hightownCO

Was really surprised to receive this email yesterday as my cruise isn't until 4/8/17 on the Crown TA. Maybe just coincidental but that morning had just completed my check in. I'm platinium with 11 cruise credits.

It's nothing to scream about as went from midship obstructed OV (a good one) on Emerald deck to midforward OV on Plaza Deck. I'm fine with it though and it is very handy to International Café.

Here's hoping to see that notice again before the cruise. Would be so sweet to get the next upgrade to a balcony!

Loved your pictures of sailaway! I'll be doing the same three weeks from today on the Grand to Hawaii. Can't wait!

Funny you mentioned the 'high energy CDs' Dr. E on Carnival. He was fun and funny for about 2 days. Have to admit his muster drill routine was great. But after that got tired of his schtick!

Looking forward to more and Thanks!

I'm platinum on Princess and near a platinum on Carnival. Unless you are on a shorter cruise or when school is out, the demographic on Carnival is similar to Princess. Have had great cruises on both. Would urge folks to not be so quick to write off Carnival as being 'party boats'.

There are some things that Carnival gets right (IMO). First, OV cabins and above have a sofa. I hate sitting on a bed all the time. Second, very good internet packages. Ie on a 7 night cruise $60 gets you unlimited internet. Great for keeping in touch and managing personal business while away. A smaller package gets you social media. I think that's $20. Finally, I really like that Carnival carries the three network TV stations. No, I'm not cruising to watch tv but it's nice to catch a show or US news sometimes.

Bottom line, a cruise is what you make it. Happy sailings everyone!

Re: ATM on the ships...

In May it was BB&T - Miami. I'm sure it is still the same bank since Princess has used this service for years.

 

Hope this helps.

Thank you!

Hi suzee. I'm on that sailing too. We have a fairly active roll call that you're welcome to join. Someone might share your interest. I'm sure Hawaii wi give lots of opportunity to spot interesting birds.

I have read on some threads about 1) a photo package some one saw on the Grand. for a set price, you get any photo taken of you by ship photographer. and also 2 ) read on an thread about Grand to Alaska where they serve fish tacos and crab cakes at the trident grill after 6 PM.

 

Do any of the veteran princess cruisers know anything about these items - do the exist or an I hoping for to much. Are the fish tacos/ crab cakes only on Alaska cruises.

 

Thanks for any responses and information

Hope these ars available on our cruise! Love crab cakes!!

The OP's question is basically will use of the onboard ATM reflect a USA bank address or a foreign country one.

Saying what ports you are visiting is not connected at all to what bank the onboard ATM is connected to.

Thanks, caribill. While I appreciate all the alternatives folks have posted, I know all this. And as I stated, I do notify cards and banks about what ports I'll be visiting. As you pointed out, I had a specific question re the onboard ATM.

I'll likely use the ATM on my upcoming Hawaii cruise on the Grand. I want to let my bank know in advance. One time I didn't and they froze the account suspecting fraud.

When you use the ATM, what does it show as the bank or location? For example, on Carnival, it shows on your statement as a Miami bank. So, learned to let them know that in advance as well as letting them know what countries I'd be traveling to.

Thanks in advance!

Congrats on the Suite upgrade. You're already starting out a winner! Best of luck with your cruise and come back and let us know how it went!

Thanks azbirdmom for posting that link. I booked Crown Princess TA in April under the sip and sail. Glad I did as the 3 for free doesn't look to be as good. Cabin price is higher which basically is the difference.

Thanks for your review!

I've been on the Grand twice and thought it was fine. That was before Skywalkers was removed but I like the look of her now with a more open aft section.

Am sailing on her again in 8 weeks to Hawaii. I was hoping the might be switching to the heavenly bedding before my cruise and the scheduled dry dock. But if not, I still sleep very well on a cruise.

I use an ecig so will be visiting the smoking are occasionally. Good to hear it's a decent area.

Thanks again.

I think when it says 'fares do not apply to solos' it simply that when is says $x amount per person, that the solo does not pay that x amount. We all know solo pays X times 2. It's just saying don't take the fare literally "per person" for a solo. ie one person one fare.

