Thanks for this, very helpful. My partner and I are going on an Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, had booked a (reserve) mini suite and was wondering if upgrading would be worth it. Thanks for saving us some $$! It will be our first cruise.
I did this, using the upgrade feature, and felt it was worth it. I put in multiple bids, and matched with the penthouse. Would this be for everyone, probably not, but looking forward to trying it again. I appreciate your video's, find them very helpful, and your candor is refreshing, thank you.
Good one Tim, thanks very much for that. We watched your videos on the upgrade process you went through, so was great to watch how the end result played out. Love your work, will keep an eye out for your future content.
My husband & I want to book a cruise to Alaska, so I'm doing a lot of research. Your video contains loads of helpful info & tips, so thank you. I look forward to future content.
I will be sailing on the Discovery in a few weeks. Suites also come in different categories and price levels. Your suite was probably"premium suite" from the look and size of your balcony. The Penthouse suite is aft and the balcony wraps around from the aft section to the starboard side or port side, depending on which room you have and is deeper as well as much longer. Price wise...the penthouse suite is more expensive . I am looking forward to relaxing for 7 days down to Mexico, and no question breakfast every morning will be in Sabatini's once again will be a treat. My last experience in Sabatini's for morning breakfast was 2 hours long. Never rushed and service was impeccable . Obviously I am looking forward to dinner in Sabatini's and losing a few dollars ( hopefully not) in the casino. I will enjoy just lounging on my balcony watching the world go by. Cell Phone off at night is a must !
Great Video Tim, that 360 dining experience looks wonderful. Hopefully it is something they will do across the fleet and open it up to non-suite guests.
Thanks for the review. We did the same thing and upgraded to a penthouse suite as well. We’d enjoyed it. We didn’t save as much, since we had booked a large aft, balcony state room, which was at a premium cost . Our favorite perk was the 360 dining experience!
Thanks for your review. I’ve got 36 cruises on Princess + cruises on other cruise lines. I just bid for an upgrade to a mini suite on the Discovery Princess for $250 minimum & just saw a video of what my suite will look love, & if I’m selected I’m selected it will be my 1st time in a mini suite & I will feel like a KING just once in my cruising life. I’m on the April 3rd solar eclipse cruise on the Discovery Princess & have booked both the 360 experience + the chefs table just for the cruise critic group I’m in. Much thinks again.
Thanks for the review, Tim. I was in a vista suite in April 2022 for a transatlantic cruise on Enchanted. I did use the Sabatini's breakfast every day. I loved it. I really enjoyed the Reserve class dining (called Club Class then.) Mostly as a solo traveler and I also don't drink alcohol, it gave me the opportunity to meet quite a few couples that I then had dinners and lunch with. I traded my mini-bar for ginger ale. I loved the bathroom on the Vista Suite and actually had a much bigger and nicer balcony than you did. I agree though $2,200 dollar value it was not. My cruise was before the bid situation, so I called Princess a few weeks before sail date and did an upsell for less than $100 dollars for the entire cruise. So my suite upsell was totally worth it on a 16 day cruise. I like your channel. Yours is the first I have subscribed to. Thank you.
I am going on my first cruise in 11 months and have been looking up so many questions. You answered my question about how to get coke cans for my in room drinks, lol. I don't mind paying, but the ease of just going to the lounge to grab a can than waiting for room service to bring or paying a possible high price of the in room fridge (done that after bars in hotels and have not always paid attention to listed pricing, lol) is a nice bit of knowledge. ( I know the fridge price is negligible compare the overall cost, but always feels good to not have "overpaid" for something when the alternative did not require any real effort. edit: I'm actually booked under Reserve Mini Suite right now, but will bid on Penthouse suite once opens up. I'm sure I'll be happy with the mini, but I actually enjoy lots of space and don't really mind spending a little bit more on that, but since this is my first cruise, I'm still up in the air of what I really would enjoy. I did once have NCL book at Haven, but canceled that to go to Cost Rica instead, lol. Did not regret. I'll look for your videos on NCL now. Thanks for your insightful video. 😄 Anyone do a bid for Penthouse from Reserve Mini and what were successful bids? ------Western Caribbean, 6 night, 2 port (Cozumel, Roatan, Costa M / Yes, I do know that Roatan and Coz can cancel for high winds) and in mid February. Also, wondering about 'stern' penthouse suites with large balconies?
