Changes to Princess Plus, room service fees, Alfredo's and others. Fee changes. Etc

[kywildcatfanone]

1 minute ago, kathy49 said:

To me that would be Celebrity or HAL

We did our first Celebrity cruise last fall.  Personally I did not find the food any better or worse than Princess, but I was on the oldest ship they have, Infinity.  We are on the Equinox in October, so looking forward to another comparison.

[Steelers36]

1 minute ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I am checking in daily, but not reading the 5-10pages added each day.  Sorry for not “following” every post.

 

If Princess is going to increase revenue, how about charging a fee to smoke in the casino?  aka Sheldon Cooper.

Yeah but still won't solve the problem - unless they charge the same fee as if a guest smokes in their cabin.

[whitecap]

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

I can relate to some of your issues, but to still be complaining about the old minutes internet in 2023 is kind of like complaining about not having bulky laptops anymore.  Those minutes were problematic for many guests and PCL due to internet issues that consumed minutes, etc.  Anyway, it's not coming back.

Not complaining, just pointing out one of many changes that have taken place on that now, one way street.

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

1 minute ago, kathy49 said:

Be interesting to take a tally on how many come to Alfredos for a meal only to find out no longer included.  Not everyone reads cruise forums or will have been informed. Probably have a desk right at Alfredos where passengers can upgrade their packages and get that "value added" feature of the new plans. Good luck.

I’ll try and post any issues/ experience related to these changes on Sky seeing as I’m on the first sailing with the new packages

 

note: this will also be my first ever sailing on Princess

 

looking forward to it, even though I’m moaning on here 😂 

[no1racefan1]

10 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

More details for Ocean Now and Room Service

Ocean Now and Room Service.pdf 162.48 kB · 113 downloads

This answers about 20 pages of questions

[PacnGoNow]

8 minutes ago, kathy49 said:

Be interesting to take a tally on how many come to Alfredos for a meal only to find out no longer included.  Not everyone reads cruise forums or will have been informed. Probably have a desk right at Alfredos where passengers can upgrade their packages and get that "value added" feature of the new plans. Good luck.

You’re right.  They should have a big sign at the podium “new”  $14.99 pp fee or a la carte fee.
In addition to listing it in the patter, they should have a paper in your cabin in reference to the changes in Alfredo’s/Gigi’s new dining fee, app usage one time fee and the RS fee.

 

 

 

[Steelers36]

11 minutes ago, no1racefan1 said:

This answers about 20 pages of questions

I wish I could have elected both the Thanks and the HaHa emoji for your post, so this will cover the Thanks. 

 

And more like 40 pages worth by now I am thinking.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

On 7/28/2023 at 10:38 AM, Steelers36 said:

Hey everyone.  This was clarified in the seminar from a question.  Things you order for the cabin as supplies like hangers, towels, glasses, etc, do not incur a RS charge.  That new RS charge is for food and drinks.

 

As post # 1407 clarifies in the PDF, these are Housekeeping items.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Steelers36

[Kellyansapansa]

I find it interesting that some of the people shouting the loudest about Princess not rewarding loyalty any more, are the same people who proudly boast about their tactics to screw down the price and minimise onboard spending. 🤔

 

Perhaps Princess is nickel and diming more  because it's being nickel and dimed by its customers ? 😜

[whitecap]

10 minutes ago, Kellyansapansa said:

I find it interesting that some of the people shouting the loudest about Princess not rewarding loyalty any more, are the same people who proudly boast about their tactics to screw down the price and minimise onboard spending. 🤔

 

Perhaps Princess is nickel and diming more  because it's being nickel and dimed by its customers ? 😜

I'm not sure what "tactics to screw down the price and minimise onboard spending" means?  If I don't want a photo package am I "screwing down the price"?  If I don't drink enough alcohol or soda to justify a drink package, am I "screwing down the price"?  Respect your opinion but not understanding you meaning.

[mthomp5]

6 hours ago, MBandJSinUK said:

I have read this long thread with interest and amusement. When the change was first announced on here, I figured it might be an issue so watched the TA webinar and in doing so could see clearly that this was pre-emptive marketing (or spin) to sell more.

 

Distilling it down:

- they need to increase their bottom line

- they will do this by pushing more people into Plus/premium packages - standard is much less profitable

- by making standard less attractive, they increase the perception that plus/premium is a better investment pushing more people who were undecided or borderline into upgrading

- the spin is to try and create more perception of “value”

- for those who don’t want/need plus/premium, they make more profit (or less loss)

in trying to create the casual dining “product” to create perceived value, they needed to move Alfredos/Gigis into the chargeable product

 

 

This, whilst sensible from a business perspective, created a few anomalies which is where the “spin” comes in:

- For Plus60/Premium80 - we will get the same other than the Alfredo’s/Gigis which is reduced to give a free casual dining in some other venues - some will win/more will lose on this

- For standard fares it will cost more to get what was previously inclusive - either we upgrade or pay the EXTRA as we go.

