NavyVeteran

The reason the invoice doesn't show a breakdown is that the Plus or Premier fare is a different fare booking code. The cost of Plus or Premier is considered part of the cruise fare - not an add-on like a beverage package or an excursion. This means it is subject to the same cancellation penalties as the rest of the cruise fare, unlike packages that are fully refundable prior to the cruise; and, therefore, its cost is included in cruise insurance. People generally point out the negative that the insurance cost is increased to include the additional fare, but sometimes that can be a positive. DW and I were isolated for COVID for three days on a twelve-day cruise last year (one fourth of the cruise). We received a cash refund of one fourth of the cruise fare (including the cost of Premier) from the insurance for the days in isolation, even though I was ordering alcoholic drinks through OceanNow to my cabin while isolated.

I agree with your approach. I think the following steps summarize the approach: A : How much would I spend without the Plus package? B : How much would I spend with the Plus package? C : What is the difference (B - A)? D : If C is negative, buy the package (no question). If C is positive, continue. E : What additional benefits would I have with the package (additional drinks, better drinks, etc.) that I would not have purchased without the package? F : Are these additional benefits (E) worth more to me than the additional cost (C)? If yes, buy the package. Do the analysis for the Plus package first before considering the Premier package. If the analysis says buy the Plus package, then do a similar analysis for the difference between Plus and Premier. In my case, I would never save money with Premier over Plus - I would always spend more. But DW would drink a different cognac, I would drink a different single malt, and we would both drink different wines if we had Premier. So the question is whether or not these differences would be worth the additional cost to us. Even though DW doesn't drink much, I've decided to always buy at least the Plus package. Sometimes I buy the Premier and sometimes not - it depends on the specific cruise. I'm more likely to buy Premier on a shorter cruise or one with more sea days.

No, you haven't already paid for those things. You have paid for all the sodas you want to drink. You haven't paid for all the sodas you may want to give away. You may certainly share the suite or Elite mini-bar, since it is a fixed number of drinks; but you may not legally share the drinks from a plan. Just because you probably won't get caught doesn't make it legal or ethical.

The Internet access is one thing you are allowed to share. You each have a 1-device plan with Plus or a 4-device plan with Premier. That is the number of devices that can be logged on at the same time. You are allowed to share. You just can't both be logged on to the same account at the same time if you have the 1-device plan.

They probably sent that notice to all Elites, whether or not in a suite.

I believe this applies only to Elite - not to suites. Suite laundry has priority over Elite laundry, so its turnaround time is not affected much by the number of Elites onboard. When I send laundry out in the evening from a suite, I've nearly every time received it back the next day - even on cruises when Elite laundry was taking several days.

If you share and get caught, your Plus may be cancelled with no refund. If you share and don't get caught, your teen is learning that it's OK to steal as long as you don't get caught.

Unfortunately, Princess has gone downhill in this area. When we first started, they had Courvoisier VSOP. Now they only have Courvoisier VS. A definite step down.

You cannot legally purchase soft drinks on your package and share them with others. Sharing in violation of the rules is the reason Princess puts a log of restrictions on the packages that make it difficult for the rest of us. If Princess catches you sharing drinks from a package with someone else, they have the right to cancel the entire package with no refund. Read the terms and conditions.

I am assuming you are getting two cabins with two passengers in each cabin. If you purchase the Plus fare, you must purchase it for the first two passengers in the cabin. You do not need to purchase it for a third or fourth passenger. The Plus fare is a much better deal than the standalone Plus beverage package. It may be a better deal to purchase the Plus fare for two passengers than to pay recommended gratuities for two passengers, to purchase the standalone Plus beverage package for one passenger, to purchase the standalone nonalcoholic drink package for one passenger, and to purchase Internet for two passengers. You need to do the math and determine which is better for you.

I agree with your first statement. Bars are the only place (other than at meals) that kids can get the sodas or mocktails that they're paying for. The only limitation should be safety. Very small children may not be able to sit safely on a bar stool - they may need a chair with a back. But the same limitation applies to some older people with mobility issues. Anyone who can sit safely on a bar stool and who behaves should be able to do so. Tips at bars are included in the price of every drink or in the price of a drink package. There is no obligation or expectation that you leave any additional tip at a bar, even if you don't do the automatic gratuities. For US based cruises, if you have a package or leave the automatic tips on, there is no obligation or expectation that you tip any food or cabin service people extra. You may if you choose to do so, but you don't have to - and you will continue to receive outstanding service if you don't.

I don't have personal experience with dairy free. My SIL had no problem getting gluten-free pastries. After the first morning, they would bring a tray of gluten-free pastries by the table for her to select from. However this was the suite breakfast in Sabatini's, so I would not expect the same service elsewhere. But they difinitely have gluten-free items on board.

A partial transit wouldn't save you any time. It spends about the same amount of time in the locks as a full transit - it just goes through the same locks twice instead of through different locks. When I did a partial transit through the Atlantic locks, I took a small-boat excursion through the Pacific locks. That way, I did a full transit - even though the ship didn't. I would recommend that excursion if you do a partial transit, but probably not if you're doing a full transit. One advantage of staying on the ship on a partial transit is that the ship isn't crowded on the trip back, because so many people get off to do excursions. You won't have any problems getting the best viewing locations without the crowds you had going in.

