Requesting help from someone on Discovery 9/21 or 9/28 sailing

[CACruiser1973]

While it has been a little known secret that Galveston sailings may not permit Plus or Premiere package alcoholic beverages, there have been recent posts on the Princess Elite Facebook forum that says this policy now applies to CA sailings as well.  I have over 500 days on Princess, and multiple CA sailings and have never seen this to be the case, even though we always get the Plus package,  We have on occasion had to pay local sales tax in port, but never were charged for our drinks.  

 

Now another post on the Elite Facebook forum says according to a Princess rep, this rule applies even in port, not just on embarkation day. Needless to say, with four CA port days in LA, Catalina, San Francisco and San Diego (and 10pm departures in SF and SD), this was not our understanding when we bought the Plus package add-on.  I certainly would not have paid over $60 a day for seven days, only to just get usage on only three days.

 

I am attaching screenshots from the posts on the Elite forum, as well as a link to the terms and conditions. The terms and conditions do now clearly say you cannot use the package unless in international waters, but there seems to be some debate as to whether this also applies on port days or only embarkation day.  Can anyone currently onboard the Discovery that has the Plus or Premiere package (or anyone embarking tomorrow) please let me know if you could still use your package on your Catalina, San Diego and San Francisco port days or if you had to pay for drinks while in port?  Thanks so much for any help…hoping to cancel our package upgrade if it extends beyond embarkation day.

 

Link to the Terms and Conditions: https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages/terms-and-conditions

[Rick&Jeannie]

While I do not have a definitive answer to this...consider the source of your material.  I wouldn't get too worked up about something like this with FB being the only source.

[memoak]

That would be a new one on me I have sailed all over the west coast and never encountered this. We sail from Seattle ion Sunday and I will see. Anything I see on FB I would take with a mountain of salt. The only place I have seen this is out of Texas due to state laws

Edited Friday at 11:14 PM by memoak

[Cruise Raider]

I would also like to hear the real information as this is new verbiage in the terms and conditions and it appeared quite recently.  

I am reading this a little differently than you are as that verbiage on the Princess website seems to indicate it is for the unlimited premier package vs the plus package.  I’ve asked my Princess planner to please clarify as it was news to her, too.  I understand it might (I highlight the word, ‘might’) be related to the new component of the news premier package in states that don’t allow unlimited beverages to be sold in a package.  They may either have to retract the ‘unlimited’ or it will actually be very limited.  
 

Who knows but I don’t think that will go over too well if people that have purchased the premier package can’t get a welcome to the ship cocktail when they board.  And if passengers will also have to pay for a glass of wine with dinner in the Crown Grill while in port, I think there may be a mutiny 😉 

 

I am going to wait for Princess to explain this all before I speculate any further. We go onboard this weekend so, will report back on my findings.  
 

[Cruise Raider]

7 minutes ago, memoak said:

That would be a new one on me I have sailed all over the west coast and never encountered this. We sail from Seattle ion Sunday and I will see. Anything I see on FB I would take with a mountain of salt. The only place I have seen this is out of Texas due to state laws

This is on the Princess website under the terms and conditions for the new premier package .. nothing under the Plus package.  That’s what makes me believe it is related to the unlimited beverages under the new premier package.  Sorry it’s kind of small but check out the third line down.  .  

 

Edited Friday at 11:19 PM by Cruise Raider

[Rick&Jeannie]

And there's always the *possibility* that if you happen to be charged, a trip to GS just *might* result in your account being credited.  Just a guess! IDK

[Womble99]

Lol I love the way they encourage you to pre-book your unlimited specialty dining using the app to get the times and locations you desire. Then in the very next sentence tell you that they reserve the right to just book you wherever and whenever they like anyway 🤣

[startedwithamouse]

Wonder if this applies to cruise ships in ports, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Catalina Island? Left out Santa Barbara and Monterey, since they no longer visit. 

 

Princess is newly offering the Premier unlimited alcohol.  

 

They can't "discriminate" and not serve the unlimited guests  and only serve people who don't have the drink packages/bundles, so they choose to not serve anyone?

 

Thoughts?

 

According to California's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) law, it is illegal to offer "buy one drink, get one free" or similar drink specials. Other prohibited practices include: 

 

 

• Selling alcohol below cost 
   
   
• Offering free alcohol 
   
   
• Lowering alcohol prices to promote sales 
   
   
• Selling or serving an unlimited number of drinks for a fixed price during a set period of time 
   
   
• Creating drink specials that attempt to circumvent the law 
   
   

However, licensees can offer a food and drink combination for a special price, as long as the drink is not free. The price paid for a meal alone must be less than the price for a meal and an alcoholic beverage. 

 

 

The ABC regulates the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as the licensing and operation of alcoholic beverage retailers

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, startedwithamouse said:

Wonder if this applies to cruise ships in ports, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Catalina Island? Left out Santa Barbara and Monterey, since they no longer visit. 

