skynight

The starboard side aft promenade patio is a standard smoking area on all royal class ships.

You may be able to find some information here:

Although not definitive the terms and conditions do leave Princess an out for those booked under another offer. From the terms and conditions: “Princess Plus and its parts are non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash and may not be combinable with other offers.” The upgrade excuse is very lame, and unlikely documented anywhere. The Discovery only has 6 ocean view cabins, cat. O6, which are located all the way forward on deck 17. Seems to me that casino offers on the Discovery and all Royal Class ships, the first three have no ocean view cabins, would be at the least obstructed view balcony cat. cabins. That is how the ship is constructed. I would not consider your move an upgrade. It’s just a move over to other Discovery allocated casino cabins. Furthermore, you did not request any upgrade. It was provided because that is all Princess had available. You will not be able to purchase the Plus fare package once on board. Plus & Premier packages must be purchased prior to boarding, I think 3 days is the cut off. You can purchase the beverage package. That will cost you around $70/day/pp and will not include the internet or the crew incentive. I would keep trying. Maybe you will find someone that will allow you to purchase the plus package.

Are you speaking about cabins R701 to R727. The Princess.com deck plans, show the square footage as 222 sq ft including the balcony. The balconies for these cabins are approx. 9ft x 4ft, 36 sq. ft. Interiors will be 186 sq. ft. I don't see 250 sq ft mentioned.

Two tables for six is the way to go. I have seen tables that seat 10. I don't believe there are tables for 12. Large tables are oval. There is little ability to have conversation except with those close to you. Seating is tight. Service is slow. It is a lot for the waiters to handle. One slow eater can delay the entire table. Waiters will wait until everyone has finished their course before serving the next course. You will have to break into two groups and then make reservations for each group on the Dine My Way app. Then on boarding day suggest you speak with the dining manager and request that they place your groups in tables that are adjacent to each other. When actually dining you can switch people around.

I would think a better way is to use a credit card that does not charge exchange fees, and to indicate to Princess that your billing should be in US$. That way your bank will receive a US$ charge and will apply the bank exchange rate on the billing date. You can over pay your credit card before you depart on your vacation. Our bank will retain debit balances for a few months before they refund the overpay. That has the same effect as placing funds into your ship account. Another way is to purchase US$ before you leave. Once on board just deposit them into your on board account. I would try to avoid using the Princess exchange rates.

Bookings usually open about 18 to 20 months before the start of the season. For the 2024/2025 season that should be sometime in the spring of 2023. For the 2025/2026 season, spring 2024. Most Princess Caribbean cruises are sold both as individual cruises and b2b cruises. For a one week cruise the ship will probably alternate between eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. For 10 day cruises the ships usually sail various southern itineraries. You will find a large number of passengers booked on both legs, maybe 20%. Some book 3 or 4 b2bs. Plus fares are worth it. The fares cover unlimited internet, gratuities (called crew incentive), and the beverage package. Basically it takes between two to three alcoholic beverages/pp/day to break even depending on how many of the unlimited specialty coffees and other non alcoholic beverages you consume. With the Ocean Now app you can order beverages and other food items for delivery anywhere on the ship, including room service. No delivery charge.

Yes. Just like others have said. Place your medallion on the table and ask for the amount of chips you wish to charge to your account. The pit boss will place the charge on your account and the dealer will hand you the chips. There is no service charge. $100 charge gets you $100 in cash value chips.

Have you called the consulates of these countries? They would know for sure and how you apply.

In the US market Princess has a license to show NFL games. Expect they will continue to have live games and the playoffs. No idea regarding license agreements for the world cup.

Most are $29/pp for adults. Sabatini's is $25, Salty Dog Gastropub is $18. Refer to the dining guide for what is available on your ship https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/food-and-dining/dining-options.pdf

If you are shopping in Caribbean and Mexico ports where US$ are widely accepted then just bring along US$ cash and store it in the cabin safe. If you are shopping in a foreign country that does not accept US$ then even though you may not be comfortable, a credit card that does not charge exchange rate fees is the way to go. I would not use a debit card linked to your bank account for this purpose. You may be able to purchase a pre-paid debit card.

no.

No packages. Yes you can pre-book specialty dining on the medallion app. You are charged when booked. You can wait until you are on board. If booked on board the charge will be posted to your on board accounts and will net against any credit balance(OBC). You can not use OBC to pre-book.