I've just booked the sip and sale which also had that wording in the terms. I paid the stated per person price times two.

hygienic . . . Really?? :rolleyes: It's not like the next person is going to come along naked and sit on the chair with a bare behind and pick something up. :eek: Also, those chairs are subject to sea spray and salt air, which are fairly decent disinfectants, so really there is not much to worry about in terms of passing on some sort of "bug". Also, it's not like people are slogging through a lot of "nasties" with their shoes or feet on a cruise ship. Overall, a pretty silly argument.

 

In terms of "chair hogging", so often, i see many of those chairs free and i personally couldn't care less if someone puts their feet up on a spare one. It's definitely not like chair hogging next to the pools.

like :d

One more thing, if like Carnival's Elite cruises (and looks just like it), these are very tightly capacity controlled. There may be many invites but Elite cruises were limited to about 40 bookings (invitee and guest). So if you get the invite and want to go, book ASAP.

This offer should also include free drinks - not just while playing in the casino but all over the ship. The AIBP. That's what Carnival does and in reading the invite, there's no restrictive wording about the drinks so I think it's the full beverage package.

If they are following to the letter, you'll also get asked what complimentary drink you'd like in your cabin when boarding. ie bottle of your favorite spirit!

I think this line is only M - F.

Princess is really taking a page from the Carnival Casino playbook. With Carnival this is called and Elite casino cruise. Sent to select few, specific sailing, and same list of amenities.

Noted Princess is also doing Carnival's "Bounce Back" offers too. At the end of your current cruise, if you've played enough, you get a letter offering discount or free cabin if booked within two weeks (sail within 6 months).

Evidently it's making good casino revenue for Carnival so Princess is trying it out.

I know folks that have gone on the Carnival Elites and they are great. Treated really well by the Casino hosts. Go and have a great time!!

Seeing the same as others now - can't book or see cabin availability and pricing at all. I also noticed that the cruise I booked is now higher, at least in looking at the base fares that do show for each category.

My guess is that with today being the last day for sip and sail promo, they are working with the website to prepare for that being gone and changing fares for tomorrow. Somehow they have screwed up the booking engine.

Do you realize that you have to pay twice the fare when you go solo?

Of course I do. Not my first rodeo. Like I said I just hadn't thought that the obc would double too. But color me happy!

Certainly, one has to run the numbers for what works best for them.

I'm getting $500 sailing solo for my 14 day in '18.

That's a lotta' sippin'.:D

You're really getting twice the on board credit? I'm going to book a 14 night and going solo too. I figured it would be $250 and hadn't thought that it might be x2 since solo has to pay for two. That would be amaze-balls!

The question for me is whether the cruise I want to book - Crown TA in April - will be included in the 3 for free. So tomorrow I'll book under the sip and sail promo though I'll take the on board credit instead of the AIBP (don't drink that much) then will see if my sailing is cover in the new promo or not. If it is then consider switching.

You can book it online and then call Princess to switch promo codes. You won't be able to change onboard.

 

Bezfore you book, though, think about this: If what you want is the credit, think about waiting for the 3 for Free sale that starts Sept. 1. It looks to me like the free gratuities and OBC in that promo would give you more financial benefit than the Sip & Sale. At least with one of our cruises, it looks like we could get $700 benefit with 3 for Free as opposed to $500 on S&S. This is assuming the basic fare doesn't go up when they change promos.

 

Jim

Jim, I was thinking about that too but am looking to book an April 2017 transatlantic and don't know if that will be included in the 'three for free' promo. So thinking I better book sip and sail as that ends 8/31. Then if my cruise is covered can then switch to the new promo.

Thanks for everyone's response. I'll call to book instead of doing it on the website.

If I'm going to take the OBC instead of the Beverage package, do I need to call Princess to do the booking or can I book myself on the website? I walked thru booking on line but didn't see any option. Or is it something that you fix once onboard?

Thanks!

Thanks, Jana!

Am excited to start my first B2B in 12 days! I'll have different cabins (deck 9 then 7) so really appreciate this thread and reading of other's experience. Couple of questions...

With the first leg cabin, do you still have to be out around 8:30 when the stewards normally run everyone out so they can do their turn around work?

I guess with 'taking valuables' that means taking your carry-ons. Will the B2B group be going down stairs during the walk off/on process?

Do the stewards do the B2B cabins first so when you come to the 2nd leg room, it's already done and you can stay in it? or do you need to leave for awhile?

Thanks all!