 

For guests that are after the cancellation window, that really sucks as it will cost more - for guest who can cancel free of charge, it still sucks but they still have the option to vote with their wallets. In the UK we don’t get a free cancellation but that discrepancy is not new.

 

I see the big anomaly for those guests that booked nice and early (pre-Dec 22) getting Plus50/Premium75 and can still cancel free of charge

- This group will either have to pay an upgrade to move to Plus60/Premium80 or will be hit with on board charges for services that were previously free

- For some the maths work out to just pay the new charges onboard

- The “spin” is added value whereas the value is made up with things of little interest or were previously free

- This creates negative perceptions and is a slap in the face for those booking early even if the upgrade or on board charges may not be financially significant in the context of the total fare

 

The gaping hole in their plans is for guests that booked nice and early (pre-Dec 22) getting Plus50/Premium and CANNOT still cancel free of charge or have already paid in full (voyages within the next 90 days). These guests will pay more than was agreed when booking.

 

I’m struggling to think of any other scenario where a retailer or service provider can legally agree a deal, advertise a specification, take full payment then change the terms requiring more money (ether upfront or at a later date) to deliver the agreed item/service. Some contracts allow for a change in specification/price but those change provisions have to be notified up-front in the contract.

 

So what will they do? Nothing, they will ride out this mini-storm.

 

What should they do? Either delay the implementation for 3 months to allow those on the old Plus/Premium to make a reasoned decision or Grandfather the facilities to those on the old Plus/Premium.

 

This action looks to undermine the goodwill we have in the brand. Time will tell if it backfires on them.

 

Having 33 cruises under our belts and sitting on 5 future cruise bookings (Only one on Plus50 fully paid), for us this is a slap in the face and in between reading this mega-thread, I’ve been looking at different cruise options for the future - elsewhere.

You summed this up very well. Certainly, while not a big financial drain to pay $14.99 to activate Ocean Now, $5 for room service via phone, and to pay for Alfredo’s, it does feel like a slap in the face from Princess for those of us who booked early and in advance.  

[roxievegas]

10 minutes ago, Kellyansapansa said:

I find it interesting that some of the people shouting the loudest about Princess not rewarding loyalty any more, are the same people who proudly boast about their tactics to screw down the price and minimise onboard spending. 🤔

 

Perhaps Princess is nickel and diming more  because it's being nickel and dimed by its customers ? 😜

Do you shop black friday Christmas sales, do you use coupons at the grocery store, do you shop for bargains.  If you don't congratulations you must be a 1%er.  No one is screwing down the price on Princess if you try to get the best price available - just common sense.

Our gasoline prices went up $.30 a gallon in one day earlier this week.  who is screwing who around here.  Consumers need to watch, shop and protect themselves.

Princess should have given more notice on the changes.  And anyone who purchased the plus packages should have those honored with the new program at no increase.  We had a plus package included in our cruise in April, which had been purchased/booked 9 months earlier and they added the new items to our package automatically and no increase.

[cruising.mark.uk]

7 minutes ago, Kellyansapansa said:

I find it interesting that some of the people shouting the loudest about Princess not rewarding loyalty any more, are the same people who proudly boast about their tactics to screw down the price and minimise onboard spending. 🤔

 

Perhaps Princess is nickel and diming more  because it's being nickel and dimed by its customers ? 😜

 

Precisely.  I suspect (hope, as a shareholder) that Princess are not interested in loyal customers, but in revenue-generating customers.  I sense from reading posts across this board that those are two very different animals.  If what they post on these boards is true, it seems that some of the most 'loyal' passengers in terms of days cruised generate little if any income for the line over and above the cost of inside cabins.  Why should Princess give them 'loyalty' benefits of monetary value when its return on investment will be maximised by focusing instead on attracting and nurturing new customers who will buy the packages, spend onboard and on excursions and (they hope) work their way up through the cabin classes over time?  

 

No doubt some will answer that the line relies on their most experienced cohort to keep the ships full out of prime holiday season.  That may be true to a limited extent, but the recent evidence suggests that none of the CCL lines are having any problems with occupancy at the moment.

[Host CJSKIDS]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Looks like CC Admin or M*oderator made a mistake when attempting to merge this thread with the main one on the new changes and got the pizza title in place of the original title.  Hopefully, they will fix it.

 

Alerting @Host CJSKIDS.

Thanks for the alert. No mistake, the program grabbed the last title but the name of the member who did the first one. 
 

Title edited. Hope that works! 

[Steelers36]

2 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Thanks for the alert. No mistake, the program grabbed the last title but the name of the member who did the first one. 
 

