Steelers36

We would never go to an AI resort for the value reason you mention.

Thought they had same menus and just a name change. Have not been on a new ship with Gigi's. Also, Alfredo's has some App's and Dessert(s), so what's the difference?

And the "per voyage" benefits are real stupid and unfair IMO. A guest on a 5/6/7 night voyage gets the same as a guest on 14/16/22 or more voyage (physical voyages - not B2B's).

I am now seeing more clarity with the announcement two weeks ago about Green and Blue lanes at cruise terminals and no mention of priority lanes. They are creating a situation to make Plus/Premier the only way to go as they will be jumping over everyone else at the terminals (an interpretation of PCL wording). If PCL can get more and more guests into booking Plus/Premier, it will become habitual and then, like the frog in the water, they will hike the pricing each year and guests will not give it up. Hype the value and all the inclusions today, and then get the price they really want tomorrow. Hope it is good for the stock at least.

Although - as you have seen - the full Press Release lays it out in good detail. Plus and Premier carry on as before, but Standard cost goes up for certain if you were a user of Alfredo's/Gigi's, the drink delivery to where seated, room service.

But you can go into that location now and order a Appetizer, a Main dish, and a Dessert. How will they still offer that for free and at the same time have a 3-course "bundle" for a fee? "Hey, you Steerage guest - er I mean Standard Fare person - if you want free pizza, it's up on the Lido deck."

Standard Fare guests are going to be reaching into their pockets more in order to subsidize the things the Plus & Premier get for free. Things we all used to get for free.

From the above press release, can we presume any of the following? 1. Plus/Premier will now either vault over, or have similar check-in priority as Elite guests? Perhaps they weren't thinking of the time period prior to boarding commencing because at HQ, no one thinks a guest arrives at the terminals before 11:30am? 2. Standard Fare guests will no longer receive free pizza at Alfredo's/Gigi's? 3. Standard Fare guests will no longer receive free drink and snack service to their location on the ships. Remember how this was touted as a fantastic thing with the Medallions? Now it will cost $15 to have this service for the voyage. And B2B'ers will have to pay it twice. After all, we do get extra benefits like another mini-bar on B2B, so have to pay as well. I suspect many/most guests will consider this fee a gratuity and perhaps adjust tipping amount on delivery?? 4. Standard Fare guests continue to subsidize the packages by paying for room service. We don't use RS, so NBD. 5. I suspect all of this will one day in future lead to an increase in the Plus/Premier and they will still market it as the most fantastic value since the Model T.

Okay, so several folks are onto this news now. Here is a complete release: July 27, 2023 9:48 AM EDT Princess Adds Casual Dining, Exclusive Service Delivery and More to Plus and Premier Packages with No Price Increases New Enhancements in Value-Packed Inclusive Packages Offer More Than 70% in Savings FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced several valuable new updates to its popular Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, providing guests with even more inclusive options at no additional cost, including casual dining, OceanNow delivery service, room service delivery, and express Green Lane embarkation. Indulge in more Casual Dining at no cost For voyages embarking August 12 and beyond, guests on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages will enjoy savory prix fixe dining options in the ship's casual restaurants, including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O'Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo's, and GiGi's. The addition of new three-course, pre-fixed menus gives Plus and Premier guests more food options than ever before without any extra charges. For those who prefer sailing on Princess Standard, the casual prix fixe dining will be $14.99 and individual selections will continue with a la carte pricing. "Great food is fundamental to the Princess Cruises experience," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "By incorporating our casual dining experiences into the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, guests can now indulge in more memorable meals tailored to their dining style preferences without hesitation, all while enjoying unparalleled value." All guests can continue to enjoy top-quality culinary options at no additional charge. Complimentary dining options for all guests include exquisite multi-course meals in all main dining rooms, buffet-style delights at World Fresh Market and Horizons Court, scrumptious treats at the International Café, poolside offerings at Slice, Coffee & Cones, and more, as well as traditional stateroom breakfast available using the classic door hanger menus. Access the Princess Exclusive OceanNow Service Princess sets the bar in service with its revolutionary OceanNow on-demand, location-based delivery service. To activate this industry exclusive service, there will be a nominal one-time activation fee of $14.99 per guest, per voyage. However, the access fee is waived for all guests sailing on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages. Complimentary Room Service Delivery Princess staterooms are a sanctuary for guests and views from industry leading large balconies are epic. To maximize the stateroom experience, Princess Plus and Princess Premier participants will have the standard $5 per delivery room service charge waived. That means no extra charges for the ease and luxury of on-demand service anywhere, anyplace or anytime on a Princess ship for Plus and Premier Guests. "We take great pride in pampering our guests with friendly service and exceeding their expectations. By offering the OceanNow Service and Room Service without any additional fees to Princess Plus and Princess Premier guests, we aim to elevate their journey to an unparalleled level of comfort, indulgence and value," said Sami Kohen, Princess vice president of food and beverage. Seamless and Speedy Boarding with OceanReady "Green Lane" As part of our commitment to delivering the smoothest and fastest embarkation process in the industry, the Princess App now boasts an enhanced OceanReady process. Guests achieve express "Green Lane Status" by ensuring all travel information and documents are complete and by having the exclusive Princess Medallion delivered to home before embarkation day when they'll proceed directly to the ship with no lines or hassles. For the ultimate convenience, both Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages include complimentary Medallion at home delivery. For guests on Princess Standard fares, a nominal shipping fee of $10 per stateroom will be added on Medallion/Accessory orders shipped to home. Unbeatable Savings in Value-Packed Inclusive Packages These expanded enhancements demonstrate the cruise line's focus on providing unmatched service and value for guests. Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages offer an astounding 70% or more in savings compared to purchasing items a la carte. Princess Plus For just $60 per person per day, Princess Plus now includes the following at more than 70% off retail value if components are purchased separately, saving guests up to $668 on a 7-Day cruise: Plus Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $15, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine) NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for single device Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities) NEW! Two prix fixe meals at any casual dining location per voyage NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation NEW! Complimentary Room Service NEW! "Green Lane" Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included) Two boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab) Two premium crafted desserts per day Unlimited premium fresh juices Princess Premier For just $80 per person per day, Princess Premier maximize inclusions and enjoy a more than 75% savings on the following inclusions: Premier Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $20, champagne by the glass, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine) NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for up to 4 devices Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities) Two nights of specialty dining NEW! Unlimited prix fixe meals at any casual dining location NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation NEW! Complimentary Room Service NEW! "Green Lane" Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included) Reserved seating in the Princess Theater Unlimited boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab) Unlimited premium crafted desserts Unlimited premium fresh juices Unlimited Digital Photo package / Princess Prizes Complimentary Medallion accessory

