Flapgum

Remember the AUD has dropped considerably against the USD and that is a more likely reason for drinks price increases. A lot of the provisioning for Princess ships comes from the US.

 

Personally I'm more than happy to pay $7 for a cosmo - it would cost $15 or more in a Sydney bar.

What cheeses me off is that we are a captive market. Most of maybe consume just a tad more on board than we would otherwise do AND we do it seven days a week! That is the difference. Every bar and eatery is guaranteed a good roll up, staffing and catering is easier and more profitable in these circumstances AND no G.S.T..

It would be fine if they bought us drinks or something but when they just rock up and steal the lounges. :eek:

We always have to remind staff to check. When it is busy, we ask again. After a while they get the message. I also agree with the comments anout the farmed, washed and sterilised prawns, we do not eat them. The wishy washy tomato sauce has no roots in a cocktail sauce. Now I am getting picky:eek:

This is where the cocktail sauce is mandatory.:p

 

I prefer the guacamole.:D

Amazing, regular Princess cruisers will have a Platinum and Elite lounge on all the larger ships. The cocktails will now be $7.00 AUD and most other drinks are way more expensive than previous cruises. Basic beers $7.00. I had a look last year and these were the prices quoted. I contacted Princess, no reply, and said that the drinks had increased at about 10 times the rate of inflation. They obviously care less.

Maybe the franchised restaurants where they do everything on the spot? Think the likes of Johnny Rockets? just sayin'

I am sure that some of the spas and restaurants are being run by outsiders. People actually pay to operate these things on the promise

that they will make money.... the only ones the cruise lines keep are the ones that are profitable. One born every minute!

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I wonder how loyal we would all be if some of the non-aligned cruise lines began offering same for same recognition for cruise status and perks. I am guessing that there would be a huge increase competitive behaviour. Priority boarding, tender access and laundry certainly do garner loyalty but really don't cost much at all.

The Plat/Elite lounge is not available on the smaller ships. A forty percent rise in the discounted cocktails since our Christmas cruise on the Emerald. You will also note that Princess have raised the prices of all drinks by way more than the rate of inflation.

If you wish to hedge your costs you can load up a cash card with U.S dollars now as the pundits are suggesting that the AUD will tank after June. Princess will allow you to settle in U.S.D. or at least they used to.

Like all things, going to the p/e lounge every night would be too restrictive and boring but it can be a nice hangout if passengers constantly have waitstaff challenge the interlopers. Some nights we have been overrun with passengers who should not be there.

In spite of this, we are cruising to enjoy ourselves and try not to focus on the negative stuff. cheers, d&v

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Just stow it in the open position. We can fit two open hard backs under.

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use platinum credit card insurance. Unfortunately nothing will protect you from a non pay due to an existing condition. As we travel a bit, our agent does not charge extra for credit card payment.

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We often use the casino bar, fastest service on the ship. Mostly, the things we remember relate to new and old friends on board.

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my thread was about the Sea Princess. Had a total of eight weeks on her this year. She is a tired old dame.

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the photos say it all.

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Try the Sea Princess, rotten curtains falling off then "fixed" with safety pins. wifi that would never work. Aircon in room had to be repaired twice, toilet backed up eleven times. Huge water leak in passage and opposite room. Vista lounge ceiling leaked the whole cruise, engine issues, thruster issues. Hardly a seat anywhere with any padding left. I could go

on. Would avoid Sea, Sun and Dawn at all costs. Recent cruises on Emerald were fine but still issues with tired old furniture and slipping restaurant standards. Surprisingly, Horizons was a tad better! Beverage prices have risen about ten times the C.P.I. We Aussies are being hit to leg when compared with joining a cruise overseas!

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Why would you choose Princess for cruising with children? We have sailed heaps with them and the parents of children note that while the kids club is good, many other cruise lines are more specifically tailored towards families. We choose Princess because it is more of a seniors cruise line, even when joining cruises overseas.

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Hi, we will be on the August 6th cruise on the Emerald. Sharing the inside quad will be a trial but remember that there are toilet facilities near the lifts on most decks if my memory serves me right. So for the shovel ready bathroom issues, maybe that might help?

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Hard cases for us. We have travelled extensively and finally settled on the Samsonite hard cases with the zipperless closures and are reasonably light. They have CSA approved combination locks. They don't leak. They are tamper free and they are tough. Once you have observed your fabric case being drenched in tropical thunderstorms, you will become a convert. Even if all the contents are bagged in waterproofs, the case will still be soaked. Cheers, flapgum

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