asctony

The most valuable perk is the extra cruise credit earned...if you have not already achieved elite status with Captain's Club. I find the fruit and fresh flowers to be delightful but I could surely do better for $40/day. Yhe footstool may well be worth it....alas, value lies with the consumer.

Totally agree with you. Save the money and spend it on something else. JMHO!

I had info from some officers and managers that the total number of people hit was "under 20", amongst a cruise of about 3000 guests. The cruise was primarily retirees given the departure date of mid-May, and thus sickness numbers will spike regardless. So 20 or so supposedly sick elderly people and Princess's idiotic response measures affected the other 2980 passengers considerably.

 

Anyone else experience this Code Red nonsense before?

 

Anyone here just get back from this cruise who has opinions on the mess?

Nonsense? You are very lucky that you did not get it. We have had it before and you never want it again. You better hope that you never get it. If you do, you won't think what any Cruise Line does to prevent it from spreading is NONSENSE!

Don’t be so quick to judge individuals who purchase inside rooms. I have been an elite member for awhile and always stay in an inside stateroom. On sea days I participate in activities and during port calls are on full-day tours so I don’t need a fancy room to sleep, freshen up and store my worldly treasures (souvenirs). Yes, I choose an inside room because it works with my budget and gives me the opportunity to cruise more often. Oh, by the way, my preference is 12+ day itineraries. Not everyone can afford to sail 30+ days on B-2-B cruises in a suite several times a year.

I don’t always make the cut for the most traveled luncheon nor have I dined with the Captain; yet you don’t see me crying about it. If I don’t get a canvas bag, no big deal, I always pack one from home anyway. If I don’t get an upgrade, no loss, at least I still have a room. Obviously, I don’t qualify for breakfast at Sabatini’s; so what! There are other venues to eat at. As an elite member, I don’t see myself any better than the guy across the hall who is sailing with Princess for the very first time. :eek:

For me, I am thankful that I have the income to travel; it is an adventure to see new places and meet new people (regardless of their Captain’s Circle status) who have become life-long friends and I am appreciative of the perks Princess offers me.

On the other hand, one thing I would like Princess to consider is building staterooms for solo travelers on their new ships and any undergoing major renovations. There are many widowers, etc. who would fill those rooms. Single rooms are successful on Cunard and P&O’s latest ship; filling up months to years in advanced. Obviously, they are popular.;)

Very well said. I fully concur with your posting. Happy Cruising!!!

I agree.

 

Don't take this wrong but on the last two cruises, I have talked to more Elite people who only book inside cabins. Look at the name tags on the cabin doors. They say they do this so they can cruise more. More power to them. But it seems like those are the people that think they deserve all of the suite perks. On our upcoming Christmas cruise, I'm paying over three times as much for my cabin as the inside people are and yet some (NOT ALL) want what I have. And then they usually get price drops yet suites never go down in price.

 

I know many Elite people book the higher end cabins but, as in life, there are always a few people that think they deserve more. And life would be very boring if we all had the same interests and beliefs.

 

We cruise on many differnt lines so I'm not Elite yet but I think the perks that Princess offers are really great - especially the internet and laundry.

People pay for their cruises and book what they want and like. Personally, how people spend their money is their business. I do agree, why pay twice the amount when you only get a bigger cabin instead of getting a extra cruise? JMHO! Happy Cruising.

I would like to see a discount on Princess Tours or a percentage rebated back to Elite guests. I guess this might not be attractive to most CC'ers who seem to avoid ship's tours like the Norovirus. Such a discount would reward the really loyal Elite guests rather than those who squeeze a coffee card for ten cruises, book the cheapest inside cabin with multiple discounts, and have onboard account totals in the single digits.:D

Just think of people who really try to get the most for their money. What difference does it make if one uses their coffee card and how they use it? They paid for it and it they don't use all the punches on one cruise or buy one close to the last days, why can't they use it on the next one? My Onboard account is in the single digits as I buy what I want, not trying to impress others with all the big drinking. LOL

I have no problem with what is offered now. I think if passengers keep yelling MORE MORE MORE, you will probably end up with LESS LESS LESS. ;)

I don't think we are yelling MORE MORE MORE, we are just saying that there should be another level above Elite. RCI has done it recently by adding a Pinnacle Club level.

