Catherine Claus

Has there been any word when Spellbound will be available?  We will be on the ship in a few days.   Hoping Park 19 will finally be open for our sailing.

On 2/25/2024 at 11:27 AM, Wishing on a star said:

The packages are supposed to include the juice bar.

I have no idea what 'smoothies' are, and where to get them on most ships.

It seems that on some ships, the only thing now available is a very limited selection of 'juices', that could be any re-constituted plain 'juice'.

If this is true, leave it to Princess to offer a 'package perk' that really does not amount to much.

This is not good news.

We are looking forward to the SUN,  and the Enchanted.  Can anyone here confirm what is available in juices and/or smoothies?

Hi, On the Discovery the Juice bar was located in the buffet.  They had healthy smoothies, green smoothies, several different healthy drinks.  It was not open all day I don't remember the hours. We are not smoothie people ut really enjoyed these and felt like we were getting something health.

Hope you enjoy it too. 

19 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I am using the new Princess App (UGH!) and it won't let me complete Payment Information without adding Credit Card information for Shoreside Purchases. Is there a workaround? If not, who can I call at Princess to help with this? 

I did not complete that section.  Our cruise is on the Sun March 9.  I was in the green lane but with the new app and not filling in the credit card info for seaside it shows me 6 out of 7. BUT, if you look on you travel summary you are good to go and in the green lane.  I would not worry about.  You cannot be forced to put in your credit information to a random company to keep on file.  It is not even available in Europe on our cruise.  No worries.

31 minutes ago, nazpaz said:

On the new app, just under days to go, there's a "Check-in" tab.  If I tap on it, it takes me to the dreaded Shoreside payment method.

 

However, if I don't tap on it but, instead, swipe left, other tabs appear.  One of those is "Boarding Pass."  It says "proceed to Green Lane."  If I tap on that tab, it gives me the check in QR code, and again reports "Green Lane" - as well as other check in information.

 

So, even in the app, if you don't want to provide a Shoreside payment method, you still get assigned to the Green Lane.

 

Anyone want to confirm this on their new app?

I tried but did not work on our cruise. The Sun Princess must not be ready to accept dining reservations etc. No problem.

regarding the shoreside issue.  I also was in the green lane one the old app but new one puts me at the dreaded 6/7 because of the shoreside CC info.  

I call and was told that they are working on updating the app and not to worry.  Medallion will still ship and still in the green lane,  However, she never asked for my cruise info soooo we will see.  I am not worried about it.  I don't care how I get on the ship as long as I get on it.  

On 12/27/2023 at 9:06 AM, Wonder18 said:

Thanks  I have another question do you have to fill out the shoreside payment method also?

It seems like it will not put me back in the green lane unless I do and I am not doing to do that.  It isn't even available in Europe that I can see.  Hope they get this fixed as I am not going to wait on hold to talk to someone who is not trained properly.

Is there any information on how to make reservations for Spellbound.  I am elite and still cannot make dinner reservations.  I ws told it could only be 30 days before the cruise.  Understandable with new ship.

5 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

If you are Elite, you can book dining reservations right after booking the cruise.

We are on the March 9 cruise, I am Elite and still have not been able to book dining.  Called and was told you have to wait till 60 days out to book dining.  Something is fishy.   No-one seems to know anything about anything on this new Sun Princess.  Not worried though and still excited to be on the new ship. Just wish we could book dining since we are a party of 7.

We booked Zaire premium economy seats United operated by Lufthansa from LAX to Barcelona.  We want to upgrade to business class.

We were told by United and Lufthansa that we are not eligible to upgrade.  What is the reason? This does not make sense to me. Also, one of the 4 of us can upgrade.  Anyone know what the answer is or to upgrade without waiting till we get to the Airport and take a chance that we will be able to upgrade.  That is what we were told by United and Zaire.

Does anyone know when Spellbound on the Sun Princess will be available for reservations and how much it will cost.?

