JG&Lcruisingnewbies

Apparently not. We have the same thoughts. That, and we don’t drink so quite a few things we wouldn’t want to win 😂 I think the only option is to decline the prize. It then goes back into the pot for others to win so to speak someone correct me if I’ve misinterpreted the t&c’s please?

Yep. For ESTA I’d need to pay $14 USD for 2 years I’ll also need to pay for Etias. It will be €7 (or $8) for 3 years Fwiw I don’t mind paying for either

Thanks for this. On the back of this thread I’ve just downloaded all the port guides now for our Norway Cruise 😃 Did try to download the Southampton (London) port guide but wouldn’t load 🤷‍♀️ it was just out of curiosity to see how Princess cover 2 places I’m very familiar with tbh (I’m from UK) Princess telling me ‘you live 30 min outside central London, don’t be silly’ 😂

this is relevant for cruisers from the UK too we must get one for European cruises next year 7 Euros, lasts 3 years, application online & to do at least 96hrs before travel here is link to info for UK passport holders…. https://etias.com/etias-requirements/etias-for-british-citizens

I’ll try and post any issues/ experience related to these changes on Sky seeing as I’m on the first sailing with the new packages note: this will also be my first ever sailing on Princess looking forward to it, even though I’m moaning on here 😂

I’m sad about this with my TA. But I’ve Used the same TA since I started Cruising & this is the only time I’ve felt like they should have informed me and haven’t so I’ll stick with them for the moment. yes it appears that my Sailing on the 19th August is the first one on Sky Princess with the changes. I can see the chaos & upset towards the poor staff at guest services & at Alfredo’s already

That is good communication. I booked via A TA. I’ve not received any info from TA or Princess regarding the new package arrangements. At least not yet, and I’ve less than 3 weeks until travel 😬 not much I can do about it. I feel for the staff on board more

This is me its frustrating. I’m tempted to pay the extra to ‘upgrade’ to the new Premier package now. Which is of course what they want. part of the frustration is also that I’m only 3 weeks away from my cruise & seemingly one of the first sailing from UK under this new system It’s not given us, or anyone sailing v soon any time to adjust, and as a result the poor staff are going to get much more frustration thrown at them. it’s also worth saying that Princess are not doing a good job informing currently booked cruisers of this change. Or how having the old packages will affect you. I wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for being on Cruise critic

Oh I will! Thank you ☺️ never been, but the more I research, the more excited I’m getting 😃

I’ll try & let CC know what it’s like on the Sky Princess from Southampton 19th August. our Cruise is a 2 week Norwegian fjords I’m guessing It’ll be fraught for the poor staff, dealing with only the 2nd intake of passengers under the new scheme

So, I booked premiere package pre Dec 2022. I was 100% ok with not getting the new extra perks. im 100% annoyed about getting less than what I booked, which is exactly what’s happened for anyone on standard, and also Plus & Premier pre December 2022 guess we’ll be paying $14.99 x 3 for our trip on 19th August. The marketing spin on this is quite remarkable really. Not convinced many already booked are going ‘brilliant, I’m getting more for my cash now!’ I foresee a lot of agitated passengers on our cruise on Sky from Southampton I’m getting my venting out of the way now before I go though. Because with our cruise being just one week after the new charges that come into effect I’m already feeling bad for the staff. let’s hope people remember it’s not their fault. please. and breath….

Hi Canadians. Come to the UK. Sounds like you’ll feel right at home 😂 (I'm in a bad mood after being caught in the rain. I’m in the north of Scotland atm so this shouldn’t be surprising but still……) 🙃

Absolutely agree - and make sure you go into the centre courtyard of them- you can also pay a just few euros to go inside one. Definitely worth it if you are ok with some pretty steep stairs

we were in Amsterdam Central on P&O Ventura (3200 Capacity) in April. It does a lot of Overnighters there. Iona & Arvia wouldn’t be able to go I don’t think. because I don’t think they’d fit in the Sea Lock we needed to use . The Ventura only just fits! It’s the largest sea lock in the world, finished In 2022. Cool experience going through it! It’s a 10 min walk to the centre from where we docked Holland America certainly go central too- we had to wait for a Holland America ship to leave so we could dock. (They were late leaving due to a medical emergency- hope that person is ok) it’ll be a shame to not be able go to there anymore. Glad we had the chance. Easy to do when you’re in UK. Was A mini 4 night cruise from Southampton.

i’m shocked by the number of people saying rates are good at airports not in the UK for sure. I’m not convinced airports in the EU have good rates either. I’d like to know if USA airports have decent rates to exchange? i would never ever exchange money at my local airport Gatwick. The rates are hideous. I order in advance & get it sent to me or sent to pick up at a local currency exchange point, or go through my bank i’ve also been to a currency exchange place in town for money needed urgently and had a much better rate compared to Gatwick or Heathrow you can even use online comparison site to see what company can get you the best return for your money otherwise most places take card so large amounts of cash are not needed in Europe. We tap & go on buses. Even the ice cream vans at our daughters school fair took card!