This was a thorough and thoughtful experience/impressions video and I liked that you qualified your experience may differ from others based on your needs. I agree had you received the medallion at home and used the "green" line the embarkation would have gone much better. I did find the comparisons to your previous suite experience very helpful. There definitely seems to be a large delta between offerings. Overall I feel that a couple or larger group, who could benefit from the mini bar, all concierge benefits, priority embarkation and disembarkation (it was difficult to ascertain whether that could have been beneficial since it wasn't used) and extra space would probably get the value having this upgrade to their cruise. Agree with you that a solo cruiser might struggle to make it worth the cost.
One slight correction.. experience 360 is not just. For suite guests. anyone that cares to pay the price tag can attend if reservations are available I believe the cost is $150 per person and well worth it
I believe this is correct, though at the time this video was taken, only suite guests could partake. Definitely a worthwhile experience and I'm glad that everyone can enjoy it now.
Here’s another boarding tip. I arrive at the terminal around 9:30 am, & here in San Francisco, there is usually on a few people in line waiting to get into the terminal. You may wonder why I arrive so early is around 10 am we’re allowed into the terminal. I’ve avoided any long lines as Tim experienced, & being Elite with Princess I can be one of the earlier boarders onto the ship, drop off any carryons in me stateroom, & relax with not a lot of people on the ship. I’ve never had any problems arriving early.
As one that books way in advance I messed up. I get the offer to bid and cast a near minimum bid to go from a balcony to mini suite. Yes my wife likes the bathtub BUT I forgot that I booked a balcony I really wanted only to get a mini suite where I didn't. Stoopid me.
We upgraded to a reserve collection family suite and it was absolutely worth it. We are a family of 6 so the extra room was fantastic. Plus no need for reservations for meals save time and frustration. We took an eleven day cruise to Alaska.
On the CP you get full suite benefits for much less when you book a window suite. I do this all the time. I get the same benefits as someone who booked a PS but much cheaper. The room is very large, the bathroom has marble double vanity and a jacuzzi tub. Since there is no balcony (but has 2 large windows) the price is significantly cheaper than the Vista and Penthouse suites and you get ALL the benefits.
You missed out on an amazing breakfast experience. The menu is merely a suggestion and if the kitchen can make it, they will make it. Your coffee cup will never run dry and your pastry plate will never go lonely unless you say uncle.
I agree !! Breakfast in Sabatini's is a MUST. YES, if it's not on the menu...they'll make it. I got hooked on the Italian brand of coffee (Lavazza). With the pastry's coming around constantly...I had to have yet another cup of coffee. But I called it quits after 6 cups...I've never done that . Looking forward to my cruise on Discovery in a few weeks.
Having been on 4 Princess cruises on different ships in the last 3 years, yes each cruise had that “self led” published in the daily newsletter / schedule. 😊
It comes down to what is important to the bidder.
Thanks for this, very helpful. My partner and I are going on an Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, had booked a (reserve) mini suite and was wondering if upgrading would be worth it. Thanks for saving us some $$! It will be our first cruise.
I did this, using the upgrade feature, and felt it was worth it. I put in multiple bids, and matched with the penthouse. Would this be for everyone, probably not, but looking forward to trying it again. I appreciate your video's, find them very helpful, and your candor is refreshing, thank you.
Congrats on your bid success and thanks so much for your kind words. :)
Good one Tim, thanks very much for that.
We watched your videos on the upgrade process you went through, so was great to watch how the end result played out.
Love your work, will keep an eye out for your future content.
That's so kind of you to say! Thanks so much!
My husband & I want to book a cruise to Alaska, so I'm doing a lot of research. Your video contains loads of helpful info & tips, so thank you. I look forward to future content.
