XBGuy

My experience is much like yours. Room Service orders usually arrive in 20-30 minutes. If it is less than 20 minutes, we cheer. Also, like you, there was one case where it hadn't arrived an hour after ordering. Calling back, it was obvious that they were in disarray. I was quite surprised when they asked, "None of it has been delivered?" We went through my order, again, and they said they would get right on it. It arrived 30 minutes, later, They were slammed. It happens.

ROFL. Oh, now I know what you mean. That trait is particularly noticeable in New Zealand SBs. I've never noticed it in SBs from California or France, but, then again, I do not drink that many white wines. I really don't know the Enemigo, but my experience with California Semillon varietal bottlings give me confidence to say that you you don't have to worry. I find California Semillon to be less fruity and less herbal than Sauvignon Blanc. I find it to be a very refreshing wine. In France, Semillon is usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Some excellent examples come from the Entre-deux-Mers area of the Bordeaux.

Apologies, @TiogaCruiser. I have no idea what you are asking.

Since hiking boots have been mentioned, I might point out that there are several hiking trails in Skagway. I have done the two on the left side of the map (circled). I have not needed hiking boots for either--good sneakers worked fine. The one at the bottom of the map gets fairly steep. This septuagenarian was huffing and puffing but made it up to the lake. Coming down is when I was really grateful for good grip on the soles of my feet. I agree that good hiking boots would have given me even more security. The trail across the river is not nearly as challenging. There are additional trails near the cemetery off to the right of the map. I have never ventured out that way. The price is right--free. Regarding the "must pack" list, I have nothing to add, but would like to emphasize binoculars. It will probably rain. We usually pack one of those collapsing umbrellas.

@Heartgrove In 36+ years at the Diamond Bar casa, we have had the water pressure regulator replaced twice--most recently, last January when the inside pressure was measured at 85 psi. It is a mechanical device, and, not surprisingly, its effectiveness declines over the years.

I'm not sure I understand why you quoted my post as a preamble to your statements. I never made any comment about cost or previous storage.

On reprovisioning runs to Costco i will usually check out the seafood section. Occasionally, no more than once a year, I will grab a package of 3 or 4 lobster tails. I have no idea what species they are. My main interest is to have something a little different. I just throw them on the backyard grill for a very easy preparation. Ease of preparation notwithstanding, my lobster tails are better than the ones I have had on Princess cruises. I have only ordered lobster tails once on a cruise. More than once I have finished up the lobster tails that Mrs. XBGuy ordered. They are always “chewy”—presumably, overcooked. I once made the mistake of going to the dining room and ordering Alaska King Crab. Same result—chewy. Tragically, this was after our stop in Juneau.

The “I’ll pass” response that several Dailyites have given to the suggestion of having a glass of Chenin Blanc has given me a chuckle. In the 1970s it was easy to find California made Chenin Blanc. Multiple high volume producers made it—and it was cheap. A semi-regular date for the XBGuys was to drop by Giuliano’s and grab a large Giulio sandwich, a bag of chips and a Sebastiano Chenin Blanc. We would then head to the Hollywood Bowl with our picnic for a concert with the Los Angeles Phil. Chenin Blanc was a good choice because it was cheap. However, the sweetest always bothered me. As the 1970s progressed and Americans became more interested in wine Chardonnay emerged as the preferred white wine (if not the preferred wine). Winemakers understood this. So, Chardonnay production increased and Chenin Blanc production declined. Not particularly enjoying the sweetness of Chenin Blanc, this did not bother me, and for quite a few years I don’t think I had any Chenin Blanc. Just a few years ago, I noticed that some of my favorite low-volume producers were releasing Chenin Blanc wines, and, so, I tried a few. Happily, these wines are fermented completely dry—a terrific, light-bodied, refreshing wine. The French region most celebrated for Chenin Blanc is Vouvray in the Loire Valley. Vouvray has that sweetness that does not appeal to me. However, I have found that Vouvray Sec is exactly what I like. (Yes, I know that the French word “sec” translates to the English “dry.” So, to Dailyites who do not care for Chenin Blanc but want to try a different white wine, I might suggest that they try a Vouvray Sec. I have been able to find examples at retail stores such as Total Wine, And, yes, I am aware that a few weeks ago I posted that I do not care for Riesling that is fermented completely dry. I guess I am an enigma.

