mysaddlebred000

We have been in a lot of suites and all have been regular ones. I believe they will be gone when they replace the TV's with the new system like on the Royal. I always liked being able to watch DVD's in our suite but the new system is really much better for everyone. Another suite perk taken away but I honestly like the new system where you can put it on hold and come back hours later and continue watching where you left off.

I didn't believe it when I first read it and I still don't. :rolleyes:

I really can't believe it either. We have been on many large roll calls where maybe two couples cancel. I have looked at available cabins many times and they don't seem to be sold and then reapper.

I remember that post and I don't think anyone questioed her remark.

Thanks for explaining that Suzan.

Yes, I have a suite guarantee and have never booked that way so I have many questions. My TA couldn't answer my questions and neither could Princess - big surprise. I wish someone would post that has done a suite guarantee before.

caribill - I agree that she needs a new hobby. If she keeps it up, I may just book something although I am kind of excited to see what we get - kind of like gambling. I think I may book a cruise where she needs to do a lot of research - that will get her off my back.:D

Probably only if you and your wife book as singles in 2 different cabins. The system will not let you both book 2 cabins. Can you imagine if everyone tried to do that, booking several cabins to see which one is the best?? :rolleyes:

If you want a full suite, you should just book it. Hoping for an upgrade is probably not going to happen. Most likely someone in the highest category of mini-suite would be upgraded to a full suite if there were any available. It's the balcony vs OV thing. Just because a full suite is available, doesn't mean Princess is going to fill it either. They have sailed many times with empty suites.

I just asked the first question because it has been posted here that each cabin is booked 8 times before it sails. That seems like a lot to me but if people were allowed to do this, that would make more sense why the number is so high.

I think you misunderstood what I said. We have decided to book mini's from now on so we really don't want a suite - am tired of paying the big bucks for them but this guarantee was such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. I looked right after I booked it and the deal was gone so not sure if it was a mistake or if only so many were offered. I understand that when they assign you a mini suite guarantee that there are many other ones left for others to book but there are not that many suites. Since we don't know how many ws guarantees were taken and there are only five suites left, I would think they would have to hold a few back because there is nothing above a suite to assign people to.

We will be happy with a ws (I think - have always had a balcony) especially for this price. So, do you think they will hold the less desirable ws's for the guarantees?

I am just curious how they work them.

Thanks for the replies.

I never knew they assigned them so early. Were those cabins in categories that had many cabins?

I have always researched cabins and wanted a specific suite so I have mixed feelings about booking this way. As I said, I think I need to give up the expensive cabins since we feel they aren't worth it anymore and that would allow us to do more traveling.

I thought I was ok with not knowing but it is starting to get to my wife and she is starting to drive me nuts. She looks several times a day and said all the ws are marked sold and there are only three other suites available. And this cruise is not until next spring. I almost feel like booking a mini instead.

One other question. Can you have two cabins booked with FCC's on the same cruise? And then pick the one you want just before final payment?

I booked my first guarantee. We usually book suites but I'm to the point where I don't think it is worth the cost anymore. Since we are elite, the perks are the same except for breakfast and a larger cabin but we end up staying in our cabin more and don't get out to see the ship. My wife even said she is starting to think they are a waste of money and that is all I needed to downsize! She suggested we try to book the Sanctuary instead although I am not a big fan but if it saves me money, I'm all for it.

Maybe I am just getting tired of cruising, but I decided to do a suite guarantee for fun and see what I get. I did a WS guarantee since the price wasn't much higher than mini's. We have a number of friends that are joining us so we won't have time to spend in our cabin so we don't care what cabin it is. Will be happy with any of them.

I was just wondering what was the earliest they picked one for you. I have read that it can be at final payment, the day before or even at port. Does it ever happen months ahead? Do they contact your TA if you used one or do you have to look on your personalizer.

"biggest offender of auto-tip removal"

This is no surprise to me. Many years ago my wife and I were invited to a pre cruise party several months before a cruise and late in the evening after many drinks, four of the six woman mentioned that they remove the auto-tips. When I made my displeasure known, they jumped in and said they give big tips to people that do extra things for. Sorry but I didn't buy that. And I agree that they probably are poor tippers on land also.

I know there are many well traveled

When there is a thread about how much to tip for room service, people say $1 per order up to $10. If you are on a 21 day cruise and order something from room service twice a day, do you really think they tip $400 to room service besides the MDR and the steward, bar service, etc. I think not.

