crochetcruise

More info:

 

"I went to cancel my August cruise yesterday. We had one booked for July but decided it was too much to do one 14 day med then a 6 day break then go to the Baltic. I was there when my TA rang Princess. She was on the phone for ages trying to get them to return my FCD. It was then the Princess supervisor explained the new rules, effective immediately."

I have cancelled my November 28 sailing on the Golden Princess, and my TA got the booking cancelled and the deposit returned as a FCD so that I can use it up until 11-11-2018-bought aboard on my 1st cruise.

I managed to find the details on CC of the new Australian sailings, and have the choice of 2, 1's definitely going to be booked with the FCD and the other will need to be a 20% deposit, so some concentrated saving needs to happen. The 2nd is in April, 3 nights Melbourne-Sydney, the originally booked itinerary which was cancelled "for operational reasons."

We found that works great on the app. For passengers who don't/won't use the app there are also self serve kiosks at the Passenger Services desk where they can run off a hard copy of their account whenever they want.

Yes, because of limited eyesight (Legally Blind with only 10% vision) I do not use a touch screen phone as the screen is far too small for me to see clearly, even a TabletPC is a challenge, so the Self Service Kiosk was a great help on the Golden Princess. I was very close to my planned On Board Spend, and learnt heaps of useful tips so I'm better prepared for October 2018, and possibly-if the budget allows-April 2019.Enjoy your cruise.

I bought the Soda and More Package and have found the included insulated cup with drinking straw invaluable-I find I'm drinking more consistently and no longer have cramps from thirst and dehydration.

I found it very cost competitive compared to buying canned sodas, much safer moving around with a covered cup than an opened can of drink-I have multiple handicaps and use a Rollator for safer mobility.

I'm planning my next cruise, and the Soda and More Package was 3rd on the list, behind Booking the Cruise and International Travel Insurance-even on a coastal cruise in Australia I should have Medical Insurance, Medicare doesn't cover cruise ships. I taught my TA that, I'd read the brochure VERY thoroughly before I made my booking.

Do enjoy yourself, the 1st time is SO exciting!

Nice to see the 2018-2019 Australian itineraries and prices. I've already confirmed which 3-night cruise Sydney-Melbourne I'll be booking next Friday. I also will do a price check on several others, so I have a Target Savings Amount to aim for in future years.

A 4-night Melbourne-Adelaide is much more accessible for me, and would give me a better idea of how I'd cope aboard for extra time. Last year everything was new and a bit overwhelming, and tiring! I didn't realise JUST how much physical effort I'd be making just moving around the ship-it wasn't really the crowd, I've had some impatient crowds to deal with before, it seemed so long for me to plod anywhere! Although I DID get to sample different Bars, getting a drink and having a sit-down rest :D

I'm planning to sail to Tasmania in 2022, I have a big birthday in January, and am hoping to sail out of Sydney-I could then manage a catch up with family in NSW as well.

THANK YOU!

I don't remember receiving any written information about the function on my 1st cruise, but was rather overwhelmed with all the new experiences. I'll let her know.

Not true. :( ALL bookings are automatically marked "will accept an upgrade" by default unless the booking is deliberately changed to "No upgrade." Even then, the Passage Contract allows Princess to change passengers' cabins without notice, even those marked "no upgrade." Buyer beware.

You're not even safe in a Handicapped Accessible Stateroom! I was in F315, the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite on the Golden Princess, and was transferred to F311 without my knowledge. Found it when I checked my Cruise Personalizer online, and the poor TA had a very upset and indignant client to deal with. I knew she'd specifically phoned Princess when I made the original booking cancelled by Princess for operational reasons and I rebooked on this cruise. She managed to get the original Window Suite back and asked that it be noted, "Handicapped passenger, no moving." I wasn't, but it was a tense time until I boarded and actually was IN the Suite! We'd been told that if someone totally dependent on a wheelchair wanted a Suite on my cruise, I'd be re-assigned-ie downgraded-as I was in the only Handicapped Accessible Suite. An Oceanview might have been possible, there are Handicapped Accessible Oceanviews but I wouldn't have liked an Obstructed view, some are quite obstructed and I was warned to have a clear view out the window to try and control any seasickness and take medication.

