jennybenny

Wanted to come back and share how things turned out. Ship documentation said we'd be there by 6 AM, but we left La Spezia late because a couple of people were running late. Not even sure they made it on, but we left about 1.5-2 hours later than expected and still made it to Civitavecchia early. However, they would not let anyone disembarking the ship (getting off the cruise) off until 7 AM, and that is when we were released to walk off-EXACTLY at 7 AM. For In Transit passengers or passengers on Princess excursions, they were allowed to walk off around 6:30 AM, but only they were allowed. It was a nail biter for about 15 minutes. I was worried about the short wait window for the pick up. Our private pick up was on time (we booked through Bob's Limousine, but our pick up was from Colosseum Travel-Bob's charged the deposit and the second charged the remainder on the credit card). We were around the first to walk off for disembarking passengers, and we had to wait a few minutes for our driver who arrived at 7:10 (we booked 7:15 AM pick up and the driver would only wait until 7:30 AM). Since our prior port was in Italy and we disembarked in Civitavecchia there was ZERO passport control to go through. We just walked off with our own bags and off we went-easiest disembarkation EVER. The drive to the port, on a Saturday morning at 7:15 AM, was easy and fast. Got there in about 45 minutes. FCO is a BIG airport, bigger than I had remembered. We flew into it last year, I just hadn't been paying much attention then because we picked up our bags and got a taxi to our hotel that time. Once at the airport, we did self check-in for our bags on Ryanair and went to check out the airport. There are a lot of places to eat at FCO. We did Eataly, but I wish I had kept walking as there were sit down restaurants that looked less hectic after we ate. We waited for them to announce our gate and headed over to it. Lined up early because we had backpacks and were in the front row of our flight and didn't want to have to walk backwards to get our bags. We had A LOT of time at the airport beforehand. Probably could have done a later pick up, but with the changed flight, I felt more comfortable just getting to the airport early.

I second what @skynightsaid. There is time for a new passport, just get a new one. I had to get an emergency passport when I ran out of pages, and that process was surprisingly easy. Luckily I was in able to do this in Dallas and I easily got an appointment in the window allowed before travel. I didn't try from my home state, if you renew now, you should be OK.

I understand what you are saying, but I have not heard of anyone getting any compensation for it not being available. I could see some people complaining, and maybe getting something, but personally I don't have the kind of negative energy to do that. If they gave everyone $25 credit for it not being available, what would do to the bottom line? Some people would be happy because they hadn't planned on using it anyway, but then those that were relying on it would want FAR MORE. There is no making anyone happy and I don't see Princess doing anything compensation wise.

Too costly. Too many people to give compensation to.

Make sure you get that crew appreciation refunded if you get the Plus package. Don't double pay gratuities.

We have always added a package. We drink enough coffee, and water, and drinks to make it OK. We've never made it to the 15 maximum (without some error, both drinks added to one person's account, errors from others, etc), and now with the Plus and Premier, that include gratuities, wifi, if feels like a no brainer. Our upcoming cruise is the FIRST TIME we have not gotten the kids a package. They just don't drink enough water, coffee and mocktails to make it worthwhile. It may be a break even, but they don't NEED Wifi, and they don't drink. It's a test. If we break even, we will pay for the package next time,but if we save, we won't

Correct. I never got an email that it was on the way. It's going to be at the port. It's about when I should be charged.

We had our medallions set for port pick up. I had previously seen that they had been ordered. All of a sudden the APP said that I had not ordered them, if I tried it was too late (close to sailing). However, I ordered accessories so the credit card was charged and if I log into the app via the web version, it says they will be picked up at port, which is what we wanted. It's confusing. and annoying

Really?! They are charging gratuity on dining now?! wow!!

Are the casual options open for lunch? Sea days? all days? Just curious. Thank you, Jenny

Thanks for sharing this. That is a costly dump of space and reengineering for new whatever. Too bad Princess. If it was not built "to code" is this a fail on the shipyard?

No, I was just responding to what he had posted. It was my reaction to the notification.

Hi Dides, I didn't post it, @Thrak did. No idea

The pre cruise experience is horrendous!! I mean, PRINCESS GET IT TOGETHER!!! We had pre ordered our medallions for pick up at the port. Ordered accessories as well. I just checked today as our cruise is in 11 days, and the Princess app is saying we didn't order our medallions and we can pick them up at the port. I'm annoyed. First we couldn't make reservations, that dumb park 19 isn't operational (I thought MAYBE the kids would be interested), and now this. If the experience on board is great, I will be happy, but this pre cruise experience is enough to make any new comer never want to cruise with Princess again. I am beyond frustrated and annoyed by Princess. We are two elite passengers and 2 platinum, and this could very well be our last cruise with Princess.

Thank you @Leo37, this is just what I was looking for about the Sun princess! We are doing the same itinerary in a couple of weeks and our main goal is enjoying the ship. A couple of questions, if you get a chance. What time did you arrive to the Barcelona port for boarding? Why was Genoa your favorite? Did you do a tour that you enjoyed your you just enjoy touring the Cathedral? Was it easy to get to the Old Port in Marseille? We were planning on getting a taxi, as I wasn't sure it would be a safe walk. Thank you and I love the details on the ship and your experience.

Well, it's official.... a complete redo before it was even used!! Nice to finally see it officially announced.

I can't imagine that happening. The perks are already diluting I don't see them looking to spread the wealth among lines

Sounds fun! We totally would have done something like that.

That’s disappointing to hear.

The package covers gratuity, wifi and drinks. We have the Premier package on our suite booking in August. If wifi I is important to you and you do some moderate drinking, the price covers itself. There are other things included with Premier, for example, the unlimited casual dining. there are all kinds of discussion on that on cruise critic. We have traditionally gotten the drink packages on our cruises. This will be our first since covid, with premier. Premier vs plus- I'm not sure yet if we must keep doing premier vs plus. The question of it being worth it, depends on your likes.

We booked through our PVP and he could have added the package to the kids in our room but we chose to not add it for them because they don’t drink alcohol and gratuities and soda aren’t enough to make it worth paying for the package for them. I think it was going to be $1000 for both. This will be the first cruise they don’t have a pacakage. We will see how it turns out but even if they drank a few sodas a day, I think we are fine. They are athletes, they aren’t going to eat/drink junk. I think worst case scenario is they spend the $500 each but I don’t see that happening.

@ISABELLAyes, I could see them ruining jeans 😥

It looks like an eye sore. I won't be sad if they end up no adding to the Star, and if they remove it in a retrofit on the Sun (already?! lol). I thought my kids would think it was cool, but they may have aged out. They haven't commented anything about it and we are going on the Sun in August.

@Mud_Shark We LOVE the Royal class ships. Going on the Sun in August. I'm curious how we will like it.However, we've never have a bad cruise, so there is that...

We are doing medallion pick up in Barcelona. Anyone have experience with that wait time?