Rick&Jeannie

On our Panama Canal transit, Jan 2020 (just before pandemic hit) we arrived pretty late, right at about 2:00 due to flight connections. This was the view at check in:

Take what you read in this forum with a big grain of salt! You know how forums are...you tend to get more of a negative slant because people just like to complain! (Human nature.) There's a lot to like about Princess. We consider it our "go to" cruise line.

We did this in 2019. I went back and checked my picture gallery...helicopter was marked "TEMSCO" which is a large flight operator in the area.

We generally consider Princess as our "go to" cruise line...but we have cruised Celebrity once; Solstice to Alaska. I think they compare very well...very similar atmospheres. We intend to do Celebrity again...just have not yet found that itinerary that calls our name yet. I don't think you'll be disappointed with princess....REGARDLESS of all the negative comments you may find in this forum. Just human nature, I guess...people like to moan and groan!

Hmmmm...the "nuclear option"?

https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/onboard/onboard-experience/ Scroll down to the Smoking Policy section

Well, take the times I quoted with a grain of salt. We did not stop at any other hotels when we left the Westin and headed to the pier...and i don't *think* anybody was on the bus when we started loading. Which *might* mean that they run multiple buses (probably) on possibly different schedules.

Did you book the Doubletree through Princess? I was not aware that they used any other than the Westin...

Absolutely. You have always been able to book excursions with OBC prior to sailing.

Only *you* can answer the question as to whether it fits your budget...but if you can swing it I would highly recommend a balcony! We have done Alaska 3 times now, all with a booked balcony or mini-suite. Many people like to get out and about when near the glaciers. We prefer to sit on the balcony with the sliding door open and the TV tuned to the bridge channel which is how you can hear the park ranger (or naturalist) give running commentary about what can be seen. Yes, you *may* miss some sights that are on the other side of the ship...but the ship will turn around and you'll see what you missed on the way out. The balcony perch is very peaceful and relaxing, without having to push and jockey for position to see out of a glass window or barrier. (They *always* seem to need washing...so you won't get great pictures there.) On your balcony however, you get the best camera inages possible.

We try to always pick the aft (i.e. "hidden") MDR for the first couple of nights. Many people get confused in trying to figure out how to get there and just go elsewhere. That means that the aft MDR is "relatively" quiet until everybody figures it out!

We did this transfer last August. The bus picks you up around 11-11:30 at the hotel and you have about a 20-25 minute ride to the port.

We had a similar experience in 2021 on NCL while in Athens, Greece (or rather, that city's port...don't remember the name.) We were told that "the local government was not allowing alcohol while in port". We learned after the fact that NCL simply had not paid whatever fee was required for a liquor license! They made it sound like it was the local government's fault!

Two...but the point of my post was that we always book the Plus fare option. Some people have been saying that they were charged even though they had done the same.

In 7 sailings since the restart we have never had our arrival time checked. And at least 7 cruises prior to the medallion infestation never had it checked as well (using paper travel itineraries, of course)

We booked Plus for our upcoming cruise. (We always do) We received our medallions without a shipping charge. We have NEVER been charged shipping...we've cruised 5 times since the restart.

Maybe I missed it...you really didn't clarify what class of MS you are in...but does the cabin you are currently booked in actually *allow* a 4th person? Some do, some don't.

WhatsApp is crazy easy to use. The only "downside" (if there is one) is that both parties must be using it. At a minimum, download it and get it set up. (Free!) Have your most likely communication contact do the same just as a Plan B. Test it out with your contact to ensure that all is well BEFORE you sail. Depending on shore cell service is not a bad idea...but since you are going to have *several* sea days on your itinerary (we are doing the same itinerary next week) you need to plan for the "worst case". Keep in mind that you *should* be able to buy internet on a daily basis for those sea days. Given your budget...and the requirement to have "emergency communication" available...that's probably the best you can plan for.

Even though all of those pilots seem to make it look easy...this just emphasizes that it is still a dangerous job. Sad.

You may have to use a second CC just to "satisfy" the app. You could then get it sorted out at guest services once on-board. The app is finicky!

I suggest you stake out your desired spot early!

I have no experience in regards to the main gist of your question, but if you are going to be on the Sky for that itinerary then note that people on the current sailing are saying that Starlink has been installed. While using this would of course require an internet package the service *should* be much improved. We will be on the Sky next week for that same itinerary. If you use iPhone you can reliably use texting and *maybe* FaceTime. If you use Android (as I do) you should look into WhatsApp. It is free and works very well for texting and voice calls. This would allow you to receive calls via ship internet.

Have you seen any evidence that Starlink was installed?

We had the Pub Lunch at the Wheelhouse Lounge on the Island Princess, October 2022. Others have posted that the food is being served in the buffet on a given day.... I don't know about you.... but "that just ain't right!"