Wishing on a star

Here is another recent video, from the Ruby. I think there might be differences between ships with this venue. I notice the Crown Grill Bar piano music here. So maybe different vibe. I can't imagine a real dress-code here. And the presentation and look of the calamari is very different between the two. These two guys had a not-so-great experience on a previous cruise, but had very good food on this visit on the Ruby.

Recently saw a good review, along with other dining venues... Pictures of the food included. Look for the Gastro Pub in the video. He also says that those shortribs were one of his most favorite dished onboard.

Ombud, I think that this extra excursion onboard credit is for cruises beginning Jan 2023. That is interesting Lizabu! So, you have booked an excursion and it let's you select to use this credit for payment, even before sailing. If this is true, it might be right that Princess has put this in place in their system that it is separate, from excursion credit only.

There are three take-aways for me.... One, the idea that disembarking because of COVID would have to be considered a medi-vac. I suppose that most people do not know that. I too might have hoped that I could disembark, in my own country.... Why would a cruise ship be considered a temporary prison. What if one wanted to leave the voyage early because of a major family situation at home? ending a voyage early should be at a travelers discretion. We are not talking about cruise refunds, etc... A cruise ship should never be a prison. Unless you are in a foreign country that has specific laws and requirements about cruise disembarkation, a person should have the option to disembark.. Two, many others have reported feeling abandoned, as they are isolated without basic information, basic needs, food, clean towels, medical care, etc.. and are just totally ignored by an ill prepared and inadequate staff. We all know about staffing issues. They are everywhere. But, when it comes to getting basic needs and care, "sorry, it's a cruise ship, we can't/won't/don't care" is a very unacceptable excuse. Three. Whether you have travel insurance, or the Princess insurance, or are hoping for coverage from your existing health insurance and coverages... You need documentation. Period. When I leave a doctor's office, I usually have the opportunity to leave wth the info in hand. Or I know that it is always available. Every passenger should have immediate documentation and information about any diagnosis like COVID, that affects their health, their travels, their success with insurance coverage. Shouldn't even have to ask. The so called Covid CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE slogans should not mean, if you need medical care, you will pay a min. of $1,000.00 up front, and good luck getting any reimbursement.

No lifeboats on these mid-ship bump out cabins. Only that extended open deck area just below. The newer ships that have restaurants below on Promenade can have the shade-tarp covers there just below.

Should be a great cabin and location with a larger balcony! We have been in a similar mid-ship cabin. I think on the Discovery, there will be the shade-tarp covers for the available dining area below. These will be just below you, and then looking out across open water. I have seen a photo of this view. But would have to try to remember where to find it.

Which sailing? Are you logged in to the same Princess account each time?

Great! Hope you get the cruise all set up!

Okay... try this. Exit the website and go back in to clear as much out as possible and start new. When you pull up Find Cruise, and you put all the region, dates, etc... look for a light blue box right there, where you can go ahead and have it show the base fares in either standard or PLUS.

Yes, it is kind of 'wonky' If it is not picking up the Fare type that you want... Go like you are selecting a regular balcony. Then see if it doesn't carry that forward when you go an change back to Obstructed. Good luck!

Ohhh! Are you selecting 'INTERIOR', and then that is where it shows the Obstructed balconies and Obstructed Deluxe balconies on Deck 8.

The Standard balconies are all the standard size, except for a few exceptions, like the mid-ship bump out angled balconies. The exterior balcony doesn't matter if the interior is regular or Deluxe. 'Premium' balconies do have a larger actual balcony. These can be AFT facing cabins, Cabins on Dolphin deck on some newer ships.... There can be a very few exceptions of standard balconies that do have a larger balcony, but are not re-categorized as 'premium'. Look over deck plans carefully! Don't worry about that little cutout 'jog' that you see on the diagrams. No problem. Also, note that the mid-ship Obstructed Balconies that are right there over the central open deck area below are not really obstructed by lifeboats or anything. Be aware that you might not want to be above a venue like Crooners is you are worried about sound/noise. I understand that you can get a Deluxe Balcony. (with the slightly larger interior and seating) by booking GTY, and then calling and have Princess or your TA request to make the actual cabin assignment. But, I am not sure. I haven't actually done that. There seems to be a lot of confusion about how Princess' system is working lately!!!

