Samkitty1

On 5/27/2024 at 2:05 PM, KKB said:

Orkney Island are AMAZING--they dropped it from ours the last minute & I was SO sad.

Take the free shuttle into Kirkwall (LOVELY seaside town) earlY & get in line a the travel center. For 25lbs you get an AMAZING tour of the area. HIGHLY recommend. 

Plus time to wander Kirkwall after your several hour tour

Hi there...our cruise is schedule to stop at Kirkwall and I'm really looking forward to it. Can you tell us a little more about the tour you took for 25 GBS each?  What sites did you visit and how long was the tour?  

Thanks, in advance

10 hours ago, Cruzbw said:

Sorry I don't know how to use the Search feature very well as I'm certain this has been answered somewhere.  What is the cost of the 4 device wifi (yes, I know that it technically is not wifi, but internet access)?  It seems that the Princess website doesn't want us to know the cost of the packages.  Then I assume the cost is discounted half for Platinum status folks? TIA

I don't think you will find internet prices on the Princess Website.

I also tried before booking my current upcoming cruise..

I wanted to compare because the plus package only allows 1 device   

Here are the current prices quoted from the app.. I could not get the app to quote anything less than the entire voyage 

12 day voyage  Single  device 299

12 day voyage  Multi device (up to 4) $539.88

50% off for captains circle Platinum or Elite 

On 5/25/2024 at 2:49 AM, MsSoCalCruiser said:

This will be our first time in Boston. Those of you who know the area can you please help? What is the best hotel to stay at near the cruiseport? We probably won’t be landing until the wee hours of the morning. We have no idea where to stay and really don’t even know if this is the correct Cruiseport. I looked on the travel summary, and it said that the port information was not available at this time. We need to purchase flights, but I am so confused at this point. Please help if you can. 

 

We can fly in the day before and land around 1:00 AM or we can fly nonstop and arrive the day of our cruise around 11:00 AM. What would you do? 
 

We are excited to cruise on the Emerald Princess. I know that she is older and I hope she is in good share, without a lot of plumbing and maintenance issues. Do those of you that love her have any tips or suggestions? What are your favorite areas? 

 

Thank you so much for your helpful replies.

Hi there and welcome to Boston...it's a great city, and the cruise port is close to the city and the air port. If you decide to fly in the day of the cruise, there is an easy way to get to the cruiseport if you can handle your luggage...

The cruise terminal in Boston is just across the harbor from Logan Airport...and the local public transportation offers a service called the Silver Line, which runs between the airport, South station(local transit hub) and the Cruise port. The silver line has luggage racks and also stops at many of the hotels  in the "Seaport" area of Boston, which is very close to the cruise terminal 

One way fare $2.10 cash or Charly Card, going to the airport, and free going from the airport or one of the stops on the way to south station.....much cheaper than a taxi or uber, and sometimes faster. 

These are hybrid bus/subway vehicles with luggage racks, The SL1 stops at all the terminals at Logan. 

You can check the schedules to see if it would work for you, and also see how to pay the fare if you choose this option

Here is the route for the SL2 from the pier to Boston South Station 

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/742/line

here is the link for the SL1 South Station to Logan Airport

https://mticket.mbtace.com/schedules/741/line?schedule_direction[direction_id]=1

Here is the link for the Flynn Cruise Port   https://www.massport.com/flynn-cruiseport

From the  Flynn Cruiseport Website 

From South Station

If you are coming from South Station (located roughly a mile from the cruise terminal, and also a stop on the MBTA’s Red Line underground subway system), you will need to get on an SL2 bus and get off at the Dry Dock Avenue stop. The cruise terminal is on Black Falcon Avenue, across from the Design Center.

From Boston Logan International Airport

If you are coming from Boston Logan you will need to board an SL1 bus at one of Boston Logan’s four passenger terminals (no fee on the bus departing Boston Logan). You will get off at Silver Line Way (located behind the Manual Life building), cross over from the inbound side to the outbound side track, and get on an SL2 bus (fee required; please visit MBTA Fare Info for rates). Once on the SL2 bus, you will then get off at the Dry Dock Avenue stop. The cruise terminal is on Black Falcon Avenue, across from the Design Center.

If you arrive the night before the cruise, a hotel in the seaport district between south station and the cruise port would be a good location, although it would not be cheap.  If you are only staying the night, you may consider staying at the airport...There is an embassy suites at Logan airport that get's good reviews, so you may find a good rate there. I havent' stayed at any of the hotels in the area because I live local, so I can't recommend a specific one first hand, 

I hope that this helps

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=seaport+area+hotels+boston+ma&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

On the Royal only vanilla was allowed for the premiere desserts...It was ok, nothing special. 

