:

The ships are too big. More passenger cabins with dining venues staying the same size. Wait for  everything including shows.  shows. After 25 Princess cruises, we switched to Viking and Oceania. Yes it costs more but they are like Princess used to be. 
 

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for. 

Thats strange everything is not included on my Oceania booking unless I choose one of the more inclusive booking options. A few more thing are included, but clearly not everything. That is at a rate a bit more than double what I pay on Princess for the same class room.

 

Over on the Oceania board you can read similar complaints above lower quality and now the change in booking terms increasing the amount of the non refundable administrative fee.

Edited August 21, 2023 by ldtr

[Cruise Raider]

42 minutes ago, ldtr said:

I suspect that the changes are more because of the behavior patterns with ordering on board ship now that they are back near full capacity.  I believe that they expected order patterns to be similar to what they have seen prior to medallion where a waiter will go to a table and everyone orders at the same time and the orders are delivered all at the same time.  I suspect what they are seeing is a lot more of what I have observed, where a group each order items one at a time, within a relatively short period of time.  But which now are individual orders delivered individually since they are placed on different accounts. 

 

The goal is pretty clear to reduce the number of people ordering and to have more of those orders grouped into a single order.  As well as to encourage more people to step up to packages.

 You are spot on!  
While people that don’t purchase the packages because they don’t drink, probably won’t be lured into getting them because they will get free room service and free pizza.  However, they are definitely making them more attractive by making dining options available.  
The premium has the photos, prizes, specialty dining and unlimited casual dining.  
Of note, many new cruisers were surprised to learn that Alfredo’s and GiGis and even room service had no extra charge.  We’re going to probably see that push to attract more of those new cruisers that pay the fees without being ‘outraged’, ‘furious’, ‘feeling nickeled and dimed to death’, etc .. words that I’ve seen some passengers use over the recent changes.  The ones that are disgruntled about change are probably the least desirable passengers for profitably and survival of the company.  
Personally, I think of everything that was not included 40 years ago for same price as what I’m paying now to cruise.  It’s hardly kept up with inflation and is more of a bargain now than before if you exercise some flexibility in your bookings.  
What won’t change is that some people are always opposed to change.  Some just will always see the glass as half empty instead of half full and just not seeing the added value.  I’m getting way less for lot more $$ in my everyday life .. while cruises, even with the packages or the small incidental charges are still quite a bargain.  
 

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Encouraging all inclusive cruising is revenue enhancement, so of course that was an intended result. But I guess I give the marketing and “on board experience” heads at Princess a bit more credit than you do. I think they knew exactly what was going to happen- they certainly should have, as it’s human nature- and that, as a result, they could start to charge for their innovative service. After all, that’s what they’re paid to do.  

 

 

There are two things coming together that are relatively new to Princess, the sales of packages and the medallion. Individually they each have an impact upon behavior, together that impact on resources is magnified. Then coming largely after the Ling shutdown. I consider it more likely that the impact on resources has exceeded estimates than they nefarious planned for this to happen when the product was launched. Especially that they are making the change after they have seen more cruises at full capacity.

 

Funny you talk about the lack of competence by Princess operations and decisions in many other posts over the last couple of years. Yet now this decision is a competent decision planned when the product was first launched.

 

I believe Hanlon's razor can be applied to this situation

 

Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity.

Edited August 21, 2023 by ldtr

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Encouraging all inclusive cruising is revenue enhancement, so of course that was an intended result. But I guess I give the marketing and “on board experience” heads at Princess a bit more credit than you do. I think they knew exactly what was going to happen- they certainly should have, as it’s human nature- and that, as a result, they could start to charge for their innovative service. After all, that’s what they’re paid to do.  

One other point while packages are in use on many lines and thus there is experience one can use to estimate behavior. Medallion ordering around the ship is unique. No other line to look at to see how it impacts behavior because no one else has it or something similar.

 

As such Princess gets to see first hand if they projected correctly.

[c-boy]

"As such Princess gets to see first hand if they projected correctly."

 

 so your saying we're part of an experiment ? 😄

[oskidunker]

28 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Thats strange everything is not included on my Oceania booking unless I choose one of the more inclusive booking options. A few more thing are included, but clearly not everything. That is at a rate a bit more than double what I pay on Princess for the same class room.