To my knowledge, if put out before 9.00am Suite Laundry is same day. Make sure you write Suite on the docket. Check with your steward about what time it should be lodged-I was a Blue Card cruiser on the Golden Princess so I know about the laundry.

Also try the Platinum/Elite/Suite function at least once. I missed the 1st day-embarkation-and unfortunately looked out the window at the function, we were in Bass Strait which was being a little rough, and I started to feel a bit queasy. Finished my nice focaccia and smoked salmon and returned to the lower deck before I disgraced myself by being seasick! I sailed in Australia so not sure if there was a designated Drink of the Day or Snack of the Day, everything was new and exciting to me!

Breakfast at Sabatini's was great! Their scrambled eggs were yummy! With a history of travel sickness I didn't dare risk a mimosa (worse luck) but managed ok and will try 1 in October 2018. Bursting to get to the TA and book my next cruise, have to wait another 7 or 8 days, will go in today and double-check with her.

Enjoy those Suite Perks!

On behalf of a friend who is Elite and sailing on the Majestic in about 6 weeks time, is the Platinum/Ellite/Suite function held please? She's wondering whether to purchase the AIBP if the function is held.

Thank you for any help.

Even though we've only recently made elite, we've sailed in suited on a majority of our cruises so we have had the free laundry perk for awhile. We honestly do not use it that much mainly because of the increased times it takes to get things back. The one day turnaround on several occasions has turned into 2 or three days. In this regard, we started to use the self service washers and dryers for most of our laundry needs.....

 

Bob

If your laundry is ready by 9am in a Suite, it should be back the same day. I made a newbie mistake-didn't realise the time of lodging, and had to wait. No problems, I learned my lesson.

I'll stick with the Golden while she sails Australia with a suitable itinerary for me-found the Window Suites were "JUST RIGHT" for me, easy access to the elevators, International Café, several bars so I could easily get myself a cold drink, and great helpful staff with the gift of being there just at the right time to help but not in my face. I got the album with the ship's horn playing the Love Boat theme when I collected my Welcome Aboard Photo Package, I curiously looked at it, was told what it was and had a closer look, asked the price-promptly advised, and bought it freely! Absolutely the ONLY time anyone was in the least pushy, was at the Safety Drill to make sure I knew what to do in an emergency! And I sure don't mind that sort of pushiness, designed to protect me and others in the event of an emergency!

Thanks to someone-forgotten their name, hangs head and guiltily slinks into the corner in shame-I have identified my next cruise and by the end of next week, should have the booking confirmed!

A friend is cruising on the Majestic Princess and will check the doors out onto the balconies for me re weight and ease of opening, been warned they can be heavy.

Parentsof5 - Congratulations, it will be that much sweeter when the time nears. It's no uncommon to be a year ahead.

When I book my next cruise, it'll be nearly 18 months to wait, the time does pass-eventually!

Glad that the information was useful although if they open bookings on 4/27 at 1600 PDT (Princess's HQ time zone) that's 0900 on the 28th in Sydney so you may have to impatiently wait until then. ;)

THANK YOU for the information about the time zones, I probably would have been caught out with the different time zones! I'll check with the TA on Thursday-my fortnightly shopping day-she'd know better than I do about when the bookings open in Australia.

Once I have a confirmed Booking number, I can log in to my Personaliser and verify the AUD$/USD$ conversion rate, and work out how much per spending item I need to allow. Some items such as souvenir mugs, and pens-these are new in Australia but I might have missed them last year, SO much to see!

Sailing from Sydney, Australia, I didn't see the Pub Lunch or the Happy Hour/s aboard.

• Definitely get the Soda and More Package if they drink Soda, or the Coffee Card-I don't drink coffee. Possibly the All-Inclusive-Beverage-Package might be relevant.
  
• Get your drinks early, I found some of the bars rather crowded and had quite a wait for a refill.
  
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a warm jacket and hat, the weather can change quickly and feel different at sea.
  
• Warn them to be VERY careful around the pool area, splashes do occur and it can get very slippery-I didn't get too close for that reason, balance problems and I didn't want an unexpected crash landing in the pool and struggling to climb the ladder to get out, my days of easily climbing ladders are long gone!
  
