muffydawg

I will do most everything the old fashioned way---using the Princess website/ speaking F2F with staff onboard--- to print out paper copies of key documents, reserve MDR times, order room service, order drinks & food, etc---IMHO "No App Needed 4 That!"

I booked the Regency Rome for a 3 night pre-cruise stay and the Courtyard Venice near the airport for a 2 night post-cruise stay

Regarding lay-overs: I strive for a minimum of a 3 hour layover in Europe and 2.5 in US no matter which airline I fly.

5 hours ago, dog said:

DMW shows your Specialty reservations. Take a screen of that.

Ah ha! Great idea. I'll print out a copy and bring it with me. Many thanks.

Neither the current Travel Summary, nor the "Payments" reflect the $39 charges associated with making reservations for specialty dining for our upcoming Enchanted voyage, so I am using my credit card statement as a "receipt" to show proof of payment.

Your experience was one of many reasons I opted to book our October 2024 flights directly through the airline.

The web version of Dine My Way does reflect the SD and MDR reservations I made months ago. However the CG and CBR specialty reservations charge did hit my CC on file even for the first night where we get a complimentary SD.

We are sailing from Rome to Venice (Trieste) in October 2024 flying from MIA via FRA into FCO three nights prior to sailing and staying in Venice 3 nights post-cruise Via FRA before flying back to MIA. Purchasing airfare directly through the airline of our choice is and continues to be $500-600 cheaper (for two passengers) less expensive than using EZ Air option through the cruise line.

After researching and comparing fares we've determined booking through the airline directly allows us, in addition to price, to choose our upper deck 747 Biz class seats (although not guaranteed) which we cant seem to do through EZ Air. Additionally I assume we'll be notified of any plane, time changes directly by the airline.

Under this scenario are there any other benefits to booking directly with the airline that I've overlooked?

Thank you for your review. We sail the Island Princess in October 2024 and look forward to experiencing her!

Our Caribbean cruises are and have been simple, so simple that the process to book them online with Princess or through that major credit card cruise sailing program that using the services of a Princess CVP has not been necessary. However, for our 2024 European sailing (first time using the pre-cruise hotel program & transfers) we are using a CVP and the experience has been quite wonderful.

She has been professional in her communications with us and prompt in answering questions --at this stage I have only positive feedback to share about using a Princess CVP.

If you book through EZ Air 8-10 months prior to departure and are not ticketed until 45 days prior to departure will the airlines allow you to select a seat?

We like the Renaissance on 17th St, the Ritz Carlton on A1A and the Le Meridien @ Dania.

Seeking reliable car / limo service recommendation from Lee/ Collier County area to Port Everglades round trip.

Thanks in advance!

5 hours ago, ravenjls said:

I booked my first suite for a January cruise.  Can I pre book a reservation for your "free" first night dinner on the app without having to pay for it or do I have to wait until after I board?  Thanks!

We are in a full suite for our Enchanted voyage in April. I was not successful in booking a first night dinner in a specialty restaurant w/o paying, however I suppose I can get it all worked out once we're on board.

FLL is very close to Port Everglades. That being said DH and I are very risk-adverse and typically flew out of FLL no earlier than 1pm back to IAH. We'd rather sit in the club lounge than feel rushed. IMHO its all a matter of personal preference.

Although its been a few years since we flown internationally, our objective when it comes to connecting planes, terminal whether US domestic or international is less about speed and more about having sufficient time. Whether changing in AMS, LHR or FRA we give ourselves a minimum of 3-4 hours.

We're considering Air France for our 2024 flight from MIA to FCO and return from VCE back to MIA . Our preference is Lufthansa through FRA, 2nd is BA via LHR followed by AF via CDG. I'm monitoring flight departures/ arrivals prior to making that final airline selection.

I successfully booked dinner reservations for our April voyage on Enchanted by using the Princess web version instead of the app.

We booked our April 2024 voyage on Enchanted under "standard". After doing the math hubby and I will upgrade to Plus.

Thanks @FlyerTalker air into/ out of VCE with bus transfer does seem most plausible.

The Island Princess October 2024 has sailings departing or returning to Trieste (Venice). Do "folks in the know" think passengers booking Princess EZ Air cruise air (and transfers) will have the option of flying into/ out of Trieste OR Venice?

DH military benefit (OBC) is shown on our itinerary and in the credits section of my account.

Yes. I made a Catch By Rudi and Crown Grill reservation for two for our April 2024 Enchanted Princess cruise. My credit card on file was charged $78.00 for each restaurant.

With so many requirements Princess must meet to resume cruising including securing crew and provisions, and the restrictive  "Rules"  we are reevaluating our decision to sail in April 2021. The overall value of paying the equivalent of a first class plane ticket for economy class service is our conundrum.

Will the shops in Charlotte Amalie be open? Will the casino, buffets, specialty restaurants, shops on board ship be open? Will the perks of paying for a premium cabin vanish ? Will everything we enjoy and are willing to pay a premium for be in place by the time final payment is due in February?

We have a few months to see what decision Princess makes. 

It is painfully clear IMHO the details, specifics have not been ironed out. For example, why are cruise lines requiring passengers to wear non- medical masks? Will Broward and Miami Dade county mask mandates and associated fines be communicated by the cruise lines to all visitors, tourists? Will the health risks to healthy people wearing non- medical masks be communicated by the lines to passengers or will the lines eliminate informed medical consent? 

Will the welcome back Captains Circle gala be eliminated? Will early, late seating be eliminated and replaced by a reservations required version ?

What type of COVID test is acceptable for boarding? Evrything I've read reveals a PCR test does not test for COVID and Florida labs differ in sensitivity resulting in false positives. An antigen test tests for antibodies. Is a positive antigen test result good or bad in the eyes of the cruise lines?

Lots of questions. Final payment deadline for our April voyage is February and February will be here before we know it.