Your cost of "non-included" dining is going up...

[dog]

46 minutes ago, david63 said:

Don't give any more

Solved it- cancelled 2 reservations.  Will not pay service charge twice

[dog]

Also, read post on fb about Carnival giving out gratuity envelopes in cabin. Not sure what is is all about. 

[Honolulu Blue]

44 minutes ago, Musky Ike said:

 Increase the "value" of the packages so more get them. Will they then eventually eliminate the standard fare so plus will be the new standard package? We will see. 

 

29 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

I doubt they'll eliminate the standard fare since it's used by many people for initial comparisons when deciding which cruise line to book. Once the decision is made to sail princess, it becomes easier to upsell them down the line. Just look at the "upgrade program" they introduced a year or so ago. They've got people to actually think of it as an upgrade when in fact it's an upsell in disguise, which make they feel better about it.  😄

You make a good point directly above which I hadn't thought of.

 

My initial thought was that Princess has made several statements that they really want everyone to buy a package, so they're going to continue to pack value into it - even though they sometimes add value by taking it away from others.

[Honolulu Blue]

3 minutes ago, dog said:

Also, read post on fb about Carnival giving out gratuity envelopes in cabin. Not sure what is is all about. 

I'm not sure either.  I've done a bunch of Carnival cruises, including one two weeks ago, and I've never seen a gratuity envelope in the cabin.

[kywildcatfanone]

2 hours ago, dickinson said:

Princess does not say where this 18% service charge will go .... server or Princess?  My guess is to Princess.  The pandemic really hurt them and they had to borrow lots of money.  I think they want people who pay standard fare to upgrade to a package even if it is not beneficial to the customer because it IS beneficial to Princess.  I think there are enough passengers who do not get their money's worth with the packages so Princess makes $$ on it.  

 

For me, I'll stick with standard (don't drink nor drink coffee) and just not bother with Alfredo's or Crown Grill.  Oh, and watch out because I bet next year the price of packages will go up!

Yep, 100% agree.  I think it's reasonably well know that they make significant profit from packages.  It's why they push them so hard, and it does seem to work, so why not. 

I'm sure they are moving to no standard fare options, and I agree, the package prices will go up soon.  They might even do like Celebrity and remove tips from the AI so it's not really AI anymore.  

We had stopped eating at the specialty restaurants when we noticed the quality of the options going down.  Which is sad, but I used to enjoy the specialty restaurants on formal nights.

Edited December 1, 2023 by kywildcatfanone

[MrSchwump]

At least in the US, the post-pandemic tipping culture has gone off the rails. Seems like everyone expects a tip now. I think Princess is just hopping on that bandwagon. 
As a traditionalist, I choose to resist. 

[mtnesterz]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I really believe it's obvious, especially on port intensive cruises. 

A passenger I spoke to mentioned the same thing. He bought a package and spent much time ashore on a port intensive itinerary. He didn't live it up on shore as he might have, since he figured his drinks etc. were already paid for onboard. Agree it's something to consider.

Edited December 1, 2023 by mtnesterz

[MissP22]

2 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

A passenger I spoke to mentioned the same thing. He bought a package and spent much time ashore on a port intensive itinerary. He didn't live it up on shore as he might have, since he figured his drinks etc. were already paid for onboard. Agree it's something to consider.

We have sailed with and without a "package". The main cost of the package as I view it is the alcohol part. It's terribly hard to drink enough to justify when you're off the ship most of the day. Even if you stay on the ship we find it difficult to do.

[MissP22]

33 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

We had stopped eating at the specialty restaurants when we noticed the quality of the options going down.  Which is sad, but I used to enjoy the specialty restaurants on formal nights.

The specialty restaurant food has taken a turn for the downside. My husband & I decided to give it another chance on the Ruby and both of us were disappointed. Considering that we spent $80, it should have been much better.

The DR food was great every night & we did hesitate to go, but did so anyway.

That'll be it for the future. We learned our lesson. 

 

[Musky Ike]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

I doubt they'll eliminate the standard fare since it's used by many people for initial comparisons when deciding which cruise line to book. Once the decision is made to sail princess, it becomes easier to upsell them down the line. Just look at the "upgrade program" they introduced a year or so ago. They've got people to actually think of it as an upgrade when in fact it's an upsell in disguise, which make they feel better about it.  😄

True, but on the other hand it would be easier for onboard accounting and the guest services if more inclusive. People would still spend OBC and maybe more on other non included things, so same or more $ to Princess. Plus even more profit from those of us who don't make the most of the packages in the first place. If that would make up for those that opt for another line is a good question. but other similar lines are often also going more inclusive. I'm sure the accounts are considering the bottom line as that is all matters to them. Would love to have a spy in the meetings.😉

[dog]

48 minutes ago, dog said:

Also, read post on fb about Carnival giving out gratuity envelopes in cabin. Not sure what is is all about. 

Might have been Disney. Cannot find post now.

[Italy52]

If, Princess were to drop the standard fare option we would turn to another line.  We have done comparison shopping before and we would have no qualms about jumping ship.  We have cruised various lines many times and we are not loyal to any one of them as we are itinerary driven cruisers.

[AZjohn]

11 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Do you ever leave a specialty restaurant without leaving a tip?

