He said the app doesn't provide an error message or warning when it can't find availability for the entire journey. The reality is, however, that what stands in the way of staying connected at sea isnt fast satellite service, its how cruise lines use it, and Royal Caribbean isnt using it well read more. In this post, Ill be going over the details of whats included in the Princess Plus package, as well as the cost and value. Make reservations for the main dining room or specialty restaurants at your preferred time each day. This resulted an a line forming earlier. Ready2go11, July 14, 2022 in Princess Cruises. However, I have to agree with those that have been moved to a 4:30 or 4:45 time. ahead of time? That's what Andrew Ostrander, who cruises several times a year, discovered as he was shopping for a Baltic trip. I then re-checked my confirmed dining (Traditional) which I booked as early dining st 5.30p.m. I don't think so. Dining on board a Princess cruise ship is a joyful celebration, crafted to exceed even the most discerning appetites. Princess Plus is combinable with many other promotions. You can make Dine My Way reservations right away (before final payment). Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. I was relieved. The only need for DMW for those folks is if they wish to book Specialty Dining. I just booked a 3FFrepositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Quebec next July. They assert that they "know" what passengers are asking for.). (I am assuming you are not in a Suite - and you wouldn't even need DMW if you were since you would be dining in Club Class and need no reservations other than Specialty Dining). This may now make us rethink our dining preferences to anytime dining in the future. message I sent to every Princess email address imaginable worked well for me after all. (Air can be packaged with cruises, but Costco does not sell air by itself.). And this is not the only situation where documentation for Captain's Circle Member benefits is vague and not spelled out. Like most people I believe 4:45 pm istoo early and 5:30 /6:00 is perfect. Yes it is, but it's still a choice you make when booking. Now nomore ATD except for Club Class. "They aren't active travel agents, they don't proactively check for price drops," noted kleptn. Certainly not everyone is getting early access to DMW, You are some sort of exception situation and I cannot explain it. What can I do now?? Ocean Now - more personal interactions with staff and personalized bar service. Confirmation for a select2023 cruisefrom TA shows Dining time: Second but under Already Booked? Instead of restricting dining choices during the pandemic, weve been able to expand the options for our guests and thanks to the unique, innovative capabilities of the OceanMedallion, reduce wait times and eliminate the need to stand in line., READ MORE:Princess Cruises Wants Remote Workers On Its Ships. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. I did want to let you that this website is not affiliated with Princess Cruises, and is only meant to share information (and opinion) that could be helpful to other cruisers. Others have to wait until they make final payment. You also get any specials Princess is running, like included gratuities or all-inclusive beverage packages.". Princess Cruises prides itself on offering passengers delicious food throughout their sailings, morning through night. I know I have heard somewhere about Britannia but can't remember where, it was a while ago now though so maybe they decided not to. A little late but much better than after 8. Follow me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on YouTube at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised. Typically these required values are achieved by negotiating exclusive amenities with the cruise lines such as specialty dining, spa treatments, private events, etc.," she says. That just seems way too early for dinner!! Get expert advice, insider tips and more. CC Help Jenn It's been strictly word-of-mouth! Anytime started at 4:30 so you could just stay afternoon tea for early dining! Posted October 26, 2018. By The entire system has changed. Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 4 Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 5 Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 6 ", "They charge the going rate on the Princess website, including past guest discounts, but then 'give' you refundable onboard credit that is a percent of the fare paid. Have questions? Breakfast: 5am - 11.30am - Lunch: 11:30am - 3:30 pm - Dinner: 5.30pm and 11pm. I could select the same time dining each evening . We've never had to make reservations for lunch and dinner, and I can't see why they'd change that. If not, then you have to wait until final payment is made. (3:40 p.m. EDT) In an effort to reduce lines and crowding when they return to service, Princess Cruises is opening up open all its dining rooms and restaurants to any time dining for the first time, with reservations made via an app. Will