harryt8

When are Princess going to re-instate "Happy Hour" in the Wheelhouse Bar on all cruises? This was an event enjoyed by all passengers that made money for Princess, but some genius in Head Office decided they'd make even more if they cancelled the event and made passengers pay top dollar for drinks at all times. Anyone privvy to the actual figures?

We join Golden (again) in Long Beach in September to sail back to Australia.

May I ask if anyone could do me a favour please?

What is the current price for 1 Ltr Single Malt Whiskey in the Gift Shop? I remember Glenfiddich was "on special" on the last cruise. Depending on the price, I may purchase onboard or maybe COSTCO in the US and hand them in.

Thanks.

John & Dale Tait

A no-win situation for the Beverage managers :(.

 

Hank

Exactly. I had a conversation with the Head of Food and Beverage onboard Diamond last year.

I had a gentle whinge about Princess's pricing for wine and suggested that they may perhaps sell more if they reduced their horrendous mark-up.

He agreed and he also told me that they had many, many bottles of expensive wine ($100+) onboard that never sold. They went virtually untouched from cruise to cruise.

He suggested to HO that perhaps they should reduce price and gain from increased turnover.

But no, the dullards in Santa Clara said this enlightened solution for a "win all round" was not acceptable.

Are there any commercial brains in Princess? :')

What feckin' "genius" in Head Office decided to end it the first place?

It wouldn't take much brains to observe the business going on in the Wheelhouse at Happy Hour, but then a desk-bound cost accountant in Santa Clara wouldn't have much commonsense in understanding human behaviour and spending patterns.

The towns and ports of call in the main are pretty plain and to some degree dull. We did an 18 day cruise on Diamond last year. If we go again which is likely we would concentrate on going to gardens or parks and doing our homework via the Internet and the plethora of information available. We now know there is enough to do in each port, but you have to take the initiative. We avoid Princess excursions wherever possible.

We were just on the Golden SB from Whittier to Vancouver. .

Thank you for this informative post. We agree with you comments.

We join Golden (again) in Long Beach in September to sail back to Australia.

May I ask if you would do me a favour please?

What is the current price for 1 Ltr Single Malt Whiskey in the Gift Shop? I remember Glenfiddich was "on special" on the last cruise. Depending on the price, I may purchase onboard or maybe COSTCO in the US and hand them in.

Thanks.

John & Dale Tait :)

Thank you for this valuable information folks.

I will take the general tenor of the advice and book using FCD's, and check the pricing at regular intervals.

Again, thank you.

My wife and I were considering a Southampton to Singapore 38 night cruise on Sapphire for October/November 2019.

On the Princess website, a BD cabin (using B722 as an example) is currently available for A$9839 (the lowest price in comparison to 3 other sites) for 2019.

However, on comparing the 2018 cruise with 2019, Princess have bumped up the price for the same stateroom by $2141.00...!!

Princess are entitled to raise their prices, but that's a fair old hike for the same itinerary ..!!

Why do you think this is? Any thoughts?

(Unfortunately, we can't do the 2018 cruise as we are on Golden at the time).

Thank you both for your prompt response.

I'm settling on the Westin I think.

I've got scribbled pricing notes in front of me, and Hotels.com seem to have the best rate for a Standard Room at A$174 pn.

I'm off to have a large scotch. My brain is fried with pricing alternatives and deals..!!

Cheers.

Bruin Steve,

Thank you for that excellent list of recommended hotels.

I am browsing where to stay in LB in September to join a Princes Cruise back to Australia.

I had looked at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Downtown 1133 Atlantic Ave, but your comments suggest I look at some of your "A" List instead.

Having never been in LB before the Holiday Inn is a little bit out of better areas.

Any thoughts?

Cheers.

Harry

My wife and I are on Diamond leaving Yokohama on Sunday 20 August for an 18 day trip around Japan including Russia and South Korea.

Can you tell me if a kettle/electric jug is available in the staterooms?

This was available on Sapphire a couple of years ago on Asian cruises.

Thank you.

John & Dale Tait

Bendigo VIC

Australia

Thank you for all this valuable and interesting information.

My wife and I are on the Diamond Princess 18 day cruise around Japan, Russian and South Korea (Kim Jong Un permitting..!!) leaving Yokohama on 20th August.

Can you confirm that a electric kettle/jug is provided in the staterooms?

We had this facility on an Asian Cruise of Sapphire two years ago.

Cheers.

John & Dale Tait

Bendigo VIC

Australia

I am ex Royal Navy and I applied for the OBC with the appropriate documentation and received it without a problem for the 31 day Asian Cruise on Sapphire Princess ex Singapore 24 March.

Thank you Princess. HAL didn't offer anything. :)

Anyone made it on to the Bridge of any Princess ships at sea?

I'm not particularly interested in a $150.00 "Behind the Scenes" tour which is probably done in harbour anyway.

I am on Sapphire Princess 31 day Asian cruise ex Singapore 24 March.