Wishing on a star

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.

I see that you posted 'How do I look at the inventory'.... Just act like you are booking a cruise. Let's say Balcony Cabin... then select the different categories and sections of the ship to see how many, if any, are available for you to select. Or, if it only offers Guarantee. It does take a few minutes. But, can be done. And, this is only useful after Final Payment Date, and close to sailing, when GTY bookings are assigned and the bidding process starts. Especially with the bidding for upgrade, then a lot of people could move up to a better category, then some GTY bookings could be moved up to fill those cabins.... It is an ongoing and never ending thing now... So, there really is no way to know with any confidence.

It can be impossible to know until close to sailing. If you are getting close to Final Payment Date, and many or most categories are still showing a number of cabins available, then that can be an indicator. If the number of cabins booked, plus the number of guarantees booked, are getting close to the number of cabins available, then the Princess web-site will ONLY show Guarantee, and no specific cabin selection. I have seen a sailing that did show some cabins available at Final Payment Date.. but the ship quickly filled up with last minute promotions. Truthfully, if it is the way it always was, and back to pre-pandemic, then most all cruises are sailing pretty much full. Our last cruise was the exception, at only about 60%... it was wonderful!!!! No scrambling for dining, theater seats, etc. Of course, that meant that they chose the sailing to shut down and renovate the Adult Retreat Pool. (my favorite) But, the weather turned chilly anyhow.

I agree with the earlier post about an adult retreat area... First, they took most of it away and totally enclosed it with MORE cabins. it wouldn't surprise me at all if the next step is NO complementary adult area onboard. I too would find this to be a HUGE problem. I would plan on booking the Sanctuary, but that is already an issue, as it can be booked up minutes or hours after boarding is open. Good luck trying to find availability even when boarding early/priority, because lack of any other adult area would make demand for the Sanctuary even much greater than spaces available. PRINCESS, we hope you please address this issue!

I have always loved the Regal... Enjoy! Compared to the Sky, we love the open Adult Retreat Pool area. Which is closed in on the Sky. The entertainment in the Atrium will vary. Some nights will be more low key. Some might have a bigger 'louder' event. These are not the norm. But we have enjoyed a couple of livelier 'rock' events that happened to be presented. These will be at the later, 9:00 pm or so, hour. They will not be at the pre-dinner or dinner time. Crooners is right there, of course, so Crooners will alternate thru the evening with the entertainment in the Piazza. Check the schedules and listings onboard.

I don't know about the UK, here in the US there might be some discount, or not. As mentioned, have to pull it up without being logged in. Then log in and see what happens.

What do you all think about the Lavazza? Hoping it is good coffee! But, we are 'smooth' Dunkin' people, so...

Also note: If one wants a larger balcony, then you would want to book a PREMIUM Deluxe balcony... some located on the mid-ship sphere bumpout. And, there are a few regular Deluxe balconies on that mid-ship bumpout that have larger balconies. Or, some of the CABANA Mini-suites have larger balconies. For those wanting to book a regular Deluxe Balcony that has a slightly larger balcony, look at some of these cabins on deck 10.

In the mini-suites, you do get more space, plus foot rest for the balcony chairs. Mini suites on Princess ships have had a bathtub, not just the stand in shower, as well as an actual small dining table on the balcony. But, as far as we can tell at this time... those things are no longer in the Mini's. For the RESERVE mini-suites, I believe that there will be an actual, separate Reserve dining restaurant. SIGNATURE mini-suites will have their Signature sun deck and the separate Signature restaurant.

The cove balconies are the ones you see, on the lower decks, where the balcony is enclosed by the exterior walls/framework of the ship. Because these are on lower decks, and are more enclosed to protect from the sea, they will have a reinforced regular door, not the sliding glass door. If a ship were to ever encounter some rough conditions, the staff will close a protective door OVER your balcony door, from the outside. That will totally block any exterior view. There are other ships out there that do have cove balconies. Look for the carnival ships or the Iona. There are videos out there, where you can get an idea just what the Princess Cove Balconies will be like.

To this poster... Yes, usually it is always best to go ahead and book. Just make sure that you know that the deposit is a refundable deposit. The number of desireable cruises and cabins will usually go up in price. I wouldn't want to wait for any last minute 'sale'. The promos always change. Usually they are not that much difference. If traveling with more than two in the cabin, a 'third and fourth passenger" sale would be worthwhile. We recently re-fared, as a specific promo came along with a so-called 'up to 50%' instead of the 'up to 40%'... We lost some perks, but did come out slightly ahead. If you have to cancel and do a whole new booking, then know that any perks that you had might not be included in the new promo. When it comes to things like perks, and the PLUS or Premier Package, one always has to do the math.

When the latest promo went online, we contacted our TA, and were able to get a slight fare decrease on our booking on the SUN. Not much, but anything helps!