wallyj

On 7/14/2024 at 12:11 PM, PATRLR said:

Nah, you'd have to see the discussion above the question that you can see in my picture above.  There is no question that I was asking about not seeing any form of acknowledgement of the Prizes play when I went through the door.   Also, previous replies in that chat did tell me to check the App at the end of the day to see if I won anything.   I'm not in a position right now to grab those screen shots and they might have some personal info if I did.  Plus, my experience is that nothing at all is displayed when I enter the room. (except the "P" in the upper right corner).

My last experience with Princess prizes was in June on the Enchanted, the P is still being displayed in the upper right corner of your door panel and you got messages of Better luck Next Time or Try again later when you have Maxed your entries for the 24hr rolling time period. I also saw flashes of the prize you won.

Now I am on Emerald Princess for 8/11-28 sailing. We were delayed leaving BOS because of refueling issues and stayed in BOS an extra day to get this completed. Since we were in port, the Casino did not open till after 6pm on day2. My door panel was not displaying the P, I went to GS to enquire. Was told once Casino opens, enrollment to Prizes should be automatic. When I came back from dinner I saw the P in the upper right corner of the door panel. So I tapped my Medallion to see if any Prizes messages would appear. I believe my first 5 tries, no messages. Finally, I did receive a Better Luck Next Time message, so on the Emerald, Prizes messages are still displayed, although a lot LESS frequently.

I guess it is possible the Sky has tweaked the game, but at least I know, Prizes messages will still occasionally show here on the Emerald. Before going to bed, I did a couple of entries and saw a Congratulations message I won a bouquet of Flowers. I checked the APP and TV and the Prize was displayed. When you have a Prize, when you check your stateroom TV, it will not only show the Prize, but also the date and time your Prize was awarded.

The premier accessory is an exclusive colored ‘clip’. On the Princess website it shows a striped clip, but I have received a solid royal blue clip on my last 6 Premier packages. You also receive the complimentary lanyard  like all passengers with the medallion in a plastic casing that you can take the medallion out of to place in the clip.

@donaldsc, I just purchased my Allianz annual policy the beginning of this year, so I did not have travel interruption insurance for the trip with the DL flight cancellations. As I stated, was younger and a little naive and think there are many that do NOT purchase travel insurance to save a little $.

I do not believe ALL Medicare Advantage plans have out of US coverage. I have verified my plan with Kaiser SoCal does cover outside US coverage. Regular Medicare does NOT have coverage if you are outside the US.

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:

 

Why didn't you have any insurance.  Most people do buy it.

 

DON

I was a bit younger and felt I was safe not having it. I have been lucky, I have not had any other travel issues where insurance would have saved my A**.

I would be interested in knowing the percentage of passengers that always or have insurance.

I now have an annual policy with Allianz and additionally, my Medicare Advantage plan DOES provide Medical coverage outside the US.

14 minutes ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

I had something similar happen a few months ago. I reset my password after an IT glitch at Royal and it automatically reset my Celebrity password to the same thing. Oh well, it's easier to remember this way. 🙂 

@leaveitallbehind, here is another example that my situation is not unique and Royal/Celebrity IT has decided they want you to have same password for both websites.

2 hours ago, beshears said:

All I can say there were 8 of us (not gambling), just going in/out of our rooms, and none of us won anything. It is just a CHANCE a person takes.

Princess website has a list of the current prizes and approximate odds of winning such prize. Like the lottery many will play, few will win.

51 minutes ago, BarneyCat said:

We’re currently on Caribbean Princess and have won two prizes so far. The first was a chefs table dinner with wine pairing - I thought I’d seen on the door panel something about a table for two, but the next day we received a call to the room to book us in. The second time we won $25 obc which we only saw when we looked at our folio on the app. That will help pay for the soft toy Stanley bear we’ve been made to buy!

The APP has a link that will ‘list’ any prizes you have won also your stateroom TV has a link that will display any prizes AND the date and time stamp of the award.

