wallyj

Will try to make this simple in my mind and hopefully you can follow. Meta is simply the category such as interior, Oceanview, balcony and so on. Sub meta are the differences within each category based on Princesses perceived desirability usually based on location but may also consider size and amenities in the cabin. So a mid ship located cabin is usually designated as category IA going down in price to IF . This holds true for most categories with the first letter designating the category ‘type’. Princess recently changed pricing so that lowest ‘sub meta’ categories can only be booked as ‘guaranteed’ which are predominantly the very forward or aft cabins in your particular ‘category/cabin type’. If you do not normally book the very forward or aft located cabins, you will be able to see what is available and select a cabin from the displayed deck plans. During the booking process, the engine will ask do you want to select your cabin or have Princess select? I believe the default when booking on the Princess website is to accept ‘any’ upgrade. Keep in mind what Princess considers an upgrade may not be what you do. I am not sure with the new bidding for upgrades if the availability of complimentary upgrades have been diminished. If you want only to be upgraded to the next category such as interior to Oceanview, you need to have Princess or your TA mark your booking as ‘meta’ upgrade only. I see others have responded while I am typing this response, so my response may be redundant.

One of the differences between NCL’s ‘Free at Sea’ bundle and Princess ‘Plus or Premier’ is you are charged additional ‘Tips’ , which for Princess it is included in the package rate. I believe if you accept the NCL drink package it adds at least another $20/day to your fare, which for those that do not drink will then usually remove the drink package. You also are ‘paying’ for the privilege to be able to choose the ‘Free at Sea’ amenities as you have to book at the higher non ‘standard’ or ‘sailaway’ rates. Sometimes, the difference between sailaway fares and the next tier to ‘include’ free at sea perks is small, but can be hundreds. Princess had a special promo pre pandemic that has not been offered again where you could combine/customize which amenities you wanted, drinks, tips, WiFi. Now, it is all or nothing, and currently Princess does not offer dining packages

Just off the Majestic from the Sydney to LA sailing. Kristoff Greyling from So. Africa is/was the CD. Great energy and if they do game show ‘Read my Lips’ where entertainment crew will ‘lip sync’, do not miss! Kristoff is a former dancer and does some of the morning exercise/dance classes in the Piazza and they were very popular. There is a ‘sticky’ at the top of the Princess board regarding this topic, who are the current cruise directors/officers?

What category did u book? As your sailing is Alaska roundtrip SEA, it is a little more popular as many do not want to fly to Vancouver, you can do mock bookings to see available cabins not assigned, but you still have no ideal how many have put in bid upgrades. I had a GTY cabin for the Crown May 12 sailing and got my assignment April 26. Every sailing is different depending on how fully booked it is. This past January, I was booked on 7 day Discovery in interior GTY, about month before sailing was upgraded to IB(more mid ship interior), 3 days before sailing was upgraded again to Deluxe Balcony. Discovery like Royal has no Oceanview cabins. These were complimentary upgrades from Princess. I was happily surprised but would not expect these types of complimentary upgrades happen often now with the bidding program.

Is appears from post #5 which shows the Terms and Conditions of the Soda package, it now ‘includes’ cans, I know previously ‘canned’ sodas were ‘not’ part of the Classic Soda package.

If you choose to do so, you will select an ‘arrival’ group for checking in for your sailing. It is not a ‘boarding’ group. Pre-Covid, you were assigned arrival times based on your deck assignment, but even back then, you could arrive whenever you wanted during the checkin period. As mentioned, Princess does not seem to be enforcing or checking at the port. If you check in before ‘boarding’ has started, you will be segregated into groups, based on boarding priority. Usually first is special groups like weddings, then suites and elites, platinums, then group numbers based on when you checked in. I have seen on some sailings, if in a suite, escorts are waiting in ‘elite’ lounge and are looking for you either by your medallion or asking if you are in a suite. They then escort you onto the ship ‘first’ .

Where in July are you looking to cruise? You will also be very close to final payment date if not already there depending on your sailing dates. Waiting to purchase a FCD to apply to your July sailing and get some OBC, may be offset by fare increases as normally fares increase as sailing date approaches, in cruise fare and airline if needed. July is usually high season as that is when most families with younger children travel. If you will also need airfare, those prices will also increase dramatically as many summer airfare seats are already booked. I read Delta summer seats are already 75% booked.

