peterhof

On 12/25/2023 at 4:46 PM, spunks said:

In over 60 Princess cruises I have NEVER had a cabin with tea/coffee making kettles.Perhaps the Suites do have them

 

I do have a question about the new policies. In the past we have always ordered coffee every morning from room service and there was never a charge( other than the nice tip we give to the delivery person). We have the plus package. Will we be charged every day for coffee delivery under the new policy?

Just to say, after asking our cabin steward, we got tea and coffee making gear in our cabin. Furthermore, Princess told me that all cruises on Sky Princess out of Southampton have tea/coffee facilities in EVERY cabin, so we are good for April and October next year too.

Princess room service, unless you are in a ‘full’ suite, is utter rubbish and comes cold and inedible. Suite passengers get a different room service menu and includes actual items from the MDR menu - like full English breakfast in the mornings, hot entries for lunch and the same MDR menu for dinner.

TIP if you are in a ‘Full’ suite and have the ‘Plus’ or ‘Premier’ package, is to frequently order spirits and beers via the Ocean Now delivery service to your cabin, which will restock your complimentary bar. Spirits etc will not be delivered in the glass, but it miniature bottles ! Beers and cokes etc will be delivered in cans - just like the free bar set up.

If you want a snack whilst on a shore excursion, order Danish pastries on the door knob breakfast order and bring some grease-proof bags from home.

Hi

We are on the Island Princess in October, after cruising on other lines since our last Princess cruise many years ago and never on any cruise that you can specify a 20 minute slot for dining.

Assuming we pre book a table for 7:20pm is it likely a table will be available and how long does each party have to finish their meal.

With set dinner settings, everybody in theory starts and ends together, but how on earth can they guarantee that a table will be available when booked? Do they rely on a percentage of bookings to be no shows, with passengers dining elsewhere?

What are folks experience with this ‘duck shoot’ system?

On 3/5/2023 at 12:33 PM, BamaVol said:

I have not been to the Coffee and Cones yet, and may not. There are rotating smoothie selections at the International Cafe. This morning, the fruit one is orange in color. There is another labeled banana that is a sort of cream color. And a third with no label is yellow. No green veggie like yesterday morning. Maybe later in the day. Loads of donuts though. 

Trouble is - there is no International Cafe on the Island Princess, so how can those that paid for the plus package receive what is advertised? Seems like post pandemic new staff in Head Office haven’t got a clue what they are doing and in the process upsetting lots of loyal customers.

Hi

my wife and I are on the Island Princess in October for a 14-Night Northern Lights cruise and we booked a year ago (July 2022). At that time the extras now included with the Princess plus package were not thought off.

When Princess announced the extras - ie 2 specialty deserts per day, unlimited juice bar and 2 free fitness lessons, they said they would not be given to already booked passengers, thus creating both a two tier package and lots of disgruntled loyal passengers. I also predicted at the time that this would be unworkable in practice. 
 

The latter it seems I was proved correct, as passengers are finding that the new package is being administered to all passengers having the plus package, no matter when they booked.

My question though is, it would seem the new package was designed with the newer larger ships in mind, so will we get all the benefits on the two smallest ships in the fleet. If so, in what bars and where are they?

Also, as we are cruising out of and back to Southampton, will all cabins still have tea/coffee making gear, including kettles, as before the pandemic?

Paul

6 minutes ago, malba2366 said:

 

I discussed this with my TA this morning when I had to call to make some other changes.  The TA told me Princess notified them that whoever has booked the beverage package at the previous pricing will receive what was included in the package at the time of booking.  So you will get to keep the pricing, but you would not get the new deserts and whatever other changes they made unless you pay to upgrade to that program.

That’s absurd - can you imagine the administrational nightmare that would cause?

1 hour ago, marden1970 said:

Thanks, ok for us, I watched a travel agent YouTube video.  She got an annoucment from Princess.  They are not grandfathering anyone in as far as the new add ons go,  not getting the fancy desserts, exercise classes etc.  You will have to upgrade to the new price if you want those.

