jisduit

I know I am not the only one  - but guess I will be the first to share - I pack about 100 rubber ducks to hide during the cruise for others to find - even the staff enjoys it - they make people who find smile.  

On 2/28/2022 at 7:56 AM, LadyBerard said:

I know this is pretty much an anti-smoking thread, but my husband smokes, and we will be on the Rotterdam in March.  Do the stores still sell cigarettes on board?

last time i was on - you could purchase cartons at the shops and packs at the seaview bar - rather cheap too 

Checked Princess.com web site - and it states:

"In accordance with CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated guests may choose to explore destinations independently on self-guided tours, and are recommended to wear masks while indoors, during transportation, and following the destination’s health guidelines.

You can pre-purchase shore excursions through CruisePersonalizer at princess.com or on board using the MedallionClass app, digital portals, or stateroom TV, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. You must follow all COVID-19-related requirements, including physical distancing and mask-wearing, and stay with your cruise companions for the entire excursion. There could be additional restrictions based on local conditions. If your shore excursion is canceled by the company or the tour operator, or if you are denied from joining the tour, your shore excursion payment will be credited to your on-board account.

Unvaccinated guests will only be permitted to go ashore through shore excursions sold by or through Princess using tour operators who comply with our COVID-19 controls. Self-exploration or participation in shore excursions not sold through or operated by Princess will not be permitted.

If you or any members of your party refuse to comply with our COVID-19 policies and procedures, you won’t be allowed to board the ship after going ashore. We may also take other steps that, in our sole discretion, we feel are necessary to protect the health and safety of our guests and team mates. If this happens, you won’t be entitled to a refund, credit or compensation of any kind and will be responsible for all costs and fines, including (without limitation) travel expenses."

early when I saw we had to be with a princess shore excursion - I booked something for each port - does anyone know how close to cruise I can cancel some of them ?  

My question about UK.gov - I get the 3 day prior test - not an issue.  I am flying in the morning of - so my thought as far as the required 2 day test after arrival - I wont be in UK anymore so I can skip that one.  Anyone get any answers on that ?  Princess states they will cover the test to return to UK, which will also cover my return to the US.   I am willing to follow rules - but trying not to stress to much - any feedback ?

On 7/18/2021 at 11:27 AM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

@phabricyes many of us are getting in the day before and hopefully they will post where they are staying and their impressions of it as will I once there. 

I’m not staying downtown as a Seattle local actually posted a recent local article onto our roll call about the dire homeless situation in that area. If you want read it look up our roll call, if I remember correctly it was fairly early on. 

Princess uses the Doubletree by Hilton Seattle airport and the Weston downtown. When my PVP quoted me the prices (sorry I can’t find that darn email) they were high like in the $280-$300 range. I am staying at the Doubletree and used points to book it. While I have paid for Princess transfers both ways in theory I am supposed to go back to the airport for my transfer since I did not book the room through Princess. The hotel has a shuttle they told me is actually running. However, my PVP said if they had room on the hotel shuttle they might let me take that one. I will have to ask the morning of. 
 

That said I’m pretty sure I will not be able to wait. I’ll probably grab an early Uber and just sit on my large suitcase staring at the ship until they let me board. I’m more than a little happy to feel the motion of the ocean under me again. 

I am staying at Airport Marriot (1 night before and 1 after) - using their shuttle to and from airport - I booked a car thru seaview airport service from hotel to port and port to hotel - hoping all goes smooth - but if a oh crap moment happens - I can get another transport.  Our 1st Alaska cruise was on Holland and we stayed at hotel in city - with all the unrest I saw on media - I decided to sleep peaceful by airport 

9 hours ago, BlueFish2000 said:

He there, we have been very unlucky in regards to the medallion - we leave Thursday but still can get nothing to work, after repeated repeated tries, and hours on the phone - we are talking probably a total of 8 hours on hold over 3 different tries. Will once again try before we go and let everyone know. 

My daughter phone it worked - mine NOTHING - said not a valid booking # - what I did - remove medallion app - restart phone - install app - restart phone - - then all info came back in the green lane and good to get on - looking at shows, etc - still freezes - but I got dinner reservations in - BE PATIENT - as much as an issue covid made for us - it made far more for cruise personal and airlines - they are trying - a kind word will get you further 

Joining this discussion as I will be boarding on 25th as well - I am excited to say the least !!!   Medallion app has its issues - my daughter got hers by fed ex - mine - who knows - will get when in port - I will not stress !!!  Princess Cruises are working hard to make everyone happy again - please be kind when and if you call.  For those wanting to know about smoking areas or status of DUCK hiding - I will post after I experience.  NONE of us can answer questions about the ship life until we actually get on the ship - I want to cruise and cruising to me is relaxing - I dont stress - will be an trip in which many of us will share with people that are wondering all the what ifs - just let us get on the ship first - lol 

I board on 25th of this month - a week from tomorrow - I was in green lane -  NOW NOTHING.  Medallions ordered - got one - hopefully they will sort out at terminal 

On 5/13/2021 at 5:58 PM, MATHMOM205 said:

Predisclosure - Not a smoker.  Grateful that is one habit I never took up, but grew up with smokers. (Sorry - they both passed away due to smoking related diseases, so I might be a little biased.)

I am hoping with all the Covid-19 issues, the cruise ships will consider limiting the smoking areas even more.  I enjoy the casino, but dread going in there because of all the smoke.  And yes, they say part of the casino is non-smoking, but any non-smoker knows, the room is not large enough, nor ventilated enough to block out the smoke anywhere in there.  And generally, on the non-smoking nights, the Casino is always very crowded.  That should tell the cruise lines something.

