blizzard44ca

On 5/2/2024 at 9:02 AM, deadzone1003 said:

The wine list for Princess is quite decent, but the selections for the Plus package is quite poor.  The whites are terrible.  The Premier whites were just a tad better.  I had the plus package on a Panama Canal cruise and I found the Malbec and Carmenere drinkable thought it is unlikely I would ever buy them at home.
  

Agree. I usually default to the Malbec with dinner. I’ll have to try the Carmenere.

My big box store has this information in their FAQs:

On 4/16/2024 at 3:08 AM, bumble_b62 said:

We are Australians on a 14-day Mediterranean Princess cruise in August.

 

Our Plus Package is

USD $65 plus 18% service charge = $76.70 per day and Crew appreciation (Gratuities) is not included $16 per day = $92.70 USD

14 days 2pax USD $2,596  = AUD $4,045

Message from Princess

Since the Currency on board is USD for your booking, the crew Appreciation is automatically added to the guest shipboard account folio. Packages (Plus/Premier) do not include crew appreciation for AU/NZ guests. If guests wish to have this amount adjusted or removed and offer a tip at their discretion, they are welcome to do this at the Purser's desk once onboard.

 

I’m still undecided as to whether we’ll buy the package, we have 5 sea days (including embarkation) 9 Port days (5 are sail away 7pm to 10pm)

We each have a European sim/data card for WhatsApp etc, to use in port. $35 each

We enjoy weekly beautiful dinners at home in our local restaurants so no need for (2) casual dining, I’ll buy delicious Gelato in ports, Tea is my hot beverage, long black for DH so we won’t use the coffee specialities and can use the gym without classes.

 

Our Royal Princess cruise in November to New Zealand was a huge disappointment with the white wine selection so I after a few cocktails I found my special “Beverly Hills Island Tea”, DH enjoys a red wine, beer and occasionally a Rum to end the night.

Safe travels!

You could just buy it once onboard for $60/day, and then it will include your gratuities.

Was also on this cruise.  
The eclipse was amazing - we were on the running track near the aft, and there was lots of space.

We also really liked the Catch.  As it turned out, we had surf and turf 3 times (Catch, UBD, & MDR) and all three were very good!

Captain Tony was very visible on the ship (never seen a Captain so many times).  All the officers were very visible, and friendly.

Cole and Oz made a great team, and would happily sail with either of them again.

They definitely hold back seats in the specialty restaurants for booking once aboard.

If you were to find yourself in a position where you had restaurant credits, and if there were truly no reservations available, enquire at the passenger services desk, and I’m sure they would be willing to assist in finding you a reservation (possibly not your preferred location or time), and if there was truly nothing available I suspect that they would give you OBC for the restaurant fee. (I think it would be unlikely that there was truly nothing available)

I don’t think I have stayed in that particular cabin, however I have stayed in a sideways inside on Royal and Discovery. I don’t think the elevators will cause an issue, but there is a staff hallway on the inside wall.  Both times I have heard staff “noise” (radios, talking, movement) It echoed a bit, as the walls are not as soundproof as they would appear. I wouldn’t say it bothered me, but if any sounds bother you, you should be aware of the possibility.

Assuming than neither of these options are available:

Companion passenger whose medallion you could borrow, or

Room steward in the hall who recognizes you

Then, you could go to the passenger services desk, and they will code a card, or new medallion for you.

Ship will use US currency, so bring some for tips etc..  If you choose to use US currency on-shore in Mexico, you will get dinged twice with exchange (once to US, once to Pesos). We choose to bring some Pesos for use on shore, and then also have a no-fx fee credit card.

5 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Maybe don't think of ti as a surcharge to pick your cabin so much as a discount to NOT pick your own cabin...

Then they need to let you be able to select from ALL the cabins when you refuse the “discount”. Right now, they don’t let you pick from the lowest tier.

What is the dress code for American Diner? Does it follow “smart casual” and “formal”, or is it casual any time?

TIA!

22 hours ago, Lanz said:

 

Notes on Crown Princess 

Cabin

We had a deal on this cruise thus Princess chose our mini suite, D114 , uncovered balcony.  If you choose, get a balcony that’s covered.  Mattress was deplorable, our steward tried everything but to no avail.   I contacted the Hotel Manager and the mattress was changed, or something.   It was a lot better.

 

 

Ha. We had the same room (for the same reason) a month ago.