I'll raise my hand 🖐️

[Kenosha Cruiser]

12 hours ago, cruisedoctor said:

Princess has found a way of increasing YOUR cost of dining in a SPECIALTY or CASUAL DINING restaurant, without raising the cover charge.  In the past, the cover charge included the gratuity, (although you could leave an additional amount if you felt the service warranted it).  That is changing, as an 18% service fee will now be added to "a la carte paid food" NOT part of a Princess Plus or Premiere Package.  Here is the notice sent to the travel agent community today.  

 

What's new on board

Gratuities now added for a la carte paid food & beverage items To better align with the rest of the cruise industry, Princess is adding an 18% service charge to all paid food and beverage items and experiences, including specialty and casual dining. This would apply for guests who book with Princess Standard fares. Guests sailing with Princess Plus or Princess Premier, however, will not incur the new charges on items included in their packages, such as casual dining, premium desserts and specialty dining (Premier only). Just another reason it pays to Plus (and Premier)!

 They make it sound like this isn't going to effect the passengers with the Plus or Premier packages.  But, it does if those package holders exceed the number of meals that are included in their package. 

 

 

Seems like Princess keeps finding ways to get more out of us. 

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

Edited December 1, 2023 by Kenosha Cruiser

[Lady Arwen]

2 hours ago, dog said:

Solved it- cancelled 2 reservations.  Will not pay service charge twice

You don’t need to pay sc twice.  Just don’t leave the extra tip that you normally did in the past.  I’m sure the waitstaff are fully prepared to lose that extra cash.

[dog]

2 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

You don’t need to pay sc twice.  Just don’t leave the extra tip that you normally did in the past.  I’m sure the waitstaff are fully prepared to lose that extra cash.

I pre paid when it said included. Now it will have a service charge tacked on when I dine in Feb.

 

Not worth the bother to me. I prefer to give  cash gratuities directly to servers.

[Mary loves to travel]

59 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

I'll raise my hand 🖐️

Same here -- it's been clearly marked that the service charge is part of the price for SD.   also noted that none of the servers seemed to expect it.

[karatemom2]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

The specialty restaurant food has taken a turn for the downside. My husband & I decided to give it another chance on the Ruby and both of us were disappointed. Considering that we spent $80, it should have been much better.

The DR food was great every night & we did hesitate to go, but did so anyway.

That'll be it for the future. We learned our lesson. 

 

 

Sad to say, I have to agree. We generally get comped a specialty meal or two by the Casino, and our last two meals at Sabatini's on Enchanted and The Catch on Sky were very disappointing. I was quite glad we hadn't paid for them. We still find Crown Grill to be reliably good.

 

I wonder now about our Casino comped meals - will we be charged the gratuity fee? Guess we shall see!

[Mary loves to travel]

8 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Sad to say, I have to agree. We generally get comped a specialty meal or two by the Casino, and our last two meals at Sabatini's on Enchanted and The Catch on Sky were very disappointing. I was quite glad we hadn't paid for them. We still find Crown Grill to be reliably good.

 

I wonder now about our Casino comped meals - will we be charged the gratuity fee? Guess we shall see!

oh, that's disappointing.

We had dinner at The Catch on Sky in June and it was fantastic!

[startedwithamouse]

 

10 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Sad to say, I have to agree. We generally get comped a specialty meal or two by the Casino, and our last two meals at Sabatini's on Enchanted and The Catch on Sky were very disappointing. I was quite glad we hadn't paid for them. We still find Crown Grill to be reliably good.

 

I wonder now about our Casino comped meals - will we be charged the gratuity fee? Guess we shall see!

 

We were a underwhelmed by Crown Grill on Discovery, but enjoyed Bistro sur la Mer. 

 

Hope we'll like The Catch just the same. 

[Catchum]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

We have sailed with and without a "package". The main cost of the package as I view it is the alcohol part. It's terribly hard to drink enough to justify when you're off the ship most of the day. Even if you stay on the ship we find it difficult to do.

I don't think you are really making the effort. Two speciality coffees first thing, a couple of bottles of water and a beer to take off the ship (subject to local regulations). A cocktail when you get back, a glass of fizz whilst dressing for dinner, wine with dinner, a night cap and double wine to put in your rum runner for emergency use only. 

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, Mary loves to travel said:

oh, that's disappointing.

We had dinner at The Catch on Sky in June and it was fantastic!

We went to The Catch several times on the Majestic and it was phenomenal .. probably the best  restaurant we’ve ever eat at, and consistently so.  

[startedwithamouse]

13 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

We went to The Catch several times on the Majestic and it was phenomenal .. probably the best  restaurant we’ve ever eat at, and consistently so.  

Agree, The Catch was excellent on Majestic last month. 

[dickinson]

1 hour ago, Catchum said:

I don't think you are really making the effort. Two speciality coffees first thing, a couple of bottles of water and a beer to take off the ship (subject to local regulations). A cocktail when you get back, a glass of fizz whilst dressing for dinner, wine with dinner, a night cap and double wine to put in your rum runner for emergency use only. 

Apparently because YOU drink these things you think others do too.  Not so!  We don't drink coffee and we don't drink any alcohol.  We are elite and exchange our mini bar for bottles of water so no need to purchase that either.  We save $$$ by booking standard.

[MissP22]

11 minutes ago, dickinson said:

Apparently because YOU drink these things you think others do too.  Not so!  We don't drink coffee and we don't drink any alcohol.  We are elite and exchange our mini bar for bottles of water so no need to purchase that either.  We save $$$ by booking standard.

I think here on CC many people do purchase the packages but on the ship it doesn't appear to be the same percentage.