Don't get up! Want your favorite fruity drink while relaxing in the Piazza? There were a lot of valuable add-ons, but Costco's price still came out a couple of hundred dollars lower than other cruise sites.". As part of the MedallionClass experience available on all Princess ships, guests can now use a mobile device (or other means) to arrange dining for their entire cruise, and flexibility is the name of the game. Bottom line: It pays to shop around. This still does not say what "dining migrated to Ocean" means. However, Costco does have pre- and post-travel support departments, as well as an after-hours phone number for travel emergencies, to assist travelers once they've booked their cruise. I am debating whether to change to Anytime Dining but I am not sure if on chosing this, there is still the opportunity to pre book a table by phone on that morningor on leaving the Dining room the evening before. Once that's sorted you get another dining info card delivered to your cabin. Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package, Princess Drink Packages Packages can be found here, 21 Things You Need to Know About Ocean Medallion, Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion: Updates; New Features 2021, 25 Most Popular Cruise Essentials (recommended by avid cruisers), best reasons to keep cruising with Princess, Princess Cruises: 15 Tips, Tricks and Insider Secrets, Regal Princess Cruise Review: Holiday Sailing, 12 Top Reasons to Cruise with Princess Cruises, Princess Cruises Alfredos Pizzeria Review, Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion: Updates & New Features 2021, $14.50 USD per person per day if youre cruising in an, $15.50 USD per day if youre sailing in a mini suite or club class state room, $16.50 USD per person per day if youre sailing in a suite, Premier beverage package $70.79 USD per person, per day (including 18% service charge), Unlimited Wifi $9.99 USD per person, per day, Prepaid gratuities $14.50, $15.50 or $16.50 USD per person, per day (depends on cabin type). Princess' OceanMedallion program already gives guests ultra-fast WiFi at sea, the ability to access staterooms, make onboard purchases, book excursions, and more, right from a smartphone. Its a good idea to check back with Princess or your travel agent about your options. As the cruise is Jan 2022, there were many slots still open, You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Author: bill May 17, 2021, Updated: May 20, 2021, Dine My Way is all about personalizing your cruise, No reservations needed for those eligible for, Cruise lines have long been great about ensuring guests get what they want but with Dine My Way you wont need to rush to the host-stand on embarkation day (still one of our, 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. New personalization let you choose, for instance, what sauce you want on your steak. 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. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. (That has never happened to my knowledge). I was able to very easily make reservations for every venue and time we wanted. Ocean Now - more personal interactions with staff and personalized bar service. In this post, Ill be going over the details of whats included in the Princess Plus package, as well as the cost and value. I will enjoy my lucky break and will savor every minute of my "priority booking" dining times. The only need for DMW for those folks is if they wish to book Specialty Dining. 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. Not so easy to just wing it. When making a reservation through Dine My Way, which pairs with the lines OceanNow on-demand service, guests will be able to do the following: We believe guests are going to love the control and customization Dine My Way offers, saidJan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. Needless to say I'm not eating at 5 or 8:15. Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! 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. Have you cruised with princess before and do you like the idea of the drink package,Wi-Fi and gratuities being included? Powered by Invision Community. I'm merely hypothesizing in regard to their stated response when asked about the (bizarre) changes. Willall dining rooms now be any time dining? LOL! Have questions? Dine My Way means you can make and adjust reservations for anyone in your party just like you can already do for other events and, Dine Your Way doesnt just mean arranging meals at the main, Take your pick of a variety of eateries and, While most cruise lines have worked hard to increase connectivity and give guests access to apps and mobile sites for certain parts of their experience, Princess Cruises. I started a thread about coming off the Ruby this week. We do not know when we may want dinner. Share any dietary preferences in your OceanReady profile. I have a new Select booking made yesterday for Azura in June2023, and on my booking confirmation next to Sitting Confirmed is Freedom Dining. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. JMHO yes. 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). Guests sailing on MedallionClass ships (which as of late 2020, is ALL of them) can also look forward to the below features (and many more): Scheduling debarkation times to avoid long lines, Booking onboard and shore side experiences, Setting and adjusting other guest preferences. Contemporary American Ocean City. