Ombud

That would be perfect @ROCruiser. Is that a cruise line shuttle or a port shuttle or does it depend on the cruise line?

I'm disembarking in Daikoku 27-April for an 11pm flight from Haneda and apparently Daikoku is on an island. Although Rome2Rio states I could walk to Yamashita Park it looks like a freeway. I have confirmed with the port that bus 109 to the park may not be operating that day. I did sign up for the A$220 disembark tour but been there / did that / prefer to see Yokohoma this time. 

2 prong question:

1. Where to store 22" carryon which might weigh 20 lbs. (9K)

2. Best way to get off dock

CVP general # 1-661-753-0303

Princess telephone tree 1800Princess 

Also might try 1-800-901-1172 

Just now, chamima said:

@Ombud- We're on for 39 days. Not much for my vegan husband! (who doesn't like cauliflower) ! 🥵

(We'll hopefully find a good HeadWaiter who can have things made for him as we've done in the past)

Not good. No pictures from buffet yet.

@chamima only vegan main dish is the last one: Curried Cauliflower Steak. 

7 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Thanks!!!!

I was wondering about this.

I wonder if this is the totality of the vegan choices for the whole cruise or just one day's choices. (My guess is it's the totality based on this year's cruise)

 

***

I agree that it might not change but it will take me 16 nights to eat through the whole menu and various combinations! (I'm vegetarian not vegan)

Forwarded to me by someone booked on September 2024 Sun Princess:

19 hours ago, Robkat said:

After close to 100 cruises, we finally pulled the trigger and we've got our first transatlantic coming up in November this year!  

It is a westbound, and so, wondering whether we might prefer an eastbound, we also booked one of those for April next year.  

We are very excited for these new experiences, but along with that excitement comes some questions, so I'm hoping those of you experienced in transatlantics won't mind sharing your answers/suggestions or recommendations.

 

For the first of the TA's, we're flying to Rome. 

 

So, right off the bat, in thinking about preparing for packing:

 

1.  We bring a couple prescription meds, vitamins, supplements, regular first-aid kind of pills (ibuprofen, Rolaids, etc.) and cold/cough meds (in case). 

I usually count out the appropriate number of pills needed for the amount of time of the trip, and then re-package similar pills in small baggies.  

I'd read that someone said, that for international flights, everything must be in it's original bottle/packaging.  I'm hoping this isn't the case as it would mean having to bring/pack many bottles for the various pills.  

Could you explain how you transport these kinds of things ... not worried about getting on the ship, but for the flights and getting through international customs.

 

2.  Same sort of thing for various toiletries.  I usually put things like face moisturizers and other creams into smaller jars.  And then usually we carry on to the ships our toiletry bags (containing the jars) in our backpacks.  In the case of flying, we'll need to pack these in our checked luggage, so in not wanting to add weight to our luggage, what do you all do with these sorts of products to keep the extra weight down? (And this would include heavier products, like hair prods, that can't be transferred into smaller containers.)

 

3.  Any other pointers on packing for a longer cruise, especially to keep the weight down, with the flight up first before the cruise?  Not so much worried about clothing (we can figure that out), but thinking more about other "assorted and sundries".

 

4.  For anyone who has done a TA from Civitavecchia, will the MDR be open for lunch on embarkation day?  (If it matters, we'll be on Caribbean P.). Does the boarding process commence, as it usually does round 11am or so?

 

Thanks for any help or advice.  

1. I never bring original bottles because I'm only bringing a small portion (2-3 weeks) of the 180 day supply. Same for land based trips

2. Whats a hair prod? Is that something only guys use? For me: everything fits in a quart size zip lock bag

3. See above .... I travel in a 22" domestic carryon

4. Absolutely and my fastest check in ever. FWIW my transit from Hotel Smeraldo to the ship was €34. I found 2 others staying there on the roll call & we booked a shared transit as a group for 100€ / 3 = 34. Each paid individually 

I usually slide luggage under bed immediately after boarding then head off to MDR for lunch. View muster drill while eating, check in at muster station, and then back to stateroom to unpack

I received an email yesterday about Mediterranean excursions on sale. The excursions showed how many spots were left so I canceled & rebooked. Also was able to see how much obc was still available but I do this on the web site in my phone so your experience may vary

On 2/25/2024 at 11:40 AM, It'smegrandma said:

Reading all the comments about FCD makes me think what a good idea that would be.  We are sailing on a B2B in March to Australia/New Zealand and could certainly do this.  My question is, we also just booked a 14 day cruise for September 2025.  Should I check the price of this cruise when we return to see if there is a better price and use the FCD or ask the future cruise reps about rebooking at a lower price?  IMHO YES!!

 

I do not have any OBC on the 2025 cruise as I prefer to book my own cruises on the site.  I find I can make adjustments, watch the price for a decrease, make changes myself rather than wait for someone else to do it. If I were to book a cruise on the ship, is that like booking with a travel agent?  OR would I have control over this booking?  Hmmm.....

Depends. If this is a 'regular' cruise not a deeply discounted one then:

> FCD covers deposit + gives you OBC (15-150 depending on how long the cruise is)

> You control booking and can refare / rebook if it drops or perks significantly increase

> you can transfer booking to a travel agent or CVP if you want (actually future cruise agent booked it under my CVP)

No idea if it is a 'deeply discounted' cruise as I've never found one I wanted

On 12/22/2023 at 6:50 AM, mtnesterz said:

Passengers always seem to find they have space to bring what is important to them. A 12 pack of soda, two bottles of wine (for a couple), a tuxedo if dressing for dinner is enjoyed, the need to buy a multi-device WiFi service for all the electronics they bring. 

