DAWN PRINCESS - WORLD CRUISE - PAX TOLD NO MORE BOOZE TO BE CARRIED ON

[NSWP]

G'day, I have been following some blogs from Dawn Princess on World Cruise, last Port Darwin.  At Darwin, many pax had even their carry on wine confiscated an officer stating 'Princess alcohol policy changed last month.'  They were further informed 'And at all ports on this cruise, no carry on alcohol, including wine is to be brought on.  Pax are not happy.   I have 4 friends on board for the 104 day trip.  Even a twin share inside cabin was $20,000 pp, and now no carry on wine.

The Dawn has about 95% Aussies on board and I fear they are being discriminated against.  Could this be the start of a 'No booze - even no wine carry on policy' , Princess fleet wide, or just on the Australian based Princess ships, Dawn/Sun as a means of getting some more revenue in, with auto tips no longer payable on those ships. (Albeit, fares have risen, in my opinion to make up the shortage in the Wage pool!)

This is SERIOUS folks, what say ye!

[nabs14]

Recently came off a Golden Princess cruise to Hawaii & was engaged in several conversations concerning what we called Princess Cruises new policy of "nickel & dimming" the passengers.  Many spoke of having to pay 1 1/2 times the cost of a cabin for themselves.  Because of that cost, many of the passengers said they therefore do not purchase anything on board the ship, they have or use only what is included in the cruise cost.  They all said they do cut back on the per day tip & 2 of the people said they give tips in envelopes to the ones they want too, not an unknown list of people.  Now I hear Princess has raised the per day tip... Yes I think there will be an even longer line at the Purser's desk the last day of a cruise in order to make changes & I really can't blame them.  I do think paying 1 1/2 times the cost of a cabin for just one person is an awful lot.  I agree with the people I was talking with...  Princess wants all alcohol to be purchased on board, that is just one way they are "nickel & dimming" the passengers.     

[Host Mike]

Here is the link to the Princess alcohol policy:

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp#Alcohol_Policy

[RichC]

Recently came off a Golden Princess cruise to Hawaii & was engaged in several conversations concerning what we called Princess Cruises new policy of "nickel & dimming" the passengers.  Many spoke of having to pay 1 1/2 times the cost of a cabin for themselves.  Because of that cost, many of the passengers said they therefore do not purchase anything on board the ship, they have or use only what is included in the cruise cost.  They all said they do cut back on the per day tip & 2 of the people said they give tips in envelopes to the ones they want too, not an unknown list of people.  Now I hear Princess has raised the per day tip... Yes I think there will be an even longer line at the Purser's desk the last day of a cruise in order to make changes & I really can't blame them.  I do think paying 1 1/2 times the cost of a cabin for just one person is an awful lot.  I agree with the people I was talking with...  Princess wants all alcohol to be purchased on board, that is just one way they are "nickel & dimming" the passengers.     

By removing the auto tip procedure doesn't insure that the people you actually give the envelopes to actually get to keep the cash. It only has to be thrown back into the big pot & distributed according to Princess's schedule. It still gets to people you don't want to receive it either way.

From what I'm getting from the report is that the Australian cruise might only be affected by any new alcohol ruling. I don't see ant change in the posted rules unless I'm not see it?

[nabs14]

Yes I have heard that several times before, infact many times before but I also have heard there are ways of making the envelopes work better for those involved & I did not ask how as I was not interested in doing it that way...   

[NSWP]

Thanks guys and further to the wine prohibition on DP WC.  They are running at half speed on 3 engines.  Upon reaching Singapore it is likely the ship will be drydocked for a few days to enable engine repairs.  Itinerary is to be adjusted and TBA by the Capt. at Singapore.   I suppose hotel rooms will have to be found for 2000 pax.   Maybe the crew will have to sweat it out on the ship with no A/C.

What a way to start a world cruise !   Even a twin share inside cabin is $20,000 pp.

[Two Tumbleweeds]

By removing the auto tip procedure doesn't insure that the people you actually give the envelopes to actually get to keep the cash. It only has to be thrown back into the big pot & distributed according to Princess's schedule. It still gets to people you don't want to receive it either way.

[/quote]

There is no way that anyone knows what you have given to your cabin or table steward if you give them cash in an envelope. We allow the purser to charge us the $11.50 per day for one person only, and then give cash to those who truly deserve it. We even tip the person who brings us our morning coffee every time and we have noticed that we get our coffee right on time as requested.

[NSWP]

Latest from my friends on board, Dawn.  Now permitted to bring on one bottle of wine OR 6 cans of beer at each port.  This is as a result of deputation on board.  Re tips on Dawn, no auto tips, but the price went up. I doubt many of the 2000 Aussies on board, will spread any more tips around the crew, they paid a lot of $ to get on board.

[RichC]

Wow, their a tough bunch down there in Australia. At first I though when you posted the no alcohol comment it was just a rumor.

[NSWP]

Wow, their a tough bunch down there in Australia. At first I though when you posted the no alcohol comment it was just a rumor.

No rumour Rich, I am following blogs and have 4 friends on board.  Just imagine if Princess tried to impose this wine policy on a ship with 2000 Americans on board, would be a riot.

[RichC]

Wow, their a tough bunch down there in Australia. At first I though when you posted the no alcohol comment it was just a rumor.

No rumour Rich, I am following blogs and have 4 friends on board.  Just imagine if Princess tried to impose this wine policy on a ship with 2000 Americans on board, would be a riot.

Probably so & a lot more RumRunners. 

[Host Mike]

What's the latest on the Dawn Princess breakdown?

[NSWP]

What's the latest on the Dawn Princess breakdown?

Hi Mike and others, DP still on 3 generators, they put on engineers in Singapore, but problem not fixed.  They have to wait until Dover.  Heaven knows if the WC will go on from there.  Rumours abound on the ship of course. But they have reduced speed and itinerary changes leading up to Dover.

[baglad]

They are running at half speed on 3 engines. 

That would trouble me if I was sailing through the Gulf of Aden. I hope they have a good escort.

[nabs14]

I certainly do wish the passengers well with concern as to the area they are cruising, the Gulf of Aden. 

Elite passenger, 282 days travel with Princess 19 cruises, 54 total cruises...