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. "We get around 8 percent back in onboard credits, which are refundable, so if we don't use them we get a credit back on our credit card. People got tired of waiting in line for ATD and they started showing up earlier and earlier to "beat the line". We believe guest experience Is paramount. You can also pick table size and if you would like to share with others or dine with just your party. I'll have to get up to date with the new system. Princess cruise ships are equipped with Ocean Medallion technology, which includes MedallionNet, fast and reasonably priced wifi/internet. What's even better - when we dined in the main dining room, and wanted a bottle of wine with dinner, we got a 25% discount thanks to our drinks plan purchase. Like the warehouses, to access Costco's cruise discounts, you'll need to pony up for membership -- $60 per household at the basic level. In case readers are not aware, as I was not when first I started making reservations, the only time that ever came up for me was 7:00pm. Excellent ( 239) $$$$. One of the biggest is Reserve Dining. Easily make and edit reservations that include members from this group. Expert guidance. CC Help Jenn Seeing you have changed the way you advertise these. Always check with the cruise line or your travel agent. Light drinkers and those that dont use much internet, may find that the cost savings is better with the lowest rate option. Phone: 1.800.377.9383 International: 001.240.487.0155 Fax: 1.240.487.0154. Princess Cruises continues to enhance it's OceanMedallion program at a time when the minimization of crowds is more important than ever. what is dining migrated to ocean on princess cruises. These were off-menu requests before Dine My Way. Ask the question on the medallion app thread no. Princess cruise ships are equipped with Ocean Medallion technology, which includes MedallionNet, fast and reasonably priced wifi/internet. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. In addition to the flexibility that freedom dining gives us, we also enjoyed the pleasure of sharing a table and meeting lots of different people during our cruise. It should have read "Ocean Ready" which is the title of their Ap that ties to their medallion. Have to agree! Please share on Facebook, Twitter or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). The Kirkland Signature and Buyer's Choice promotions usually require booking specific cabin types. No place else. On 10/25/2018 at 2:47 PM, tlovesdis said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. October 26, 2018 Canada and Colonial America sailings. This ship is best for: With its first-rate entertainment and varied dining venues, Ruby Princess appeals to retired couples and families looking for a traditional cruise. We also enjoyed our daily gelato at the International Cafe. No, it won't have to do with Covid-19 in 2023. On Sky Princess, the Ocean Terrace bar now includes delicious made-to-order sushi! Dining times were the old times (just did 2 cruises). My Princess vacation planner confirmed that dining changes are taking place across the fleet, with early dining at 5pm and late at 7:15. You raise a good point from this perspective (Captain's Circle Benefits). Cruises are the same. That just seems way too early for dinner!! It's been strictly word-of-mouth! Select dining times for main dining rooms and specialty restaurants. Your vacation simplified, personalized. 7. You get your pick of venues and times in appreciation for your loyalty! Once the app is on your device you log in and your cruise(s) appear. 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. I don't mind waiting for a table at the "anytime dining" room but to show up and find all the "anytime" tables are all "reserved" that's just swellNOT. You must be in favour, jeanlyon! For guests, this new program adds to what is already a great suite of options availablein the smartphone app, as well as on large touch-displays throughout the ship. Costco does not assign a specific agent to your booking, so you're unlikely to talk to the same call center representative twice. Will the service be the same (personalized)? It's there on mine! Request the same time each night if you prefer the same waitstaff. Next-level technology. And I'm not the only one finding great pricing. 's continue to have an option to select dining times. The total value is $23.59 USD. Plus no need to make cruise dining reservations through Dine My Way. It depends on our activities. onlyto find that recently (without informing me) that my dining time had been changed to 4.45 p.m. Fit in a formal dinner before a show, or order food and drinks to your poolside perch with OceanNow. CC Help Jenn While cruising has been paused, Princess Cruises certainly hasnt stopped moving forward. Arrggghhhh! Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! The Pizzeria is open from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for lunch by the slice, and then reopens at 6 p.m. for sit-down service until 11 p.m. -- Ocean's only casual dinner alternative (the rest of . docker registry apache reverse proxy; is it safe to take dulcolax once a week; what is dining migrated to ocean on princess cruises. He said the app doesn't provide an error message or warning when it can't find availability for the entire journey. Princess Cruises has announced a new program designed to help passengers pre-plan their dining experiences, called Dine My Way. With the new APP to choose your dining preference, does that mean traditional dining in the old sense is gone? Table #s are not assigned and you may have different waitstaff each evening. 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. Be careful even if it comes back with a confirmation because this particular feature of this app doesn't work. ANYTIME DINING was supposed to be just that. early, Late or Freedom. Will this be good for the dining room staff? I would hate to end up on first sitting? 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. I just looked at our Nov 4th cruise on the Star. Anytime dining as previously known is also gone. An enhancement to the lines MedallionClass platform, the Dine My Way app will help Princess Cruises control capacity in dining venues as well. Bottom line is you got lucky and we have no idea how many others are in the same situation. I didn't find this to be an issue on the British Isles cruise or other European cruises. Dine Your Way doesnt just mean arranging meals at the main dining room, but at specialty restaurants, casual venues, and even from wherever you might be relaxing onboard. I will just note again that no one in CC or a Suite needs to make a DR reservation. This may now make us rethink our dining preferences to anytime dining in the future. I was relieved. Learn More About Princess' Beverage Packages. Hopefully by 2023 the system will be redefined and refined. That's my experience as well. No reservations needed for those eligible for. Whether youre relaxing in a lounge, enjoying Princess famous Movies Under the Stars, or almost anywhere onboard, OceanNow lets you order food and drinks and have them delivered. Are you sure, you need to click next to Bed preference. Thanks so much! Included in your cruise fare. If you found this helpful, please pass it along to other who love cruising too! 