trbarton

Here’s some new dinning room options. 
 

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/04/princess-cruises-rolls-out-fleetwide-dining-changes/?fbclid=IwAR2XfPrUyJyFeGArIXZrOVUDMcMJypmT0IWg9q0Xnv29Aii6I6PxNXjjG6M
 

I do like the option to have the same table/waitstaff each night. 
 

What do other people think?

Tom😀

Here’s a suggestion that’s not been suggested. Once you’ve on the ship ask about what an upgrade would cost?  That way you could stay where you are or take the upgrade if it’s a good deal. 
 

I agree with the suggestion of a Sideways Stateroom. They are great,  plus they are a little larger. The one downside, as previously mentioned, is the bed is right there when you enter. 

Having the TV on the Bridge camera is great no matter what kind of stateroom your in. 
 

Tom😀

These are some valid points that need to be discussed with Princess. Would people be willing to join a Zoom meeting with some of the Princess Executives if a meeting could be arranged to discuss these issues?

I'm going to be on a cruise with someone who might be able to assist in who to contact at Princess.

Another suggestion, which I do often, is to make a screen shot of the page with the information, so that Princess couldn't later deny it later.

Tom

On 3/22/2024 at 6:56 PM, 1cruiselvr said:

Most suites are booked, especially the lower Vista class suite. I bidded on an Owners suite. Didn't hear anything until the day b4 the cruise. Then I got a declined email but I knew my chances were slim. You never know, but don't assume anything just bc you haven't been declined yet. Good luck!

Interesting. I have a bid to go from a balcony to a Mini Suite, on the Discovery Princess. It’s a sold out cruise, but my agent says Princess holds some staterooms back. My cruise is April 3rd, a 10 day Solar Eclipse cruise, so we’ll see what happens. I’m aware that I may hear something 1 or 2 days before the cruise. I’m at San Pedro 1 day before the cruise so if necessary I can print out new luggage tags at the hotel. Since I’ve never had a Mini Suite, fingers crossed 🤞. 
 

Tom

2 hours ago, TheArtfulPenguin said:

I'm not a fan of something that clips on. We bought some that turned it basically into a watch.  

 

I'd rather have it on my wrist. 

I agree.  On the wrist is my choice as it’s always there. 
 

Tom😀👍

39 minutes ago, memoak said:

our ritual is to eat lunch on land to avoid the early crowds and go to the terminal around 2:00 when we can just waltz on the ship

I get there real early, well before the boarding has started, & I’m usually in the 1st group let into the terminal, & since I’m elite, in the 1st group to board. Perhaps I’ve been lucky but I’ve never been in a long line to get into the terminal or onto the ship. 
 

Lunch in the MDR is nice to relax with a nice drink, & meeting new people. 
 

Just my experiences but I been outside on deck later, & sometimes seen very long lines, so I felt great by arriving early. 
 

Tom😀

3 minutes ago, rheathslc said:

The bidding system still has the outdated name. So when I placed my bids they were called Class Class and my notification email said my new stateroom category is Club Class Mini-suite but that means Reserve.

Thank you very much. 
 

I’m on the April 3, Solar Eclipse cruise, & when I just checked, the highest category for bidding is for the Mini-Suite. 
 

Tom😁

1 minute ago, rheathslc said:

I just got notified today that I got an upgrade for the 3-day on the Discovery on March 31st that's right before the Eclipse Cruise. 

I bid $80pp (max bid) to move from a Mini-Suite to Club Class Mini-Suite. The cruise has been showing sold out for several weeks so I was not hopeful. I was super excited when I got the notification email today. 

 

I have also won a bid on the two other cruises I placed bids for. They were B2B cruises on the Royal in May 2023. 

For the first leg - 3 days leaving on May 3rd - I bid $110pp for Balcony to Club Class Mini-Suite. I was notified I won the bid on April 24th.

 

For the 2nd leg - 7 days leaving May 6th only inside cabins were available when I booked (which I only booked on April 28th) I bid $170pp for an Obstructed Balcony. I placed the bid April 29th and was notified on May 2nd, only 4 days before the cruise.

 

Both of those were mid range bids.

 

 

What’s the difference BTW a Mini-Suite to a Club Class Mini-Suite?