I’m not sure about years between Venice authorities agreeing a ban, and implementing the ban, it was only 4 months. before they manage to sort out Sloterdijk terminal, they’ll just say use Rotterdam Or IJmuiden

Quite possibly yes. That’s the type of area I’m thinking of BUT I don’t know if there is any such current campaign to ban cruise ships there already & it does seem to depend on local authorities voting in favour of it, not just UNESCOs views UNESCO have a decent amount of influence. I’m sure them urging Venice to ban cruise ships & potentially adding Venice to an ‘in danger’ list was a consideration for local residents & gov. But UNESCO had been urging for the ban since 2014 so not that much! https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2021/07/22/venice-avoids-being-placed-on-unesco-s-heritage-danger-list

For clarification these are not ports from where you can visit UNESCO sites that I’m keeping an eye on Only sites where cruise ships are polluting UNESCO waters I don’t for one minute think that cruise ships will be banned from areas where you can travel to sites. Just places where water in those sites are suffering

Just trying to look for more information. Bloomberg seem to suggest it’s cruise ships only not river cruises because of reference to huge ships and jumbo ships. no timeline for closure yet. I’m guessing consultations could take quite a while. Although agreeing to ban cruise ships from Venice & implementing the ban was only 4 months. 1st April 2021 agreed - 1st August 2021 ban started “The Dutch capital’s council voted on Thursday to restrict the jumbo ships from docking in the city and aims to close its central cruise-ship terminal, according to a municipality spokesperson. The timeline and the details of implementation will be decided after consultations with various stakeholders, the spokesperson said.” Seems to be many UNESCO sites banning cruise ships atm. Some Norway fjords, Venice & now Amsterdam I’ll be keeping an eye on any other cruise ports in or close to UNESCO areas too.

We paid for plus last year. Our TA upgraded it to Premier last year. So we don’t have exercises classes, desserts, free medallion accessory or reserve seats for production shows. When quoted around $200 each for 2 weeks to upgrade it wasn’t worth it. id speak with your TA. Your TA saying you paid the same price in November as what the new Premier package is NOW makes no sense Why would you pay current prices of the package in November? They hadn’t increased the prices then. Did the TA even know what the prices increases would be 🤷‍♀️ Also what does your booking summary say?

Love it! To be honest I just don’t have that level of patience with people to be at that desk However I’d def pay for those transcripts. they could make a fortune on those alone It would be pure comedy gold 😂

Yes! I’m British and I think Princess definitely need to do this. i don’t know why they bother changing it for Southampton. I’d prefer earlier & while I’m sure some will prefer a later time, I’m pretty sure most Brits wouldn’t care about half an hour for the first show. they’d just go to the 9pm time anyway. People in places like Greece, Italy & Spain tend to have later nights traditionally so maybe that has something to do with Princesses decision. although tbh I’m unsure of how many people from counties outside the US & UK travel from Southampton. And again the choice to go to the 9pm is still there. just make it universal times across the fleet. I also love the idea of showing a production shows 3 times, not 2, but that seems less likely

Thank you I did realise this was in the t&c’s. Read them again when they changed to the latest package before deciding if to part with £ to ‘upgrade’ our package. Seeing as many don’t read these (yes, they should but…..)I was thinking more along the lines of Princess making these rules clear to package holders on board as well, to avoid any doubt & avoid as many arguments. Perhaps they do this already. thank you for the info. So it Seems Princess are doing what they can to make seat availability very clear to passengers without the package then. If they do this on all the ships, it sounds like passengers are just being impatient or rude. frustrating but sadly not surprising. I guess there is only so much they can do. I do feel for the staff sometimes I can understand the frustrations if announcements are not being made / communication is poor though

I can’t help with info about Enchanted Princess I’m afraid although I’m interested in hearing what she’s like. I just wanted to say I’m really sorry to hear you lost your wife in June. I’m pleased your friend sent you the info that has led to you go ‘why not’ & resuming cruising though. Sounds like a good friend 😊 Hope you have a wonderful time!

So Princess staff didn’t explain to passengers in the aisles that empty reserve seats will become available for them 10 min before showtime if they were not filled? Or was that explained and they still were not happy? Im sure some people would still be unhappy regardless, but maybe less of them if they knew seats wouldn’t be sat empty with them still standing 🤷‍♀️ after reading all these stories of very full theatres I’ll be sure to arrive early to get a decent seat. I have the premier package (TA free upgrade from plus) but it’s the old version so seats are not included If I was eligible for the seating I’d make sure I turned up more than 10 min before the show & if I turned up late i wouldn’t expect that seat to remain empty just in case I decided to show. Princess should make that rule clear to Premier package holders too. 10 min before or you forfeit your seat. Sounds fair