SuzieQ521

We sail on Saturday and ours showed up on the app today.

I will let you know once I find out which ones are included in the package this week.

Headed on the Royal Princess this Saturday and my son will be in Camp Discovery. 

I would imagine the Alaska ships have similar kids activities so I will try to remember to take pictures of the schedules.

I'll be on the Royal on Saturday with a 4 year old.

They do not have splash pads from what I read...just pools. 

Camp Discovery is the kids club (drop off and must be potty trained) but it is for ages 3 and up; they are supposed to be really great, especially for Alaska itineraries; I think there is an area for kids under age 3 in the kids club but with parental supervision; I will check for you on my cruise.

I plan to bring lots of snacks (excursions), tablet if needed for entertainment, coloring/activity books, especially to keep entertained during meal times. Also definitely our white noise machine, his water cup, sunscreen, ziploc bags, extra wipes, every medicine imaginable just in case (because not readily available on the ship) and inflatable bed rails as he will be sleeping on the sofa bed to prevent him from rolling off. Also kids Dramamine just in case--we took him on his first cruise in January and didn't need it but Alaska waters may be a little rougher. I also just got these lollipops for motion sickness just in case: 

https://www.amazon.com/Tumeez-Organic-Tummy-Soothing-Kids/dp/B07JHWS2T5

Some good info here as to what to bring too: 

https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/onboard/cruising-with-family/

We just booked our cruise in mid-Feb 2023 with the Plus package; just got our medallions a couple weeks ago and yes...I was charged the $10 shipping I was not supposed to be charged (package fine print from the big box retailer we booked with says "free shipping").

I called Princess and they gave me a refund form to complete that would take 6 weeks for any refund; I think I am just going to speak to guest services on my cruise next week and ask for the refund.

Hello:

Wondering if anyone that cruised to Juneau within the week went to Glacier Gardens and if so, how much bloom was there?

We are supposed to go there next Monday for a combo Mendenhall glacier excursion so I'm wondering if there are any colorful flowers yet?

Thanks!

4 hours ago, hikergirl said:

We just returned from an Alaska cruise. We had beautiful weather in Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.  It was overcast in Ketchikan and started sprinkling around 4:30 pm.  Looking at the weather before we left, we were expecting a lot more rain, so we packed rain jackets and pants. We live in Colorado where we can get 4 seasons in one day, so we know not to trust the weather forecasters!

Thank you! Our cruise leaves Saturday. It appears that the cruisers this week are lucky with 70s and dry weather but it appears that the rain is supposed to return this weekend to Juneau, Skagway, GB, and Ketchikan...we will see.

Hoping it's not too bad.

5 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

@Coral Are you a coffee fanatic? I discovered a hidden gem on Majestic last week for coffees, the ones you pay for...lattes, cappuccinos,  etc. On deck 7 at the Princess live bar. 

I know that the Royal class ships have that option, however, I am wondering where I will find another, lesser-known location, for my dose of morning caffeine. At the International cafe, there are usually long lines to order, and waiting times. 

If you find an alternate spot to order these coffees, please let me know. Perhaps Coffee and Cones on deck 15? TIA

Thanks! Is it open all day? We sail the Royal next week so I'm hoping we have it as well.

I believe that the buffet pastry shop also has a specialty coffee area, at least on the Royal (from what I've read).

Hello:

We will be sailing on the Royal Princess next week to Alaska and the first sea day happens to be my birthday--I was looking to spend it in the Enclave or Sanctuary (or maybe both!).

Does anyone know pricing for both-- daily and weekly rates? Is it less expensive to book prior to the cruise?

If I decide on the Sanctuary, I would imagine that it would be most ideal on Glacier Bay day?

Thanks!

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

You have not mentioned if you have an android or an iPhone.  I have been told...not verfied....that iMessages can be sent and received while connected to the INTRAnet.  I do know that on occasions, my iPhone will ping to let me know that a message came through, while I was connected to the INTERnet on my iPad.  Not sure if that is because the iPad received the message and relayed it to the phone.  

 

Way too technical for me.  Also, other passengers without INTERnet connection on the ship have been able to send me iMessages for "free".

Thank you. Good to know... We have Android phones but IPads also.

We will experience the motion lights soon on the Royal but a lot of people I read use duct tape to cover up the sensors. Some will actually ask maintenance to disable them (if possible). I just plan on bringing duct tape.

Regarding outlets, Amazon sells some great portable cruise-approved power strips with a few regular plugs and USB plugs.

3 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Using the Medallion APP on the ship is not the same as using WiFi to access the internet. Since you have a one device plan, you can switch between the APP and the internet on the same device as noted earlier,  the APP uses the ships Intranet.

 

Note the message feature does not have ‘push’ notification so you need to check your messages to see if you have any, but if you have some other text or chat APP you could use this while you have your WiFi connection active. You can easily switch between devices if you have a smartphone and a tablet, etc., only one device active per account.

So basically we have to designate one device to be the one with the WIFI, correct? Or can I log in and out of WIFI between my phone and tablet?

Ideally, we will be surfing the web (if it works) on the IPAD and then using the message feature to communicate with each other on our phones (just while on the ship, the Intranet).

Thank you.