4 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

I'm sailing solo. And I'm glad you enjoyed your last solo trip. You'll probably enjoy your upcoming trip on the Emerald at the end of the month.

 

There's trivia during the morning and afternoon, but it has always been in categories that don't appeal to me. YMMV.

Usually the Let’s get Quizzical trivia in the morning and afternoon around 4ish are ‘General Knowledge’ so a variety of subjects opposed to themes like Friends, Harry Potter, Broadway, Music genre, etc.

As @geoherbhas posted in one of his last live froms, there can be ringer teams composed of top traveled guests who have heard many of the same questions on previous Princess sailings, so the trivia experience loses excitement, especially if one team is always winning.

Hope you enjoy your last few days and thank you for highlighting  ‘Holly’.

Not all Asst Cruise activities staff want to take on the responsibilities to become the CD.

1 hour ago, Jadn13 said:

Have you researched a one way car rental? Pick up at home airport and return to FLL? 

I just checked the JetBlue website and only one flight was cancelled and another has a slight delay and all others from NYC area to FLL are still scheduled ‘on time’, so I think the OP will arrive FLL today and be able to relax and look forward to boarding tomorrow.

11 minutes ago, kitkat343 said:

Yes, that's my ship.

 

We purchased independent flights and independent insurance.  I wrote to the insurance company a few days ago, and they told me they'd compensate me up to 5,000 to meet the ship (5 people so depending on how much the airfare is it could be an issue.  If the airline just lets us switch tickets to the second port (Aruba, no flights to Bonaire)  then we'd be fine with our costs.).  

If you have cancelled and or delayed flights, and you will probably miss embarkation, make sure you contact Princess so they do not think you are a ‘no show’ and will provide you information regarding if you are allowed to join the ship down line and what else you may need to do to join ship.

Are flights out of NY being delayed today, Friday? Does it look like your booked flight will be affected?

3 hours ago, BarneyCat said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if they did - there has been some discussion about the complimentary showers with some pax being charged for access while others have used them free of charge. It seems to be something the staff are unsure of. 

?, my question was regarding the steam room and saunas IN the changing rooms.

Are you saying some passengers were being charged to use the SHOWERS in the locker room?
 

Access to the Thermal suite that has heated stone beds and some fancy showers does incur a cost/charge, not free access.

I have never been asked to pay a fee to use the showers in the changing room by the fitness center on Princess. Many couples use these showers so one can shower here, while the other is getting ready in cabin and find these showers roomier and usually decent water pressure. Yes, you walk by the Spa reception, but how do they know you are going to the locker room, as you could also be going straight to the fitness center/gym.

On one Princess ship I did see a sign in the locker room saying, lockers for Spa patrons only. I asked Spa receptionist and was told I can ignore that sign, lockers were first come basis.

The reason I have been told for the removal of the steam and saunas was to make accessible treatment rooms for Spa services per ADA regulations.

@kitkat343, did you purchase you flights via EZAir on Princess? If so, your travel summary has a 24/7 en route delay number to call that may be able to assist and give you information. Part of the reason passengers purchase thru EZAir is they will try to reroute you or fly you to next port of embarkation is possible. Depends on if that port allows embarkation.

If you purchased your flights independently, then any flight delays/cancellations you have to deal directly with the airline. If you have travel insurance, this is what hopefully will help protect your financial interests. Your coverage is dependent on your particular policy.

My experience a few years ago, I had a Transatlantic cruise from FLL to Southampton. Booked EZAir flight redeye on DL from LAX to FLL via ATL. It was not till I arrived LAX that I saw because of weather(storm) all flights thru ATL were cancelled. I immediately called the enroute delay number and was connected to an agent in Australia. Was told they see United has a flight thru Houston I should try and get rerouted on. 2 minutes Iater was at DL counter and agent said sorry, those seats are gone. DL said nothing they can do and only flights to rebook would get me to FLL after ship has left FLL. When home and was on hold for over 4 hours with DL trying to get rebooked flights. Called EZAir and at first they said they would try to get me to FLL. I explained that will not help as ship will be gone, next port of call is Bermuda, 3 days later.

