RRFan

1 hour ago, Alcairns said:

I am sorry if this has been discussed before but 48 pages is a lot to work through! In the past we have been offered speciality dining packages. For example 4 speciality dinners for $100. This was always offered once on board. With the introduction of Dine my Way will these offers be available? There is no point in booking speciality restaurants in advance if there are on board offers! 

I’ve never seen that offered on a Princess ship. 🤔

1 hour ago, skynight said:

"We always trade our mini bar for coffee pkgs.  It's an annoyance, but you have to call at the beginning of each leg to trade for coffee pkgs"

We called room service the day before turn around day and requested the coffee packages instead of the mini bar. It always worked. The coffee package was added to our accounts on turn around day. Like you we wound up with lots of unused specialty coffees.

I guess I just assumed I had to wait until turn around day!  Thanks for the tip, I’ll definitely be calling the day before from now on!!  The line is always so busy on embarkation day. 

It's usually the first sea day and the other one depends upon the times in port.  It is NOT always a sea day.  On AK cruises, the day before you disembark is a sea day and it is never that day.  We always joked that was because that didn't give people enough time to buy those last formal portraits.  If the last port day sail away time is 5 or earlier, it'll be that day.  If not, it'll probably be a "scenic cruising" day.

I can only speak for Princess, but we have done many, many B2B's (up to 5 in a segment).  In fact, we rarely cruise for only 1 week because we hate flying so we try to maximize our cruising between flights. We have stayed in the same cabin and have had to change cabins.  Either way it is very easy.

• Our OBC's have always carried over if not spent.  We always make sure we have 5 or 6 FCC's on account because we never know how many B2B's we might want to book.  We always get the owner's benefit OBC for each segment too.
• We always trade our mini bar for coffee pkgs.  It's an annoyance, but you have to call at the beginning of each leg to trade for coffee pkgs.  I've always wished that is something you could mark as your preference, like a Queen bed instead of two twins.  They do keep accumulating though.  I've had the coffee guy ask me why I have 45+ coffees still on my room card.  I explained and he just grinned.  I usually get very generous buying coffee for other people toward the end.
• The head waiter always comes around toward the end of a cruise and asks us if we wish to continue at the same table or if we'd like to move.  We usually continue, although there have been times when we chose to move to a different dining room.  Yes, the menus are mostly IDENTICAL from week to week.  We always know what Wednesday night will be etc.
• Turn around day is my favorite day!  Every ship and/or port may have procedures that are peculiar to them (Vancouver is my least favorite), but here is generally what you'll do:  You will get a letter the night before disembarkation giving you instructions for the next day.  You usually can just scan off the ship any time you want to and then can scan back on any time later after they've started embarkation process for the next leg.  They have to show all passengers have scanned off (meaning you can't just sit in your cabin that day).  You will be given an "IN TRANSIT" card to show the port people as you come back on and they will just wave you back on.  However, some ports will require you to show your Passport as well as cabin card and transit card.  LA always required that.  If you don't have anything you want to do in port, you can just sleep late and eat a leisurely breakfast (watch the times because they are usually abbreviated times on get-off day).  You will be assigned a disembarkation lounge and usually they will wait until all disembarking passengers have gotten off and the last group is the transit group.  You will probably scan off the ship as a group and sit in the terminal together.  Once they are ready to allow passengers back on, they will call for TRANSITS first (before any new passengers are allowed to board).  That's pretty much it.

7 minutes ago, norwega said:

not a newbie, but what is "MUTS"  ?

Movies under the Stars

ThanksThrak. Sounds Iike I can bring cans but no plastic bottles.  

Following this too.  I usually take on a Dr Pepper in a screw-top bottle in my carryon bag (unopened).  Is that a problem now?  Or I sometimes get one in port and take back on. I don't drink a lot of soda but when I do, I don't want Coca Cola (that's all they have onboard).  

