Steelers36

Read more about CT here: https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/specialty-restaurants/ Scroll down to find it and a document pops up. Although not stated, the pricing for Royal Class is higher than pre-Royal Class as the former is CT Lumiere and a more elevated experience. There is also a discount for non-alcohol participants. I don't want to quote prices as they may have changed with recent increases and someone with current experience will likely chime in.

IDK if we really know this. I used to think they consider if someone has not done it yet, but many members here report repeated experiences. I wouldn't be surprised if Suite guests get some preference. I can say that I used to submit our name for the old Winemaker's Dinner and always got an invite (but now it is supposed to be super-expensive and more $$ than the CT).

On pre-Royal Class ships, it is held at a table in one of the mid-ship DR's. There is no setup like the Royal Class and no screened area. No, you must call the Dine Line, visit or call Guest Services, or speak with DRO or a DR Mgr and ask to be put on the invitation list. They decide who to invite and you find out a couple of days letter. Best to ask as soon as possible after boarding, or seek out DR Mgr at the first lunch in DR. The number will depend on demand from guests, length of the voyage, and capacity of Chef's team and DRO to hold the dinners. You might get two on the 10-night, but your 14-nights is really 2 x 7-night and I'd only expect one each week at most.

We've learned long ago not to expect gourmet meals. Although, I'd say we had some pretty darn good food 20+ years ago. Anyway, I will say up front that we have not been on a ship since last November and certainly things could have changed on any or all ships in the interim. In general, the buffet has decent food with a reasonable amount of variety on the Royal Class ships. There were things I found lacking or missing last Fall, but it was okay. My most specific take-away was the decline in beef cut/quality. We also found the Island food to be much better than on Regal and I did feel Regal was just sub-par for the duration and figure it was galley mgmt. Repeat - this could be entirely different today and I am reading more positive food reports this summer than last fall. I'd rather pay a bit more cruise fare and keep food quality up than be paying the same dollars I used to and get less quality.

Even without a lounge, they ought to have a Concierge. Thought I read someone's post where they were going to add this position to non-RC ships??

At an oral surgeon??!! Oh my!.

Yes, the common knowledge is that CA is shared across the fleet. Don't think I implied anything different.

Don't worry, be happy.

Which perk or benefit are you talking about? We will still have priority boarding benefit.

I believe in the cases where the Plus/Premier packages do not include CA, the price is lower - so the math thing is still there.

Just remembered.... PCL makes up the difference for those guests locked in at lower rate.

But not always the happy ending for some players.

I do think that Carmen Roig just didn't think about that for the presentation because they wanted to make a big deal about the redesign of the App and the waaaaay better (sorry, I cannot imitate her and have rarely encountered anyone who is so wound up and enthused every second for an hour) confirmation info for check-in. I seriously doubt there is going to be any significant change to our priority boarding. IMO, the most important aspect is that we get a priority boarding letter and are seated in the section of the terminal they are going to call first when boarding opens. Otherwise, it doesn't mean much. Although, I guess once cleared security, even when general boarding has been open, priority guests should still be accessing agents that are specific for those eligible. I am not worried about it.

It's not like the race for the Sanctuary, is it? LOL.

Another thought. If you have to go in summer, why not do a Baltic Cruise and wait for the Med when you can go before or after summer?

Your Travel Summary should detail the CA amount. Also, if you booked prior to the increase, you should be at the old price. What I did the last time they increased what were called Gratuities then, I paid the extra either in advance or on board because by the time we sailed, the new rates were in effect and I wanted the crew to have the new amount.

Sorry, but post #2 is incorrect. Absolutely, anyone in the same cabin with a guest who has priority boarding/check-in is allowed to be with them through the process. In addition, it has been the case with two cabins that often when asked, the check-in team will allow the party to stay together via the priority process. This could be a family where parents are Elite and kids not any level (this is like paragraph 1). Could be adult family/friends. Purists will say the Elites should go through the regular line, but my experience from seeing it and reading it is that Princess - when nicely asked - will allow it. I think it is generally accepted that each Elite can bring one other person "along for the ride", so to speak. That said, with the new check-in process, even if second couple goes to a different check-in agent, you can meet up after to walk on the ship if that is important. The real significance is if you all arrive prior to general boarding and are seated in the waiting area to board. Guests are given a group card (A, B, C, D, etc) and groups are called for an orderly boarding. Question is, can the other party be with the Elite (for example)? Unless someone is younger or needs to be accompanied, it really isn't a big deal IMO, since the first thing guest typically does is go to cabin and unload/unpack and then go looking for food.

All of the ships are like this. I believe they did it so that guests who specifically want to ride the 'panoramic' elevators can do so. The view of the Atrium/Piazza is only for three levels. But yes, it is a typical thing and I often hit both because I don't care which one comes. BTW, both panoramics are connected such that the button on either side works to call both sides.

I thought that's what some of the blank spaces on the deck plans were for.

I was asking for a friend.

I thought we could bump up to Premier without refaring. In any case, @lhsail, you can do that upgrade on the ship. Do it the day you get on board and go to Guest Services (GS). It may be offered via the App as well (not sure). Note that by delaying until you board, you can use up OBC to pay for it.

I am puzzled why the photos of the events listing are so fuzzy and out of focus when your pictures on excursions are very good?

That was the answer I was expecting.

It is entirely possible that PCL is not giving as much OBC to any guest who delays purchasing FCD until post-cruise. Even so, there will be a deadline for that decision or lost opportunity.