BobbySu

Our experience this last week.  We drove through the border on the day of embarkation from Vancouver  with ArrivCan filled out and approved.  
No one asked for it.  (tied to the passport?). 

We did not update it for the cruise, truly can't remember if it was asked for.

Some of our group rented cars and drove to Carcross from Skagway.  It was not updated and border patrol did not ask for it.

We flew back to Vancouver to get our cars with a stop in Seattle.  The airline agents at the gate in Seattle were the only ones who wanted to see it. 

Thank you for your report.  There doesn't seem to be too many for the Majestic so since we will now be sailing on her I have been anxious to read current experiences.  

A week to go for us.  

49 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Also, what airline are you flying on? 
If so, from what airport?

We will be driving up to Vancouver, with a stay in Seattle where my daughter and I will get our preboarding test.  I do have a CVP who I will speak with on Monday.  

46 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Let us know what they say.  I read the CDC travel and it says if have come in contact with a positive person.  You will be tested before you get on the ship too.

 

I’m going to search around a little.

 

If they day there’s a problem, ask where it says that on the website?

 

 

LiveChat person said "Yes you can travel as long as you present a negative covid test result at the port".

Person on the phone after several holds told me it would be up to the medical personnel at the dock.  This I think is the most accurate response.  In the end it will be up to the person I speak with at the dock.  

We are still waiting on his test results, but if it is negative I'm still not sure I want to chance it being a false negative.  

5 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

So, you will nit be around him for 14 days prior to sailing?

 

The health assessment on the App, which you have to answer, asks the following:

 

n the 10 days before boarding, were you in contact with a person who had confirmed COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms?*
 

I think I would pursue this with Princess.

If you want to sail.

 

 

 

 

We are scheduled to leave next saturday.  He has been out of town for the last week.  On the night before coming home he had a sore throat.  We put him in a hotel for the night.  If he tests positive he would head to our second home and I will not have seen him in the 14 days prior to embarkation.  This is a whole family trip, so I wouldn't be sailing alone, but with all our kids and spouses.  I'm on hold with Princess, but have little faith in anything they say.

So, my husband, who has been out of town for a week, got a sore throat  yesterday.  He was coming home today.  We are supposed to be on the Majestic in a week.  He will be testing tomorrow.  But for tonight he is staying in a hotel.  

IF he tests positive within a week of embarkation he can't go.  We understand that.  

But what about me?  I know Princess says travel companions can't go either, but I have not been exposed to him.  If he tests positive he would head back to our vacation home where he's been all week and stay away from me.  

Would I still be denied boarding even though I have not been around him at all?

6 hours ago, dan4182 said:

You do understand that, other than the K-95 surgical masks properly fitten and worn all the time, the paper and/or cloth masks offer almost zero levels of protection?

I don't understand why you answered something I posted about the presence of Covid on board with an opinion about masks.  The  two really have nothing to do with each other.  The high Covid levels that have been reported have all been before masking was reinstituted.  

Going forward of course with the extra testing and mask requirements it might look different.  But we won't know that for a couple weeks. 

1 hour ago, hh11302 said:

We sail 8/6 and so far the itinerary has not been changed.  I e-mailed my PVP today asking if they had any information or updates and this all  I got back:

 

If you want to switch  to a different ship let me know.

Unless the ship is fixed the listed itinerary will not be met (and when are they going to fix it? they didn't fix it in the two years they had during Covid I can't see them fixing it during a full summer schedule.  Princess will not tell you until they decide to tell you, which almost certainly will be within the 30 day window, if not the night you board.  I'll say to you what I said earlier.  Unless you want the slow boat to Glacier Bay change ships.  We were able to rebook for the Majestic.  It is leaving the same day but goes out of Vancouver and ends up in Anchorage.  But the price was lower so it paid for the airfare back.  We have full port days, still get Glacier Bay and actually longer in Juneau than we would have on the original Crown itinerary. We were driving to Seattle for the Crown so it is not that much further for us to drive to Vancouver.  We didn't have to worry about changing flights.  Those who are staying with the Crown seem to be making the best of things, time on a cruise can still be fun.  But for us it was about the ports and I was so grateful we were able to learn about the problems from the early cruises so we could adjust our plans.  

23 hours ago, LCW said:

OH, just found this out...CDC investigation ongoing for my ship...

Most of the nearly 90 ships are in orange.  All that means is that over .3% of both crew and passengers have tested positive (so maybe 10 or more). So far none have made it to the red (i've been signing in most days to check for the last month).  Red means that it is overwhelming the system I would suppose.   Still boggles my mind if everyone tests negative before boarding and are mostly vaccinated how people are getting sick.  Nevertheless this seems to be a much less virulent strain, no reports of numerous people ending up in the hospital and dying.  So I am still okay going and will wear the mask when appropriate.  

Oh, I also wanted to say we were on the Crown for the 18th sailing and had neither Ketchikan or ISP listed.  Just an extra sea day along with the very short stop in Juneau.  

It currently is for both north and southbound ships.  We are hoping it calms down a bit by our northbound trip on the 18th.  

Thanks for the information.  We have two in our party who have positive results three weeks before our sail date.  They got a letter from the epidemiologist.  They were wondering how to document that since the Medallion app only wants negative results.  The person they spoke with at Princess had no clue. I'm assuming they'll just have to present it at boarding.   

I recommended them getting an antigen/ or Naat test, but it seemed like one extra step to them.  