I can vouch for the mattress being terrible.  If your steward was Jamar, we found him to be fantastic.

We typically purchase a package that has standard CA included. (We wouldn’t adjust it if we could)

In addition, we will either (sometimes both) leave additional cash tip, or specific mention by name on the survey, for those who go out of their way to enhance our cruise experience. This is dependent on the length of the cruise, and how they assisted.

The app will correct itself at some point when the data is transferred to the ship.  I too was showing a package that was not purchased, in the weeks leading up to the cruise. There was no confusion on board.

Your cruise summary will show what you have purchased, and that data will be on the ship when you board. Don’t expect to go to the PSD and have a package you haven’t purchased show up on your app. (And if you try to show screenshots, you will look silly)

Salty Dog Gastropub has never been open for lunch.  Crab Shack is a pop-up “event” (similar to wine or beer tasting) and is never included in casual or specialty dining.

They are merely using the Salty Dog space for their event. If Crab Shack wasn’t there, it still wouldn’t be open for lunch.

There definitely was at least a Prosecco covered under plus. (Forgot to address that)

You cannot order a case of water from room service, however you can get water from any bar, or could likely also order on the app (will come from a bar).  We have ordered 2 bottles of water each (ttl 4) with no issues.  Rather than stock up, it’s generally easier to grab one or two on the way to your room.

Espresso and cappuccino are included.  You can order through the app or at IC, and wherever else machines are located (coffee & cones, Princess Live, sometimes a station in the buffet (Royal class))

There are self-serve stations at the buffet, or the waiters will be glad to serve you.

2 hours ago, BabySarge said:

If memory serves me correctly, and no guarantee that it does, I'm pretty sure it does show in the app but I remember really having to dig deep to find out where and I remember thinking at the time they sure don't make it easy for you to look the information up.  I "think" it was in an area that didn't make sense but sort of made sense like maybe the area where you order food/drinks to be delivered?

It used to be in an obscure place on the app, but now if you select Packages it will show all of your allotments, and how many you have used.

6 hours ago, disneyochem said:

We were on a cruise tour this past summer--land, northbound cruise to Whittier followed by a southbound cruise back to Vancouver.  Had Plus package on the northbound, standard on the southbound.  We used the same medallion and were in the same stateroom--accounts weren't zeroed out (still showed charges made on the first 7 cruise days) but did not have any of the Plus package.  

 

We weren't expecting to roll over our package to the new booking but these two cruises were booked as separate cruises.  Were able to get shareholders OBC for each segment.

I hope you filled your fridge on the northbound leg with enough to drink on the southbound leg.

41 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

500ml bottles of water are included with the Plus Package.  Ships also carry 1.5 liters bottles of water which cost $5.00 and aren't included with any package.  Room steward will not refill your cabin with bottled water.  You will have to get it yourself at a bar or the International Café.  I've ordered 5 bottles  at a time under the drink package to bring to my cabin and the bartenders don't have a problem.

This is also my experience.  We often would order in quantity (ie. 3 beer & 2 water each), to take to the room. Never an issue.

Pools will remain open unless sea conditions are such that they must be closed. They are heated, but not a lot. They may feel warmer if the air is cold.  Not really a covered pool, but the retreat pool and the aft pool would be somewhat protected.

Pickleball is on the sports court, shared with basketball, etc.  They do allocate an hour (maybe 2?) in the morning for open play, and they will set up the nets.

56 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

That must have been a busy evening. 

It was never busy. Always lots of food right up until close. Never an issue to find an empty table.

20 hours ago, blizzard44ca said:

Yes. Internet was great in Alaska. A big change from the ships last year. Worth paying for.

Just to add, we streamed music (several times), streamed video (a few times), and used FaceTime (with video) - all with no lag or buffering.

As I said, worth paying for (for real).

We attended several times on the Crown Princess recently. (Skywakers)
 

Drink specials were as above - $8/drink.

Buffet always had cheese and crackers, one or two other cold items, and one hot item in individual dishes.

We often were greeted by name, so someone is checking medallions. We also heard someone being turned away at the door one evening.

1 minute ago, Eli_6 said:

Anyone here when Crown Princess might get it? Trying to talk my husband into doing a 36 day segment of the world cruise, but he has to be able to have really good internet. 

Replied on your other thread… Crown P has Starlink.

Yes. Internet was great in Alaska. A big change from the ships last year. Worth paying for.