On one trip my wife had gotten friendly with a lady through the roll call. We were at the same hotel and took the hotel shuttle to port. When we got our baggage from the back, I was the first to tip the driver. This couple picked up their luggage and stepped back - never gave him a tip. Then a porter came over and took our large pieces, again, I tipped first and stepped back. This couple just set their luggage down and walked away. They cruise at least once a month and take long cruises and are the first to complain if they are not happy. I really am thinking that they probably take the auto tips off also. They always cruise in the cheapest cabin- I think I know how they manage to cruise so much.

We also have cruised with many friends who are very generous with their tips. The crew works so hard and always have big smiles and try to do whatever they can for us - How in the world can people take money away from them! I wish they would not allowed them to be taken off.

I need a balcony even if it is in a cold climate. I have met people at breakfast in Sabatini's who have been disappointed because of cigar smoke coming into their cabins.

After this latest ferry sinking - I just feel I have a way to escape on my balcony.

Did you check the door at the regular entrance or just the door from the concierge lounge?

The door on the port side near the rest room.

Sorry that this happened to you. We have gotten very sloppy - half the time we don't even lock the safe. Seems we are always running behind for dinner or something and just take off.

We had a friend who had his watch taken from his cabin on the Coral many years ago. Security told him they would search the log to see who's cards were used to enter the cabin that afternoon. The next day his watch was returned.

An officer on the Golden showed us where the cameras are in the hallways but said no one looks at them unless something happens and then they are reviewed.

Did you just make the call to security? Did you also go down to the customer service desk and ask to speak to the supervisor?

Went by the chapel for or five times last week on the Royal always open. Best to contact the CD as indicated.

Ken

maybe it has changed but I wanted to go inside and checked the door every time I went into the concierge lounge on our b2b in December.

also depends on the ship. Some are not locked but it was always locked on the Royal. Probably best to ask permission rather than just use it. I know some of the piano entertainers use it to practice during the day.

I would choose Caribe, the aft area is a little bigger and no window washing stuff. The mini balconies are the same size although because of the upper Baja reg balconies the mini would be half covered I believe.

 

That is the picture that I was referring to - that washing thingy could really block our view. Now that I have waited, the end cabin on C is sold. So I guess we will have to settle for the second one from the stern. Thanks for your help.

One other question - that last one has no cover. Anyone ever had it - I'm talking about one on any of those decks - looks like all the 700's are covered but the last one.

Is there much more of a view from those??

thanks

Thinking of Alaska and debating about the last aft mini on the Coral. Is that window washing contraption on the Dolphin stern going to block our view if we pick the port side?

Usually people prefer the Caribe deck balconies - is there any benefit to Caribe deck over dolphin? Are the balconies any larger on Caribe?

thanks for any help.

No, she will only be able to see and have access to the cruises she booked. Any cruises you book directly with Princess or with another TA are not available to her.

Thanks for the info. That is good to know. We really hate to hurt her feelings since we have one cruise that isn't until fall 2015 and she probably will be looking it up for one reason or another. I can't see either of us approaching her and asking why she isn't giving us more. Maybe she is thinking of retiring and building up a nest egg.

I know being able to contact your TA is important. I see more of a need for one on an exotic cruise more so than a winter b2b2 to get out of the cold in the Caribbean.

So then:

What do you think a TA should give you in perks for the following cruises?

$5,000

$10,000

$20,000

More incentives and wiggle room with an expensive cruise/TA.

We have been debating if it is time to change TA's. I really like her but Iwe have been a little upset with the perks she has been giving us lately especially with our last cruise. Her price was exactly the same as on Princess's website - $24,000. She gave us a balcony breakfast which we don't understand since we were in a suite and why would we want that when we can go to Sabitini's or have the MDR breakfast delivered on our balcony? She also gave us a $30 credit for wine and $200 OBC. She had given us those same things on a $10,000 cruise the year before. We have been booking three cruises a year with her.

We know what we want so she really has just had to book the cabins we ask for. There have been a couple cases where she has commented that she spent a lot of time on the phone doing this or that. Like last week when we wanted to book a cruise six weeks out. We were taken back because we rarely ask her to do anything more than just book the cabin. My wife usually deals with her and she is gutless to ask her what she is complaining about. And I have been instructed not to keep my mouth shut when I answer the phone.

She is so nice on the phone but we seriously are thinking of either booking with Princess or finding a new TA.

We do have two future cruises that we booked through her, but am thinking of booking another one but not with her.

Question: can she look up our account with Princess and be able to see that we have other cruises booked. My wife really likes her and does not want her to find out if we decide to go with someone else.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the age for bringing on a bottle is 21, not 18 as stated above.