I've look on Princess for the Discovery Princess & see a Reserve Class but no Club Class Mini Suite?

Tom

10 hours ago, rheathslc said:

We just got notified that we won our bid to upgrade from Mini-suite to Club Class Mini-suite for our cruise on the Discovery on March 31st - so 13 days out.

 

I bid the highest amount of $80pp, but was not hopeful we would get anything because the cruise showed sold out. 

 

Sooooo excited! Club Class dining is a huge advantage imo. Plus we were on Emerald deck with a totally uncovered balcony and walls that jut into the room on both sides between the sleeping area and sitting room area. Now we're on Riviera with a totally covered and slightly larger balcony plus no pesky walls taking up space. 

 

Yay!!!

What’s the difference BTW a Mini-Suite to a Club Class Mini-Suite?

I've look for the Discovery Princess & see a Reserve Class but no Club Class?

Tom🤔

If you’ve made a bid on a Princess cruise for an upgrade & if it was accepted, what did you pay, & what did you go from & to? When was your bid accepted prior to the sailing date of your cruise?

I’ve got a bid from a Balcony to a Mini Suite. I’m aware that it could be as short as 2 days before the cruise. 
 

I questioned my T/A as to how they could offer bids & they explained it’s because Princess holds some staterooms back so that’s how I could bid. 
 

Tom🤔

33 minutes ago, artvlay said:

We are going on a Caribbean cruise in May, and after reading the comments here I have come to the conclusion that I don't need a sport coat or suit and dress pants and dress shirt is sufficient for formal night. And my wife can wear a dress that doesn't need a gown.

Am I correct?

It doesn’t matter, from my experience, as to where you are cruising to, as you can wear whatever you want. I’ve seen people dressed up to the nines on a Caribbean cruise. 
 

After 37 cruises on Princess, I’ve never seen any dress code enforced on Formal Nights. 

Tom😀

On 3/17/2024 at 10:37 AM, Debra Dincan said:

I have a cruise booked for next your - Japan/Singapore - and was wondering what the dress code is . 
I have done an Australia cruise and American cruises and both had a relaxed dress code for dinner each evening. 
I dont want to arrive and be over dressed . 
Many thanks. 
 

You will find people from wearing formal wear, Tux & Formal dress on Formal Nights, to people that don’t choose to dress up. The term Formal Night applies to all Princess Ships & cruises. You will never be overdressed. FYI…If Princess made dinning in the Main Dinning Room a must to be wearing formal wear, the dinning room, I feel would be fairly empty plus what terms would be used for formal wear?.  The term “Formal Night” has never been in-forced, & I’ve been on 37 cruises with Princess.
 

Tom😀 

Anyone on a Princess cruise made a bid for an upgrade & if it was accepted, what did you pay, & what did you go from & to? When was your bid accepted?

I’ve got a bid from a Balcony to a Mini Suite. I’m aware that it could be as short as 2 days before the cruise. 
 

Tom🤔

Nothing needed. 
 

Tom😁

Here’s an excellent video that I found of the naming Ceremony of the Enchanted Princess…https://www.cruisehive.com/princess-cruises-debuts-original-show-with-naming-of-enchanted-princess/61535

Please enjoy this video.

Tom😁

59 minutes ago, Thrak said:

If you have the Princess Insurance it will cost more if you book Plus or Premier in advance. If you do it onboard there is no extra fee on the insurance.

Good information to know. I have enough OBC & will buy once onboard. 
 

Tom😁

3 hours ago, lx200gps said:

I'm sure it can be done over the phone, even though we always work through our TA. The first, last, and only time I ever called Princess I was on hold for 45 minutes. When I finally connected, I was talking to what I assume was a home-based rep who answered the phone with me while yelling at her kids in the background. Before she even acknowledged me, I was disconnected. Obviously your experiences have been fine, but I'm disinclined to call Princess. Next time I'm talking to our TA I'll ask her if this is something she would normally handle, but realistically I'd rather not bother her with it and we'll just wait until we board.  Especially if she has to call Princess to do it.

FYI…I called Princess today & was hold for 1 minute. I would try again. 
 

Tom😁

Here’s a large table where we could all sit each night. This was arranged beforehand by providing everyone’s booking number & names. 

