Wishing on a star

Sorry... bumping, just in case...

My only thing would be a cabin that high and that far forward.... MoTioN..... This might be where you would feel any motion the most. We had to move to a cabin on Deck 15 forward (REGAL) as our son was able to join us, and by then the availability was limited. Some high winds on that cruise... Deck 17 closed.. et. Whoa!

The refunding process is the one big drawback to these cards.... And, I can see how they do not want people to buy up a lot of OBC that might not get used up. We paid a good amount on a cruise, and then, of course a good promo rate/drop came along. We couldn't re-book, and use those cards, because they can take days/weeks to process those refunds. If you ALWAYS have a next cruise to use the cards for, then that might not be a problem. But, as we know, the way things were, one didn't know when and if and how they might be cruising again.

We got the promo email, and it looks like the OBC has been increased from $50pp on short cruises, $100. for one week.. and could be double that. However, it does say not all cruises have this offer, and it is for new bookings. Has anyone here been able to take advantage of this offer? Online, I am wondering if this is working right? Our cruise shows up when I click thru the email, but no sign of OBC?

Mary... there are a LOT of big changes to the layout that we are used to. The Horizon Court is not up on a higher deck. That is one big change. You really should take some time to look over the deck plans!

yes dides... I am not thinking that it actuall goes out OVER the Sanctuary... But, it certainly is right there, above and behind !

Darn... no offer... Anyhow, I am thinking maybe if you click on travel offers, even if you probably will not use them.. the more you do that, the better the odds? I wish there was a back-door.. I used that in the past!

I am going to check our AMEX cards... I am afraid that ours will not have the offer. There used to be a way, we called it the 'back door', to go directly to this offer, even if it is not already on your card. I wonder if anything like this might work?

I am really looking forward to the new ship... Bring out the SUN! I don't know if this has been mentioned here... But one change (among a few others) that I might wonder about is that PARK 19 is perched just above/overlooking the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is my Princess 'thing'. If there is any awareness of this 'PARK' while enjoying the Sanctuary, this could be a design flaw. It is bad enough that they could not find a way to have the Signature Sun Deck without taking wake view from the Sanctuary. We had to cancel Europe, and will be on the first U.S. sailing. With (hopefully) no numbers of Back-to-Back cruisers on this one, I am crossing my fingers that we will get the Sanctuary bookings that we want.

I have enjoyed your trip report, vicariously being back on the REGAL ! We have always loved the Regal Princess! I see a new Captain onboard, and some changes to the menus. You posted... "I was very happy that I had lots of time to rest. I would like to take the mattress home with me because it's so comfortable. " Unfortunately, on our last sailing, in a cabin on deck 8, our mattress was just incomprehensible. We had been assured, after an old mattress on a prior sailing, that all beds on Regal had finally been changed out. ( Regal was supposed to be the last ship to get new ones, years ago, before the pandemic. Wow.) Ours, definitely, was not changed at all. It was BAD. Insufferable. I wonder if Princess has finally made sure that ALL CABINS have new mattresses?

You might want to go for a mid-ship, lower deck, for an Atlantic Crossing. An inside cabin on the Ruby is showing: $974.00 taxes and port $255.00 TOTAL $2458.00 An Ocean View (mid-forward) is showing: $1572.00 $255.00 TOTAL $3654.00

I will post again, and tell you three of the things that I enjoy on Princess... 1. The 'vibe'... If you are traveling in January, there will be very few kids and younger adults onboard. Especially on Princess. Also, the whole Princess 'vibe' might be different than many Carnival cruises. 2. The Piazza - The Princess concept of the Piazza, as a centralized common area with bars, food (the International Cafe and the coffee-shop) , Vines, an adult vibe entertainment, etc... Is something that is notable. 3. We enjoy the Sanctuary... It truly is a comfortable and adult and more 'quiet' oasis. Note... there is a reasonable charge for this. This is booked first-come first-served... so those with perks (like suite and elite) will be able to book up the loungers.. You should board as early as possible and go immediately and directly up to the Sanctuary to see if there is availability.

I would almost always want to cruise Princess over Carnival. BUT... there are so many factors. Perhaps you could narrow it down to a couple of SHIPS and ITINERARIES. You might want to do that first, so that you can compare the two, and try to avoid comparing apples to oranges. Which ships are doing the itinerary? (Ruby has not been getting great reviews, and I heard from a good friend who did Alaska over the summer, that, like many reviews, the dining was just not that great... even a different menu than the other standard Princess offerings.) So, look at the ships and itineraries. New ship? Old ship? Big ship? Small ship? ( why am I sounding like Dr. Zeuss!!! hahaha!) You are probably trying to cruise Hawaii on a budget... and you mention 'best deal'... Know that you will not see what the BEST deal is until you factor in which cabin category, which dining and beverage options are available at what costs... etc. Cruising is not so much 'inclusive' as it used to be!

Ohhhh, I would feel plenty sad and disappointed to have to cancel a cruise that I was looking forward to!!! 😢

To answer the above question, in my post I mention that this is based on videos and images of 360' that are out there, online Sorry for any confusion!

