JLC0912

"These expanded enhancements demonstrate the cruise line’s focus on providing unmatched service and value for guests. " Not only do Plus pkg buyers get less "VALUE" since they no longer get unlimited meals at Alfredo's, but they and everyone else will likely get some degree of reduced service in the main dining room. The people who used no longer go to ALfred's because of the surcharge will likely now be in the main dining room. This will put extra strain on the DR staff and result in NOT "providing unmatched service."

Agree! On our RC cruise, we did not purchase the horrendously expensive drink package. It was around $75 pp per day. I "gifted" 2 small bottles of Absolute vodka pre-cruise to our cabin and brought 4 bottles of wine. It was more than enough to last through our 7 day cruise. I do not see why ppl would be interested in that drink package for a 7 day cruise with 6 port days. We ate a meal at every port with a glass or two of wine and really did not spend that much day time on the ship.

Re: new "packages" and changes to the Plus pkg Am I missing something here? We are new to Princess and got the Plus pkg. Under the old rules, we could go to Alfredo's whenever for free, as could any cruiser. Under the new "improved" Plus pkg, Princess has grouped Alfredo's with other casual speciality dining options, so it is also not available to Plus pkg guests as well as those who do not purchase the Plus or Premier pkg. Now, Plus pkg guests can go to Alfredo's for free only one time, as they get one voucher for specialty casual dining for each guest. If this is how it works, this is not IMO an "improved" Plus pkg. It seems that even Plus pkg purchasers are getting something less than they used to. For us, I could care less about the possibility for quicker boarding. That has no value for me. Princess press release states that "These expanded enhancements demonstrate the cruise line’s focus on providing unmatched service and value for guests." There is no benefit for Plus pkg other than quicker boarding and they took away Plus pkg purchasers ability to go to Alfredo's numerous times for free. There is NO IMPROVED VALUE to the new Plus pkg.

That might be the case. Regardless, I think they will make an effort to make this a soft landing since they do have a vested interest in their reputation.

That is a good question. If they do it like RC does, the app will work when ordering anywhere EXCEPT in your room. For room service, there would be a seperate charge. Princess might, however, be more generous and allow room service also when the guests pay the $14.99 for the app use.

I read an article a while back that discussed how the changing demographics- mainly the large cohort of baby boomers, will put a strain on many of our systems. The reason stated was that a proportionately larger group of people are going to retire in comparison to the percentage of people of working age. This will increase demand on many things and increase prices due to the law of supply and demand. One of the areas the author said will be put under strain is travel. This large retired group will overwhelm the present travel system with high demand. The increased demand will be paired with a decreased supply of workers available to offer the travel experience. Supply and demand are simple concepts and the cruise lines are going to take advantage of the situation and maximize their profits. If they lose your business, they don't care. I think we need to face the reality that cruising and traveling are not going to be the same as what they have been. We are getting ready to retire in a few months and I am already trying to figure out how we can still travel and have it be a nice, pleasant experience. I love cruising because it has been a very pleasant way of traveling and seeing new places. But, I do not think I will find it that pleasant with all the nickel and diming. I think there is just going to be a big money grab in the cruise industry. Also of note is that on our RC cruise, the staff was extremely stressed out by this concerted requirement that they do everything they can do wring out the last possible dime they can from every guest. It puts them in a bad position because they want to offer a good experience and their employer is putting them at odds with the customer.

My guess is that the changes will not be enforced by the staff for the next 2-3 months. They will likely quietly let guests get the old benefits. That is what happened with us on our recent RC cruise. We brought four bottles of wine with 2 cabins and three people. The old policy was two bottles of wine per cabin. They changed it to one. We brought the four bottles because those are the rules we booked the cruise under. Nobody said a word to us. I was prepared to argue my case if they did. The staff that is supposed to be enforcing the rules do not want to have confrontations with guests. On a case by case basis, they will make exceptions.

I booked a 2025 9 night cruise to NZ on July 14 and the rate was $60pp. However, I would not be at all surprised to see that they increased the price. It seems like the business policy is probably to tout the "increased" benefits now offered in the plus package and follow that up with a price increase. My guess is that in the next few weeks they will be offering the Plus pkg intermittently at the lower $60pp rate and then gradually move everything over to the higher rates. If anyone is interested in getting the plus package, I think now is the time to lock in the lower $60 pp rate. ***As for the "increased" benefits of the "newly improved" Plus pkg, I think they are negligible- and mostly just P.R. hype. I think it is funny (ironic) that CEOs think the public is stupid enough to believe their hype.

I don't think they have thought this through all the way. IMO, not as many kids sail on Princess, so they have not given that scenario their full attention. If it were me, I would call Princess directly and explain the predicament. Once I get someone on the line who understands (maybe a supervisor), I would ask for a discounted plus package for a child under 12. I find that businesses are usually accommodating when the ask is a reasonable, logical one and the asker is polite and respectful. Typically, once I get a change, I will ask the supervisor to escalate the issue to make a more permanent change to a policy.

We are thinking about doing the same thing for our trip. Hope to see some info or advice on your post.

Hi. I am new to Princess and have a question on this cruise we just booked. The itinerary says that it goes to the Fjord National Park. Others cruise lines specify that they will be going through the three sounds. Princess just says that it is going to the park. Does that mean that the ship stops at a port for the Fjord National Park? Or does it mean that the ship will be cruising through the sounds? Thanks :)