LMaxwell

I am going on a short Liberty cruise soon and have no intention of bringing pants or jeans with me. I am sure they don't care on the 3 and 4 day sailings; I've been on them on several ships and they just want to make sure you're happy and eating.

Have My Time Dining for upcoming short Liberty cruise and a couple of recent Compasses show a 7 or 7:15pm opening for MTD? Is that accurate? I don't recall My Time starting that late and if that's the case, has anyone experienced it and is it really busy right at opening? I'd prefer for "My Time" to not be after 8pm unless I rush.

Well...since Plus get "2" meals at venues where right now they can have unlimited; is this really them getting what they had gotten all along?

If you drink alcohol, maybe. If you don't?

It literally says the 3 course meal is available to standard fare guests for $14.99; therefore I am not hopeful those venues remain free; or if free it will be carb/sugar options and proteins will have a charge for standard fare. I can't see any way that this is actually more included to standard fare, and any Plus or Premier pack guest has to see this is a repackaging of what they already were getting; just that Princess wants to move them out of overcrowding the more highly desired specialty dining venues.

Now room service is listed as Complimentary for Plus and higher; and the marketing babble says that standard fare guests get RS breakfast. So that's the death of the RS menu I guess unless you buy an alcohol drink pack for $60 a day per person

Does your reading of situation match mine? Complimentary food is being packaged together as a 3 course menu for Plus and Premier, to remain complimentary as always before; but now with a $15 charge for Standard. This doesn't look like a gain for Plus and Premier, but a reduction to standard fares being pitched as a new and exclusive benefit to Plus and Premier? I'm not sure a $15 3 course meal at an otherwise complimentary venue ranks up there with the heftier specialty dining experiences and is this really a benefit for plus and premier?

It seems to me like a reduction in "included" food in your fare for standard fares, and that complimentary food now being packaged as 3 course meals for Plus fares, I guess to reduce crowding in some of the higher end restaurants. The $15 to dine at what was free before will dissuade standard fare passengers from going?

What does this mean for those of us looking at standard fares? For voyages embarking August 12 and beyond, guests on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages will enjoy savory prix fixe dining options in the ship's casual restaurants, including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O'Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo's, and GiGi's. The addition of new three-course, pre-fixed menus gives Plus and Premier guests more food options than ever before without any extra charges. For those who prefer sailing on Princess Standard, the casual prix fixe dining will be $14.99 and individual selections will continue with a la carte pricing. "Great food is fundamental to the Princess Cruises experience," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "By incorporating our casual dining experiences into the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, guests can now indulge in more memorable meals tailored to their dining style preferences without hesitation, all while enjoying unparalleled value." All guests can continue to enjoy top-quality culinary options at no additional charge. Complimentary dining options for all guests include exquisite multi-course meals in all main dining rooms, buffet-style delights at World Fresh Market and Horizons Court, scrumptious treats at the International Café, poolside offerings at Slice, Coffee & Cones, and more, as well as traditional stateroom breakfast available using the classic door hanger menus.

Reminder There is no Minimum Age to Join AARP - I joined when I was 33 for NCL Cruise Discounts Company becomes the exclusive cruise benefit provider to AARP members; Shipboard spending money up to $200 per stateroom available to AARP members SEATTLE, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will offer AARP members a member-only onboard credit that can be used for a variety of amenities. Combinable with several other special offers and fares, the amount of onboard credit depends on type of stateroom and length of voyage, ranging from $50 to $200 per stateroom. AARP members can book a Holland America Line cruise using their travel advisor or directly with the cruise line to receive the onboard credit that can be put toward shore excursions, spa services, beverages, specialty dining, gift shop purchases and more. "Holland America Line is thrilled to extend this offer to AARP members, who are avid travelers and a key demographic for our brand," said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. "We look forward to enticing AARP members to join us for a cruise to one of the many incredible destinations we explore." AARP members can book a Holland America Line cruise to locations around the world, including Alaska, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, Mexico, South America and beyond. Cruises eligible for this offer range from weeklong getaways to longer "Legendary Voyages" up to 59 days. "Holland America Line cruises open the world to AARP members, allowing them to visit other regions and experience different cultures with ease and comfort," said Victoria Borton, vice president, lifestyle product and services, AARP Services. "Members appreciate the cruising experience and level of premium service that's synonymous with Holland America Line." This offer is available for all voyages except Grand Voyages, Grand Voyage segments and voyages less than five days. It can be combined with Holland America Line's popular Have It All premium package of amenities that includes shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi. The offer may also be combinable with other shipboard credits the guest may be eligible to receive. Visit hollandamerica.com for details and full terms and conditions.

4 day on Freedom (or alternate Freedom class) is significantly cheaper than 3 day Allure cruises; same itinerary with a sea day thrown in. You can't see and do everything on Allure in 3 days; to young kids I bet they notice no real differences in terms of accessible amenities for them.