You seem to be implying that you can carry-on four bottles, pay the corkage charge on two or three of them, and nobody will notice the four bottles in your suitcase. All baggage is X-Rayed prior to delivery to the passenger's cabin. If the security person reviewing the X-Ray images notes an anomaly (e.g., a fairly large bottle that might contain liquid), that suitcase will not be delivered to the passenger's cabin. Rather it will be diverted to a security area usually referred to here on Cruise Critic as "the Naughty Room." There have been numerous reports from Princess passengers of being summoned to this security area where they have been asked to open a suitcase that had not been delivered to their cabin. Invariably, the suitcase contained bottles of wine. The corkage fee is charged on the spot, and the passenger is allowed to take the suitcase to his room. If the anomaly turns out to be spirits, the bottle would be confiscated by the security personnel, and returned to the passenger at the end of the cruise. Apparently, the same thing happens with cases of wine that are left at the pier for the porters to load. I would hope that any person who left five cases at the pier would be able to get some assistance in toting those five cases to their cabin.

So, you are saying that you could bring wine aboard without paying a corkage fee? That was certainly a very friendly policy for wine drinkers. How long ago was that? My first Princess cruise was in 2011, and it seems to me that they had a $15/bottle corkage charge when I first started. Of course, it was raised to $20/bottle a few years ago.

McCormick & Kuleto's, by chance? Did you live/work in San Francisco? In my working days I made semi-regular trips to San Francisco and would often stay at the Fisherman's Wharf Holiday Inn. I loved that there were so many dining options at all kinds of price points and were an easy walk from the hotel. I could always impress out-of-state associates by suggesting McCormick & Kuleto's at Ghiradelli Square. In-state associates always were up for the Buena Vista for Irish Coffees--not really my thing, but I am a team player. I could always get lots of husband points by visiting the Ghiradelli store and brining home one of those giant peanut butter cups.

??? Are you saying that they are now requiring that passengers carry on the wine instead of having porters load it? The official printed policy has always been that passengers were allowed to carry on their own wine. However, over the years I have read multiple reports where passengers have dropped off cases of wine with luggage tags attached and the porters have loaded them. To my knowledge there has been no change in the Princess policy limiting the number of personal wines that can be brought on board, So, from your statement I am wondering if they are insisting that if a passenger wants to bring a case of wine on board, he cannot check it at the pier with a porter. Can you please provide some clarification?

Since the Star Princess has not been launched, yet, I don't think you can get an absolute "Yes or No" answer from anybody. It appears that the Star Princess' maiden voyage is scheduled for October 2025. However, there is evidence that there will not be a Vines wine bar on the Star Princess. If you go to the Princess web site where they discuss the features of the Star Princess, there is a page on Restaurants and Bars. Vines is not listed, There have been a couple "Live From" reports from Cruise Critic contributors on the Sun Princess which is the sister ship to the Star Princess. It seems to me, and, if my memory is incorrect, you have my apology, that at least one correspondent reported that there is no Vines on the Sun Princess. I can tell you that there is no Vines on the Discovery Princess. I can't speak authoritatively, but I don't think Vines has been removed from any of the other ships.

Keep in mind that "canapes" and "hors d'oeuvres" are not synonyms. Canapes are hors d'oeuvres, but not all hors d'oeuvres are canapes. I have often had the canapes on Princess cruises and have enjoyed them quite a bit. Over the years, though, I have seen many posts here on the Cruise Critic Princess board denigrating the canapes. I suspect that some may have incorrect expectations. They are disappointed when they are offered a toast point with whipped cream cheese and a bay shrimp when they were expecting Shrimp Rumaki. And, yes, I am very much enjoying your reports.

😖 I have an online friend who has a similar problem, He lives in Kentucky, but he has a friend who lives across the border in Indiana and can get some wines shipped there.