suzyed

Just now, memoak said:

Which ship ?  I have been on the Crown, Ruby and Emerald in the last year and not one alas has been around 

We have been on the Sky, Regal, Enchanted.  

On 4/19/2024 at 8:04 PM, memoak said:

I haven’t seen any salads at the IC for at least 2 years. For lunch it is basically sandwiches, pizza bites and cookies. Also some desserts 

We have seen salads...pasta salad, fruit salad and soup.

4 hours ago, Porky55 said:

suzyed - that looks right, arrives Singapore from Perth on the Sep 26 then the next cruise is Oct 17 (yours?)

 

Not sure what you are expecting, but we did the 23WC on Coral and I know she had and has had a lot of mechanical problems (one that was repaired in Dubai) so assume this dry dock will be to do major maintenance to the ship - wouldn't expect anything cosmetic.
 

She is a lovely little ship, very clean, great Captain (which makes a great ship imo) you will have a fabulous cruise. 
 

Take care of her over there (USA) because I've got a feeling that we will see her back here in the next few years flying the P&O Aus banner 😉
 

cheers, Rose 🌹

Yes, we sail on October 17!  We were on the Coral in South America when covid broke out...yes, for 32 days....19 of which we couldn't dock in any country.  We enjoyed the ship...very classy.  
I would prefer major maintenance over anything cosmetic.
So looking forward to sailing on her again!

On 4/18/2024 at 8:27 PM, Mike A said:

On the Majestic, Baja and Aloha 432 and 433 are Accessible. The staterooms and balconies are huge with a stall shower. 

Also on Regal.

On 4/18/2024 at 3:33 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

It is very sad that Princess does not offer a Reserved Collection Accessible Mini Suite.  Sometimes an accessible suite is out of range for some.  

We had one.

On 4/17/2024 at 3:04 AM, CU64 said:

Do you really need accessible if you have a minisuite? Get regular & buy reserve class.

Nope...can't do that.  If you need accessible you need a roll in shower with a seat as opposed to a tub or a traditional shower.

On 3/11/2024 at 11:48 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Just in case there is someone who *might* be mislead by the title of this thread (Is upgrading to the Reserve Collection Mini Suite worth the additional charges?)...you cannot "upgrade" to Reserve Collection (formerly known as Club Class).  You *cannot* do any type of "add-on" purchase to add the perks.  If you are already booked into a different type of cabin, you would have to cancel/re-book to get a Reserve Collection Mini Suite.

Unless you bid on a Reserve Collection Mini and get it.  We had a mini and upgraded to a Reserve mini.

On 12/26/2023 at 9:35 PM, LeeW said:

We've never had a problem getting the same table and wait staff each night in normal Anytime dining.  Tried what is now call Reserve once and the extra menu item never appealed to us and still got the same table each night.  At one point they used half the single Anytime dining room for fixed first seating and then also cut out another quarter for Club (Reserve) Class.  With only 1/4 of the dining room left for Anytime it was slower to get in.  Now it doesn't make much difference since Princess no longer has fixed seating dining.

But they will soon!

On 12/26/2023 at 6:01 PM, cruisinsince75 said:

We have quite the dilemma.  We are booked in a mid ship accessible mini suite.  Reserve Collection was not available for our accessible stateroom.  Our friends are in a full suite and they obviously have RC privileges which include dining.  There doesn't seem to be a way to add RC to our booking.  It appears that you can only do RC in a handful of pre-selected staterooms that are not accessible.  We are already paying extra for our mid ship location.  Is there a way to pay extra for the RC dining privileges?  I can't find any options for it anywhere.  Thanks in advance.

You can't add it.  But there are accessible Reserve mini's available. We had one on Regal last fall.

4 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Wow!  A completely different island!  

 

We just called on Kahului last week, and rented a car to see the island.

We're scheduled to stop in Lahaina in November this year and have not heard a word about a change which of course will be happening?

4 hours ago, Porky55 said:

Coral leaves Australia for good in September this year and heads to Singapore for her dry dock (sad to see her go 🥹) then continues on to end up in Alaska and the Carribean. Crown is replacing Coral downunder 🤔

 

Rose 🌹

Yes, I am on the Singapore sailing!  So right before we sail?  Yay!

7 hours ago, susancruzs said:

Diamond was mentioned, I don't see IC listed anywhere on the deck plans.  I have to have the IC, it is a deal breaker for me.  I don't do room service either, not staying in my cabin to eat alone.

 

I know the Coral is heading for drydock this Fall, hoping no major changes are made.

Do you know when the dry dock is?

On 4/12/2024 at 4:06 PM, EclipseChaser9 said:

 

We visit the juice bar frequently, which I would skip if it wasn’t included in the Plus package. It’s very good, they use fresh fruit and make it in front of you.  But I wouldn’t pay $8 or $12 for fresh juice if it wasn’t included.