How long ago was this? I looked at some recent Cruise Compass from May 2023 and there were theme nights in the WJ published.

I was on VV 2 months ago, not a single photographer anywhere. Not that every area of ship should be packed, but thought it strange to have NONE. I don't like when they clog stairs, but on some ships, especially MSC, I totally understand why bc its a great scene

Is there still a Diamond discount for a shake? I won't pay for a hamburger on any cruise line

Cruises are a lot of money for us. It is discretionary spend. Whether it is a main stream line, a premium line, or a luxury line, a cruise is still a luxury style vacation that includes service and amenities. When I go on a cruise I don't live like I do at home. I don't exercise as often as I do at home I eat more than when I am at home I lay out in the sun more than when I am at home I don't have a 40 square foot bathroom at home that I share with my entire family I don't have a maid or house cleaner at my home It doesn't cost $500-800 per night for myself and my family to stay at my home There's a lot of things I don't need at all, but they are part of the service and amenities package and I don't feel guilty saying I enjoy them. On a cruise I typically may shower 3 times a day; quick shower in morning to feel refreshed, always a shower before dinner to get any sunblock/sweat/sand off, and then I never feel comfortable getting into bed without another quick shower. So, yeah, it's nice to always come back to a room stocked with fresh, dry towels to use. Everyone is allowed to have preferences. Those are mine. When cruise lines reduce services and keep costs same, or increase them, that's for their benefit, not mine. When they assign a single staff member 20+ rooms to work on, that's ridiculous and management being chintzy. I go on a cruise for a break from my daily realities of life and part of that is the service level I described. If you are satisfied with a lower level, that is for you personally. I'm a super neat/clean person. Most of the time my room doesn't look "lived in". I don't require daily towel animals or special attention; but coming back and showering to reuse a damp towel because the other towels and robe can't dry off in the bathroom is annoying. We can all pick and choose our desires.

Their money hoovering tricks don't work too well on me. We always hoof it to the other side of the island and grab some lounge chairs and umbrella near a snack shack at CocoCay. I will say this; my last visit to Labadee I listened to crew/staff on those gas golf carts and diesel tractors going back and forth past the beach chairs constantly. Even near the end of the ocean facing beach. Not talking about the tram service, but staff just constantly driving every which way. Felt like laying out in a construction zone. Was only time Labadee was ever like that for me, so maybe it was a one off.

Yeah that's true, I can kill an hour and check out the new port area.

I will fearless guess exactly NONE of the above. It's Port of Miami security; take anything you want through there. They don't care.

I have a few pages to catch up on as I have been traveling for work this week; can you hit me with a thumbs up, thumbs down, 1-5 currently?

I do love Sea Days; but Nassau is basically a Sea Day for us; so less crowds. Surprised to learn Liberty is not "Amplified" but for a short getaway cruise it may not matter except for no food eateries near pool deck; both ships have slides, flowrider, other similar attractions.

Looking at two different quick getaways 4 Day Monday-Friday on Liberty of the Seas: Sea Day, CocoCay, Nassau out of Fort Lauderdale 4 Day Wednesday - Sunday on Independence of the Seas: Sea Day, Labadee, Sea Day out of Miami Since both are Freedom class ships they should have similar, if not identical, amenities and onboard attractions. (Any actual differences?) Prices are nearly identical. With Independence I only need 3 days off of work versus 4 or 5 (but it really doesn't matter if I block the whole week off anyways). With Liberty I sail from Fort Lauderdale which is slightly closer to home (but won't make a significant difference in grand scheme of things; driving not flying) Usually treat Nassau like a Sea day; so I guess it comes down to....CocoCay or Labadee? Been to both several times. I recall food being much better at CocoCay; is that still the case post-covid? What's the condition of these ships like these days? Getting beat up on short cruises or still looking pretty good? Overcrowded or manageable? Looking to go on an "off" week out of season to just chill out for a few days.

Nice wide Promenade deck with lounge chairs; a "waterfront" type concept as employed on Virgin, Carnival, MSC, Norwegian along the promenade deck with an adults only pool near the aft, perhaps

If they want to charge for kids under age 12 in Butchers Cut they should offer a smaller sized steak and seafood options, at least. Paying for chicken fingers and fries is chintzy. I haven't seen any other line charge for what is considered "Kids Menu" in the dining room when offered in specialty but have for reduced size scale of the adult menu

I don't remember Seaside feeling as crowded as Seascape, but that was pre-covid. It seems like 2023 is the year the cruise lines are packing ships to max-max capacity; probably 120% of double occupancy; and it shows.

Several thousand dollars is a gamble to hope for a different/better experience. MSC consistently is crowded with not great customer service outside of yacht club, and more and more complaints of Yacht Club lacking service and outsides sneaking in unabated. They might miss out on a good vacation elsewhere also. I've been on Divina several times, and Seaside. There's something wrong with the way Seascape is ran. It's so subpar.