chloe45

I would never book a cruise if the deposit was not refundable. As you get older things happen. Parents get sick, you get sick, your boss changes his mind about letting you off when you are scheduled etc.

If all cruise lines start doing this I would not cruise anymore. That simple. $100 isn't much but you could eat a fairly decent meal out for that.

My two cents...

I found the Cigar Bar on the Island the smallest of the lounges on Princess. At night it was standing room only. By the end of the cruise probably half of the people had "cruise cough".

My DH and I have cruised yearly since 1993 on most major lines. While I agree with some comments about the decline in food and service I wonder if us long time cruisers aren't a little jaded. It is like a new romance, wonderful at the beginning and hopefully comfortable but not so exciting after awhile. Our old cruise buddies now cruise Oceania, Seaborne and Regent. They boast on food and service on those lines! We are not willing to pay for the luxury lines - are you? Karen

There's some truth to what you are saying. I liked how you compared it with a new romance. After sailing Princess almost exclusively for 2 decades and experiencing the recent decline, bottom line is that I'm just bored with the Princess experience.

My TA's has been trying to get us to sail Crystal, his preferred line. I'm just not willing to pay 2 to 3 times more just to get better food.

For $600 I would do it in a heartbeat. Beware you will be hooked.

It does sound like you will have a good time with your group-- especially since it's a smaller ship.

Secondly, while a TA remains on my bucket list and based only upon last minute deep discounts I've seen for these cruises, your ship may not be full.

 

My first cruise on NCL was an 11 day out of Rome roundtrip, Dec 2012 on Jade, before school was out, and our ship was nowhere near full. It was a great cruise, the reason I bought a FCD (non-refundable $250 FCD that must be used in four years on a 7 day or more cruise. Incentive to purchase on board is a $100 credit to your current on board account.)

 

Princess is just launching the ability pre-cruise to reserve specialty dining on board. NCL had it back in 2012. INCENTIVE to book first night's dining in a specialty restaurant in advance: comp bottle of wine.

 

The other NCL tip is a coupon that will arrive in your room about 4 days in for "Wash & Fold" laundry service: as much as you can stuff in a laundry bag for $24.95. I had been traveling prior to the cruise and was glad to know from reading on CC about this, so I held off rather than immediately sending laundry out. The retail price of what I stuffed in that bag was $155.00!

 

I got both of those tips from CC before sailing on that first cruise. I would also tell you that for my recent April 2017 cruise, I got a great tip, when someone on our roll call mentioned she just booked the week prior to the cruise because of the great price drops. That allowed me to upgrade. I had paid $979 base fare for a solo "Studio Room" and I had also pre-purchased the Thermal Spa pass for $199. When I looked just a week out, balconies were $649! So I was able to cancel my spa pass and for $32 more ($979 + $199 + $32) was in a Spa Mini Suite which included the Thermal Spa. The studio had provided me one freebie (beverage package) and the mini suite included two, so I got a much nicer room with balcony and three specialty dinners.

 

Also, since you mentioned you're in a m/s... I was VERY HAPPY with the LARGE shower in a spacious bathroom. Not sure if that difference between Princess and NCL may only apply on their newer ships. I do remember my balcony room on Jade had a larger shower compared to those on Princess.

 

Oh yes, you mentioned buffet in your original post.... at least on NCL Jade Dec 2012, I was more than impressed with the layout for people flow, the variety and quality of the food. That had been my first cruise in 25 years, so it was my benchmark to where I set my expectations. Thereafter both RCCL and Princess disappointed when it came to buffets. January 2014, my first Princess cruise, I thought the buffet area was small and cramped compared to NCL: there's no way Princess, on their Grand Class ships match the sprawling layout on NCL Jade. [Princess Royal Class ships address this shortcoming.]

 

Perhaps NCL has since discontinued this next thing.... but on the Dec 2012 11 day cruise, for several days leading up to it, the staff really talked-up "The Chocolate Buffet" which was presented late one evening. Quite impressive.

 

The more I type, the more I remember. "Gary," our cruise director on NCL Jade, seemed to ALWAYS BE THERE. He seemed to make all the announcements, be present in ports at the gangway in the morning and again in the afternoon before sailing, and at the beginning and conclusion of theater shows. Susan Rawlings on Coral Princess April 2016, is the ONLY Princess CD that I've bonded with in the same way.

 

So, OP, have a great trip on NCL. Princess may not see you for quite sometime.