On 11/27/2023 at 7:08 PM, teachtocruis said:

When they gave us the invite I told them right off the bat we had diet restrictions. They assured us they could accommodate us. The next day they came to us and asked us to move our experience to the last night. I thought they were turning us away due to our restrictions. But no, the chef wanted more time to work out our dishes. We did not have the octopus served to us. People around us didn’t eat the octopus and wished they had our food. And this happened more than once. Can’t remember if they asked us about our steak, but it was perfection. Actually the whole meal was! While the waiters were not present the whole time, they were there enough that we felt taken care of and pampered. 

Such a shame you did to try every dish offered.  I am not a seafood person and reluctantly tried it. To my surprise, I ate the whole thing.  It is all part of the experience.  So worth it even if you have to pay. We did not as were in a suite also. 

On 11/26/2023 at 8:36 PM, karatemom2 said:

I totally get it. I just paid to reserve it for our family of 5 for New Year’s Eve. I was sort of nauseous about the price, but I really wanted to do something very special for our NYE celebration and it seems it is more than just a fabulous meal. It is a show and an experience! I pay $150 for theatre tickets so I just kind of looked at it like that - it is a one time splurge for my family and we will make a special memory. So hoping I will walk away saying it was worth it - I know it will be a great surprise for them!

It is definitely worth it.  We were privileged to experience 360 on Discovery and it was AMAZING! It will be a special time for you and your family to remember.  Have fun, it's only money and you can't take it with you bu you will always have memories.  Enjoy!

Does anyone know if the Sea Breeze roll glider on the Sun Princess will have a surcharge?

What is the benefit to taking the first inaugural cruise on a new ship?  Are there any special perks? Would it be better to cruise after the ship has made a few trips?

Anyone with inaugural experience advice is appreciated.  We tentatively have the inaugural cruise on the Sun next Feb.  not sure we would enjoy Europe at that time of year.

On 2/6/2023 at 4:35 AM, Loritd said:

I ordered mine last night for a September sailing with standard package, no charge. We are elite, could that be a factor?

NOPE.  We booked a Coastal while on the Discovery last week.  When setting up the Ocean ready, we were also going to be charged $10.00 for delivery of the "free" medallions.  We are elite also.  The cruise we just got off of we had the drink package and no charge for the medallions. Decided not to take the drink package as we never drink 15 drinks a day.  I did call customer relations and was told that "Yes" unless. you take a package you will be charged for delivery.

We will pick up at the pier, no problem but definitely do not like be charged for something that is required on the ship.  We do love the easy of use and ordering, opening your door, etc. better than the old card you had to carry everywhere.  P.S. The Princess Discovery was absolutely gorgeous.  

Does anyone have some suggestions for a fun sailaway party.   We are "hosting" and would like to do something really cool. Just meeting at a bar at the back of the ship.

Thanks for an suggestions or ideas. 

Thanks,  We definitely will not be late. We were told that a representative would contact us about where to meet.  Thanks for the heads up. Very excited about this offering.  

Thanks, we will just go to the Pursers desk upon arrival. We are on the Discovery Jan 28. Mexican Riveria

We received our medallions but they were white instead of black.  Are we able to simply exchange them at the pursers desk when we board?

Has anyone else experienced this?  This is the second time for us.  Am I missing something when ordering them?  It seems that Princess knows what color they should be. It is on our paperwork for that cruise. 

WE also got the call for the experience yesterday. I read about it so I was very excited to be asked to join in that experience.  All we had to do was choose a time and day.  Don't know where to go but was told we would received info when on board.  Very happy.  We are in a mini suite.  See you on board.

we will be on the Discovery January 28.  I wanted to make specialty dining reservations but we have 300.00 OBC and you can't use that when making reservations before the cruise.  Any suggestions?  I also would like to know what night is th formal night.  I am guessing that on our Mexican cruise it would be the first sea day as getting back from Cabo is 8 pm and other ports returning to ship 5 or 6 pm.? 

Hi, we were on the New England/Canada cruise in September, 2022.  We stayed at the World Center Hotel 144 Washington St New York New York. 646-746-3509.

It was perfect.  It overlooks the 9/11 Memorial Museum and grounds.  They have a rooftop bar with an overlook of the 9/11 memorial.  The rooms were great and I am pretty fussy about hotels.  The desk receptionists were all very, very helpful and we were pleased with the whole experience.