the service be the same (personalized)? Common types of booking incentives include free beverage packages, specialty dining and shipboard credits -- a rebate that shows up as a credit to your onboard bill at the start of your cruise and can be used for drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments or shore excursions. The early sitting is almost afternoon tea time. Beyond dining you have to enter all your boarding and health information in the app program. Thanks so much! Princess MedallionClass ships are enabled by the OceanMedallion, a wearable device that allows guests the capability to do things such as unlock their stateroom door, initiate contactless payment, locate family and friends, and interact with various elements around the ship. I can say two things. Here you will read: The second bullet indicates that only Platinum and Elite members (plus anyone in Club Class or a Suite who is not already at those member levels) can access DMW once they have a booking. If you use your Medallion app to make reservation for the time and dining room, and if it asks "Reserve for the same time each day?" 7. Copyright 1994 2023 The Cruise Web, Inc. Free quotes. Unlike a typical travel agent, Costco Travel also offers rebates issued as Costco Cash Cards. Not ideal, but that appears to be the way these days. The dining was 4:45 and 5 pm for early. LOL. Learn more about Captain's Circle benefits. Was able to push it back to 7:15pm. I'm not trying to say they are right - I'm just attempting to understand their assertion that this is "what passengers seem to be asking for". Knowing their IT, that is probably what it says on the Saver fares and it probably says that on Select just cos their IT is crap. I get they are changing things but should at least give people a heads but about it. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. So you could try to make plans that way. Select dining times for main dining rooms and specialty restaurants. Every hour, the chefs are busy baking, grilling and sauting great-tasting fare from scratch. There's no rebate form to fill out; the cash card arrives in the mail two to four weeks after your cruise, to be used at Costco's warehouses or for online orders. "There are cruise partners we are not in business with, and we are talking with them," she added. The business is focused on just four travel "verticals": car rentals, hotels, vacation packages and cruises. Therefore the actual cost, if you were to purchase the drink package on its own, is $70.79 USD. Again, 24/7 room service is included. I hope that this information was helpful, as you are getting ready for your future Princess Cruise. * Once on board, you can order food and drinks for delivery wherever you are through OceanNow. It will impingeon shore excursions and entertainment choices too. Ocean concierge is where you can see events and activities either on your phone or portal, look at the dining room menus and check your ship board account. The choice really is up to you. Arrggghhhh! Princess cruise ships are equipped with Ocean Medallion technology, which includes MedallionNet, fast and reasonably priced wifi/internet. Many of their reps have not even been on a cruise.". And I don't think I am lucky. On another thread, poster stated TD diners were lining up before 5 and blocking IC. Ive included details of the 4 drink packages, as well as photos of drinks and Princess bar menus. But for experienced cruisers who have a good idea of the ships and cabins they want, Costco Travel is worth checking out. Get a No-Obligation Quote from a Great Agent. Let me amend that. If you were a previous Princess customer then some of your immigration information should have been transferred over fromthe cruise personlizer tothe app. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Ask the question on the medallion app thread no. They had just changed it the cruise before ours, or so we were told. This does not bode well for walk up anytime diners unless they are not allowing the dining rooms time slots to be fully booked in advance. There's no hard sell (phone reps are not on commission), cruise cancellations are handled efficiently and without hassle, and the invoicing is clear and easy to read. You may be able to arrange the same table/section/waitstaff once onboard but it is not guaranteed. Started August 27, 2021, By You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By I'll have to get up to date with the new system. Please share on Facebook, Twitter or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). We used to be able to request a preferred table size when booking and it was stored in POLAR and we would see it in Cruise Personalizer. However, just noticed next to our Registered Preference, there is a little Info point and it says "this will not be confirmed until you are on board". Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. The second thing is you are lucky - I think. Will this be good for the dining room staff? Current Princess Promotion Check prices & details. And this is many months before the cruise. Powered by Invision Community. No place else. P.S. Princess cruise ships are equipped with Ocean Medallion technology, which includes MedallionNet, fast and reasonably priced wifi/internet. Costco Travel does not sell every cruise line, but it does handle all of the largest brands, including Carnival. Because the cruise industry aims to enforce pricing parity across all booking channels, discounts don't usually appear in the upfront cruise fare. I've booked direct with cruise lines, used traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies and gone through online travel suppliers like Expedia, Vacations To Go and American Discount Cruises. The only solution is to use a device that the app is compatible with. It depends on our activities. I booked a cruise on Crown Princess and paid an extra 500 for drinks package and 500 for 14 days WiFi what happens now when I book another cruise to the same destination and length what kind of deal will I get. What do other cruisers think? Are you planning a Princess Cruise and wondering how Princess Plus works and if its worth it? Starlink May Come to Cruise Lines, But It's How They Use it That Matters. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. I googled it and it looks like it has something to do with the medallion app but I am not making the connection in terminology. https://cruiseradio.net/princess-cruise-line-makes-unexpected-dining-changes/. To our shock a week later when we checked the daily calendar to confirm our dinner reservation, nothing was reserved except for the second day. TOTAL VALUE of PRINCESS PLUS = $95.28 USD per person, per day (minimum). Posted November 10, 2021. Princess customers with loyalty status of Platinum or Elite can select dining when booked. If you're new to cruising or unsure of what you want, Costco might not be the best travel agency for you. So before anyone starts changing their times, maybe they should wait till they are on the ship. Needless to say I'm not eating at 5 or 8:15. Normally I would ask the 6 pmdining. Phone: 1.800.377.9383 International: 001.240.487.0155 Fax: 1.240.487.0154. This all perfectly matches the inconsistencies that Princess seems to be known for. In your special requests example you posted, a word was left off which would have made the Dinning Preferences requests more easy to under stand. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose. You wont be charged extra gratuities when you book, or when you order a drink. Is Princess Plus worth it for higher level Captains Circle members? Meanwhile, discounts on more expensive cruises or multiple cabins can amount to hundreds of dollars. We've only made a deposit on this cruise. docker registry apache reverse proxy; is it safe to take dulcolax once a week; what is dining migrated to ocean on princess cruises. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. To know if Princess Plus is a good value for you, consider if youll be buying any drinks or wifi which would add up to $25.50 or more, per day. Looks like reservation times are 10 minutes apart. However, if you prefer a more carefree vacation where you dont need to think about the cost of drinks or using internet, Princess Plus will likely be your best option. Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, NEW! Princess Plus with Drinks, Wi-Fi, and Gratuities INCLUDED A $95 VALUE included each day! Orders can be made using the MedallionClass app on a smart device, via stateroom TVs or by asking a crew member to place the order. One thought.(of many). 4 minutes ago, jeanlyon said: Yes, that's what it says on my booking confirmation, but if you log in to your cruise on the website, under Dining Preference, it says freedom dining (Registered preference) and next to it is a little "i" which says this will be confirmed on board. Late Seating TD is now 1915 hours. The normal cost is $59.00 per person, per day, plus an 18% service charge. We've got a couple of Select fare cruises on the books, both booked at launch, and our choice of Club dining also states to be confirmed on board. CruiseHabit.com was created by Billy Hirsch. For reference, Most drinks on Princess average $9-12, plus gratuity. Choose from 3 Cruise Packages for Princess, Princess: up to $250 Onboard Credit for Military. What about the people who arent on top of their bookings, or not on cruise critic ? per day. *For those not drinking alcohol, the value of the premium or coffee and soda package is $19.99 USD per person, per day, plus an 18% service charge. Shes been on 10 cruises and counting, and her favorite onboard activities include trying out the water slides, spending time in the spas thermal suite, eating lots of food, and attending the love & marriage show. One person has posted that when trying to book dinner reservations the earliest available time slot on some evenings was 8:40 PM. The normal cost of MedallionNet is $9.99 per person, per day. Request the same time each night if you prefer the same waitstaff. "Costco is usually the best deal," says