• There can be quite a wait for the elevators, if you can use the stairs-I couldn't with my Rollator-it's probably quicker, free exercise and you work up an appetite for the next meal! :D
  
• Most importantly-ENJOY THEIR 1ST CRUISE! The next cruise for me-I've got to wait until October next year, just confirmed the dates thanks to a poster on CC and waiting to get to the TA and use my FCC.
  
• Oh make sure they know about purchasing a FCC on board, or booking another cruise on board. 3 days or longer gets some On Board Credit.
  

Hopefully you can view the PDF file in this link with the information about Majestic & other Princess cruises in Australia/NZ/South Pacific between September 2018 & March 2019 which become available for booking on 4/26/17 at 1600 PDT but no prices yet.

 

https://book.princess.com/pdf/onesource/pc/PC_2018_2019AustraliaNewZealandSouthPacificReference.pdf?cid=brand_email_info_internal_programrelease_destnews_se7sp007_170415_australia,newzealand,southpacific

THANK YOU! I've been eagerly (ok IMPATIENTLY) for this information! I even looked up the Sydney and Melbourne Port Schedules and noted what dates the Golden Princess was berthed. I was aware of 10/22/2018 but there was another date that seemed to be a 4 night Sydney-Melbourne, still haven't located that cruise, and could easily have read the dates wrong!

My TA's peace will be shattered on the 27th, I will be at the office wanting to use my FCC to secure my preferred Window Suite for this cruise!

me too! i usually have a change of clothes with me but now i am going to stuff my carry-on full when i cruise! they even flew in a day early.

I'm sorry for your daughter's bad luck, but thankful for the warning to make sure I have both a warm and a cool weather outfit with a toning top in my carry on bag. I already know to carry medication and valuables with me.

Disgusting and people wonder why there is Noro on ships.

If ya cant keep your bodily fluids in your body.

DONT CRUISE.

Sometimes, for medical reasons, despite all precautions you just don't react quickly enough! I got caught out yesterday, and had to walk home wearing an obviously soiled skirt. Only 1 person politely alerted me, I know her, and explained what had happened. I have portable chair protectors and bring them with me when travelling-the excitement can upset the muscle control IYKWIM? And yes, I will make sure I have appropriate supplies to try and prevent another unfortunate occurrence, usually only get caught out once!

Living alone, I don't have the luxury of being able to ask someone to do my shopping because I'm not well. I do try to plan ahead and have extra supplies in the pantry and bathroom cupboards, but sometimes emergencies spoil your careful planning.

The cruise personaliser doesn't work anyway. Ask for a robe and you won't get one (until you see your steward). Ask for beds in 'Queen' configuration and they'll be in 'Twin'. Ask for 'Twin' and they'll be in 'Queen'...

:(

Gosh I must have been incredibly lucky then, I asked for a Queen bed and got it-lovely being rocked tenderly to sleep too! :D

I posted this on another thread and am copying-for accuracy-here.

If the Golden Princess is redeployed, my chances of sailing as an Elite on my Big Birthday Cruise are severely compromised. I cannot afford more than a Window Suite-was advised by a friend who cruised on the Sea Princess that the balcony door in her Suite was very heavy and hard to open when the ship is sailing, and she was concerned I'd pay the price for a Suite with balcony and not be able to use it. The Window Suites on the Golden are a good, practical and safe compromise-Suite perks at a very reasonable cost even sailing solo and a Handicapped Accessible Bathroom without a balcony which might not be safely accessible for me.

While the Diamond, Sea and Sun Princesses all have Accessible Oceanview staterooms, I DID thoroughly enjoy my breakfasts at Sabatini's-their scrambled eggs are delicious! Can't cook them myself but enjoyed them aboard! The Mini Bar and free laundry were also used, and the gorgeous robe and slippers meant I didn't need to pack a bulky robe.

I seems puzzling to me, with an aging population, that more Handicapped accessible staterooms aren't planned BUT I have honestly no idea what Princess is planning for the future. The Golden Princess was quite large enough for me, I didn't realise how exhausting just keeping my balance and finding my way around the ship would be for me. Fortunately I wasn't seasick, even if I did give myself a headache by enjoying the Welcome Glass of Sparkling Wine-forgetting I'd travelled partway by train to Circular Quay and with a history of unexpected travel sickness on trains as a kid, I had warily taken an approved medication and forgotten I shouldn't drink alcohol so the headache was self-inflicted.

