likeadisguise

Wait list match confirmations come by email, you're not called.

I think it's just for Europe.

It's a web-based application. You just go to the URL they provide on board to use it while connected to the ship's WiFi (free if just using Princess@Sea), no download necessary.

You only need a visa for Turkey if your cruise starts or ends there.

That doesn't sound good. I would be very disappointed. It's definitely Princess Corporate and not another Corporation that's onboard and booked everything?

There are a bunch of posts on the Princess Facebook page from travel agencies talking about an Executive Sales Conference on board. I'd guess the specialty dining is booked up so they can wine and dine the TAs.

Especially in a tender port, the ship doesn't just have to worry about getting in, they have to worry about getting everyone back on board and getting out. If the forecasts had worsening weather through the day, that can be a big factor in the decision whether or not to cancel.

We were on Dolphin deck on Star, and viewed the glaciers from our balcony on both scenic cruising days. Seemed much less stressful than jockeying for position on the upper decks.

US citizens? No, you don't need a visa for either one.

If they allow it, you'll have to bring your luggage with you at the beginning, and take it with you at the end. If you leave midcruise and then return a few days later you can leave your stiff in your cabin, but I don't think they'll take your luggage without you at the start or hold on to it after you leave.

It really doesn't matter. When you're in the Inside Passage you can see land on both sides, and when you're in the glaciers the ship turns around several times to give everyone a good view.

Princess sets an exchange rate for CDN$ for the entire voyage, so it's the same regardless of category if booking direct with Princess.

If you're looking at agencies, that's different. They may have group space or other promotions available, but it has nothing to do with the exchange rate Princess set for bookings made in Canadian dollars.

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It's only available ordered before the cruise.

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Did you call and ask and they refused to give you anything? How close to sailing are you?

Thanks for all this helpful info.

 

What about a 12-night cruise that STARTS in Hong Kong (to which we fly from our home in the USA) and includes a port call for Shanghai (and for Taiwan)--ending in Tokyo? All the other ports along the way are in Japan.

 

I realize HK and Taiwan are separate from China--but just wonder if those stops make a difference.

 

Fortunately, it's a year away (2017), so time is on our side--for now. ;)

 

Appreciatively,

Mary-Lou

The new 144-hour rule only applies to cruises that begin or end in Shanghai. If you arrive in Shanghai on a ship and leave on the same ship (transit call), you still need a visa for China.

If you have leftover refundable OBC you can settle your bill and receive cash at the end of your cruise, or you'll receive a check several weeks after your cruise. It won't go back on your credit card, because they can't "refund" if it was never charged in the first place.

Princess started adding a processing fee to visas obtained onboard sometime past year.

Yes, if you don't use the whole balance on one cruise, the rest remains available for another one.

Do 25% or more of passengers take dance lessons on board? No. So why not eliminate that?

 

Do 25% or more of passengers participate in trivia? No, so why not eliminate that?

 

Do 25% or more of the passengers attend photography lectures? No, so why not eliminate that?

 

Keep eliminating what a large number of passengers do not participate in and you may end up only with the Captain's welcome speech and possibly Bingo as activities.

These activities are all run by members of the ship's staff in addition to their regular duties, so there's zero extra cost to Princess.

I'm not sure it's an apt comparison to events that require granting a free cruise for them to occur.

And once they had verified what was necessary to avoid that visa, they told people. Seems pretty simple.

Didn't somebody post on another thread that they actually went to the Chinese Consulate, and were told no such policy existed? Sounds like China doesn't quite have their act together with communicating this.

Princess has posted in their Facebook account a few times that they were in contact with their Port Agent in Shanghai about the new requirements. Sounds like they wanted to verify exactly what was needed for the new policy before telling people what they'd have to do.

If it happens DURING the cruise then they'll always try to do it as OBC, but yes, they do sometimes end up issuing it after.

If it was port tax credit it would go back to your charge card not onboard credit.

Depends on how close to sailing the change happens. After a certain point they won't refund but will add it as OBC, I had something like $13 for this on my last cruise.

Have you called Princess since the last time you complained about this? I don't know why your PVP wouldn't have been able to find the information, but presumably they've been our of the office over the weekend and today anyway. Anyone at Princess should be able to give you the information. I'm pretty sure I saw someone saying the short itineraries of the new cruises didn't appeal to them, so it can't be that much of a secret.

First time Princess cruiser. Is free brewed coffee not available at the buffet or via room service throughout the day on Princess ships? Or, does brewed coffee have a specific meaning on Princess of which I am not aware?:confused:

The complimentary coffee is made from a concentrated syrup and is not freshly brewed. There are differing opinions in how it tastes. ;)