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Boats07

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    aLl Inclusive Beverage Package

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    i have only cruised on Celebrity and have always bought the premium package.

     

    I am considering Panama Canal Cruise on princess and trying to compare with Celebrity.

     

    Does princess have a coffee cafe like celebrity and are these drinks included in the package?

     

    Are can sodas included in the princess package?

     

    Thanks

     

    Don't forget, while on the Panama Canal cruise, you will need your bottle water to take on shore. Every time we passed a bar we would each get a large bottle water. We would stock up and keep in our cabin and then take ashore with us.

    The wine in Vines is above anywhere else on the ship. Would always have a glass or two before dinner and they would pour us another to take to the dinning room. Once they know you have the package, they are very accommodating.

    signature drink pkg

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    We just got off the Westerdam and had the SBP. The Ocean Bar was always crowded during happy hour, but emptied out as soon as the hour was over. We told them we did not need the second drink for a $1 because we were on the drink package. The servers got to know us and always brought us what we wanted. When we requested a double the servers let us know it was up to the bar Manager how many drinks could be ordered at a time on the SBP. On the Westerdam we could have ordered three drinks at a time. We would order a double or an extra shot in our drink and they never showed up on our room bill. The Westerdam has a wonderful bar staff and manager!!

    HAL pays gratuties.....

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    We had booked during the Anniversary Sale----to receive the Week Sale, paid gratuities, we would loose everything but it was a break even... We could take one or the other. We just kept what we had from the Anniversary Sale.

     

    Friends had book without any specials and had one small problem receiving the paid gratuities.

     

    The small problem was our TA said HAL was having computer issues giving the credit for the sale. We were told HAL was making a list of everyone they needed to add the credit to. Called back to confirm it was applied, was told all was handled.

    Live From the Golden Princess April 3-6, 2015

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Here is the review of my cruise.....:):):)

     

    DW and I just got off the Golden Princess after a short three-day getaway cruise. This was our 15th cruise overall and eighth in a row on Princess. The main reason we went on this cruise was to celebrate DW’s sister’s hubby’s recent retirement. Embarkation was relatively smooth. We arrived around 1430 hours and were on the ship in about 20 minutes after walking into the terminal. We did have to park at an overflow lot because the lots around the terminal were all full. I was told there were 3 ships that sailed before us which filled up all the lots.

     

    For this cruise, we had what is listed as a Vista Suite (C751). I think they use to be called the “Premium Suites.” BIL & SIL had the adjoining PH suite (C749). Here is the thing that confuses me. The PH’s pictures show the balcony as being smaller with the cabin being bigger. What we saw was the exact opposite. Our balcony was noticeably narrower that C749 but our cabin seemed noticeably larger. Our cabin attendant (sorry but I cannot remember his name) started out kind of strange but he, overall, was very good. All other crew members always had a smile on their faces and were more than willing to help when needed.

     

    The Golden overall seems to be holding up rather well for being a 14 year old ship. We sailed on her to Hawaii in 2011 so we were well acquainted with her layout. All public areas seemed in a good state of repair. I was told the ship is going in for a two-week dry dock after the 10-day cruise that started today. I did see some wear and tear and rust but the Golden is in the water 24/7 365 days a year.

     

    Since this was a short three-day cruise I did not get to experience all areas of the ship. As far as the subjective area of food, we ate in room from the MDR the first night. The next two nights, we did ATD in the Bernini dining room. In my humble opinion, Princess does an absolutely terrible job running ATD. The first night we waited about forty-five minutes when we requested a table for six at 1930 hours. While waiting for a table, I noted a number of empty tables. I asked the headwaiter about this. He told me only a maximum of 20% of available tables are allowed to be held for reservations. He also told me the reservations are only available first come first serve on a daily basis. He also assured me that standing reservations for an entire cruise was not allowed on any Princess ship. After reading to the contrary on CC, I decided that it wasn’t worth arguing about. The food overall in the Bernini, along with food in all areas, was very good to excellent.

     

    Bar service was acceptable in all areas with the exception of the Casino bar. Service there was abysmal.

     

    Since the cruise was a short three-day done during spring break, there were a ton of kids onboard. There were some instances where the kids got out of line but I thought ship’s personnel handled it well.

     

    All in all it was an enjoyable short cruise. Just thing to get me motivated for our CB cruise in September.

     

    Bob

     

    Thanks Bob for the review.

    We are on the Golden when it comes out of dry dock on 5/2/15.

    We are in the same cabin C749, we have friends that will be in the Vista Suite next to us. Do you know if the devider on the balcony can be opened up? Do you have pictures of the cabin?

    We are 25 days out, and can't wait!!

    Food - Regent and Oceania

    in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

    Posted

    I am a working stiff that takes at least one cruise a year, 23 total with 7 on Regent on all three ships. I am Seven Seas Silver and have never stayed in a cabin higher than Penthouse. I have no where near the status that most of the posters here have. I have dined with the Captain on Voyager, the Hotel Manager on all three ships and have never had a problem getting more than one reservation in the Specialty restaurants. I have never seen an overt class system on Regent ships. I have seen high-end suite passengers eat in Prime 7 for multiple nights in a row, but that does not bother me. I assume they paid for it.

     

    I have also seen many posts that claim the crews have "favorites" and all I can say is that be acting positively with crew members I have always been treated favorably. I personally believe that the only way to have a bad Regent cruise is to set out with that as your goal. I have been on ships with short staff, full loads (two New Years cruises) and bad weather. I have had disappointing meals, asked for different wine and passed on some of the entertainment, so everything is not always perfect. When I have had an issue, it was addressed and I have always been happy in the end.

     

    In two weeks I board the Navigator again, my goal is a good experience. I'm betting I get it. Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all.

    TW

     

    TW

    We have just booked our first cruise with RSS. Your comments make us feel a bit better. There is a lot of negative comments from RSS travelers and we wondered if we made a mistake. We have sailed on many different lines and know there are a lot of complainers. This will be our first all-inclusive cruise for our 40th anniversary.

    Thanks for making us feel better.

    Merry Christmas!

    Beverage packages?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted · Edited by Boats07

    We are booked on May 2nd cruise and have purchased the beverage package. We will accept the risk to meet the quota and accept the challenge!!

     

    If you purchase a drink and don't like it, you can put it down and reorder. We just like the idea of picking up a drink whenever we want, we will be on vacation!

    Transportation

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    You need to familiarize yourself with the bidding site which will guide you and give you good information. Then you see which hotels are usually obtained from zeroing into the specific area and stars. Eventually you know that in San Pedro, the only hotels you will get are Crown and Doubletree and I've never gotten anything other than Crown.

     

    Thank you Pia!

    Transportation

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    We have sailed out of San Pedro several times. Prime time shuttle is a great way to book your transfer from the airport, you can book a round trip back as well for your return home from the pier or a hotel if you are staying over.

     

    We travel down 2 days early because we are arriving from Northern Canada in the winter never know what the weather will be like. I booked the hotel using Priceline and choose a hotel in the vicinity of the pier. Priceline is an online booking service. If you have never used it just google Priceline. This year we are at Crown Plaza and received a special Price of 105.00 per night including taxes. The hotel offers a transfer to the ship but should you wish to use a taxi the distance is not very far. After the cruise when you return to port if you have a late departure flight, because we stayed here prior to the cruise, we can store our luggage at the Crown Plaza on the return day for a few hours. We can enjoy the hotel venues or wonder around the area rather than sit at the airport. We cruise mid January 2015.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Please help....how did you get that great rate for Crown Plaza? We will be booking for our cruise on May 2nd. Thank you in advance!

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