ehogan

Love everything about Princess but number one is the International Cafe

Did a 48 day all the way around South America from L.A. To New York.  Fantastic voyage.

We are also delaying until 2022.  We had an expiring FCD so we applied it to the latest 2022 cruise we could.  We may delay further into 2022 when cruises are posted, hopefully we will be able to switch over our FCD.

For us (in our 70s) a vaccine and a cruise ship requirement for a vaccine Is the only way we would cruise.  

We did book a July 2022 Norway/Iceland cruise last week but I see it is sold out now.  Maybe because it was available because it was a part of a world cruise since I dont see any other Europe availability.  Did receive a call from PVP that some additional cruises available for Elites so these should be posted soon.

Here in B.C.  we are seeing an uptick in numbers which is concerning but our numbers are nowhere near U.S. numbers.  The economy is limping back with most businesses open within constraints.  Our Public Health Officer has however shut down all banquet halls and nightclubs after multiple bylaw infractions and related covid cases.  She is also asking us to limit our Bubble group to six or less.

I think most in B.C. are on board with border closures until  we see that covid is under control down south.  
 

Mask wearing is common here both inside and outside although many in the 20 to 29 Age group still do not get it.  Interesting that a month or so ago they represented 60% of positive covid tests.

Just read that the WHO is indicating that any kind of old normal will not occur till 2022.  Most depressing.  Sadly I have asked for and received a rebate on my FCD since I cant see a return to a normal kind of cruising until at least late 2022.

Another memory booster...last week I decided to decommission my travel items rubbermaid container (sigh) and came across a bottle of Princess Lotus Spa shampoo.  While I never really liked the scent, I used it and the good memories flowed back.   Maybe I’ll keep the bottle and take the occasional whiff.

Last cruise was Oct. 2019 Transatlantic.  Wonderful.

Thanks HAL from a Vancouverite...there are a lot of families in need here.

Post vaccine we will be on the first HAL Alaska cruise we can.  Our very first cruise was on a HAL cruise to Alaska in 1989 and we have enjoyed every cruise we have taken with them.

In B.C. there is a very strong focus on contact tracing.  The success of this is dependant on quick test results...our friend was tested last week after experiencing a mild lingering cough and received results in 24 hours (negative result).
 

I am so thankful for the guidance and regulations our Public Health Officer has given us.  She is firm in her reliance on science and has given  us the confidence to follow her leadership and keep our numbers low.

I don’t see a cruise for us until late 2022, hoping for a vaccine, a reduction in cases worldwide, lifting of travel restrictions and no masks required on board.
 

Looking back at that statement😟😟😬!

We are still holding 3 FCD  with HAL and Princess. We plan on waiting till late 2022 cruises are posted and then perhaps using our FCD. If nothing appeals we will cash them in.

We would love to cruise again, but only if a vaccine for this horrible thing Is available.  I also think that the cruise lines should require evidence of vaccination for all passengers.  It would only take one anti vaccer to bring covid onboard and the ship could be quarantined.

As a cruise lover (40+cruises) and a shareholder I am sad to agree with Princessluver.  I honestly can’t see how it is possible to stay safe on a ship in these times...social distancing is just not possible in any venue or activity on board.

On our last cruise in September there were a large number of passengers sick with a respiratory illness.  In spite of all the precautions I took I still became very sick.  That experience had me seriously questioning cruising and Covid 19 has sealed the deal for me.
 

A vaccine is critical for this industry to survive and that may never happen.

Well, as a Vancouverite I can say that I highly doubt that our outstanding Public Health Officer will open our port to cruises for the remainder of this year.  We took a bit of a hit with travellers from Wash. state bringing cases our way early on and It is highly unlikely she will want to take a step back after all the work B.C. has done in flattening our curve.

By the way, New Brunswick kudos to you, your curve has flatlined. 

As much as we are passionate about cruising (40plus trips), I can’t see cruising again for quite some time.  We have cancelled our New England cruise in Sept. and a Transpacific in April.  Until a vaccine or an effective treatment is developed there is too great a danger to us (in our 70s).  I cant even begin to imagine how a cruise ship or for that matter an airline, can address social distancing.

I don't think the travel industry will recover from this for a very long time.😔 

I would be so fine with a ban on ships in Vancouver and Victoria.

Dr. Bonnie Henry’s suggestion yesterday to delay the season is a wise one.  She is a voice of calm and reason, thank goodness she is leading the fight here in B.C.  Lets hope the federal government pays heed.

Watching our B.C. Health officer right now.  She indicated that discussions are currently underway at the federal level re changes to the Alaska cruise season, with a decision likely to be made next week or sooner.  

