robncruise

princess doesn't do transfers from a hotel to the port unless you have one of their pre or post cruise hotel packages which include transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to port ( or vice versa for a post cruise package). We had a post cruise hotel package 6 years ago and transfers went very smoothly stayed st Keio Plaza hotel - a great location and the cost of the package was very reasonable for the convenience and services provided.

In 16 years cruising Australia /NZ ( and further afield) have never seen or been offered any discount on excursions. Prices just going sky high in the past few months. One excursion I booked earlier this year for $259 is now $350 and that is after one of the activities has been deleted. I just hope the tour operator is getting a good cut of the increase.

I'm pretty sure you'll find that all the fruit in the buffet (Princess) anyway is all pre cut so it cannot be easily taken off the ship. In Asia the fruit is served whole.

The current rules when I do a "dummy" booking ( on NZ/ Aust website) state " your deposit remains completely refundable until the full balance is due". Previously I have booked cruises when the deposit is not refundable after 180 days so maybe you fall into this category? I have studied fares payable by NZ and Aust cruises to typically be $500 - $1000 more than those shown on US websites. My research has taken into account the exchange rate , fees/ port taxes and gratuities which are not included in fares or the Plus or Premier packages for cruises outside NZ or Australia. There really does seem to be higher prices down under. And don't get me started about the amount of OBC that US cruises seem to be rack up. Lucky if we can get $50 !

I think you are on the 3rd Dec Crown Princess ? cruise and have just seen they have opened up solo balcony and mini suite cabins.

I haven't had experience with a waitlist. I am guessing I am on this same cruise dec 3rd and the sole occupancy cabins have been sold out for 9 months or more and we are now past final payment so while nothing's impossible I wouldn't be too optimistic. Would you consider sharing a cabin ? there are quite a few 3/4 berth balconies and mini suites available. The balcony would have a bunk bed but the mini suite a sofa bed and give more room. Don;t know what this might do to the cost for you if you were able to change rooms but the cost for the 3rd person in the minisuite is only $433 so the average for 3 pax might not be too disadvantageous. Just a thought

you have picked up the new dining "regime" on Princess. 1 MDR is traditional early or late dining 1 dining room is for walk ins and the other is able to be booked on a nightly basis. From memory I think you have correctly identified each dining room for each type of seating on Crown. There is a thread on this forum where someone has compiled a table showing dining for each Princess ship

see OzKiwiJJ reply above. It's too soon to complete the nztd . The earliest you can do it is 24 hours before departing the last international port before arriving in NZ and it can be completed right until your arrival in NZ

Agree with Ombud oppressingly hot in July and August. And 2 of 3 cruises at this time had port cancellations due to typhoons.

OOPS Sorry always AUD on board !

I've been sailing Princess out of Australia and NZ since 2008 and always USD on board. I think even AUD on Princess world cruises departing from Australia and NZ.

Yes you do need to complete the NZTD . It is a separate customs and immigration declaration quite separate from the ETA/ or visa requirement. Just search " nz travellers declaration" and all the info is there. It used to be a paper form/ card handed out on aircraft or cruise ships. Ihave heard mention that sometimes the form is still being handed out but best do it online within the stated timeframe.

We have done 4 cruises around Japan north around Hokaido and south to Okinawa and agree with everything said here. Japan is amazing but found it too hot in July Aug. Notwithstanding this July / Aug is festival time in Japan and probably the most exciting day was the Nebuta festival in Aomor. The night parade of floats was extraordinary. Was there for cherry blossom but heavy rains had ruined the display so cannot rely on precise timing of Cherry blossom cruises. Also if the Japan ports suit I would recommend an itinerary including Taiwan(especially Hualien for the Taroko Gorge) rather than Sth Korea.

All my air bookings including ez air on various airline have run my names together, Agree it is disconcerting but have never had a problem. there is another thread about this issue I think on the Princess board

Premier packages have not been available for booking on any cruises I have looked at for the past 10 days or so. I am in NZ and had been wondering if it was my browser as had not read any reports from any other cruisers

only applies to cruises 1 August to 1 December 2024

I think the That is a price NZ cruisers pay for Plus (actually $71.50 NZD) but does not include gratuities on a cruise outside Australia/ NZ So add another $26NZD if not sailing local where the gratuities are included in the fare.

For comparison I cruised solo on Diamond Princess in Japan in July last year. 9 days $1780 solo ! Gratuities $16 USD per day additional. So I won't be sailing again at the current prices.

Can get covid anywhere, Have been on 3 cruises since Aus/Nz restart and not succumbed . Have got covid now and could only have been from the supermarket ! My symptoms are a mild head cold and can understand why many people may not even test .

The real menus are "real" The app not so much

I still get the option you are referring to. Am in NZ so not sure if this will change in the future. Seems reading this forum there are different features/ offers for the different markets. UK and European posters mention things I haven't seen/or heard of

Haere ra ( goodbye) Majestic Princess. Leaving New Zealand for maybe the final time ? No cruises down under scheduled in the future.

I was on Royal Princess in Jan. and Sabatinis was $58 AUD and Crown Grill was $63 AUD. I believe this included the 18% gratuity whereas the us quoted prices usually do not

Hello Rafael and Debbie I met you at the port gate today and just watching you sailaway. The last cruise ship at this port until October - Crown Princess, the first Princess ship for the 24/25 season, here on 19 October. Love reading your reports and will continue following your adventure and hope we catch up on board sometime.

NZ cruises are saturated with warnings about taking food ashore - and all the fruit in the buffet is cut up so passengers are less likely to take a banana apple or orange off the ship. I have seen customs officers with dogs on the ship at some port stops. My last cruise they announced that only unopened commercially bottled water, commercially packaged biscuits ( not american style biscuits )and chocolates could be taken ashore. If you are flying in you have to declare any food so was surprised the ship stated these are allowed,