@caribillYou could be right, although I haven't seen anyone post that they wanted group A and were not able to get it.  Those who I have seen post a later boarding group selected that group themselves.  These AK cruises are likely less than capacity so that might be related.    It just makes sense to me that S/E/P's will be called first within the boarding groups.

@seahag posted the response from PCL (post #25) which specifically addressed the P/E lounge (although it doesn't promise snacks), it uses the phrase " will continue to enjoy" and unless they are wanting to further alienate those passengers, I'm pretty sure there will be some sort of priority treatment for them.  

• Priority boarding – Platinum and Elite guests will continue to enjoy the Platinum and Elite lounge and priority boarding within their arrival group.

In any case, we are all just guessing until July 25 comes and we hear from those inaugural cruise passengers as to how PCL handles it.  😉

28 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

I do not interpret this the same way. This is the same wording they have always used and in practice it meant that there were separate lines for elite/suite. platinum, and others. It did not mean they held back any category from checking in.

 

And the different priority lines were originally set up when there were many less elite and platinum members than now as well as smaller ships which meant fewer suite passengers. Back then, the elite/suite and platinum lines could be very short and thus quicker to get through and thus quicker boarding. Pre-pandemic, the non-status line was often the shortest and quickest since the number of priority passengers could exceed 2/3rds of the passengers.

 

Unless they prevent all but elite and suite from checking in first within the allotted time arrival period, the words are meaningless. And if they do that, I can foresee great resentment for those non-elite/suite who show up at the start of the allotted time period being told "Yes, you are here on time for your assigned time, but cannot check-in yet."

 

Once you check in you will board, so only if non-elite/suite are prevented from checking in when they arrive on time will there be any boarding priority.

 

 

There is a difference between check in and boarding. The July 25 cruise will likely walk right on because the ship had no disembarking passengers. There’s no reason to think subsequent cruises will go straight onto the ship immediately after check in.  In fact, I’d think with more stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols, it might be slower boarding than pre-covid. Post #28 above showed that PCL is continuing to promise E, S & P priority boarding. Since many of them are already unhappy losing free minutes and OBC for days cruised, I think they will make priority boarding happen some way. Just my opinion of course. 

However, on the early first voyages, they seem to be separating by table each cabin (or travel party).  As time goes on (probably past CSO expiry, they will allow more mixing.  

 This is a good point I hadn't thought of.  We prefer a table for 2 so we can control the pace better ourselves.  But it may be they are pushing tables that are ONLY our travelling party for the early cruises to encourage social distancing.  I don't see why the app couldn't allow choices for table number and sharing preferred.  Under normal conditions, that would be available. And of course, it could just be the buggy app and hopefully it will be fixed at some point.  

4 hours ago, caribill said:

 

So, are these the only three lines (lanes?). Or will their be G,B and Y lanes for elite/suite passengers, G, B and Y lanes for platinum passengers and G,B and Y lanes for all others, a total of 9 lines.

 

Hard to see Princess keeping their promise of priority check-in if only one set of G, B and Y lanes.

My thought is that Princess is just trying to keep their nose above water this summer on the roll out of this buggy app. Since anyone can select boarding group A, there may be no priority boarding unless they call for Elites & Suites in Boarding Group A first followed by Platinum's in Boarding Group A, followed by general boarding for group A, etc.  At times, we've been given a card with a letter on it to control the number of people boarding at one time.  Letter A's boarded first, then B's etc.  E&S's were given A's until they reached the max number they wanted boarding at a time.  The next E&S's that checked in got letter B etc.  General boarding didn't start until all letters were boarded.

I think they will come up with a way to appease E/S/P's because of the removal of perks they've had before. It costs them nothing to honor the priority boarding they've  promised (and haven't removed as of yet). Guess we'll all find out soon.  Hopefully the July 25 cruisers will be letting us know how it went.

2 minutes ago, CruzinNoony said:

 

Am I to understand that we will be charged a fee for them to send us the medallion in the mail?

