Luvmyrotti

5 hours ago, memoak said:

Sea days are my favorite. That is why we like TA’s and Hawaii cruises.  Really helps to recharge the batteries 

Me too, love the sea days going out and coming back on the Hawaii sailings.  Love me some sea days!

9 hours ago, paul1439 said:

Princess Insurance does not let you cancel for any reason. Specified reasons only. Any reason is not one of them.

They certainly do have cancel for any reason coverage.  It is at the higher level of coverage.  You can cancel for a non-covered reason and will get a Princess credit.  I believe it has to be used within a year.

1 hour ago, rdsqrl said:

Because not everybody cares about the same things you do.  I wonder why anybody would buy a car that's not a convertible, but some people  don't mind that they're driving around in a dorky SUV instead of a cool ragtop.  Priorities vary. 

 

Right now, I care more about Cancel for Any Reason, which Princess offers and other outside insurers do not, at least not at a reasonable rate.   So, that's why I buy from the cruise line.  You are as free to disdain my preference in trip insurance as I am to disdain your choice of automobile.  Is this a great country or what? 

You can absolutely get cancel for any reason coverage from private insurance carriers for not much more than Princess and the real key is that you get an actual check payment rather than a credit for a future cruise.

We haven’t purchased Princess insurance since our first cruise when we booked on our own.  We now always purchase private insurance, through our TA, with a very reputable insurance company.  The medical evacuation is always far better and the medical is primary.  My DH took a tumble on a privately booked excursion a few years back and the insurance reimbursed us, both ship medical service costs and costs from a clinic in Mexico we needed to go, a total of $800 or $900 US.  Totally worth it.  I wish everyone would be more informed and/or get a good, reputable TA who can help you understand.

10 hours ago, Nebr.cruiser said:

We had an upsell offer from a balcony to a mini a couple of weeks ago for $229pp.  Today got an offer for $129pp.  This is for a 10 day cruise.  My sisters got an offer from their mini to a full suite for $589pp for the same cruise.

 

Probably still not going to do it, but more tempting, especially for the mini.  

So a total of $260 for a 10 day cruise for an upsell from a balcony to a mini?!  Yes, every day of the week.  The additional bathroom space that has a tub is worth that, plus the sitting area with a sofa.  I can’t imagine turning that down.

1 hour ago, Cher7 said:

We are elite and for the first and probably the only time we will be sailing in a full suite.  I’m curious to find out what perks we will have in addition to what we get as elite.  Thanks so much!

Mostly having a suite is about all the room and the privacy you will have.  If you are in an aft suite, enjoy the wake!

Also club class dining for dinner is very nice.

21 minutes ago, Luvmyrotti said:

This is primarily in the theater, so if you don’t do the big shows, it’s not an issue.  If you want to do the shows, make sure you go early to get seats.  We mostly do the smaller lounge shows, which are never an issue getting seats.

Okay, so I checked and she does have the additional deck, Riviera.  Still, would never call her “very” crowded.

11 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I just got off the Caribbean Princess and would be hesitant to go back. There are not enough seats for number of passengers. If you don't get to the shows at least 40 minutes early you won't be able to get a seat. That happened for both shows. The Piazza and other venues for seating were over crowded. The crew and other areas of service were fine, it's just the over crowding. 

This is primarily in the theater, so if you don’t do the big shows, it’s not an issue.  If you want to do the shows, make sure you go early to get seats.  We mostly do the smaller lounge shows, which are never an issue getting seats.

On 8/11/2019 at 8:02 PM, Level six said:

We have been on CP twice and are about to board again.  One thing I will say is, it is very crowded.  A few years ago they added several cabins and no more public space, so it is crowded everywhere you go.  Elevators take along time, seating in all areas, especially the theater are very crowded.  We had to go to the theater 45 minutes early sometimes, and the very least 1/2 hr before the show to get seats..........any seats.  So, just a warning.

 

On NCL, we are platinum, we have never had that issue with the theater.

