Having done more than 20 cruises with Princess, I understood what their “loyalty program” meant and why we aspired to be Elite members. Today is so different, the speeches remain the same but nothing else. Gone are the precious internet minutes; discounts in the shops are only on full priced items; no special toiletries in the bathrooms; and reduced access to the Captain Circle rep on board. ...
A second world cruise this one to celebrate retirement and selling my business at 73. Compared to 2011 the list of changes makes for a ho-hum experience. The major is that Princess has gone back on their Loyalty Programme that I joined 15 years ago, The major is that elite was promised free internet and now have to pay. That cost me 1000 dollars additional, Perhaps I would have reluctantly ...
The norovirus that arrived with the ship should have been a clue that things weren't exactly the Garden of Eden. We were delayed in boarding while the ship was decontaminated in San Pedro. We were told to be at the cruise terminal at 2 pm to board. We dutifully reported a bit prior to 2, only to find that they wanted the LAST passenger boarding group to arrive first, so that they could send you ...