Lanwood

On 2/19/2024 at 2:17 AM, karatemom2 said:

I’ve compared what other lines charge for the exact same tours and Princess always seems the most expensive.

I don't know...My next cruise on Celebrity has been giving me tentative heart failure with the prices they are asking for shore excursions (and everything else). Was thinking Princess looked cheap in comparison. Which is saying something....🤯

16 minutes ago, spw1947 said:

I was excited for a minute when I saw you say "That's what mine on Edge is doing" and thought we were stopping at Kona, but no, just the extra sea day instead of Lahaina.

Or do you have information that I don't have?

Cheers,

Sue

Hi Sue,

No sorry. I was referring to booking speciality restaurants, that my booking on the Edge is having the same issue as the Soltice itinerary in losing a day (ie the number of days on the itinerary to not align with the number of days on the speciality booking system). Thus not sure how best to book the actual day we're wanting.

Looks like their system is unable to allow for the same day occurring twice on the itinerary due to crossing the international date line.

Not sure if others have come across it before? But thinking I'll just book best I can and sort out onboard.....

It also at this stage looks like they're going to have an entire sea day with no bookings. Good for those with packages to get a good time on board I guess?

17 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Which ship? And are you trying to book specialty restaurants?

The Edge.

Yes, is when booking speciality restaurants.

13 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

Here is the updated itinerary for our 17 night (18 day) sailing--straight off Celebrity's website.  In this version, one whole day in our cruise is missing--the day after our stop at Apia which is Pago Pago.

 

Yep, that's what mine on the Edge is doing. Has merged the International date line day with day before into one day.

As the bookings are based on day 1, day2, day 3 etc and not actual dates, it's got me thinking my bookings will end up a day out of whack?

Anyone had issues with booking dining reservations on an itinerary that crosses the international date line.

I have a cruise crossing the pacific from AUS to US, so will essentially get a date twice on the itinerary, in this case April 25th two days in a row.

The dining reservation system doesn't seem to pick this up, so am seeing 1 sea day short. Only 17 days showing in lieu of the 18 on the itinerary.

Thinking this may place bookings post the crossing out by a day when actually there, placing some bookings on port days where I may be eating ashore? And how to actually book on the day that is missing?

Guessing I'm not the first to notice over the years as I found a few threads on it, so probably the last to notice 😀, but couldn't see any re dining reservations in that direction.

Hey mate,

Saw you started a roll call on the Princess forum earlier and posted there, but yes already another booked with a year to go.

Flying over from Aus for this one.

Got a couple of short ones between now and then with my sister and a mate that fit in neat around work. But going solo for this one, which are the one's I enjoy the best. Nothing beats doing what whatever in my own time on a ship. 

Nope, but one boarding when you get off...

Lovely ship. Cruised on her 4 times, including a b2b a year ago.

On the Majestic Princess b2b2b a year ago, received similar message saying boarding delayed to commence at 3pm.

Just happened to be at the terminal look out taking some pics at 1:30pm and noticed the crowds walking through the on ramp to the ship. So made way downstairs and joined in. Onboard 20mins later.

Guessing the 3pm time was conservative and all was ready ahead of time, so the flood gates were opened for those hanging around.

This was just lucky to be there at the right time. Wouldn't wanted to have lost a whole day standing around the terminal just in case though, with all of beautiful Sydney all around me to enjoy.

2 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

So did we. Which cruise were you on? We did the 7 night Tasmania cruise that departed from Sydney 15th Jan.

Ah ha...I think you've been following me all these years...

Was on the one just before you getting off in the pouring rain as you were getting on. Wanted to give her a test drive to compare against their QM which I was already familiar with. And to see how another cruise line had decked out a Vista class to compare with HAL.

You've beat me to the world cruise on Coral though. Very jealous. If only work didn't keep getting in the way of my priorities.....

4 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Although we loved that balcony we're unlikely to cruise on a Royal class ship again, they are just too big for us. And since Princess is now sending bigger and bigger ships here we'll probably have to find alternatives. It's a shame Cunard won't be homeporting here in future, we really liked our recent cruise on QE.

Yes, is a Shame. We just came off the QE last month. Very much enjoyed it.

4 hours ago, arxcards said:

I agree that Royal does suite perks better, or they did compared to the older Princess ships. The Royal class Princess suites have a concierge lounge pretty much the same as Royal Caribbean, and the concierge is usually more attentive. For these Princess ships, we are back to having base suites with standard fare.

Yeah Royal class ships were a step up, but still think Princess need to lift their game when it comes to their suite product generally.

Will give them a go again when I book the Sphere class. Looks like they've improved the product there to justify the spend. Although the Reserve collection Cabana cabins look tempting as well. 

(I'd be happy to accept an upgrade there if I hadn't booked one already).

One must dip one's toes in the pool of indulgence now and then....

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We cruised in D424 on Majestic once. Great balcony!

 

 

Ah that was you next door...

You can't sit like that on a S4 Penthouse suite cabin by the concierge lounge..(I've had one many times).

I always go for E428 or E429.

My sister takes E432 or E433.

We open the balcony divider to join one massive private balcony...

Suite passengers eat your heart out 😁

You can't upgrade me from that! (well maybe an aft suite on Deck 9 or 11 if they said please....)

