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

[Yehootu]

4 hours ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

It was a recent change. I saw a screenshot from the Crown, but they only had cheese or pepperoni. 
 

Prof cruise made a post about it and their screenshot had more options

https://profcruise.com/princess-oceannow-food-delivery-menu/

 

Photo from prof cruise’s post:

 

 

4 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

WOW! That's amazing! I wonder if that's only available through the app if the ship does not have a physical Alfredo / Gigi's on board. I'm extremely impressed by this by the way. Thank you so much for sharing!

I asked a CC member if the Capricciosa pizza was available on the Crown prior to our 28day cruise. She posted that only the Pepperoni and Cheese were available from Room Service. The ship had to have Alfredos/Gigis to get the specialized pizzas.

[PacnGoNow]

13 minutes ago, Yehootu said:

Why x2, I plan on just paying on one app, and using for both. Not the same as sharing a drink package, just paying one service charge.

Agreed.  That’s what we will do also. We’re on standard on the next cruise.

 

[roxievegas]

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

I don’t understand if you had a free cruise and drinks, why you would complain about paying $15 for a one time fee to use the App, IF you are even charged on your free drink package?

 

The $5 room service fee, IF you are charged on your drink package is still a steal IMO.  
 

I think a free cruise and drinks would be great, those new fees would be minor.

 

Maybe I’m missing something. IDK

It' Saturday morning and we are heading to the port to board the Emerald.  

This is a VIP casino cruise for us, the cabin was free (balcony), no plus package given or bought.

I purchased the wifi package for one last week, and ordered two cases of water.

 

First:  my bid of $300 was rejected to upgrade to mini suite

2nd:    my medallions did not show up in the mail

3rd"     Emerald does not have Alfredo's/Gigi's so we can not pig out for free.

 

Casino VIP means we get free drinks in the casino only.  But we are not alcohol drinkers, so mostly diet soda, or virgin drinks.

 

We are going to order Room Service - we normally don't, but since it is still free, why not.

 

It will be interesting to see/hear what others are saying about the changes while on board.

 

happy cruising

[PacnGoNow]

22 minutes ago, Yehootu said:

 

We"ve used the Oceans Now app on TV to order 8 beers at a time and snacks for in room  movie days. The 2nd leg is a TA so we'll pay 1 charge of $14.99 and tip the room steward for our beers. My wife loves the Capriacosa pizzas but would only get them from the app. The upgrade cost would be $150x2 so $300. We are out $14.99 so we have $285 left to spend on $12 pizzas. They used to be free, but oh well. We have 91 days booked, but have now directed our TA to start looking at other cruise lines to replace ones we've booked and also going forward. The pushout of this program is what disturbs me and I don't want to sit back and wait for the other shoe to fall. The fact that there is no grandfathering for what you've already booked is what bothers me. We always book the Plus program but I'm sure that will just continue to climb in costs once they have a new passenger demographic who's accepted this. Just started retirement and have planned on 2 or more 30day+ cruises each year. We'll build loyalty on another cruise line.

Mahalo for your post.

I totally understand what you’re saying, but other cruise lines are increasing their prices for food, room service, drink packages etc.  Well, just about everything.

 

We left some of them, due to sky high increases.  We have higher status on 2 other lines. Still think PCL is a better value.  I don’t see the lines slowing down with their increases in the near future.

 

We just won’t do suites or MS if the prices keep increasing.  Balcony is okay for us.  JMHO

[PacnGoNow]

2 minutes ago, roxievegas said:

It' Saturday morning and we are heading to the port to board the Emerald.  

This is a VIP casino cruise for us, the cabin was free (balcony), no plus package given or bought.

I purchased the wifi package for one last week, and ordered two cases of water.

 

First:  my bid of $300 was rejected to upgrade to mini suite

2nd:    my medallions did not show up in the mail

3rd"     Emerald does not have Alfredo's/Gigi's so we can not pig out for free.