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. For instance, sailings marked "Buyer's Choice" or "Kirkland Signature" come with extra perks and amenities, exclusive to Costco members. Luckiestmanonearth, June 29, 2021 in Princess Cruises, So were booked on the Caribbean in Jan 2022 and not really scheduled for any seating and wondering if early and late seating are offered anymore or if its all Any Time Dining, Ive also heard something about an APP that helps you schedule dinners. Do you have to make reservations? The normal cost is $59.00 per person, per day, plus an 18% service charge. Princess customers with loyalty status of Platinum or Elite can select dining when booked. I get they are changing things but should at least give people a heads but about it. They often have a loose theme, such as "food, family and fun.". Imagine how delighted we were to learn that our confirmed 5:30 main dining time is now 4:45. Not true. No pre set times or allocated tables/dining companions. I couldn't book any dining reservation on the app until after final payment. This looks like something you have to do yourself. Choose from 3 Cruise Packages for Princess, Princess: up to $250 Onboard Credit for Military. You know Costco for cheap gas, roasted chickens and mayonnaise by the gallon. This resulted an a line forming earlier. However if you do wish to purchase any of these a 25% discount will be applied. If you have a smart phone try that. Our plan is to booka fixed time for the entire cruise. This worked perfectly. Sarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015. (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. You select your dining reservation time in the Dine My Way section of the medallion app. If you do not have a smart phone or device then you have to call Princess and attempt to have them enter the information for you. How ridiculous is this? This means you dont have to wait in line, or even get out of your chair if you want a snack, or cant take your eyes off the sunset. All others are supposedly waiting until they have made Final Payment (which can be done anytime they want prior to the due date). It must be hit or miss. ), You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Someone at Princess decided that this translated into passengers "wanting to eat earlier" and the new policy was born. *Reservation times based on venue capacity and availability. Bistro Sur La Mer is the upscale French-style bistro on Discovery Princess, a newer addition to the Princess Cruises' fleet. Room service outside the hours of 11pm and 6am is complimentary. The screen said it wasn't compatible. You wont be charged extra gratuities when you book, or when you order a drink. A lot of Europeans often eat later anyway so there was more of a consistent stream of people throughout the evening for dinner. You can select same time each day or a separate time each day. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. What about other regulations that cruise lines have had to follow? One person has posted that when trying to book dinner reservations the earliest available time slot on some evenings was 8:40 PM. Costco started its travel subsidiary in 2000, according to Jody Zegers, a cruise buyer for Costco Travel. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 8614 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 800, Tysons, VA 22182 How about now? I booked a cruise for 2023 on the Majestic last week and realized afterwards they didn't ask for my seating preference for the night time meal. Just maybe it will be a little more balanced. Such improvement to the guest experience help differentiate them from many cruiselines who tout their tech. The anytime dining lines were crazy because some of those that had their traditional times changed without notice showed up in the anytime dining lines. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Are you planning a Princess Cruise and wondering how Princess Plus works and if its worth it? But the work and advanced planning has shifted to your shoulders. Must order: Sake-tini, Chilled Sake; jalapeno tuna roll, edamame. Will they miss out on the additional gratuities at the end of the cruise? You will need to speak with the on-board DR mgmt to try and get the size you want. Easily make and edit reservations that include members from this group. 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. Started June 21, 2021, By We asked our travel agent to sign us upfor the late traditional dining option and she says that she did. On all sailings, a late night room fee of $4.95 will be added to all orders received between 11pm and 6am. and we'll bring them right to you, with free delivery. We have been anytime diners since it first began in the early 2000's. Please let me know in the comments below. The Salty Dog Gastropub Aboard select Princess Ships, Wheelhouse Bar is The Salty Dog. The entire system has changed. No? *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. 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?" Want to book Royal Princess 506 Departures. Beyond dining you have to enter all your boarding and health information in the app program. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. CC Help Jenn People were lining up at 4:45. mcc, October 22, 2018 in Princess Cruises. 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. Download the MedallionClass app on your smart device to get started: Hungry during Movies Under the Stars? Costco offers these benefits to their customers on select cruises; executive-level Costco members usually receive even greater credits. I thought it must have been to do with covid even if it is in 2023. The choice really is up to you. 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. Started June 21, 2021, By You may also want to check out our cruise vlogs, cruise news and cruise tips on our YouTube channel. Just click on a time earlier or later and that time should scroll into the window. Double check your confirmation. 