This needs to be ironed out. It sounds like this is more than a 'how to order' issue. If they are going to double charge a couple's account for sharing a pizza, that is a problem. 'SHARING' should apply to somebody who has paid for a package, of any kind, sharing to provide for another guest who has NOT purchased a package. If this is two people in the same cabin, with the same package, to DOUBLE CHARGE the PLUS account is kind of ridiculous. Would Princess actually prefer that guests order TWO full meals that they will not be able to eat, and then they have lost revenue because they have blatant waste? I would venture to say that MANY couples share that pizza. You have paid for that package. You are NOT sharing to provide for somebody who has not paid for a package. Has Princess gone nuts, completely OVERBOARD with this nickle and dime strategy, to the point that even those who have paid for packages are being 'overcharged'.

Thanks! Yes, that is what I thought... Sharing the one included WIFI package might work out well for couples who can share the device, or one can log off, and the other can then log on. But, that might not work as well for many. Especially friends or family who are not a 'couple'. So, this is good to clarify for this poster. Booking with the PLUS package might work out well for them. But perhaps, since one sister enjoys adult beverages, which makes booking with PLUS a greater value, she might get her own WIFI for her phone/device. I do not know if she would be open to that idea, to work it out for the best for both of you? One can sign up for WIFI when they board the ship. Here is the current info on purchasing WIFI : Guests can choose to bundle unlimited Wi-Fi (along with other perks) with their cruise with Princess PLUS fares. MedallionNet Wi-Fi is also available for purchase in the MedallionClass® app starting at $14.99 per day USD pre-cruise for a single-device. If you booked PLUS and did it this way, It might still come out better than booking without PLUS, and each one paying everything as they go. Or better than the sister booking a drink package separately, and then still paying gratuities, etc. The Drink Package separately shows $64.99 per day. (which is more than the PLUS package, and does not include WIFI or perks) So, to book with PLUS, and then to purchase WIFI still might be better than booking without PLUS and then , later, paying separately to add Drink Package, WIFI, and Gratuities, etc . It all comes out in the math.

Welcome!!!! I am sure that this has already added to your confusion!!!! I would agree that booking the cabin, with both of you on the PLUS package might be the easy way to go. And, yes, you could easily break even. The PLUS package will cover gratuities as well as covering dining at venues like Alfredo's. ( Which is highly recommended, best pizza onboard ) Juices, mocktails, coffee and specialty coffees, bottled water, soda, etc... those can add up. Ohhhh, perhaps with the big specialty desert sundae, even if you don't want that, just have them do that, as an included item, and just give you the scoops of ice cream/gelato. So, even without PLUS or a separate beverage package, you could enjoy the gelato, and the charge for that would be covered. ( I believe that I have heard of people doing that ) I believe that, otherwise, tap water, tea, lemonade, and the basic coffee in the dining rooms, are covered. One note: I might be wrong, but WIFI with PLUS only covers one device per cabin??? Can any of you experts give details. If this is true, what would it take for one of these ladies to purchase WIFI ?

SCX, This is ONE venue on a huge ship, one of many. Why would every single venue or area have to look exactly the same. As I also just said recently, about the plans for the Signature area at the Sanctuary, and the current lack of any other adult access retreat area for any other guests... Princess knows EXACTLY what they are doing. I think that their deafening silence on this concern is very telling. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the purpose and planning that goes into these plans. Just as with SHARE and Curtis Stone... there will be a contract. It will last as long as Princess negotiates, based on the demand... And, then, at some point, during a major dry-dock, the facade could be replaced. In fact, it has probably already been designed as a 'facade' that can easily be taken down and changed. I guess I do not understand to objection to the design of one venue... One that is not a part of the overall cruise experience, like main dining rooms and dining venues, the theater, etc... In fact, there is a danger to every single area and theme being the same basic corporate visualization. Not everyone will like the theme... Not everyone will like any given detail. That is the way it goes.

I will say that I do not know if I am impressed by the new 360' experience. Most of the video effects seem so basic and 'general'... While I, like most, have not see this new venue, what I am seeing online seems basic and lackluster???? Perhaps someone here can give better insight and description?

I don't know why one would be concerned with the look/feel of the venue. It was designed that way!!!! It is supposed to be like a castle... which is mystical and not brand new. I can see the whole vibe of the old time, magical thing. Seems the cocktails are to be like magical elixers. It isnt supposed to look bright and clean and modern. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a new bright and clean and modern feel to the main public areas, my cabin, etc. That is what I look for! But, this is a specific 'experience'. I like that they put so much design and detail into the venue.

Yes, we have always loved REGAL... Enjoy!

A disclaimer here. I have NO problem with kids. Just entitled parents raising entitled children. I know that all it takes is one or two families who are entitled to ruin an experience for everyone else. Our last cruise was off season, not when families usually travel, kids back in school, etc... ONE family and their young ( 5 year old ) daughter thought that the main floor in the Piazza was completely and totally their entitled child's playground. EVERY evening. Completely running amok... even interfering with the evening entertainment. It was the Princess pre-school day care club. : ( It was the same experience at one upscale golf resort. Even during off-season. It has become inescapable.

I too wonder about the Sanctuary, the Suite area that is along with the Sanctuary, the pool at this area, and the lack of an open adult only retreat area. Make no mistake.... Princess is aware of this. in a MAJOR way. Their deafening silence is NOT a good omen. Do they not realize that the lack of any adult only area is gonna be a HUGE factor, and end up costing them loyal customers. I believe that they know this well and good. They are banking on filling these ships with Carnival cruisers. Uggggghhhhh : (

Don't ask me to remember which one! Hahahaha! But, it will be one of the two main dining rooms that are mid-ship, off the Piazza.