Cruise Raider

Oh dear .. that’s even worse than I thought it would be! like you, I sure wish they would have some stricter rules about smoking areas.

It all depends on where you embark and disembark .. so, if you start in Seattle and end in Australia, according to the PVSA, you should be ok … now, just expect to have to explain that along the way. if, for some reason, you disembark in Hawaii, you will probably receive a heavy fine, which I believe is somewhere under $1000 pp.

You can invite others to your cabana, however, they must pay for the $20 (half day) or $40 (full day) for their own lounger.

So, I just learned from a friend that the crew smoking section is still designated for the aft section of the Ruby. I'm debating on whether or not to try downgrading our cabin now. So sad to hear they haven't changed this yet. The aft section is where are some of the best balconies and suites are located ... I just don't understand why they put the crew smoking section right under those premium cabins. Ugh! In the meanwhile, I will be sure to write Princess about this.

Wow ... we've cruised quite a few times since the restart and on several different ships and have never seen a mug with the Plus Package. I think I may ask for one in a few days.

You can only book the Sancturary once you are onboard. You can purchase a pass for the duration of the cruise or schedule it on a day to day basis. Yes, they really do fill up, especially when the weather is nice, so much so that if you don't get there right after you board, you may not get in at all. The Discovery also has some beautiful cabanas and although they are a lot more costly, it might be worth it to try it out for a day or two. Seriously, no kids are allowed in the sanctuary. And if nobody is in there, you may be able to take a tour so you can pick out the cabana or the chairs you might want. If there are any patrons using it at the time, we were not allowed in without a secured reservation.

They have some really good ones onboard and not really expensive. I think mine, a silicone one was like $12 and I’ve worn it a lot and it’s showing no signs of wear. My DH got a sports band one that he really likes and it was under $20. I also got one of the bangle ones as a gift when onboard … I really like that one as well. The ones they sell on the ship (or ahead of time online via the app) have a magnetic component to them so they don’t easily lose the medallion. It only fits in a certain way. There is no (elite) discount on these items but there is no tax. I think they are well worth it. If it is the wrong size or if it breaks (I can’t see that happening), they will exchange it for you onboard.

If you are offered that amount of free-play, you may also get a casino discount. It’s worth a call to see if that is also part of the offer.

^^^ This! Many people probably never (or rarely) read their contract. Funny story .. we had formal pictures taken on a cruise many years ago. Someone was in line to buy pictures of my me and my DH. Creepy as it might seem, it did kind of make me chuckle, especially when she was busted 😂 by us standing right behind her in line and pointing out she was buying pictures of us. It’s what we agree to when we board a cruise ship. I’ve seen countless videos of passengers in the vicinity of the intended focus on cruises posted on FB. I’ve even posted pictures of friends and family and other passengers are captured in the photo. Once you’ve left your room, you really should not have any expectation that you won’t wind up on a photo or video somewhere. I was waiting during a particularly long and disorganized embarkation in San Francisco earlier in the year. A friend sent the video from the news and I could easily spot myself in that long line.

The pizza does have a $3 charge but it is enough for 2 or 3 people and it is so good! I order it with a couple salads and it can be ordered throughout the ship. Plan on anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to get your order as it is made when you order it. The complimentary room service menu is actually quite good and greatly expanded since the restart. Breakfast item choices are slim, though.

We booked two cruises with the premier package. So, I was able to book the specialty dining on one sailing where it came back as included, so no charge. The other one, no such luck. So inconsistent … not a bother, though. We ended up changing to a different cruise and dropped the premier package to the plus package.

I think it opens at 5:30 PM

If you have a newer phone or tablet, try deleting the app and reinstalling it. I have found this to work.

With all due respect to my fellow passengers, it does sound like there are a lot of assumptions being made that the film crew is going to ruin your cruise and invade your privacy. Relax and just enjoy your cruise!!! Stop looking for reasons to hate it or find something to complain about before it even happens. And please, don't let one mishap or incident increase your ire and anxiety. I'm not saying that to be mean or a bully or a troll ... learn how to live with appreciation that you are still above ground and on an amazing cruise. Unless you are running from the law or hiding your spouse, just go with it and have a great cruise!! Even without a film crew, you are most likely in someone's video or photo when out in public on a cruise. Again, nothing personal .. but just be a little more flexible, relax and you will probably have a much better vacation.

And it will be my birthday cruise to boot .... nothing short than CoVid will ruin it for me!!!

They will keep the cruise cards available for those that simply refuse the medallion ... you can obtain one at the guest services desk. But, the medallion is so convenient ... they have a variety of wrist bands and they are as low as $10. They also have clips but they also can fit into an airtag holder you can get on amazon.

The app is not the same as the medallion.

I'm on this cruise as well and saw that email this morning. It actually sounds like it might be kind of interesting and something a little different. I have the ability to opt out but won't do that. If I were upset about it, I would simply cancel and take the FCCs through my Princess Vacation Protection. But, we have always been able to find a place to hide out on a ship ... or we can choose to be in the thick of it. That's what is so wonderful about cruising .. as much or as little as we choose to do. BTW, I thought something was up when they shut down the bookings for about a week or two last month. I imagined it might have been a large group that was signing up to be onboard.

I also agree. We've been next to large tables and for one person to speak with someone at the other end of the table, it's so loud and disturbing for other diners in the general area. 2 tables of 6 are so much better.

I wish that, too. One of mine is currently showing as unavailable, too.

So, I was told by someone at Princess that a bid offer is only available to those with the Plus or Premier package but I can confirm that either they already changed that policy or it is not true. We got an upgrade bid without the package and just added the plus package and received the bid offer again.

Dont quote me on this, but I do not believe the Royal class ships have wrap around promenade decks. Is there even a place to get outside in the very aft on those ships. Maybe so? Edit: I just checked my photos of the Majestic and there does appear to be an area below the passenger cabins where crew can gather. So, nix my statement above.

I did .. probably noted it somewhere within this thread. It was a much better deal by bidding on the minimum but then, a few days after I made the bid, the price dropped on the cabin I wanted and it was slightly lower than my bid. So, I rescinded my bid and upgraded my cabin.

I just received the same offer on my MA cabin … it’s double because I booked it as a solo. Still a great deal if my minimum bid is accepted. I truly doubt that will happen, though.

Perfect ... so glad to hear it.