Not if you only order the basic medallions with the basic lanyard.  Charges are for wrist bracelet or upgraded lanyard etc.  The basic stuff is free.

We sail to AK in Sept.  I had already put in all of our info in the online Personalizer (like I always have) before I found out we need the App now.  All of our info from the Personalizer was already in my app.  We are "Travel Companions" in the App.  I did go ahead and select a Table for 2 at 5:20 each evening even though we already had a confirmed dinner reservation for early traditional dining which didn't seem to carry over.

I had hubs download a new MA today to check to see if it's all there for him, and it was (done by me on mine).  I don't think you each HAVE to have the App unless we have to each one show the QR code at check in or something (which could be printed I assume).  Pre-covid, we only had to show one boarding pass and both of us were able to check in.  

We won't have to switch between us because we each have the App.  I understand when we get closer to sailing, we can reserve a spot in the theatre and/or other venues for particular times so I don't yet know if I can do that for both of us or if he'll have to do his.  I'm following all the Majestic threads to gather information along the way.  Hope this helps you.  

23 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Just playing around with the app just now, and it does seem much improved, with MDR and speciality dining options easily  reservable.

However, the default preference for MDR reservations always seems to be for a table for two. I know that many prefer this option,  but we enjoy dining with different peoole each night, and there seems to be no way to book a table with 4 or 6 strangers. 

Princess needs a “Happy to Share” option on the app. (If you’ve cruised PCL before, you’ll know that’s what they always say as you walk up to the hostess.). 😄

6 hours ago, BrandiGreg said:

I am a little worried that, because I use my middle name in non-official business like getting healthcare, my vax card thus shows my middle name, and is not my legal first name appearing on my passport.  The birthday dates match, however.  Just the first names dont.  At the time I got vaccinated, I did not forsee that the card would be so important for travel, or I would have provided CVS my legal first name to record on it. Hope there is no problem at embarkation.

I wonder if you can go back to CVS and explain the situation that you will be cruising and need your Vax card to match your passport and they can give you another original card with your name written as it is on your passport?  If it's local, that would be worth a try to save you trouble at check in.  

1 hour ago, skynight said:

You are not alone. 542 days on board. A Princess cruise could be a memory. Large mistake to eliminate the PC based system which allows you or your T.A. to enter data to a system that requires specific technical equipment and training to use. 

I don't understand why they didn't just leave them both up as options and let people decide which one to check in with.  Maybe phase the personalizer out as they went.  I understand that onboard it will be easier to use the app to make a specialty reservation and cancel the standing every night table assignment, but the initial set up has not been smooth.

2 hours ago, Kay S said:

Thanks for this.  I was confused about the blue lane thing.

My understanding is that the health portion has to be completed within the last few days before sailing. That asks questions like have you been around anyone who has tested positive for covid in the last 14 days etc. (hence the need to do it just days before sailing).  Once that is completed, I think you get a green light and you will go through the fastest line at check in that doesn’t require any assistance from port personnel.  If you are still in the blue lane, there is something about your docs that requires a person to assist you at check in.  Some people choose to pick their medallions up at the pier. They’ll be blue line. 

So excited to be able to follow your inaugural cruise next week!  Thanks so much for doing this!  Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, fun cruise with beautiful weather and lots of marvelous memories in the making!  🥰

47 minutes ago, Akina13 said:

It went fine. They didn’t even blink an eye. We are on the ship 🙂

Great!!!  Thanks and enjoy your cruise!!  

15 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I have most of the Medallion Net internet pricing story.  And I think it is mostly - if not all - good news.

 

The plan is to add internet ordering to the MC App, but they aren't ready for prime-time on that.  With upcoming 2021 summer voyages, they will be ready to assist people on board.  (Sorry, I did not specifically ask if they will be getting the PRE-cruise pricing on board since they could not order ahead, but if I was in that situation, I would certainly be pitching my case).  That said, I have read a couple of posts where guests were able to phone in and order the internet for upcoming cruises leaving soon - similar to you can phone in and order other pre-cruise items like casino credits, OBC, etc. 

