changes in past 4 years

[cat4569]

longtime princess cruises (12 or 13 cruises) but have not cruises in past 4 years. Have there been any major changes in princess rules/things you noticed in the past 4 years from people who normally sail on princess? It looks like captains circle extras are the same... not sure if there are any things that past passengers notice that are different.

[Bill B]

There are now more 'opportunities' ;) for on board spending... and fewer smoking areas :( (a lot of people would use a 'happy face' here).

[cat4569]

do you now have to prepay for shore excursions? And is the dining different in that certain tables in the main dining room are reserved for certain people? I gather some of that from some of the comments on this thread...

[JF - retired RRT]

do you now have to prepay for shore excursions? It depends...some have reported that the requirement seems be be credit card up front or apply OBC if you have any.

And is the dining different in that certain tables in the main dining room are reserved for certain people? Yes, it's called Club Class. More $$ for the higher level of mini-suites. Gets you more than the separate dining area. Not worth it to many.

See above.

[cruzrbachoua]

Yes starting with Fall 2017 cruises and going forward princess did bring back the prepay for excursions. If you book online through the personalizer you have the option of applying obc or paying all with a credit card, but one of the 2 needs to be done within 24 hours of putting them in your cart or they disappear.

 

No more smoking in cabins or on balconies only select inside areas and select outside areas.

 

Traditional dinging now has 3 times 5:30, 6pm and 8pm or of course you can do anytime dining.

 

Can bring only 1 750ml bottle of wine, champagne on per adult 21 or over at embarkation for free or if you bring more you pay the corkage fee no matter if you only drink it in your cabin.

 

That is about all I can remember at the moment that I remember changing recently.

[floridalover5623]

1. No more thicker bar soap in the bathrooms. It's now 1/2 the size but they have liquid dispensers in the shower for both soap & shampoo.

2. Most of the ship have done away with the pool towels in the rooms. You now have to get them at pool side. Don't forget to get a few if you have an early morning tour.

3. Only 1 appetizer or main course is free in the Specialty restaurants. Additional are $10 each.

4. Coffee cards for "unlimited" brewed coffee are only good for your sailing otherwise they punch your card as they would for Specialty coffee.

[2pbears]

Sadly, we have noticed a decline in food quality in the past four or five years. <br>

[diane.in.ny]

Let's not forget the Ocean Medallion instead of a keycard :(

[Thrak]

Let's not forget the Ocean Medallion instead of a keycard :(

 

Not much of an issue for most as it isn't even active on any ships yet and only a few are actually scheduled for a roll-out of the technology. Unlike your frownie face I am looking forward to it and will give it a big grin. :D

[GloriaF]

Ice is not automatically delivered and refilled by the room steward anymore ~~~ have to call room service and order it.

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

Ice is not automatically delivered and refilled by the room steward anymore ~~~ have to call room service and order it.

 

This was not the case three weeks ago on the Regal Princess. Our steward kept the ice bucket full the entire voyage.

[GloriaF]

This was not the case three weeks ago on the Regal Princess. Our steward kept the ice bucket full the entire voyage.

 

That is good news! On the Regal in December, 2016, and CB in March, 2017, we had to call room service for ice. We asked the room steward and he told us this was the new way. Maybe we had a lazy steward, or maybe a regular balcony cabin is not high enough category???

 

I'm hoping your experience is the norm!!

[floridalover5623]

Ice is not automatically delivered and refilled by the room steward anymore ~~~ have to call room service and order it.

I think you may have just had an inexperienced steward.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Ice is not automatically delivered and refilled by the room steward anymore ~~~ have to call room service and order it.

 

 

Not the case on my past cruises. Always had ice replenished by room steward

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[diane.in.ny]

That reminded me that in a mini suite, no longer automatically get fruit. Have to ask for it.

 

We always did have ice though