I am currently aboard the Discovery Princess.  I am having issues with the WiFi.  Aside from the very slow speed (Will post below) I find that my ad-blockers are ignored and I am seeing ads.  I have to keep signing in to my main visited sites although I select remember me or keep me signed in.  I am mostly using Chrome.  Here is the speed test at just before 7AM.

5 hours ago, BamaVol said:

Can you use the chat feature to do that?  We all know what level of customer care quality you get on the phone.  But I’ve been impressed with my limited chat interactions.

As the poster above said ... No chat can not help as they are unable to accept payments.  They recommended calling. I tend not to call Princess any more since the new call center in the Phillipines

52 minutes ago, westcoaster said:

I've had a similar problem to the OP, where the App doesn't recognize my Elite status and doesn't give the 50% discount.  On my last cruise, I spoke to one of the agents who are supposed to help with Medallion app issues.  They said to go ahead and purchase at full price, and I would get the 50% discount once on board as OBC.   I did that, but I had a hard time convincing the person at passenger services that I should be getting a discount.  She was adamant that I shouldn't get it.  I did eventually get it, but only after going to passenger services a couple of times and arguing with them.

 

For my next cruise, I'm going to wait and purchase the internet while on board!

You should not have had to argue for it.  50% off is clearly a Platinum and Elite benefit.  Passenger services people you encountered seem not to be well trained.

I think I will be waiting until I board.  There is no reason to give Princess any extra money.

1 hour ago, Therese S. said:

Last week I purchased internet for my upcoming cruise through the Princess app at $7.50 per day for those that are platinum or higher.    Look for MedallionNet on the app

I went to use the App and that is where I would be charged $15.00 per day, no 50% off option at all.  The App is and has never been quite right, it is WONKY.  I know I could call, but I am not enamoured with the new(ish) Princess call center in the Phillipines.  I miss Santa Clarita. 

I'd like to know of recent experiences purchasing internet with the elite half off discount once you have boarded the ship.  Is it half of $14.99/$15.00 or is it still half off a higher price.  At one time there were 2 different prices.  Currently It can not be purchased with half off using the App.  I prefer not to give Princess the extra money only to be refunded the difference in OBC.  It's another and very sneaky way Princess gets our money.

Does anyone know when DuVaul Gamble will be leaving the Discovery Princess. I am hoping he will be the CD for my cruise Oct 21st

DE is a cabin category.  Deluxe Balcony Stateroom DE

It is not clear.  Do you mean transferable to another person or transferable to another cruise?

AFIK a cruise booking can not be transferred to another booking on a different cruise.  Particularly if it is after final payment, penalty schedule applies.  Prior to final payment it will likely be a cancel and create a new booking scenario at the prices at that moment.

As far as transfering to another person/name change, that will be up to Princess and may incur a fee.

If this is not correct, I am sure later posts will correct

Island Princess World Cruise had Pub Lunch in Bayou Cafe many times.

On the World Cruise this year on the Island we had the typical Pub Lunch many times.  It was held in the Bayou Cafe.

1 hour ago, cruiserdf said:

This should be interesting since the Events and Loyalty Manager (Formerly called Princess Captains Circle Loyalty Person) is now an officer of the ships company.

Yes, it will be interesting.  Princess has become all about sales and money grabbing with little very regard to their loyal guests.  IMO YMMV

It is my understanding that the tasks of the on board Princess captains circle loyalty person is being outsourced to a company called ONE, the sales force hired for on board future cruise sales and I believe also those awful phone calls.

4 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Be sure to wait for confirmation by email.

 

I have done it both ways:  via app/in person.

 

I much prefer to hand paper to person (I don't know who will do this now that they are consolidating departments).  

It is my understanding that the tasks of the on board Princess captains circle loyalty person is being outsourced to ONE, the sales force hired for on board cruise sales and I believe also those awful phone calls.

@We_like_to_cruise Thank you so much for this thread from one of your fellow passengers.  I am still on board, getting off in LA.

3 hours ago, caribill said:

How was the Internet reliability and speed on the TA return to Fort Lauderdale?

Pretty sucky and continues to be not good on the Panama Canal segment.  

The Sanctuary is a quiet place with nice loungers.  there are attendants to be of service and afternoon tea is always served.  Yes, there is a fee.  Unless it has changed full day $40.00, half day $20.00.  I believe a discount for the whole cruise.

Copied from Princess website

I am currently on the Island Princess World Cruise.  We have had the Pub Lunch as we knew it pre-pandemic in the Bayou Cafe several times.  Same menus.  I have no way of knowing if this is unique to the world cruise or not.  I have also heard but not seen myelf that there has been fish and chips in the buffet as well.

Yes, Minibar is stocked at each segment. 

I am currently on the Island World Cruise 2023.  Last formal night I saw a gent wearing a suit coat, dress shirt and a bow tie if I recall and black shorts.  The shorts were NOT sports type shorts, but trouser material.  I thought it looked very odd and I am guessing he did it just to make a point.  To each their own I suppose. 

quote does not work any more for me, sorry

AFIK they are providing paper straws on the Island.  I came prepare with my own plastic straws.

My current experience ... I had a "free" specialty dining perk as part of my booking.  Well, it was not free after all.  I had to pay up front using a live person. I found my credit card had been charged even though I was told no charge, they saw my "free" perk.  I called Princess before the cruise and was told I had to see Passenger Services to request a refund.  I did and was told they have no way to refund my credit card, all they do is give you OBC.  So I ended up paying for my "free" specialty dining.  Very sneaky Princess, having us pay for "free" perks this way.   IMO it really does not have to be done that way.  Why not allow a reservation when they can see we have a "free" perk.  Just another money grab.

Had I waited until I was on board I would likely not have been able to find a reservation available.

I don't want to derail the thread, but..... There is also an issue that those of us who have specialty dining as a booking perk, not intending to use OBC are also charged on our credit card.  What has happened to me is if I choose not to pay and I wait until boarding there is scant to no availability to book specialty dining. 

WOW!  Many different looking versions.  Hmmmmm, what's up with that?

I am so sad about the demise of one of my favorites, love boat dream 😞  This replacement does not even look like something I would want to try.  The official Norman Love pistachio dome was one of my favorites.  So sad what they have done now.

I believe you put out your luggage, claim your luggage like normal, do arrival formalities, exit building and proceed to Princess bus.  I would expect to receive specific instructions in your cabin a day or so ahead.

My experience with this transfer was not a good one.  The bus parked in an underground parking structure in 1 terminal only ( 2 or maybe 3) and we had to make our way to our ticket/check in counter dragging our luggage.  No carts in an underground parking structure.

I do not think they would stop at a hotel that is not their destination

Personally, I would now opt for a private company for a Heathrow transfer,  Unfortunately it appears Smith's for airports has ceased operations.  They were highly regarded

My recommendation to Alaska first timers is to do a cruise/tour.  Princess offers many.  There is so much missed if you do not get into the interior.  It will be 11 or 12 days.  Try to find one with 2 nights in Denali NP.  I agree with making sure you get to see Glacier Bay on the cruise portion.