smelmel

1 hour ago, GoDucksNation said:

I did it once, but had to do it over the phone with someone prior to the cruise. It’s easier just to do it once you get on the ship. 

Thanks! So it can be done - since I booked through my TA, I’ll have her do it!

Also, can Princess gift cards be added to my account, as OBC, prior to getting on the ship?

20 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Found a fun graphic -  While a jacket is not required the graphic says more than 1,000 words

 

Love your graphic - we just booked our first cruise with Celebrity on Beyond  - have been loyal to Princess & it seems like “chic nights” on Celebrity is what we wore every night (except on formal nights) on Princess - so, what is considered acceptable for regular nights?  

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

The 18% is baked in there.  However, we are not privy to how much of a PLUS fare of $60, PCL allocates to Crew Appreciation, MedallionNet and the beverages.  I think I would be safe to state that the full amount ($16 typically) for CA gets removed and allocated to the pool.  That leaves $44.  I would hazard a guess that they devalue the amount for MedallionNet, but I have no earthly idea.  Anyway, they could be backing out 18% from approximately $40 beverage package allocation.

 

If they were generous to the max, they would use the regular bar price for every beverage ordered by a Plus package holder and allocate the 18% to the pool.  In this case, they would be allocating a LOT to the pool for many guests and probably destroying any profit margin.

 

Perhaps, they expect regular drinkers to tip an extra dollar or two for the bar staff.  Otherwise, the bar staff are better off if guests didn't have a package.  But that is just wild speculation as we don't know the calculations and such (not our business).  But PCL will be donating a certain amount for each Plus and Premier package to the bar pool as well as the CA pool.

I thought that the 18% gratuity was already included with the plus & premium packages but Thrak’s (post #6) caused me to question myself.   
 

it would be nice if the pool did receive the full 18% but we really don’t know

4 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

No, the gratuity is included in the Plus or Premium packages.  No need to tip twice.

Thank you! 

14 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

You are already automagically charged an 18% gratuity on every drink you order...

An 18% gratuity is charged to your on board account  even if you have one of the packages (plus or premium)?  

10 minutes ago, Coral said:

Though I think good agents have multiple windows open so that once the cabin is released in one window, they quickly grab it in the new booking in another window.

I will definitely talk to my new agent about this - Thanks!

3 minutes ago, Ombud said:

As to whether a TA or only CVP can do this .... no idea. I only use a CVP. Perhaps someone else can answer that part

In the past, I’ve been told (by an agent I no longer use) that the current booking has to be released in order to free-up the cabin & in the time it takes to rebook, the cabin can be gone (we like aft balconies, deck 10-12- not many choices available) 

20 hours ago, Ombud said:

You can refare / rebook up to final payment date if a better deal comes along as long as you pick your own room (no guarantee bookings) and book a refundable fare. I always pick my own and forego the $50 pp savings. (Thats $50 total not $50 per day)

 

Is there a chance of losing your selected cabin when rebooking? Would any TA be able to do this or only a Princess agent? TIA

Thank you for taking us along on your cruise!  We are on the Emerald in November (our first since 12/19) & my excitement got a boost thanks to your review.

4 hours ago, pmallen said:

No idea, but I'll try to check.

No worries if you don’t - not going to be a deal breaker 

Thanks for the “live” review - hoping to be on the Emerald in November. 

I do have a question for you - can you tell me where in the Princess Theater is the reserved seating (Premier Pkg)? Is it reserved by your name/cabin, so you can show up 10 minutes before showtime & have a seat or is it a group of seats & you have to arrive 30-40 minutes before showtime? thanks & Enjoy your cruise!
 

12 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Of course one of my brand new, completely updated, full size, super powered, Vortex vacuum cleaners, just imported from China, is waiting to wing its way to you via Amazon, the river of course!  

 

Unless you would prefer one of my unique and exotic leis made by my own fair hand, from specially flown in orchids.

 

Just let me know your choice.. 