 

Princess is newly offering the Premier unlimited alcohol.  

 

They can't "discriminate" and not serve the unlimited guests  and only serve people who don't have the drink packages/bundles, so they choose to not serve anyone?

 

Thoughts?

 

According to California's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) law, it is illegal to offer "buy one drink, get one free" or similar drink specials. Other prohibited practices include: 

 

 

• Selling alcohol below cost 
   
   
• Offering free alcohol 
   
   
• Lowering alcohol prices to promote sales 
   
   
• Selling or serving an unlimited number of drinks for a fixed price during a set period of time 
   
   
• Creating drink specials that attempt to circumvent the law 
   
   

However, licensees can offer a food and drink combination for a special price, as long as the drink is not free. The price paid for a meal alone must be less than the price for a meal and an alcoholic beverage. 

 

 

The ABC regulates the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as the licensing and operation of alcoholic beverage retailers

Whoa .. you found it!  Like I said before, it just came about after the ‘unlimited drinks’ were offered on the new premier package, as this has never been an issue before.  As much as it would pain them to do this, they may need to retract the unlimited drinks on that new package.  
If this also includes drinks while in ports of call, those packages are simply a waste of money.  Imagine going to the Crown Grill while in one of these ports and having to pay for your wine with dinner even though you have the premier package.  
 

[t&atravel]

The verbiage states for cruises that “begin” in those States.  Doesn’t this imply it’s for embarkation day only?  It doesn’t say “stops” at.  It may be semantics but that’s how I read it.

[Cruise Raider]

2 minutes ago, t&atravel said:

The verbiage states for cruises that “begin” in those States.  Doesn’t this imply it’s for embarkation day only?  It doesn’t say “stops” at.  It may be semantics but that’s how I read it.

Fingers crossed you are interpreting it correctly.  
 

[startedwithamouse]

You dock in San Francisco for the day (late night port, leaves at 11:00 pm).

 

You morning and day drink, then rent a car and cause a collision. 

 

You're coming from a place (the ship) docked in port and serving unlimited alcohol, which is a violation of the ABC law in California. 

 

Is there another cruise line which offers unlimited alcoholic drinks?

 

Edited 7 hours ago by startedwithamouse

[Cruise Raider]

6 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

You dock in San Francisco for the day (late night port, leaves at 11:00 pm).

 

You morning and day drink, then rent a car and cause a collision. 

 

You're coming from a place (the ship) docked in port and serving unlimited alcohol, which is a violation of the ABC law in California. 

 

I would never rent a car in SF .. I know where the BART station is 😉 

 

But what is concerning to me is that drinks won’t be allowed while in port.  We are doing a Pacific Coastal cruise out of Seattle tomorrow.  Our first stop is in Victoria and it’s not a given that we will be in international waters in between.  We’ve been on a similar itinerary where the casino and ships weren’t open at all between these two ports.  
Our next stops will be in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego for full days in each port.  I was going to get the premier package, mainly because of better wine and we would reserve our meals at SD on those nights as it is easier to get a reservation.  But, if it’s true the ship has to be in international waters off the coast of California, I don’t see the premier package as having that much value for this itinerary.  

 

 

 

[startedwithamouse]

27 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

I would never rent a car in SF .. I know where the BART station is 😉 

 

But what is concerning to me is that drinks won’t be allowed while in port.  We are doing a Pacific Coastal cruise out of Seattle tomorrow.  Our first stop is in Victoria and it’s not a given that we will be in international waters in between.  We’ve been on a similar itinerary where the casino and ships weren’t open at all between these two ports.  
Our next stops will be in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego for full days in each port.  I was going to get the premier package, mainly because of better wine and we would reserve our meals at SD on those nights as it is easier to get a reservation.  But, if it’s true the ship has to be in international waters off the coast of California, I don’t see the premier package as having that much value for this itinerary.  

 

 

 

I would seek out the HGM and show them the verbiage on the app and see what the plan is moving forward prior to purchasing the bundle. Will this affect your sailing? 

Edited 7 hours ago by startedwithamouse

[startedwithamouse]

Maybe they won't offer Premier on cruises originating out of these ports? They would be in compliance with the ABC laws.

Edited 6 hours ago by startedwithamouse

[Cruise Raider]

2 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Maybe they won't offer Premier on cruises originating out of these ports? They would be in compliance with the ABC laws.

It’s interesting you say that because I am not able to upgrade to the premier on the app or in my personalizer but I think that’s an IT glitch more than anything.  
I was planning on that Love Boat cruise out of Texas (I’ve since changed my mind on that, though) and my CVP asked if I wanted Plus or Premier.  So, I don’t think that would be the case.  Plus, that’s all the cruises out of LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Galveston, Boston, New York .. that’s wouldn’t fly.  
But, they really do need to explain this to us, especially for those considering the packages. 
 