You will need to talk with a head waiter (or dining room manager they're called today) in the MDR. Each evening he will give you the next day's menu (dinner and if a sea day lunch) for you to order ahead. You are not limited to the items that fit your restrictions, since they will be able to modify other items to fit your restrictions - that's why they take the order a day in advance. It's easier if you eat in the same dining room each evening, since you would be dealing with the same head waiter there. Once he learns your exact restrictions, you won't have to explain them every night. However, the order will be available the next day even if you eat in another MDR. You are not limited to the door hanger room service menu. Since you have the Premier package, you can order using OceanNow or telephone at no charge. You may be able to get some options ordering by phone that aren't listed. Ask your head waiter about the options when you talk with him.

I would definitely recommend the original locks for anyone who hasn't sailed them. The history of building those locks is amazing. I would also recommend anyone going on a Panama Canal cruise read The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough. It is the definitive history of the building of the original Panama Canal.

Some scooters will fit through the doors and some will not. You will need to verify the dimensions. The person may not be able to take the scooter in and out of the cabin without assistance. If they can walk to the hallway, someone else can take the scooter out, and it will fit through the door, then it would work. My wife does not use a scooter, but has some mobility issues. We book either a full suite, a balcony, or an outside. We never book a mini-suite. The mini-suite has shower in tub. If a shower in tub would not work, make sure you are not upgraded to a mini-suite.

You fill out the same form as everyone else. They used to charge you and then automatically credit the charge. Now, they may not charge you at all. You don't have to do anything special to avoid the charge.

Look under "Laundry Services" in the Onboard Experience FAQ. It says "Full suite guests and Elite Captain’s Circle members also enjoy complimentary laundry and professional cleaning service, except for same day service, which carries a charge." If this sentence is true, it is a reduction in suite benefits. Suites used to have complimentary same-day laundry and cleaning service. There was an extra charge for same day service for Elites. According to this sentence, there is now a charge for same day service for everyone, including suite guests. I haven't verified the current policy on a ship yet, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it interpreted differently on different ships - Princess is not known for consistency in interpreting policies. Also click on "On Board Our Ships" and then on "Ships". Click on "Regal Princess" or any other ship - or you can go directly to this link. Select "SUITE" from the menu bar under "Accommodations", and then click on "SHOW STATEROOM FEATURES". One of the features listed is "Complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services". This listing does not specify whether or not same-day service is complimentary.

It sounds like you've made most of the calculations. You need to add up the cost of the things she will use and compare it to the cost of the package. If she doesn't drink soda or mocktails, I doubt that the package would be beneficial, but you should do the math. Does she really need a wifi package. If the two adults have Plus, you each have one-device wifi. That is one device at a time - you can change devices at any time. Unless all three of you are using a device at the same time, you may not need a third wifi package. Remember that the wifi package is actually misnamed. Wifi on the ship is free, and you use it to log on to the app, to find members of your party, and to do other things shipboard. The package is for access to Internet off the ship.

If you bid and win your bid, then you will keep the same package (Standard, Plus, or Premier) that you had on your old cabin before the bid.

When DW and I are sitting at a bar, I would much rather sit next to a well-behaved kid than to a so-called adult who thinks they should be talking "salty talk" in a public place.

You are not in the United States while on a ship. Bars on Princess are not just for alcohol. They are the only place that kids can get sodas or mocktails other than with meals. They are paying for their drinks the same as the rest of us are. As long as they are well behaved, they should be welcome anywhere as long as there isn't adult only entertainment going on. I've seen adults misbehaving at bars. At least the kids aren't drunk.

The Caribbean Princess and the Grand Princess have completely different layouts. The Cigar Lounge is at the same location on both ships - with doors that are closed most of the time. However, the casinos are in completely different locations. On the Grand Princess, the Casino is on the Fiesta Deck adjacent to the window suites. On the Caribbean Princess, the Grand Casino is on the Promenade Deck one deck higher. The Crown Grill and Shore Excursions Desk are on the Fiesta Deck adjacent to the window suites. On the Caribbean, there are three doors to the window suite hallway - one at each end and one in the middle. On the Grand, there are only two doors - one at each end only - so you don't have the direct connection with the casino. I've sailed several times in window suites on the Grand Princess and never had a problem with smoke from the casino in the suite or in the adjacent hallway. I have three future cruises booked on the Grand, and I'm not worried.

I have had several very good omelets on Princess ships. I've had excellent omelets for breakfast in Sabatini's. When I'm not in a suite, I don't order omelets in the MDR. Instead, I search for the made-to-order omelet station in the buffet. The omelets there are very good and contain exactly the ingredients you request. I haven't tried the made-to-order omelet station post-COVID, so someone else needs to say whether or not it's still there.

And Mimosas for breakfast in Sabatini's don't count against the 15-drink limit.🙂