Glad it was helpful!
I will be sailing on the Discovery in a few weeks. Suites also come in different categories and price levels. Your suite was probably"premium suite" from the look and size of your balcony. The Penthouse suite is aft and the balcony wraps around from the aft section to the starboard side or port side, depending on which room you have and is deeper as well as much longer.
Price wise...the penthouse suite is more expensive . I am looking forward to relaxing for 7 days down to Mexico, and no question breakfast every morning will be in Sabatini's once again will be a treat. My last experience in Sabatini's for morning breakfast was 2 hours long. Never rushed and service was impeccable . Obviously I am looking forward to dinner in Sabatini's and losing a few dollars ( hopefully not) in the casino. I will enjoy just lounging on my balcony watching the world go by. Cell Phone off at night is a must !
thanks for the info !! it is really helpful for planning my curise trip on 2024 !!
Great very informative vlog. Thank you for taking the time to create informative content.
I’ve never bid for an upgrade, but am going straight to your video about doing so now! Thanks for the video!
Very informative video! Would love to see some of your Alaskan cruise trip.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to try and include more scenery and location content in my videos from now on.
Great Video Tim, that 360 dining experience looks wonderful. Hopefully it is something they will do across the fleet and open it up to non-suite guests.
Thanks for the review. We did the same thing and upgraded to a penthouse suite as well. We’d enjoyed it. We didn’t save as much, since we had booked a large aft, balcony state room, which was at a premium cost .
Our favorite perk was the 360 dining experience!
For sure. The 360 experience was amazing. I hope they roll it out to other ships.
Thanks for your review. I’ve got 36 cruises on Princess + cruises on other cruise lines. I just bid for an upgrade to a mini suite on the Discovery Princess for $250 minimum & just saw a video of what my suite will look love, & if I’m selected I’m selected it will be my 1st time in a mini suite & I will feel like a KING just once in my cruising life. I’m on the April 3rd solar eclipse cruise on the Discovery Princess & have booked both the 360 experience + the chefs table just for the cruise critic group I’m in. Much thinks again.
Very informative ty
Your descriptions are very well presented. Very informative. You look like Tom Brady!
Wish me luck Tim. I’m going on the Caribbean Princess this Sunday and did a bid for the Grand and Owners Suite. Should know in a day or two.
Were you successful?
Thanks for the review, Tim. I was in a vista suite in April 2022 for a transatlantic cruise on Enchanted. I did use the Sabatini's breakfast every day. I loved it. I really enjoyed the Reserve class dining (called Club Class then.) Mostly as a solo traveler and I also don't drink alcohol, it gave me the opportunity to meet quite a few couples that I then had dinners and lunch with. I traded my mini-bar for ginger ale. I loved the bathroom on the Vista Suite and actually had a much bigger and nicer balcony than you did. I agree though $2,200 dollar value it was not. My cruise was before the bid situation, so I called Princess a few weeks before sail date and did an upsell for less than $100 dollars for the entire cruise. So my suite upsell was totally worth it on a 16 day cruise. I like your channel. Yours is the first I have subscribed to. Thank you.
I am going on my first cruise in 11 months and have been looking up so many questions. You answered my question about how to get coke cans for my in room drinks, lol. I don't mind paying, but the ease of just going to the lounge to grab a can than waiting for room service to bring or paying a possible high price of the in room fridge (done that after bars in hotels and have not always paid attention to listed pricing, lol) is a nice bit of knowledge. ( I know the fridge price is negligible compare the overall cost, but always feels good to not have "overpaid" for something when the alternative did not require any real effort.
edit: I'm actually booked under Reserve Mini Suite right now, but will bid on Penthouse suite once opens up. I'm sure I'll be happy with the mini, but I actually enjoy lots of space and don't really mind spending a little bit more on that, but since this is my first cruise, I'm still up in the air of what I really would enjoy.
I did once have NCL book at Haven, but canceled that to go to Cost Rica instead, lol. Did not regret. I'll look for your videos on NCL now.