16 hours ago, mum and son said:

Hi crew, 

 

I've booked a DW - Deluxe Balcony Obstructed on my upcoming Royal Princess cruise. Strangely it was a "Drop and Go" deal for next month, which are always guarantee category, but I was able to choose my cabin and was lucky to book a DW midship with no real obstruction (the only obstruction is that the promenade deck is below, but no obstruction by tenders etc).

 

Do you find it unusual that a standard Balcony cabin is considered an upgrade? It's probably valid but I guess it's not what I usually see with cruise lines. It is what it is but I'm just interested in your thoughts.

Oh no. Someone has found my little secret. 🤫

I used to always sail full suite on Princess, but didn't feel I was getting much value compared to other cruise line full suites, other than extra space I didn't really use.

Found my "obstructed view balcony" on Royal class ships some time ago and never looked back since. Heaps cheaper than standard balcony. Is midship, No obstruction (unless you stick your head out and look extreme right) and double or triple depth balcony compared to standard super narrow balcony's. (Note: only a couple of Obstructed views have all this, the others have obstructions and standard balconys).

Love doing Ultimate Balcony Dinner and breakfast in these..(Good luck doing that on Standard Balcony 🤣)

So any upgrade (that isn't a suite) is actually a downgrade for me.

On 1/29/2024 at 8:22 PM, MicCanberra said:

Just remember, for Australian cruises, just like anywhere else but a smaller populationto draw off, the crowd is going to be people who have time and money. That will make it an older demographic especially if it is a longer cruise out of school holidays.

Or me...

Still comfortably in my 40's, with 23 on Princess. Lost count on all the others..😇

On 1/29/2024 at 6:26 PM, arxcards said:

 

I am happy to trade drink tips with the 20s & 30s at the mixologist bar. I more than keep up.😂

Instead of grumbling about mobility scooters, I am doing my bit to bridge the generation gap. 😉

I'll look out for you in the Gym....😁

Looks like I may get my name pulled out of a hat one day yet 🤞

The luckiest I have ever been was getting called up for deal or no deal 2 months ago on HAL.

1 hour ago, EDVM96 said:

This info is outdated. There is no more free sauna or steam on the Emerald. 

Was that removed in the last dry dock? Shame. Looks like the OP's instincts are on the mark.

My next grand class type ship will be Diamond again in Sept. Wonder if they'll still be there....

Free in the male/female change rooms.

Charge for the Thermal suite.

Still same as your experience on Crown.

Often read people getting move over offers or move down offers. Never had one myself. (Not that I could have always taken it in some cases if it was..).

Anyone in AUS or NZ been lucky enough to get one offered to them? Wondering if they offer them to those residing outside of the US?

We find Princess is more alike than not with Celebrity, and the line we tend to gravitate back to, as you'll see from our signature. Done most lines a few times over, but 23 with Princess.

We never really enjoyed the small luxury lines. Didn't fit well for us (47 and 45). Found them a bit limited (due to their size), but may work for yourself. We also like light music most times while enjoying a drink in lieu of loud and find we have choice of a location that will meet or mood at any time.

On 1/28/2024 at 5:47 PM, MacMadame said:

I used the new app and booked dining over 300 days out and I haven't paid in full. This is supposedly not possible but every time I check, my reservations are still there. 🤷‍♂️

 

I mention this because I believe you should be able to regardless of how far out your cruise is.

Yeah, same for me. No trouble booking up to 400 days plus. Was guessing due to Elite. 

Have also been able to add travel companions from other bookings not Elite join my reservations.

Reservations all still there on new app for all cruises....yay...

Haven't seen Moet & Chandon on a Princess ship in a long time.

I think the last time I saw it was at Bellini's on Regal princess about 9 years ago in the Carribean. Had their entire back window full of bottles on display. Also remember they had M&C Nectear too. Don't recall ever seeing it again. Tends to be Dom P or Veuve these days.

We also bubble wrap our own bottles of champagne for o/seas flights. (Don't bother on domestic flights though, just put them in our carry on).

I get where you're coming from.

We booked HAL thermal suite on Embarkation day to use our OBC (have been drowning in obc on recent HAL cruise), even though cost is a bit higher booking onboard. We do same on Princess, but so we can take advantage of the 10/20/30 % discount deal for 3 spa treatments. And they apply the 30% to the Enclave (the one on SKY) as most expensive.

Never had a problem booking on board princess (23 cruises on Princess). But we do go there early on embarkation day to make sure as our usual 1st thing (followed by Sanctuary).

Re difference, much prefer the Enclave to HAL, however HAL does have the glass wall window to look out from the ceramic beds. The Enclave does not.

I don't bother with Thermal suite on Grand class Princess ships (although used to before the Royal class Enclave spoilt me). Happy to use the free stream and sauna when lounging around from the lotus pool these days.

That seems pretty pricey.

I'm guessing we're talking while she's on your side of the globe  in US$, not later in the year when she's on my side in my summer in AUD$ 🤔?. I've just paid $196 AUD for a 10 day pass around the same time (say about $130US)

That seems pretty pricey.

I'm guessing we're talking while she's on your side of the globe  in US$, not later in the year when she's on my side in my summer in AUD$ 🤔?. I've just paid $196 AUD for a 10 day pass around the same time (say about $130US)