EZAir said ok, you have choice of flying to Bermuda and waiting for ship requiring 2 nights hotel, or we will fly you to arrive Bermuda day ship to arrive, but if you miss ship, you are in your own. I decided to fly to Bermuda early and wait for ship.

Because I did not have travel insurance, the 2 nights of hotel in Bermuda(quite expensive) is out of my pocket, EZAir only covers transportation/flight to next port. EZAir booked me on Air Canada from LAX to Toronto then to Bermuda at their expense.

Hope this helps explain what might happen if your flights are cancelled.

If you did not purchase flights from Princess EZAir, then you will be responsible for flight to first port (Bonaire?) Travel insurance might cover costs, or your Airline may be able to rebook you on other flights to get you to Florida on 8/10 to catch ship?

What ship/sailing are you on? Enchanted FLL to NY, 8/10 sailing?

1 hour ago, leaveitallbehind said:

That's fine and not challenging your preference and that it may be easier.  But it's not necessary to have the password be the same, even if you use the same login, which is what I was responding to. They are separate accounts through separate cruise lines.

Maybe it just me, but when I logged into celebrity website awhile ago, I thought I setup a different password than the one I had for royal. It did not recognize it and asked me to reset. I created a new password. Afterwards, I went to login at Royal, it did not recognize the password I had been using, but then I tried the new one I had set for celebrity and it worked, so this is why I feel they want you to use the same ID and password for both sites. Believe this issue started right after they said the new updated reciprocal levels would be completed.

@BarneyCat, if you have time to ask HGM or others that might know, with the upcoming dry dock, are they planning on removing the complimentary steam and saunas in the changing rooms by fitness center like they did with sister Grand Class ships, Emerald and now Ruby, when they had their most recent dry docks?

50 minutes ago, azgrandmax3 said:

Any one get there medallion for September transatlantic cruise yet.Not sure if we are going to get one on time

Medallions are typically set to arrive about 10-12 days before sailing date. So it is too early for your sailing.

You may receive an email letting you know your Medallion order was ‘processed/shipped’ about 3 weeks prior to sailing. Sometimes you will also get a follow up email with a tracking number.

My upcoming sailing on 8/11, I received shipping email on July 21, no email with tracking number, medallion delivered via USPS on July 31. Canadians on roll call said they received week earlier, others have posted they received Aug 4 or 5. I am in SoCal.

2 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

No they don't have to be the same login or password.  And to be clear "linking" only relates to confirming tier level reciprocity as points earned with each remain seperate.

For me, I am using the same login/user ID for both websites. The password then seems to have to be the same. To me this makes it easier.

@george35, make sure you have a Captains club account number set up and linked to your RCL account. I believe they want you to have login and password to be the same for both websites.

With Celebrity your D+ status will equate to Elite +, which grants you 2 bags laundry, 240 internet minutes which you can use in increments, unlimited non alcoholic drinks at Cafe al Bacio, happy hour drinks at most bars from 5-7, instead of 5 drinks anytime on RCL. Also drinks at happy hour is limited menu and NOT premium labels. Celebrity has a special elite breakfast limited menu with non hot items, but you can get typical mimosa, specialty coffees complimentary during service hours. Your Day1 letter will indicate venue.

Review benefits on Celebrity website or link in previous post.

32 minutes ago, artvlay said:

And is this $20pp attributed to UDP? And if so, can you go to Izumi for lunch, Chops for dinner and then Playmakers for a snack later?

Yes. I believe one sea day on Navigator, I went to Hooked at lunch for a Lobster roll, then to Jamie’s for a full course lunch, then Chops for dinner and Playmakers for late evening snack having the UDP.

39 minutes ago, PMGS247 said:

Check your travel summary for the boarding window as well.  Usually something like 10:00am - 2:00pm, give or take.