Thanks for your insightful video. 😄
Anyone do a bid for Penthouse from Reserve Mini and what were successful bids?
------Western Caribbean, 6 night, 2 port (Cozumel, Roatan, Costa M / Yes, I do know that Roatan and Coz can cancel for high winds) and in mid February.
Also, wondering about 'stern' penthouse suites with large balconies?
This was a thorough and thoughtful experience/impressions video and I liked that you qualified your experience may differ from others based on your needs.
I agree had you received the medallion at home and used the "green" line the embarkation would have gone much better. I did find the comparisons to your previous suite experience very helpful. There definitely seems to be a large delta between offerings.
Overall I feel that a couple or larger group, who could benefit from the mini bar, all concierge benefits, priority embarkation and disembarkation (it was difficult to ascertain whether that could have been beneficial since it wasn't used) and extra space would probably get the value having this upgrade to their cruise. Agree with you that a solo cruiser might struggle to make it worth the cost.
Thanks for the honest review. I travel solo too and don’t drink so can relate! Going on my first cruise on Dec 1st and it is on Princess.
Hope you have a great time! I even had the drink package and didn't drink. They have lots of good mocktails though!
One slight correction.. experience 360 is not just. For suite guests. anyone that cares to pay the price tag can attend if reservations are available I believe the cost is $150 per person and well worth it
I believe this is correct, though at the time this video was taken, only suite guests could partake. Definitely a worthwhile experience and I'm glad that everyone can enjoy it now.
Here’s another boarding tip. I arrive at the terminal around 9:30 am, & here in San Francisco, there is usually on a few people in line waiting to get into the terminal. You may wonder why I arrive so early is around 10 am we’re allowed into the terminal. I’ve avoided any long lines as Tim experienced, & being Elite with Princess I can be one of the earlier boarders onto the ship, drop off any carryons in me stateroom, & relax with not a lot of people on the ship. I’ve never had any problems arriving early.
As one that books way in advance I messed up. I get the offer to bid and cast a near minimum bid to go from a balcony to mini suite. Yes my wife likes the bathtub BUT I forgot that I booked a balcony I really wanted only to get a mini suite where I didn't. Stoopid me.
We upgraded to a reserve collection family suite and it was absolutely worth it. We are a family of 6 so the extra room was fantastic. Plus no need for reservations for meals save time and frustration. We took an eleven day cruise to Alaska.
On the CP you get full suite benefits for much less when you book a window suite. I do this all the time. I get the same benefits as someone who booked a PS but much cheaper. The room is very large, the bathroom has marble double vanity and a jacuzzi tub. Since there is no balcony (but has 2 large windows) the price is significantly cheaper than the Vista and Penthouse suites and you get ALL the benefits.
Some people say food is bor good. What did you think about the food in buffet and mdr
You mention it wasn't worth the $2200 upgrade for a solo traveler, but would it be worth $1100 each if traveling as a couple?
All your fares are based on double occupancy . So this is a "solo" traveler, he paid for TWO.
Tim, Do you believe you got Covid from that long line at embarkation to pick up your Medallion?
Haha...I doubt it since I wasn't sick on the cruise itself. At least it waited until a day or two after I got back.
You missed out on an amazing breakfast experience. The menu is merely a suggestion and if the kitchen can make it, they will make it. Your coffee cup will never run dry and your pastry plate will never go lonely unless you say uncle.
I agree !! Breakfast in Sabatini's is a MUST. YES, if it's not on the menu...they'll make it. I got hooked on the Italian brand of coffee (Lavazza). With the pastry's coming around constantly...I had to have yet another cup of coffee. But I called it quits after 6 cups...I've never done that . Looking forward to my cruise on Discovery in a few weeks.
Do they have "friends of Bill W?"
Having been on 4 Princess cruises on different ships in the last 3 years, yes each cruise had that “self led” published in the daily newsletter / schedule. 😊
Is that all stuite guess
You wasted your money!
Balcony room would have given him the same joy
@@darrellq6954 NO perks !