skynight

That has got to be a mistake.

There has been no indication that the corporation is moving in this direction. 

3 hours ago, 555 said:

We were on the Ruby last Nov. and although the fire doors were closed, if you proceeded to drop off your luggage no one said a word. We didn't stay long enough to bother any one but just get rid of our bags. 

This was the way it was on my turn around day. You could get to your cabin and no one said anything. My cabin door was closed like a normal day and my cabin was serviced. I could have remained there all during boarding. New passenger cabin doors were open and the entry screen was not programmed to accept the medallion scan. The screen had some generic information showing.  

On the Island Princess your muster station will be on deck 7, promenade, starboard side. Forward, midship or aft depending on the location of your cabin. When you board while waiting to go to your cabin just pass by. You will see crew with yellow hats. If you are at the wrong one they will direct you. Once at your muster station you scan your medallion and you are done with that step. You then watch the muster video on your phone, device or cabin TV to be totally done. I watch the TV when unpacking.

On my last b2b cruises this past March on the Ruby passengers were asked with frequent announcements to remain clear of the cabins until an announcement was made that they were ready. That was around 1pm. The fire doors were all closed. It was possible to open the fire doors, but an alarm went off. The cabin stewards were all busy. You could bring your carry ons with you around the ship, or you could check them in one of the DRs.

I am aware of this because during the b2b turn around I did return to my cabin. But, on my next b2bs I intend to remain away from this busy area during turn arounds even though all my belongings will be in the cabin.

The process may not be the same on all ships. It may depend on the Hotel Manager. 

Not certain what you mean by on your account right away. What are you trying to do with it pre-cruise? 

One other point from the terms 

• "The package does not apply to Mini-Bar items."

Those small 50ml bottles of spirits are not included. You can stock the fridge on your own by ordering alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages unopened at a bar and bringing them back to your cabin. 

12 hours ago, grak said:

……can you get off and explore area and reboard before sailing? Specifically in San Francisco…we’re usually on board by noon and would like to get off for a couple of hours. Is that something that can be done?

You can get off. I would not recommend it. Here are some issues.

- If you arrive at the pier early you could be on board as early as 10:30 and as late as 11:30. It appears like most sailings from S.F. are at 4pm. You will have to re-board by probably 3pm. This does not give you much time to look around the Embarcadero and nearby piers, such as pier 39.

-Once on board you most likely will not be ale to get to your cabin until sometime after noontime, maybe as late as 1pm. You will be lugging around your carry ons. When you remain on board there normally is a drop off check baggage area available for carry ons. You pick them up before initially going to your cabin. Lunch is available on board. You can also handle the muster during your wait time.

-When reboarding you will be required to go back through security.

-There may be some immigration requirements leaving and re-boarding, not sure.

-As I always do I recommend that you arrive at least one day early and stay at a hotel. You can look around that day.

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question....I assume there will be a full mini bar.  I assume the Plus Package would include the contents of the mini bar.

 

Is my logical assumption correct?

No mini bar at all. Nothing for sale in the fridge like you may see in hotels or maybe some other cruise lines. Mini bars are set up in any category cabin for those with elite loyalty status and all passengers booked into a full suite.

The shareholder benefit is per stateroom, one per stateroom. If there are two qualified passengers in the same cabin only one will receive the benefit. If you wish to both receive the benefit then you have to book one shareholder in each cabin and then obtain cross cabin access once on board. In the "old" days you were successful because each shareholder was booked in a different cabin.

With the plus and premier fares (packages) you have a different issue. The first two passengers in the cabin are required to have the same package. If you have one parent and one child in a cabin both must get the same plus or premier fare. If the youth is under 21 sailing a U.S. itinerary then that youth has to get the package, but it will be for the non-alcoholic beverage package.

With the mini bar it is one per cabin no matter how many elites are in the cabin. If you and the husband are both elite and book into different cabins then each cabin will receive the mini bar.

The medallion has nothing to do with your questions. Think of the medallion as a cruise card in a different package.

2 hours ago, junglejane said:

So you don't actually ask Passenger Services to change their records of who is where, you just share access? Wouldn't that mean that any charges get billed to the original rooms? That probably doesn't matter too much since we're basically treating our kids, but in the past we actually had Passenger Services change their record onboard.

Charges don't get billed to cabins. They get billed to individuals. Each passenger has their own account which you have probably linked into a summary account.

If the 2026 cruise has a refundable deposit and the one year time limit has not expired, when you cancel  the FCD will be deposited back into your account. You can then use it to book another cruise.

If the time limit has already expired, then you may be able to use it, but it will take some discussion with Princess. A T.A. is good for this.