 

 

Oh my, such decisions 😜 Ellie, surprise me 😎

 

2 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

🎶 “I got lines on my lips, Spanx on my hips

and a jar of under eye cream.

I’m acting up, in my underwire cup

And I don’t care what my kids think!

I need no permission, did I mention

it’s too late for wrinkle prevention!”  🎶

 

I’ve been traveling along quietly & enjoying your writings. We did this cruise 3 yrs ago out of San Francisco on the Crown & loved every minute of it. 

I am a Beyonce fan - this was a parody of “All the single ladies”  sung by Anita Renfroe - “All the wrinkle ladies”
 

19 minutes ago, nini said:

It is helpful to go to the Princess website and look at the

deck plans for the ship in which you are interested.

The larger aft balconies for the Sky are on the following decks:

Dolphin, Baja, Riviera, Marina. Then I search for aft photos on the

ship in question. On the Royal, the covered/ partially covered aft balconies

are on the Dolphin and Baja decks.

All good advice - thanks! 
The photos that Lew posted & one I found of the Majestic (below) really helped us to decided which cabin would be best for us.

This is the Majestic - your cabin B737 is one the with the 2 blue chairs, one deck below where the men are standing & on the right 

These photos helped me when I was asking the same questions about the aft balconies - 

first photo is the Royal & 2nd is the Sky - both sister-ships of Majestic

6 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

do all aft suites on all decks suffer from soot issues?

We had an AFT facing suite on the Emerald & had no problem at all with soot. Not sure if we were just lucky or if it's more of an issue with the newer Royal Class ships.

19 minutes ago, SDWalt said:

Be forewarned, we had an aft Penthouse Suite on the Royal last year.  It was totally unusable due to all the soot from the exhaust stacks.  So having the awesome balcony was pretty worthless for us.

You might fare better if you have a great room steward who is consistently cleaning it off.  Our's wasn't very good.  I did see on decks below us that the steward was out there every day wiping off the railing; not sure if they were cleaning the furniture or the deck floor too.

Good luck!

Good to know, I haven't read much about the soot issues lately - I know when the Regal & Royal 1st came out it was a very hot topic.

24 minutes ago, -Lew- said:

Is is the Royal...Sky should be identical...

 

In your photo it looks like Baja 36, 38, 39, & 37 are partially covered - which is what I want  -  I like your photo!

Looking at this photo - the sky doesn't look the same as the royal- maybe it's just the angle or I've been staring at it too long 😉  The 1st deck with balconies is Emerald, Dolphin, Caribe (it looks like these balconies do not have any coverage) & then Baja . The Baja deck looks to be totally covered, but I didn't think it was - hoping someone with a better photo or who has stayed in one of these cabins will chime & let me know for sure.

Thanks everyone for you input!

3 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

Cruise Deckplans says that those balconies are open to view from above, so I think no coverage.

Just now, Sea Hag said:

I take that back. I agree with reedprincess. I'm seeing a pic on Cruise Deckplans of B737 on the Royal that shows partial shade. It would be the same on the Sky.

It's not very clear, that's why I was questioning. I know the Royal & Sky are sister  Royal class ships but not sure they are identical.

2 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

They will have a partial covering from deck above. Partial covered, partial uncovered.  

 

Thank you, thank you!  That's what I was hoping for - a larger balcony that is partial covered. I was on the Sky last December & booked a deluxe balcony on the Caribe deck & was very disappointed on the size of the balcony. 

I am trying to find a photo of Aft facing (D4) Cabins on Baja deck, without any success. I know goggle is my friend but can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Are these cabins (B 736, 738, 739, 737) partially covered by over hang, totally covered or no coverage from the above deck (Aloha)? Would appreciate any info on these balconies - Thanks!

 Your sense of humor & style of writing made for an enjoyable morning read but it should come with a warning - "drinking while reading may result with spillage" - Thanks for the review.

I'm on the Emerald this year for the holidays & will stay clear of Rene in the MDR!