I have added a passenger2 after I have booked a solo cabin and, for sure, before final payment, passenger2 has been able to use a FCD and was given the associated ‘OBC’. I just recently added a FCD to a solo booking I already made the deposit for a direct booking for a 2024 sailing, I received the associated ‘OBC’ for using a FCD. Also have been able to add a FCD and get the ‘OBC’ to an online TA booking which does not have ability to to apply FCD’s and used credit card for initial deposit. Friends who booked August 2023 Emerald sailing last month did not have any FCD’s left. They paid initial deposit via credit card. Asked TA to check with Princess if when they boarded Majestic this month and bought FCD’s, could they be applied to this booking. Princess told TA ‘yes’. When my friends emailed TA to then try and apply, Princess said these FCD’s needed to be used on bookings after the FCD purchase date. Friends asked agent to try again, and Princess applied the new FCD’s to passenger1 and 2. In the past, Princess would ‘backdate’ the new FCDs. I was told Princess does not do this anymore, but someone at Princess knew how to get these FCD’s added and my friends received the OBC. Passenger1 and 2 do NOT need to be booked at the same time if passenger2 is added before final payment for passenger2 to earn OBC for using a FCD, have even swapped out passenger2 and ‘new’ passenger2 is able to use a FCD and receive associated ‘OBC’. Have not added a passenger2 after final in awhile, so not sure if Princess is still enforcing ‘no FCD’s after final. Getting a little off topic as OP was just asking about adding passenger2, but this additional info can apply.

Will you need to fly? The longer you wait to book airfare the higher likelihood the fare will go up. If you will not need airfare, why are you waiting till June/July to book for August/September. Airfare from Anchorage is limited and expensive along with transfer needed from Whittier to ANC. Are you also considering land tour before or after sailing? If not, if you can, try to book roundtrip Vancouver, 14 day sailing and if not available, then book the 7 day B2B. Northbound and Southbound.

Are you sure? I had a solo booked cabin for the Discovery Princess for January 2023 sailing. A friend decided he wanted to sail with me in December 2022. As booking was paid in full already, my friend wanted to use expiring FCC’s. Princess would have also allowed using a FCD, but then it would not use up all my friend’s FCC’s. Princess refunded my ‘overpayment’ to my credit card.

There are exceptions. I recently booked a cruise for next year, June 2024, direct with Princess, first did courtesy hold, then paid deposit to Princess, then had booking transferred to my TA and had TA apply additional deposit via a FCD and received the ‘OBC’ for using the FCD. My friends booked Hawaii cruise on Emerald for August 2023, last month, they did not have any more FCD’s and placed initial deposit to lock in fare. Told TA they were going on Majestic soon and if they bought FCD’s , can they be applied to this booking to receive the ‘OBC’. Agent called Princess and was told ‘yes’. When my friends emailed agent to apply the new FCD’s, she replied she was now told no, as normally the FCD date must be before the ‘booking date’ . In the past, like at least 5 years ago, Princess would ‘backdate’ the FCD and then apply it to get around this restriction. My friends requested the agent try again, and Princess applied the FCD’s, do not know how they did it, using backdating or other possible work around, but it was done. This TA also has an online booking portal, but it does not have the ability to apply FCD’s. When I have made a booking when the office is closed and want to lock in fare in case it is gone when office reopens, I will make booking and supply credit card for deposit. When office opens, I call and request a FCD be also applied so I can get the ‘OBC’ and have never had issue with Princess saying ‘no’, FCD must be used a initial deposit. YMMV.

Just rechecked price list for the ‘special’ drinks. It now says $8, I believe the $12 price was for the Australia market so it was $12 AUS dollars and they did not update the sign immediately.

Currently on Majestic for transpacific to LA then to Vancouver to start Alaska season. The PES event is being held in Vista Lounge, deck 7 aft.

Currently on the Majestic, the ‘special’ drinks in the PES lounge are now $12. They used to be discounted.

Yes, maximum $300 per cabin, I was confusing the OBC with a recent promo where up to $600 OBC was being offered. I believe the change to only 1 year for FCD’s became effective April 5, 2023. Any FCD’s purchased on or after April, 5, 2023 will expire in 1 year. FCD’s purchased before this date will keep the 2 year expiration date. There is a previous thread regarding this.