'As of January 21 2011, we (RCI) have added more benefits, more experiences and more surprises. Our newly enhanced loyalty program is designed to provide benefits that matter most to you.'

Really, what has Princess added since Elite was established? They tried the Evening Elite $2.99 drink that was so poorly attended they allowed Platinum to attend. I don't remember anything else. Maybe you do.

One party is enough for me, don't see a need for more. What I would like to see added is a free meal in one of the alternative restaurants, maybe just make this for the top 40 aboard. Also a second minibar setup for every additional 7 days onboard. (ie a 12 day cruise still only has one setup but a 14 day + one gets two, 21+ three)

Why not do away with the 1 bar setup and have a real Elite nightly event with free drinks and food like RCI and X? The one Princess has now is a poor showing and poorly attended.

Concur with the free meal in one of the Alternative Restaurants.

What about an Elite (Super Elite) lounge like RCI and X currently has?

What about 10% off the cruise cost and/or 25% off the shore excursions.

I agree with your suggestions. However, 10% off the cruise cost includes or is what?

The cost I can buy the cruise for or Princess' price on their site? Big difference and 10% off Princess' price is not a bargain.

Super Elite

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A new top level of captains circle , call it what you want but lets use an old name the Commodore Club.

How to get in, you must be in the top 50 most travelled on a cruise of 10 days or more.

You get a new colour of card.

So what perks ,

well club lunch or cocktail party as captains time dictates

a second party, say hosted by circle host but have ships dancers to dance with members no free drinks but allow members to bring a guest, again may be a formal event, timed to last a full evening ,may be split over two nights to allow early and late diners to attend

Breakfast at Sabainti for the top 50 onboard only, now some will be in suites, some will be travelling with family and friends and will not want to leave them.

A club lunch open to all but restricted by number to be held either in port or onboard a ship while in port, say a couple in the US and in Europe per year with CEO or similar to attend etc black tie event allow Princess to make announcements to this group first.

Then some vouchers, $5 of a bottle of wine, a free meal in the Crown or similar, a one day pass to the Sanctuary , $50 voucher of a future cruise, $10 off a shorex trip.

Any other ideas folks

Yours Shogun

Thanks for the suggestions, but here are some of my questions trying to help.

Top 50 on a cruise? Sometimes there are not even 50 Elite on a cruise.

A second party with ship's dancers, no free drinks?

A Club lunch open to all? Not understanding this?

Vouchers sound a little low. $5 off a bottle of wine, $10 off a shore trip. Why not a free bottle of wine and %50 off a shore trip.

This opens to many questions as to anyone could qualify for top 50 on a cruise. This would not be a step up for current Elite.

What was to be considered an Elite cocktail lounge/area perk with it's nightly $5.00 special cocktail and speciality hors d'oeuvres quickly became the Elite/Platinum cocktail lounge perk. Then when that didn't result in enough patronage it became come one come all.

 

Let us not kid ourselves. This feature was designed to sell drinks while offering special cocktail treats. Nothing wrong with that as if we want to find a bar corner in which to have our nightly cocktails, it may as well be where the sumptuous hors d'oeuvres are served and sumptuous they are.

Totally agree with you.

In all actuality, Princess should have just done this in every lounge for all the passengers since it is really not a perk for repeaters. A daily $5.00 special should be for all. Hors D'oeuvres could be for all as they are not really that special.

Is this lounge open to full suite passingers?

What lounge? We are totally confused now as to which lounge.

Evening Lounge:

Yes - we have invited guests who were not Platinum to join us. As long as they accompany you or if you arrive earlier than them and you go to the door to bring them in they have been welcomed.

You didn't like the lounges being closed for private parties, but you are OK having people get into a place when they should not be there?

Shame on you. You are in the HALL of Shame!!!!

Are we talking about the Embarkation/Debarkation Lounge or the $5.00 n Snack Evening Lounge?

I think it is about time that HAL got a little more modern. I suggested this years ago and it was not very well received by some on this forum. Now we have a choice. Thanks HAL. Happy Cruising!!!!