kywildcatfanone

That's what they value it at with plus, but actually probably less since the drinks total includes other items. I never said plus wasn't a good deal for those who partake of all the available drink options, but it doesn't work for us because we don't drink what they offer. I was refuting the underlying comments from some that think everyone that isn't buying the package is somehow missing out.

It's why I bring mine. The hugely inflated prices onboard are why I keep my onboard purchase to a minimum. But, people who go out to restaurants, bars, etc are used to paying a huge multiplier for drinks, so it's just sort of expected by most. I've tried before to comment on cost vs price, but it's not worth the time. Again, everyone perceives the value of things in their own way, and that is okay.

You will board in deck 5, but you can't use it prior to boarding for specialty dining. It's a hook, if you will. You should be able to use OBC in the casino, but I'm not certain.

I have always said the the value is the perception of the individual. Princess sells a shot of Jim Beam for $10, but if you have the package, you can get 15 of them for $30. I was recently on a 10 day Enchanted cruise, no package. Tips were $320, wifi was $200, so $520 for 2 people. Cost of the plus for 2 people would be $1200. It also helps that we don't do the sugary drinks anymore, so no interest in mocktails or ship carried soda. I brought on my own soft drinks (because for whatever reason they don't have coke zero) which cost me $20, so $540. To me the Lavazza coffee is fine, so I don't buy coffee either. The difference in my cost basis was $660. That is not insignificant to me simply because I feel I would be wasting most of it even getting a couple of coffees/cokes a day. In fact, I'm getting back on the ship tomorrow, and that $660 paid for 1/2 my cabin. I don't feel I'm missing out at all, in fact, I use that savings for my next vacation or other toy I want. I would not assume that someone who doesn't get a package is missing out, even though it appears many respond that way. Princess would not market the product if they were not making a lot of profit from it, and if the people who purchase it think they are getting good value then to me it's a win/win/win for everyone involved.

It doesn't matter if you do drink the limit, they have it priced so they make money regardless. They value the alcoholic drinks at less than $2 each by their own pricing, and soft drinks and coffee cost them pennies to provide. What people forget about is that they are also selling wifi to everyone even if they don't use it, and eliminating tips from being removed, which probably happens less, but still eliminates that. We don't either. I do pay for the tips and wifi, but we don't drink and avoid all sugary drinks in general, so nothing for us. I bring what drink I want onboard with me, and then drink whatever is included and available. Works great for us and I save a lot of money from how I view it. Everyone has to decide for themselves about value, but I am glad a lot are taking the packages because that might be helping to keep cruise fares lower.

Yeah, that would be good. Celebrity does that. I really don't understand why they don't just offer the same desserts in both places. Seems that would easier to plan and prepare. Same with many menu items.

I wish they would offer desserts that they have in the DR in the buffet area.

We put ours in the closet. Under the bed doesn't get cleaned all that much. 🙂

We started in 2006 and I guess stopped going to DR in 2014. Did the same thing probably 12 times during that range. I'm not aware that the ability to do so was ever advertised, but there was always someone in there to talk to and arrange what you wanted. I only knew you could do it because my BIL showed me on our first cruise.

I guess they don't do it anymore, I said it was years ago. We would go to the DR on embarkation, walk around the DR, select our table and they had a head waiter and other staff in there. He took our names and our time we wanted and that was our table that week. There were always people in there doing the same before sail away.

We have been on 2 celebrity cruises and 30 with Princess. They are very similar. The service on Celebrity was overall better, but I like the ship layout on Princess better, especially the pool decks. Celebrity food is overall a little better, but not significant.

Pretty normal now a days The whole idea of the buffer being in the middle of the ship and that there is no retreat pool will keep me off as well. That plus the expanded kids play areas means with new builds they are moving to Carnival/Royal clientele.

Still mad about that benefit cut

Yes

We did it for all our cruises years ago. Was nice to get your table selected when you embarked and know you were getting one you wanted. Especially a table for 2. Those rows where they separate the tables by six inches aren't really what I would call tables for 2.