Tom😀

1 hour ago, sailingkiwi said:

Hi,

 

I am travelling by myself on the Grand Princess in January. I'd like to join other people for dinner in the MDR. From a previous Princess cruise I know that you can join a table of others who don't mind sharing. How does this work with regarding to freestyle dining or is it better to just book a time every night on the app?

I go onto the thread for the cruise that I’m going on & post that you’re looking for solo cruisers & have them contact you with their contact information. Start a list & submit it to Princess. Some of my best dining experiences are eating with the same people each night. 
 

Another option is at the 1st night dinner request that you want the same table each night. That way you can walk straight to your table & not have to wait in line each night n

Heres one group photo. 
 

Keep us posted. 
 

Tom😁

21 hours ago, 4x4bob said:

Since more people are showing an interest in Hiding Cruising Ducks let me review the Rules.

 

Ducks can be hid any place on the Ship EXCEPT: No place that will interfere with the crew, with the operation of the ship, on the top deck, in the shops and differently not in any Pool. 

 

Good Hunting

Bob

I understand that the crew loves to collect these. Anyone decided to give them out to the crew rather than laying them around?

I just ordered from Amazon, Kathfly 60 Pcs Cruise Ducks Tag Kits include 20 Rubber Cruise Ducks for Cruise Ships, 20 Cruising Rubber Duck Tag Cards, 20 Rubber Bands for Hiding.

This will be my first time after 50 cruises, mostly on Princess, 37 now. 
 

Tom😁

On 3/3/2024 at 5:38 PM, Bgwest said:

YES! 
There are definitely going to be some curmudgeons in the group who poo-poo the whole idea. Nevertheless, we typically take and hide 25 or so ducks depending on the length of the cruise. 
A lot of fun for both the giver and the recipient. 
We typically hold out a few without tags to give to some of the young kids that we see while on board. After, of course, getting permission from the parent.

Definitely a “Princess thing”. 

Where do you get your ducks from?

Tom😁

10 hours ago, capriccio said:

Want to bet that some of them complained about how long it took to board the ship?

I’ve never had a long wait arriving early & no complaints when I can be one of the 1st persons to board. 

I’ve been at the terminal early & usually didn’t wait more the 30-40 minutes, sometimes less. The only issue I’ve had arriving early is are the porters ready, but when they see the $ in my hands they are suddenly available. 
 

Tom😀

10 hours ago, memoak said:

When we got off the Crown at 8:30 in SF there were already people lined up. Could not believe it

I’m curious what time do you normally arrive for a cruise & what’s the line like? 
 

l live in San Francisco & yes I get there early, but enjoyed being the 1st group to get into the terminal, & since I’m Elite one of the first to board. I also know someone who works for the company at the terminal so it’s nice to say hello. 
 

I’m on a cruise in April from San Pedro & YES, I’ll also be at the terminal early. 
 

Tom😀

4 hours ago, SCX22 said:

 

Cabins aren't usually ready until 1:00 pm or after, at which point an announcement is usually made.  I've been on cruises where the cruise prior had a very low passenger load and cabins were ready at 11:30 am.  If the fire doors leading into the cabin corridors are open, then it's fine to head to your cabin and drop off your luggage and only to drop off your luggage.  If said fire doors are closed, then you'll have to lug them around until the the all clear.

Going to your stateroom right away can very. Since I mostly cruise on Princess, sometimes I can go to my stateroom right away, & at least drop off any carry on. I wouldn’t worry about it as I’m at the terminal well before the boarding time as I want to get on the ship ASAP. I’ve never waited until later as I would rather be relaxing on the ship.

Enjoy your cruise & please come back & let us know how it goes. 

Tom😀

On 2/28/2024 at 12:58 PM, tulok said:

My TA got a call from Princess that they will upgrade me for a small amount from balcony to a guaranteed mini suite. We turned it down as we chose deck 10, near aft and I don’t care to take the chance on a location I don’t like. It is marked no upgrade as we are sailing with others. I hope they don’t decide to upgrade us anyway. Hopefully someone else with take the upgrade.

Was you TA able to find the location of the stateroom they were offering?  Would having that information made a difference?

Tom🤔