Changes to Princess Plus, room service fees, Alfredo's and others. Fee changes. Etc

[Justpackingmybags]

4 hours ago, jimmieg said:

My old Plus from 2022 is showing on cruise personalizer as having new benefits for 2024.  No upgrade charge.  YMMV.

Mine isn’t, but one I booked this year for the Sun in 2024 is showing the additional desserts and classes. Not the casual dining though.

[Roberto256]

12 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

It would be so simple if they had just put a custom option in the Ocean Now choices as OTHER or CUSTOM NOTES.  But no.  More obstacles instead of JP's promise at the outset that this was going to make cruising a breeze and remove barriers to guests so they could just have a wonderful, carefree vacation.

I assume he meant 'remove barriers to money flying out of your wallet'...

After all, he came from Disney.

[Steelers36]

25 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Because 

 

They are talking about the impact of the price changes on their cruise (which is included in the packages). Thus the odds are those folks book basic fares.

 

Many posting are long term posters in many cases in this or other streams they talk about booking base fares compared to packages (just go to one of the long streams about package pricing you will many from this discussion having previously posted in those) in some they also have talked about the class of cabins.

 

You have some that book suites and book base fares.  but not that many based upon previous posts.

 

 

The survey results on this new post:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2953482-poll-how-will-you-sail-now-with-all-of-the-upcoming-package-changes/

 

 

Indicate approximately 50-50 between Standard and Plus, with a slight edge to Plus and that is pretty much the feel I have from various threads and posts.

 

Both groups are impacted in different ways.  

 

As a Standard booker, the only real impact to us will be new a la carte costs to have lunch at Alfredo's/Gigi's.  I can live with that and don't see it as out of line with the other similar for-fee casual dining spots (sit-downs pretty much).  I am not surprised to see price increases.

 

That said, I wouldn't be happy as a Plus booker because I think they didn't do a good job with figuring out the new service fees and number of times to get free casual dining.

 

PS - We didn't use the delivery services before, so no impact.

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Steelers36

[mtt]

On 7/27/2023 at 4:59 PM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

No mention is made regarding those on standard fare in a full suite where ordering from MDR as room service is complementary.  It will be interesting to see if this is eliminated.  

Yes been informed by our princess ta there is the $5 dollar charge for room service made over the phone, also been told our plus package still has the new charges as we booked our cruise and plus last june

[coo359a2]

4 hours ago, jimmieg said:

My old Plus from 2022 is showing on cruise personalizer as having new benefits for 2024.  No upgrade charge.  YMMV.

My two cruises (Oct/Nov booked in 2022) with the Princess Plus $50 package hasn't changed to include the Juice bar/dessert/gym.  

[PacnGoNow]

1 hour ago, dreaminofcruisin said:

 

This is an excellent idea as we also always share a pizza.

The question though is whether or not we need to buy a 'meal' or if there will be an a la carte price for the pizza alone? Usually the pizza is enough for us.....

They said it is a la carte or a 3 course meal on Alfredo’s/Gigi’s coming up.

 

We don’t know the a la carte prices yet. August we will know after it rolls out.

[PacnGoNow]

3 minutes ago, mtt said:

Yes been informed by our princess ta there is the $5 dollar charge for room service made over the phone, also been told our plus package still has the new charges as we booked our cruise and plus last june

Are you in a Suite?  

[Steelers36]

11 minutes ago, Justpackingmybags said:

Mine isn’t, but one I booked this year for the Sun in 2024 is showing the additional desserts and classes. Not the casual dining though.

The software probably is not yet updated.

[mtt]

On 7/27/2023 at 4:59 PM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

No mention is made regarding those on standard fare in a full suite where ordering from MDR as room service is complementary.  It will be interesting to see if this is eliminated.  

 

3 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Are you in a Suite?  

Yes we have 2 penthouse suites booked on the sky princess for the 29th of october this year

[spunks]

I have it on good authority that Princess will soon replace the "Sea Witch" logo on the front of all ships with a new Ebaneezer Scrooge logo

 

you heard it here first....

 

Doug

[PacnGoNow]

2 minutes ago, mtt said:

 

Yes we have 2 penthouse suites booked on the sky princess for the 29th of october this year

That really surprises me, that they would charge suites for RS.  I haven’t seen that clarified by Princess.  SMH
 

 

[coo359a2]

3 hours ago, jimmieg said:

Check in cruise personalizer and then under upgrade banner.  Check PLUS.  Will show you've purchased and include the new features.

I am in US if it makes a difference.

Finally saw what you were looking at. This shows purchased even though my Travel Summary still shows only what came with the Princess Plus - 50.  While on the Sky Princess in June, I went to the Juice Bar to order and the employee told me that my package (paid for Plus - 50)  didn't include the Juice Bar.  

[SargassoPirate]

I am old enough and have cruised enough that as a free market consumer, I push back on price increases or things I just can't rationalize paying extra for.

