HaveDogWillTravel

This statement is much clearer and does not imply they are the same thing.

This statement implies they are the same.

Real ID and Enhanced Drivers Licensees are NOT the same thing. In short Real ID cannot be used to enter the US (by itself) while an Enhanced DL CAN be used to enter from Canada, Mexico or Caribbean in place of a passport. Only a few states have EDL and California isn’t one of them. However, Princess does not require a Real ID…..https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/pre-cruise/prepare-for-your-cruise/. US citizens traveling on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” voyages may also travel with an original certified US birth certificate presented together with a valid US government-issued photo identification. These voyages include: Anyone traveling without a passport really needs to read that section of the FAQs thoroughly! Also if you travel without a passport be prepared for ill informed port personnel. They were telling my nephew he couldn’t board in SF with a California Real ID & certified birth certificate. The first check in person insisted it had to be an EDL. She said they had turned away multiple people for just using a drivers license & birth cert! After getting a supervisor it was all sorted out and he boarded. But boy did border control give him a long stink eye when we disembarked. Our saying is just because the ship lets you board doesn’t mean the border cops will let you back in. Here’s the reference material on real ID and EDL if you’re interested. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/what-is-real-id/ What is a REAL ID? A REAL ID is a driver’s license or identification card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. It can be used to board a domestic flight within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other secure federal locations. https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they Enhanced Drivers Licenses: What Are They? Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive. DHS has been working with individual states to enhance their drivers licenses and identification documents to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009. EDLs make it easier for U.S. citizens to cross the border into the United States because they include: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that will signal a secure system to pull up your biographic and biometric data for the CBP officer as you approach the border inspection booth. A Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that the CBP officer can read electronically if RFID isn't available.

Have you noticed this cruise, barely 14 days available to book, has very limited availability? I think when I email customer relations I’ll be sure to add this to the reasons they should drop off who ever wants to get dropped off in Mazatlan then head out to sea for the eclipse viewing if there’s any chance of inclement weather. Clearly, people are booking this cruise for only ONE reason!

Absolutely agree 100%.

I meant they dropped the same day language from the suite flyer a while back. I don’t send laundry on the day before disembarkation. I’m packing anyway 😢

It was as recently as this past April. They dropped the language “same day” a while ago but it’s stayed same day in practice. Now I’ve only sailed 3 times in full suite since the restart but that’s been my experience on the Grand and the Ruby.

I’ve sailed in quite a few full suites (pre and post Covid) on Princess and I’ve never had my laundry returned in a plastic garment bag, nor have I had two ply toilet paper or a quality box of tissues provided. Ask your steward what time they need your laundry out by in order to get it back that evening. I send laundry every day and have always gotten it back on the same day. Write Full Suite Same Day on the ticket. I take pictures of the clothes sent “just in case”. Have never had any clothes damaged or lost. The number of elites on board doesn’t matter. Suites are prioritized. Your mini bar is a ONE time set up. It will definitely not be replenished. If you have a b2b or sail over multiple legs booked as one cruise then it will be provided for each segment on turn around day. Ask your steward for the MDR menus if you prefer a hard copy to reading them on the TV as you can order from MDR for room service. You will have to phone in the order though. If you can’t get thru to room service during peak times call Guest Services and explain the situation. They will put you through. The specialty dining breakfast is not to be missed. Just in case you weren’t aware mini suites are not considered full suites. The link c-boy provided gives the list of benefits. Read the fine print if your sailing is less than 6 days as some benefits are not provided on shorter sailings.

Actually I requested it because when I sailed the Discovery in April this year I used the sanctuary each day and the entrance to sanctuary is starboard. Coming and going every day we noticed a lot of traffic and the hot tub on that side was always being used. I saw a man looking over the wall to the S309 sky suite balcony as he walked from the sanctuary to the doors to the elevators. The eclipse is around noon so the sun will be high. I think the view will be great port and starboard on the upper decks. I did look at my photos from when the discovery was docked in Mazatlan last April and thought S310 was the better choice for viewing the eclipse.

And there’s a poorly marked (read lightly used) restroom just inside the door leading inside.

Shhhhhhhh! Lol. It depends on which the ship is heading and time of day. I had shade on a few afternoons.

I agree the MDR menus were not where I expected them to be on the tv. I eventually found them by clicking around. I forget where I found them. It’s been 68 days since I stepped off the Ruby. I’ve ate and slept since then and it’s all a distant memory.

All guests in full suites can order off of the MDR menus anytime it’s open. They deliver it all at once. When you first meet your steward let them know you’d like the MDR menus daily. You could look at them on the tv but I enjoy sitting on the balcony and reading them. When you pay the $$ for ultimate balcony dinner it’s served course by course. I don’t think it’s worth the money to have UBD every night. I order from MDR menu. I order my salads and once they arrive I call down and order our mains. We don’t usually eat dessert. Ordering like this from MDR menus has always worked well for us. I do hope you’ll try the specialty dining breakfast at least once.

I’m glad you moved this to its own thread. Thanks again for all your work.

