Haboob

2 hours ago, Mslmesq said:

Anyone brought their alexa with to stream music, etc?  Was it difficult to set up?

Generally speaking, onboard internet plans now include a bytes-per-day download cap.  Read the fine print.

9 hours ago, Dublin_Ca said:

I’m aboard the Grand right now.  Purchased the package that lets you stream.  Sometimes while streaming it works great and then just suddenly stops working.  This while not changing my location..  It’s a weird system.  Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the “outages”.  And before we get the “why would you stream video on a cruise” questions / comments, my job has me working long hours each day.  It’s nice to sit down after a relaxing day and watch things I am unable to at home.  

The answer for that is simple:  The ship buys "x" bits-per-second uplink to a satellite.  If you are the only person logged in on the ship (yeah, but bear with me), it's all yours.  If a second person logs in, you now share.  Etc.

At 4am, you ought to have good bandwidth available.  At 9am, you may not.  If something suddenly makes a bunch of folks want to look something up on Google, you may not.  If an extended-family group onboard finds out that a video of a newborn has been posted, you may not.  If the satellite company swaps out ground stations, you may not.  Etc.

Onboard Grand last month, there was plenty of bandwidth available all day long, but I doubt there would have been if we'd gone further north, say to Ketchikan, where Grand would have had to switch to more expensive satellites.  YMMV.

1 hour ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Never happen plus I trust Princess lawyers.....let me see...a person needs an ESA to be on a ship but they would have no problem going through a lengthily stressful trial if they felt slighted with their animal....it it a 1st world problem brought on by the elitist entitled!!!

Last go 'round.  I'll not likely respond further.

You are conflating "emotional support animals" under the Air Carrier Access Act and "service animals" under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Cruise ships have staterooms and SCOTUS has ruled they therefore fall under the ADA.  If a cruise ship, for example, asks to see any documentation that an animal has been trained, you can file a "housing" (yeah, "housing") complaint online, and the feds will issue a fine of up to $155,000.

I trust Princess lawyers on this, too.  If you simply say your dog is a service animal and name a task, then it is one under the ADA (whether it can perform the task or not, and whether you actually need the task performed or not).  Princess is then barred from asking any further questions, leaving Fluffy there to try and snatch something off my plate in the main dining room.

...and giving a bad name to those service animals which are properly trained and very needed.

On 11/17/2019 at 4:54 PM, Cruise Raider said:

 

We were onboard last month ... the internet is still awful.  Most times, I just couldn't even log on and by the looks of the numerous people complaining about it at the front desk, they couldn't either.  There are many other things to love about the Grand, namely the staff, the internet is not one of them.  

We were on board from Oct 20 - 27.  Internet was fine.  Did not attempt to stream, but had several multi-megabyte downloads that completed promptly and without problems.  But that cruise only went as far north as Vancouver.

Remember:  satellite uplinks are significantly more expensive north of Seattle/Vancouver, so ships cannot buy nearly as much bandwidth with what we pay for internet packages.

14 minutes ago, MauiLvrs said:

With RADAR and GPS knowing where both ends of the ship are within 9 feet - I don’t get how they close the port due to weather 

Wind can sometimes push a ship harder than the rudder or thrusters.  They try to not put large dents in the ship or drive a tug under the adjoining pier like the Star did a few months ago in San Francisco.

1 hour ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Not true....states are coming up with laws against identifying a animal as a service animal if it is not and making it a crime with stiff fines.

 

DOT  last year clarified rules for service animals on USA planes and transportation after an American Airlines FA was bitten.  I am sure cruise lines could use these guidelines too if they wanted.

⋮

 

Uhh..  No.

You're speaking of "emotional support animals" and the Air Carrier Access Act.

Since cruise ships have staterooms, they "provide accommodation" and fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Do any of those things, don't pay the ADA fine of up to $155,000 per instance?  Then the USCG can arrest (seize) the ship the next time it is in a US port.

32 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

Could you spray paint it any color that you want?

 

DON

...and then silk-screen the Seawitch on the front and the "Ocean" logo on the back?  😉

2 hours ago, rugerdog said:

Perfect summation.  Would love to see this posted everywhere, including cruise line websites.

 

Would that it were so.  All it takes to make a dog a "true" service animal under the ADA is a statement by its owner that it is trained to do "x" to help him with a disability.

Rife for abuse.

