BamaVol

30 minutes ago, Teechur said:

Eleven countries now use the U.S. dollar as their primary currency.

 

Countries Using the US Dollar (investopedia.com)

 

Which countries use the US dollar? | Stripe

With Argentina headed in that direction.  That would make 12.

16 minutes ago, DCThunder said:

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, over 80 percent of all $100 bills in circulation are held OUTSIDE the USA.  In 1980, the figure was 30 percent.  No figures on how many of those came from cruise ship tips...😁

It wasn’t me.  I’ve never handed any crew member a $100 bill as part or all of a tip. 

I’ve never seen the blue one. Special order or something new?

6 hours ago, Ombud said:

HE!! NO! Thats how they recently have been getting people. Just do it either on the app or paper. My credit card is firmly in the safe while onboard taken out only in port.  Not going thru what thus couple went thru:

 

Done on day 2 of a 7 day cruise.  My credit card companies send me a notification the instant my card is used.  I have disputed charges successfully in the past. I read everything I sign and lots of documents that don’t require a signature either.  No offense to the parents in the other post, but I have confidence that I could not be swindled as easily. If this happened to every customer at Princess future cruise desks across the line, it would stop pretty quickly.  Some customers may appear to be easy marks and become victims.

7:30 am in the Vista lounge on my upcoming Enchanted sailing. Every morning. 

2 hours ago, d9704011 said:

That's for sure.  On a recent transatlantic we stopped in Tenerife.  While walking along the main street some guy (a Viking cruiser) stopped me outside a drugstore and asked me whether I had any euros I'd be willing to sell him; he needed to pay for his heart medication and the pharmacist wasn't the least bit interested in taking USD.... he had a wad of them in his pocket and it was all pretty much useless to him.  I sold him €10 for $14 and everything worked out.  Interestingly, he gave me a $10 bill and two $2 bills.  Why on earth would somebody take $2 bills on a cruise and expect anybody, other than an American or (maybe) a Canadian to take them?

The crew accepts them. And smiles. 

45 minutes ago, 555 said:

I think Princess is missing out on some revenue for first run movies. 

I wonder if Princess is missing out on profit from first run movies. They can be expensive. Theaters make their money on concessions. 

I saw Don’s video this morning. He is one of the more reliable vloggers. 

1 hour ago, TRLD said:

better off to buy them via app.

Shall I assume this is one of the many functions that don’t appear until after I board?  I’d rather buy in the app than at the desk. Thanks for the info. 

17 minutes ago, dog said:

We went to see them on board Regal. Told us to purchase on app ourselves. Had no interest in helping us.

I bought my current FCDs onboard Sapphire in September. The nice lady would like to have sold me more but I was able to hand her my credit card and was on my way in less than 10 minutes.

Thanks for the heads up.  I will be visiting the future cruise desk in a couple weeks on Enchanted.  But all I intend to purchase and all I will purchase is FCDs. They can jabber all they want, but to no effect. People can tell when I’m getting impatient.  So far, it’s been a pretty quick transaction.

31 minutes ago, HotRoot said:

We have been to 140 countries.  We are not shoppers.  We have never bought anything at a market or road side stall.  We do not use public restrooms that charge.  We go to restaurants and buy something with a credit card and use their restroom.  Probably do not travel off the beaten path.  We do not leave the tourist areas.

 Princess has taken me to a few places where once I left the port, it was clear I was in a third world country.  And it would be wise not to wander around those places with a pocket full of cash. 

17 hours ago, Gail & Dan said:

most have the package so bringing your own is doing them a favour LOL 

 

Until you get so drunk that you fall overboard and your family sues the cruise line for allowing you to drink more than 15 alcoholic beverages in a day.

6 hours ago, voljeep said:

wow - what beer gets that honor?

Well, let me correct that.  It’s only when I’m flying home.  I buy something local to take back and share with friends (if I’m feeling generous).  In March, it was six cans of Naked Pig from Back 40 Brewing in Gadsden, AL.  In September, it was a mixed 6 pack of Alaskan beers picked up at the liquor store by the port in Ketchikan. I lost one of those - a dry Irish stout - on the trip home.  Fortunately the ziplock stayed intact.

My favorite beer is local to FLL.  Last Snow from Funky Buddha is a toasted coconut coffee Porter.  But it’s seasonal and hard to come by. I will stop in on my way home from Port Everglades in June and hope they have some in stock. But no flight needed.  Just a longish drive.

14 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

The shelf stable singles are great if you’re driving to a port, but if you are flying, it doesn’t work so well.

Inconvenient, yes.  But I travel with beer in checked luggage almost every time I fly.  I do put each can in a ziplock bag but have only had one burst in >25 years.

On Sapphire in September, there was a live instructor 3/7 mornings.  I don’t think he was paid and he did ask participants to mention him in their surveys.  I’m thinking he hoped to turn it into an official gig at some point.

It is a device that takes the place of the keycard issued by other lines.  It has some additional functionality, but at a minimum unlocks your cabin door hands-free.  In conjunction with the app, you can use it to find your traveling companions, order drinks and food to be brought to you almost anywhere on the ship, make purchases in port and earn 8% back, identify yourself to crew such as bartenders, servers and folks manning the gangways. For some, it just opens the cabin door. For some, it is a scary 1984 Big Brother device and they request keycards as if they provided a cloak of invisibility. It is a potential swallowing hazard for toddlers. It is a badge of honor to some, as it shows your CC status.  It is a souvenir printed with the ships name and sailing date. All of this and more.

5 hours ago, BamaVol said:

We used the bus to transfer from Whittier to Anchorage. It was quite scenic and the driver offered a non-stop commentary over the course of the drive. It was more than just transportation, and very comfortable. 

Since everyone is trying to be as concise and clear as possible, I will add that this was a Princess transfer, booked in advance by my TA.  

We used the bus to transfer from Whittier to Anchorage. It was quite scenic and the driver offered a non-stop commentary over the course of the drive. It was more than just transportation, and very comfortable. 

At one time, I think I saw them for sale in the liquor store off the piazza. But never in a dining room. 

6 minutes ago, etq2000 said:

Princess is surely making it difficult to simply PRINT the shareholder benefit form. CUTE !

Actually it’s easier.  A form is no longer required.  Download the Stockperks app and follow the instructions.

8 hours ago, trvlwrld said:

I have always used it pre-cruise for excursions…have “they” taken that perk away now too?

Not as of 4 weeks ago.  I used mine to book an excursion then.

3 hours ago, takevtr1 said:

Hi, 

I will be on the Enchanted Princess in the near future and have the Plus package.

Are the items in the refrigerator included in the package?

Thanks!!

Unless you are elite or in a suite, don’t expect to find anything in your fridge unless you’ve ordered it.

Production shows are 7:30 and 9:30 and last 45 minutes. 

6 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

That’s where I used to get it on all the ships I’ve been on. The last ship I was on was the Discovery Princess. I would have it in my iced coffee. Do you think he’s correct and they are no longer carrying it for us? 

I will be boarding Enchanted Princess in 4 weeks and will know for sure.