Private Fares in my experience can be a great buy, BUT the ones I have been getting over the last year are non-refundable and non-transferable deposits. That is a deal breaker for me!

25 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

Makes no sense to ban cigars and pipes in outdoor smoking sections.  Even tho the smell of a cigar is pleasant to NOBODY, there's no reason to ban them outdoors.

You shouldn't make such a broad statement (No One), cigar smokers do enjoy the smell, and my wife enjoys the smell of my cigars even though she doesn't smoke at all. 

Give me a guarantee cabin rate without a non-cancellable deposit. I don't care if it is refundable, but at least allow me to move it to another booking. RCCL/Celebrity are both doing this, my reaction is to just wait until within 60 days and book!

Bring Emerald on to LAX, don't be late, I will be waiting to get on! LOL. Very nice job! Thank you so much. I most enjoyed the food pics and reviews.

1 hour ago, startedwithamouse said:

We always book drop and go rates, and end up being upgraded where they place us, so it's a win-win. 

 

We choose to spend our money on Plus, not where we're going to sleep, shower and have s**.  

Where can you find "drop and go" rates on Princess.com? Are drop and go rates always inside the final payment date?

On 4/23/2023 at 6:03 PM, Dunk said:

Have you ever considered that choosing your own cabin is the “regular” price and that guaranteed cabin is at a discount? 

I consider a GTY cabin to be discounted yes. But it is the non-refundable discount I have trouble with.

Non-refundable cruise deposits are a no go for me. This feature will just make me wait until inside final payment date to to book. I may even get to pick a cabin at a lower price than the GTY and no-refundable cabin further away from sail date. 

Celebrity as well has gone to the lowest price being non-refundable, or a charge of $500 to get a refundable deposit. If customers don't accept these changes or book under these conditions, then the cruise lines will make adjustments. If the cruise lines keep it this way then customers might go and try other types of journeys. We all have choices.

It isn't even $100, it is an additional $15 when added to TSA Pre-check. Well worth it. The last Carnival cruise we got off and they took a picture and we were done at Customs. We have used it many times coming into the US from overseas and It is so quick and easy. Go the Global Entry area, put your hand in the fingerprint reader, use the camera to identify yourself, answer a few short questions and you are on your way, no long lines like when you go through Customs. 

39 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I log in every single time.  Of course you have to do that to see private fares.  Is there anyone that doesn’t know that?

Of course I log in. It just doesn't show. I click on the email advertising Private fares, log in, find the cruise I am interested in. I then either get the advantage fare or a regular fare. 

But the main point of the post is the inability to call and get to talk to someone, or use chat or get a call back. 

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Have you logged into the HAL site with your credentials? 
 

It worked for me a few weeks ago. Checked the website and saw the advertised rate. Logged in under my account and my “Private fare”

was rack rate. Logged in under DHs - got a screaming deal with his “private fare” and booked it. We both get totally different private fares. This has been going on for years.

Yes, I have logged in, no private fare! 

We were on a TA cruise and I was in Speakeasy enjoying my afternoon/pre-dinner cigar. @ women came in and lit up cigs. When I am smoking I don't mind cigarette smoke, it all mingles together anyway. They went to waving their hands and giving me an evil look. Then one of them asked if I would mind putting out my cigar as they couldn't stand the smell. The nerve! LOL. I politely responded that I would mind being that this was the Cigar Bar and the only place to smoke a cigar. They angrily stubbed the cigs out and left offended.

A 2nd on bringing your own cigars, the ones that are for sale are of dubious distinction and absolutely not very well cared for. 

5 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

The same thing happens to me, so I started calling the PCC number and then just holding for the first person who answered. I found my own PCC to be very slow in responding, and as you said, they do leave! But I get someone by holding. 

I was prepared to stay on hold, even an hour or more if needed. I wasn't even given this option to hold. 

28 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Private fares as mentioned do not always show online.  Also the advantage fare doesn’t either.  They need to get it together and get more people in the fold.  Excuses don’t bring in business. 

I would be happy to book online if the private fare would show up as an option. Thank you for confirming it doesn't show up. It does not. I have since researched the private fares on my own and don't think I would book a long way out using that fare. Maybe inside final payment would be OK. 

41 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

They certainly need to do something about their customer service, it is awful.  Two solutions 1. Use a TA or 2. Book it yourself, if you sign in you should see the offered special price in cart.   
 

