CruzeQueen2

I appreciate the comments that people have about this scenario. However, at the moment, we have not yet had a sailing out of Vancouver since the new plans were initiated in Feb 2023. I will definitely be bringing one bottle of wine on board. That can be consumed in the cabin. Got it. However, when I go to dinner, should I just purchase my beverages a la carte for that full first day? I guess I can purchase the Princess Plus package on second day, once we are at sea...but where's the fun in that? As some of you have noted, the taxes are really not that much. Agreed, per drink, not much. Wonder how much tax could be charged for purchasing the Princess Plus package while still in port??? A further question here - if I purchase the package on the 2nd day, is the cost reduced by one day's costs, e.g., $420 instead of $480? Thanks for responding.

My question is about the purchase of the Princess Plus package, while still in the Vancouver port. I plan to buy the package once onboard the ship. Will be using up my OBC plus more to be charged to my account, once I board the ship. Late sailing that day - at 10:45pm. Will the package purchase be charged with extra taxes since I am buying it while sitting at the dock in Vancouver. My question is about the taxes...My purchase for an 8 day cruise will be $480 per person. Thanks!

Here's a question for you all. Sailing out of Vancouver, I plan to purchase the Princess Plus plan. I am hoping to use up my OBC to pay for part of the package. Will there be taxes??? No doubt, I will be having some beverages before we sail out. It is a late sailing, at 22:45. I wonder if anyone has done this yet. Ships have not yet sailed from Vancouver this year since the new option to purchase the package on the ship started. TIA

Thank you again @travelin.sisters. Your reports for this voyage are such a pleasure to read. You write with such a friendly style; I feel that you are sharing your experiences as if you are writing to your friends - i.e., friends on CC! I have one of these voyages booked for 2024 and appreciate that you are sharing so much helpful information with us. Mahalo! Any tips or tricks about this ship are also appreciated, as I have a booking for this ship coming up in August. As an aside, I would like to encourage you to report to the shore excursion desk to tell them about your disappointing experiences. You are so articulate here; you can easily share your thoughts with the ship, in the same manner, yes? I think there are comment forms... perhaps you could ask for one to record your comments on paper, take a photo, as a copy of your comments. See what follows... Good luck! Keep us posted, if you can, as time permits. Enjoy those sea days coming up!

@Woobstr112GThank you for sharing so much of your time and the details about your experiences on this sailing. I was to be on this trip as well, but canceled back in January. At least I was able to participate vicariously through your detailed reports. I have enjoyed reading along with you. I hope that you are still able to enjoy some of the amenities while still on board - room service, beverages of your choice, movies, ocean views and fresh air? Take good care! I hope you will remain comfortable and in good hands until you disembark to go home.

Sorry! Original time of departure was 22:00. Wouldn't want to be guilty of spreading wrong info. @iamaqt2

@iamaqt2 FYI - this time change is only 45 minutes later than the original departure time of 24:00. Friends of mine - first time cruisers - informed me of the late evening sailing time for this date when they booked it in January. Think of it as enjoying the city lights at the sail-away. Glass is still half full, IMHO. Enjoy your cruise.

@arctickittyWOW! Loving your post-cruise bonus reports. Thank you for extending the fun for we armchair-cruisers. Very, very helpful information and fun too!

@arctickittyThank you for the names of the bar staff who served you so well. I am sailing in August on the Crown. Will still look for these people, they might be back after a bit of a break to go home. Fingers crossed. The scones look decent. I love afternoon tea on board; sometimes I order it for my room. Can't wait. Thanks again for all the information. I will look for your book as well. So nice of you to share.

I read on the Princess website that these premium desserts are available at the ice cream venues - e.g., Cones, Swirls, etc. I didn't read that they are available in the MDR.