By the way. The best way to view the Panama Canal transit is from the open decks where you can walk around to get 360 views. There are lots of viewing locations around the ship including the bow all the way forward on deck 7 and up the stairs to deck 8. There is lots of time so you can move around. Be prepared for hot, humid and strong sun. If you remain on your balcony you will only get a one sided view.

Florida has a use tax. This may be what is actually being charged. Why other lines don't charge is probably a good legal question.

They could, but don't. Princess operates in California. Standard pricing practice throughout the US is that menu prices do not include, gratuities, local, and State taxes. Gratuities are up to the buyer and usually range in the 18 to 20% range. Taxes vary by town and State. It is just the way it is done just like where you live gratuities and taxes are shown as part of the price.

We have been through the PC 5 times and have experienced different tours. In Fuerte Amador we have taken a highlight tour including a walking tour of some highlights of Panama city. Another time we also went to the native village. Both were interesting. You may be able to book a private tour trough your roll call. We took Princess tours. Really can't just get off the tender and walk around. Puntarenas: Costa Rica is basically nature. Puntarenas itself is a beach resort town. If you walk to the end of the pier the beach is right there and all the beach side stores and vendors are also there. You could spend a few hours. The beach itself is just ok. San Juan Del Sur: There is nothing at the port. You have to take a tour or stay on the ship. We went to Grenada on a ship tour.

The big benefit of Club Class is the dining. Club Class dining is: Walk in anytime the DR is open and you will be promptly seated Dinner menu is the same as the MDR with one additional item Service is greatly improved Seating is usually tables for two unless your party is larger or you meet someone on board. DR open for breakfast and dinner each day and lunch on sea days Club Class Cabin: The cabin is larger and has a sofa. No sofa in balcony cabins on the Emerald Princess Balcony is 9ft x 6ft and not covered. Bathroom is larger than a balcony cat cabin and has a bathtub/shower. Is this worth the $1,000 (assuming there are two of you).

The Emerald has a Thermal Suite. No Pool. Yes to heated lounges. Sauna and steam rooms were not in the thermal suite. They were next to the Lotus Spa pool, but I heard they may have been removed. The Lotus Spa pool is not really inside the spa. It is a pool open to all adults.

Crew appreciation basically covers the hotel and dining staff plus others that you probably will never see. The 18% beverage service charge is separate from Crew Appreciation. It is covered by the plus fare. No further charges when you order a beverage.

There will be a refundable credit in your on board accounts for any missed port. It could be that the port is closed on Christmas Day, and that on the return trip the port is open.

Yes, decaf coffee & espresso available. Just specify that you want decaf.

Maybe some games. Look into streaming options.

I'm not quite sure costs of everything and wondering if the drink packages are worth it (specifically the Plus package). Unless you have lots of Onboard Credit to cover the daily gratuities, wifi and your beverages the plus fare is worth the cost. At worst you will probably break even. The plus package is $50/pp/day and must be purchased by the first two passengers in the cabin. You can not just purchase it for yourself. Both you and hubby will have to purchase it. Same with MIL and step dad if they wish to go that way. You also have to upgrade before you board, I think the deadline is 3 days before sailing but don't know for sure. Each person will receive unlimited wifi internet, daily gratuities (crew appreciation) and the beverage package which covers 15 alcoholic beverages/pp/day plus unlimited specialty coffee drinks and most other soft drinks. Sodas with the package are limited to fountain sodas. The breakeven point is approximately 2 to 3 alcoholic beverages/pp/day. Even on port days that isn't very difficult. Yes, Princess does have milk alternatives for coffee and other beverages at no extra cost, quantities unlimited, indulge yourself. Oder at the International Cafe at some other locations or via the medallion app for delivery to you anywhere on the ship. You do have the children. Your children can use your wifi as long as you are not logged in. There is a way to upgrade the wifi to 4 devices if you need to do that. There is a soda package for children if you want. You can order the soda package on board on boarding day and use OBC if you have it. Canned sodas on board cost around $2.50 each. Each person is permitted to carry on 12 cans, not bottles, of soda if you wish to go than way. There is a fridge in every cabin. Children can obtain juice, milk, chocolate milk at no charge all day. You can also bring juice boxes on board. Hope this information is helpful.