 

Casino VIP means we get free drinks in the casino only.  But we are not alcohol drinkers, so mostly diet soda, or virgin drinks.

 

We are going to order Room Service - we normally don't, but since it is still free, why not.

 

It will be interesting to see/hear what others are saying about the changes while on board.

 

happy cruising

Have a great time!  Keep us posted!

 

I bet they are in training for the new changes. 🥴

[Pat King]

On 7/27/2023 at 10:32 AM, sunviking90 said:

I was wondering when they would finally start charging for Alfredo’s. We don’t get packages and that was one of our (few) attractions to Royal Class ships. Oh, well.

We think Alfredo's on Sky was almost the best restaurant, and the most fun. Why would they start charging extra when it probably costs less for Princess than the MDR?

I hope it is not true that Alfredo's is not longer one of the free dining options.

[cruzsnooze]

9 hours ago, ldtr said:

 

 

But of course that would be asking something of one of the service employees that you short tips for.

Everyone is over paying with the crew appreciation which doesn't all go to crew. Why should we supplement other countries like OZ and New Zealand who don't have a tipping culture since the tips don't stay on the ship but get distributed fleet wide. Your tips don't go to the crew that served you. 

   With all the new upcharges it's ridiculous to tip room service when they get a $5 fee now. The new fees are getting out of hand and cheapens the Princess brand. They really would avoid a lot of complaints if they just raised their prices a bit and kept the food venues as included.

    Because they over charge on excursions people go private, a wasted opportunity for them to get your business by staying competitive. The duty free shops are more expensive then land based stores, my perfume is $10 more on the ship so of course I don't buy it on board. 

    There are opportunities for Princess to make more money without gouging on what cruising is known for - Food!

   

[LMaxwell]

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Maybe I’m missing something. IDK

I would agree

[LMaxwell]

41 minutes ago, cruzrbachoua said:

Saw your original question..we don't normally get a suite and saved to get this one for a special occasion we normally do inside or possibly a balcony this suite was for a special occasion and was budgeted for and now there are more added fees to get the experience we were first sold.  

Reduce the service charges in equal amount and let them know why.  You can whine on a forum that the company never sees, or go make it equal value and explain why you are doing that. Or bring coins for the toilet and tender rides I guess 

[kywildcatfanone]

12 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

Everyone is over paying with the crew appreciation which doesn't all go to crew. Why should we supplement other countries like OZ and New Zealand who don't have a tipping culture since the tips don't stay on the ship but get distributed fleet wide. Your tips don't go to the crew that served you. 

   With all the new upcharges it's ridiculous to tip room service when they get a $5 fee now. The new fees are getting out of hand and cheapens the Princess brand. They really would avoid a lot of complaints if they just raised their prices a bit and kept the food venues as included.

    Because they over charge on excursions people go private, a wasted opportunity for them to get your business by staying competitive. The duty free shops are more expensive then land based stores, my perfume is $10 more on the ship so of course I don't buy it on board. 

    There are opportunities for Princess to make more money without gouging on what cruising is known for - Food!

   

100% agree.  Well said.

[gah_cruise]

16 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

Everyone is over paying with the crew appreciation which doesn't all go to crew. Why should we supplement other countries like OZ and New Zealand who don't have a tipping culture since the tips don't stay on the ship but get distributed fleet wide. Your tips don't go to the crew that served you. 

   With all the new upcharges it's ridiculous to tip room service when they get a $5 fee now. The new fees are getting out of hand and cheapens the Princess brand. They really would avoid a lot of complaints if they just raised their prices a bit and kept the food venues as included.

    Because they over charge on excursions people go private, a wasted opportunity for them to get your business by staying competitive. The duty free shops are more expensive then land based stores, my perfume is $10 more on the ship so of course I don't buy it on board. 

    There are opportunities for Princess to make more money without gouging on what cruising is known for - Food!

   

is it possible to remove/reduce crew appreciation if you have Plus/Premier package?

[pilot]

We usually have coffee delivered to the cabin in the morning for our wake up. Guess now one of us will pay the $15 one time delivery fee or a couple of days $5 RS fee.