@arctickittyThank you so much for sharing your thoughts. The itinerary I am looking at is Alaska, your state. I love cruising to AK from Vancouver; not my first rodeo. I can book this with confidence now, from the great notes that you have shared. Do you have any favourite bar staff that have become friendly with? Do you frequent Vines? I will check out Adagio bar for sure. I like to book Sabatini or Crown on embarkation night. And Sabatini's location will be great for sailing out. Thanks for sharing so much of your time!

@arctickittyThanks for such an informative post! Question - Would you travel on this ship again? Your report leads me to believe that Crown Princess has overcome most of the issues that were a problem last year. Your food photos easily provide proof that there isn't any shortage of food, nor selection. Food looks as I would expect it to. I have been on Royal class ships since the restart...but many smaller ones previously, as well. Crown class and Grand class. Sorry if you already mentioned this area - have you eaten at Sabatini or Crown Grill? Anyone else, from your recent experience onboard, thoughts please? TIA

Question @TrixieBel Re Wine Appreciation dinner. To my knowledge, in the past, the special dinners to book were Chef's Table and Winemaker's dinner. Is this a name change with Wine Appreciation? More to the point, was the cost for your dinner $99 or $40 (previous prices)? I am hoping to finally get to one of these dinners this time around. The food you are sharing with us looks wonderful. Thank you! So many food choices, so few days...ENJOY!

Thank you! @TrixieBel A wonderful thread AND health advice. I am enjoying your style and LOVE the food pics too. I can't wait to board the Majestic for my first time on this ship. Your experiences are really helping to build the anticipation. Thanks for taking the time for us to follow along.

@justafemTotally agree about the beef cheek pasta at Sabatini. The best!

Lucky you! Might be hard to go back to a balcony cabin after this one. It happens. Enjoy the space. When do you sail? @californiagirl

Am I the first one to notice this? I found that in one of my upcoming sailings, the coffee card that I had in my shopping card had a note attached. Sold out or not available or something like that. So I went into my cruise personalizer and confirmed, it's really not there! I guess I will purchase it on board, using my OBC. Not a big deal, just ANOTHER change to know about.

Yes, definitely find out what is being offered. Previously, i took a move over offer, pre-pandemic, and it was well worth it. They gave us free cruise for 7 days, plus the fares already paid as OBC. FREE cruise in lieu of current sailing. Fare refunded as OBC. Why not? JUST, my personal experience.

@TrixieBel yum! Pardon my ignorance, was that a filet? Crown Grill, here I come! In about eighty days. Love following along with you. Loving the food pics. Thank you for sharing. Have you been to Sur le Mer? I know that I wouldn't enjoy sitting too close to the open Piazza, but please share comments about the food, if you go. I've heard mostly good comments, but would appreciate your thoughts as well.

@LadyL1I totally agree with you about the formidable Claudio. He was seen in every dining venue, all day long, in May and September 2022. He was - Everything, Everywhere - All At Once.

Bon Voyage @TrixieBel Would love to follow along. I'll be boarding the Majestic in a few months after you.

I found some information about the special desserts included in the new premium package. The desserts are to be found in the Gelataria - or ice cream shop. Swirls and Coffee and Cones is also listed. The new desserts will have ice cream, candy and pastry involved. I never would have guessed! Would you? Makes sense to me now. You will probably be able to get the specialty desserts at these venues, two per day. I guess you will tap your Medallion! Found this info in the FAQs about the new packages.

Charmed for sure! Thrilled to find you here to regale us with your next adventure. Loved hearing about how you navigated through the bidding process, and used the live-chat, with such a satisfying outcome. You definitely applied great skill with knowledge of how things work in Princess World. Bravo. I must try it out for myself one day. Bon Voyage! Love your style. Thanks for taking us along. @TracieABD

@wcflats Enquiring mind here. Thanks for weighing in with Sur la Mer. Is the 360 a dining location in the MDR or in a separate location? Something new for me, thanks! I will already be asking to join a Winemaker's or Chef's Table. Please elaborate on the 360 experience.

Yes, you get the FCD reassigned back to your captain circle account.