Enjoying a good book is like savoring a good wine. You could physically consume a good wine from a red Solo cup, but it's more enjoyable in a proper wine glass. I'll allow for weight and bulk and bring a bound book.

Yep. I've got 8 books & 2 bottles wine in my 22" suitcase, enough to handle 9 sea days. Guess I'm not packing as many clothes. Priorities 

Our 4/6/24 M&G was going to be in Take 5 until we had over 180 participants,  then we were moved to Symphony Dining Room this month. At least we know before we embark! Found out the day before the M&G on the Enchanted Transatlantic that we were moved to Vista Lounge (also 180)! Events Coordinator had an urgent msg waiting for me when I got onboard 😁

@TRLD my original CVP retired 12/2021 and my booking has NOT been reassigned to my new CVP. So she doesn't get credit for anything she does with it  .... a voyage with a booking # that is all letters / no numbers

I had an absolute nightmare useless waste of oxygen one between my retired and my current CVP who only wanted me to contact her once a week at night about 1 cruise at a time. At that time I had 6 bookings, right now I only have 4. Yeah -- she was less than useless but that's a different story

ADDING: the ONLY WAY op will know if they will help is to call them and stop trying to reinvent the wheel

JMHO 

1 minute ago, TRLD said:

But you refared. As far as credit goes that is the same as a new booking since refares these days are basically cancellation and new booking under current terms.

 

 

I NEVER refared as each time PCL redeployed me they added days at the same price. My 10 day cruise is now a 22 day cruise at the same price. But they've had my $$s since 2019

5 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Not so much anymore. These days CVPs will deal with cruises they book, or with cruises final payments are made through them, but not so much for general problem resolution or where bookings were made either via the web site or customer service.

 

They started to be more focused about the same time that ONE took over ship based future cruise sales.

My CVP handles all my booking issues even those that I booked with M.R. before the pandemic. I requested / got her in 2022. I'm sailing on my final redeployed one next month (Australia delayed / redeployed by PCL from Nov 2020) but she still helps with flights, releasing overpayment due to those flights coming down in price, hotel reservations, etc 

M.R. had autopayment set up to pay off on final payment date when she booked it in 2019

1 hour ago, cusematt4 said:

I didn't book with a CVP and booked with Princess reservations.  I thought I can rely on the info given by Princess' very own in house reservations team.

 

Going forward I will use a CVP or travel agent.  Lesson learned not to book with nor rely on with Princess reps and reservation agents state, despite being employed and trained by Princess.

 

In the meantime since I booked direct with Princess and not a CVP or travel agent, how can I get something escalated and speak to someone in the United States to get back money owed and discuss incorrect yet relied upon info provided by Princess?  After 8 chats and 18+ hours on the phone, there must be someone to contact who can help within a billion dollar company.

 

Thank you.

Here's how: call 1(800) 901-1172 like most of us are suggesting. It really doesn't matter that you didn't book with a CVP ... A good one (and most are) will answer your concern. (Just wondering, is this about Sun Princess cancelations?) 

Not miles but how AA handles upgrades bought on EZAIR. My AA flight was $1475 and I was about to request ticketing UNTIL I checked the price to upgrade to economy plus, limited PE seats available. That was $1470. So I switched to UA paying $1480 for the flight & $229 or 22k miles to upgrade. 2nd row in Preferred Economy section: Rows before & after also PE. Sorry, I need the leg room. Plus my miles show pndg in my UA app.

Yes, I'm done with AA & BA (when BA canceled my upgraded seat on a canceled flight I couldn't get a refund of the upgrade pd bc I agreed to a regular economy seat on AA)

I am a solo cruiser 90% of the time. I never find it difficult. 1st: there's a solo group that meets each evening and often for lunch. 2nd: people are really friendly. There's mahjong, other games every morning, crafts, and trivia .... just join in at any table. 3rd: if you don't want to fine alone then tell the DR that you want to share a table. Conversation flows (I prefer to be on a 2 top next to 2 tops. We eat "together" but each table goes at its own speed)

@dixiejen there are some CVPs who really know there stuff, like mine. Once you find a good one .... stick with them

How on earth did you get transferred to the O.N.E. Princess Promotions Dept?? My CVP just sent me to 1 person where I bought 2 FCD. No mention of what kind of room I would buy (red flag #1), need to book a particular cruise (red flag #2), or multiple points of contact (red flag #3). Just "how many FCD would you like and you know they have less OBC than what you buy onboard "

Oops forgot to answer: I called my CVP & bought 2 way back on 7/26/23. I submitted the unused one on my next cruise and bought 2 more bumping up my OBC 

ONBOARD FCD: 15-150 OBC

WELCOME HOME FCD: 15-125 OBC

This the "WELCOME HOME" promo / offer to buy FCD that has less OBC than if bought onboard.  You get it if you have a 'recently' completed voyage. Nothing new. @dixiejen did you recently disembark?

Yes they updated the website a few weeks ago to push the 2 pkgs: Plus & Premier. The price you quoted is for the entire booking.

i do believe they have cans of coke. If so, and if I had a pkg, I'd just stock my fridge with cans & water asap using up my 15 beverages a day (I'd never go thru that many so probably fill it up the 1st few days then not be at all concerned .... prefer my tap water with ice & lemon)

Is there any benefit to solos?? I found their stated hotels higher than I book and O.N.E. less willing to work with me. In fact, one O.N.E. rep actually apologized stating she had the same issue when she was assigned to work on RCCL!!