Ombud

Of course the gratuity doesn't enter the picture as the package covers the cost of the drink and the gratuity is just "included" without being a consideration. If OP has 1 fruity drink a day, 1 latte, gratuities, and wifi then going standard / basic or whatever it's called today is better. Especially if they get comped nonrefundable OBC that cannot be completely used up with excursions / specialty dining / etc. Per day breakdown: Gratuity = 16 (balcony) Internet = 20 single day / 15 if all week Latte = 3.50 + 18% gratuity + tax Fruity drink / beer = 6.50 + 18% gratuity + tax So $60 Princess Plus vs $45 per day against OBC .... getting closer

@ButterflyGirlyseveral frozen mocktails were about $6.50. With rum bump up $3. Well under the $15 limit even with 18% gratuity

I will definitely try it again but we just shared a dinner table (same table / same time / same staff every night) so were able to share msgs there. But my phone normally vibrates when I get a text (even crew call ... just not Shipmates Chat)

I've got a Sydney to Yokohama (inc HK, Taiwan, 5 Japanese ports) April 2024 on Royal Princess

Did the phone vibrate or anything if you were not on the app?

It didn't work for Shipmates Chat but worked for Crew Chat. However the light did work for letting the server know which one I was.

Necessary. Perhaps POAU Explorer (1997) can be replaced with the newer Costa Magica, Serena, or Diadema .... the 3 Costa ships laid up. Just don't bring those 3 back. Sell 2 / shift 1 / dump an older ship. I don't see Carnival Sunshine or Grand Princess going as they are the largest in the 'older ships' group

Remember to thank your TA

Don't care if he's a professional dog walker ... but I'd have a few questions if he was. Actually I only pack a carryon. TA (3 total weeks) & Partial Panama Canal (2 days pre-cruise + 10 nights) was a 17" carryon and my normal size purse (small compared to most). Wear 1 pair shoes & pack sandals. 10 kg 😶 yeah .... even if I packed ALL my summer or winter clothes I couldn't hit 50 lbs checked & a carryon. Doesn't 50 lbs = 22.6+ kg???? But to each their own

Shipmates Chat did not notify me when I had a message (12/8/22-12/18/22). Did anyone else have an issue with that option??

12/18/22 Ship docked at 6am. 1st walk offs were delayed until 8am. I was off at 8:25, at airport by 9:15, through security by 9:30, & my 1pm flight went off without a hitch. Either change to Miami or do 1 with a connection.

I didn't realize this. My TA can re-fare so I haven't needed to cancel and rebook. Great! But sometimes a lower fare is only available for new bookings. Then I'd want to utilize a rebooking. Same this side of the pond except the 100 penalty. That's unfair. Is it a Princess or UK govt thing???

Not exactly. A CVP (aka PVP) can lift & shift EZAIR fare & shore excursions so that you do not lose preferred pricing. Why couldn't TA's?

# of passengers on this list: 1996: Carnival Sunshine - 3,002 pax 1997: POAU Explorer - 1998 pax 1998: Carnival Elation - 2190 pax 1998: Carnival Paradise - 2,124 pax 1998: Grand Princess - 2,590 lower berth pax / 3,100 max 1999: HAL MS Volendam - 1,432 pax 2000: HAL MS Zaandam - 1432 pax 2000: PO Aurora - 1,878 pax / 1,950 max Will it also come down to capacity?? Just wondering which, if any, of these are that 3rd ship

Yes. Added to above list. But they stated 2 of the 3 to leave the fleet are Costa ships

Lots of recent ads for Seaborn as an expedition cruise experience so doubt the 3rd would be there

Costa Magica -> laid up cannot find a return date Costa Serena -> 'laid up until Dec 2023' Costa Deliziosa is their smallest ship so who knows??

Wow. Costa line is depleting fast!! Selling 2 / transferred 3 to Carnival Costa neoRomantica -> gone Costa Victoria -> gone Costa Magica -> laid up Costa Serena -> 'laid up until Dec 2023' Costa Luminosa -> Carnival Luminosa Costa Venezia -> Carnival Venezia Costa Firenze -> Carnival Firenze Costa Fortuna -> same as Carnival Triumph & Carnival Victory so transfer??

It was offered every night on Enchanted (Sept) and Caribbean (Dec)

I just disembarked so will add a few notes: 1. Assigned table in Island Dining Room (Deck 5 MDR). Asked and got it (say Brad & Gayl say hi to Raju if you get him). Not available in other dining rooms 2. Vines doesn't 'officially' do wine flights but will give a few tasters and a main glass. Yeah, felt like a wine flight 3. Handmade pralines instead of those awful appetizers. Suites got chocolate covered strawberries 4. Lots of ppl went onshore in Colon Panama as our departure was delay a few hours. Check and see if you can too. 5. TONS and I mean whole families of sloths just outside the terminal at Parque Vargas in Limon. Literally across the street. N/C

Incorrect. My Love Boat Sale 'SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT' and was supposed to be for the sailings next year as part of that sale but this voyage became eligible as it was drastically under booked That said, not continuing to follow this thread .... just thought it was interesting that the ship cannot differentiate between different types of OBC (other than refundable / nonrefundable)

I thought the casino was now in what was the piazza. Also theater in the round. I've seen this well done with certain plays (Shakespeare comes to mind) but never with the Princess type musicals

Yes. Wound up with only $14 balance due (after SD, Vines, $50 casino (casino bank wound up at $202 🤑), transfer back to airport). Smallest bill yet Walked off with $200 .... thanks to winning not losing in casino this time. They'll get it back in April

Yes. Actually I haven't used it for shore excursions. Just Sabatinis, transfer back to plane, and drinks. Very little for casino.

You SERIOUSLY don't read your contract?!? Not even the highlighted portion on the top of your travel summary?? Wow just wow. That's kinda like those hoping to cruise to Chile w/o visas getting upset they're denied passage because it's too much trouble to be in compliance. Or miss calculating a baby's age and thinking 82 days = 6 months. It is unfortunate but it is on them. Meanwhile enjoy Tenerife as it's a lovely Spanish island