Incognito1

So, I'm booking my Internet for an upcoming cruise and log into Medallion Net. My security photo is NOT the photo I uploaded. Instead, it's a photo of me from a recent trip where I passed through Global Entry at the airport. The airport is clearly visible in it and I'm wearing apparel that I recently purchased, so I know exactly when and where, and I haven't taken a cruise since well before the photo was taken. How does Princess have this? I consider this a huge invasion of my privacy, a government agency giving information to a private company. Does anyone know if there is a place in the contract I may have inadvertently agreed to this? It's alarming to me, and it's not Princess' business where I've been.

WOW! Maybe the key is waiting until the last minute. Nicely done.

I doubt it. The OBC costs them little, and retains their customer base (mostly).

We are doing Princess Ft. Lauderdale - Southampton (4/16-4/30), and returning a few weeks later on Carnival Venezia (5/29-6/13). This is only possible because it's Venezia's first run. There are a few other TAs heading to Europe that could shorten the time between the trips - though we're doing an Iceland/Scotland cruise inbetween. There's RCCL May 1-12 (jab required) or Disney May 7-20 (twice as much $) NCL Apr 22-May 7 That's just a sampling. April/May is when a lot of cruise ships head to Europe. What makes it good is the Venezia heading back. We paid about the same amount for the cruise back as what airline tix would cost.

It's exactly why we bought it. Nobody should buy stocks with money they need just for perks. For us, we spent "unexpected winfall" money. Years ago was gifted Disney, Victoria's Secret, and Wrigley's for the same reason (but they don't give the perks any more.) Carnival isn't going to take away the benefit - that $250 of OBC probably has a real cost of less than $50; and it's good for retention.

Princess put the OBC in our account the following day. Carnival (on the same email) took a week. re: the stocks being a loser; we bought at way too high a price, are still a little in the red, but we don't play stocks with money we need, and we bought it specifically for the OBC. By the time it gets willed to our grand/children, I expect that it will have rebounded well, and we will have enjoyed many things we wouldn't have otherwise paid cash for.

As someone who usually travels in "steerage class," I don't have a problem with those who are paying more money enjoying more perks. Isn't it BETTER for us not to have the cost of extra perks spread across everyone instead of those receiving them? I don't begrudge those who start their vacations in the first class section of the plane, either. It is those paying premium prices who will keep the company afloat.

Thanks you so much for the details. I think you're probably right that the 2 day is a better choice. Much appreciated.

We've never done the UDP before, but are considering it for our upcoming Iceland/Scotland cruise. There are 7 port days and only 4 cruising days. Did y'all find that you use the package enough that it's worthwhile? I know we wouldn't be using the lunches on the port days, but this is really tempting. This would amazing on a TA :-). Also, is it worth the Teppanyaki surcharge?

Yes, without a taxi. It's maybe 1/2 a mile. NO SHADE, so wear a hat. We took a taxi back (the 3 minute ride) and the driver "had no change" so it was pretty pricy, but we were tired and figured he was a small businessman trying to make a living.

We will probably do the free pineapple plantation tour in Ponta Delgado https://ananasdosacores.pt/ No charge at all (unless you do it through the cruise line), but guests are encouraged to buy something in the cafe or gift shop to keep the tours free. About a mile from the dock. We're considering the Malaga Experience for $35pp (if paid in advance), mostly for the Flamenco Show and the HopOnHopOff bus. https://city-sightseeing.com/en/24/malaga/3309/malaga-experience It's $109pp through Carnival.

I think crew members likely remember those very good and very bad cruisers. Other than that, we're our room numbers.

"If guests have not pre-paid their gratuities, the recommended, per person, amount will be posted to their Sail & Sign account on the second to last day of the cruise." I'm betting there's quite a line on THAT night. On other lines (including CCL's Princess), you can remove them at any time.

I don’t understand why so much energy is invested in this topic. You are on vacation. Tip however you decide, don't worry about other people's choices and concerns, and enjoy yourself.

"We know we're living in clown world, and we don't need to make circus items like these milkshakes a part of it." 🤡

Princess Packages - Interior Package (princesspromotions.com) "In the event that a hotel may have limited availability on your selected dates, you may also have the option to pay the difference between the value of the certificate and the applicable rate." It's a third-part (Open Network Exchange Inc) administering this and I'm afraid I'd get burned. "Provider may offer Purchasers prepaid travel in the form of certificates which may include a room stay for two. Certificates may be upgraded for an additional fee." "The certificate only covers the property base rate. The certificate does not cover any local taxes or charges, upgrades, additional nights accommodations, food and beverage, travel, transfers, travel insurance, resort fees, or any other related costs and you are solely liable for such costs, which may be due at the time of your booking or upon check-in. Each property’s terms and conditions apply to any booking made at such property and you are responsible for all compliance with corresponding terms. If you cancel your booking for any reason, you will not be refunded or provided any replacement certificate. " re: Points "Your package includes a set number of PromoPoints to use in the brand new Princess Promotions marketplace, where you can save up to 50% on everything including wine, merchandise, hotel stays and more!." So, it's a "savings" not same as cash. This cheapens the Princess brand even further.

Thank you. That is in no way a good deal, unless I can stack it with other OBC, book through my TA, and actually get a nicer hotel than I could book on my own for that price. Guessing there will be "restrictions" that make it not worthwhile. 🙂 IF I could actually get the Westin NYC, it might be worth it.

Not sure what the true average age is on Princess, but it has seemed to me that the "average" Princess cruiser is an active person in their 50s or 60s. Now, HAL on the other hand lives up to its 'newly wed or nearly dead' reputation 😉.

Thanks for posting the info. I'm not quite understanding. If I bought the inside package for $3500, I get my $3500 PLUS another $3000 in FCC? Or am I basically paying an extra $500 for the "land stay" +OBC +points? If so, I * highly * doubt that 5-day "land stay" is worth $3250.

RCCL has one 12-24 May of this year. We got it for an amazing price (I'm here looking for excursions :-)). Two overnight Iceland ports, three Scotland ports. Jewel of the Seas.

Has anyone done the 15-minute tour of Roman ruins at the Hotel Vincci Seleccion? Or at the University of Malaga? Recommended or not?

Correct. They are supposed to turn it in. They definitely will if you hand it to them in the hallway. We tip minor stuff in the room, in cash. What they do with it is on them. Same as with dining not having the same waiter every time, we discreetly give cash at each meal. At the end of the cruise, we tip in Visa gift cards. A previous room steward thanked us and said they don't have to turn in "gifts" which included the Visa cards.

We were surprised at how expensive Barcelona is. Finally decided on staying a little further out and taking the train in. We got a senior rate at HIE Molins De Rei for 90 euros. 30 min bus ride, and then a 20 min walk downhill to the terminal. We figured on leaving early, then having a leisurely walk to the Cathedral and a few sites in the area.

Wouldn't that be great! I haven't seen anything about it thus far. We're on that TA; you, too?

We're getting ready for our April TA. Did not book a package. Internet should be under Onboard Services, right? I don't see the Internet option, only the upgrade to Plus which is more than the cost of our cruise. Since we might have half a dozen drinks between the two of us, it's definitely not worth it. Can someone point me to the Internet packages? Platinum so should be some sort of benefit? ETA: Thank you. Didn't even think of the app.