Based on looking at the Melbourne and Sydney Port Schedules, the Golden Princess is sailing Melbourne-Sydney, the reverse of my cruise in, I think, October 2018. I hope I've read the schedules correctly, and am impatiently waiting for the 2018-2019 schedules to be released for Australia.

If the Golden Princess is redeployed, my chances of sailing as an Elite on my Big Birthday Cruise are severely compromised. I cannot afford more than a Window Suite-was advised by a friend who cruised on the Sea Princess that the balcony door in her Suite was very heavy and hard to open when the ship is sailing, and she was concerned I'd pay the price for a Suite with balcony and not be able to use it. The Window Suites on the Golden are a good, practical and safe compromise-Suite perks at a very reasonable cost even sailing solo and a Handicapped Accessible Bathroom without a balcony which might not be safely accessible for me.

While the Diamond, Sea and Sun Princesses all have Accessible Oceanview staterooms, I DID thoroughly enjoy my breakfasts at Sabatini's-their scrambled eggs are delicious! Can't cook them myself but enjoyed them aboard! The Mini Bar and free laundry were also used, and the gorgeous robe and slippers meant I didn't need to pack a bulky robe.

I seems puzzling to me, with an aging population, that more Handicapped accessible staterooms aren't planned BUT I have honestly no idea what Princess is planning for the future. The Golden Princess was quite large enough for me, I didn't realise how exhausting just keeping my balance and finding my way around the ship would be for me. Fortunately I wasn't seasick, even if I did give myself a headache by enjoying the Welcome Glass of Sparkling Wine-forgetting I'd travelled partway by train to Circular Quay and with a history of unexpected travel sickness on trains as a kid, I had warily taken an approved medication and forgotten I shouldn't drink alcohol so the headache was self-inflicted.

If anyone is that unsteady going down the steps they should just sit to the rear of the theater and not venture down the steps. I've seen plenty of people who could hardly walk try the same thing. The back rows are specifically designated for those individuals.

And what happens if any of those individuals also have limited eyesight-as I do? Even with a telescopic monocular lens to magnify the performers, it can still be challenging to adequately see the stage area. I've had someone behind complain-loudly-when I moved and blocked his view-he was told by a Dr who's wife knew me, "She's Legally Blind and trying to focus on the performer with her Monocular Lens." The moaner shut up in a hurry, I was sitting in the end seat to minimise any disruption and he knew it!

Equally, I would try to check out my accessibility in the venue in peace and quiet so I could make an informed decision whether attending the performance was both safe and practical for me. I travel solo, and when using stairs, need to rely on walking sticks which are tiring for extended walking. I prefer the Atrium with the pianist playing at night-get myself a drink and a plate of cookies from the International Café and settle in a chair with my crocheting to enjoy the music and the sing-along on the Golden Princess.

I'm grateful that someone posted about a potential problem, I am now aware of the possible falling risk.

THANK YOU for your wonderfully clear photos, even the "naughtily sneaked" photos of the Sistine Chapel!

I was delighted to see the handrails going down into the Lotus Spa pool. Because of physical disability, I have a real problem trying to climb a ladder out of a pool, I can get in by sitting on the side and plunging into the pool but getting out independently is a right challenge.

If I ever sail the Majestic, Royal or Regal, it will probably be in an inside cabin. I sail solo so pay double-but get all the bed, towels, toiletries and canapés (when I buy them) to myself. :D

Your earlier post on the flight over has inspired me to look at pricing a Business Class flight if I need a connecting flight to embarkation. I have the choice of 2 airlines, 1 I've personally flown with, the other is strongly recommended by my cousin-who is particular about service and pricing, so I trust her judgement.

In addition to missing out on the OBC (not an insignificant issue in my opinion) you also lose out on using the FCD for your full deposit. Normal cruise deposits are quite hefty (20% of the cruise fare???) and the $100 deposit is much nicer and far less to risk. This is especially true as the FCD is normally returned to your account if the cruise is cancelled whereas the regular deposit may well be lost.

