d9704011

52 minutes ago, rideev said:

If the $60 is a savings, then Princess is either not putting the allotted amount into the CA pool, or they are not using any of it to pay for their Satellite, or their drinks, etc.

What do think it actually costs Princess to provide internet, drinks, casual dining, etc... on average, each day of a cruise?? If a passenger pays $60 per day for a seven day cruise, the total is $420.  Over the course of the seven days, let's say 40 drinks are consumed and a couple of pizzas are eaten.  Internet is probably less than $2 per day, drinks cost $2 each and the entire rest of the Plus Package is probably not costing more than $20.  So, the total cost to Princess for the week is 7 x $2 plus 40 x $2 plus $20... a grand total of $114!!!  Plenty left over to make contributions to CA pool, take a profit, etc....

Even though I fabricted the numbers, I believe the service staff and bar staff aren't being short-changed by Princess as a result of passengers choosing to purchase packages.

1 minute ago, screwsmcernst said:

Alaska may be too cold to sit out and smoke a cigar

hard to do with mittens on.

9 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

How is leftover refundable OBC handled? My husband still had $55 on his account. Does he need to go to guest services or run it through the casino?

Over $25 refundable onboard credit will be repaid by cheque mailed to him in a few weeks.

OK, good work on your part.  For me, if the cruise line says they're going to Place X, I believe them.

1 minute ago, Shmoo here said:

I don't know how to ask any clearer, sorry.

 

We have the Princess Plus package, which includes a beverage package.

 

What I'm asking is if the bartenders/servers still get some money (whatever the auto gratuity on a regular, purchased drink is) put in the service staff pool to be shared when I order a drink.  

OK, I did not realize you have a Princess Plus package; I thought you had asked about 'a beverage package'.

4 minutes ago, mets123 said:

Sorry, but You should have known that this could be an issue when you first booked.

I don't know that the average 'Joe Passenger' should have been aware of this when booking but, for sure, Princess ought to have been fully aware that the possibility of this happening was very high and ought not have market3d and sold itineraries includin Bar Harbor on ships that would not realistically be permitted to visit.

2 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

If I order a drink onboard, and I do have a drink package, is the auto gratuity amount still on the drink?  So the bartender/server still gets the same gratuity?

If you purchased a drink package, you paid a gratuity based on the value of the drink package.  For the Plus Beverage Package the cost is $64.99 + 18% of that (service charge) per day... $11.68; there is no individual service charge on the drinks, within the limits of the package.  So, I'd say you've paid the bar staff right up front when you purchased the package (unless Princess pockets the entire 18%, which I doubt).

If you purchased the Princess Plus package at $60 per day (grats, wifi, drinks, etc...), I've no idea how bar staff would be compensated out of that.

Am I confused about what you've asked?

11 minutes ago, Shmoo here said:

I know that drinks have their own gratuity applied when you order one, and not part of the general onboard gratuities pool.  What if you have a beverage package, does the bartender/server still get auto gratuities added to the drink?

The question seems a little uncertain to me.  Are you asking whether the bar staff receive a portion of the gratuities added to a drinks package?  

31 minutes ago, Ergates The Ant said:

I only tip if I’ve had service above and beyond,

I read your rant.

What is this 'above and beyond' thing I often read about?  How can I recognize it compared to regular service standards/expectations?

6 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Hmmm, that's interesting. Something new. That's why you never see anyone out there. A total waste of space. 

I'll agree the space is not well utilized but wouldn't characterize it as a total waste; we have plenty of nice photos of Funchal, Tenerife and Malaga from our recent transatlantic, as do a (relatively small) number of other AQ passengers.

6 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

You can get there anytime the Thermal suite is open.

I don't know about that.  We just cruised on Ascent and the door from SEA spa to the deck was only open (unlocked) while approaching/leaving port; not while 'at sea'.

2 minutes ago, AlpineBliss said:

Hi all, I have 2 casual dining meals included with Princess Plus, but despite my searching, have only so far determined that Alfredo’s Pizzeria is a venue for this. Surely there’s more on offer than that? Thanks in advance for anyone patient enough to reply to a question I admittedly should be able to find the answer to. The dining page on their own website doesn’t seem to make it very clear, or I’m just having a bad brain day😂

Which ship?

2 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Basically you just need to spend just over 20 bucks in drinks to make it worthwhile.  And that doesn't have to be alcohol. 

Although you have to do this pretty much every day of the cruise (or make up for it on a sea day!).

2 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

18 is adult If you are sailing in Europe.

For what purpose(s)?  Booking a cabin on Princess?

14 minutes ago, Tapi said:

What we’ve learned since then after further research is that, unless an itinerary or country you’re visiting has specific passport requirements, your passport only needs to be valid at the time of travel. 

That's one way of putting it.  I'd prefer:

Your passport needs to meet the validity requirements for the countries you will be visiting.

I think you should consult this website to determine what, exactly, you need and/or are eligible for.,

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/eta-work-visa-mexico.html

7 hours ago, sns1 said:

d9704011...........you are correct.  I don't like the news.  😖

 

Thanks for the info.  I wish Princess would note that on our itinerary. 

No, I didn't think so.  Are you planning on sharing this little tit-bit on your roll call?  It will likely galvanize discussion.

29 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Here is a map showing berth 24.  Looks too short for Emerald Princess and nothing about TND 1.

POH-Harbour-and-Facilities-Map-ForWeb-Update-April2022.pdf 1.4 MB · 3 downloads

You may not like this but here is an excerpt from a Halifax area news story:

The port will also implement cruise tendering operations that will allow vessels to moor north of Georges Island and bring their passengers ashore by small boats on days when there are multiple ships in port. The infrastructure to receive tenders will be at Pier 24.

The tendering will start in August.... Emerald Princess.

4 hours ago, sns1 said:

We are scheduled to be in Halifax on Aug 6, 2024, Emerald Princess.  The port schedule shows us in P24 TND1 for the berth.  Where is that located?   We can see berth 20, 22, 23 but cannot find P24 TND1 on any map. 

 

Help!

Here is a map showing berth 24.  Looks too short for Emerald Princess and nothing about TND 1.

POH-Harbour-and-Facilities-Map-ForWeb-Update-April2022.pdf

46 minutes ago, hcat said:

exactly..and BARECELONA..the city of thieves!  and NYC too!

I thought Barcelona's nickname was 'City of Counts'.

2 minutes ago, drew69 said:

The bartenders including those in the Haven are indeed covered - not by the DSC as no bartenders in or out of the Haven are part of that.  They are tipped by the 20% gratuity added to every drink purchase, including water, etc. delivered to the room, minbar items, etc. as well as the 20% charged on all drink packages or the value of Free drink packages.  

Yeah... I don't think cruisers should worry too much about people going unpaid.  Go ahead and tip if you wish.

7 minutes ago, hcat said:

do not wear jewelry.. and secure wallets!

All of this advice is good for Paris, Rome, London, etc...

It wasn't working on ky android phone a couple of hours ago.  I decided to just leave things alone for a bit and let Celebrity get things fixed; works fine now.

2 hours ago, parallax said:

I know this money can have a significant impact in their lives.  We also do little gifts. 

Why not just give them more money?