Cruise Raider

I received one for each cruise I applied it to .. and within minutes of applying for it.

As soon as it was extended to Dec 2024, I applied it to 4 cruises we have booked from August - November and it was applied to all of them within 10 minutes. They even sent a notification email that the OBC was in place. I was previously approved when StockPerks first became Princess’s method for adding the OBC, so I didn’t have to go through that part of the process again. Just for the heck of it, I tried to add it to my January 2025 cruise I have booked and it stated I would need to reapply in November 2024 to get that benefit. So, looks like they will release at least the first half of 2025 dates several weeks before the end of 2024.

Not that it’s a huge deal for me, but looks as though coffee, juice, pastries in the PES waiting lounge may be going by the wayside.

I used to work where you live and would head over to the Perfect Day Spa after work every six weeks. They are no longer open but it was $35 for a full hour back then. (Maybe that’s why they are not open anymore) I know I can still find an hour massage for under $100 in the area and when I go on a cruise, I can find much better prices in port when down in Mexico.

So good to know! Thank you so much

Thank you! We’ve made very good friends with crew and entertainers and would consider good friends enough to them welcome to our homes. I can tell you are on the Discovery and 18 years of age is old enough to make voting decisions in the US, so they can certainly discern if they want to make friends with someone they’ve met onboard. It’s just too bad the OP has made a stink about this as we’ve also invited entertainers to our cabin, with permission, of course. There always have had to be an array of people of both sexes at the cabin parties for that visit to be approved. I fear permission will now not be granted in the future because an adult (18+) didn’t make a wise choice. So sad for us that we won’t have that choice in the future.

Right! I was looking at the recent prices and with my discount for booking ahead, the tip is still $36 for a 50 massage. I get it but that’s decent money without the extra tip. At home, I am likely give them a $20 - $25 tip for 60 minutes and they are overjoyed.

love that! Thank you for the info

When I go for a massage or a salon while at home, I tip between 18% to 25%, depending on how well they listen to me and not try to sell me their products. Since the spa services onboard are already high in cost, the 18% tip that is already mandatory is plenty as far as I am concerned. I never tip above that amount.

Great review so far! One of the beverage managers is friends with us and he wrote to let us know the Discovery is in our home port today. Too bad he didn't have time for us to go see him but heard they are having some big inspection today so all hands on deck. We will catch him next time we are on the Discovery. Of note, I did a similar comparison while doing a side by side cruise out of LA on the Solstice and the Discovery. I agree with you on so many points you’ve made. While our Celebrity cruise was decent, the prices, the internet and the food just don’t compare to what we get on Princess. And on Celebrity, we really found ourselves missing the ability to just order food via the app without charge from anywhere on the ship. The deluxe balcony cabins or maybe even the mini suites on Princess are more the size of a standard balcony on Celebrity. So, Celebrity wins that contest. BTW, the last aisle towards the aft in the buffet contains all the good stuff! It’s usually less crowded, too as people don’t always make it down that far. We start there and rarely go to any of the other aisles. My other advice is to be sure try the Catch, especially but not only if you like seafood. My DH orders the steak and lobster and I love the Concerto pasta dish. And Gigis, the GastroPub and Ocean Terrace are also so wonderful.

Only 4 days so, thought that would be a good amount of time to see if I like her or not.

The Diamond had so many issues when we sailed on her a little over a year ago. I really didn’t like the main dining rooms but, since we will probably be getting the premier package so, probably won’t tend to eat in the main dining rooms. They just felt so cramped and the floor underneath us moved every time passed by in that aft dining room. I seriously thought the floor would give way right underneath me. The ship felt absolutely filthy to me, mostly it was in our cabin so, it was hard to overlook anything after that experience. The electricity went out twice for a couple of hours on that trip, both upon embarkation and disembarkation. Overall, the service was poor to mediocre (with a couple of exceptions) and many of the crew members were sick, leaving us to get sick. But, that’s on us. Maybe that’s why the service was poor, they just didn’t feel good. There were so few choices of wines that were palatable and there was no place to get a decent wine glass even if we did find a decent wine, which my friend ended up getting for me on shore and through the concierge. But, on the bright side, the food was decent, all except for one meal but, I can brush that off. The entertainment was absolutely phenomenal. The food and our service our 3 times we went to Sabatini’s was superb. We never bothered with the Crown Grill because is was just part of the buffet? What? We had other friends onboard so, it ended up being fun because of that but without an International Cafe (?), Vines, Alfredo’s, the Crown Grill in it’s own space, etc. it just didn’t appeal to me. The piazza bar was just mass chaos as it was the only place to get coffee, drinks, etc. I did actually like the nice large Wheelhouse Bar. To avoid the MDR and the buffet, we ordered food via the app and ate in there during most days. So, we made the most of it .. I just won’t book on that ship again, which is why I’m asking about the Sapphire. I know she is similar and am so happy to hear she’s been kept in relatively good condition.

I so appreciate that! Think I will have to give her a try!

I am contemplating booking a cruise on the Sapphire Princess and she is one of the Princess ships I’ve never cruised on before. I have cruised on the Diamond and really didn’t like that ship and I realize the Sapphire is a sister ship but looks like she has an Alfredo’s and Vines, which are missing on the Diamond. But, is there anything else special on the Sapphire that sets her apart?

We were on the Crown twice last month and never saw one but am looking to replenishing my supply at home. I use them constantly and they do disintegrate after some years of use. Can’t wait to see if they have them on the Discovery later this month. 🤞

We saw some on the Marina deck on the Royal last year that was probably the beginning of the end .. so very tacky and you could see them from way down of the other end of the hallway. It reminded me of being on spring break in a low budged motel. I think those that have abused it have brought it on themselves. A friend of ours brought us some really cute little Goblin magnets with our names on them for our Halloween cruise. Very cute! But, I suppose it may have been offensive to some. I have no problem putting my decor on the inside of my door, not that we are door decorators.

Right! I have never seen them on the non Royal class ships either. The Majestic is the only one I know of with doors into the casino and maybe that door into the nonsmoking casino area on the Royal.

And not only that but there would not be nearly enough room for the Pub Lunch in O’Malley’s. Is full when they hold it in one of the MDR’s.

Only the balcony itself is usually bigger when talking ‘premium’ and even then, not all. The staterooms are all the same size. It isn’t until you get into the Royal class where the cabin size is actually larger and called ‘deluxe’. Premium has to do with the location.

Oh, just where I like smoke, near the food and beverage areas. 😆 Thank you for the info, though!

Especially after paying a premium for that line. I won’t say I will never try Oceania but that was one of the main reasons I would have given it a chance, so it’s now unlikely!

OK .. well, that didn’t take but a minute … I just requested OBC for my next 4 cruise later this year and it has already been applied to all of these bookings. That was super speedy!

I just submitted my info for 4 cruises and didn’t need to verify my account again this time .. but it was just verified a couple of months ago. I will try to come back and report my success (or failure). Of note, for those with cruises in January 2025, (yes, I tried just to see what it would come back with) it says to try again in November 2024 to submit those requests. So, those wanting to add it to their early 2025 bookings, you should be ok!

I don’t think there will be any floor space for a rollaway in a standard balcony cabin, heavy or not, it just won’t fit.

I thought Oceania was completely nonsmoking. Hmmm?