I’m excited for you and all that are lucky enough to be on that sailing. I am sure you will have a really fulfilling experience. I know what you mean about not wanting to take any chances on getting a great spot to see the eclipse. Things routinely sell out 2 plus years in advance. As others have posted about their previous experiences on a Princess eclipse cruise I feel more and more confident that Princess will make this more than just being in the path of totality. Princess is pretty good at getting great guest lecturers and providing elevated experiences. Notably Panama Canal and Alaska were impressive when I did those sailings. I’ve also traveled Queen Mary 2 which is a whole other level. I wrote begging Cunard to sail the eclipse but to date they have not put out that itinerary. If we see your ship we will wave! Congratulations on getting your spot secured!

Well it is a little better. But if I’m leaving from a US port I may not scroll down far enough to see this addition. Voyages Departing, Arriving or Visiting Canada which finally does have the correct information. Seriously. I am befuddled at why Princess is finding this so hard. It. Just. Isn’t. Well here I go again, emailing my CVP and Princess management.

@Steelers36Thats really impressive. Thank you for doing this. I saw those Sunny With A Chance Of Flowers wines (rise and Sauvignon blanc) on the Plus package by the glass menu. I happened to be in Pacific Grove all this past week and after seeing they were from Monterey county I picked up a bottle of the rose. The store I was in didn’t have the Sauvignon blanc. I looked the winery up on line and read that these wines are only 9% alcohol, with Zero residual sugars and only 85 calories in a 5 ounce glass. Ok I’m intrigued. I paid $9.99 and am back at home drinking a glass of it as we speak. I would describe it as not offensive. There is really nothing to it in terms of flavor or finish or mouth feel or really anything. But it is not offensive so one can drink it. If I paid $53 (I think that’s how much Princess is charging for a bottle over the spread sheet) I would however be very offended. I have been on two wine tasting trips so far with a visit to Paso Robles region coming soon. Retirement is sooo much fun! I’m stocking up on some lovely wines quite reasonably priced even with corkage considered. I’m also getting some of my treasured Alsatian Whites to bring on board. I’m with you….. BYOW is going to be the way to go for me. I think those who drink reds will have an easier time of it finding suitable wines by the glass.

@polmcsthose repositioning cruises such as yours from Rome to FLL have always been much cheaper than any other cruise I’ve priced out. I sail this route quite a bit and considering inflation & it’s still a year and 8 months out I’m actually quite pleased with how reasonably priced this is. The cabin I booked is the same price as it would be to sail it now based on a preliminary quote my CVP gave me (for a cruise this year) before the bookings opened up. Not to mention did you see those prices I posted above for the only other (so far) ship sailing the eclipse? I can’t believe people paid that! it’s going to be great experience. We have a roll call going if you’re interested in joining.

Thank you for doing this! Much appreciated.

The Canada government website is extremely clear. I provided the relevant quote in my earlier post along with the link. Regardless of your entry port if at any time your ship stops in Canada you must have a test. It must be 72 hours prior if PCR. They actually spell out an example. If your boarding group starts at noon Monday your test must be noon or later Friday or anytime Saturday, Sunday or Monday (as long as you get results in time). No link is provided for the previous reference contradicting this in ArriveCAN and I simply cannot find evidence of it. It will be fine once on board. Safe travels.

Princess website is wrong and it’s curious that they have gotten away with it. Canada requires testing regardless of where you board , US or Canada or where ever…., if you get on a ship and it goes to any Canada port at all A quote From the link provided: Pre-embarkation COVID-19 testing All travellers 5 years of age or older must have a COVID-19 test to board a cruise ship in Canada or to board a cruise ship that will dock in Canada at any point on the cruise. You must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results: Proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken no more than 2 days before you’re scheduled to board your ship the 2-day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time that you board for example, if your ship is scheduled to leave on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Wednesday, Thursday, or on Friday it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled boarding time for example, if you’re scheduled to board at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained Previous positive molecular test result: you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before you board. Counting starts the day after your test. for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled date you could board a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a ship and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection

Can it be that Princess is the only major cruise line doing a total eclipse cruise? I checked Cunard, Carnival, Royal, Norwegian and viking. I found a small company that specializes in eclipse cruise. They are almost sold out. The prices are astronomical! https://eclipsetours.com/2024-baja-california-total-solar-eclipse-cruise/ If anyone knows of another ship doing an eclipse run would you mind sharing? I’m wondering how busy it’s going to be out there along centerline.

Without counting exactly, I’ve sailed around 60-70 days on the Ruby since last November. In everything from a balcony to a full suite. Every sailing I’ve experienced this level of attentive, professional service. The exact details differ from sailing to sailing but the crew is exceptional. I am a very happy, positive person who is polite to the crew and express my appreciation regularly to them. I imagine you are the same. Crew are so happy to work with happy passengers they definitely step it up I think. I’ve witnessed horrible behavior by passengers and the crew have always stayed professional albeit a bit less enthusiastic. When I witness poor behavior by a passenger I make it a point to compliment or thank the crew member (in front of the sourpuss pax) for doing such an outstanding job.

Thanks! I’m looking forward to meeting you at the meet and greet as well.

We won’t be going into port probably at all. We’ve done the Mexican riviera more times than we can count. While I do love the ports (especially Mazatlan) this sailing it’s all about that eclipse and that balcony. And the suite comes with so many things I’ve never done before , Enclave, Ultimate balcony breakfast and ultimate balcony dinner to name a few. I heard from @CruiseRaiderthat they started a roll call for this sailing. There are so many of you I’d love to finally put a face to. This is really going to be so wonderful. I’m looking forward to the meet and greet already.