travelin.sisters

On 8/3/2023 at 4:41 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

I finally could get in this early AM.  I never thought this would happen, but I think Princess just out priced themselves for me.  Sticker shock!  My preferred cabins are sold out.  I will wait for the novelty to wear off and people to drop out.  

I saw all the suites were gone & almost all the insides (we do a balcony & inside across from each other) thought of you when all the window suites were gone...you are right about sticker shock!! it is way expensive but booked & have almost 2 years before any payment to see what Princess does & how the prices hold...

On 7/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

I was given an itemized statement.  There is verbiage I could get copy of Medical Records,  I checked the box, but it’s not sent with the other items.  Is that what I have to chase after before getting off the ship?

definitely get your medical records before getting off the ship...you may (likely will) need them for insurance claims & getting them later...well you know Princess...

On 7/30/2023 at 4:55 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

Well, Covid is still around.  I thought I was having an asthma flare up.  Several days of coughing and I gave in and went to the medical center.  Tested for flu and Covid.  Covid won.

First experience with the medical center.  All were so nice.  An hour later, I came back to my room to wait for the doctor to look at the paxlovid I brought from home and to swab cabin mate,  I asked to be quarantined.  So I am up on Aloha Deck far forward.  I’m really not sad at all.  Only have to stay for the night since my coughing started days ago.  I had tested negative before 7/23 Virginia 4 days ago.  They marked my “start” date on 7/26 at 6 pm.  So I am cleared to return to my cabin tomorrow evening. CDC guidelines I’d 5 days.  There are 4 tabled rooms that I could see.  

 

In the meantime, I got a tour of the behind the scenes without paying for it.  Attendant 2 followed me and wiped down everything I touched.  Assistant Manager for Club Class called me to see if I needed anything.  Not quite the same, but had lamb chops for dinner.  
 

i was a little more laxed than my normal.  I am one of the few that still wore a mask.  This time, NOT all the time.  

 

Don’t have the answers to what Princess will cover.  Not concerned, yet.  I don’t feel bad.  Just the coughing and shortness of breath. 
 

 

 

 

 

oh no! hope you are truly recovered by the time I get to today's posts, I am so sorry you caught it & hope it stays mild & doesn't impact your asthma!

On 7/28/2023 at 10:20 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

I think, this is for @Ombud  The chocolate cake of days of yore, is no longer. You know the one: devil food chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting.  Replaced with…

 

 

This is the room service image. I was hopeful. 
 

 

 

This is what arrived. 

 

the room service chocolate cake was my favorite cake & one of my favorite desserts on board...😞

On 7/25/2023 at 11:21 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

Disclaimer:  Elite in a Window Suite.  Don’t know if this makes any differences, reports will be from my perceptions.  I’m on a cruise with my iPad….limited comments (haha…maybe).  Those that know me know that I don’t do brief.

Day 1

 

The ship arrived late into Port Everglades dues to winds in Amber Cove; its previous port.  Turned her around in 14 hours instead of 16.  Left about 60 minutes late.  Even then, several passengers made the ship; others missed the ship and boarded in Virginia.  Hall mates are still waiting for their luggage that never left SEA, maybe they will see them in New York 4 days later.  Thanks? EZ Air.

 

Embarkation at Port Everglades is a disaster.  One long line feeding into another long line.  Security then Medallion/no Medallion before branching off into Elite/suite, Platinum, other.  Mix that with those coming off the ship and queuing up for taxis, etc.  

 

Absolutely beautiful fireworks display upon send off.  Torrential rain, thunder and lightning display.

 

 

 

 

so excited to find this & sail with you (even belatedly)...I've been off in the desert putting on a family reunion/60th anniversary celebration so it will be fun catching up on your cruise...looking forward to it!!

5 minutes ago, ldtr said:

There is no fee for crew chat.  But they are correct in that if you use the App to order housekeeping items the 14.99 charge starts if it has not been incurred prior.  The same items ordered by phone or through your Steward no charge.

 

I suspect that they have no way to identify what is being ordered via the App so the charge will occur even if the App is used to order housekeeping items.

 

That makes for a rather confusing mess.  Elite and housekeeping items you have to call or go through your Steward to avoid any charges since any use of the App for any ordering with initiate the $14.99 charge.

 

I would have missed that on FAQ 5 on post 2 if they had not mentioned it.

thank you...it will be so confusing what to order how...I will probably just activate it on my app for our whole group as I am the only one who actually knows how to use the app (15 day cruise, I think I can swing $1/day)

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Did you read post #15?  I think you will have a different thought if you check that one.  There is no fee for Crew Chat.

that was actually where my confusion started because in the first cell of the table it talks about the activation fee even for complimentary housekeeping items, so I read it as I either have to call housekeeping or see the room steward, but hopefully your reading of it is correct (& it's only $15 for the whole cruise if I do end up having to pay it)...again thank you for taking the time to answer

4 hours ago, lizjoemom said:

Thank you very much, it's beginning to look like we are leaning towards the premier (only because we need multiple devices).

does he need multiple devices connected at the same time? if not, it is very easy to switch back & forth from one to the other & he can use your plan when you are not using it...

