whitecap

I agree, which is why I tried to make it stand out in hopes it would garner attention. We'll see.

You are old enough!!! And I thought no one would remember. 🥳

Well, lucky for me, you aren't JP. Hopefully, those that received it will read it in its entirety and understand the confusion they have caused. And hopefully, it will make one or two of them chuckle. Some people need to lighten up and not take things so seriously. And now, its off to the Magic Kingdom, a ride on Its A Small World and a hot dog at Casey's Corner, see you real soon (In case you aren't old enough to remember, that's from the Mickey Mouse Club song.) 🤣

So discouraged with Princess that I sent the below email to Mr. Padgett and to all the VP's on Aug 15th. Note: I did sign the email and provided my contact information. Dear Mr. Padgett; I am writing to express my concern regarding the latest changes that Disney, uh, Princess has made to the Plus and Premier Drink Packages including the higher cost and the removal of previously “no cost” items to the drink packages that are now at a cost. As I have reviewed these changes along with the ever-diminishing loyalty amenities, I find myself describing the current situation as “Mickey Mouse” like and wondering if the person(s) who developed these changes and those that approved them are from another world, maybe Pluto? These changes, which by the way seem to have started when a former Disney executive joined Princess, have caused many conversations among the most loyal of Princess cruisers and almost to a tea cup they agree that the diminished loyalty amenities and current changes are just plain Goofy. Things are so confusing that not even Buzz Light Year can keep up. Donald and Daisy can’t Duck fast enough from all the disparaging comments. When the Pixie dust settled, even Tinker Bell couldn’t calm the masses. Although I have written this with tongue in cheek, I still find myself asking: Is the new goal of Princess to replace loyal cruises with first time/family cruisers? Has Princess decided to no longer be the standout cruise line by simply just becoming more like Royal Caribbean? Has the reduction of Elite in cabin amenities really reduced operational cost, significantly? Did anyone consider that charging a fee for room service will reduce the “tips” received by room service staff or will room service staff get the $5.00 or a share of the $14.99? Did anyone consider how adding a fee to a previously free food venue would be accepted by cruisers? Did anyone consider grandfathering in those passengers who had already purchased drink packages as a show of loyalty? Why weren’t ALL BOOKED PASSENGERS, regardless of whether or not they had purchased a drink package, informed of the changes, and here are the crucial words, before implementation? Why is the email just sent out to booked passengers in conflict with the Princess website (FAQ’s) regarding the room service fee, $5.00 and the $14.99 OceanNow fee? Luckily for most, we are no Dumbos and we can, with the help of Aladdin’s lamp, see a Simba of things to come. Princess must remain the standout cruise line, Elsa we may have to look elsewhere. Sincerely, A Very Loyal Princess Cruiser, disheartened and now sitting on the fence.

We basically do the same thing. Where do we want to go and when; what is our budget; begin the search starting with Princess, then Celebrity, then Royal Caribbean and so on. We grew to Elite on Princess and have lessor status on the other lines. I have become disheartened with Princess over the last year or so because of their very poor communication skills and constant downgrading of amenities for their loyal customers. It almost appears that they are "confusing" people on purpose.

There is nothing in the email that states the "fee is waived" if you have paid the OceanNow fee. Nothing, Nothing!! That is pretty clear.

You have added the blue writing it appears. It is not so stated on the email I received. This is more pee poor communications from a staff that appears to be former Disney characters. Honestly, I have been trying to take all of this in stride but after receiving this email and seeing the contradiction, I'm getting pretty disheartened.

We just got the email as well (sailing Jan 2024)however, there is a contradiction between the email and the Princess website. Website, under FAQ states that the $5 room service fee only applies to room service orders "placed by stateroom phone". The email states: OceanNow delivery: To ensure you can have whatever you need during your cruise delivered directly to you, a nominal access fee of $14.99 per guest per voyage will now apply to OceanNow deliver." Next paragraph: Room service fee: "A $5 delivery fee will be charged for all room service orders (except complimentary stateroom breakfast orders)." No where does it exempt those that have paid the OceanNow fee. Am I confused or is this just another poorly written message from them.

We just got the email as well (sailing Jan 2024)however, there is a contradiction between the email and the Princess website. Website, under FAQ states that the $5 room service fee only applies to room service orders "placed by stateroom phone". The email states: OceanNow delivery: To ensure you can have whatever you need during your cruise delivered directly to you, a nominal access fee of $14.99 per guest per voyage will now apply to OceanNow deliver." Next paragraph: Room service fee: "A $5 delivery fee will be charged for all room service orders (except complimentary stateroom breakfast orders)." No where does it exempt those that have paid the OceanNow fee. Am I confused or is this just another poorly written message from them.

