SargassoPirate

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

It used to be that way, but it think that now, regardless of how it is booked, if it is also sold as segments, Princess automatically treats it as separate segments. 

Seems logical, especially if Princess closes out your shipboard account after each segment, which is what happens if I understand it correctly.

However, logic and common sense are oft in short supply so it's worth checking out.

1 hour ago, texswamper said:

Thanks Pirate, I've always had the same rules for cabin selection.  I was willing to give E731 a try since it had such glowing reviews but I've realized that all of those were pre Covid and the change of the crew smoking area to the entire aft Promenade deck wasn't a issue years ago.  I have decided to go back to a Caribe balcony and not risk it.  I also had not realized that it was a connecting cabin with E729 which I normally avoid. 😞

 

After getting caught off guard and surprised early on in my cruising, I now spend an inordinate amount of time studying the deck plans to avoid such things as being above a disco, below the Melanoma deck, across the corridor from a scullery, a cabin with wall-mounted pullman bunks, and connecting rooms.

After all of that, I check my booking every day to ensure that I haven't received an unwanted "upgrade".

I may be in the minority here, but I always tip the server a little extra.  It pays off in spades.  Soon the servers recognize me, I'm getting a better grade of Scotch, better pours, and in other venues such as listening to strings or a guitarist my drinks seem to magically appear at my elbow.  

It's not a life changing amount of money to me and it may make a difference in that person's life - especially just recognizing them for their service.

Thanks to all of the responses.  I will pass the info along to my buddy and also try to get him to sign up for CC. 

23 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations for a World Cruise for solo passengers?

 

I am well accustomed to the solo supplement, but paying for a phantom double for >100 days is a pricey prospect. Do any lines that offer world cruises also have either solo accommodations or a reduced supplement for solos?

 

Also, what about onboard experience for solos?  I've read discussions on the HAL board where it seems solo cruisers have had mostly good experiences.

 cruisemom, after rebooking two cancelled world cruises during covid, first on P&O and then HAL, I finally have a WC booked on Princess. I'll be a solo cruiser since there's no way I'll get She Who Must Be Obeyed on a ship for that long.  That being said, I am very happy with the price of an inside even paying the single supplement. 

In addition, Princess has guest laundromats on board.  With the Princess Plus fare you get the Plus drink package, one specialty dining, free wifi,  pre-paid gratuities, and $1,000 OBC for the world cruise.  Over the course of a 111 day cruise that adds up.  The Princess world cruise has a nice mix of sea days and port days, and the ship's size is a good fit for the way I like to cruise.

I've never had a bad experience cruising solo on Princess. I do what I want, when I want without any committee decisions involved.  One can cruise alone without being lonely.

42 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

It's about time those people pay for being overeaters. 

Why should I have to subsidize their gluttony. 

Sounds like a call for cruising "equity". 

If one books a world cruise that is also sold in segments and one qualifies for elite after the first segment or two, will he/she be able to reap the benefits of laundry and mini-bar setup for the remaining segments?   

Asking for a friend who is not on Cruise Critic and is considering whether to book the WC as one booking or to book it in segments even if he has to change cabins.  

I haven't personally had issues with it because I read on CC about others having them and decided not to book one of those cabins even though the price was really enticing.  There's probably a reason why those cabins are available.

I've been happy sticking with my rule of "cabins above, below, and across the corridor". 

12 minutes ago, Coral said:

I will see if your theory works soon.

Let me know.  I'm old school and enjoy finding work-arounds for problems that arise.

10 hours ago, 2552phxcrzr said:

 Dressy sandals are quite OK.

Ok for men too?

3 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Almost everyone on a cruise is paying for things they do not use.

 

o You are paying for entertainment in the Princess Theater even if you never attend a show.

o You are paying for swimming pools even if you never take a swim.

o You are paying for movies on MUTS even if you never see one.

o You are paying for ping pong tables and equipment even if you never use them.

o You are paying for food at the International Cafe, even if you never get something there.

o You are paying for soft-serve ice cream even if you never get any.

o Etc.

 

Sounds like the income and property tax system. 

8 minutes ago, Coral said:

I think it is more complicated than that. A friend was on Discovery Princess (a newer ship) off of California coast and they could barely use it. I think there are more issues than the location currently. Not sure what they are but right now several ships are having internet issues.

Since I'm an early riser, when internet has been sketchy on a ship, I've found it helpful to go to the centrum/atrium and try there early in the morning.  I don't stay connected all day and usually only check emails once a day if that much, but it has seemed to help on transocean curises and a cruise around South America.

