Ombud

I guess I should have stated I'm interested in free dining rooms for breakfast & lunch. So that's great news @CruiseMark and @nwcruiselover! I will look for a coffee shop type for breakfast sort of like International Cafe. I just think 7-9 year olds might be happier on Carnival ships then Princess but my son was warning me that every event has a surcharge .... but then he's only been on Royal Caribbean. I haven't cruised Carnival since 2016 and that card is yellowish orange whatever that means

My DS wants me to take a family trip with 7F, 9F, 9M (turning 10 this summer), 17F, DS (43), and me. Perhaps DD (41) & her S.O. if she can get duplicate papers from immigration & naturalization. Long story but government took hers 9 yrs ago & lost them. My questions are: 1. Is there an upcharge for waterslides, glidder, ball court, sky zone, skyride, ropes, etc. If so, what is it 2. Are there free dining rooms other than MDR? I don't do buffets 3. Current price of Sodas & More 4. Is there a bulk wifi pkg similar to Princess' 4 device pkg Thanks in advance

According to the website the deck changes are April 2024 https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=EX

Lots of posts that Princess internet is awful compared to other cruise lines, soon it'll be just like the other lines. Then what will ppl complain about??

Price increased from 10 to 15 once announced. No additional increase from where it is now

You should have the option to add internet package through app prior to sailing, at the discounted rate. That is true for our cruise yet to sail in September Or you can book the 1st day at the discounted rate using OBC

Along with increased pricing there's a new carrier price comparison: Princess - $15 (before 50% discount) Royal Caribbean - $16 Celebrity - $20 (before 10-35% discount) Norwegian- $25 per day

Agreed. Ppl get upset when anything is changed which is why temporarily allowing switching minibar for Princess Plus discount is a bad idea. However 1 great idea IMHO /JMHO is switching current internet provider for Starlink even though it means pricing goes from $10-$15 a day before discount. Its the same one used by other lines in above comparison so I am comparing apples to apples

So it's 20 vs 15. Discount of 10-35% vs 50%.

Every time I read that I laugh. Overload on sugar then try (just try) to sweat it off 😅🤣😂

It never bothered me either to pick up a cruise card / now picking up a medallion. But that said, I wasn't charged for the 5 cruises in my signature. Won't be here for the 5th one ....

Years ago I took an old card to the Captain Circle Host onboard (now Loyalty and Events person) and she added it to the database. So, if onboard, I would suggest trying there too

So I did a quick search for 1 device on other lines: Princess - $15 (before 50% discount) Royal Caribbean - $16 a day unless you want surf & stream then it's $20 a day. Celebrity - $20 a day unless you want access to email, then its $35 a day Norwegian- $25 per day

I certainly hope you are right and the State Dept online site is wrong. Otherwise I'll be trying to (1) get a 14 day appt or (2) get a birth certificate. I just have a certified birth cert from 1950s which is before they were embossed. I do have 5 expired passports. But that won't help. Fortunately those offices are just a block apart in SF

😞

Yes. I misread it (apparently) when I applied. I thought it was 6-9 weeks processing time from date submitted but it was 6-9 weeks processing time from date moved to 'in process.' Added expedited service & express mail this morning. Trying to avoid going into their office.

The exception is if traveling internationally within 14 calendar days. I can technically cruise under WHTI but prefer to have passport in hand. Either way I'd have to go to SF when I'm within 14 days of embarkation to get necessary paperwork

Online renewal process has stopped accepting apps until March. Processing time jumped to 8-11 weeks & advised doing in person if less than that .... not even expediting!!

If you don't trust me for the 2 times I've used it, could you trust Princess:

Made me look!! Mine says "Shore Excursion Credit" on the booking summary, "SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT" in the Travel Summary, but now says "Onboard Credit Promotion" in the Personalizer. I guess I'll know for sure soon As for folio charge surprises: anyone not check their balances once or twice on a cruise?

I used it for specialty dining, drinks (I do not have pkg), shuttle to airport, and a pair of tweezers. I did not book excursions other than a $19 shuttle (I'm a solo so I got 200 OBC which I used up)

I've not seen a jump in prices. My average cost in 2019 was 212.43 per night. It's now 174 despite booking a higher category (balcony vs outside)* But if you're talking about a bump in trying to both a specific cruise .... yeah. That's why I send a screen shot to my CVP so she can find the specific rate. Even she was unable to find 1 price drop last week. *Adding I'm a solo so divide those rates in 1/2

That's it?? So it's not 10% split between driver & guide?

I believe that the round can be configured to standard theatre style. Reading the release they cite that it has multiple configurations. Last concern:: can you find the piazza? A 3 tier open area where the focus is not on food? I don't cruise to eat

The problem with a short term promo trade-out option is that there would be an uproar once that ended .... another "devaluing elite cruisers by removing (ending) a benefit." The military perk was clearly a short term promo to entice a select group to try this line instead of another .... much like the 1st responders / medical / teachers perk. Come try the Orginal Love Boat line and for a limited time we'll toss in ~~~~ At any rate, we've beat this okay idea (which it was now that I understand it better) to death