I'll try and edit the title 

Interesting software glitch.  Thanks, NP.  Perhaps the volume of posts involved threw the software.  Ha ha.

[kywildcatfanone]

4 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

 

Precisely.  I suspect (hope, as a shareholder) that Princess are not interested in loyal customers, but in revenue-generating customers.  I sense from reading posts across this board that those are two very different animals.  If what they post on these boards is true, it seems that some of the most 'loyal' passengers in terms of days cruised generate little if any income for the line over and above the cost of inside cabins.  Why should Princess give them 'loyalty' benefits of monetary value when its return on investment will be maximised by focusing instead on attracting and nurturing new customers who will buy the packages, spend onboard and on excursions and (they hope) work their way up through the cabin classes over time?  

 

No doubt some will answer that the line relies on their most experienced cohort to keep the ships full out of prime holiday season.  That may be true to a limited extent, but the recent evidence suggests that none of the CCL lines are having any problems with occupancy at the moment.

If you follow the conversation, the answer is they are not concerned about loyalty.  They have determined they do not have to be and that is their choice.

Customers can continue to buy their product and that is their choice.

 

While I do not like the changes, it's pretty clear that they don't care and instead are more interested in new cruisers who have no history of being able to cruise without packages and cruising being a value vacation.

 

It is what it is.

[coo359a2]

1 hour ago, kathy49 said:

agree I think most are responding who have have many changes since booking. Have to take this in the context of the last couple of years and all the changes. I look for a thread on here as to experiences with the transition and first sailing on a ship under new plans. It will be interesting.

And at 1400+ posts no one still can answer those questions for you.

[whitecap]

8 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

 

Precisely.  I suspect (hope, as a shareholder) that Princess are not interested in loyal customers, but in revenue-generating customers.  I sense from reading posts across this board that those are two very different animals.  If what they post on these boards is true, it seems that some of the most 'loyal' passengers in terms of days cruised generate little if any income for the line over and above the cost of inside cabins.  Why should Princess give them 'loyalty' benefits of monetary value when its return on investment will be maximised by focusing instead on attracting and nurturing new customers who will buy the packages, spend onboard and on excursions and (they hope) work their way up through the cabin classes over time?  

 

No doubt some will answer that the line relies on their most experienced cohort to keep the ships full out of prime holiday season.  That may be true to a limited extent, but the recent evidence suggests that none of the CCL lines are having any problems with occupancy at the moment.

I hope that I am mis-understanding your post.  You aren't saying that those who purchase inside cabins are less worthy of benefits, are you?  Your not saying that those who spend an average of $5,500.00 to $6,000.00 per cruise fare are less worthy, are you?  Only those that decide to spend more for expensive packages are the worthy ones?  Maybe Princess should simply eliminate the Standard choice and make everyone purchase one of the packages.  Don't want a package, can't book with Princess.

[dides]

12 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Congrats.  It was hard keeping up with it in real-time on Thursday afternoon.  Posts were flying in at warp speed.

And you did a great job responding to all the questions! 😁

[PacnGoNow]

11 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

I look for a thread on here as to experiences with the transition and first sailing on a ship under new plans. It will be interesting

 

11 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

And at 1400+ posts no one still can answer those questions for you.

We will know more once the first ship starts these new changes!  🤔

[cruising.mark.uk]

2 minutes ago, whitecap said:

I hope that I am mis-understanding your post.  

You are.

[whitecap]

Just now, cruising.mark.uk said:

You are.

Thanks...I re-read and had DW read and maybe what your are saying is that Princess no longer feels a need to be loyal to those who don't want to participate in their package schemes.  Am I close?

[vjmatty]

25 minutes ago, roxievegas said:

Do you shop black friday Christmas sales, do you use coupons at the grocery store, do you shop for bargains.  If you don't congratulations you must be a 1%er.  No one is screwing down the price on Princess if you try to get the best price available - just common sense.

I am so glad you posted this. You saved me a lot of time from writing a much less clear concise response. Apparently the poster thinks paying anything but full brochure fares is disloyal. 

[PacnGoNow]

3 minutes ago, whitecap said:

Maybe Princess should simply eliminate the Standard choice and make everyone purchase one of the packages.  Don't want a package, can't book with Princess.

And you know what?  If the super majority chooses packages, then that could be the future of cruising.

 

I REALLY hope not and it may not happen, but it is always a possibility.

So for now, I am very happy to have a choice.

 

 

[Jeter02]

7 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

 

We will know more once the first ship starts these new changes!  🤔

Is it bad that I kind of want to stay a third week on the Discovery to watch the implementation of these new standards? I really just want to sit back watch the show and have some popcorn because I have a feeling it may be rather interesting as well as bumpy.