Cruise Raider

I had that happen to me when they canceled my outbound flight earlier this year. My travel agent fought for me and got the flights resinated at the original price,

I believe the new prices go into effect on February 20th.

I’ve been on many different ships in the Princess fleet and I absolutely love the Royal Class ships. The biggest complaint I hear from others is the balcony is so small but we’ve gotten around that by booking an aft facing premium deluxe balcony or the a stateroom in the middle bump out area of the ship. There are a few club class minis way up front that have huge balconies. I also see a common complain is that there is no wrap around promenade deck, which has absolutely no negative impact for me. I love they have a nice seating area with comfortable furniture outside of crooners or the restaurants there on deck 7, depending on what ship you are on. For walking, I choose the top decks. The Royal Class also has a Concierge Lounge for those that are in full suites. I understand it is fantastic. On the Royal Princess, there is a nice, albeit small, section for nonsmokers with a bar that services that section and the Princess theater. There are so many small areas for seating where you can avoid crowds if you choose. All of the Royal class ships I have cruised on have either Alfredo’s or GiGi’s pizzerias. So yummmm! The Discovery doesn’t have Vines but the the Majestic doesn’t have Crooners. The Royal has both.

In one of my notifications, it stated that if our bid was accepted, they would let us know by three days prior to the cruise.

It’s my understanding that you can get premium desserts at the ice cream bar. So far, I’ve never really seen anyone at the counter ordering one so, I am assuming there is a charge. Instead of closing it down, they’ve chosen to add it as a premium dessert. I bet not there will be a line there now. Some people love Ice cream but for me, it is something I just don’t care that much for. I might have one spoonful of it once a year.

I understand the free accessory is a clip that holds your medallion. You will still get free shipping of the medallion with either package, provided you are in the US. I also just read the accessory will be in your stateroom when you arrive onboard. From a princess email in the fine print: Medallion Shipping and Included Accessory: Shipping will be offered to U.S. residents only and will be shipped via ground shipping. Must book package with ample time for the Medallion to arrive to guest via ground shipping or such package part shall be forfeited. Accessory provided will be determined by PCL in its sole discretion; only available while supplies last. Accessory is not transferrable, substitutable, or redeemable for cash. Accessory will be available in guest’s stateroom once on board.

thank you! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a balcony cabin with the fold down head bumpers! 😆 But, I’ve not sailed on the Diamond before and know she is an older ship so I just don’t know. Funny thing is, I had a different cabin booked but switched to this one because of the direction the bed faces. I found I sleep better that way. I know, I know, there is no science behind that but there is my experience. So, now that all the balcony cabins are sold out, I found out the cabin sleeps 4. I will survive .. just was wondering if I need to bring a helmet … 😆

No, we just have two … I just don’t even like those structures that hang from the side wall. Sadly, I chose that cabin without knowing it could hold 4 … now, there are no balconies left in the inventory so I can’t easily switch. But, as it gets a little closer, if I learn that it does have this fold down bed (rather than the drop down from the ceiling bed), I will be diligent to look for any cabins that may open up. I also have a bid in for a premium balcony so maybe I will get lucky. I still have a month to go.

We are booked on the Diamond Princess in C702 and was wondering if Princess has a bed folding down off the wall for balcony cabins, specifically on the Diamond. I know they are oftentimes like that for inside cabins. The description shows that this cabin sleeps four and one bed is upper and one is a rollaway. I don’t mind those beds in the ceiling and of course, we won’t be using the rollaway bed but hate those cabins that have the fold down beds off the wall .. I constantly hit my head on it when using the restroom at night. I don’t think there would be any place other than the one side of the room to hang a bed, so I am assuming That ‘upper’ berth means it will come down from the ceiling. I sure hope so but would love that reassurance from someone in the know.

Yes, they do! There has been a drawing at the end of each cruise since this started and the grand prize is $5000 in cash. The people next door to us won that grand prize on our last cruise. It’s gambling, such as buying a lottery ticket.

Oftentimes, if you receive an offer (in my experience), if you log into your personalizer, your discounted price will be reflected when doing a mock booking. You need to check your pricing under the standard fare, though and then you can calculate how much more would be required to add a package if you want one. After that, you can call in to have the booking completed.