 

EDIT: Just checked and my wife and I only have one unused FCD each so if they won't extend them anymore we will need to book by mid September of this year. We have two cruises booked at the moment so I guess we will need to wait a while and see what opens up for fall or winter of next year. We will definitely purchase more on our cruise coming up in October.

THANK YOU for that reminder that if I book a cruise for 2019 BEFORE I sail in 2018-hanging out to find out the itineraries available to me so I can book a 3-night Melbourne-Sydney, based on research on the Sydney and Melbourne Port Schedules. Bursting to know if my research is accurate as I still have the Future Cruise Deposit that I placed on board Golden Princess last November to sail in November this year. Due to unexpected household expenses, new washing machine and linen replacement, I believe I can't do it safely financially so cancelled the cruise. And yes I've howled in disappointment but am feeling a LOT calmer and my asthma is back under control, so I was obviously over-extending myself. Already found some new souvenirs-thanks Princess for solving Christmas and Birthday present selections for several years-to purchase, and am squirrelling money aside towards On Board Credit so as much as possible is pre-paid. Even started costing flights and accommodation and I'm at least 6 or 7 months out from being able to book the flights and accommodation! Even managed to get a price on a 7-night round-trip cruise to Tasmania from Sydney on the Golden Princess, so I could look at the All-Inclusive-Beverage-Package for my big Birthday Cruise!

Just my personal opinion with no personal experience of the Royal Class ships.

The Oceanview stateroom category is removed-that means I either take an Inside, with the possibility of seasickness due to not being able to see the horizon or have to take medication to prevent seasickness which means I cannot drink alcohol. A friend who has personally sailed in a Suite on the Sun Princess advised me that travelling solo and using a Rollator for mobility, I may have difficulty in opening the Balcony door by myself.

Personally I'd like to see some Window Suites added-effectively providing additional space without a balcony. Even a group of Window Suites without the separate private corridor would give an option for people to choose. I'm eagerly waiting for the 2017-2018 Australian Cruise Schedule to be released so I can identify a possible cruise for 2018. I'm addicted! After my 1st cruise-even with Bass Strait being more than a little er-bouncy on the Saturday night, I was able to return from Skywalker's Bar safely using the handrail and moving slowly. Always felt safe on my feet, just didn't understand how tiring so much walking/exploring the ship would be. :D

There also seems to be limited Handicapped Accessible Staterooms/Suites-not sure of the exact numbers on the Royal class ships.

Why not?

From what I've read, all bookings once in China will be handled by Chinese Travel Agency/ies and no Foreign National will be allowed to book as it is an Exclusive Charter to the Chinese Government.

HTH.

Does anyone know when Princess release itineraries for Sydney cruises around New Zealand for late 2018 to 2019?

 

This would be my DREAM cruise to sail out of and into Sydney Harbour

Last year, about Anzac Day-April 5, there was a post on Cruise Critic with the Australian Cruises details for the North American market IIRC. I'm hanging out to find out if my research on the Melbourne and Sydney Port Schedules is correct, that there IS a suitable 3 night cruise Melbourne-Sydney I can book.

Wow! I had no idea it was listed as a quad cabin. Looking at the deck plans I see that it is but I don't understand why....

 

We were automagically upgraded one time to that cabin from an inside forward cabin. It was an amazing upgrade and obviously nobody had booked the cabin who actually needed it or else Princess wouldn't have moved us there. It was a great HC cabin with lots of room but we never noticed anything that would indicate it was a quad cabin. Perhaps there are beds in the ceiling that we simply didn't notice.

 

We've sailed a couple of times with our son who is a high-functioning quadriplegic (although he only likes inside HC cabins) so we were quite surprised (but very pleased) with this upgrade and happy to be able to check out and evaluate the accessibility of the cabin. There was a small fold-down ramp that let one go out onto the balcony and, being a Caribe deck cabin and an HC cabin the balcony was very good sized. The cabin is about 1.5 times as wide as a normal balcony cabin and, of course, that meant that the extra deep Caribe balcony was also about 1.5 times as wide as normal.

How difficult is it likely to be trying to open the balcony door with 1 hand while holding onto a Rollator with the other hand please? I am unsteady without support and travelling solo.