 

At least won’t need to worry about keeping small bills anymore for tip. 

[LMaxwell]

Just now, pilot said:

We usually have coffee delivered to the cabin in the morning for our wake up. Guess now one of us will pay the $15 one time delivery fee or a couple of days $5 RS fee.

 

At least won’t need to worry about keeping small bills anymore for tip. 

That you can still do with the door hanger at no charges

[mtnesterz]

8 minutes ago, gah_cruise said:

is it possible to remove/reduce crew appreciation if you have Plus/Premier package?

No.

[kywildcatfanone]

48 minutes ago, Pat King said:

We think Alfredo's on Sky was almost the best restaurant, and the most fun. Why would they start charging extra when it probably costs less for Princess than the MDR?

I hope it is not true that Alfredo's is not longer one of the free dining options.

The entire thread says all casual dining are now getting upcharges, and Alfredos is one of them.

Agree with your comment about MDR.

[gah_cruise]

is it possible to remove/reduce crew appreciation if you have Plus/Premier package?

No.

 

 

Thats convenient for Princess.......

Edited July 29, 2023 by gah_cruise

[Camberley]

And what with the utter confusion by crew over the four current packages )the two plus and the two premier, depending on when purchased) incl. the “premium desserts” nonsense on Regal at the moment, it would serve Princess right if this Alfredo’s etc move comes back to bite them

Edited July 29, 2023 by Camberley

[voljeep]

Any updated menus for Salty Dog GastroPub or O'Malley's since the price fix menu option? - I've seen the one for Gigi's/Alfredos

[c-boy]

4 hours ago, SteveTrafford said:

We were told by a former Princess Maitre D that the room steward (or whoever) are expected to hand cash tips in to go into the central pot, and they prefer in these circumstances for guests to give an Amazon card or voucher which they are not expected to hand in. 

🤨 how and who police's that ?

[whitecap]

20 minutes ago, gah_cruise said:

is it possible to remove/reduce crew appreciation if you have Plus/Premier package?

No.

 

 

Thats convenient for Princess.......

Especially with the information contained in this thread that the entire amount of "crew appreciation" goes into the Princess bank account for them to decide who may get some of it, "throughout the year".  Your "crew"  may never see a dime of it!

[MissP22]

If I have the standard package with the classic soda package & request an attendant or waiter for a soda or mocktail would that incur a $14.99 per cruise charge?

We don't utilize room service- ever.

This whole thing is confusing me. 

[cruzrbachoua]

53 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

Reduce the service charges in equal amount and let them know why.  You can whine on a forum that the company never sees, or go make it equal value and explain why you are doing that. Or bring coins for the toilet and tender rides I guess 

Wow..I thought we were all able to express our frustrations not sure why you singled me out to basically tell me to stop whining on a thread that basically we are all complaining on...I was simply explaining to someone who assumed because we booked the suite we had money to just toss around 

[Jeter02]

4 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

If I have the standard package with the classic soda package & request an attendant or waiter for a soda or mocktail would that incur a $14.99 per cruise charge?

We don't utilize room service- ever.

This whole thing is confusing me. 

No you will not inquire the $14.99 activation fee because you're not using an app You're using a beautiful wonderful warm body to place your order. And honestly you'll probably get the drink much quicker than those who order on the app or through RS

Edited July 29, 2023 by Jeter02

[cargoagent]

We took our first Princess cruises last year. We cruised on the Majestic 25 days from LA to Sydney followed by a 11 day cruise up the east coast to Port Douglas returning to Sydney. Overall, we enjoyed the cruise but there were enough issues that we ended up with $1000 in Future Cruise Credits. We are not drinkers and with these changes we will use the credits and never set foot aboard a Princess ship again. I will easily find other cruise lines to enjoy or other vacation options. 

[azbirdmom]

I had to giggle when I saw this on the Princess website a few minutes ago.  Maybe there is a new package for "Princes"?