2 cruises a year

Thank you, these some more really good reasons why I call cruise pricing a shell game. These all have to be described and paid for one way or another. No matter how they hide the pea, some will be happy, and some will not be happy. And I also agree, one day it is a headache, the next day a challenge. For the most part, I've accepted that it is what it is and I just book what I want, not what I need.

Tipping is obviously the "culture" on Princess ships. It has always been encouraged and expected. Envelopes and suggested amounts go way back. And yes, it has always been a no-brainer for Americans and an irritation to travelers from countries where living wages are the norm. I will repeat myself one more time and then quit. Tips are expected by the crew. Their wages are low and tips are necessary. No matter what Princess calls it, or how they collect it, the crew counts on it. By the way, this is also true of restaurant servers in America. They work for less than minimum wage and need tips to make a living. Also, tips in American restaurants don't go completely to the server. You may not know it, but they share their tips with the back of the house, bussers and dish washers for example. Yes, Princess has taken this policy to the extreme, but again, it is a shell game. They all need the tips.

It is all a shell game. No matter what you call it, or compartmentalize it, it is wages and the cost of doing business. I'm sure there are tax benefits to to calling part of their wages what ever they call it. At the end of the day, it is wages, and anyone that doesn't pay them, or decreases them is cheating the crew they so grandly praise. It especially annoys me when citizens of other countries don't tip in the U.S. because in their country they pay a fair wage. I agree with the fair wage part, but it is a fact of life that in the U.S., service industries are under paid and depend on the tips. It is bread on the table no matter what you call it. In other countries you will pay more for goods and cruises up front to pay those fair wages. Now I'll step down off of my soap box.

Just something to stir the pot. Pre Covid, the Beverage Package alone, drinks only, no gratuities, no wi-fi was $69.99 per day, drink tips included. Now off to get my popcorn.

In general, no smells or soot on the Grand. Since Covid and the crew smoking area aft on deck 7 you may occasionally get some cigarette smell on wake view balconies, but not too bad. I'm a nonsmoker with a low tolerance of cigarette smoke, but not enough to pass up a wake view.

I resemble that remark! 🙃

Until the last sentence, I agreed with you. My wife and I say that we made elite because of the superior treatment we received from day one. But your last sentence was not necessary. It makes you sound, oops, never mind. 😉

Luv it, different strokes for different folks. It is all good. Then we probably cross paths after dinner and chat it up.

If it is in a Skywalkers, or even Club 15 on the Grand, we go, those are nice venues. If it is in a Vista Lounge, Meh.

I agree completely about the passport, especially the part about not thrilled the first time it happened and then understanding the benefits of it. They have a very good system, I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep on your Room Steward's good side, he or she will collect and return it. 😁

You might want to try the "Chat" feature on the Princess website. If it works for you, just leave a message and hope that they get back to you. There are both good and bad reports of success there, but you have nothing to lose by trying.

Here is the boiler plate paragraph from every Travel Summary that I have ever seen. Visa Central will list any visas needed for any upcoming cruises. You can also check individual countries for your self at Visa Central. VISA SERVICES INFORMATION Visas may be obtained directly from the consulate of the countries visited. Visas obtained on arrival may include a service fee. Passport holders of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States may obtain visas through VisaCentral at https://cibtvisas.com/princesscruiseline. Australian guests, please use http://www.cibtvisas.com.au/princesscruises. All other nationalities can verify their visa requirements at VisaCentral's website, but will need to obtain their visas from the local consulates of the countries visited or a visa provider in their country of residence.

The Breakfast is $45 for two. The Dinner is $100 for two.

Now, that's what I'm talking about!! And the waiter popped the bubbly, poured it for us, took pictures with our camera for us. Yes, it is decadent, and too much food, but isn't that what cruising is about? Thanks for the pictures @c-boy

We've always enjoyed the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast. We're not big room service people. Meals in the cabin is not for us, just not our thing. But we did try the UBB on a whim and really enjoyed it. You get the full first class treatment, service, table cloth, pastries, rolls, fruit cup, and more. Soup to nuts so to speak. Princesses champagne like substance, the works, but not a long drawn out meal. It is perfect for us. We have done it several times. We set up the time on the phone to room service.

Not Folio related, but I've had good luck with other things via "Chat" on the web page.

Youtube of One5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTUE57w4bzk

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/ap-grand-princess/

Yes, vastly different. It is now just a big room with a bar and dance floor, no overhang and view. I do like it, it is nice, but it ain't Skywalkers. We do miss Skywalkers on the Grand. It is still where they do the PES Hors d'Oeuvres, and we will go for that as a little change of pace from Crooners. As usual, great bartenders and servers. https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=AP

Actually Skywalkers was removed completely. Replaced with the One5 Lounge and Nightclub on deck 15. Still a pretty nice room, but no view. It is nothing like Skywalkers. Check out the Grand Princess deck plans.

My thoughts for an Alaska cruise is the smaller the better. The smaller the ship, the further into the fiord and more up close and personal to the glaciers. Royal class ships can't even do the Inland Passage. I love the sea time as much as the next person, but not on and Alaska cruise. I want the Inland Passage and glaciers. It is a moot point, but an Alaska cruise with Princess hasn't been the same since the demise of the "R" class ships.

Yes, Skywalkers is awesome, but the One5 Lounge is a pretty nice substitute, just lacking the view.

Ohhh the horror! What a shame! I guess that I will have to pack a couple more underwear. Personally, the only elite perks that I really like are the laundry, even if I have to wait 3 days, head of the tender line(yes, even on the cruises with lots of Elites, when you do have to get a ticket) and the PES lounge on ships with a Skywalkers. Not for the bargain drinks, they are a joke. There is nothing like having my 5 o'clock cocktail and that view.

There is all of this talk of we 60 year old cruisers dying off and the market drying up. Did I miss something? Aren't there any 40 and 50 year olds out there ageing into the 60's to take our place? There must be some 40 year olds that will be looking forward to their children being successful and moving out so that they can retire and cruise 30 or so days a year like we current 60+ year olds.