skynight

Here is another funny fact regarding wine and the b2b "logical" cruise. If you are gifted a bottle(s) of wine and receive a gift card in your cabin, you have to 'cash it in' on the first leg** of the b2b. Since we wanted to actually use our gifted bottle on the second leg we turned in our gift card on the first leg and then asked the waiter not to open it, but store it for future use. Make sense?

** If you don't use it on the 1st leg Customer Service will credit your folio.

Hey everyone,

 

Does anyone have any experience to the contrary? Or, moreover, any idea how I can use this credit either on a back-to-back like I proposed, or without committing myself to a 7+ night cruise?

 

Thank you very much for any guidance and suggestions.

I think you are speaking about the Caribbean Princess 4 night cruises on May 15 and 19, 2014, RT Fort Lauderdale. While you can book these two cruises as b2b's with two different booking numbers, Princess is not offering them as "logical" cruises, meaning both legs are covered by a single booking number. I think this is the snag. It may be possible for a TA to get some flex on this issue, but I would not hold my breath. I can see Princess' position, they don't want to provide the credit, and then have you cancel the second leg. But, since you are now inside the penalty time, and all payment would be due at the time of booking, Princess would get all their funds even if you did cancel the second leg. Hope this makes sense.

I am puzzled why you are willing to go for 8 days, but don't wish to commit for 7.

It was in nice shape in March 2013. Dry Dock changes in late 2011 included an improved Horizon Ct. area, Neptune's Reef pool re-designed to add additional lounging/deck space between Mermaid's Tail Bar and the pool and other improvements.

Hi All, planning on cruising to Alaska 08/30/15 and I have some questions.

 

1. Will Sanctuary be open on Alaska cruise and is there a $ 20.00 fee to enter ? If so, is the food and smoothies included in the price?

 

2. If I dont want eat at the buffet on embarkation what other restaurants can I go to? Dining Room Open from Noon until 1:30, International Cafe, Trident Grill, Pizza Bar

 

3. Is there a fee for the Lotus Spa Pool ? No Fee

 

4. Which pool on Ruby has a cover ? No Pool is covered

 

5. Is there a fee for " Behind The Scenes With The Ultimate Ship Tour" ? Yes, look here http://www.princess.com/news/backgrounders_and_fact_sheets/factsheet/Ultimate-Ship-Tour.html#.U0MXV6KcxZo

 

6. Can I order a seafood or chicken dish at Crown Grill if I dont eat beef? Seafood yes. Don't see Chicken on the menu. The Crown Grill is a Chop, Steak & Seafood restaurant. Look here http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/Onboard_Experience/CrownGrill-2013-Sample.pdf

 

7. Are all the specialty restaurants $25.00 Sabatini's and Crown Grill are were $25 this past January and the Crab Shack was $20

 

8. How much are the spa passes and what do they include?

 

9. Can traditional dining be booked for a table of 2 or will i have to reserve anytime dining on a daily basis? Yes, but it is not guaranteed. Work with your TA on this. Traditional dining is in the Botticelli DR and some overflow in Davinci DR. If you examine the deck plans you will find a limited number of two top tables.

 

Thank you so much for your help!

Some answers above

We've just returned from an enjoyable cruise on the Golden Princess and wanted to provide some comments/observations on the Park West Galleries conduct while running the art program on board.

Thanks for the review. ?? Did you report some of the issues, especially the demeanor of the host, on the post cruise survey? Princess reads these, and they don't like negative comments about staff.

First time Princess line cruiser on May 10th.

 

Do Princess offer a per-day soda package as other lines do? I have searched the site and can find no reference. Cunard used to charge about $8 a day for unlimited sodas from the bar gun.

Unlimited Soda Package Receive a souvenir tumbler and select from a variety of unlimited soft drinks served by the glass at all bars and restaurant locations throughout your cruise. Price includes service charge.Item #0523$5.18 per person/per day*Unlimited Soda & More Package Indulge yourself with this premium Unlimited Soda & more Package,† entitling you to the above Unlimited Soda Package plus any mocktails, juices, shakes, floats and complimentary hot chocolate throughout your cruise. Price includes service charge.Item #2312$8.05 per person/per day*

Tux (or black tie as we say in the UK) isn't a problem as we have them already. But this has given me another question.

Am I correct in assuming from some of the posts that Formal night wear is only for main dining rooms and specialty dining rooms are 'smart casual' on formal nights???

We are quite looking forward to formal nights but wouldn't want to dress formal if nobody else was in one of the speciality dining rooms.