Yes, it is more of a reduction to Standard fare guests on the surface. It will in time be a justification for increasing the cost of Plus/Premier.

As has been discussed here, there is going to be announcement today about casual dining changes and Plus/Premier package enhancements. Alaska 2025 and other changes. Will update this thread later today (webinar is at 2pm and look her up on FB if want to tune in). Here is a preview that looks like part of a press release: For voyages embarking August 12 and beyond, guests on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages will enjoy savory prix fixe dining options in the ship's casual restaurants, including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O'Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo's, and GiGi's. The addition of new three-course, pre-fixed menus gives Plus and Premier guests more food options than ever before without any extra charges. For those who prefer sailing on Princess Standard, the casual prix fixe dining will be $14.99 and individual selections will continue with a la carte pricing. "Great food is fundamental to the Princess Cruises experience," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "By incorporating our casual dining experiences into the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, guests can now indulge in more memorable meals tailored to their dining style preferences without hesitation, all while enjoying unparalleled value." All guests can continue to enjoy top-quality culinary options at no additional charge. Complimentary dining options for all guests include exquisite multi-course meals in all main dining rooms, buffet-style delights at World Fresh Market and Horizons Court, scrumptious treats at the International Café, poolside offerings at Slice, Coffee & Cones, and more, as well as traditional stateroom breakfast available using the classic door hanger menus. Looks like a way to generate more revenue from Standard fare guests and put more into the Plus & Premier to prepare for the other shoe to drop (an increase in those fare options will no doubt come along in the not so far future (2024 anyone?). Will we be able to still get a free pizza at Alfredo's/Gigi's. Maybe not. PCL hand in our pockets. Will update later.

Don't hold your breath, but we might get a more detailed explanation of the impact on Standard fare guests this afternoon. I suspect a lot of cheerleading over the benefit for Plus & Premier guests.

This is going to be part of the announcements today by Carmen Roig in her webinar for TA's. This has been documented in a couple of threads (the upcoming announcement - sans details). So, looks like expanded free food and another way to extract $$ for the rest of us. No doubt these food changes will lead to a reason to increase Plus & Premier cost as well. I will say this, however. Reading this release one might presume it is subtly suggesting that guests will no longer be able to attend Alfredo's/Gigi's and enjoy a free pizza. If that is the case, I predict a mini-revolt among loyal PCL customers. ETA: I choose to interpret the Padgett remarks as that casual locations that have a la carte items for a fee will continue to have them and others - like pizza - will continue to be available (lol - at least for now), but if one wants an expanded meal, it will cost. IDK - we may have to see if this is clarified because right now at Alfredo's one can effectively get an appetizer, a main, and a dessert all for free. What will they do to justify $15 value?

You are not concerned with Non-Refundable Deposit?

I hope you clean the sink first. Use a straw? 😁

I imagine a lot of States compare favorably to CA - and NY.

Sure, but they must make it up somewhere else.

There was at least a couple of threads discussing this telemarketing offer from a 3rd party company that may seem to some folks as directly from Princess. Not so. I seem to recall a couple of posters mentioning going for the offer program, but most seemed skeptical and were bypassing it. You might find these threads, but perhaps not easily as it was a while ago now this deal was discussed.

Which is part of the beauty of the Medallion.

Well you should like the new then as your table mates will be random and so could the table size as DMW does not provde for guest to elect table size. You can also do walk up which is like the old ATD.

Welcome back to the sea - together again this time.

I gather you have been out of touch for a while. The coffee card is gone and no coffee-only package exists. You need to purchase pay-as-you-go now if not on a package. There is a Zero Alcohol Package you can look into that includes the coffee, but I don't see it as economical compared to the Plus fare option.

I would say yes as well.

It is impossible to really know what is going on in DMW, what inventory it is working with these days, etc. Best thing is to ask after boarding at the DR's with DR Mgmt if you have no success in DMW. You can be accommodated for sure if after a sharing table each night. Do not expect to see the same tablemates each evening, however.