tammymacb

Sorry for the much repeated question BUT-

 

Does the AIBP include specialty coffees? I usually get a coffee card and get 2 specialty coffees per day. And usually do about 2 bottles of wine for a 7 day cruise. Wondering if the $150 OBC would be a bargain or if taking the beverage package makes more sense

 

Also- do both people in the room have to have the AIBP? Can the hubby take the package as he probably has an alcohol bill around $200 and I take the $150 OBC?

I believe coffees are included.

You can't split the package though. Either both take the drink package or both take the credit.

Thanks all. I'm not prone to motion sickness. We sailed the Disney Magic through a hurricane and it didn't bother me.

I know I'm being silly even wondering about the $200 difference, but with the costs of the trip in total, $200 is still money spent somewhere else.

Sorry, Caribbean Princess.

BI = British Isles.

Let me start off by saying that for a British Isles cruise, I wasn't terribly picky about the balcony room I got. I really just want quiet (no public areas above or below my room).

When I booked my cruise I got a free upgrade and was given a cabin on Deck 10, mid aft with an extended balcony.

When I called to switch to the Sip and Sail today it was $100 PP extra to keep that room. For the same price, I could sail on Deck 14, forward. I asked specifically and was told passenger rooms were above and below.

Now, I'm worried I'm too high in the ship. Obviously Princess deems these the least desirable balcony category. Is there anything I should be worried about?

I've been on multiple cruises on several lines, including X, DCL platinum, CCL, NCL and RCCL but I've never been on Princess and am unfamiliar with their ships.

Will my downgraded room be fine? Or should I stop being cheap spend the $200 and get my old room back? BTW, I'm sailing on the Caribbean Princess.

I just switched our cruise to sip and sail. I had a free balcony category upgrade from a group that I lost (so the room would have increased by $100 per person). Instead, I downgraded my balcony - we're doing the BI, so I'm guessing not a lot of balcony time.

Same price. And we kept our $160 SBC.

If you don't care where you end up' date=' why not book whatever category is the cheapest and book it as a guarantee? You could get a nice upgrade and a great location without paying for it![/quote']

 

I do care. I don't care where I am as long as it's not loud. I'm a light sleeper and I once booked a GTY on X and ended up near a night club. I almost lost my mind. I'll pay extra to have staterooms above and beyond me. Beyond that, for this cruise, I'm fine with whatever balcony.

 

(For a cruise like Norway or Alaska, I book upgraded balconies)

Thanks all. I'm surprised the Lido deck has low cat balconies. I'd think it would be a desired location.

Thanks. I'm fine with whatever balcony I end up on. As long as it's not above/below a public space.

I'll let them downgrade me.

I apologize and tried to look at Princess's site, but it appears to be down (it currently says my 2017 BI cruise is "sold out").

Anyway..I'm currently booked in a mid aft balcony on the 10th deck in a balcony. I'd originally planned on booking the cheapest balcony because I don't think the BI is a cruise we'll really even use the balcony for. When I booked, I got a group special through my TA. I was upgraded by two categories.

If I take the Sip and Sail promo when it comes out, I'll lose the two category upgrade and I'm fine with that. As long as I have staterooms above and below me (no loud public areas) I don't really care where I end up on the ship.

Can anyone share with me where the cheapest balconies are on the Carib Princess? I just want to have a plan in mind when it's time to pick up the promo.

Thanks.

Mine looks to be exactly the same.

OK, I found out that the free upgrade is actually due to a group perk and not a "Princess" sale. Will I lose it?

Sorry. I'm just unsure of Princess's room categories (they seem a bit complicated to me).

When I booked the BI in a balcony for 2017, there was a promo for a free upgrade. So, I booked the cheapest balcony (I don't know how much a balcony would be used on this cruise as it seems like it'll be chilly) and was given a free upgrade to a aft-mid deck 10 balcony with an extended balcony.

Now, I'm seeing the Sip and Sail coming out. I'm going to grab that (so far leading prices are exactly the same as when I booked). I'm assuming that free upgrade with go away (along with a $60 OBC ). So, my question is, if I add the Sip and Sail, will I have to pay more $ for the same room I currently am booked in?