From https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm Princess may *not*:

• ask about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability
• require proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal
• require the animal to wear an identifying vest or tag
• ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the task or work

2 hours ago, Vexorg said:

I guess my question would be whether or not using the medallions for targeting marketing cuts down on the amount of paper ads they deliver to your cabin.  I'm sure it can't be cheap (or particularly eco-friendly) to print out ads to leave next to the door for 1,500+ passenger cabins knowing that 90% of them are going to get thrown away unread.  In theory, if they saw that I haven't bought a single alcoholic beverage in 12 cruises they could probably figure out that I'm probably not going to be attending a wine tasting.  

 

Then again, I've bought art on the ship before, so I've probably got a permanent place on that particular suckers list...

The Medallions are not for targeting advertising.  Princess already has enough data to mine for that from the registers in their onboard shops and bars.

Medallions are primarily for "operational issues" such as speeding muster rollcalls (and locating those hiding in bathrooms),  improving boarding security at ports-of-call, or cutting MoB search time when a Medallion disappears from where someone could have fallen into the sea.

On 11/16/2019 at 11:00 AM, StanandJim said:

+1

Another issue is that the Ship cannot use its Internet Antenna when within range of land-based services.

 

However will mummy and daddy Skype with their precious poopsie?

It may not operate it's cellphone tower while in range.   "Internet" via satellite is OK, even while docked, and even if you are using WiFi calling over it.

On 11/17/2019 at 12:54 PM, LHT28 said:

Jan  it is just my opinion  but if  they are allowed on the  ship as  a service animal  they have to be allowed where ever the owner goes

It is just too bad there is not any regulations on what can be designated a service animal & what questions the cruise lines can ask to be sure they a true service animals

 

I believe  the ADA   rules  state you cannot ask what disability a  person has (privacy issues)  so may also pertain to a Service dog being allowed or not

JMO

Actually, there are regulations.  Under the ADA (the Air Carrier Access Act does not apply to cruise ships) the animal must be a dog, and staff on a cruise which enters US waters may only ask two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to  perform?

They may not:

• ask about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability
• require proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal
• require the animal to wear an identifying vest or tag
• ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the task or work

-- https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Can you spell "insanely open to abuse"?

On 11/17/2019 at 10:45 AM, ropomo said:

This gives new meaning to the term "poop deck" 🙄

Nope.  That's been the meaning all along.  Well, except it was for sailors, not dogs.

6 hours ago, Courier95 said:

I know that the food is complimentary at the International Cafe but is it necessary  to purchase a drink in order to sit and eat there?    Thank you.

You even talk to different crew members at different counters for coffee and munchies.

4 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

A little clarification:  Carnival Corporation owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Holland America Cruise Lines, as well as others.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines is switching to Pepsi products in January.

 

There have been no announcements that Princess Cruise Lines (or any other of the Carnival Corporation lines) will be switching.

A little more clarification:  The press release spoke of Pepsi for Carnival (brand) North America cruises.  The simple fact is that Pepsi isn't as worldwide as Coca Cola.

2 hours ago, YuliaC said:

Hi,

We taking a Princess Cruises out of Florida this December to East Caribbean   It’s say to have proof immunization to board . Anyone knows what’s required?  Any information  would be very helpful.Thank you !

Paperwork is one thing, staying vertical is another.  I'd suggest a visit to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list, and perhaps a chat with your physician.

47 minutes ago, marynjohn said:

I'm not familiar with Princess so forgive me if I'm totally off base.  These medallions I guess are like Disney bands?  How close do the staff have to be to read them?  Could they walk up and down the aisle and see who is around them?  Stop to chat with top cruisers?

Sensors throughout the ship track the Medallions' (and presumably your) location at all times, unlocking your stateroom door as it approaches (and re-locking it if it goes in or goes past).

For purchases in a shop, it is a near-field device you place against a sensor at the register.

The ship also tracks crew members' location and shows them a picture and loyalty level of the passengers in their area.  It works well enough that you can order a drink poolside or from your seat in the ship's theater and it will be delivered to you.

In the dining room, you get called by name even in "Anytime Dining" (and they use the system to relay your order to the galley).

7 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

Do you think the crew actually look at your Medallion to base their answers on the level.  LOL 

Nope.  They look at their tablets.  There's a reason your photo is highlighted with your Captain's color, no?

2 minutes ago, richsea said:

Why is it so horrible to have others know your Captain’s Circle level? Who would care? Most people probably won’t notice, or care one way or the other. 

I'd happily travel with a faux-Blue Medallion.  Blues are not expected to know better than to do whatever, and Elites are considered locked-in, habitual customers they can take for granted.

Captain's Circle color on both sides.   "Ocean" logo on the back instead of the Seawitch logo.