Sorry I'm just a bit confused as it's our first cruise.

 

Thanks sknight - you've cleared up my confusion :)

Yes, you are correct, but you would definitely not be out of place in the Crown Grill or Sabatini's in formal wear. Many dress in formal wear on formal nights for these restaurants, and even on non formal nights with a sport jacket/nice dress. My observation is that on voyages in Europe many dress in formal wear, and stay dressed throughout the entire evening in all venues. Many more than say a voyage in the Caribbean.

Princess will offer a group of post cruise tours in Fort Lauderdale that drop you off at Fort Lauderdale airport at the end of the tour. They are generally Everglades tours and inter-coastal waterway tours. If you can use EZ Check to get rid of your luggage then it is quite easy to tour on your own. Some suggestions are, The Water Taxi which tours along the inter-coastal waterway, walk along the beach area, Downtown las Olas Blvd. and the River Walk.

No, as said just activate your new card. If you are able I would suggest a tour in Valparaiso. This coast is some of the most beautiful we have seen. We took a tour of Valparaiso, had a drink at the top of the bluffs, then went on to Vina del Mar for some lunch.

Is it the Emerald 14 night RT Southhampton? If yes, I would think the formal nights would be Day 3, Day 11 after Monte Carlo, and day 13 after Gibraltar. Check the Princess Patter which will be in your cabin(s) on boarding day. Formal nights are for dress in the Main Dining Rooms. The Crown Grill and Sabatini's are smart casual all the time. The buffet, Crab Shack ($20 surcharge), International Cafe, Grill, pizza, are casual all the time. The so called "special" meals are served in the dining rooms on formal nights. So if you don't want to miss them select another night for the Surcharge restaurants.

Although you will book through Princess, believe the ship is operated by P&O Australia. Also believe the onboard currency is AUS$. Princess mentions that anytime dining not available. Since this is one of the smaller Sun class ships some of the Princess standards, for example the International Cafe, are not on this ship. However, this ship was recently in dry dock and re-fitted for the Japanese market. Others that I have spoken with have reported some snags and getting all their on Board Credits. Also reported to me was that there were some issues with the price of tours not being the same as what Princess charged on line. It was all resolved, but just go prepared with all the back up documents. Also, plan to arrive at least a day or two early before embarkation. The flight(s) are very long, it took us 22 hours in the air from the east coast, arriving two days after you leave, and you need some time to rest.

Maybe someone from Australia can further advise.

No delays. Board at the normal time. If you arrive by 11 or so you should be on board by 12:30

we've got some time, I figure drinks at Duke's won't take too long... and all I've had it L&L... any really great "Plate Lunch" places in walking distance of the cruise dock on Kauai?

If you follow the walkway along the harbor, and then turn toward Lihue there is a shopping area with a few restaurants. Don't know how good they are. You can't really walk any further into Lihue, there is no pedestrian access. You would have to take a cab to go into town. We did what you did, stopped at Duke's for a light snack and a few beers.

Seems that their new PR marketing strategy is aimed at appealing to a younger demographic. If they continue to favor their older demographics

 

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We're older and the shows seem flat and too short for us. They not only need to change the song and dance, they need to change the formats. All the shows are cookie cutter the same show with different songs. Princess really needs to replace or shake up their headquarters entertainment staff.

I would ask specifically by the ship. Maybe your ship has not yet been retrofitted with the liquid soap.

We had the new stuff on the Emerald this past January. I didn't really like the liquid soap, not viscous enough and no lather. The Shampoo/Conditioner did lather up, but if you will like it or not will be the question. We made do. You do get tubes of shower gel as an Elite. You still get bar soap at the sink and you can request additional bars for the shower.

If you don't like the shampoo/conditioner Princess has, purchase some at one of the ports. I'm certain you can recognize the brands by their look.

Yes, as posted cabin stewards are covered. FYI, we always provide an additional cash tip to our cabin steward at the end of the voyage, and to our waiters if we have used traditional fixed seating dining. This isn't necessary, but we always do it.

I'm wondering if the Terrace Pool area is still intact, and is the Calypso Pool area still free? I guess I'm confused about where the Japanese Bath was being put in.

Terrace pool still there. Much of the youth center is gone replaced by the Japanese Bath. The actual Japanese hot tub is in the spot where the children's splash pool was located. No mention of any changes to the indoor pool area.

Has anyone seen the new deck plans? We're a bit concerned that some of our favorite places on the Diamond are being turned into extra cost features.