I also live in Charleston. For the first time, we booked through ezair for our Baltic cruise this July (we usually book independent). Honestly, it didn't even occur to me to check into flying out of CLT or ATL. I just assumed that flying from CHS was the most cost/time effective way, given drive time and parking fees. Maybe I was wrong, especially given that there are 4 of us. That being said, next time I will look into it.

It' probably won't be the best choice, but I still want to look. I've seen a few amazing prices here for flying to Europe from ATL on EZair, of course, the price has to be amazing enough for the cost to get me there. And though I'll check CLT, I don't see me wanting to add that 3 hour drive to the international flight.

Thanks all! That makes me feel better. I'd like to be able to check all of those options plus we have friends flying out of BWI, so I'd like to price flying with them from there. (We could fly up on SW)

Ok, I'm doing the BI in August of next year. I plan on booking EZair flex. (I can't book until early fall but looking at 2016 options EZair is cheaper than booking on my own.)

Anyhoo..I didn't realize that EZair would limit which airports I could book from. Apparently, as Princess knows where I live, they'll only let me choose "close" airports.

As I live in Charleston, SC, I'm hoping Atlanta and Charlotte will be in my "area" to price and book. CLT is a 3 hour drive (we drive it occasionally, and will be in July to fly direct to STT) and Atlanta is 5 hours (I'd probably book a flight to get to ATL but depending on prices, it may still be the best choice).

Any idea how far away the airports I get to choose from can be?

We've booked this cruise for August, 2017. (Minus Kirkwall which I'm disappointed about). Thanks for the tour info. I'm already searching!

I've been on about 20 cruises but I've never been to Alaska. After sailing the Norwegian Fjords last summer, Alaska has been pushed up my list.

I'll be sailing Princess, BI in 2016 and am thinking AK in 2017.

I have specific questions. What departure city is better and why? I've heard of some issues sailing from Vancouver but am not quite sure what the problem is. I'm flying from Charleston, SC, so either way I'm flying but are there any departures to avoid?

I know Glacier Bay is a biggie. I've also heard Hubbard is awesome. I definitely want an inside passage (?) as the scenic cruising through the fjords was my favorite thing I've ever done on vacation.

Also, I know Princess sails several ships into AK, are any particularly better for AK cruising?

I'd appreciate any info.

Thanks!

Following so I can find this thread later. We sail Aug, 12 2017.

Thanks, but I've already done that.

 

My question is if I book with a travel agent, do I add the EZ-Air on after the cruise is booked?

Your travel agent can add EZ air after the cruise is booked. I'm booked for a 2017 BI cruise and air isn't even available yet. But, I will add it once it comes out.

Thanks so much for this thread! I just priced the 2016 sailing ( my 2017 dates won't come out until October) and Princess pricing is $500 less PP than booking on Kayak.

I feel like this is a can't lose for me.

Of course, I'll stay on top of prices, but with nothing to lose until final payment, I'll be holding flights as soon as they open.

Yes.

Thank you! That is awesome!

Can the drink package be bought for just one guest in a room? I'm not much of a drinker but my husband will have a couple drinks in the lounge and with dinner. It would be a waste for me though.

The price is locked in.. Unless of course you want to rebook at the higher price..

Thanks. Just didn't know if it could go up if not PIF. This seems kind of like a can't lose.

I keep seeing all this info and I'm feeling like EZ air is a no brainer for us in Europe 2017..but I have a question.

If I add EZair to my cruise, is the price locked in? I know if the price drops I can request the dropped price. But if the price goes up, do I have to now pay a higher cost (before final payment)?

For our upcoming European cruise I got round trip Atlanta, Barcelona Spain, Rome, Italy, Atlanta for $523.00 per person. A whole lot cheaper than Kayak

That's an amazing price! Our airfare hasn't been released yet (BI 2017) and I'm hoping for a good deal.

Was that the opening price or did you buy during an EZair sale? We'll be flying Charleston SC to London.