I feel your pain. 

The price that is quoted as "private fare" doesn't ever show up when I try to book online, it is about $500 more per person than what is offered.

Thanks for answering.

I have been trying to talk to my PCC.  I have emailed him and left messages for a call back. He may have left the company. I have twice responded to HAL emails on a specific cruise offer, I receive the generic "we will contact you asap" email, but have never got a call back. Today, when calling "due to high call volume we can't service your call right now" please use chat. Go to web site, use the chat function fill in my info, press chat now, get a blank white web page.

I am really wanting to ask some questions about the private cruise fares and book a cruise. Why waste the time, money and effort to get a customer to call in, if you can't handle the calls?

On one RX HealthWarehouse.com was cheaper by paying cash and not going through Insurance. The doctor then wrote a 180 refill. So, it pays to check, also we have asked for a paper RX and filled wherever we are. It is very easy as long as you are not trying to pain meds (narcotics), even then we ahve been able to go to local Dr. and request narcotics and been able to get a 30 day supply.

On 3/1/2023 at 10:47 PM, Steelers36 said:

Some????  How about ALL!!!

 

Here is why.  Let's suppose Guest John Doe thinks no alcohol for his party - I will get the new Zero package for $30 + Grats = $35.39 each.  But, just a sec there - Guest Doe also pays $16/day for Crew Incentive and likes to be connected, so MedallionNet cost is either $15 or $7.50 per day.

 

Add those up and you get either $66.39 or $58.89, so the $60 Plus is a NO BRAINER in that situation.

 

 

No, this is not a good deal at all. On a 16 day cruise X $66 = $1056, this is more than I paid per person for the entire cruise. Gratuities per person are on $256. I would never drink that much!

The coffee package is still not under the cruise personalizer.

40 minutes ago, Senga said:

Purchased soda packages and coffee package showing today in Cruise Personalizer so, hopefully, we’re fixed up for our May Sky Princess cruise.  🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

That is great news. Hopefully the Coffee card will return for May 16 day Hawaiian cruise. My wife loved the coffee card. It is not there tonight ( I just checked), but maybe will return on the 20th ??

I couldn't find it last night. It was there last week and I was waiting until it got closer to cruise date to purchase. Hope it is just a mistake on website and it will be added back soon!

1 hour ago, KreinKrunker said:

Dang!  Good thing I gave up cigars last month.

No need to give them up, I will have at 15 to 20 for my 16 Day Hawaiian cruise, along with my Bic lighter. Sometimes I am lucky enough to find someone with a torch. But smoking that many on a trip then you ahve to bring butane to fill it and I sure enough would not try to fly with that. I really enjoy cigars on a cruise, especially with an indoor cigar room!

1 hour ago, KreinKrunker said:

Been traveling for years with my torch in checked luggage.  Although brand label has fallen off, I think it is a Colibri.

 

I have one of these, but it is not legal to transport regardless, the rules were changed! I am not sying you shouldn't or that it doesn't work, but just saying!

From TSA

38 minutes ago, MrSchwump said:

I bring mine. I pack it and a couple of cutters in my suitcase. 

You can bring it, if willing to risk confiscation, which I am not going to risk an $80 Xikar. This from the the TSA!

7 hours ago, JustVinney said:

Thanks @roboref - your reply was most helpful. Especially knowing those little bits about selection - I'll definitely bring my own for the duration of the trip with that info. Enjoy Hawaii!

One other thing, you are probably already aware of. You can't fly with a torch lighter, which is the lighter I prefer. I just bring a bic type lighter, which you can bring in your carryon. A few lounges have a torch if you ask the attendant, they can bring it out for you! I certainly didn't feel the Speakeasy was drab, it was well lit, had satellite TV and frequently interesting people to chat with. 

I find it not as enjoyable to smoke outdoors, as they are generally unprotected from the wind, which with a bic style lighter makes it difficult to light and keep lit. Outdoors is great if there is some protection from the wind!

Enjoy your cigars!

Nice place to sit and smoke. If I remember correctly not any outside views. I always bring my own cigars, as there isn't a large selection and mostly overpriced and not always properly humidified. I go most evenings before dinner and it is a nice place to chat, read a book or watch TV. So many lines have eliminated cigar lounges inside cruise ships, so I am really looking forward to my cruise on Emerald Princess to Hawaii in May.