13 hours ago, pink845 said:

On the promotion material for the Medallions, they appear to be blue, will they have black for the elite, silver for the platinum?  I am not crazy about identifying my status as an Elite.  I see people in the literature with the medallion on a chain.  Really!!! I think I will just drop it into my little cruise card holder so that it is not visible.  

That works vs your fellow passengers, but when crew members see your picture on their tablets, it's highlighted in your Captain's Circle color.

On 10/27/2019 at 3:30 PM, cyndyga said:

I have never gotten internet on a cruise before but the price of 69 seems pretty reasonable. Does anyone know if it will allow me to utilize the wifi calling feature on my phone to make wifi calls? Thanks!

As it stands, your answer is a definite "maybe".

Can you use WiFi calling via your home's internet?

Do you plan to buy a package that blocks "streaming"?   (read the fine print)

Are you sailing north of Seattle / Southampton, where satellite uplinks are significantly more expensive, and ships tend not to buy voice-grade bandwidth because of it?

2 hours ago, K.T.B. said:

 

The part I highlighted in red is 100% incorrect.  A legitimately trained service animal must be be trained by a professional.  Otherwise it will not fall under ADA guidelines and, therefore, is not a "legal" service animal.

 

Seriously, does anyone here know exactly what goes into the training of these animals?  It's not a weekend course.  It's weeks, sometimes months, of training.  Not only for the animal, but for the owner as well.  My grandson and his dog trained together for 2 weeks straight together.  Prior to that, she had been trained for 6 weeks.  After she joined him and his family there were spot checks to make sure that he maintained the proper training of her and that she was not treat "just as a family pet". He has had her for years and there's still the occasional check in.

 

There are way too many assumptions going on here about what's legal and what's not.

PS.  Concur on "legitimate".  The issue is with those that are merely legally a service animal.

Kudos to your grandson, his dog, and his dog's trainer for doing it right.

14 minutes ago, Reader0108598 said:

Understood and we have the right to sue the cruise line or the airline and the owner when fluffy bites 🙂

I'd be interested in an actual lawyer's opinion on "airline negligence" when the negligence is specifically mandated by federal regulation, or on "cruise line negligence" in Bermudian court if the ship is in international waters.

1 hour ago, K.T.B. said:

 

The part I highlighted in red is 100% incorrect.  A legitimately trained service animal must be be trained by a professional.  Otherwise it will not fall under ADA guidelines and, therefore, is not a "legal" service animal.

 

Seriously, does anyone here know exactly what goes into the training of these animals?  It's not a weekend course.  It's weeks, sometimes months, of training.  Not only for the animal, but for the owner as well.  My grandson and his dog trained together for 2 weeks straight together.  Prior to that, she had been trained for 6 weeks.  After she joined him and his family there were spot checks to make sure that he maintained the proper training of her and that she was not treat "just as a family pet". He has had her for years and there's still the occasional check in.

 

There are way too many assumptions going on here about what's legal and what's not.

I'll let you argue with the government:

1 hour ago, Mavis and Me said:

I don't see it as a defect at all; allowing handlers to owner-train their service dogs is important.  Not every program out there that trains service dogs is going to be able to 'special order' the service dog that every disabled handler needs.  Also, program dogs can cost $1,000s, and often times there is a long wait list.  Sure, not every handler is versed in the various aspects of socialization, generalization, obedience work, and task training, but many are.  

 

So, are you suggesting that fellow passengers become vigilante service dog police?  That's no more fair that if I were to harass every person in a wheel chair and suggest that they COULD stand if they really wanted to.  If you spot a service dog that is acting aggressively, by all means, report it to the appropriate authorities.  If a service dog is pawing, whining, jumping on, or pulling the leash of a handler, assume it is alerting to an upcoming episode.  Their ability to communicate with us (especially when we humans aren't always the brightest bulbs!) is very limited, and some alerts can look like naughty behavior.  Please try to keep this in mind before you run up to someone with a service dog and start pestering them about their need for the dog.  That kind of confrontation can send some folks straight into an episode!

Valid points.  But my point that there are unsuitable and even dangerous-to-the-public fully legal service animals out there is valid as well.  Service animal policy needs balance between the unquestionable needs of the disabled and the undeniable need for public safety.  The ADA lacks that balance.

Forbearance when in doubt and politeness always, but --c'mon, man-- A Champagne-fed purse dog snaffling a morsel off my plate?  A dog described above as "does not do well with strangers" as we pass in a corridor half-blocked by a stewards' cart?