 

And THANK YOU, Cruise Critic & OP for this thread: it's been like a therapy session [ :) ] for me as I realize, that despite my Princess Elite status benefits, sailing on NCL's smaller ships might be a better option occasionally for a change from Princess.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to hear the entertainment on NCL is good. We stopped going to the Princess shows because they we're either bad or corny. And now since they are so short. Having to get there early and wait for it to start is almost as long as the show itself (exaggerating a little).

I've been lurking over on the NCL boards and saw this chatter about reservations for the show and I thought wow more nickel and diming thinking you had to pay. Apparently this is not the case. Reservations is a good idea. Probably cuts down on all the waiting for the show to start. It kind of takes away from the free-style aspect because you have to plan ahead.

There's a reason (or several) why NCL is not considered a premium line, and based upon my recent experience, you may be rather upset at being trapped on NCL for a transatlantic with no ports to run off with your bags to fly home.

 

With my dozen or more cruises on Princess over the past three years, I've noticed the gradual "chipping away" on Princess. So I was eager to experience NCL Escape when I took a 7 day cruise this April. I had an expiring deposit cert that I had to use or lose.

 

Your comments indicate that you don't travel in suites, so "The Haven" on NCL sounds out of the question because of cost. I spoke with a "Haven" guest about why she would only stay there on NCL. I've stayed in a Princess full suite and enjoyed the benefits, however, "The Haven" outshines Princess.

 

Having no status on NCL, I didn't have priority boarding. The Disney-esque line kept moving and only took 15 minutes to be called to an agent. Looking at his watch as he handed me my key card he stated: "Just to your left and up the escalators. We should start boarding just about now." WONDERFUL, I thought: just like Princess; I'll be unpacked in my room 20 minutes from now. Up the escalator I was handed my "Boarding Pass" --- for Group 25!! It was a 90 minute wait until my group was called.

 

Walk off disembarkation was no better, with a line that snaked practically the length of the ship and back before walking outside to the gangway.

 

I love the Princess daily rotation of the MDR breakfast and lunch menus. The NCL MDR breakfast menu was on a three day rotation for my 7 day cruise. I tried a number of the specialty restaurants, and it seems they are geared for the mass market. Crown Grill beats the NCL Steakhouse hands down, and Old Menu Sabatini's outshines NCL's Italian offering. I can only give a "shake of the shoulders" to the French restaurant.

 

I never visited the buffet on NCL and I typically don't use HC on Princess.

 

Service, or more specifically supervision and training of service on NCL pales in comparison to Princess. It's the small things that make the difference. Take what I saw in the French restaurant. Two 4-top tables were put together to accommodate a party of 8. With three on each side and one at each end, it meant the middle person on each side was sitting where the tables were joined. Only problem is the tables were an inch different in height. None-the-less, the table was set with that middle plate leaning at a 40 degree angle left to right. To my server: "I know that is not your table, but let me ask you something. If you were a guest here tonight in NCL's 'nicest' specialty restaurant and you were paying $35 to eat here, how would you feel about sitting at THAT seat?" pointing to the the setting. She looked, turned back to me with a big smile, I smiled at her, pointed again, she looked, then looked back at me. So I asked her: "Do you see how that plate is sitting on the table? Would you like to eat from it at that angle?" She smiled, acknowledged with a nod, and walked off. I saw her say something to another service staff member. But no change was made from the table. It took the ship's F&B Director, who had planned to visit with me at the end of my meal, before the table and place setting was fixed.

 

In the steakhouse, the couple at the table next to me (who I had a conversation with on another day) got the wrong table on SEVERAL COUNTS. The setting sun was right in the husband's face because the panel of blinds over their table didn't descend when the staff flipped the switch to lower the blinds. So I called our waiter over, and as I pointed and before I could say anything, he snapped: "It's broken."

Me: "Well, yes, I can see that. But can YOU see that long metal rod? I think if you crank and turn it, the blind will slide down."

 

"Do you work on the ship?"

"No, but I believe that is the manual crank."

He was amazed as the blind descended, asking "Wow! How did you know that?"

 

I just smiled in return, as I thought to myself: "Umm, just simple common sense."

 

They had been the second table seated in the dining room, and I heard them let their waiter know they were skipping a course because they had show reservations for 7:30pm. It was 5:40pm. A wasted comment, it turns out. I was served, followed by three tables to my left and two tables in front of me while the couple nervously glanced at their watches and each other.