 

As already discussed the boarding pass QR code shows up in the final days before the cruise.  I've never had to use mine but I've always done green lane.  Perhaps the QR code is helpful in pulling up your booking to get your medallions in blue lane given you don't yet have a medallion to scan. Still, I doubt even that's entirely necessary they can probably pull it up based on your name and cabin number.

I do not believe the check in window appears in the travel summary, I just reviewed mine for my sailing in 3 days.
 

As you have noted, the boarding pass in the APP will display the check in window. This is what passengers need to know whereas previously we would select an arrival group time/block. 
 

Again, no one at check in asks to see this boarding pass with its QR code. Since the boarding pass has cabin number AND deck name, I believe it is useful for port personnel to find your medallion as some passengers are not familiar with what the deck letters means and P and B sometimes sound the same.

1 hour ago, D1324tt said:

At home screen click journey icon then select 'show entire ship schedule'. Ours says welcome and has an arrival time under day 1.

@ldubsand @chris153, the APP will populate a boarding pass at least a few days before sailing. You find it by swiping left. The boarding pass will show the ‘check in window’ as you no longer select a specific blocked time. My boarding pass for my upcoming sailing in 3 days shows a check in window of 12-3pm. If I look at jouneyview for day 1 it says Arrival time 1pm. 
 

I do not think anyone at check in will ask to see this boarding pass with a QR code, but it does have your cabin number and deck name to help facilitate the agent getting your Medallion if you are picking up at the port as they are sorted by Deck.

1 hour ago, artvlay said:

The Royal site stinks. It has such bad information. I didn't see anything about Playmakers and nothing about embarkation day for lunch. Thankfully there are Cruise Critic members.

I believe with Playmakers you are only allowed 1 visit per day to use your $20 allowance. Previously, you could tell them to close your tab and start a new one.
 

Now they notate/log your name and cabin number to keep track if you have used your daily allowance. Believe this started late 2022 ? You could use your allowance any time they had food service.

48 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I dont think you get a $40 allowance either. Isnt it like $25? Idk but it's never been as high as $40. That's the cost if you use UDP to sit down, not the allowance to order ala carte. Idk as I try and do it with bogo. Or I've booked it as lunch to sit down. I admit I've never done it ala carte. I want to sit down and eat and be waited on.

I just double checked the details for the UDP for my upcoming Navigator sailing. For Izumi Sushi you have choice of the prix fixed menu or $39.99 credit for ala carte. If you want sushi rolls, going ala carte will give you more. 
 

I believe this reduction also coincided with the changes at Playmakers, cost of items increased, so your $20 credit does not go as far with UDP.
 

I think the changes were around beginning of 2023?

@firefly333, I was replying to the post asking what is offered at Izumi for lunch with the UDP and I was letting the person know the ‘set’ menu has been reduced as previously you got 8 pieces per roll and now only 4. 
 

I believe I saw a YouTuber post the opinion if you had the UDP plan, you would get better value at Izumi to order ala carte as you would get 8 pieces per roll ordered for your $40 allowance.

@Honolulu Blue, thank you for getting confirmation Lloyd is leaving and Holly will be the CD for my sailing. 
 

I believe Planks and Steamers alternate nights when they are available and Crab Shack might be offered as pop up in the space too.

The next sailing is 17 days, so I will have many opportunities to try these venues.

4 hours ago, artvlay said:

On UDP in Izumi what can you order for lunch on sea days?

I believe for Izumi, lunch menu is the same as dinner as is the price?, unlike other specialty venues like Hooked, Chops and Jamie’s that have a modified smaller menu and a reduced price for lunch.
 

There has been a change where the portions were reduced if using the UDP.
 

The sushi rolls used to be 8 pieces now only 4 if your order the ‘set’ menu as part of the UDP.

I have seen it is recommended you order ala carte instead using the $ allowance instead and you will get 8 piece sushi rolls.

I know I have seen YouTube videos discussing this subject for more detailed info.