Sometimes, if you want to book a specific cabin, if it sleeps more than 2 people, you may need to plug in 3 passengers in a mock booking just to get them to show up.

Tito’s anyone? Or does that not even apply?

We cruise quite often out of California ports and the only time we’ve been charged a tax on a drink while having the package is if we bought something over the limit. As you say, it may have been a screw up.

We normally try to cruise only out if SF and found that, if everything is running smoothly, that we are allowed to board sometime around 11:30 AM.

It seems as though it’s either feast or famine for roll calls. Several officers have shown up to our last several sailings … sometimes to only 15-20 passengers. If nothing else, we’ve gotten the opportunity to get to know some of the officers and they’ve been very kind through the trip, having recognized us from the initial meeting. Pre-pandemic, we had a roll call with over 500 passengers … it was spilling out of the meeting place into the hallway.

I remember the Pub Lunch being served there in the past. That’s now in the MDR as far as I know,

They were even telling about how much they loved those face shields when we were on other cruises with those staff. We found out one guy was an artist and we got him a sketching kit. There were tears in his eyes when he got that gift! And yes, that was m favorite restaurant manager .. he was absolutely giddy when we brought him a nice hot lunch that we knew he loved! Like @HaveDogWillTravel , we take the time to get to know the staff and truly appreciate them. Sometimes, all they want are chips and chocolates but some also liked that flavored coffee mix, some like organic trail mix and some like really spicy foods. We have also kept in touch with some of the staff long after the cruise is over. We find out where they will be sailing and love surprising them by booking a cruise on the ship where they work or meet up for lunch when their ship is in the same port.

You do you! I will do me! When I see the happiness of giving the crew a more personalized gift, I will continue to do just that! Why does everyone think it’s their way or the highway?

Sometimes it is cash and sometimes it is just a bag of treats! We oftentimes ask what they want from shore or from home, if we are coming back soon. Another idea is to pay for their WiFi up at the front desk. It’s $2 a day for them so, a week’s worth Is only $14. Some give cash and sometimes I give that, but honestly, I prefer a more personalized approach!

First of last, I never tip them with cookies and never said we did. Secondly, we ask them what treats they might like that they have a hard time getting onboard! Most say chocolate or chips. We always have plenty on hand to give them if it’s per their wish. We also have cash but let me say, they are always happy if they get a little treat that they have requested. It’s not childish … take a step back to learn what they really like!

We love the one on the Ruby. I happen to really live the white tomato soup and the chicken burger. the calamari is just so so … I’ve never been able to eat the dessert as it is just too much food. Not everyone green with me on how much they like it.

We tip at the end if we get the same barista throughout the cruise. You can do it with cash or a bag of nice treats, like chocolates or chips.

Once onboard, you should be able to purchase a plan through your medallion class app. Go down to Medallion Net and you can purchase it on there. If it’s close enough to your cruise, you maybe able to get it set up before you go. Someone mentioned they were having trouble with that, though. If your cruise is before Feb 20, 2023, it should be $10 a day for one device .. if after though, I believe it’s going up to $15 a day for one device. You can use more than one device, you just won’t be able to use the, at the same time. If you run into any trouble, you can find where the Ocean Navigator team is onboard and they will help you. It is usually by the photo section on the ship.

As someone who cruises frequently out of San Francisco, I can tell you that nobody has ever checked our arrival time. You can choose one if you wish, though .. it’s easy enough so, why not? everyone, regardless of their room type is in the same line going through security. After your security check, you will be directed to the priority line for check in. They will provide you with your medallions there at check in. It really doesn’t take much longer if you don’t have your medallion mailed to you. If you are in a full suite (not a mini suite), you will be given the opportunity to board first, along with any elite passengers and club class mini suite passengers. Lately, embarkation has been a breeze! Actual embarkation onto the ship, after security and check in, has started around 11:00 - 11:30 AM. The room ps may not be ready when you first board but we’ve been allowed to drop off any carry on luggage in our cabin. BTW, embarkation lunch is held in the MDR on deck 6 midship. You will have a club class entrance if in a full suite or club class mini suite. Otherwise, just go to the entrance on the opposite side of the ship. It beats having to eat up in the buffet. Enjoy …