I think the OP is referring to the Future cruise program in Princess which are called Future Cruise Deposits. Future cruise credits are usually earned from cancelled cruises or customer relations issues, etc. @MNLIvin, Princess future cruise program is basically you put down a refundable $100 USD/deposit per person, as I assume you are US based. It is now only good for 12 months , used to be 2 years. If not used, it will be refunded to original Credit card and if that credit card not valid any more a check will be issued. You will receive OBC depending on the length and cabin type(interior, Oceanview, balcony, etc) booked. Ranges from $15-300/per person. Google is your friend.

Depends on when you are cancelling, I assume you are wondering if cancelled after final payment date, so cancellation fees would be in effect, read terms and conditions for your particular insurance policy. You normally purchase insurance for the cost of your cruise, no matter if it was paid by FCD’s and FCC.

Please review ‘luggage’ rules for Honolulu buses, you can find at thebus.org. It specifically states luggage must not block aisles and must fit under your seat and there are size restrictions. The city bus #20 does NOT have luggage racks, it is a regular city bus. The drivers have recently been a little lenient with allowing oversized luggage. I would not count on this. I suggest you use transfer or ride share services unless you have just carry on luggage.

Why? If the OP has one booking, the max shareholders is $250. Yes the WC can be bought in ‘segments’, but it seems the OP getting the discount and applying only one FCD each, it is only one booking so shareholders will only be $250.

You need to check with your travel agent or Princess UK as you have different ‘rules’ from USA/Canada bookings. It has been reported many times, UK bookings are subject to a processing fee to refare bookings and can only be done once? Whereas before final payment, most US bookings can be refared without ‘fees’ or other limitations.

Yes, I was on the Discovery in January and there was/is an ongoing promo for those currently on a sailing for cruises sailing up to mid May. It is not offered to persons not currently on the sailing, so you could not book for family or others not on the current cruise. The sale was 50% off the current fares, so substantially less as it is not just another 10% off current so called 40% off fares, which are based on ‘brochure’ rates. I am currently on the Majestic and the only ‘offers’ are the 50% off for sailings till mid May, so nothing new, and this 50% off fare is something that does not happen often. It is the first time, I have seen, Princess have this promo for on board bookings. Sometimes they may offer a little extra OBC in addition to what you normally get for using a FCD.

There is an exception to this rule. If you will reach the next level in one or two days into a LONG sailing, the Loyalty and Events Manager can bump you to the new tier for that sailing. What constitutes LONG is not clearly defined, but I would imagine at least 14 days. I saw this happen last year when a passenger was waiting to ask this question on a 25 day sailing as they were told they would reach ‘151’ days on the second day and to talk to the Loyalty Manager to get them upgraded to the next tier. I asked the Loyalty Manager about this and they confirmed they can and will do this. Need to be a long sailing and you need to be within 1 or 2 days of your next tier when you start the sailing.

I am pretty sure these are special ‘casino’ rates as my cousin was getting these same exact fares (interiors starting @$59)showing when I go check this ‘fast deal’ at that big online last minute 90 day ticker ‘site’. It will also have notation ‘Captain circle fare’. I was so excited thinking this was a special fare for all past passengers. When I called, they said oh it for passenger ‘xxx’ because his profile has my email address for this agency as we booked a cruise with this agency in the past, but used my email for both passengers. when I login to Princess, , I get the same higher fares as posted in post #16, with interior starting @ $309. So, the only people that can book at the ‘low’ fares are people who are eligible for this special ‘casino’ fare.

I have purchased FCD’s for people not on board for many friends and family. Just did it again while I was on Discovery Princess January 21-28 2023 sailing. So you should not have any problems purchasing them and you will have to do these in person. Had an issue where the ‘system’ would not accept my credit card. Fortunately, the head Future cruise person knew about this ‘glitch’, being they need to delete the credit card number and re enter it manually.

In all my sailings on Princess, the Loyalty and Events Manager always had office hours on the first day. More recently, I have noticed they will schedule a hour or so around lunchtime on boarding day, otherwise it was always after the old mandatory ‘muster drill’. I was told the Manager sets their own hours in coordination with the cruise director and the itinerary. There always seems to be a few passengers that were assigned ‘newbie/blue’ status because they or their travel agent did not provide current Captain circle account number, or the status is incorrect for other issues, so the loyalty event manager is correcting this on the first/embarkation day among the other questions.