Bon Voyage Experience

[pppiglet]

Thanks!

[pppiglet]

I called this morning and Princess said anyone doing this has to know someone that is sailing on the cruise. Maybe different ports do it different ways? I am going to register 4 to go with us. Some people from work were interested, but I don't know that they would want to give me their personal information to add them to our party. I am going to tell them to call Princess direct if they want to do it.

[AngryKing]

I called this morning and Princess said anyone doing this has to know someone that is sailing on the cruise.

 

According to the Princess rep I talked to today, you dont have to know anyone sailing to book the BVE. If you live near a port, you can simply do this to kill an afternoon with some friends.

[AngryKing]

Does anyone know if you can opt not to do the tour and just walk around the ship on your own after lunch?

 

Reason i ask is because I'll be sailing and I'd rather hang out with my BVE guest on our own rather than do a tour of a ship that I've been on twice before.....

[capriccio]

Does anyone know if you can opt not to do the tour and just walk around the ship on your own after lunch?

 

Reason i ask is because I'll be sailing and I'd rather hang out with my BVE guest on our own rather than do a tour of a ship that I've been on twice before.....

 

Our tour was before lunch and we were given the opportunity to opt out but since my brother and sister-in-law were the only participants we took the tour. It was very informative and we were 'hand delivered' to the head waiter in the dining room who made a great fuss over them.:p

[RASHOPPER2]

We just came back from the Emerald Princess, and friends did the Bon Voyage experience with us. It was just wonderful. Nikki - the future cruise specialist - met us as we escorted on the ship at 11:00. She gave us the option of a tour or walking around by ourselves. We chose the tour and it was excellent. Then we went to lunch - we had a lovely table near the window and a delicious lunch with wine. We had time to sit on deck with our friends until about 2:30. Then they picked up their pictures and left the ship. We all enjoyed it immensely. An added plus: they were able to buy future cruise credit.

[cruznliz]

As stated above, the tour was optional, before lunch and quite short. I think they just want to give you something to do before lunch. We took it last year on the Sapphire. After lunch there was plenty of time to relax and explore and for your guests to see your cabin, etc. ;)

[Princess Patches]

Has anyone heard heard of anyone that has gone on the Bon Vonage Experience or been on it themselves? Princess lets friends and family join them for 4 hours on board before the ship leaves for $39.95 per person. Just wondering how it works?

 

Thanks:)

 

I have heard only positive things about the BVE. I have heard you can board at 11:00 a.m., which is even before the priority boarders. You do not have to know anyone onboard to do the BVE. If you are guests of passengers, then they can board with you at 11:00 a.m. You can have a ship's tour or wander on your own, whatever you prefer. You get a four course lunch with wine in the main dining room. You can get your photo taken if you like. You can buy future cruise credits while onboard. You get your $39 luncheon fee credited back to your next cruise if you book within three months of your BVE. You can stay onboard for about 4 hours.

 

This is such a great deal if you live near a Princess port, plan on booking a cruise in the next 3 months, and need an FCC or two. The whole enjoyable afternoon would be free and you could get FCCs which are worth anywhere from $25 to $150 in onboard credit per person.

[AngryKing]

Our tour was before lunch and we were given the opportunity to opt out but since my brother and sister-in-law were the only participants we took the tour. It was very informative and we were 'hand delivered' to the head waiter in the dining room who made a great fuss over them.:p

 

That's pretty cool! A Princess rep was telling me that you are given a tour of an actual cabin. Is this true? If so, what cabin did you see? I would like to see a regular balcony room, as I've never seeen one. I've done a mini suite and that's nice. I'd like to see a big suite too!

[AngryKing]

I just booked my Dad for this so he can hang with us for a few hours before we sail. I was told just now that we CAN opt out of the tour of the ship. (However, I was told otherwise yesterday by a Princess rep) If this is the case I would rather give him a tour myself and just hang out.

 

I was also told he CAN go to our cabin and hang out. (Again, was told otherwise yesterday)

 

Either way, should be a lot of fun. I plan to do this from time to time when certain Princess ships I've never been on come in to port in San Pedro, CA.

[capriccio]

That's pretty cool! A Princess rep was telling me that you are given a tour of an actual cabin. Is this true? If so, what cabin did you see? I would like to see a regular balcony room, as I've never seeen one. I've done a mini suite and that's nice. I'd like to see a big suite too!

 

We were staying in a suite (I was surprising my husband for his 60th birthday) so they got to see a suite - and sit on the balcony for a couple of hours drinking a bottle of 'good' champagne brought to us by the steward. On the tour we popped into a mini-suite to show my brother and sister-in-law what we recommended for the Alaska cruise. While not nearly as nice as a full suite:D they agreed it was lovely and we've reserved 3 minis in a row (we even convinced my sister and brother-in-law to come with us on their first ever cruise).

[pppiglet]

I did call back to Princess and found out anyone can do this tour. I've booked 4 people for our 5/5 cruise. They said it's a maximum 50 people per cruise and I know a few other people on our roll call signed up their friends and family also. I'm trying to get some people from work to sign up too. Should be really fun!

[melindaleighton]

Is this available for overseas ports? Specifically Southampton

Thank you

[Princess Patches]

Is this available for overseas ports? Specifically Southampton

Thank you

 

No. It is only available in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

[Bucky3]

Is the charge for the BVE only for guests of the passenger, or is the passenger also charged ?

[Princess Patches]

Is the charge for the BVE only for guests of the passenger, or is the passenger also charged ?

 

The passenger is not charged, only the guests.

[Bucky3]

The passenger is not charged, only the guests.

 

Thank you for that information.

[AngryKing]

What about small children? 1 or 2 yr olds? Is there a charge?

[ladyco4]

What about small children? 1 or 2 yr olds? Is there a charge?

 

I was told by my TA that everyone was charged no matter what age they are.

We are going to sign my DD and her family for our upcoming cruise. We are hoping that they like it enough to cruise with us some other time.

[melindaleighton]

Is it only available in us ports or can I take my family in Southampton before a fjords cruise?

Thank you

Melinda

[AngryKing]

Is it only available in us ports or can I take my family in Southampton before a fjords cruise?

Thank you

Melinda

 

Only US ports....

[frediver]

And not every Ship every Embarkation in US Ports.

Even Ship/Ports that do offer it, do not always offer it

for ea. Cruise.

I was hoping to book it for our family, May in S.F. but told

it was not offered for the 1st departure of the season.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Does anyone know what the guests are served for lunch? After lunch can they visit the IC? Also, If the guests do not drink wine, can they order soda or coffee? I'm trying to get my dad to go on a cruise and I keep telling him how great the food is. :)

[Princess Patches]

Does anyone know what the guests are served for lunch? After lunch can they visit the IC? Also, If the guests do not drink wine, can they order soda or coffee? I'm trying to get my dad to go on a cruise and I keep telling him how great the food is. :)

 

They are served a four course lunch with wine in the main dining room. If they prefer eating at the buffet or the IC they can do that instead or in addition to the dining room. There is no charge for coffee except the specialty brews. I do not see why they would not substitute soda for wine at lunch, just ask about it.

[atlantic cruiser]

Is a passport required to board as a guest. Quest is Canadian citizen but legal resident of California. Thanks