That’s not what my TA says - anyhow, if that’s the case I want those drinks that are now higher than $12 reinstated. Of course everyone will get the same package! Could you imagine the mayhem that would ensue if they didn’t - will the medallions have “pre Dec 12th” and “after 12th “ designations attached - I THINK NOT

Just received this from my TA

10 hours ago, dog said:

Can you book through another country? Why?

We travel sometimes with our American pals and depending on the best price and also considering the £$ exchange rate, we book in the best country at the time

2 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Your price will not change.

 

The former Premier Beverage Package that you booked has been renamed the Plus Beverage Package and it is the selections within the Plus Beverage Package at the time you cruise you will get without an additional charge.

Can you direct me to the Princess statement that says this please, or are you a Princess spokes person?

35 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

 

 

That also works when they do downgrades to what you have purchased.

 

Those who booked the alcohol beverage package included when booking what is now called the Plus package only have the current included options, with a number of selection available before are now only available with the higher priced Premier package.

Sorry, that’s not the official Princess position. We booked our Oct 2023 Island Princess cruise in June this year. In August Princess changed their drinks package menus, which then applied to our booking. Under UK contract law Princess MUST honour both the price we booked at, with the same or above benefits, as we paid the Princess UK compulsory 30% non returnable deposit. I am confident that the upgraded packages will apply without any increase in price. Actually their original confirmation states this.

That may not be the same for passengers booked in North America, especially as your deposits, I understand are returnable for any reason, including change of mind.

For many years this has been a real niggle to UK customers and we have always wondered why American passengers are considered to be the preferential elite!

At last the boot is on the other foot!! Yeh

4 minutes ago, PRCO11N said:

I've read the thread about the cost of drinks but I don't see anyone including the 15% gratuity that is added when you buy a drink.  That is included on Princess  when you buy the package.  Not so on some other cruise lines.

 

Stay safe and well,

Captain Mark

They have now upped that to 18% gratuity

58 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

IMO, it is Princess doing the gaming.  They want you to book ASAP, which is one of the reasons they announce the increases in advance.  Princess does not want you to wait.  
 

I am confident that the additional (minor) enhancements will apply to those that booked before the price increase. 
 

 

I agree, especially in the UK, as on booking Princess now want 30% non returnable deposit per person!

12 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

It would have been very easy for the press release to have said that guests who have already purchased a future cruise that will set sail after February will automatically be upgraded to the new package…but it didn’t. It cannot have escaped them that this question would be reoccurring. Sometimes you have to read a lot into words that aren’t there.  Also, the new packages aren’t available for sale until 12/14. If the allow retroactive application (or at least announce retroactive application) people can game the system by booking now under the $50 per day price but getting all the benefits of the $60 package. Of course there is always time for them to change their minds. I think that a $10 per day upgrade option is coming for people who are already booked, or as a show of good will, they might announce a free upgrade. They just can’t advertise this now otherwise people will game the system and rush to book. 

With the state of family finances the way they are in the UK and the rest of Europe, nobody is booking cruises this side of the pond. Any incentive to book now seems the right one to me.

if the upgrade is not free for existing bookings, Princess could come a cropper and some folks may downgrade to standard!

On 12/2/2022 at 3:34 AM, JimmyVWine said:

We shall see, but I have a hard time believing that the MDR servers (or the program coders) are going to be bothered with trying to figure out if a diner has Plus_1.0; Plus_2.0; Premium_1.0 or Premium_2.0. Nothing in it for them. Much easier to grandfather in everyone who has a package. 

Your post infers that you assume that if you booked before the 14th December you would not be entitled to the new package benefits - do you know this to be a fact?

On 12/2/2022 at 3:03 AM, billco said:

Then why do you keep buying it?

Personally, I never thought drinks packages were ever good value for us, until my TA said at £40pppd for Premium plus, with gratuities paid and WiFi (one device) was very good value and we would be mugs not to take it. Apart from the financial saving, (considering also that we are only social drinkers), the convenience of knowing that our spending budget is boundless, drinkswise and all tips are covered (we will tip our cabin steward no doubt) makes for a more relaxed cruise. On top of this, as I understand it, if you have the packages, your drinks, including spa water, can be delivered direct to your cabin for free - plus snacks of course, or an ice cream sundae or two, perhaps with some strawberries!

