Tweedy

Hopefully I'm able to word this correctly without it being too confusing.

My Mom completed her 15th cruise with Princess in April which means that according to Princess she is now Elite. She didn't receive the new elite pin but that isn't a big deal and here status change didn't actually show up until a couple of days after we were home. We have four cruises coming up in the next several months.

The next cruise is just a small 1-nighter and according to the documents Princess has her listed as Elite which is correct. However for the next cruise, which is only 5 days later, Princess has her listed as Platinum which isn't correct.

Is this just an oversight by Princess? Has anyone else had this happen? I just noticed this this morning as I was printing off our documents. I've fired off an email to our amazing TA and asked her look into this for my mom. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this.

Our experience is different then described above. My Mom reached Elite status at the end of the pacific coastal we took in April and she didn't receive anything the last night of the cruise. In fact, her status on the Princess website didn't change from platinum to elite until the day after we got home. She still hasn't received anything in the mail except for the captains circle magazine which lists her status as elite. It would have been nice but it is not the end of the world. At least they have her status right online.

Maybe they can't figure out what could be offered as an extra if they added a tier higher then elite.

One thing to keep in mind, if you book with this particular agency during the one day sale and the price of your cabin falls at any point in time you can still have your booking re-fared. However, any of the bonus extras you receive on this one day may be lost. More often then not, the re-fare works out to be still a better deal then keeping the bonus extras and the higher priced cabin.

We prefer the Crown Grill. I find the meal at Sabitini's way too much. I know it isn't considered a specialty restaurant as there is no additional charge but Alfredo's Pizzeria on the Grand was a really nice alternative eating spot.

The information provided by all is much appreciated. Thank you!

Thank you both for your answers. :)

My Mom's first elite status cruise will be a one-nighter only days before we leave for Hawaii in September. I have read that elite captain circle members receive priority tendering and we will be tendering in Maui. As I won't be elite status until after our final cruise of 2015 in November, will I also be eligible for the priority tendering ticket since I am traveling with her in the same cabin? Hopefully my question makes sense.

Just saved $1100 per person on our September Hawaii cruise. Amazing!! We lost $300 OBC and our deposit became non-refundable but we have no plans of cancelling and couldn't pass up the incredible price difference even with the loss of the OBC.

Love the photos of the retreat pool and area. Can't wait to experience it on the Regal in November. Thanks for sharing.

The only thing we experienced was the same as the poster above... Playing in the evening on MUTS. I would have liked to have seen some trivia or something. Maybe next cruise.

We just got off the Ruby last week. I wasn't all that impressed with it. What I found was that it didn't list the entire calendar of what to do during the day so I just ended up referring back to the Paper Patter. That's just my experience though. I imagine eventually they will get all their ducks in a row and everything you find in the patter will also be on the Princess@Sea for the ship you are sailing on.

I'm not surprised with those adorable sailor outfits! So cute!

Looking forward to reading more of your adventure. We are sailing on the Star to Hawaii in September.

Do they have a pizza station?

Yes, it is inside the buffet area and doubles also as the omelet station in the morning.

When were sailed on the Pacific Princess, the staff were by far the friendly Princess staff I have ever experienced. The entertainment staff also double as cruise director staff. It is a much more personal experience. There are no long waits to get off if it is a tender port. For me it was a much more relaxed atmosphere.

I'm a fan of the promenade deck. You get a different angle then you would on the upper decks. Don't stay in one spot. You'll have ample opportunity to see the glaciers from all different areas around the ship. Enjoy your trip,

Have done Tracey arms and Glacier Bay. Wonder about doing Hubbard Glacier. Had heard that it is very large but due to ice conditions may not be able to get close enough to see it? What are percentage chances of seeing it and time of year?

In 2013, we did a back to back that included Hubbard Glacier on both legs. The first leg, we weren't able to get in to see it due to ice conditions and fog. Two days later, the fog had cleared and the Captain found a path right up to the glacier. It's just hit or miss, really. This trip took place the first two weeks of July.

In 2012, there was minimal ice and sailed it very close to the glacier. This trip was at the end of May.

I have a coworker disembarking the Grand today. It was his and his wife's first cruise. I'm interested in hearing his feedback. Can't believe cruise season has already begun here, albeit just the first ship of the season.

.... and have Sound of Music trivia onboard.

Oooh, I'd be good at that. It's one of my favourite movies!

Not round trip, but Ruby Princess April 19-26, 2015 Mexico from Los Angeles. Then April 26-29 Los Angeles to Vancouver.

This is what we are doing too... can't wait!

I just have to say that I love your photos.... they are awesome!!! We'll be sailing on the Ruby for the first time in April and I can't wait.

She also has some really great deals every Thursday on one of the local lunch hour news channels and good travel tips too.

When you prepay gratuities do you think it would be better to do it online or should I call customer service. I don't know if it really matters which way, but I would like to know if you get a receipt for it either way ? Just looking for the most secure way to do it.

I prepaid ours online through the cruise personalizer and received a confirmation in my email inbox.

Like most businesses, it'll probably take upwards of a couple of weeks to get a credit. :(

Its alot slower then if they place a charge. :(

Too bad it isn't instant especially since they could see one had been applied. I'll share the error with Princess since it was their website and my efficiency to get things done.