amandawalker1

9 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

And what type of cabin and how much was your cruise to get those perks?

Balcony

https://mycruises.co.nz/cruise/virgin-adults-only-sea-terrace-exclusive-new-zealand-escape-2024/

8 minutes ago, Ellipooh said:

Sorry, WHAT. 
 

Would love more info, I’m done with main line cruising after my next one. Need to upgrade my life. 
Off to google search…

Booked with Virgin yesterday, they matched elite, offered before I even thought it was an option. Two more princess cruises then I’m off to Virgin. 
looks cool. Actual all inclusive, no upselling.

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The problem with Virgin is that they have no drink package, so even though they are cutting edge with many of their aspects, that deviation compared to their competition eliminates them from possibly being considered.

I got $900 usd bar credit, plus free flights

12 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Funny thing is that if Princess just raised fares by the same amount as these changes will cost most basic fare passengers,  most likely no one would have even noticed

So true, I am sure we are not the only loyal elite they have pushed away. Sadly I think they have done us a favor, having now booked Virgin for next years cruises, I am really excited to have no art auctions, no photographers everywhere and all inclusive dining. Also the recognize elite. 

On 8/11/2023 at 12:29 PM, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you're on a 4 or 5 day cruise, your investment to upgrade from plus to premier is 160/200.  The two nights of specialty dining is worth 156.  So for the additional 4 or 44 dollars you would get all of the other peripheral items included with the premier package.  For cruises that are 6+ days only you can determine if spending an extra 84 or more dollars over and above the specialty dining cost is worth it or not and how much value it is to you.

I think you have summed that up well and explained why many are so annoyed. It’s quite a good deal for short cruises, but stupid cost for 23 days I am booked on. The upgrade to premier is just not justifiable for the cost, I will just pay what extras I really want. 
However, this whole implementation has left me feeling very anti princess. Have two booked which I can not change. But booked my next cruise with Virgin, which I would never have even looked at before, and Wow, everything is included, and I have to say I’m impressed. So after 15 princess cruises, I’m off, oh and they match the elite status from first cruise.

7 minutes ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

They just change the prizes and odds, and sometimes reset the prizes available in case someone already won the grand prize. It will reset with new dates as it has in the past. 

Think it’s more than that as not listed as part of premier package to book now. 

12 minutes ago, kasowell2 said:

There listed on this screenshot I just took 

odd, I’m on Australian site, but booking is Alaska 

definitely says until  July on au web site. 

I see princess prizes is stopping on 31/7/23

its not showing on premier package on au site already. 

33 minutes ago, tellis90245 said:

I might agree that the changes themselves are fairly minor, what really bothers me is the retroactive way it is being implemented. Going forward, if I book another future cruise, how can I know that what I will get is what I thought I was getting when I booked? How can I be sure Princess will not institute another "upgrade", say to give Plus Package people two "free" shows in the theater at night, and additional ones are now $20? Can anybody be sure such a change, or something else, won't suddenly, with no warning, be imposed? My trust in Princess is way down.

Most intelligent and well put message on thread.

sums it up perfectly.

7 hours ago, gah_cruise said:

No I don't stop making them, just make them less often

And the price you pay for the eggs stays the same, the store don’t come looking for more money, nor come and take three back a week later.

7 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

You will have a choice between either a 3 course meal there for $14.99 or you can opt for a la carte so presuming you should have no problem just getting a pizza if that's what your heart desires.

Assuming the pizza is available as an item for $10, could easily have a pizza and then go have starter or dessert at main dining room.

9 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Looks like the Australian/NZ pages are different?

Yet both cruises leave from USA ports

2 questions

where has the Prizes gone from premier?

is plus now $15 or $22 says both on this

On 1/31/2012 at 8:36 AM, MacWiz said:

 

We recently booked a Princess cruise BECAUSE of this policy. We had our choices narrowed down to three cruises we were considering, one on RCCL, one on HAL and one and Princess. We choose the Princess cruise because of this policy change. We made sure Princess (through our Princess travel consultant) was aware of why we choose Princess over the others.

 

(Subject should probably say "That's minus two and plus one.")

Agree, bonus, less smokers on cruise the better

I got the information, which I am guessing IS accurate from both the Princess itinerary on my personalised and the port of Brisbane web site

Dawn Princess 21 June 2015 08:00hrs 21 June 2015 18:00hrs 261 ISS Pinkenba

Pacific Pearl 25 June 2015 06:30hrs 25 June 2015 18:00hrs 245 ISS Moreton Id Anchorage

Dawn Princess 25 June 2015 08:00hrs 25 June 2015 18:00hrs 261 ISS Portside

I have been to both Grain Isd and Portside, thus very confused at this change. It was originally at Grain Isd.

Does anyone know about this port terminal? The dawn Princess has changed to here for the port visit on 21st June.. It was at grain Island which I am familiar with, but know nothing of Pinkenba. Are there Taxis and does anyone know if Hire cars will drop off there?

American sockets.

Thank you both so much.

You have calmed my concerns

Caesar Salad and pasta in Parmesan basket are my go to meals if there is no other vegetarian dish I like, was worried it would be replaced. Plus I am allergic to seaweed so a lot of Japanese food is out for me.

After 6 cruises - I dreaded the thought of sitting through the safety message not once but twice;).

Interesting they have cut the cost of the Japanese baths, I guess communal bathing was always going to be a hard sell to the age groups that cruise from NZ and Aus. Would be keen to test it out if bathing suits were allowed.

Is the Sanctuary open this cruise?, last on Sun Princess, it was closed for no apparent reason, patronage I guessed.

Enjoy your last days of relaxation.

Amanda

Thank you for the up to date update!

That sounds far more sensible having both options available.

Dan sounds a familiar name, where is he from?

Amanda

Thank you for your reply, very much appreciated.

I am sure the Japanese baths are lovely, however I am not comfortable with the no swim suits thing on a cruise around NZ and Aus. I guess if I were in Japan it would be different. It looks lovely and am guessing if they made it for use in swimsuits it would get used more.

We were on the last Australian trip on Sun Princess whilst it was turning Japanese in Feb this year. The changes were very obvious and staff were being removed if they did not speak Japanese.

We are booked on Diamond this January, does anyone know if the changes made for the Japan market are still being done whilst in the Aus/NZ voyages? Things like Japanese baths being only nude, and all announcements being bilingual? Have read a lot of reviews and am getting a bit worried it has changed too much since our last trip in 2012.

We have booked the Sofitel through their web site at a really good rate (Breakfast included in the restaurant) Defiantly agree it is never a good idea to book through third party web sites, they are agents and take about 20% of what you pay for the room, so its no wonder the hotels give you the least favourable room when they are getting only 80% of the rate.

Its called Bircher Museli- it originates from Switzerland

160g gluten-free rolled oats

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

20g coconut shavings

2 tbsp sunflower seeds

40g raisins (or substitute chopped dried figs, dates or apricots)

480ml warm water

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Simply add the warm water to the dry ingredients and give the mixture another good stir. Leave to soak for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge.

If it’s really sticky after 2 hours, add a splash of extra water to loosen up the muesli; some oats are super-absorbent and others aren’t, so it’ll depend on the type you use.

Price difference solved, seems $49 is for Domestic terminal - $69 from International.

Amanda

I am a bit confused, emailed town cars and they say the price from airport to Darling Harbour is $69...... have emailed to ask why