 

(I dispense with the 99-cent business).

 

PRE-CRUISE

1 -device           = $10/day

4-device            = $20/day

 

ON-BOARD

1-device            = $15/day

4-device            = $25/day

 

YES, they will have "voyage-length" pricing, but that price list is not yet known/available.  Seems like there will be some changes from what we had before.  Perhaps falling in-between the above.  Those of us who qualify for the 50% discount can also get it off the voyage price.  So, obviously we will eventually want to know those prices to understand whether to order pre-cruise basis or wait.  I would venture - based on pre-Covid situation - that the $10/day will be beat the voyage-length pricing at least until you get into the "longer" cruises.

 

If pre-ordering, the 50% discount is an on-board non-ref OBC.

Doesn't seem to be clear if ordering on-board will we pay net price or also get non-ref OBC.

 

Since we now get the discount when ordering internet pre-cruise (didn't work that way before), this is obviously the best way to go.  It's a no-brainer for Elites & Platinum to order ahead.  Maybe you want to see the package pricing for longer voyages, I know I am curious.  For example, @Astro Flyer, your 28-night might turn out to have a more attractive full-voyage package rate (< $280/pp) and you can still get 50% off that.  (I do realize we need to know those prices to make the best financial choice).

 

I got this right from a Princess exec, so I hope they were informed correctly (and ought to know in any case).  The above fits in with reports and rumors here on CC.  Has anyone pre-ordered internet over the phone for 4-devices?  What were you charged?  I know 1-device has been $10/day per CC postings.

 

If/when I get package pricing, I will share.  Or maybe those on first voyages will inform us here.

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but can we purchase the WiFi pkg using OBC already posted to our acct?  So they would just charge our OBC acct with 50% of the total (using Elite benefit)?  — or charge our OBC the full amt and then give us back the 50%. 

On 7/14/2021 at 5:50 AM, MJU said:

Thanks - guess she will have to order pizza off kids menu

I saved this pic from another thread a few days ago. It’s supposed to be the current kid’s menu. 
 

19 minutes ago, CruisinMinnie said:

My dine my way reservations for our October 2021 cruise have disappeared since the latest update, or I should say the message on the app says dine my way currently not available........ 

I got that sane message for a week. Finally I checked to see if an update was available. After updating, DMW worked fine. I’ve read a major update is coming 7/16 too. 

1 hour ago, Kay S said:

App does not work correctly.  My cruise is in October.  I'm hoping things will improve by then.  If not, I think we will be standing in long line at the terminal to get the mess straightened out.  

Have you checked to see if there is an update available for the Med App?  I don’t automatically install all updates on my phone. When I updated the app, it started working correctly. 

1 hour ago, PaperSniper4 said:

Good question to ask. I didn't read his/her reply you quoted about the "or nothing". I thought they were talking about the absence of the Platinum perk vs the "package".

 

Doug

Apologies, yes I was referring to the P/E perk. No one at Princess has clarified anything other than what was in our letter about the new perks, but I doubt they will let us buy 1 or 2 days only at the discounted rate. If so, I would only purchase sea days. I think we’ll have to purchase the whole 7 days to get the discount.  We’re all anxious to hear back from the July cruisers to get the details. 😃

“Wonder if that daily rate could be purchased for only a few days. I want internet 90% so I can check on airline and hotel connections.”

No, the WiFi is now unlimited for the entire voyage or nothing. The $5/day rate is based on 50% of what they were charging per-covid.(as a new Plat/Elite “benefit”)  Until they set sail on 7/25, we won’t know the actual cost.  For us, the number of free Elite minutes were plenty. Unhappy to lose that benefit (as well as the OBC based on number of days cruised). ☹️