If you wanted a scoop of chocolate or pistachio, you had to pay for it.  This policy may have changed since I last sailed.   People have reported being able to order other items instead but that has not been my experience

3 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

Process is not known for being consistent...  But, all else fails... order the included dessert without the big lollipop and extra toppings.  Hey, your gelato will be in a fancy glass.

I know....but they only allow vanilla ....don't know why

I booked a last minute cruise on the Regal Princess British Isles in June...I love the convenience of the plus package but not sure if it's worth it to us on such a port intentive itenerary. We don't drink much...but would make good use of the specialty coffees, Alfredos,  internet and bottled water.

Does anyone who sailed recently on the Regal know if Gelato's will allow you have a dish of plain gelato in place of one of the specialty desserts in the tall glasses?  On the Royal, earlier this year they would only allow you to order the desserts as described. 

If you wanted a scoop of gelato it cost 3.50, or you could wait in the very long line for one of the desserts that came with the package 

I have heard that some of the ships allow some flexibility 

Also, it's been our experience that the ship's wifi has been spotty at best... has there been improvement i the past year?

I booked a MF mini suite GTY, cabin not yet assigned and today received an email offer to bid for an upgrade for a club class  mini suite or a forward facing club class mini . sailing is 41 days out and cabin not yet assigned...can't find reference to club class on the website....is club class the same as reserve class? 

On 5/9/2024 at 5:49 PM, tonit964 said:

They also have the small bottles of Perrier & San Pellegrino that are included. 

Yes they usually do...but the Regal ran out of San Pellegrino and Perrier on day 3 of our British Isles cruise on the Regal last year  and did not replenish.....sigh 

3 minutes ago, NavyVeteran said:

The ship only stays one day in Greenock. The 2:00 am departure time for an August cruise is to allow for excursions to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Excursions to the Tattoo get back to the ship a little before that departure time. If you book privately to the Tattoo, you need to make sure you get back by the departure time - or at least get back before the last ship excursion returns.

Even though the Tattoo is in Edinburgh, Princess normally has Tattoo excursions from Greenock instead of from South Queensferry because South Queensferry is a tender port. They don't want to be running tenders back to the ship at 1:00 in the morning.

Thanks for clarifying! 

I'm looking at the Regal 8.7.24 12 day sailing out of Southampton.

The schedule shows the Regal arriving in Greenock on Aug 12, 8:00AM and departing Aug 13 at 2:00AM, arriving Wed Aug 14 7:00 AM in Kirkwall 

There is no sea day between  Greenock and Kirkwall, so am I correct in assuming that the ship actually departs at 2:00 AM on Aug 14th? 

I hope so because 2 days in Glasgow would be great...thoughts?

If you can handle your luggage, public transportation to and from Logan Airport to the Flynn Cruiseport in Boston is easy via the MBTA Silver line. Fare is $2.30 each way, cash or Charly Card and the hybrid bus/subway cars have luggage racks.  

The cruise terminal in Boston is just across the harbor from Logan Airport...so as long as you are off the ship early, you should be fine..You didn't mention how you are getting to the airport, so I thought I would tell you of an option 

During Boston rush hour the MBTA silver line service is a reliable option if you are able to handle your luggage and don't mind taking the subway.  It will be cheaper than a taxi or uber....one way fare $2.10 cash or Charly Card

Once you  disembark the ship, walk out to the bus stop for the Silver line bus and take the Silver Line SL2 bus to South Station, (about 2 miles away)

At South Station you would switch to the Silver Line SL1 Bus to Logan Airport. These are hybrid bus/subway vehicles with luggage racks, The SL1 stops at all the terminals at Logan. 

You can check the schedules to see if it would work for you, and also see how to pay the fare if you choose this option

Here is the route for the SL2 from the pier to Boston South Station 

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/742/line

here is the link for the SL1 South Station to Logan Airport

https://mticket.mbtace.com/schedules/741/line?schedule_direction[direction_id]=1

From the  Flynn Cruiseport Website 

From South Station

If you are coming from South Station (located roughly a mile from the cruise terminal, and also a stop on the MBTA’s Red Line underground subway system), you will need to get on an SL2 bus and get off at the Dry Dock Avenue stop. The cruise terminal is on Black Falcon Avenue, across from the Design Center.