Good catch, thanks.

Dear Mr. Padgett; I am writing to express my concern regarding the latest changes that Disney, uh, Princess has made to the Plus and Premium Drink Packages including the higher cost and the removal of previously "no cost" items to the drink packages that are now at a cost. As I have reviewed these changes along with the ever-diminishing loyalty amenities, I find myself describing the current situation as "Mickey Mouse" like, and wondering if the person(s) who developed these changes and those that approved them are from another world, such as Pluto. These changes, which by the way seem to have started when a former Disney executive joined Princess, have caused many conversations among the most loyal of Princess cruisers and almost to a Tea cup, they agree that the diminished loyalty amenities and current changes are just plain Goofy. Things are so confusing that not even Buzz Light Year can keep up. Even Donald and Daisy can't Duck fast enough from all the disparaging comments. When the Pixie Dust settled, even Tinker Bell couldn't calm the masses. Although I have written this with tongue in cheek, I still find myself asking: Is the new goal of Princess to replace loyal cruisers with first time/family cruisers? Has the reduction of Elite in cabin amenities really reduced operation cost? Did anyone consider that charging a fee for room service will reduce the "tips" received by room service staff? Did anyone consider how adding a fee to previously free food venue would be accepted by cruisers? Did anyone consider grandfathering in those passengers who had already purchased drink packages? Why weren't ALL BOOKED PASSENGERS, regardless of whether or not they had purchased a drink package, informed of the changes, and here is the crucial words, before implementation? Luckily for most, we are no Dumbos and we can, with the help of Aladdin's lamp, see a very Frozen future for Princess. Sincerely, A very loyal Princess cruiser now sitting on the fence.

So glad it was located. Now relax and Sail Away!!

Wow. I sure hope they show up soon so that you can stop worrying.

Did you travel from the hotel in Miami with your luggage? From the picture you posted it looks like a marina just north of Miami.

That sounds Great and we'll be looking forward to your post. Have a good un.

blondcat, will you be doing some live posting once onboard the Adventure? We board on Sep 2d so would love some current information and or pictures. Thanks and have a great cruise!! 🥳

Samsung remote, HDMI cable and firestick. Call room steward!! Thanks.

I would love to do this but am not very tech savvy and don't know how to set it up. Someone tried to explain it to me but it was over my head.

Thanks. I'll start looking at what is available to download and hopefully, they will have some good choices on the big screen.

Apple TV here I come. Thanks.

Been a little while since sailing on RCCL. Can anyone advise the tv entertainment? Broadcast networks? Movies? etc. Trying to decide if I want to download a couple of movies for late night watching. Thanks

I think there are times we get bogged down in the weeds and forget the main issue. I believe that each passenger must decide for themselves if a drink package is the best value for them, but that isn't the main complaint here. The complaint is the way Princess has rolled this out. The complete lack of communication with booked passengers. And as far as loyalty, Princess has changed its attitude toward loyal passengers but that has been changing for several years now with the slow removal of amenities and I do believe there is more change coming. But all the cruise lines are doing the same. The problem comes in with the way its done. A webinar with TA's encouraging them to sell more drinks packages is not communicating with passengers. All it does is exactly what has happened here on Cruise Critic, confusion, debate and yes, sometimes rude and insulting comments, all of which, keeps us from discussing the real issue. My DW and I are very loyal to Princess but over the last year have had many issues with them concerning their advertising. Not long ago they sent out an advertisement that was worded in such a way a person would believe that by booking a certain cruise, the drink package was included. When trying to book the cruise, we were given a completely different price and told that the additional cost was for the drink package. After several emails and phone calls from well up the chain of command at Princess, it was agreed that their advertising was not worded properly. This is just one example of the poor communication between Princess and its loyal/potential clientele. We are not drinkers, alcohol or soda, and could never consume enough to make a drink package a "value". But each much decide for themselves. As far as Princess goes, well, like others here, we have been doing our research and determining what is best for our cruising future and have come to the realization that when considering everything, Princess may not be our next choice.

Well, I'll agree with you "as things are today". But, do away with the casino, specialty dinning, all the shops, bars, spa and so on, and operating cost go down. So really, its all relative.

Yea, don't think I'd go that far!! 🤮

day one: wear right side out; day 2: wear inside out; day 3: shower with them on, hang to dry.