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

[CruizinSusan70]

10 hours ago, emeraldlake said:

My husband and I usually share a pizza at Alfredo's.  So if we go in and order one $14.99 meal and two drinks, we can go 4 times.

Obviously we are not you.  The new menu with prices has not been divulged yet.  My DH loves the calzones and half a pizza for lunch is enough for me.  Without knowing specifics as to what individual items cost as well as the 3 course options, it's all speculation at this point.  

The biggest hassle is getting 2 per cruise when it should be 2 per week.  Those on 14 day cruises get the shaft.  We currently have 3 of them booked as well as a 7 day B2B.

[spunks]

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

I know it's a random question on this thread but I'm curious to know those who have cruised with the casino comp Cruises Are you guys automatically given the plus package? Or do they give you a standard fare and you can upgrade the plus? There is a reason to my madness on why I'm asking this question.

we were about to book a 27 day Casino comped Cruise with VIP thrown in, That meant unlimited free drinks( of any kind) as long as we were gambling.We read about the new policy changes today and quickly took that cruise off the table.....It is pretty bad when you decide to quit on a free cruise with free drinks in the Casino.....As to the person that asked if we got the Princess Plus included with free cruise offers.....we have not gotten that in about a year. I think they switched to this new VIP thing instead.

 

Doug

[azbirdmom]

9 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Obviously we are not you.  The new menu with prices has not been divulged yet.  My DH loves the calzones and half a pizza for lunch is enough for me.  Without knowing specifics as to what individual items cost as well as the 3 course options, it's all speculation at this point.  

The biggest hassle is getting 2 per cruise when it should be 2 per week.  Those on 14 day cruises get the shaft.  We currently have 3 of them booked as well as a 7 day B2B.

 

Someone was kind enough to share the new menu pages ago but here it is again.  Agree with you on the fact that it's two with the Plus package regardless of the length of the cruise.

 

What I haven't seen yet is if they plan to upgrade the menus on ships like the Sapphire which have Alfredo's but currently only service pizza.

Gigis Pizzeria by Alfredo_EX-XP_2023-7-24.pdf

[CruizinSusan70]

9 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Agree.  Cutting gratuity is one way to fight back and let them know that what they are providing is now basically all up-charges and not exemplary service.

Taking money out of the pockets of employees will sure make management stand up, realize why you're doing what you're doing and take an about face with their newly implemented policy. 🤔🤔🤔

[DeeTO]

7 hours ago, JLC0912 said:

I think they are going to go up really soon.  Can you use the OBC now with Princess, prior to the cruise?

Unfortunately not. I think OBC can only be used prior for booking excursions. I guess it’s a chance I take.

[suzyed]

4 hours ago, ldtr said:

Yep.  Same as Holland.  Alaska cruises are very good for introducing people to the cruise lines.

 

Only 3% of the passengers were Elite compared to the 40% on my last TA.

 

Most traveled Luncheon cut off was 160 days on one leg.

Yup...it was the first time we were invited to the Most Traveled Luncheon.

[Astro Flyer]

22 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The new menu with prices has not been divulged yet.

This was posted earlier with a 7/24/23 date…it shows $14.99 for a 3 course meal.

EDIT: azbirdmom was faster than me. ☺️

 

It shows $5 à la carte appetizers, $3 à la carte desserts and $12 à la carte pizzas.
 

Gigis Pizzeria by Alfredo_EX-XP_2023-7-24(1).pdf

Edited July 29, 2023 by Astro Flyer

[amandawalker1]

7 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

You will have a choice between either a 3 course meal there for $14.99 or you can opt for a la carte so presuming you should have no problem just getting a pizza if that's what your heart desires.

Assuming the pizza is available as an item for $10, could easily have a pizza and then go have starter or dessert at main dining room.

[suekel]

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

I know it's a random question on this thread but I'm curious to know those who have cruised with the casino comp Cruises Are you guys automatically given the plus package? Or do they give you a standard fare and you can upgrade the plus? There is a reason to my madness on why I'm asking this question.

the Plus package used to be given out quite a bit 6-9 months ago.  lately, the vast majority of casino players are given a cabin and free play.  I have a cruise in September when I was given the plus package but haven't had that offer since.  You can add either package after booking the cruise.  

[suzyed]

On 7/27/2023 at 10:14 AM, LMaxwell said:

It seems to me like a reduction in "included" food in your fare for standard fares, and that complimentary food now being packaged as 3 course meals for Plus fares, I guess to reduce crowding in some of the higher end restaurants.  The $15 to dine at what was free before will dissuade standard fare passengers from going? 

And Plus passengers....I will take my two "free" ones.  My questions is why someone like us on a 25 day sailing get the same TWO free ones as someone on a 7 day cruise?

[azbirdmom]

8 minutes ago, amandawalker1 said:

Assuming the pizza is available as an item for $10, could easily have a pizza and then go have starter or dessert at main dining room.