31 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

No, you won't be charged for a cabin issue nor for housekeeping service.  The charge is for food and beverage order.  There is no announced charge for an Elite benefit.

thank you I really appreciated the response...but it does say there is a charge to activate Ocean Now for housekeeping items even if they are complimentary so that led to the question about if it is not a thing delivered to you but an inquiry, do they still charge that activation charge for crew chat? I guess I will eventually find out

so I have a couple of questions that I'm not sure anyone can answer but here they are:

• is there a charge for crew call if you don't order anything...like asking a question or there is a problem in your room...on our 3 cruises over the last 2 years, they wanted us to use that rather than calling or going to the CS desk, but if there is going to be a charge I will wait in line or on hold
• is there a charge when you call for Elite tea or hors d'oeuvres? that seems unfair (although this whole thing is a little maybe unfair isn't quite the word but certainly annoying after them pushing all these things as new benefits of the medallion app for our last 3 cruises...so clever how they worded this...not we are now charging for things that were free, but we have NEW things for the packages)

anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated

ours shows the military benefit OBC in addition to the TA OBC & future cruise deposit OBC 

1 hour ago, gah_cruise said:

Hi

I imagine that the majority of MDR evening offerings are pre-plated and close to being finished with garnish as orders come in.
In the specialty restaurants is this the same or are they cooked to order?

for example in the Crown Grill the menu has "Grilled Jumbo Prawns in Whiskey, Chili and Garlic Marinade"...would I be able to order this and ask for the chili to be excluded when being prepped and cooked?

 

if it is a marinade probably not, my sister can barely eat anything in Sabatinis since they have changed their red sauce to have peppers which she is allergic to...in the MDR if you have dietary issues you can speak with the headwaiter & they will give you the menus for the next day so that they can alter dishes for your needs, we have not had success with that in the specialty dining restaurants. 

14 minutes ago, jameslee said:

Thanks for info so when I do this does onboard credit from all the rooms I linked get shared too

yes, it will use all the OBC before starting to charge your credit card...I do this every time we cruise so that I can monitor all the accounts for random charges that we did not make (I usually check on the app every day so that I can get it fixed asap)

13 minutes ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

Thank you @LACruiser88 Would you order the branzino again? I see the photo of it from @travelin.sisters...

I was looking forward to a dish I had last year on Royal which is no longer there. Thanks so much! 

my BIL who is a marine biologist & picky about his fish & the way its cooked really enjoyed it

On 7/15/2023 at 6:04 PM, LACruiser88 said:

Super fun day at the beach today in Nawiliwili Bay.  We walked from the ship, an easy 15 minute stroll, to the beach in front of the Marriott's Royal Sonesta Hotel.

 

The weather was perfect with a slight breeze.

 

 

 

 

 

In the above photo, our ship is behind the trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you look closely in the above photo you can see our ship through the trees.

 

In front of Duke's, we rented 4 beach chairs and 2 umbrellas ($50 for 2 chairs and an umbrella).

 

 

 

 

your lives always show me new ideas for what to do at ports, thank you for all the info & the gorgeous photos

it is a very personal choice, I liked the previous menu better than the one they changed to in the past year, but many people love the new menu...it also depends on which ship you are sailing on...these are from the Crown in March (I did a longer review on my live...link in signature)...

7 hours ago, david63 said:

For hygiene reasons bottles of any description should NEVER be filled from the dispensers in the buffet of any ship on any cruise line.

I fill a glass from the dispenser & use it to pour into my bottle thank you...the Discovery apparently has the kind of dispensers that are specifically designed for refillable bottles where you put the bottle on the base well below where the water comes out & push a button to fill 

you have already gotten most of the info but a few other things...there is a fridge in your cabin & the steward will bring you ice twice a day if you ask (I always tell my steward when I see him/her on embarkation day that I really like ice), I bring a refillable bottle & either fill it at the dispenser in the buffet or sometimes will ask the waiter in the MDR to refill it (the water from the sink is fine to drink too I just like those other options), I haven't been on the Discovery yet but I saw a video tour & they actually had a station near the buffet for refilling those bottles like in airports...I usually get pineapple juice for breakfast (you usually have to ask for it in the buffet although maybe with the bigger buffet on the discovery they will have it out) & they usually have some small glasses of smoothies in the breakfast buffet too...there are occasional events that serve free drinks (maybe the first time cruiser event, sales at Effy [jewelery] & art gallery, champagne waterfall)

17 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

 

We have no interest in the luau and would just be going for the day.

I don't love ship excursions because of the hurry-up-and-wait and overcrowded aspects but I'll look into private tour companies.