What does it say in the fine print? That is where you will locate the answer if there is one.

30 minutes ago, 555 said:

I was inferring our casino account.

Might as well take the profits/losses ASAP.

Ok. Believe the poster was referring to their on board folio account and not the casino. Casino account is a different system.

1. Yes, it is supplied and replenished. The shampoo and shower soap are in pump bottles in the shower. I find it difficult to get enough amounts through the pump. The shampoo is just ok. Suggest you bring your own. The body lotion is nice quality.

2. Complete all your pre-boarding information on line or in the app. U.S./Canada residents can have their medallion mailed to them, $10 fee. Fee is waived if you have the plus or premier fare. You can also select to pick up your medallion at the pier. It's a few minute detour.

3. Arrival time. Depends on the port, but at most ports boarding begins around 10:30/11:00am. Bring along a copy of the travel summary as a backup, but probably no one will ask to see it. Attendants may ask to see your passport. There are no boarding times or boarding passes. Once boarding begins it moves quickly.

4. Slots. You scan your medallion. You can either charge to your on board account, no fee, or insert cash. To charge to your account all you have to do is select the amount you wish to charge. No matter how you decide when you cash out the funds go to your casino account which you set up when you scanned your medallion. You take the slip to the cashier to get cash.

Table games. Similar. If you wish to use cash just drop it on the table. The dealer probably will ask for your medallion so they can track play and maybe you will receive a casino offer in the future. If you wish to charge to your account provide the medallion to the dealer and request the amount you want. The pit boss will process your request. You will sign a paper and then the dealer will provide you with chips. When you wish to end play you just take the chips with you, you should trade small value chips for higher value ones, and cash them in at the cashier, or save them for future play.

1 hour ago, 555 said:

We always cash out our OB credit after the first trip. 

Let them charge my credit card for anything I accrue during the last voyage. 

You can only cash out refundable OBC. There may also be a upper limit on how much cash Passenger Services will provide, with larger amounts being sent by check after the cruise. 

Onboard account balances, plus or minus, carry over. There is a single net amount on disembarkation day. 

The fares are no different than airline fares. If the airline charges baggage fees then you will also have to pay baggage fees. 

There is no charge for breakfast ordered by the door hang tag. 

If you order anything using the Ocean Now app there is a one time charge of $14.99. The charge is included with the plus and premier fares. 

10 hours ago, Kat915 said:

Not a silly question.  I wanted to know the latest I could board so I could do an excursion. Sailing is June 15 and I still don't know. My plans have changed so it no longer matters but it is  weird that I couldn't have that information by now.

U.S. port? Latest check in around 90 minutes before scheduled sailing time. The cruise line is required to provide a passenger manifest to the authorities 60 minutes before sailing. Other ports, most likely similar regulations.

No boarding times. When you arrive at the port you go through security. If you have your medallion you go on the green lane, without the medallion you go on the blue lane for a short detour to pick up the medallion. Then it's off to boarding. Once boarding begins it goes fairly quick.

You can also purchase once on board. The cost will hit your on board account and net against any OBC.

What port? At many U.S. ports it is equal or less expensive for two to take private transfer.

I would write a letter to John Padgett and send by the postal service. I would include copies of your on board folio and all the emails you received from customer service. Customer service is not up to the task.

From you signature it appears you are from Australia. Were you on an Australia based, Aust$ cruise? Maybe Princess, Australia has different rules than those here in the U.S.

Passengers 1 & 2 must have the same package. Regarding post 2, it is optional for the 3rd & 4th passenger

Agree, in Bonaire reserve a golf cart from Bonairecruisers.com. You can visit all the dame sites tours visit at your own pace. Bring along water. No water available along the routes.

Aruba has some nice beaches if that is what they like.

The main street of Curacao is beautiful. Walk over from the ship crossing the pontoon bridge. Warning. The bridge opens frequently. When open there is a small ferry that takes you across the channel, but it's slower than just walking across the bridge. Make certain to allow enough time to return to the ship.

Some important information

-Read all the information fully and follow the instructions exactly. Carry your passport and medallion with you.

-If even one person is not accounted for that person must be located before anyone can return to the ship

-You will be asked to meet in a certain lounge or other location at a certain time. Do Not be late.

Once the entire b2b group of passengers is assembled a staff member will lead the group off the ship through immigration and back on the ship.

- If you are staying in the same cabin leave all your stuff there just like any other day. Your cabin steward will service the cabin as normal.

-If you are changing cabins speak with your cabin steward before hand. A tip is to hang as much in your closet as possible. Those items will be transferred on hangers and hung in the new cabin. Other stuff has to be placed in suitcases for moving.