Rick&Jeannie

What deck is (was) the Island using for quarantine?

This is our first time on the Island...we're used to either Grand or Royal class ship's, so it's taken longer than usual to get accustomed to where everything is on this layout! We really miss the International Cafe! Alfredos is only operating as a "pop-up" style restaurant in Sabatini's on sea days. We generally go to Alfredo's for dinner at least once or twice on any given cruise. Oh well...

Entertainment on board (so far) has been mixed. The first sea day we had a comedian that really needs to consider another line of work. I won't go into too much detail here other than to say that I saw at least 20 people walk out of the main theater before we did ourselves. Worst show I've ever seen on a ship of any cruise line. (Sorry...I don't even remember his name.) The next night more than made up for this, however. It was an English chapter who did a tribute to John Denver. This guy was amazing! He sounded EXACTLY like John Denver! This was a really good show. Tonight there is a production show that I have not heard of before. "On the Bayou". I don't know anything about this one. Has anybody seen this one?

Weather (so far) has been great. A bit chilly, but that's to be expected being this far north. Tomorrow I understand there's an 80% chance of rain for Gothenburg, Sweden.

Sadly, as we were leaving the train in Hamburg to return to the ship a lady fell on the train platform and we found out later that she was taken to the hospital. We don't know what injuries she sustained. That's a terrible way to start out a 10 day cruise. We hope all is well with her and that she was not too badly hurt.

This post "catches up" to where we are right now. 2nd sea day, day after Hamburg. We had an amazing experience on the "Best of Berlin" excursion yesterday! It was quite a long train ride (almost 3 hours each way) which really cut into our time in Berlin but most took the time to get better acquainted with their traveling companions, so it wasn't really bad. Berlin is such a historically rich city...it's hard to put it in a category. Of course there is so much involving WW2 that most people tend to think of it only from that aspect. We were fortunate enough to have a German born girl that had emigrated to California and since moved back to Berlin as our guide so there was no language or accent barrier. She was a great guide! She really knew her history about Berlin. It was a very long day (yesterday)...we didn't get back on the ship until about 10:00pm! Looking forward to a nice relaxing sea day to "recover"!

We had a great Meet & Greet Wednesday thanks to @Bosslady52 and her planning! We had almost 40 participants and everyone seemed to have a good time. Today (Thursday) is Hamburg! We are headed to Berlin and really looking forward to this new city for us. We've been in Munich before during Oktoberfestbut this was way back in 2014, so really hoping for a good day!

I debated starting this thread...then decided "why not!" Others seem to enjoy reading "live" threads as I do. This is actually a bit late getting started, we're already 3 days into our cruise. Internet is not as bad as I expected...it's not great but it's usable (mostly). I was a bit surprised by the mask requirement in the buffet. They seem to be very serious in enforcing this. The first night in the theater it was implied that masks were required but then the CD slipped in a statement that "if you felt the need to wear a mask feel free to do so". Most are not doing so now. Will post more as time permits.

Have used wifi calling on several occasions as well as WhatsApp. (Actually have used WhatsApp more often.) As @KreinKrunkerstates...it all depends on how well wifi is working on your particular cruise. If you have an "International Day Pass" (AT&T) plan (or the equivalent from other carriers) you could always just plan your calls for a port day. If by chance it had to be on the day you are actually transiting the Canal you most likely could still get a shore signal...at least at one or the other ends.

It's been awhile since we've been on the Crown...fuzzy memory! I *believe* 1 at the desk and 1 behind the bed.

I don't think you have really thought this one through very well! Where do you think you're going to get your signal from?

Most people just consider it a souvenir and take it home with them...but I agree, I would not want to carry one around!

Same here...and we ALWAYS book Princess Plus

I have the same itinerary booked in Feb. 2023. All I see on the itinerary listing in the cruise personalizer is: Your itinerary includes 2 formal nights and 8 smart casual nights. Formal nights tend to occur on sea days. However, since exceptions can happen, it's always a good idea to check your Patter for details.

After doing a quick search (Google) I find a number of name-brand locations selling non-discounted cards...but the only ones I am seeing for discounts are from very "iffy" online sites. I don't think I would trust any that I came up with!

And in reality... I *think* you HAVE to still show them your card regardless as to whether it was uploaded or not. That whole "upload the card" bit I think was just somebody's idea as to "What can we have the app do?" I doubt that it was driven by actual requirements spec.

Another vote for Crown Grill!

I have not personally booked such a cruise, but others here on CC have said that they are "excursion only" so they appear to be treated differently.

I have NEVER had anybody "check my time"!

My apologies! I thought Canada was included in the program. Sorry about that!

@Shelly97060 is correct but sorta left out one minor detail. To specifically answer your question, technically the medallion itself (not the app!) serves as your "boarding pass" if you chose to order it for delivery to your home prior to sailing. Pre-delivery is only available for US and Canada...all others simply pick it up at check-in. It should be ready and waiting for you. It's a real shame that Princess has chosen a software vendor that has elected to "orphan" a large group of the population that have older phones.

I found a way to "recycle" the older medallion holders (from pre-pandemic). I don't like lanyards...prefer to just keep the medallion in my pocket but (in my opinion) they are too small. I'm afraid it will pop out of my pocket while I'm digging around in there looking for something else! So...

You're mixing internet URL syntax with email addressing...

Let's make sure we are on the same page here. You've already booked, right? Did you book using the basic fare, Princess Plus or Premium fare packages? It *sounds* like maybe you've booked "Basic" and are now wanting (maybe) to add a separate beverage package. (?) We *always" book the middle package (Plus fare) just because it includes internet, gratuities and the Plus beverage package. We're not big drinkers either...but just want to "simplify" the entire experience. It's quite possible that we don't drink enough to warrant the Plus Beverage package...but we just don't want to have to think about it during our cruise.

If we are sitting somewhere out on deck and order a drink(s) via the app (where they deliver directly to you by locating you via the medallion) we very often will give a $1 tip to the delivery person.