I just checked the Princess website, and unless I am mistaken, it shows availability for obstructed balcony cabins on all three British Isles sailings for June next year. It even shows Deluxe Balcony Obstructed when only two guests are selected. I have seen the website only offer a GTY for less than three guests.

I wish there could be a good thread where people listed the Executive Chef, and report on how they thought the food was. That might be telling! And, useful information. Other than the Executive Chef, keeping experienced and talented chefs and kitchen staff might be a big issue as well. I hope it is true that Princess is working on some real updates and improvements! If so, these should be in place well before we board again.

Maybe put the cabin on hold.... Take it while you see it. I think that, once again, Princess has had updates and 'issues' with their systems recently. : ( What type of cabin category are you looking at?

I think AARP is one of the very few where you can get discounted gift cards. They have been a 10% discount.

Sorry, but cabins are not specially on hold for extra passengers. That isn't the way it works. The ships have a maximum capacity which also can limit the number of 3rd and 4th passengers. This has been posted in the past, where families have tried to book a busy holiday cruise with lots of kids and 3rd and 4th passengers onboard. If a cruise has reached the limit for number of children onboard, the that could be a factor. (unless Princess has stopped doing that or really increased the number of children with their new 'family' marketing) This is not discrimination of any kind. The fact is, their 'system' has been somehow doing this with Deluxe balcony cabins for quite a while. It is only doing this with Deluxe Balconies. I would love to book a Deluxe Balcony for the two of us if we book another cruise soon. But, we would have to do a work-around. There have been discussions about this here. If looking for a cabin for two, but it shows absolutely no Deluxe Balconies, then this might be what is going on.

Have they changed the way they used to offer a WIFI discount for Platinum/Elite guests on embarkation day?

I have no experience, but I saw a ships tour of a Princess ship with the teen club. On the schedule hey had a 'Survivor' night, a Scary Movie night, a Hot Tub Party, a Game night. That kind of thing. I think this was from pre-shutdown, so I don't know if they have any newer teen activities.

Yes, we book Deluxe Balconies, since the standard ones are so small!!! They haven't showed up without selecting 3 guests for quite some time now.

If you are looking at a Deluxe Balcony cabin, the system seems to have them flagged for three guests. I have heard that you might just book the GTY, and then contact your TA or Princess rep. to have them go ahead and assign the cabin you would like on the booking.. Hope this works!

Here is video of a similar room, in the middle of that mid-ship bumpout, R423, on the Sky Princess. Having that 'overhang' above you, instead of an open sky view might be one factor. More shade, if you like the less open feel.

I had posted here, last Friday, about hearing about food changes on Princess. And, I hadn't seen this before today, but a poster here says this.. "Chef Rudi promised that by January we would see significant changes to the food and menus. He is working on more than 100 new recipes. He also said supply chain issues are continuing to be a problem with sourcing food." So, there are comments coming out from different Princess cruisers on different ships, that all indicate that updated menus, and hopefully much needed improvements, are on the way!!!

Yes, pull up your upcoming cruise, and you should be able to see if there is a specific cabin. Have you been checking for availability online? Is your category showing sold out, guarantee, or are some cabins now showing up? Do you know if anyone on your sailing has gotten Invitations to Bid for an upgrade?

I just looked up the sailings on the Ruby. She was the first ship we sailed. I like newer ships, but Ruby has some things that are great. Adagio aft bar, small Piazza, nice retreat pool area and Sanctuary. The age, and the smaller tight quarters in the Public areas were what I did not like on the Coral Princess. Along with the lack of some other amenities and venues.