 

For example, if I want a chi chi coffee in the afternoon, I put two teaspoons of International Delight Instant Mocha in my travel mug, drop by the HC for hot water, and then find a spot to relax.  I always pack a tin of two of the instant.

 

Sometimes I'll let it cool and then add a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

[voljeep]

Post # 778 - Gigi's/Alfredo menu .pdf

[jimmieg]

1 minute ago, coo359a2 said:

Finally saw what you were looking at. This shows purchased even though my Travel Summary still shows only what came with the Princess Plus - 50.  While on the Sky Princess in June, I went to the Juice Bar to order and the employee told me that my package (paid for Plus - 50)  didn't include the Juice Bar.  

That where the YMMV kicks in.  I did not have the problem you describe.

[Justpackingmybags]

I think every Princess passenger must be trying to log into their account, because I’ve been getting the “there may be technical issues” red message of doom all day. I can go into individual bookings via the booked guests screen, but that’s a pain in the posterior! I’ve fed the issue back to Princess. I know there was a similar issue a couple of weeks ago. Maybe they’re amending the site, or maybe there’s a rush of cancellations/ upgrades/ general nosiness (mea culpa)

[mtt]

4 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

That really surprises me, that they would charge suites for RS.  I haven’t seen that clarified by Princess.  SMH
 

 

I just have it confirmed by my personal princess cruise specialist here in the uk by email.

 

i doubt the mdr option for suites will be on the app.

 

she also said the $5 charge is due to food waste, on our last cruise they rarely got a room service order correct, or received cold food, even got sour milk one day with breakfast cereal, lost count of how many times i called room service to complain, 

[Z0nker]

35 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

The marketing team had to cover those as they are still on the website.  Nothing says they won't come back and no one really knows why they have not.  Could have been staffing before.  Stay tuned I suppose.

I’ve heard the signage is still there. I’ll be on Emerald this fall, so who knows? 

[Neil_c]

1 hour ago, JG&Lcruisingnewbies said:

Oh I will! Thank you ☺️ 

 

never been, but the more I research, the more excited I’m getting 😃 

Went in June. My advice don’t take Princess excusion. Local operatives are significantly cheaper

[cruzrbachoua]

2 minutes ago, mtt said:

I just have it confirmed by my personal princess cruise specialist here in the uk by email.

 

i doubt the mdr option for suites will be on the app.

 

she also said the $5 charge is due to food waste, on our last cruise they rarely got a room service order correct, or received cold food, even got sour milk one day with breakfast cereal, lost count of how many times i called room service to complain, 

This is really sad we had a suite booked for June 2020 it has been kicked around and down now finally getting to go on the cruise this september and had looked forward to ordering from MDR and eating on our balcony watching the scenery now we will be charged for this..such a shame as that was touted as one of the perks of a suite...sigh

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, jimmieg said:

Check in cruise personalizer and then under upgrade banner.  Check PLUS.  Will show you've purchased and include the new features.

I am in US if it makes a difference.

 

6 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

Finally saw what you were looking at. This shows purchased even though my Travel Summary still shows only what came with the Princess Plus - 50.  While on the Sky Princess in June, I went to the Juice Bar to order and the employee told me that my package (paid for Plus - 50)  didn't include the Juice Bar.  

I do not have a current booking so can only imagine what you two are describing.  Is it possible the Upgrade banner is there to indicate what you get in addition if upgrade the package to the $60 level?

 

My understanding is that the new benefits only apply for guests who have booked/paid/upgraded at the $60/$80 price-point and don't get them otherwise.  Basically, the old Plus gets the new drink cost limit.  Anyway, they were pretty clear about the new things only applying to those who pay $60/$80.

[cruzrbachoua]

Just now, Steelers36 said:

 

I do not have a current booking so can only imagine what you two are describing.  Is it possible the Upgrade banner is there to indicate what you get in addition if upgrade the package to the $60 level?

 

My understanding is that the new benefits only apply for guests who have booked/paid/upgraded at the $60/$80 price-point and don't get them otherwise.  Basically, the old Plus gets the new drink cost limit.  Anyway, they were pretty clear about the new things only applying to those who pay $60/$80.

actually i did this and according to the personalizer it says i get all the new goodies, but when my TA looked in polar like they mentioned on the webinar all it showed was the old goodie and none of the new ones...cant remember if we booked it at the $50 or the $60 as it has been kicked around from 2020 and rebooked numerous times. 

[Steelers36]

5 minutes ago, mtt said:

I just have it confirmed by my personal princess cruise specialist here in the UK by email.

Which way did they confirm it?

[Steelers36]

1 minute ago, cruzrbachoua said:

actually i did this and according to the personalizer it says i get all the new goodies, but when my TA looked in polar like they mentioned on the webinar all it showed was the old goodie and none of the new ones...cant remember if we booked it at the $50 or the $60 as it has been kicked around from 2020 and rebooked numerous times. 

Dec 14 was the pricing and benefit change date mentioned.  If you have had a re-fare since then, you are likely (well, should be) at the $60 level.  

[mtt]

2 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Which way did they confirm it?

By email after i emailed and also called her.