Havn't seen complete deck plans but check this out

The Princess web site shows the new cabins on deck 6, and the Japanese Bath on Deck 15. The other changes are not yet shown. What favorite places are you referring to? I know the Internet Cafe is being turned into the Sushi restaurant, the Internet Cafe has moved to the former writing room, the wedding chapel was turned into a store, with other stores remodeled, buffet was re-done. I don't see any mention of adding an International Cafe, that's a question still unanswered.

Here is some additional info.

http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/diamond-princess-undergo-drydock-update-through-april-2-45067

We sailed from Rio and stayed in the Sheraton Leblon, which is at the southern end of the beach arc in an enclosed compound. Through the CC roll calls two pre tours were arranged through a tour guide named Manu Perclat. He was very good and speaks perfect English. The pier area in Rio is a little crowded/confusing, but we did board without issue. You will require a Brazilian Visa (assuming you have a US passport) to enter Brazil. Go on line to the Brazilian Consul website for details. It was a little complicated, but if you follow all the directions exactly you shouldn't have an issue. You must complete everything on line. Don't wait until the last min. Once we completed our on line application we used a service to actually do the footwork to obtain the visa. The visa cost, service fee and courier cost was about $200 per visa. When boarding in Rio the Cruise line takes your passport. It is returned with all the stamps toward the end of the voyage.

Other cruise lines such as HAL, Celebrity, Oceania, as well others sail around Cape Horn.

We are thinking about buying stock in CCL. What are the benefits to stockholders that cruise with Princess? How much shares do you need to reap the benefits?

 

Trying to decide if purchasing the stock is worth it.

 

Thanks!

Besides the dividend which has been about $25/year on 100 shares you get the OBC on the cruise lines that Carnival Corp owns. See attachment.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

 

I'm only having small luck over on the Northern Europe board-our tastes are a little off the beaten path; planning on Heide Park in Germany for roller coasters, and some sort of dam tour in The Netherlands. My husband would love to hear more about those clever engineers. (He's a storm surge nerd) Haven't quite figured out France, yet, maybe Monet's house - Disney is TOTALLY out of the question, but if there was the smallest window, I'd do it! (Feel the same about Paris - why bother for such a short time?)

 

 

In planning your shore activities, take note that some ports are quite a distance from the sites. Le Harve is three hours each way from Paris and a few hours to Normandy. Rotterdam is probably 90 mins from Amsterdam.

Anyone on Diamond Princess at the moment following her refit in Dry Dock? If so what are the changes like and have they made any changes to the balcony cabins?

Added Japanese baths, sushi restaurant, new internet cafe, changed casino, new stores, new photo area.

Look here http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/di/drydock/#.Uz6i16KcxZo

No changes to cabins mentioned, but probably some have received cosmetic attention.

hi

 

just wondering how and when you can purchase soda packages etc and where you do this?

 

also if you need to gift yourself obc where would you do this.

 

thanks as always :)

The soda package is a sticker placed on your cruise card and is good for unlimited fountain sodas, not canned. Purchase it from any bar or from the tables set up around the ship on boarding day. If you are boarding in Fort Lauderdale be aware that Princess is required to charge Floridia State sales tax while in port. If you wait until you sail you can avoid this tax. If you purchase from a bar they run your cruise card through the system at the time of purchase. However, if you purchase from a table you receive a hand written receipt which Princess then processes later in the day, after sailing, thus most likely avoiding the tax. We used the hand system and were not charged the tax. Boarding in Southhampton? I don't think there are any local tax issues there.

OBC can be purchased in advance by calling Princess and having the amount charged to your credit card.

We will be boarding the Star tomorrow for a 15 day Hawaii cruise.

I understand there is self serve laundry available, but does Princess offer Laundry services done by the staff we can use for guests not having any Elite perk status?

If so do you know what costs are.

Ted

This past January we were on a 20 night cruise on the Emerald. We sent in a total of 9 bags of laundry for a total cost of $274.25 or an average of about $31/bag. Price depends on the garment. We had all laundry no dry cleaning.

If you are on a Princess cruise you are leaving from San Pedro, not Long Beach.

San Pedro Hotels:

Economy: Sunrise Hotel*

Medium Priced: Crown Plaza*

Medium Priced: DoubleTree

*These hotels are within walking distance to the waterfront, restaurants and the ship.

The Double Tree is a little out of the way south of the port area.

All hotels provide shuttles to the pier.

Believe all hotels provide parking with an overnight stay. Check with them.