 

So I signaled for our waiter as I asked: "Do you know what happened to their food?"

 

"I don't know."

"Well, I've watched five other tables who ordered after them be served their meals. Could you find out? Because remember they mentioned they had a show reservation, and they were the second order that you took, before these other tables."

 

Okay, I'll stop here. But I could go on. Yes, Princess staff do have their "moments," but they seem few and far between. Service in general on Princess seems more attentive and personalized compared to NCL.

 

There just seems to be more care and attention on board Princess.

 

Have you considered a shorter cruise on NCL first, to test the waters?

I didn't choose this cruise. A friend invited us to join them on their TA. Two other couples are also joining us. This is a group of friends that have been meeting for cocktail hour once a week (used to be twice) for the last 15+ years. With this group on board there is no way we won't have fun!

The 8 day Crown cruise was in a mini with paid gratuities and $400 OBC (military and FCC)

The 14 day NCL Star (which is a smaller ship then some of the NCL newer ones) is in a mini with beverage package, meal package (4 dinners in specialty venues) and $215 OBC.

The difference in price was NCL was $150 more. Great deal.

Excited to try something different for a change. We probably won't eat in the buffet a lot since we have a group and the not having to dress up is a plus. When we first started cruising I loved formal nights. I have about 5 evening gowns but DH got tired of wearing the monkey suit and would shed it as soon as dinner was over. We've skipped formal nights for many years now.

Why is it that one must post a manifesto when maybe leaving a cruise line based on of hearsay?

 

 

40 Million fine is approximately $ 18 per passenger for one year's sailings.

Manifesto? Seriously? What part of sailing with Princess for 18 years didn't you get? I have experienced the decline. The bad Crown reviews was just the straw that broke the camels back. Didn't say I was totally done with Princess. If I wasn't happy with them I would not have sailed with them loyally for 18 years. Just looking for something else for now.

I already posted why I'm sailing NCL. Not my first choice.

Good luck.

I think you will find NCL will nickel and dime you to death.

Yes, I've heard that. If our friends didn't ask us to join them we would probably sail on Celebrity next. DH has been wanting to try NCL. Since we will be with all of our friends everything else doesn't really matter.

If I based my decisions on what I heard about a cruise line, NCL would be one of my last choices. I hope you enjoy it though.

Doing NCL because we joined our friends on a TA who are big NCL cruiser. They get back and forth from Europe each year on cruise ships instead of flying. Almost cheaper to do it that way. We joined them back in 2008 on TA with another couple on the Celebrity Century. Had a blast. They search for the cheapest cruise. That same other couple that sailed with us in 2008 are joining us along with another couple. Should be a hoot. I'm just up for something different. Got a great deal which also included the Beverage package, a dinner package (4 nights) and some OBC's.

I realize you get what you pay for. Just burned out on Princess. We have been sailing them almost exclusively for 18 years.

DH and I have soured on the Princess brand. We've notice over the last couple of years that the Princess product has gone downhill. We've cruised Princess 20+ times. We used to book suites the last few years I was working but I retired early so we had booked a mini on the Crown in December. We don't care for the MDR because it takes too long. We planned on using the buffet and what I've heard lately doesn't sound good. The same food being served over and over again. Then I heard about what they did to the buffet on the Caribbean Princess on the last refurbishment and couldn't believe it. Hope this isn't a new trend. Peanut Butter and Jelly station and breakfast for dinner. You have got to be kidding me!

I suspect that this decline comes on the heels of the $40 million dollar judgement. Somebody has to pay for it and it's the loyal Princess passengers that will bear the brunt.

I'm not saying we are totally done with Princess but will wait and see if they clean up there act in the future.

Giving NCL a try. Have a transatlantic booked for next April. I know NCL is not considered a premium line but Princess isn't anymore either in our opinion.

The Law allows one carton per person unless visiting the US Virgin Islands... most people don't follow this .. just don't be the one that gets picked out for a random check

 

 

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We brought back more cartons than allowed and told the custom's person (we were ready to pay the duty). Agent couldn't be bothered with the hassle. Just declare it. Chances are you won't be charged either.

I would not book a cruise with a non refundable deposit.

We were on the Caribbean Princess in 2006 (Nov I think). The ship was a year 1/2 old. We lost one of the propulsion engines halfway into the cruise. Missed the remaining port because of it.