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. We'll figure it out as we go. So you could try to make plans that way. The call center now has a staff of 250 selling cruises, though many bookings are completed online at CostcoTravel.com. With the Medallion app, Ocean is the part of it where you book your dining. Your email address will not be published. The Vivaldi Dining Room on the Sapphire Princess is one of 5 main dining rooms and is open for traditional dining at 5.30pm or anytime dining between 8pm and 10pm. 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? CC Help Jenn Starlink May Come to Cruise Lines, But It's How They Use it That Matters. Very disappointed in Princess for doing this! Then reserve it. "Costco is usually the best deal," says KirkNC, who is careful to compare multiple outlets before locking in a fare. Continental breakfast is served on request in your stateroom between 06:30am and 10:00am. (It's flexible!). Sure, dining reservations could always be made, but constant reservations adjustments required a shipboard phone or visiting a restaurant, often at specific times. It offers access to an exclusive area within the main dining room with expedited seating, expanded menu options, unique styled dcor and dedicated wait staff. You should know: While there are several active nightclubs, it isn't a party ship, and its longer cruises generally attract a 50-plus demographic. Copied from an email I just got from Princess, so it looks like we can have the same waitstaff at the same time each night if that's what we want. No reservations needed for those eligible forClub Class Dining. Willthat mean that they is the possibility that you will have a different wait staff every evening? In fact, a message pops up informing the guest they have CC dining as a reminder. "when there's a vacancy" in other words sometime tonight after all the reservations are seated at all the best tables. So we called Princess and spoke to an expert in the Dine My Way about this problem. Dining preference is now done on the medallian class app. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. Mention the brand and age of the tablet and the operating system version if you can find it. (Air can be packaged with cruises, but Costco does not sell air by itself.). Suggested post: 25 Most Popular Cruise Essentials (recommended by avid cruisers). If you drink 2 drinks or more per day and/or will purchase a wifi package, Princess Plus is most definitely worth it. I guess that "Don't YOU Know Who I Am???" We went on an Alaskan cruise in July and our docs said we had 6pm dining, but when we got on board they told us it was now 5pm. ", Another member, RSF Cruiser, has booked about two Princess cruises a year for the past five years and has been "totally pleased. 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. Remember: Most of the decision makers don't cruise and don't really "get" what is going on. In her circumstance a very early meal was fine and probably ideal for both her and the staff. In addition, the cruise line added some new eateries where guests can savor interesting dishes. They have various options, from cookies and milk to four-course dinners that are paired with fine wines. We booked Select and our dining preference is registered as Freedom. I thought there was something missing off the page. Not going to happen for us. Go to this page on Princess.com:https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/dine-my-way/. this seems to be a new changes, lots of topics about this issue when you search the forums. I made all of our dinner reservations over two weeks ago for our March 2023 cruise and all the reservations are still intact on the Dine My Way page of the app. What To Do If Your U.K. Cruise Travel Agent or Operator Goes Bust? (Of course they don't use the word "seem". The business is focused on just four travel "verticals": car rentals, hotels, vacation packages and cruises. More time for you. Does not apply to me too much. Have dinner at the same time each night or change it based on what works for you. On each voyage, the Royal Princess also offers special extra-surcharge meals designed for a special . I then re-checked my confirmed dining (Traditional) which I booked as early dining st 5.30p.m. Order whatever you need burger, beer, chocolate cake, cocktails, etc. Ready2go11, July 14, 2022 in Princess Cruises. (wait a week or two to see if anything changes. As time went by, all sizes might not be shown there. Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice . "Instead of restricting dining choices during the pandemic, we've 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.". I went online this weekend to download and print my traveldocuments for my forthcoming cruise on Crown Princess on December 27th. That's been my experience when booking my own cruises, as well as sailings for family and friends. The medallion actually lets the crew know who you are, as well as where you are. They said they would "honor existing dining preferences." How can we possibly make reservations ahead of time when we have no idea of show times, tours and other things that we might not know until 30 mins. Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess. So apparently there's a need for afternoon dinner --- I'm glad I'm on cruise critic so I can correct before I board, It's quite possible that the Princess response to this question is "somewhat" accurate. Click on the link and it takes you to the Ocean.com site where you will need to log in again there (username and PW the same as princess site) there you can enter everything you could on the app plus do DMW also. Princess Theater. Others have to wait until they make final payment. LauraS Request the same time each night if you prefer the same waitstaff. The value of the Princess Plus package is a total of $95.28 USD per per person, per day. Reservations are not required, but can be made via the Medallion Class app in advance of sailing if you wish, or even once onboard. If those passengers are under 21 they will get the Premium Coffee and Soda package. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The 3,560 passenger Royal Princess was launched in 2013, and Princess Cruises kept many of the great dining options seen on other Princess ships.