I wasn't stating that the drinking age was 18, they are 23 and 26 - just meant they were not teenagers or younger

The staff at the table had papers and did mark down our staterooms. So really don't know if people actually have to be present - I would guess YES. Maybe they would hold the bottles for them but I would not take any chances.

Just wait for them or tell them to have their taxi stop at a liquor store.

My reservation was marked no upgrade. I just about screamed when I noticed the change. I had already printed 5 luggage tags before I noticed it. All is now calm. Bulk head cabins = solid railing balconies at front of ship. Royal Princess cabins E101 to E110.

OK

now I understand - yes, I would have been very upset also.

Try to forget it and finish packing and have a great time

We seem to pick popular cruises because we have never received a discount on a suite and they usually sell out the day they open. Everyone has been twice the price of a mini (don't think they should use suite with it - too many people think they are getting a small suite with all the regular suite perks) and four times what an inside cabin cost. One of our last cruises did not sell very well and every category was getting numerous price drops. I know there was a waiting list for suites that cruise so that along with a small number of suites, we never saw a discount. It got me thinking and I am really not sure if the suites are really worth the extra cost anymore. Yes, Sabitinis is a nice treat but on long cruises, it gets tiring every morning. We have also been fortunate to have booked the GS several times - loved them but after the cruise I kept saying - why?? was it really worth it - maybe the first time but doubt we will book them again.

And on many ships lately, the service in the suites isn't always that great. I do a have couple suites booked along with a couple minis. Or maybe we are getting tired of Princess and it is time to look around.

I have heard of people getting great deals on WS but it doesn't seem like a suite without a balcony - have never stayed in one. A while ago someone suggested that they switch those to premium picture window (or some new name) cabins and skip the suite perks. Bet they could make more money that way. With no balcony, they would be great for people with small children.

Glad you got your cabin back.

Question? What is a bulkhead cabin? I know about a bulkhead seat on planes but never heard that term with a ship.

Don't understand why you are still upset with Princess. You did not say if you marked it no upgrade or not. If you didn't, then you should be upset with yourself or your TA. TA's should know to do that and have talked to you.

It is another story if you did indeed mark it no upgrade.

It's over with so go, relax and have a great cruise.

On our 7 day Alaska family cruise there will be 6 adults, each entitled to 1 bottle of wine BUT we are the ones transporting the wine since they are flying with only carry on. Our flights arrive different times so we will not be checking in together. The 3 confirmations are linked together (though all 3 cabins were paid by my husband and I). Can we bring the 6 bottles on by showing the 3 confirmations showing there are 6 adults?

 

Thank you from a Princess newbie.

I think you all are missing the point of what the OP is asking.

She wants to know if she can carry in bottles of wine for family members who have cabins linked to theirs, since everyone is coming in at different times. She wants to know if she can bring the extra bottles by showing that the cabins were linked together when booked?

Don't ask more questions about your trip - start your own thread rather than hijacking this one. They know there is a corkage fee, etc. Lets keep it to helping the OP with her question.

I carried four bottles - one for me, wife, daughter and son (over 18). I was the first thru the scanner and was told to go to the table. They would not check me off until everyone came to the table.

If you don't want the 2-category upgrade, you can take $300 OBC -- and in either case you also get a free dinner first night in Sabatini's and a bottle of cheap sparkling wine. We have more than paid back the Platinum fee with cruise discounts -- plus we get airline rebates and lounge access.

Are you sure about the $300 exchange? We usually do suites but have not been happy with the service the past four cruises so tried a mini last cruise and we did indeed get better service. Some staff, especially the MDR, seemed to screw up our table assignments every night but no problem at all in the mini (same ship). I have seen some very pushy and truly a**holes from suites who think they are way better than most. We are not demanding at all. Other than Sabitini's for breakfast, we get the same perks being elite - oh - an extra bar setup. We can get a mini for half the price and the larger cabin doesn't seem like that big of a deal anymore. I think we are very happy in mini's and that is why I want to research the best minis.

We also like the $200 airfare refund with AMEX. It has really paid off for us since we travel so much. They talk up the airport lounge perk so much but it is really worthless unless you fly Delta.

Everyone considering booking Coral/Island will find the above website extremely helpful. ;)

LuLu

~~~

Am I missing something?? It only tells if the balconies are covered or uncovered. Is there something else?

AMEX wants your business. The first time I used it, AMEX said the same thing to my TA at first. I told her to call them back. It took my TA a long time to get it straightened out