We've been to Honolulu multiple times and I was just looking for something we haven't done already.

I really liked the different lands & wished we had gotten there when it opened to have more time...I would go again even though it is not inexpensive...so yes for what you want it should work well

6 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

Did you do this as an excursion form the ship?

I wonder if it's possible to just get a cab and go there on your own.

the issue is if your cruise is only in Honolulu for one day you have to be back to the ship in time to sail & the PCC is minimum 1 1/2 hours away but closer to 2 & might be longer if there is traffic or construction, also I don't know how easy it would be to get a taxi out in Laie, you could try taking the shuttle from the PCC & a taxi from the drop off point to the ship but it might be close or miss your sailing...we did a ship excursion because of the guarantee that the ship won't leave you (but then we ended up staying an extra day so it wasn't an issue)...it is a tough decision & you would need to do your research & decide what fits your personal risk tolerance & priorities (someone on another thread suggested that there might be other tour companies that would pick up at the pier & return you there so you could check that out too)...all the best & have a wonderful trip whatever you decide is best

On 7/11/2023 at 1:00 PM, phabric said:

I am cruising to Hawaii Sept 2024 on the Ruby from San Francisco.

 

I am looking at doing one of the Princess excursions in Honolulu - Polynesian Cultural Center Luau, There are 3 different excursions offered.

 

If you heard anybody taking one of the excursions, if you can find out how they enjoy it and which one they took.

 

We don’t want to do a private tour.

 

 

we did the Polynesian Cultural Center in March...they sold us a pkg with the luau but then switched to the buffet (which was very good food & a much more extensive menu than at the luau but not the luau experience...it is also much less expensive than the luau package but they did not lower our fare) the problem is by the time the excursion that left a half hour later than our noon scheduled departure got us there there was not enough time to experience even a fraction of what is available...the other problem was that our driver told us to leave the evening show (which was the best part) half way through so that we could get back to the ship (not to divert from this thread, but I did several posts with tons of photos of our excursion on my live from March)

3 hours ago, CrazyTrain2 said:

Would the same clip accessory for an AirTag work on the Medallion?

I have bought a number of air tag holders for our medallions, the only issue was with one that had rhinestones around the edge, sometimes they couldn't scan the medallion in the MDR. I have a silicone one that clips to my cell phone, DS uses one on a lanyard & BIL just sticks it in his pocket 

On 7/8/2023 at 8:29 AM, LACruiser88 said:

Last night we started our evening in Vines at around 5 pm.  Shortly after sitting the Captain came out of the HGM's office, which is directly behind Vines.  He made a point to walk around Vines and speak to all of the passengers.  He asked how everyone was enjoying the cruise and posed for several photos.  He is extremely charismatic and patient.

 

At 7 pm we were off to dinner.  At the table next to us are a married couple that are both Princess Corporate employees.  We met them several years ago at a Winemaker's dinner on the Majestic. 

 

The Captain walked in as he was dining with the Princess employees.  The Captain recognized us from Vines and came to our table.  He spoke to us for at least 10 minutes focusing on a conversation with our granddaughter.  Our granddaughter was most impressed!

 

After dinner, we made our way to the Wheelhouse bar to listen to the "Cool Duo."  Not so cool.  We recognized them from previous cruises.  Their music abilities are good it is just the husband (they are husband and wife) gives a 10 minute history lesson about each song before performing the song.  Total buzz kill!

 

We were off to the Vista Lounge where our granddaughter had signed up to sing her first song at a karaoke venue.  She sang a very cute version of Katy Perry's "Fight Song."  She was so excited afterwards, she said her legs were still shaking.  So cute!

 

 

this is the best cruise! I know you proclaim your cruise reports are "just the facts" & not witty, but I always enjoy them & your granddaughter is making this one even better! thank you for sharing with us! (it is nice to have a summer trip to Hawai'i between 2 March ones)

6 hours ago, JG&Lcruisingnewbies said:

37 days and counting until I can try this yumminess 😋

 

I was wondering if anyone can let me know what time different types of items were around please?… when do they start breakfast stuff, the best time to get a cookie, that kind of thing

they start switching out to breakfast items around 3am in my experience, cookies you can get most anytime but if they run out of them in the morning they will have more baked by 11 or noon.

Oh & depending on the ship they either have a toaster oven or panini press to heat sandwiches etc for you...some ships they do that automatically, the last one I was on they didn't offer but if you knew to ask they would.

9 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Peanut Butter cookies, but you have to ask for them.  Perfecto when they warm them up a little.  I do miss the cookies and milk cart in the Piazza at 4 PM.  

I never met a cookies & milk cart in the Piazza at 4pm or any other time...my life is saddened!

Definitely cookies (currently my favorite is oatmeal, but it varies by ship...used to be peanut butter), pistachio croissants, the little egg muffins they used to have (like a mix between souffle & a bread muffin not the egg sandwich on an english muffin)...something new that catches my eye...