Make sure you ask for a room with the 9/11 view.  We stayed 3 nights $727.63. (superior room, terrace, view).  We had a balcony with table, my sister had a room with a full view of the memorial site.

Be sure to make reservations ahead of time for the memorial if you intend to visit.  The grounds were beautiful and it was a very loving experience and so worth it.

Good luck

Has anyone eaten at Planks on the Caribbean Princess?

Thank you so much. I could not get a straight answer from anyone at Princess about the sailing port.  You have been very helpful.  Do you have any hotel recommendations for hotels.  We will be coming in 3 days before the cruise as we want to see the 9/11 memorial and go to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  Those tours leave from Battery Park.

Going on the Canada/New England cruise on the Caribbean Princess in September.  The ports and excursions are not interesting to us at all and am wondering if we are missing something.  We are not history buffs so would like to do interesting and fun things in these ports.  lAny suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.  Also, where exactly does the ship depart from.  My itinerary shows Manhattan or Brooklyn.  We are trying to make plank and hotel reservations.  There are 4 of us.  

Thanks

just got off the Grand Baja cruise.  The Grand was in great shape IMO.  We had a mini suite and the sofa wa new (yeah).  The dining experience was not good.  Wed were unable to get a table in Da Vinci any night, yet the passenger count was around 1300. I did request dining in the Medallion app. They kept sending us to Bottoceli (spelling) . Because I get sea sick, I cannot tolerate the vibration I that dining room.  We tried everything they told us to do to no avail.  So, I had to reluctantly go to the Passenger Services desk.  Guiseppe, the head of dining contacted me and gave us a table every night. Yeah, but, had difficulty getting reservations in the Crown Grill (all full). Then they gave our Da Vinci table away again. We are Elite, so frequent cruisers, and never complain about anything but this dining experience was not up to Princess standards nor what we expected. The food was not good at all. The combinations of items were bizarre to say the least. 

Alfredo's, Crown Grill, and Sabatini's were excellent.  

In Cabo we walked the marina all the way around to Solomon's restaurant.  This was featured on a Guy Fieri's show.  It was great, clean, and fun.  I highly recommend it.  The only issue was that we were not able to pay with the Medallion as stated.   When checking at PS they had no answer as to why it would not work. Oh well, The entertainment was good and we had a wonderful time.

Looking forward to the next cruise in August on the Caribbean Princess.

I do not like to be negative but one more thing, the employee in the Calypso store was so rude I was shocked beyond words. He was grumpy, no smiles and unhelpful.  
Also he was vacuuming and turned it off leaning on the handle saying he had to wait till we left to continue to vacuum. Needless to say, we left immediately. 

Such unexpected reactions on Princess.  

Sorry for the negative responses but this will not stop us from booking another cruise on Princess.  These are difficult times for everyone so I chalk it up to that.

P.S. Many passengers voiced negative opinions on this cruise even though I did not solicit any negative responses. I hope Princess takes notice to correct these minor but important issues soon.  

Boarding and disembarking went smooth and easy as usual. The bar personnel were fun and everyone was very accommodating. 

Bottom line, if you really find it necessary to complain to Passenger Services, please do so with a smile, it is not their fault if you have a problem.  They try very hard to fix everything.  No need to raise your voice or be rude to them, as I witnessed happening while waiting in line. I can't understand why people feel the need to yell at someone who is trying to help them.  After all, it is the LOVE BOAT. 

Was on the Grand Jan 7- 17th. The food in MDR was okay, better than last year.  Nothing spectacular,  The lobster (very, very small) was tough, the risotto was not good.  Soem nights the food was exceptional and some nights not so much. The new menu in Sebatini's was fabulous.  Every item we had was super and the service was friendly and very good.  It was definitely a major improvement.  The Trident grill was every good also, hamburgers were not over cooked.  Food is very subjective.  I do not usually complain.  MDR was okay but not up to par as previous sailings on Princess. Overall, I do not have any major complaints about the food on any Princess ship.  It is impossible to please everyone's taste buds.  There are so many dining options I am sure one can find something they like to eat. Why find something to complain about when you are on a vacation?