OzKiwiJJ

No, those wines are not available by the glass in the MDRs. I'll post the current MDR lists below.

That's the silly thing about the Plus package - almost all the cocktails are within the limit but the wine selection is pathetic. Unfortunately most cocktails don't go with food.

The Waiomio (Kawiti) glowworm caves are quite close to Paihia but with the Bay of Islands being a tender port plus such an early departure time it could be tricky. The guided tours are every 30 minutes, and take 45-60 minutes. However that doesn't include transfer time from the Waitangi wharf and back, about 25 minutes each way. The place doesn't open until 9am. I suggest contacting them directly to see if they can help. https://www.kawiticaves.co.nz/

These were the ones we bought. They are quite good but you have to be careful the medallion doesn't start to slip out. There are two types of holders like this. The one we chose has a section on the ring that you push in to open, so it's very easy to clip on and off things. The other type is the classic keyring where you thread whatever you are attaching it to through the layers of the ring.

There has been quite a bit of discussion in various threads about the disappointing selection of wines available under the Plus and Premium Fares which, of course, also covers the only wines available by the glass. Those of us who chose these fares based on previous experience of Princess wine list are feeling let down over both the limited selection of wines by the glass, and the very basic quality of those wines, particularly the Plus wines. Today we had a very constructive and in-depth discussion with Coral's Bar Manager. A significant part of the problem is supply issues. Many of the wines on the previous wine list were sourced through the US where there are now wine shortages. Sourcing Australian wines capable of supplying three cruise ships from now through to the end of the summer season was also difficult. The bad news is that the wine lists are unlikely to change this year. The good news is that we feel that our discussion and concerns about the range and quality of the wines were taken seriously, were understood, and were accepted. However the decisions aren't made at ship level but we hope our concerns and suggestions will be passed up the chain to management. If you have booked a Plus fare on an upcoming cruise you have two choices: 1. Stay with the Plus fare and be prepared to pay extra by the glass for Premium wines, or buy by the bottle at the 25% discount. 2. See if you can refare to the Saver fare and buy your drinks, coffee packages, and Wifi packages individually.

Very sorry to hear about your Mum, Leigh. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} Julie and Rolf

Yes, it will but you have to put it against the door sensor whereas the door senses your medallion approaching and unlocks the door just as you reach it.

I bought a couple of those Apple airtag holders on Amazon and I just clip my medallion onto my handbag. I hate wearing lanyards and this way it's easily accessible.

Actually I really like the medallion and when the app works properly it's far better than the old Princess@Sea intranet was.

Yes, it's not the cost that is annoying us as well, it's the poor quality of the wines and the fact that the wines they offered previously by the glass were decent quality with plenty of variety to suit all palates.

If you look at it that way all land-based restaurants are rip-offs too. We've just had lunch with family at a restaurant in Palm Cove and I spotted a pinot grigio on their wine list that is also on the ship in Sabatinis. $48 on the ship and $71 at the restaurant. In my opinion it is unfair to compare shipboard prices with bottle store prices. The ship as all of the added costs that a restaurant does - ensuring ongoing supply, delivery costs, storage at correct temperatures, providing glasses, and serving it.

They've never offered the wine packages in Australia and I think they no longer offer them overseas either. We did have them on two cruises and they were good value. With the Plus package you do get a 25% on bottles of wine but it's annoying to have to buy bottles when theoretically you've paid for wine in your Plus fare.

We're having a great time. Just got a tip from Guest Services re getting your Medallion app to work better onboard. Sign out of it then sign in using Quick Access, entering your cabin number (instead of booking number), then name, and date of birth.

In 2019 we had some wonderful wines onboard. We revelled in the chance to try very nice European wines that aren't easily available in Australia. Some of those wines are still on the bottle only wine list but not available by the glass at all.

My Medallion app worked very well for the first couple of days but is now sulking and won't load any of the info I want - account folio, drinks lists, what's on around the ship etc.

We've already complained LOUDLY a few times but it's not fair on the restaurant staff to keep on doing that. We are hoping to meet with someone from the Food and Beverage team, maybe on Thursday since it sounds like it's going to be too soggy and windy to go ashore in PD. I will be making it very clear that I think Princess have scammed wine drinkers who bought the packages. If I get nowhere I will make sure I order several cocktails a day, preferably ones at the Plus limit, take one sip then leave them. With a bit of luck that would screw their drinks figures. 🤣

What is annoying me is that there are none of the Italian varietals which are being produced in several wine regions in Australia, and which are favourites of ours. There are some decent wines on the bottle only list. Once we get home I'll crunch the numbers to decide whether to try to change bookings to Saver fares and just buy as we go by the bottle. We can't be bothered lugging wine on board with us, plus we enjoy trying wines we usually can't get in Australia. If the numbers crunch too high we may have to rethink our world cruise booking. Can you imagine doing a 110 night cruise with only those crappy wines on offer?

No changes to cocktail prices that I've noticed. Wine by the bottle prices seem about the same too. However there is a very small selection of wines by the glass split into two categories: - Plus wines which is a small selection of very poor quality wines that I've never seen on Princess before. - Another small selection including some reasonable quality wines under the Premium list.

I spotted the sign for them on the side of the M1 as we crawled past in the rush hour traffic jam.

Did you get an email confirming your FCD purchase? Ours came through very quickly.

Verbal but they tick it off on their devices.

Good idea but I think I'll go back to having eggs for breakfast. Sweet breakfasts don't work well for me, I get hungry again too quickly. We're just about to head off to the MDR for lunch then we might try to see if we can have a chat to the food and beverage director about the wines.

I'll let you know in a couple more days. She certainly has the right look and vibe, but it always takes me a couple of days to settle into a cruise. What we're seen of the interior so far is Princess at its best, warm and welcoming.

Sadly the 'real' maple syrup is sugar-free maple syrup so not really real in my opinion. So no maple syrup for me as I get migraines from some artificial sweeteners.