Hello:

We have the Plus package for our Royal Princess sailing coming up soon which includes 1 WIFI-device per person (just for the first 2 people in the room). I know WIFI is not great on Alaska cruises so we will see how much it works...

My Question: If we were to do the WIFI on our tablets, then can we still have the regular Medallion app on our phones to message each other while on board  (I assume they still have the option where you can message fellow passengers for free?), order room service, book services, etc.?

Thanks!

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I love the Royal class ships and of the ones I’ve sailed on, the Royal is my absolute favorite Princess ship.  She just has everything we like: 

 

She has Vines

She has Crooners

She has Alfredo’s 

She has a large nonsmoking area of the casino that is completely blocked off from the smoke 

 

While we like the Discovery and the Majestic a lot, one doesn’t have Vines and the other doesn’t have Crooners.  The Ruby is a fine ship but doesn’t have an Alfredo’s or GiGis pizzeria.  
None of them have such an area in the casino that I’ve seen, except for the Royal.  
 

I love deck 8 cabins and the midship ones are my favorites as the balconies are so much more affordable.  

 

My least favorite ship in the fleet is the Diamond Princess.  She has nothing that really appeals to us.  

 

 

Thank you for this! First time sailing on the Royal in 10 days and we are on deck 8 (obstructed deluxe balcony although not really obstructed...).

What do you like specifically about Crooners if I may ask?

Update from a Royal Princess passenger on the RRF dock today; looks pretty seamless and tendering seems to be going well. 

Hello:

Anyone know which dining room is open for lunch on embarkation day?

Also, would the international café and Alfredo's be open for lunch then as well?

Thanks!

Hello:

We are sailing in a couple weeks; first time we went to Alaska a few years ago was in mid-September and we really lucked out with the weather then.

I know it may be too early to know for sure but May 22 (Juneau) and May 23 (Skagway) are both showing as rainy (per Accuweather) and in both of these Ports, we have excursions planned. 

My Question: obviously we know to expect rain but in May, are we usually talking nonstop downpours, or is it mostly a little scattered shower here and there with breaks?

Thanks!

3 hours ago, AlibearNS said:

Currently on the Sapphire and had to crew chat to ask about juice as no one seemed to know. They say it’s at swirls ice cream bar. Interestingly met a couple at dinner the other night who said the slices of the big cakes at the International Café are also considered part of the plus premium desserts. Haven’t investigated this yet. Already had way too much sugar!

Did you check at the Buffet? I just saw a video for Royal Princess (since we sail her in a couple weeks) and it showed the juice bar at the Pastry Shop in the Horizon court buffet. 

1 hour ago, memoak said:

They charge if you buy a beverage package not if you buy the plus package with Wi-Fi sand grate. It may say you are being billed but the charge never shows up on your credit card. I have done 6 cruises since the restart and have never paid to get the medallion mailed 

Correct...the Plus and Premier Package--shipping is supposed to be free.

I actually was incorrectly charged per my credit card statement.

Unfortunately, they are still charging people the $10, even with the beverage packages. I was just charged for my Medallion and Princess sent me a refund request form to be completed (takes 4-6 weeks); I might just wait in line at guest services when I sail in a couple weeks to request a refund. 

42 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said:

Currently on Crown ( turn around day on a b2b), no problems. The ship is not new but everything is just fine. I would much rather go to Alaska on the Crown than one of the Royal class ships.

Is that because of lack of wrap around promenade deck and no Skywalkers? Or another reason? (Sailing on the Royal to Alaska in a couple weeks😐). Thanks!

Following. We are going on our second Alaska cruise in a couple weeks (first time on the Royal)--Alaska is amazing, you will have a wonderful time.

We are also going on the Crown Princess for a Thanksgiving cruise. I did hear the same things you did about the age of the Crown. I've read different reviews; most of the negative ones did talk about some wear and tear (I know they had engine trouble a few years ago but that since has been fixed). But the one thing that Crown has that is perfect for Alaska (Ruby has it too and that's who we did Alaska with a few years ago) is Skywalkers Lounge which has floor to ceiling windows-- perfect for glacier viewing. Unfortunately, Royal Princess does not have any nice indoor viewing areas like that.

Update: I called Princess about the invalid $10 charge and I would have to complete a refund request form and processing could take 4-6 weeks.

I guess it might just be faster to go to Guest Services on my cruise in a couple weeks.

4 hours ago, Italy52 said:

Is Princess cancelling any Skagway stops for their big ships?  We are on the Royal in June.

We are on the Royal Princess in 2 weeks; the new Skagway port schedule still has us there for the full day at RRF...likely means we will have to boat tender.

The first Royal Princess sailing of the season at Skagway is this Tuesday 5/9 at RRF--guess we will see how that goes.

13 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Feedback from the 2 early NCL cruises is that they are bussing from the end of the RR Aft into the small park that is past RR Forward.  Maybe 1/3 mile in all.   But the lines for the busses have been long, and of course not good for limited mobility people.

 

Note the busses are run by the town of Skagway, and not the cruise lines.

 

It still seems the RR Forward will be tenders, as the any assembly location would be where the landslide has happened.  It will be a very short ride to the small marina at the end of the RR dock, or they may take you to the Broadway dock, I haven't seen anything saying where you end up.

 

Thank you. Is that tenders as in the small boats or busses? We are supposed to be at RRF in a few weeks.