If the standard meal doesn't fill you up, hit the buffet afterwards and eat some more.

I generally push back on up charges and "fees", so it won't be an issue for the pirate family.

I've never gone hungry on a ship yet.

You have to do due diligence and be willing to put the pencil to it.

.

For about half of my working days I wore a prescribed uniform.  The other half I wore business attire - suits with ties.  On weekends I wore shorts and T shirts, but not to an upscale restaurant.   When I ride my motorcycle I wear leathers, but not out to dinner.

When I cruise, I wear shorts and T shirts in the daytime and in the evening I put on a pair of black slacks, a black shirt, and a black sport coat if I'm eating anywhere other than a buffet or pool-side grill.

While a slob in torn jeans and a T shirt doesn't ruin my cruise, it is interesting to note what image that person is trying to project -especially since they knew they were going to be on a cruise. 

1 hour ago, Robjame said:

A few comments:

 Not every person who wears boots and a string tie is a cowboy.

 

 

What we used to call in Texas "drugstore cowboys".  Nowadays we just say "All hat and no cattle".

At this point, protocols should be the same as for planes, trains, taxis, shuttles, grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, concerts, outdoor parks, and in your own home.  The protocol being if you are afraid of catching something, protect yourself.

9 hours ago, c-boy said:

usually have a lengthy  land based trip tied in with the cruise so it's  the steamer trunk style 

When we do that, we often try to schedule the land travel first and pack lightly for that trip - with a lot of quick dry travel clothes that do a lot of double duty/mix-and-match.

Then we have a bag of "cruise only" gear shipped to the ship.

Over the years we have also pared down the packing list by paying attention to things we packed but never used.

22 hours ago, Robjame said:

Exactly.

 

We would dress smartly whether or not there were a dress code. We do that at restaurants at home too. The dress code is for those who don’t know any better. It gives the management a standard to cite if they want or if they need to.

 

Having said that I pay little attention to others in a dining area. My focus is my wife and the food (in that order?)

 

 

There's an old saying to the effect that clothes make the man.  I guess the image that some folks choose to project when the setting calls for some decorum is that they are slobs and likely slobs in their entirety.  It's also a big F You to the establishment and the rest of us.

some folks need validation that Princess is indeed the line for them.  Like when you buy a new car.  You want validation that you have made the right decision and are interested in how other models are performing. 

Those who don't like what some people post here with regards to comparing Princess to other lines can just scroll on by.

"Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people.” —Jack

"From the movie Titanic."

I've read some of the comments here regarding servers trying to find where to deliver orders made on the app, and I've observed the scenarios in real life on the ship.

What worked well for me on seven medallion cruises so far is to order my drink in person and tip the server a little cash.  I also tip the servers in the platinum/elite lounge.  Soon, those servers learn my drink and will seek me out when I am in other locations.  Often I will sit down in one of the music venues in the evening and my drink seems to magically appear. 

It also helps to smile, learn the server's name, and ask a bit about them.  

It never hurts to be nice to people making your cruise more enjoyable.

1 hour ago, clskinsfan said:

Hmmm. Every morning when I get up there are hundreds of towels laying on chairs ready for me to take. 🙂

1 hour ago, clskinsfan said:

Hmmm. Every morning when I get up there are hundreds of towels laying on chairs ready for me to take. 🙂

I'm with you. I never check out a towel.  If I spot a chair hog nest on the way to breakfast and if it's still there an hour later, it's mine.  Sometimes the free towels even come with complimentary reading materials.😁

4 hours ago, Expat Cruise said:

 Well I do not drink so that is not an issue for me. I just do not want to be tracked and profiled. I have several businesses here in Asia, including an IT business.... I see what my workers can do with a little information. I thought just like you what harm can this do... until they showed me. My people work in the security protection side... but many with the same skills work at stealing and profiting from others.  I have learned it is best to be very protective. Even going past this I really do not want Princess Cruises selling my information... and as of now no way to opt out of this. So I will use RFD blockers and cause issues within their system because they have left me no other choice.

Just curious, do you keep "location" turned off on your phone?

One can simply show up at the pier with your cruise reservation paperwork and request your  medallion there and forgo the app entirely.

Once on board, simply use the medallion to open your door, and again forgo the app completely.

I've done it on five cruises since the restart and it makes for a more relaxing, unplugged cruise without trying to figure out wonky technology.