On 12/1/2022 at 9:34 PM, Thrak said:

 

That information is included in this news release:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-enhances-value-with-exciting-new-offerings-to-all-inclusive-princess-plus-and-premier-packages-301691550.html

 

Now for just $60 per person per day, Princess Plus will give guests almost 60% off a retail value of $140 if components are purchased separately. The enhanced package includes the Plus Beverage Package, single device wi-fi plan and daily crew appreciation. Two premium crafted desserts and two fitness classes/day, unlimited juices, and free shipping of Medallions prior to cruises are the new additions to the Princess Plus package.

And with Princess Premier, inclusivity and value are taken to the next level. Guests receive up to $257 per day in total amenity value, if components are purchased separately, for just $80 per person per day, an almost 70% savings. Within the Princess Premier package guests will enjoy the Premier Beverage Package, four device wi-fi plan, daily crew appreciation, two nights of specialty dining, photo package, Princess Prizes, unlimited Premium crafted desserts, unlimited smoothies or juices, unlimited fitness classes, reserved seating in the Princess Theater and a complimentary Medallion accessory. 

With the “2 nights dining in a specialty restaurant” is that for any length of cruise? We are on a 14night cruise, so do we get the same as those on a 4 or 7 night cruise? Can you see what I’m getting at? Princess need to clarify all these anomalies me thinks

On 12/1/2022 at 6:43 PM, ChutChut said:

Don't count on getting them in the terminal either. I ordered customized wristbands and no one could find them in the terminal or on the ship. They did provide me with non-customized bands and gave me a substantial refund. Princess found them the 2nd day and delivered them to our cabin (this happened to many passengers). So now I have two wristbands (was provided the 2nd pair for free).

UK passengers, as we are, have no alternative but to get them at the terminal - anyhow, our postal system is broken because of planned strikes by the workers! Just to make folks aware if you are cruising out of Southampton in 2023, nearly every trade Union is planning strikes to get their members a pay rise!

On 12/1/2022 at 5:00 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

Available for bookings made after December 14th for sailings after February 20th 

Does that mean bookings made BEFORE December 14th don’t receive the extras and get the Aug 2022 drinks package beverage menu? Lot of extra work for crew and admin if that’s their plan

On 12/1/2022 at 3:27 PM, voljeep said:

Two premium crafted desserts, two smoothies or juices, two fitness classes and free shipping of Medallions prior to cruises are the new additions to the Princess Plus package.

For those booked on 2023 and later cruises with Premium Plus packages, does their cruise price increase? If so, surely Princess have broken the cruise line to passenger contract?

11 hours ago, livylotte said:

 

Absolutely.  We have just booked a guarantee balcony on Explorer from Southampton in August for a ridiculously low price. 

 

We've already had a cruise this year but couldn't say no to this.  Yes, it's an old ship but we can live with that!  And bonus - we've been given a spacious balcony cabin in a location I would have probably have picked (Midship deck 8 near the lifts).  Final payment is 5 days away yet there are still dozens and dozens of balcony cabins available. 

 

Even identical cruise excursions are cheaper than those offered on our recent Oasis cruise in May.  The drinks package is not cheaper sadly - but that's probably because there are more sea days on this itinerary - I'll keep checking on that one!

 

I do think that UK Indy in particular was priced very high for this year and next year and we certainly would not have paid that kind of money.  I am not surprised the UK cruisers have not been booking.  I don't think it's all down to Brexit  -  I think its partly because RC has been greedy and priced itself out of the market.

It’s a combination of factors, apart from Brexit another one is that RCL have allowed their standards to fall, as far as older passengers are concerned, Still great for families and young couples, who think it’s fun to rough it, like going to a music festival, but us oldies in the UK don’t look forward to a carnival parade every night and having to fight our way along the ship (Royal Promenade) to get a cup of coffee!