 

We also get bottled water and some canned sodas so we always have some available in our refrigerator. 

We enjoyed the Juice Bar on our last sailing and I agree, I would never splurge on that without the package. We don't drink soda but we drink plenty of water.

On 4/11/2024 at 4:54 PM, Muffinz said:

We have got the plus package on our cruise in December - we did the math and it made sense to have the package.

We're not huge drinkers, but knowing you can go to a bar and get a beer / wine / cocktail without worrying about the cost is great.... We tend to drink more when we're on holiday relaxing anyway

And we get wifi and that's a big plus

We're not too fussed on the premium deserts and probably won't use the free gym classes, but the package still makes sense to us

 

As long as they don't start raising the prices after seeing all our thoughts on here!

On 4/11/2024 at 4:10 PM, satxdiver said:

I agree.  I am vacation even thought it is endless and appreciate the one price which in my case is plus.  I can order whatever drinks I want in any quantity and we both get the internet access.  To me gratuities are an added cost of the cruise and would never delete them.  I have bought plus ever since it was introduced.  I hope they keep it and not increase it anymore with gym classes (at my age?), the special desserts (just looking at them adds calories!) and other benefits.  I do drink a bit but nowhere near the limit of 15/day.  I have been known to penny pinch and keep frequent tabs on my folio several times a day but to me plus is worth it. 

Agree with all your points!

On 4/11/2024 at 12:49 PM, Drew B 58 said:

When people are looking into getting the Plus or Premier package, the advice I invariably hear is to “do the math”.  If what you would otherwise spend on what is covered by the package comes out to more than $60 per day, then they say Plus is worth it.  If it comes out to more than $80 per day, then perhaps Premier would be worth it (although Plus may still be the better choice).  There is nothing wrong with this approach to the question, but I’d like to suggest another way to look at it:

 

if I were sailing on the Standard package, there is NO WAY I would spend more than $60/$80 on these things.  I’m too in the habit of denying myself indulgences, and I am basically cheap at heart.  Each purchase would be a struggle.  I WOULD pay the gratuities.  IMO, those are not discretionary.  I would split one internet package with my cabin mates, even if that meant I could only use WiFi at restricted times.  I would probably splurge on 12-15 alcoholic beverages over the course of a week-long cruise (which is not to say that I wouldn’t WANT more).  I would probably not buy a single specialty coffee/soda/juice/mocktail.  I like these things, but couldn’t justify the money. I wouldn’t spend to eat at casual or specialty restaurants (in my fifteen previous cruises, I’ve never paid for upcharge food), even though I would love to try some of them.  I probably WOULD pay to activate Ocean Now because I would really feel like I was missing out if I never tried that.  I would definitely not pay for premium desserts or fitness classes.

 

So if you take a lookI se at all of that, it makes for a pretty basic no-frills cruise experience.  I would be fine with it.  I have been fine with it or something very much like it on every previous cruise I’ve taken.  However, by making one simple choice - to buy one of the packages - the cruise immediately switches from basic and utilitarian to bountiful and indulgent.  I will be able to eat what I want (to an extent), drink what I want, surf the net when I want, etc.  Yes, it is hard for me to make the decision to spend that kind of money.  However, once I do, I am suddenly not only free to but actually incentivized to treat myself to an experience I never would otherwise have had!  That feeling of being spoiled has a value that is not necessarily simple  to plug in to a simple math formula…

 

Is this a good decision?  I don’t know yet.  I’m getting ready to take my first Princess cruise under the Premier plan.  I will let you know after if I made the right choice!

I see your points and I think you are making a good decision to upgrade, but Boy! you jumped right in with Premier!!  WOW!

Enjoy!

2 hours ago, EbayCruiser said:

 

Thanks so much for your perception.  My daughter and I have discussed this at great length and her last text said "I think we need to do the new ship with less days.  The girls trip would be 8 days if we stay in a hotel the day before and that is a long time away from Dad."

 

So looks like it is going to be Utopia of the Seas!!!   Yea!

Come back after you cruise and let us know how it was and whether you think you made the right choice.

3 hours ago, EbayCruiser said:

Thanks for all the replies.  If we go on Utopia, it will just be me & my daughter.  Niece & her friend are staying with the Princess cruise.

 

I am so back & forth, with the reserve package Princess is almost twice the price for just 2 more nights.  We have a mini suite on Princess but could not get a Jr. Suite for a good price so we will have a ocean view balcony on Utopia but we won’t be in the room very much.

 

We are now leaning towards Utopia!

 

I am not sure how you can compared the Reserve Mini Suite with a balcony on another ship....not even close...of course it's more $$.  Why not just get a Mini Suite without the reserve dining to save money?   Or you could have gotten a balcony on Princess for about the same price (or less) than on RCI.  In any case the mini is going to be MUCH more comfortable than a balcony on either line.