 

Casino is good, like all cruise ships, at taking your money, haha.

 

Dress is casual, although Princess does dress up more for formal nights than NCL, but it is not required.

 

Princess is better, IMO, at sea day activities and you can stay busy all day long.  

 

I think they are very similar really.  Have fun!

I’ve been on the Caribbean Princess and not found her to be very crowded at all.  She is the class of Grand ship with one fewer deck, but all the same public space, if I recall correctly.  Of course the piazza is crowded during the big events such as the champagne waterfall, but other than that, i’ve Never felt crowded.

OP, you may not find the glitz of sever other lines, but Princess is fun and comfortable.

Please share details!

We always book aft suites.  For us, the quiet privacy and the aft view and wake make them the top pick.

10 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

This from MJSailors: 

 Keep in mind that balcony doors should not be left open per the notice posted near the door. Also closing the balcony door quietly is appreciated by those in the cabins in your area.

 

Other than that tip, insides aren't that much different than balconies. A touch more room and a great big "window".

You don't need to do or bring anything that you don't usually bring.

Ummm, really?! A “big window”?! Doors that open, fresh air, the open ocean?!   Should I go on for the benefits of the balcony versus the inside?

Are you the open and closing door police onboard?  Why the big wet blanket treatment?

OP, enjoy your free balcony!!

23 hours ago, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

How much money you will pay for the up sell?

23 hours ago, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

How much money you will pay for the up sell?

23 hours ago, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

How much money you will pay for the up sell?

What made you jump to the conclusion of an upsell?  The OP was pretty clear this was an upgrade that they were all gifted.

Congrats to the OP on the upgrade!

I think they close by 10:00 PM.

Last year he did the Alaska shuffle all summer, going from one ship to the next among all the sailings, but I’m not sure what he’s doing this summer. 

I went to high school with Steve and he’s a really great guy.  Enjoy him if you get to see him!

Those tiny, narrow balconies on Royal class are awful! The proper balconies on the Grand class will win for me every day!

I live in Potland Maine. You will likely get cold rain and some gusty wind.  I doubt they will need to divert.  Fall, once this far into October, is typically cold and windy here.

We're just off the CB today. We actually were late leaving both Antigua and St. Maarten. About an hour late from Antigua and three hours late from St. Maarten. Both evenings it was described as "glitches" and "issues" that needed to be resolved before leaving dock. In both cases the captain kept us apprised of the work and was very professional and re-assuring.

In July I did expedited for DH because he was traveling out of the country solo before our cruise. His was back in two weeks. I sent mine non-expedited at the same time and mine came back four or five days after his. I am in the northeast and went through the Philadelphia processing center.

Can't wait to meet her....we board Caribbean princess on Friday!

We too board on Friday and will look for this wonderful bartender!

Why are you all letting this thread get you all jacked up? You do realize this was a one-time poster who has not come back to comment. Clearly this post has done what it intended, which was to create a bunch of nasty name-calling.

Set to cruise the Caribbean in two weeks but checking up I find that I am expected to pay 9 dollars a day for service charge on the drinks package and 13 dollars a day gratuity that’s 22 dollars a day x two for myself and the wife 10 day cruise that’s 440 dollars is this the norm for American cruise lines

So Snikrap, I'm surprised/puzzled by the fact that this is your first post after having been a member of CC since 2012 (per your profile). :confused: I'm even more puzzled that you didn't know about the 15% gratuity on drinks or about the daily service charge. Apparently you've now become aware of it shortly before your cruise and decided to post about it. These are the threads that I find curious. ;)

I think the Loyalty OBC should be based on cruise days and not the number of cruises. There is a big monetary difference from taking a 1-3 day cruise vs a 38 day cruise. Many other Cruise Lines loyalty programs count the days and not the number of cruises. I hope that Princess follows their lead.

We book suites, so get double credits. I don't feel the least bit guilty about reaching status more quickly, since I pay essentially double what a standard balcony or mini-suite pays. I appreciate that Princess reccognizes this appropriately.