Musky Ike

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

I think so too, about wanting a ring.   I can see it now.  In addition to chair hogs and dress codes, there will be threads about obnoxious ring tones.  😀

How about a "love boat" ring tone?

https://www.zedge.net/find/ringtones/the love boat

26 minutes ago, Gprotts said:

On the Sky now with a travel rod and lures. No problem! Took them on all three ports! 

I tried this one time in Mexico years ago. The local kids with no rods, just simple hand lines and live bait, were out fishing me terribly and looked at me like I was from Mars. They were nice enough to offer me some live bait because they felt sorry for my ignorance.  🤪

I packed a travel rod, reel and lures once many years ago on Princess without issue, but things may have changed.

19 minutes ago, skynight said:

Only if you have the standard fare. Gratuities can not be adjusted with plus and premium fares.

Possibly one  reason for the change to the term "crew appreciation"? Should just label it crew compensation and be honest about it.

17 hours ago, Coleman41 said:

What's the point of a sale of you are increasing the initial price????

 

Because people will take the bait. Marketing 101.

19 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Of course, another challenge will be that some number of folks will prefer to sit elsewhere than their special "cage".

I had the same thought. Peoples idea of the "best seats" may not be the reserved section. So they have a reserved seat that may sit empty but sit elsewhere thus taking up 2 seats? 

48 minutes ago, disneyochem said:

Yep, happened to me for our upcoming Panama Canal cruise.  I booked direct—no email, no phone call.  Just noticed it on my cruise personalizer that the excursions were gone.

On our upcoming Panama cruise, the the excursion cancellation email came from Princess and the port cancelation email came from the TA. Other times I have received from both or neither, no consistency. Except maybe because we book excursions directly online? 

39 minutes ago, paradiselivin1 said:

I don't get all of the technical aspects discussed here but am not expecting great service on our two upcoming long cruises. Bearing that in mind I thought this was hilarious:

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/best-cruise-ships-2022-cruise-critic/index.html

2022 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards in the Ocean category

Best Innovation/Tech: Princess Cruises

 

BTW, that was the only category they won....

I think that the medallion is indeed a great technical innovation for them. The associated pre-cruise  app and the onboard internet service are different issues and still works in progress.

4 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

No change in the provider, they've been with SES 7+ years and nothing has changed in that regard since the restart.  One did say that the difference is attributable to the fact that there used to be around 600 devices connected at one time and now there are frequently more than 4000 connected.

Except it was Princess who introduced the packages and heavily promoted them. They had to know that usage would skyrocket. Also, it does not explain the slow or no internet we experienced during the restart sailings at 60% capacity or less in some cases. 

32 minutes ago, NownZen said:

I traveled with a person who only took his oldest rattiest clothes. Then when they were dirty he would throw them away. The only person I know whose suitcase got lighter as the trip went on.

Dress to impress 😄

The OP mentions that this was clothing. It is possible that these items were left on purpose. If the in-cruise purchases filled the suitcases and the other used clothing was not worth the purchase of an additional bag and the associated airport fees? 

29 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I don't need screaming internet on a ship

That is what princess has now now😄Actually, some swearing as well.

2 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

Most likely. 

Probably. Another onboard revenue source unused. A "second hand at sea" store/sale. (just kidding).

Not that it really matters, but it makes me wonder where all the unclaimed lost and found stuff at passenger services ends up? Crew bonus or an onshore charity?

Just became available today for our cruise at 40days out. Not sure it means much though, especially with élite status.  

18 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

If you are elite, and have the complimentary mini bar setup and also have the plus package, what do you exchange it for?  We used to exchange it for coffee cards/packages, but that is included with plus. 

 

Do you just get water or soft drinks?

canned soda. 

4 hours ago, runner2013 said:

Does this offer include retired workers also or just active?

Last time we had to provide proof of current credentials. So if you are retired and your certification has expired, probably not, if this one is the same. DW has retired since the last one so would like to find that out also.

4 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

I wonder if anyone knows, tracks, or even cares about the Covid positivity rate for all cruise ship passengers? 

Without daily testing of everyone that could not be determined. Many/most are asymptomatic. Many of those with mild symptoms would also not voluntarily test for fear of a positive result.  The cruise lines are not going down that road. They want stay in business.

I presume you are using a bank debit card. Shipboard ATM's have a service fee as I recall but have not used one. The guest services desk may be able to help as well. Depending on the port, you may want local currency. ATM's onshore will usually also have a service fee but be sure to decline them doing the conversion. The default is that your bank will convert at a better rate. If you are only stopping at ports where USD are widely accepted, the better bet is to figure how much you will need and then double that to bring with you. Keep a supply in your cabin safe and only take ashore what you are willing to spend there. Carrying cash in some ports can also be risky but you can google some safety tips on that. 

On 11/3/2022 at 12:06 PM, roxievegas said:

You can be seen if you are on the balcony, but so what. 

True of other balconies as well. We have had balconies where we would give a big wave to the bridge crew and they would wave back. They probably have some great stories of what they have seen 😉, they have binoculars. Plus I would imagine that the sides of the ship are also observed by security cameras.

7 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

I already know I don’t like either of those flavors, why would I have to try it again to confirm that?  

True, however tastes can also change over time. There are a few things I once turned my nose up at, that I now enjoy on a regular basis and vice versa.  

11 minutes ago, Thrak said:

People are different and, if everybody was like me it would be a terrible world.

I don't know about terrible, but it sure would be boring  😉

1 hour ago, ldtr said:

Still by not canceling in advance  means a substantial delay before the table gets available.  Not much for the person canceling, but might have a substantial impact on someone without a reservation waiting for a table.

On this cruise it would not have been an issue. The ship may not yet have been at full capacity but we saw many empty tables and few at the entrance line. My memory is not the best, but I think there was a couple of nights where they saw us on their tablet as we approached and just waived us on through without actually having to hold the medallion up to the reader. They probably just needed to check off that we did in fact show up. I'm sure it's new to them also and a work in progress, but I like it.

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Seems simple enough. It worked better without all having to question each couple every night. 

No questioning on the Regal last month. We had a standing reservation each night and were recognized after the first night. We just scanned one medallion for the party on the way to our waiting table and staff. They used the menus as placeholders for reserved tables. I asked the waiter about doing a cancelation for our specialty night or a late back onboard time. He said not to worry, they would release the table if we were not there by a half hour after our reservation time.

7 minutes ago, jc foster said:

UPGRADE UPDATE :   A week ago to day I placed a bid of 150pp on the minisuite and a bid of 350pp on the club class minisuite. Today I was notified that the bid on the regular minisuite had been accepted. We sail in four weeks. The whole bidding process only took one week.

Nice to hear. We are in a similar situation. Reserved in a B2, bids placed on mini and CC mini. Our bids were higher but it is a 15day cruise. Not sailing until January, so I don't expect to hear anything soon, but this gives me some hope.