KirkNC, who is careful to compare multiple outlets before locking in a fare. Not going to happen for us. This includes your cabin steward, waiters, assistant waiters and Matre D. A service charge (or gratuities) is normally charged daily to your shipboard account. Nobody on this board knows the answer as the answer will not be known until passengers embark on October 26. To compare the cost of Princess Plus versus the Princess Savers rate, lets look at a seven day cruise as an example. Started June 21, 2021, By If you speak with the maitre'd, he may even be able to set you up at the same table every night with the same waiters if you wish to eat that late but still want the consistency of traditional dining (same table, same waiters). What about other regulations that cruise lines have had to follow? Believe the app works on newer Andriodsand iPhones. Here are five things you don't know about booking a Costco cruise -- and why Costco Travel is my first -- and usually last -- stop when shopping for a cruise. there is no mention of Dining Preference! You can customize your request to indicate whether you want a leisurely experience or want to eat quickly, and even where you want to sit. Request the same time each night and even the same waitstaff. Once the app is on your device you log in and your cruise(s) appear. Early access for Captain's Circle Platinum and Elite members as well as guests booked in Club Class and Suites. Most guests will be able to access once your cruise is paid in full. Of course, you could just turn up at the MDR of your choice when you are hungry ! Soleil (Deck 5), Cielo and Estrella Main Dining Rooms (Deck 6) Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D) Sky Princess has three main dining rooms: Soleil, Cielo and . My Samsung is around 3 to 4 years old and it works. Cruises are the same. Anytime you feel like eating just show up. The land of the $1.50 hot dog-and-soda meal is also a key source of cruise value for many Cruise Critic members. *Previous dining selections (including traditional dining) will be honored. Our late fixed dining was at 7:45PM.Or ask people that are just coming off a cruise about their ship. I can tell you this much. Okay, you have jogged my memory. Unfortunately, we are sailing on Pacific Princess so we don't have the option of Anytime Dining. If you found this helpful, please pass it along to other who love cruising too! Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess. The Premier Beverage Package does not include wine bottles, one litre bottles of water, canned soda and juice bottles. this is why i always pick any time dinning. And despite what sounds like a solid training program, cruise experience is not a requirement to work at Costco Travel's call center (though Zegers says all agents receive travel agent accreditation through IATA, the International Air Transportation Association, following four to six weeks of training, and are encouraged to take each cruise line's proprietary trainings when available). In recent news, Princess has said that it will be updating the entire fleet to Medallion Class, which will even have some new Ocean Medallion features. More options at your fingertips means less time waiting and more time to dine your way. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. Remember: Most of the decision makers don't cruise and don't really "get" what is going on. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By It's the cut-backs - you either get a bed or food. Thanks for the friendly chat on this topic. The true approach to DMW is indicated on the Princess.com Dining page. If not found, it may come back with nothing available, or it may say you have to SPLIT the party up (say it was two couples). vista tower the intermark OceanNow orders can be made using the MedallionClass app on a smartphone, via the stateroom TV, or by having a crew member place the order on the guests behalf. CC Help Jenn Before you book. While the disadvantage of a cash card over a shipboard credit is that Costco hangs onto your rebate for a month longer, the payoff is usually greater. My Princess vacation planner confirmed that dining changes are taking place across the fleet, with early dining at 5pm and late at 7:15. So, does this mean Princess will no longer have anytime dining? . CC Help Jenn A couple might like sharing at a 4-top, 6-top, 8-top, or 10-top. #cruisenews #princesscruises #cruise #tutorial #dinemywayPrincess Cruises Lines has finally launched there Dine My Way on the Princess Ocean Medallion App, a. Hi, this may be of interest to you: How Princess Cruises Will Change Dining When Sailings Restart Will Other Lines Follow?. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. As time went by, all sizes might not be shown there. Did you also know that Costco Travel, the big-box chain's in-house travel agency, is a go-to source for some of the best cruise deals on the seven seas? Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 1 Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 2 Princess Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 3 Are you hungry yet? They often have a loose theme, such as "food, family and fun.". More options at your fingertips means less time waiting and more time to dine your way. In recent news, Princess has said that it will be updating the entire fleet to Medallion Class, which will even have some new Ocean Medallion features. I just looked at our Nov 4th cruise on the Star. Maybe youre traveling with old friends, or youve just met new ones onboard or maybe youre looking for a special night away from the rest of the family. Let your tastes and mood decide, anything from a celebratory multi-course meal at an award-winning specialty restaurant to the best pizza at sea. LOL! Celebrity Cruises. My theory is that the longer Caribbean cruises tend to have more retired older cruisers who like to eat early, go to the show early and then go to their cabins. I went and checked mine sure enough said 5. to early. Guests may order selections delivered to their stateroom or any other preferred location such as to a table outdoors on the sundeck. (Choosing's the only hard part!). The only reference I have found is in the Captain's Circle loyalty benefits chart where it says, and I quote: "early access to Dine My Way reservations". These are questions many are asking after the US CDC announced today that they're eliminating their COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, effective immediately read more, Internet access on cruise ships varies in speed and reliability, but is often known for being slow. Then reserve it. "Costco does not do that. In fact, a message pops up informing the guest they have CC dining as a reminder. This is a question many past passengers ask. Started August 27, 2021, By In addition, the cruise line added some new eateries where guests can savor interesting dishes. Dine My Way is all about personalizing your cruise dining experience. Princess OceanNow on-demand menu has also been expanded to include entrees and beverage options from restaurants throughout the ship with requests being delivered directly to the passengers location. I didn't find this to be an issue on the British Isles cruise or other European cruises. She just "lost it" later on.) I'd prefer 8:15, but can live with the 7:15 time, but tobe honest, we'll probably eat at the buffet or specialty dining more anyhow. Captain Circle members who benefit from free Internet minutes and a free mini bar set up, have a decision to make. By Costco does not assign a specific agent to your booking, so you're unlikely to talk to the same call center representative twice. Hi All, Im Ilana. With the price of wifi at $9.99 a aday, the value is definitely there. JMHO yes. And, as anyone who regularly shops at Costco knows, it doesn't take long to blow through a few hundred dollars in gas fill-ups alone. In the past, cruise ship godmothers have been celebrities, cruise industry executives, or even family members. Hmm just a clitch with the system then. As long as covid infections continueat the current level, I think we will be mainly dining on our own, to avoid the worry of catching it and being offloaded abroad, but we will still prefer to stay with freedom dining. "I think a first time cruiser would be better off using an agency that walks them through everything," says NoVa Mimi, who books all her cruises exclusively through Costco. LauraS By 5:15 the lines were way out into the atrium area often close to the IC. You open the Dine My Way section and select (at least try to select) your preferred dining. We recently used this feature to reserve a private table in the main dining room in our upcoming 10-day Alaska cruise. ANYTIME DINING was supposed to be just that. Traditional fixed early and late seating as previously known is gone. Very disappointed in Princess for doing this! Breads are baked 24-7, sauces made from scratch using the finest ingredients, steaks are aged and hand-cut on board, and homemade ice cream is offered every day. This is the link: Holland America Reveals Summer Sailings, Still Hopes for Alaska Cruises, Celebritys Galapagos Islands Cruises To Resume This Summer, Princess Cruises Wants Remote Workers On Its Ships, The Big Change Coming to Carnival Cruise Lines Entire Fleet, Cruise News Recap | Week of February 5, 2023, Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in Three Years, Pre-Cruise Entertainment Reservations Now Available on Norwegian Cruise Line, https://cruiseradio.net/princess-cruises-new-dining-plan-details-options/, Add additional friends or family members that they are traveling with, Select their preferred pace of dining (relaxed, quick), Indicate their desired seating location (near the window, close to the entrance) in the Ocean profile, Share dietary preferences and allergen information, Pick the same venue and dining time each night. You may also want to check out our cruise vlogs, cruise news and cruise tips on our YouTube channel. Don't get up! Only loyalty levels Platinum and Elite have early access to DineMyWay. //