We bought at $23 after the Concordia disaster and have really benefited from the OBC perk that comes with holding shares.  We have made up more than the cost of the shares over the years.  This might be a good buying opportunity for some but better to wait a while and see where it goes.

As dedicated cruisers we are sorry that this industry will take a severe hit.  We would like to continue cruising but since we are over 70 it would be wise for us to take a break now and see how this plays out. We are cancelling our two cruises for later this year.

Happy Valentines day ❤️❤️❤️to all on board the Diamond and especially to the crew who are continuing to do the fantastic jobs they always do.  We think of you daily and wish you strength.

Also best wishes to Princess cruise lines, you are doing the best you can under the circumstances...we are Elite with you and will stick with you!

 Very sorry to hear that the little newspapers are out or on their way out.  We loved picking up the CDN, UK AND US papers; going to the dining room and reading them while waiting for our breakfast to be served and then discussing content over our meal.  Also enjoyed the recipe cards in the ATK.

As far as saving paper, what a joke.  When they stop littering my cabin with ads which are immediately put into the circular file then I will believe they are concerned about the planet!

I have to say that I have no confidence that the new health declaration forms will be filled out honestly by all passengers.  
 

Having been on over 40 cruises I know just how quickly illnesses can spread on board in spite of taking all precautions.  Got a horrible respiratory infection on our September 2019 cruise which was filled with sick passengers from the previous leg of the back to back.   We had decided after that cruise to take a break from cruising in 2020 (thank you to the angel sitting on my shoulder!) and with recent developments we are cancelling our Diamond Princess cruise to Asia next year.
 

I think the cruise industry is well aware of the hugely negative impact this will have on the industry, hence some of the extreme measures they are taking (e.g.RCCL and NCL banning some passport holders).

We love to cruise and will continue to do so but we will pick and choose our itineraries carefully and always will continue to get the “cancel for any reason insurance)

We took an excursion to Mijas, fairly close to Malaga.  Lovely little town, very picturesque, famous for its sweet donkeys.

We just used National Express from Victoria Station in London to Southampton, very inexpensive, reliable and comfortable.  You will need a taxi from the station in Southampton to cruise terminal but it is a short taxi ride. 

Sailed on the MSC Opera to Norway about five years ago (a very good price).  We are Elite with Princess so obviously they are our preferred cruise line.

Doubt we will sail with MSC again because:

Food in buffet and dining rooms not to our taste, geared to Europeans and with limited variety (seemed to have an over abundance of fish).The dining room was very cramped with far too many tables for the space.

Kids often sail free so there are a lot of them on board and many on that cruise were unruly and poorly supervised.
 

As stated by another poster, entertainment is to European tastes.  Staff service was adequate but not very friendly.

Princess has always given us excellent value, A variety of delicious food; good (used to be excellent) entertainment and first class service.

Our MSC cruise was in Europe so their focus was true to the area and the majority of passengers but for us it was not a repeatable experience.

Just returned from the Crown and we had two top sheets, one on each side of the duvet.

Just had our first Elite experience ( 16 day cruise) and our thoughts:

Upgraded amenities  :  pathetic, we didnt use any of it.  Four qtips and cotton puffs, three small containers of shampoo, conditioner and lotion.
 

Laundry:  excellent, used twice during cruise and clothes came back clean, undamaged and pressed, value to us about $80.  We did not send any delicates.

Did take 3 days due to high number of Elites on cruise.  Not much of a benefit on shorter cruises, useful for us since we started the cruise after a week of travelling on land.

Free minibar:  exchanged for two coffee cards.  Wonderful, saved about $75

Additional 10% boutique discount:  Saved about $40
 

Special lineup at guest services:  not a big deal, lots of staff to service everyone.

Special parties:  Did not attend any

Priority tender:  no tenders required this cruise

Hors d’oeuvre on formal nights:  tiny amount, nothing special

In general, some additional benefit to us but really the best benefit came when we reached Platinum and received free internet benefits.

Just returned from the Crown which has the OM.  Our experience:

as Canadians we had to pick up our Medallian at check in.  No problem, no line for us, they checked that the photos we submitted were acceptable, gave us our Medallions and we were on our way, maybe five minutes total.

Did not buy any accessories but many did buy the wristband, we just put it in our pocket since we dislike lanyards.

Door entry was mixed, sometimes the door was opened 10 feet away, other times it required a tap directly to screen.

We dont like to be burdened with a phone on board and after many attempts at using the various ocean apps with varying degrees of success, we just didnt bother with it anymore and used the OM as a cruise card.

Did notice many frustrated passengers at the OM help centre.

I think it is still a WIP, maybe things will improve in future.