 

Over on the Oceania board you can read similar complaints above lower quality and now the change in booking terms increasing the amount of the non refundable administrative fee.

The new basic rate includes a credit for excursions and a basic drink package which includes some decent wines by the glass.i like smaller ships. You dont have to show up a half hour early to get a seat in theater.there is usually not much wait to get in the dining room and food is much better than Princess.Thebuffett is much better. The specialty restaurants are free.  The i e cream is better. Service is better. They haveSommeliers which is  helpful. You do not have to walk a mile to find something on the ship.

 

But if you like Princess and it works for you, thats great. It doesn't work for us anymore hate the crowds. 

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, oskidunker said:

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for. 

What would surprise me is getting a casino offer from Viking. 🙂

 

[Musky Ike]

1 hour ago, ldtr said:

Only if you do not use it again during the cruise.  I suspect if someone tries it once and the order does not arrive and they go to CS and ask for a refund and do not use it again they will probably be successful in getting a refund.  If someone uses it several times has 1 problem order and asks for a refund probably not.

Nope, I paid to have it work every time for the whole cruise 😉, not just the first order. The point is that they better pick up their game from my limited experience onboard recently, or expect a lot more unhappy cruisers at CS. Personally I prefer to go to the bar/food station myself, or order from a server, even if I have delivery included, so I don't use it much, except as an occasional fun experiment. The DW on the other hand is a regular user. $1/day/pp for our 15 day cruise is such a major benefit to the new package 🤪.

[Buckeye10640]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:11 PM, memoak said:

I can understand when we were on the Discovery in June you could not get a seat for pizza without a one hour wait. Tons of families ordering multiple pizzas and leaving half uneaten 

Its interesting, perhaps Alfredos/Gigis is more popular with families? We sail when school is in session or on longer 10 day cruises, so very few children

 The only time I have ever waited at Gigis or Alfredos is for lunch on Embarkation day on Enchanted, a few sailings into her inagural season. I have been many times for lunch and dinner with no wait at all. I guess I have been lucky. 

[SCX22]

2 hours ago, oskidunker said:

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for.

 

The experience will also be on the sedate side.  The the daytime activities on Viking Ocean ships are nil compared to Princess.  Also, don't like the fact that final payment is so early and that Viking can hold your money hostage for so long.  Each to their own.

 

26 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

The new basic rate includes a credit for excursions and a basic drink package which includes some decent wines by the glass.i like smaller ships

 

There's a class system on Viking ships when it comes to excursions.  Suites passengers get first dibs and it trickles down depending on what cabin type you booked.  You're guaranteed and excursion but it may not be your first choice, depending on what cabin you booked.  The "included" excursions are pretty mediocre for a company that emphasizes being able to immerse travelers into the local culture.

 

[Steelers36]

36 minutes ago, c-boy said:

"As such Princess gets to see first hand if they projected correctly."

 

 so your saying we're part of an experiment ? 😄

Possibly, but we won't get to wake up in a shower with a glass door a year from now and find this was all a bad dream.

 

 

 

For the younger set who my not be aware....

 

Edited August 21, 2023 by Steelers36

[SCX22]

5 hours ago, beg3yrs said:

Every hear of corporations selling bonds? They are considered to be debt on the corporation's balance sheet and the interest payments the corporation pays are fixed.

 

Those should only be done in desperate times.  The interest terms of a bond purchases cannot be refinanced unlike those of a traditional lender.

[PescadoAmarillo]

6 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

 

Those should only be done in desperate times.  The interest terms of a bond purchases cannot be refinanced unlike those of a traditional lender.

Bond recalls?

[Abercrombie2019]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

Of note, many new cruisers were surprised to learn that Alfredo’s and GiGis and even room service had no extra charge.
 

We ran into many people on Regal Princess (in July) that didn't know that Alfredo's and IC (food) were included in their fare.  They thought that it was extra, so they avoided those venues.  I am still amazed that there are people that get on board without actually knowing what they've paid for.  Although, I have to admit that it isn't always clear what is included.

 

(I had a boss that took his extended family on a cruise many years ago.  He was shocked when he got the final statement including the Crew Appreciation for each of his family members.  He had no idea that they would be charged a gratuity per person, per day.  I don't know if he had a bad TA or a bad attention span.)