Edited 3 hours ago by Cruise Raider

[Cruise Raider]

3 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

I would seek out the HGM and show them the verbiage on the app and see what the plan is moving forward prior to purchasing the bundle. Will this affect your sailing? 

Too bad the HGM I knew really well just left the ship.  I will ask the F&B director, though.  
 

[startedwithamouse]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:18 PM, CACruiser1973 said:

While it has been a little known secret that Galveston sailings may not permit Plus or Premiere package alcoholic beverages, there have been recent posts on the Princess Elite Facebook forum that says this policy now applies to CA sailings as well.  I have over 500 days on Princess, and multiple CA sailings and have never seen this to be the case, even though we always get the Plus package,  We have on occasion had to pay local sales tax in port, but never were charged for our drinks.  

 

Now another post on the Elite Facebook forum says according to a Princess rep, this rule applies even in port, not just on embarkation day. Needless to say, with four CA port days in LA, Catalina, San Francisco and San Diego (and 10pm departures in SF and SD), this was not our understanding when we bought the Plus package add-on.  I certainly would not have paid over $60 a day for seven days, only to just get usage on only three days.

 

I am attaching screenshots from the posts on the Elite forum, as well as a link to the terms and conditions. The terms and conditions do now clearly say you cannot use the package unless in international waters, but there seems to be some debate as to whether this also applies on port days or only embarkation day.  Can anyone currently onboard the Discovery that has the Plus or Premiere package (or anyone embarking tomorrow) please let me know if you could still use your package on your Catalina, San Diego and San Francisco port days or if you had to pay for drinks while in port?  Thanks so much for any help…hoping to cancel our package upgrade if it extends beyond embarkation day.

 

Link to the Terms and Conditions: https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages/terms-and-conditions

Only the Premier package. Not Plus is subject to these restrictions because it's unlimited alcohol.

 

On sailings that begin in ports in the United States of California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, the alcoholic beverages portion of a Package will not take effect until the ship on which the guest is sailing is in international waters, as determined by Princess Cruises, and therefore any alcoholic beverages purchased by a guest before a ship is in international waters will be charged to a guest’s onboard account; no discounts will be provided to the Package price or refunds as a result of this.

 

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

It’s interesting you say that because I am not able to upgrade to the premier on the app or in my personalizer but I think that’s an IT glitch more than anything.  
I was planning on that Love Boat cruise out of Texas (I’ve since changed my mind on that, though) and my CVP asked if I wanted Plus or Premier.  So, I don’t think that would be the case.  Plus, that’s all the cruises out of LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Galveston, Boston, New York .. that’s wouldn’t fly.  
But, they really do need to explain this to us, especially for those considering the packages. 
 

Reading the terms and conditions of both Plus beverage package and Premier beverage package, only the Premier contains the following:

 

On sailings that begin in ports in the United States of California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, the alcoholic beverages portion of a Package will not take effect until the ship on which the guest is sailing is in international waters, as determined by Princess Cruises, and therefore any alcoholic beverages purchased by a guest before a ship is in international waters will be charged to a guest’s onboard account; no discounts will be provided to the Package price or refunds as a result of this.

[Cruise Raider]

4 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Reading the terms and conditions of both Plus beverage package and Premier beverage package, only the Premier contains the following:

 

On sailings that begin in ports in the United States of California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, the alcoholic beverages portion of a Package will not take effect until the ship on which the guest is sailing is in international waters, as determined by Princess Cruises, and therefore any alcoholic beverages purchased by a guest before a ship is in international waters will be charged to a guest’s onboard account; no discounts will be provided to the Package price or refunds as a result of this.

I saw that so, it definitely seems to be related to the ‘unlimited beverages’ verbiage in the terms and conditions.  
I am going tomorrow and wish to upgrade to the premier package but will ask my questions and still wait until the second day to do so.  Either way, I won’t worry about it but I also may not upgrade at all if this just applies to the premier package and while in ports of call. 
 

[startedwithamouse]

2 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

I saw that so, it definitely seems to be related to the ‘unlimited beverages’ verbiage in the terms and conditions.  
I am going tomorrow and wish to upgrade to the premier package but will ask my questions and still wait until the second day to do so.  Either way, I won’t worry about it but I also may not upgrade at all if this just applies to the premier package and while in ports of call. 
 

You'll have time to find answers, and hunt down the HGM. 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

I wonder if Princess Cruises on Instagram Private Messenger would be able to answer this question? 

[Cruise Raider]

25 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

You'll have time to find answers, and hunt down the HGM. 

Or someone else that has the answers.  I’m not going to give it too much more thought for now.  

[startedwithamouse]

17 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I wonder if Princess Cruises on Instagram Private Messenger would be able to answer this question? 

Please ask for us!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

21 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Please ask for us!

Will do! Please write your question here along with what you are reading online and I will screenshot and send your question to Princess Cruises.