On 4/18/2024 at 9:42 AM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

 

 

we sailed on Caribbean Princess once - in 2016. I know it was refurbed after that, but even back then it was old, tired and dirty. We will not sail on her again... I'd go Royal class and younger (Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Enchanted, Discovery, etc.)

Also, March is the time for spring break in some states. There will be lots of kids, if that's something you want to avoid.

 

 

so are we, but still.

We have been on the Caribbean Princess several times, the latest 18 months ago. Was it brand shiny new?  No, but it was in great shape, no smells, everything worked fine and it was by no stretch of the imagination Dirty! The staff and crew were great! There was always crew, cleaning, painting, etc.
We have sailed on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Celebrity, MSC and Princess. They all have their good points and not so good.  Newer ships tend to be nicer unless they are brand new like the MSC Seaside when we sailed on her....lots of issues.  So it can happen on any ship just like any hotel or resort or airBnB. 
For families, Royal is probably a good choice with their waterslides, rock climbing walls, surfing, etc.  But when my DH and I sail, we want fewer kids, less playground atmosphere and a bit more refinement than Royal (we're Diamond on Royal so we have sailed them plenty of times)
With Princess, sure the newer ships are nicer and in perfect shape, but all the other ships are well maintained (with one exception...the Crown, but only on our sixth time on her). 
So everyone is looking for different experiences but for us at this point in time, we prefer Princess.  We love the ships, the itineraries are great and varied, the crew is wonderful and it feels like home to us!

On 4/6/2024 at 11:53 AM, talkorpi said:

Got our specialty dining reserved very easily. Sabatini’s tonight and The Catch tomorrow. MDR for the rest of the cruise after that.
 

Muster is finished and we are ready to go. Of course the cabins aren’t ready because we got onboard so fast - not a problem at all. 
 

We are allegedly on a sold out sailing. I’ll try to find the full passenger count a little later and also take photos of the officer board for those who are interested.

 

Felt a little too early to have a dirty banana so I just got a basic rum and coke… let’s get this vacation started!

But the Dirty Banana would kind of be like breakfast with fruit and milk! LOL

6 hours ago, memoak said:

Lahaina is basically a wasteland at this point. Any ships sailing to Maui are stopping in Kahului   They will have similar tours but many will take more time due to location 

Right, just heard that they haven't even issued any building permits. It seems that the people will not even be able to rebuild their homes!  There is some talk of turning it into a "technical" center to attract  programmers and silicon valley types?
Hope this is not true especially for the folks who used to live there.  What a shame.

So those in a Reserve Mini can only dine in the Reserve dining room for dinner or can they for lunch or breakfast?   Asking specifically about the Enchanted.

On 4/15/2024 at 9:57 AM, karatemom2 said:

I went ahead and booked and paid for it last night and had the confirmation sent to my work email so DH won’t see it. It was nice to find that they let you select for whom it is being purchased as a gift and write a short message. I’m wondering if there will be a card waiting in our stateroom when we arrive?   
 

I am ok with no photographer - I imagine they would charge for the photo anyway. I had to buy the photograph from our 360 dinner, which I didn’t mind because it was a really nice family photo, but after so many cruises we don’t usually do the whole photo thing anymore. I will probably follow@Astro Flyer’s idea and just ask our waiter to take a picture with my phone. 

They did not charge for the photo.  But we also had our waiters take some pics with or phones.

16 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Cannot answer why they would still be selling cruises including Israel. My best guess would be they have not yet formulated what alternative ports they will be sailing to.

 

As for Russia, even if you wanted to book a cruise going there, there are none, and have been none for quite a while now.

I had the same question...  Just waiting to see what Princess is going to do and what will be available.  We don't HAVE to cruise just to cruise...LOL!  We also have a Panama Canal cruise for next year that we may cancel since our friend we booked with probably won't be able to go due to health reasons. 
We had a Russia cruise a year or so ago that we cancelled before the itinerary totally changed anyway.   Oh well...we'll figure it out.
The Israel sailing is what I have been dreaming of for a long time....not to be, I guess.
We have a sailing from Singapore booked for Oct. and just booked a 7 day anniversary cruise for June, so I get my cruise "fix" this year anyway!

12 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

It will probably be the standard US wine list - US, European, a few AUS/NZ wine and other regions. Furthermore if you have the Plus package they just list the wine type, ie chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon, with no other details. After trying three on Diamond last November - the pinot noir, pinot grigio and chardonnay - we switched to buying decent wines by the bottle with the 25% discount. 

Or you could just order from the regular wine list and just pay the difference between those wine and the allowed $15.   BTW, the "red blend" on the Plus list was not bad.