From Boston Logan International Airport

If you are coming from Boston Logan you will need to board an SL1 bus at one of Boston Logan’s four passenger terminals (no fee on the bus departing Boston Logan). You will get off at Silver Line Way (located behind the Manual Life building), cross over from the inbound side to the outbound side track, and get on an SL2 bus (fee required; please visit MBTA Fare Info for rates). Once on the SL2 bus, you will then get off at the Dry Dock Avenue stop. The cruise terminal is on Black Falcon Avenue, across from the Design Center.

Hope this helps...and good luck!

Salmon was on the dining room menu on the Royal last September inside passage cruise.  I don't think that it was locally sourced in Alaska though, because it the same menu's were offered on the Regal last May.   

I did the inside passage  on the Royal and enjoyed it.  We had a Deluxe Superior Balcony Aft, which was very nice.  Having sailed on the Regal and Sky previously, we knew what to expect.  That being said, on our sailing the stop in Victoria was a joke, arriving at 9:00PM and leaving at 11:00PM... and so basically, a sea day. The highlight for us was our day in Glacier Bay, which was beautiful.  There were many multi generational families on our sailing, and a couple of service dogs that I noticed.  We arrived in Seattle the day before the cruise and had a great time walking around the waterfront and marketplace. I enjoyed Seattle as much as Alaska. On our last day we could see pods of whales from the deck of the ship.  

DH and I tested positive for covid on day 6 of a 7 day cruise last February. (Sky)The medical center came to the cabin and tested both of us at no charge, and asked if we needed any med's (we didn't)  We were told to isolate and given room serviced from the main dining room and a letter was slipped under the door promising a credit for the missed day of $44.00 each to be applied to our Princess account within 30 days. It was.

The next morning we were escorted off the ship at 7:00 AM via a service elevator. When we left the cabin a cleaning crew in hazmat suits were waiting to go in to clean the cabin. Fortunately we were able to drive home from the port and recovered quickly. We felt that Princess handled the situation well. 

On a cheerier note...we had a fabulous British Isles cruise on the Regal last May and did not get sick. 

Here area couple of views of Glacier Bay from cabin C743 Royal Princess 

On 11/5/2023 at 6:05 PM, Rick&Jeannie said:

You should be able to see your pricing and purchase directly in the app. Sorry I can't answer your question directly...we always book Plus or above. 

Can you find prices in the app if you dont have a current booking?

I'm pricing a 12 day cruise with and without the plus package...Does anyone know the current rates for internet if you don't take the plus package?

People are reportig lots of different experiences on different ships..... I was on the Royal in September with the plus package.....if you wanted a different item than one of the specialty sundaes in the the tall glasses,  there would be a charge.....this created  long lines at Gelato's .while people waited for their ice creams to be made...I did try a Donatello because, well...why not....I never saw any special cake... I suspect that many may have opted for a simpler menu item if it had been included in the package

1 hour ago, rbtan said:

Though my spouse hates Lamb, I think it looks pretty tasty. I just need the mint preserves(not the gross emerald green stuff)

They did offer mint jelly on the side but I didn't try it. The lamb was delish!

On 10/24/2023 at 8:38 PM, KillerSnake said:

Are meat options like goat, lamb, quail or pheasant generally available at least once on the MDR menu during

a 7 day cruise?

I was on the Royal in September... lamb was served in the main dining room one night and it was very good....didn't see goat, quail or pheasant...just chicken, turkey and duck and lots of fish dishes

I booked a BC Balcony on the Royal....bid 160 each for a mini suite and 100 each for a Superior balcony

The bid for the superior balcony was accepted and we were assigned an aft cabin on deck 10... we were happy with the win.... our original cabin was near the mid ship elevator 

Royal Princess

32 minutes ago, Dudleydog73 said:

The International Cafe serves food that is complimentary and the coffee shop attached would also be complimentary if you have the plus package.  Any coffee you get there takes one of your 15 drinks for the day from my experience.

Dudlydog,  

I think you are mis remembering, there is no limit on coffee’s on the plus package. The 15 drink per day limit is for alcohol

if you have the plus package everything in the IC is included in the cruise fare

5 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

 

$44 per person seems pretty chintzy when you had COVID for 1.5 days--and you actually did the right thing by reporting it!

it was $44.00  for each of us  I wasn't really expecting anything at all, but the credit was welcome!

As for doing the right thing to report it, I did feel it was the right thing to do. I  suspect that there are many who would not have done so. 

We were only  quarantined for1 day and they took care of us by checking in on us to make sure we were ok and provided dining room menus for room service meals. 

There was no charge for the medical center service of testing in the cabin so no $$$ out of pocket as we were able to drive home from the pier.