dazee8

After going through check-in and going through security, I understand that wine corkage fees are due if you have to bring wine onboard.

When we have sailed with Princess they stamp the bottles showing that the corkage has been "paid" which allows you to take any stamped bottle to any dining area and not be charged. Does HAL also stamp bottles after paying the corkage fee?

Thanks.

Thank you so much for posting your personal experience with this new beverage option on Princess. Having detailed information of how you used the package and with different drinks onboard is very helpful. i appreciate the recommendation for the martinis as well.

:)

CruiseQueen: Love your indepth review of your cruise. I was wondering if the ship was christened? If so, who was the Godmother? Thanks.

:)

I read it as they did not accept the OV and got another interrior which was a few dollars less due to location. No complaints from OP and it was other posters who mentioned compensation not OP.

Yes, compensation not having the original inside that they wanted and downgraded to another inside, meaning less in price. If the OP doesn't mind the less cost in fare or location, then it is a win-win for the OP. Having participated on the British Isles cruise in the past, I also agree with OP, it is VERY port intensive and as much rest as you can get to the next day is imperative.

We were listed as no upgrade because we liked the location of our inside cabin. Also, DW likes insides for the absolute darkness for sleeping. I happened to look at my personalizer earlier today, and we had been upgraded to an OV cabin.

 

I called our TA. First, he was surprised that we had been upgraded without them informing him. He checked the new cabin location, and it was right above a casino bar. I would have slept through any noise (DW says I'm deaf), but she has very acute hearing and would have never slept if it was at all noisy. He said he would check why we were moved, and if they wanted to give us an OV see if he could get a better location.

 

He said (I forgot the exact term he said they used) that they said the original cabin would be uninhabitable. He could not get us another OV because they were all sold out except for the one they wanted to give us.

 

He found us another inside 2 cabins away from our original location. Even though it was so close to the original cabin, it was technically a different category, so we ended up actually downgraded. The price because it was a lower category was now a few dollars less.

 

BTW, the cruise is a port intensive British Isles cruise, so getting adequate sleep is important.

Hopefully with the downgrade of cabin that you are getting compensation for your trouble on an expensive cruise.

Crew is still on code red conditions in dining areas from the norovirus (NV) outbreak. No salt and pepper shakers on table or bread baskets. All is served by waiters/waitresses. Also, hand sanitizer is also to be used by passengers before entering dining room. The captain went over the signs of NV during his public announcements at noon yesterday, which were also handed out when checking in and also in the cabin. We are being VERY careful this cruise.

Our traditional mani/pedi was wonderful and one nail technician pointed out that tip was already included in bill but the other did not. Just an oversight I am sure, but regardless, were aware to check bill carefully thanks to Karatemom. :)

Pedi: 45.00

Mani: 29.00

Spa 15% Grat: 11.10

Total: 85.10

Wowie, added tips in the Spa now? I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's experience that they did not tell her she was adding a double tip. Rather deceitful practice by all those in the Spa. We have mani/pedis scheduled on our next cruise and will be VERY careful before we sign the bill.

Absolutely love this idea and would do it each and every year. Like others have said, not many options for us out of LA and would be delighted to cruise up the coast and not have to worry about flight schedules. Yea! Princess make this happen! :D

Melanie,

How wonderful you are considering Alaska for your next Princess adventure! Hopefully you and husband got future cruise credits (FCC) while onboard to take advantage of reduced deposit and onboard credit. If not, you can always get one when you cruise again.

We have so enjoyed your Hawaii adventure and reminded us of ours just a few short months ago in Dec. The cruise to Hawaii is always on our short list along with Alaska being West-coasters. Alaska has a plethora of hiking, kayaking, ziplining, fishing, dogsledding, etc. Just so you know, many times a 7 day cruise doesn't give you enough time. Do consider if your budget can allow it to do a back-to-back.

We hope to meet you on the high seas sometime in the near future. You and husband are true cruisers.

:)Nora

Well, husband has been following my thread and since everyone has mentioned doing the Alaska cruise, he is saying "maybe we should just go and do that one now." Well, it doesnt take much for him to want to do something fun!