We are finally ready to return to cruising. What do we need to know? What has Princess changed?

[Ombud]

4 hours ago, gottagocit said:

Is the boarding day drawing still being held where a nice prize is give to one of those who walked to all the parts of the ship and got all the little stamps on the signup card?

On 1 ship there was a prize for 1 person who visited all bars on s poker run. Also tickets are given for game prizes which are then turned in and you pick what you want --- win more games / get more tickets / get better prize. I got a ripstop backpack for 1 game (and gave it to my 16F granddaughter)

[gottagocit]

Okay I thought of a few more questions as we try to catch up on the latest onboard experience since precovid cruising. 
 

- Are the casinos still smoking areas?

- Are we still able to purchase $100 FCD’s onboard and receive $100 OBC when using them to secure a booking?

- Are there still British nights at the bar with games and fish & chips?

- Still nightly “movie under the stars”

 

Seems like I had another one or two but don’t recall them. Will try to come back and ask as I think of them. 
 

Thanks again,

Chris

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, gottagocit said:

Okay I thought of a few more questions as we try to catch up on the latest onboard experience since precovid cruising. 
 

- Are the casinos still smoking areas?

- Are we still able to purchase $100 FCD’s onboard and receive $100 OBC when using them to secure a booking?

- Are there still British nights at the bar with games and fish & chips?

- Still nightly “movie under the stars”

 

Seems like I had another one or two but don’t recall them. Will try to come back and ask as I think of them. 
 

Thanks again,

Chris

 

On the Grand Princess since restart:

 

Casinos are smoking ALL days.  There is a no smoking "section" for slots and table games.  As if this is really going to help.  No more "no smoking' on formal nights.

 

Yes, You can order your FCD by form or device (app).  But your OBC amount is dependent on category and days booked.  

British Pub Lunch was held in the MDR.  I've only attended one British Tavern night in the Explorer's Lounge.  I was told that is Cruise Director "specialty".

 

There is still Movie Under the Stars.  

[anglophile75]

I’m curious about how cabin upgrades are handled now. I booked an inside cabin on my next cruise - the deal was unbelievable - but I’m wondering if they’ll offer a free upgrade. There are still TONS of empty cabins available. Will they leave them empty unless you use the new Bid for Upgrades” feature?  I’m a Platinum member and booked the Princess Plus package…seems logical they’d offer me one 🤷🏻‍♀️. 
 

Thanks in advance for any answers!

[cr8tiv1]

50 minutes ago, anglophile75 said:

I’m curious about how cabin upgrades are handled now. I booked an inside cabin on my next cruise - the deal was unbelievable - but I’m wondering if they’ll offer a free upgrade. There are still TONS of empty cabins available. Will they leave them empty unless you use the new Bid for Upgrades” feature?  I’m a Platinum member and booked the Princess Plus package…seems logical they’d offer me one 🤷🏻‍♀️. 
 

Thanks in advance for any answers!

 

I don't think loyalty level is taken into consideration.  Princess really could care less about their loyal passengers.

 

Much has been speculated. The bottom sentiment seems to be to book what you want and are most comfortable with.  If something "better" comes along, then be happy.  Bid if you want to.  

[capriccio]

Elites get 10% off on Princess excursions returned as refundable on board credit.

[capriccio]

Elites get 10% off on Princess excursions returned as refundable on board credit.

[capriccio]

Elites get 10% off on Princess excursions returned as refundable on board credit.

[iamaqt2]

Some of the most noticeable things for me since the restart post-Covid. 
 

Pros: Muster done through the app or stateroom tv and individually at your pace.  
The ease of ordering with the Medallion app to have food or beverages delivered. 

The large variety of items available for delivery.  Holy cow, there's a lot. 
The staff.  Always working hard and striving to make your vacation enjoyable.

Cons: Biggest con for me was removing the always available steak option from the MDR menu.  
Entertainment is lacking.  They've scaled back the evening entertainment, and many times you'll see the same entertainers around the ship performing the same routine you saw the day before.  Production shows have been slow to return, and many are the same recycled shows seen on the ships over and over.  Otherwise Princess fills the bill with comedians, magicians, vocalists and ventriloquists.  Many of whom are doing the same routine multiple nights.
Fortuna Luck is annoying. (My personal opinion)  Just get someone personable to run activities and get rid of this "personality character".  Even the outfit is demeaning.
Salty Dog Gatropub is a ripoff at 18 dollars.  It wasn't even that great at 12 dollars, but at least it had a very nice crabcake.  They removed that and added a chicken sandwich and veggie burger.
MDR food in general.  I know this is subjective, but it's been downgraded in quality A LOT.  While it isn't terrible, obvious cuts have been made, and the quality just isn't there.  I ordered something advertised as having crab, and it had surimi(imitation crab) instead.  It was just awful.

These are just some of my personal observations.  I expect I'll be flamed by the cheerleaders.  But I've been on 3 Princess cruises since the restart and 2 Celebrity cruises.  I can assure you Celebrity didn't cut as many corners on coming back.
 

 

[Torfamm]

No form is needed for the shareholder benefit. You can just request it by email 

[gottagocit]

23 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

On the Grand Princess since restart:

 

Casinos are smoking ALL days.  There is a no smoking "section" for slots and table games.  As if this is really going to help.  No more "no smoking' on formal nights.

 

For the live of me I can’t understand why smoking is still allowed in the casinos. From my experience most players do not smoke and if a smoker lites up at a table it’s not uncommon for others to leave rather than inhale it and have their clothes smell like it until washed. 
 

[cr8tiv1]

2 hours ago, gottagocit said:

For the live of me I can’t understand why smoking is still allowed in the casinos. From my experience most players do not smoke and if a smoker lites up at a table it’s not uncommon for others to leave rather than inhale it and have their clothes smell like it until washed. 

 

There are threads and threads of non-smokers chiming in.  Very few smokers ever comment on those threads.  In my opinion, the majority of smokers in the casino are NOT there to gamble, but a convenient place to light up.   

 

I was okay when Formal Nights were smoke free.  Why or why did Princess think it was okay to remove that one policy???? !!!!!!

[Kay S]

Formal night isn't non-smoking anymore?   I seldom visit the casino, so I guess I didn't notice.

[rocklinmom]

Do they still have Bingo? There's nothing like sipping a drink in the Vista Lounge stamping a Bingo card and hoping to win some cash. I hope they didn't get rid of it with the Medallion online gambling stuff. 

[Dar & Bob]

On 10/26/2022 at 8:33 PM, anglophile75 said:

I’m curious about how cabin upgrades are handled now. I booked an inside cabin on my next cruise - the deal was unbelievable - but I’m wondering if they’ll offer a free upgrade. There are still TONS of empty cabins available. Will they leave them empty unless you use the new Bid for Upgrades” feature?  I’m a Platinum member and booked the Princess Plus package…seems logical they’d offer me one 🤷🏻‍♀️. 
 

Thanks in advance for any answers!

They now have a bid to upgrade program and since sailings are now selling out I highly doubt a free upgrade.

 

[travelin.sisters]

On 10/28/2022 at 7:30 AM, rocklinmom said:

Do they still have Bingo? There's nothing like sipping a drink in the Vista Lounge stamping a Bingo card and hoping to win some cash. I hope they didn't get rid of it with the Medallion online gambling stuff. 

bingo still exists (a lot!) but I have heard (I don't play), that if you don't get the machine you probably won't win because they are faster than hand stamping the cards