stevenr597

Part of the cost of the up-charge is due to the fact that the Mini-suite is in the central area of the ship, and these rooms have always been more costly.

Have to disagree with you. The upcharge for Club Class goes to Princess and Carnival Corporation. The gratuity that you either pay either automatically, or by a "tip" at the end of the cruise is independent of this upcharge. Certainly, it is one's personal decision as to whether they wish to tip the crew, especially the waiter, bus boys, and room steward which is indeed a significant part of their salary. When one enters a restaurant, in most cases the tip or gratuity is voluntary. One could argue that if you go to a more expensive restaurant would you decide that a tip is not required because the increase in prices automatically covers the tip?

We have PreScreen, Global Entry and in fact Clear. We think it was money well spent.

I don’t believe. It is “hatred and bitterness”. The decision to tip or add a gratuity is a decision that each individual who cruises can decide to make. The question was whether the additional charge for Club Class should be regarded as a gratuity and if so, then the individual has the “right” to delete their automatic gratuity and not to tip at all. The problem as stated many times is that the Uncharge for a Superior Balcony, Mini-suite, Suite goes to Princess as added profits, not to the individual steward, bus-boy or waiter bar-tender, that works long and hard to make one’s cruise “special.” These individuals depend on gratuities and tips as their salaries. Hence if one decides not to tip, either by opting out of the automatic system, and not providing a tip at the end of the cruise it is their right. However, they should not believe that because they selected Club Class the cruise line will add a gratuity to the individuals mentioned automatically. Personally we take part in the automatic system, and if we decide that an individual has delivered superior service, we give them “a little bit extra” at the end of the cruise and in addition, make sure to notify the cruise line of the specific individual or individuals.

I believe that the individual is voicing an opinion that the up-charge for Club Class should be considered a gratuity for the crew and hence, one could then reduce the gratuity. Sort of like saying if one trades up for a Suite the added up-charge could be viewed as a gratuity to the crew. I do not believe that this is the case. Up-charge for Club Class, or for an elevation of class does not go to the crew, but rather to the cruise line. The crew, depends on tipping for most of their salary.

Certainly the individual in question has to the right to decide what, and if he will leave a gratuity. But when one posts his thoughts and ideas, he or she should not be surprised if one replies to their comments. I believe that is the purpose of “The Boards” to have a free and fair expression of ideas. I still stand behind my comment that many of the crew including your room stewards, and waiters depend upon gratuities or tips to provide them with income, much of which is often sent home to support their families in far-away countries. When one decides not to “tip”, one doesn’t really hurt the cruise lines, but rather the individuals who are working hard to make your trip enjoyable.

We book Club Class. This has enabled us to have a "happy hour" then go to a show, then eat dinner.

Actually not. Any upcharge is going to Princess and Carnival Corporation. The crew depends on the vast portion of their earnings from tips and gratuities. By reducing your gratuity, you are taking away from the crew which is working long hours to make your cruise enjoyable.

Our experience in Club Class is that we often got an extra dish prepared just for members of Club Class. We had little wait and could decide when we wanted to eat dinner. In addition, we usually got a superior table, in most instances close to a window. Service seemed to be superior.

I believe that you are paying Princess for the upgrade to Club Class. However, your daily gratuity is tipping the crew for a variety of services. I certainly would not reduce the daily gratuity, in fact, I usually give something extra to selected staff for superior service at the end of the cruise.

I would definitely take the upgrade to club class. No wait to get into the dining room, and superior service.

Have to disagree with you again my friend. Have sailed many times on both Princess and Celebrity. Yes there are differences, but they are actually more alike than different. Yes there are some differences in respect to Club Class as compared to Aqua Class, but they are, actually more alike than different. In the past, I would have given a slight edge by a nose to Aqua Class, but after sailing on Discovery Princess in July and Celebrity Reflection in December, I would now give the edge to Club Class on Princess. I found the dining room on Aqua Class to be very crowded. Portions were quite small and variety was quite limited. Much more variety in the main dining room, and in fact, at times even though we were in Blu we did request to order from the Main Dining Room menu. In respect to rooms I do feel that the Mini-Suite has it all over the Aqua Class rooms on Reflection. I do feel that the "Edge Class" is a step above or evolution in regard to Celebrity but heard a lot of complaints that their is no true balcony. In addition, with the new Sphere Class Ships Princess will now upgrade Club Class to the Reserve Collection of Mini-suites which by description will be superior to Aqua Class.

Have to disagree. We have traveled with Blu and indeed, while there are some differences, there are more similarities. Separate dining room (which Princess is moving too) compared to eating in a separate section of the main dining room. Different menu compared to one special dish on the main menu with Club Class. But no or little wait for seating with either Blu or Club Class. Greater choice and variety of dishes with Princess Club Class then with Blu. In addition with Club Class you get a larger cabin, centrally placed compared to Aqua Class. We recently were on Blu on Celebrity Reflection and for the first time no impressed. Would go with Club Class on Princess.

Disappointed with "Churchills" on Discovery Princess. Very small with little seating.

Usually it is a Mini-Suite in the center of the ship with the benefits of Club Class. This includes sitting at a private area in the main dining room, usually not having to wait to be seated, and usually having one special dish prepared by the Maitre'd. Bit similar to Aqua Class in Celebrity.

What about a Kilt? Must say that it can be pretty formal.

Definitely would avoid the cabins below the buffet, unless noise does not bother you. I would try to find a deck with cabins above and below you.

The answer is no. But you certainly can dine in the regular sections with your mother.

We were cruising Alaska last July on Discovery Princess. The weather was mostly overcast with a good deal of showers. When the temperature came out it was in the low 70's, but at sea, mostly in the 60's...at best. Discovery had no enclosed pools, and it is my understanding that the pools are not heated. But...a lot of the children were still swimming.

What we have done in the past is find a relatively secluded area with good shape and use two chairs. When we go for lunch, we take all our belongs and have a leisurely lunch either at the buffet or dining room. If we decide to stay outdoors, we locate another two chairs. I have not as yet paid for the Sanctuary Area, although we did have a cabanna at the Breakers in Florida in the past.

In most cases there are a fair number of empty lounges throughout the ship. However, in many cases the "Chair Hoggers" want to get the lounges closest to the pool or well shaded, and they usually are taken fairly quickly.

One must remember that although a patient is not using a mobility device, due to a variety of problems such as chronic hip disease they may still have difficulty getting up and sitting down....hence they might need the extra room that some of those areas provide.

In respect to Jewelry, cameras and watches, I usually compare the price offered on the ship or port to what I could obtain from either Amazon or Costco. In most cases, I wind up buying from Amazon Costco. Good example: On the Discovery Princess I saw a beautiful Titanium Bullova Curve Watch. Saved $200.00 buying from Amazon.

Or may the individual who is staying at the lounge chair, should realize that crew have better things to do then to remove clothing and other items from chairs that have not been in used for hours.

I don't believe I used the term hog. To be clear, I do feel reserving tables in the buffet, lounge chairs at the pool, or seats in the theater shows a lack of courtesy to others. Some individuals will say, "just five minutes." But when does it end, 10 minutes, 30 minutes. Should one rush to the buffet when it opens, put a hat on the table and come back to eat 30 minutes later.