21 hours ago, agslc5 said:

I 100% agree with you.. I have been on 52 Royal Caribbean cruises and I think the MDR is terrible.. I buy the Unlimited dining plan for every cruise and boy am I happy I do.. Like you said the food is so much better and I have a much better time.. I say go for it. you already know you like the restaurants so do it and be happy. 

Well yes and no - yes because we want to eat nice food when on vacation every evening, but no as we would then not meet new people on the huge ships. Also, why should we have to do that anyway - surely Berlitz, when rating food on ships do so dependent on the quality related to the basic cruise package. With Cunard, the quality of food served depends on the grade of cabin you are in, but with RCL and others, you get the same food no matter what cabin you occupy - or have I got that wrong?

36 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Sorry but they do not add salt to the water.  The reason that you get swelling is not salt added to the water but a combination of heavily salted foods and the fact that as you stated they remove all minerals from the water.  The absence of potassium can cause your legs and ankles to swell.

Utter rubbish - Salt (sodium) is definatey added to desalinated cruise ship water, along with clorine, believe it or not!

10 hours ago, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

why would anyone carry on water when it is free on board? I have always wondered this and why people bring food on. 

The water dispensed from any tap on board, which includes the copious amount served by the assistant waiter during dinner, is all desalinated sea water.

The onboard desalination plant does just that - it takes out all the salt in the water and any impurities as well. However, the resultant liquid is undrinkable, being bitter and very bland. Therefore, certain chemicals, including sodium (salt) are added - the trouble is that every onboard desalinated water I have tested contains a huge amount of salt, way above the daily recommended safe intake for anybody that has medical problems, such as a heart complaint.

The onboard water is also one of the main reasons that passengers ankles swell up.

The bottled water we drink and take on a cruise is Highland Spring, which has a low 5.6 sodium content. The desalinated water I have tested has a reading of over 50.

We recently disembarked from the Indy (May 2019) after not cruising with RCL for the last eight years, and were disappointed by the obvious drop in standards of both food and wait staff in the main dining room. Just to give it a try, we booked a 3-meal pre-cruise dining package and boy are we glad we did - so much so that we are contemplating buying the 'All cruise night package, which includes specialty lunches on sea days and even dining in more than one restaurant each night!!, for our 6-night cruise on Explorer in October. The price seems a bargain, however, we a) like to dine on a large table and meet new friends and b) have worries that by the end of the cruise we would not be able to fit into our clothes!

The difference in food quality comparing the MDR to Chops and Geovani's Table is like comparing a cart horse to a thoroughbred race horse and way wider that the last time we cruised with RCL.

Does anyone else agree with me?

This depends on a lot of factors - i.e. your Crown & Anchor club status, whether RCL are having trouble selling cabins, the actual ship (the larger the ship the better), the price you booked at, date of the cruise.

For instance - this year (2019) in the UK, because of the 'Brexit' factor and worries that folk may loose their jobs, RCL have been having a terrible job selling cabins on all the Southampton based cruises, especially those before and after the summer school break. No matter what RCL have said to the contrary, this is the reason that they are not sending the Independance of the Seas to the UK in 2020 - much to the shagrine and annoyance of loyal UK customers.

RCL and many of the other cruise lines (Celebrity, P&O, Princess, MSC, Cunard etc.) send me daily emails advertising special offers etc. In April (2019) RCL sent me an email about the upcoming UK based cruises and I was astounded how cheap they were. Although we have never done this before, we booked two cruises using the Guaranteed Balcony grade. Previously we have booked well in advance and chosen the cabin we thought was good for us (near lifts etc).

The first was on the Independence of the Seas in early May (2019) and the other on the Explorer of the Seas in early October. Both of the cruises were being discounted at over 50% off at that time.

We are Diamond status Crown & Anchor members, having sailed with RCL many times.

It took a few weeks to be declared what cabins we would be in and for both e had been upgraded to a spacious delux balcony grade - the October one has a superb location on Deck 7 near the midships lifts, the May one was further towards the rear, but still very much ok. To be honest, the October cruise location is right where I would have chosen myself, so I am well pleased.