Steelers36

Like this, I suppose:

I agree that the quality of food was not up to par on the Regal in October. Of course, I think there is a new par at Princess. I would not term it "terrible". There was a NOTICEABLE difference in preparation, etc, of food on Island in early November over what we had experienced on Regal. I did note that Island had a quite good exec chef from what I understand. I imagine all ships are ordering the same quality of meat, etc.

Thanks for the info, but you should have posted this on the dedicated "sticky" thread at the top of the Princess Forum.

There is a permanent "sticky" thread at the top of the Princess forum for Medallion Class App (now Princess App) issues. This particular one has been a bug-bear for many guests for some time now. On our side of the fence, we do not know why this has been an issue for Princess IT, nor do we know why it is still an issue a year or so later.

Okay. So that is always going to be non-ref. I never leave cash balance on the ship, however.

IDK how much OBC is in question, but if you got a fare discount, then the OBC is likely group OBC which is non-ref. The largest group OBC I have had from a single voyage booking is $85.

Agree on IC comment. Agree on Explorer's - saw that size space as well. Doesn't make sense and first thought was if it was a token throw-in gesture since they would know a lot of guests lamented loss of Explorer's to Princess Live! on the Royal Class ships. P Live! is a huge space beside, compared to Explorer's. Maybe that is where they are going to host an Escape Room (you Explore around until find the way out - LOL). I imagine that funny labeled restaurant is another SD location like Sabi's which is listed as being on the ship. There is another location for suite dining and high up aft there is the other exclusive restaurant (Deck 17).

They are also refundable.

I have never read of anyone doing this. You could visit and ask the FCC person on Day 1 if you can use GC's to purchase FCD's. If answer is yes, go online and order. You get email back with GC numbers and PIN's right away after purchase processed. Bring the info to the FCC office.

Perhaps they do not know how to operate effectively in the Azores since that is not a cruise start/end port they would normally deal with. That said, the OP's experience is pretty bad and would expect better.

Some periodic perusing and quick reading is telling me this upgrade process is working out for a lot of folks who are happy with results and amount paid. Makes me wonder if the Princess drug dealer is getting guests hooked on the process with some easy candy and some day it will be more difficult and cost more once the customer base is high on the process.

From the above, I would say @Cruise Raider has a good TA and the rest of you should find a new one. I use a TA that gives a cash discount off the fare and we pay the net amount up front. I have read that some agencies charge guests the full fare and then rebate back with OBC. In order to be equivalent to guests who use discounting TA's like I do, you would for sure want that OBC to be refundable. I have also read that some agencies (like the infamous Big Box) give back store credits. Those are like cash in your pocket as well. I prefer our cash discounts, but a store credit would be a better option than non-refundable OBC - especially for a guest that normally books the inclusive Plus package. ETA: I should point out that Group OBC from an agency is always non-refundable, but that is another beast from a cruise fare deal/discount below the Princess pricing.

In October and November, it was on every single menu on two different ships.

If it can be done, I would think you need to deal with the Future Cruise Consultant directly. Ordering online using the App will only accept a credit card and not a gift card and PIN combination. The paper form you can fill out and leave at the FCC desk doesn't allow for GC entry.

It is always the one with Club Class section and always open embarkation days, plus sea days. The same DR is open for breakfast as well. On some ships, CC section has been moved to Deck 5. Regardless, always a mid-ship DR. It is always listed in the embarkation Patter as well.

Per @symui and @ceilidh1 on another thread: Officers as of 12/19/22. Returning to the Ruby are CD Michael Reitano and Staff Captain Sebastiano Azzarelli. Also new Hotel GM Andrea Magin.

I'd bend is ear if I had the opportunity.

Just keep the res and change it on board.

I think you might need to update your thoughts in this regard for @sparks1093. Princess just implemented the second price hike in a short period of time. The daily package charge is now $60/pp/day and both guests in the cabin must elect the same cruise fare option package. With most cabins costing $15/pp/day for Crew Incentive and MedallionNet costing $15/pp/day (for new guests without sufficient Captain's Circle status like the OP), the total baked in is $30/pp/day or $60/couple. Deduct that from $120/couple/day and you have $60/couple per day for drink budget - both port days and sea days. The OP should consider their combined drinking habits and spend to decide if worth it to go with the package. The OP can read all the details of inclusions/exclusions on Princess.com, plus the terms & conditions. PS - Once a guest can get 50% off Medallion Net, the drinks allocation increases to $75/couple/day. Of course, if a guest would never purchase two Medallion Net packages, that is another savings to consider when analyzing drinks portion.

SMH at Princess. Elites and Suites - not just Sky ones - can show up anytime and get priority check-in. Also, a special waiting area if ship not ready to take on passengers when cleared check-in and the priority sections go first. Once the waiting group has cleared, guests just stroll on board as they complete check-in.

What was time for earliest group? Do you have priority boarding? Elite,Suite, Club Class, Platinum? That old grouping by decks is both arbitrary and unfair. Why have they ignored Arrival Groups? Just show up when convenient.

I believe at least some of our sea days had a 9:30am MDR breakfast end. You just had to be in and seated by then - the close time is not when they stop serving food.

They sell Chanel products on board.

Where is it off? Just seems to have less public rooms labeled this far (compared to CruiseMapper website). BTW, IDK why they have what I presume will be CG labeled as a Sterling Steakhouse (which is the place on much older ships in the fleet and also not a separate room as this one clearly is). It appears other SD locations are not yet labeled.

Save yourselves some $$ and take a taxi.