 

Pizza is $12 ala carte per the menu that has been shared.

[Yehootu]

They make reference and had a bullet point about using the telephone for room service. Will one still be able order from Ocean Now on the TV and not have to pay a room service fee? We have a 10day booked at the $60 rate, followed by a 15day with the $50 rate. Wonder how this will work.

[CruizinSusan70]

9 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

If you want to eat at Alfredo's, previously free, you now have to pay $15. 

No, you could spend 15.00 if you wish to get an app, entree, dessert combination.  You're entirely able to purchase any a la carte items which would of course be less than the 15.00.  For example, a pizza could be 8 bucks.  Since menus and prices have not been disclosed, it's purely speculative, but it could cost you less than 15.

[Astro Flyer]

5 minutes ago, Yehootu said:

They make reference and had a bullet point about using the telephone for room service. Will one still be able order from Ocean Now on the TV and not have to pay a room service fee?

While this explains ordering on app, it likely will be the same on the TV when paying the $14.99 OceanNow delivery fee good for the entire cruise.

 

 

Edited July 29, 2023 by Astro Flyer

[suzyed]

5 minutes ago, Yehootu said:

They make reference and had a bullet point about using the telephone for room service. Will one still be able order from Ocean Now on the TV and not have to pay a room service fee? We have a 10day booked at the $60 rate, followed by a 15day with the $50 rate. Wonder how this will work.

Let us know how it works out.

[Buckeye10640]

11 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

No, you could spend 15.00 if you wish to get an app, entree, dessert combination.  You're entirely able to purchase any a la carte items which would of course be less than the 15.00.  For example, a pizza could be 8 bucks.  Since menus and prices have not been disclosed, it's purely speculative, but it could cost you less than 15.

Not much less, Pizza is reportedly $12. If they are charging me $12 I might want a to-go box!

[Lyndonn]

Will recent bookings made under the original Plus Package be grandfathered to the New Plus Package? 
TIA 

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, ldtr said:

We are still more than 90 days out from Nov 1.

Isn't a voyage of that length due at 120 day mark?

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, EDDY0827 said:

What if your RS order that you paid a service fee is delivered at room temp?

I had a real problem with getting hot food delivered hot, both for dinner and the write-in on the hang tag; Crown Princess, May 23rd - June 2nd.

If there was an issue with a RS order, I think it is reasonable to expect the replacement will incur no $5 service fee.  If no time for a replacement, then I would request a refund of the charge.

[skynight]

Correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is that if you paid $60/day then yes. If you paid $50/day or a lower price then you will be able to upgrade by paying the difference.

[Yowman]

59 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

We will pass on upgrading to the $60 pkg.  Will do ala carte a couple of times at Alfredo's and come out way ahead on our 14 day cruise.  Not interested in the other new "perks" offered for $60.  

 

 

Same here.  Upgrading would cost me $280 (14 day cruise).  I'll likely pay $15 x 2 for Ocean Now and then pay the $5 for RS probably a max of 4 times.  I was going to try O'Malleys before the changes anyway so my extra outlay will be approx $50 in order to buy back what Princess had originally given me for free.  I'll spend $50 less elsewhere on board to compensate (which may seem like a petty move on my part but, hey, Princess drew first blood ....)

[LMaxwell]

People are justfiying ways to go pay for pizza (lol) and then go to the dining room to make a 3 course meal and get it for $3 less.  

 

That's because it's stupid to charge for it in the first place. 

 

Stop making yourselves insane jumping through hoops and refuse to participate. 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Moxiefurball said:

1. they stress it’s $5 if you pick up your room phone to call in room service .  But it’s unclear what if any the charge will be if you order room service from the TV or app ?   On the Carmen video posted earlier she  appeared to say “ rather quickly “ if you use app to order room service it will still be free even for standard .. is that everyone’s understanding?

If ordering using the App, which means Ocean Now and delivery to your location, there is a 1-time fee of $15 per voyage booked.  If you phone for RS directly, there is a fee of $5 per usage.  If using the App version, then don't call RS because the App option fee covers delivery to the cabin (guest location).  As I understand it, the TV is the App on another device than your own.

 

These service fees do not apply for guests on Plus/Premier as long as they paid at the $60/$80 level (list prices - if guest got a discount, not an issue).

[CruizinSusan70]

9 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Ahhh.  I think Princess is being petty and ridiculous by all the new ways it is finding too stiff its' passengers.  Stiff away!!

You can always walk away from Princess and spend your vacation dollars elsewhere.

[Steelers36]

46 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

What I haven't seen yet is if they plan to upgrade the menus on ships like the Sapphire which have Alfredo's but currently only service pizza.

Yes, all Alfredo's/Gigi's will be for-fee casual dining effective at various dates in August (likely timed with cruise voyage turnover dates).  Sapphire is first on August 2.