We stayed at the Embassy Suite's once pre-cruise and it was one of the best Embassy Suites I ever stayed at. My grandma took me and my sister to Lago-O-Mar when we were kids and it was truly magical. It was back in the 60's and women had to wear bathing caps! We didn't mind though. We were kids and there was a pool.

DH loves the free laundry. I could care less. I don't want them ruining my close. Heard lots of stories on CC about laundry mishaps.

We always take out RS drinks (purchased on board) to the dining room. Sometimes it takes forever to get a drink. I have a whole lot of Princess Coke glasses with the lid. When we order a new drink from the dining room or casino etc. we dump the new drink in the Coke glasses. Stays colder longer.

I just don't get this new Club Class. On my upcoming Dec cruise the difference between my covered mini and club class is $576/pp. That's $1152 per couple for the privilege of special seating in the MDR! You've got to be kidding me. How stupid does Princess think we are? This new perk costs them NOTHING. They take wait staff from the MDR so service suffers for the rest. DH and I haven't eaten in the MDR for years now. We do specialty or the buffet. MDR takes too long.

With Club class you also get Hors d'oeuvres and a wine package (probably 2 bottles). Big deal. On my Dec cruise only 2 cabins have been sold in this class.

We were also able to change this from the first night. Had to talk to the Matre D. The first night is always prime rib night and I like their prime rib.

Crisis averted. Got my cabin back. Just goes to show you, you have to check your booking from time to time. :)

Bacon is one of life's great joys but.. Yes, there actually can be too much bacon. Princess doesn't do bacon very well in the first place so a ton of it was too much.

There no such thing as too much bacon! LOL. Should be in it's own food group:)

They can actually move you anywhere on the ship whether you mark meta or not. And they are not obligated to tell you, either.

I understand the policy but what is the incentive to book early (18 month) for the specific purpose of choosing a cabin? I usually book late and take a guarantee but this time I wanted to try one of the covered minis. The only way to do that is to book early because there are only 12 of these cabins and they usually go fast. When I looked last night there were a couple of these cabins left. I can't think of any reason why they would move me!

Doesn't make sense. What is so special about E720?

For those of you who say my TA dropped the ball I suspect you are right. For now I'll wait and see. I am prepared to take drastic action if I don't get my cabin back.

I checked my booking today and Princess moved us from E720 to D526 without any notice at all on our upcoming Dec cruise on the Crown. When I made the reservation I told my TA to mark it as mega upgrade only. We usually travel in a mini and on occasion a suite. I chose the Emerald deck because of the covered balcony. I'm not happy. My TA says he can get my cabin back. Won't know for 72 hours because of inventory control. He said he marked it as mega but it's computerized. Says he has now marked it manually as upgrade to suite only.

We will see...

Years ago I thought that was true. DH always won the first night. I usually won towards the end of the cruise. On our last few cruises I found that there were only a couple of machines worth playing. They were very tight. I like the 3 play 25 cent slots. Now mostly there are foo foo penny machines. It cost way more to play these machines than the 25 cent machines if you are playing max bet. I don't know how people tell that they won. Except they make a lot of noise. Mine made a whole lot of noise for a nothing win. I saved a lot of money this last cruise. I used to allow for $100 dollars a day when I was working. This trip they were lucky to get $20 a day. Towards the end I didn't go down to the casino at all except maybe to find DH.

We have Aetna and called them (less than two weeks ago) and were told we could fax or mail. We faxed our claim to 859-455-8650.

 

The only difference for us is that they may pay some of our claim. We actually have two claims . One is while we were out of the country. Medicare is primary. We just had to fax them the page in the Medicare and You book that says Medicare won't cover it. Whatever Aetna doesn't pay we will send to our travel insurance.

 

I suggest you either fax to the claims fax number I mentioned or call Aetna again to confirm the fax #.

Thanks for the fax number but if you are covered by Medicare then what you have with Aetna is probably some sort of Medi-Gap insurance and the process may be different.

There are hoops to jump through to make a claim. I called my primary insurance carrier first and was told over the phone that I would not be covered because it was not life or limb and I was out of the country. Vacation protection is considered secondary insurance, therefore you need to get in writing from your primary insurance carrier. To get it in writing from your primary you need to actually file and claim via snail mail (at least that’s the way with Aetna). After they get it (via snail mail) they have 30 days to process. Then you can file with secondary. Who know how long they will take.

It hate insurance companies. Anything to delay payment….