 

They do have the Cigar/smoking room and a few other areas to smoke.  I understand the addiction and enjoyment some have and that they need a place to go. 

 

Also, the comment one person made about disabled people eating too much doesn't make sense.  Are they disabled because they eat too much or do they retain their weight because they are disabled and can't exercise as much.  Also, their eating does not affect another person's health where second hand smoke definitely affects those around them.  So, not a fair comparison.  

I am a smoker and I can attest that many that I meet in smoking areas are all along same lines to respect the non smoker - I only smoke in casino once and that was over 5 years ago,  I have also met what I thought was inconsiderate rude smokers that smoke on balcony, put buts in a water bottle and leave in bags to discard in smoking areas - thats just rude.  What also is rude is NON smokers walking on side of ship that designated as a smoking section and act like they are dying walking thru - I get you dont like - but let us smokers have their area  - and walk thru on other side 

On 10/28/2020 at 1:33 PM, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

The sailings have been completely removed for new bookings until they get everyone moved over to the new sailings with new booking #s. We have been told that it could take up to November 30th for the process to be complete. 
 

Unfortunately for those booked into Signature Suites on Zuiderdam the equivalent (in HAL’s opinion) is a Vista Suite on Volendam.  The ones getting the biggest displacement will be those who booked standard Verandah rooms on Zuiderdam, as there is zero comparable option on Volendam. They will most likely be placed into full ocean view rooms (hopefully with either a fare adjustment or obc compensation or both) or have the option to cancel.

I was first booked on Zuiderdam Signature suite and was assigned a balcony on Volendam.  I contacted my travel agent because that wasnt an upgrade - even asked cost of moving to Neptune Suite and its costing only 14.50 more per person to cover tax/port fees - fine with me - now in a Neptune Suite and happy.  Been working with same travel agent for over 10 years - he is so wonderful - he definitely works some magic 

I bought enough of these to pay off our whole cruise - a total of 6,000.00 in gift cards and used for booking - the promotional 1,200.00 can also be used - there are 3 of us in Neptune Suite.  Used my Barclay credit card and racked up points for statement credits as well - All money I saved I had already spent in 100 shares when it was way down and the stock is starting to go up - cant be happier ! 

On ‎8‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 7:05 PM, kootz said:

Any updates for the Smoking Area on Coral??? 

the answers we are getting are not helping much now are they ?  From the you tube videos I watched - it wasn't a covered area - kind of concerned about it because I would rather be outside than at churchills

I search on topic for smoking areas on Coral and didnt get any info - Anyone know ?

We have a half day and full day before our cruise in December and are booked there and the distance to Catalina Express is .7 miles - according to Hotel Maya when I called there is actually a walkway so you dont have to worry about traffic. We are going to Catalina for the day. We also are planning an afternoon/evening at the Queen Mary - I already booked dinner reservations - that too is only a .7 mile walk - has side walks -

We are considering staying at Hotel Maya post cruise for the night. We are hoping to have a relaxing day strolling on the beach or visiting Catalina Island. How good would the Hotel Maya be for this? We don't want to rent a car. Will we be able to walk to the beach and a ferry?

I would like to know the answer to this as well -

Once off ship, am I allowed to light up somewhere? I know Hawaii is pretty strict about it, but is it allowed anywhere near the ports?

looking at Google maps there is a 7-11 very close - on Bishop I think - we pass when going to bus stop - planned on stopping for sodas myself on way back to ship

I'm curious to know if there are any shops close to the cruise ship dock in Honolulu where I can pick up a twelve pack of Diet Coke to bring back aboard ship? Princess doesn't ban non-alcoholic beverages from being brought aboard. :)

Sorry but HAL gets my vote - my first princess cruise was a disaster - I think HAL spoiled me

OK - I really did try to search the forum and alway went to advance search and said nothing matched -

Wondering will anything be open Christmas day - its my understanding State Parks will be closed - but then there are excursions there ? I cruise a lot at Christmas time but Christmas day has always been a sea day - first time for me having as a port day

my daughter is grade 6 - She did miss a few days last Christmas time when we went to Panama - they dont even learn about the canal in school. There are alot of things that she learns during cruises as well as learning how to plan one when she gets older - This summer we are going to Japan. There are so many memories that are made ! I try and schedule around school vacations but you cant ask a cruise line to go on the schools schedule - she will also miss some time next Christmas when we go to Hawaii. I refuse to bring any school work with us - its our time

I get the drink package and is 15 drink limit - I have reached my limit a few days - my preference is Jack and sprite

I have been on Royal, Celebrity, Holland and will be on first prices cruise in July. Yes Holland had the best food - but all were good - yes there were items I didn't like but one of the good things - you can order something different and no server gets upset. There have also been some WOW things for me and when I asked the waiter - he was able to get for me again. Over all I am happy with all the meals - Coffee at buffet is rather week - but I suffer thru till the coffee place opens

do a search for Rumrunners - those plastic things will get a lot of booze on board

Packing and planning are as much fun as the cruise itself - call me OCD - I start packing 4-5 months before - have a check list - an according file for all paperwork - each port has a slot - what we are doing etc - makes the cruise less stressful - cause I have everything for every situation

All I ever waned to do when finally getting home was SLEEP - as far as eating - usually either take out or a sit down rest - cant do fast food or pizza

I am plain - Jack and sprite - double - even though it counts as 2 on drink package

find closest smoking area - get a drink and relax - carry on next to me if daughter wants to go swimming but usually she is just exploring the ship - then watch people - after sail away (and several drinks and ciggs) is when I wipe down all surfaces and unpack - its vacation so rule #1 - NO RUSHING