1 hour ago, miagirl said:

did you go to Ketchikan Instead of Icy Straight Point or somewhere else?  

The ship went to neither.  just sea days.

And to TheCollie, OP, book the Discovery unless you want the slow boat to Glacier Bay.  Whatever is wrong with the ship will not be fixed any time this summer.  (when are they going to fix it???, while they are docked in Skagway?)  

Though we will be on the majestic our itinerary is much the same and I’ve really appreciated your report.  thank you so much. 

12 hours ago, Snate said:

We moved to Majestic and are spending a extra night in Vancouver since none of us have been there before.  Airfare was the main cost but my father in law picked it up for everyone so all is good.  Everyone is very excited about the new ship and itinerary.  Best of luck to those sailing on the Crown this summer.

We changed to the Majestic as well and got a good deal on the price difference, enough that it more than paid for the airfare back from Anchorage.  After the continuing disappointment of the Crown we are all very excited again about this cruise.  

We had friends on the 28thMay cruise who seemed pretty oblivious to the changes.  Their remarks were, "Some people just complain too much", "there wasn't much to do on board" and "we didn't get to many ports", like none of that was a big deal. They used their OBC to move from an interior to a balcony cabin and were happy about that.  If time on board with family is what you are after then the rest are minor inconveniences.  

On 5/28/2022 at 11:29 AM, jk04 said:

The problem is not due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, pandemic, or national emergency or even an unexpected mechanical breakdown, such as the fire on Freedom.  But, a known mechanical issue and the handling of the problem can be done entirely by Princess.  Currently on their website there are other cruises affected for various reasons with alternatives.  The sailings on Crown should be given the same options, move to an equivalent cruise, future cruise credit, or a refund. 

This is why I was so upset.  They  knew about this for two years and didn't fix it.  And then for those of us on the 6/18 sailing they gave us nothing to compensate for a much reduced experience.  

But losing half of Juneau along with Icy Strait Point was my breaking point.  I was willing to pay to move ships.  I have no idea why we were able to under the 30 day window, but all I had to do was call and ask and we were able to move to the Majestic princess leaving the same day from Vancouver one way to Anchorage.  That way  we still got Glacier bay which we wouldn't have from the Discovery. It cost us nothing, in fact because of their current sale it was cheaper which paid for the return flights from Anchorage.  For us our vacation is salvaged and I am very grateful.  

I know that isn't possible for everyone if you have to fly in.  I'm glad for those on the Crown who are enjoying the experience.  But for us Princess, made it right.  

Thank you Mike and Zen for your great on the spot reporting of the situation on the Crown.  It has been so helpful to us as we readjust our expectations for our own cruise.  

I've been looking into this as well and have read various accounts, one from a friend who does tours into Canada from Skagway.  They all say you can use the same QR code provided when you complete it for embarkation.  Just take a screenshot or print it out so it is available as not good service at the border.  But from all accounts the one is fine for both entries.  

If anyone has different Information I'd love to hear it as well.

1 hour ago, Mike & Zen said:

The toilet issues were passenger generated and not ship systems related.

 

There were passengers who threw baby diapers, sanitary napkins, banana peels, apple cores, brown paper towels, etc, into the toilets, which plugged the lines that in turn caused loss of vacuum and overflow.

 

The few plumbers worked relentlessly on the cabin decks and in engine room spaces to clear the pipes and valves.  Just when you thought it was over, we lost vacuum again within an hour and at best a few hours of relief.

Unfortunately, the passengers causing the blocked lines could not be pinpointed.

Wow, wow, wow.  Wonder if they do that at their own homes?????

Thank you so much for the very detailed update on everything.  Very helpful to know.  Especially glad to know the engines seem to be doing their job and getting you to the ports.  Appreciation for anything you can share about this weeks cruise as crew numbers grow and everyone settles in.  I'm still hopeful for a successful Alaska cruise on this ship.  

Check out Crown Princess... one port change, less time in one port, more time at sea... propulsion issues.  Its first sailing is the 7th and those with later sailings are all just hoping it goes well.  

3 hours ago, Anung Un Rama said:

Got an email about an itin change this morning but it was only that we are sailing from Seattle an hour earlier (3pm instead of 4pm).  No changes to any of our port arrival/depart times, including Ketchikan. This is for the 8/27 sailing. 

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the changes are only in effect until the end of July.  Maybe by then they expect something to improve?

3 hours ago, RJAM3 said:

IF there is a silver lining in all this is going at a slower pace through Glacier Bay would be a good thing providing they don't stop short of the Marjorie glacier.....and I am aware that they never go at a rapid pace through the bay with the ranger on board

We stuck with Crown for Glacier Bay.  But I am worried as well that they won't make it all the way to Marjorie.  Hopefully they have accounted for that in their timing (though Glacier Bay's time hasn't changed) and we will get the full tour.

4 minutes ago, Gramma of Boys said:

The bus up/train back tour still does show up on the Princess website, but pretty sure it won't be happening. I just did this screenshot a minute ago.

Princess has been slow to take these down.  It can't happen since the railroad won't be going there.  Not up to Princess.  

8 hours ago, WAvoyager said:

Has it been confirmed that the train excursions will be cancelled though?  At some point the railway issued a statement that they were modifying the route so it would not cross into Canada.  So basically, they were going to “pull a Crown”… 🤣  (Too soon?)

We sail the 18th of June.  We got an email a couple days ago informing us that our excursion was cancelled and we needed to rebook.

I partially blame myself for booking Crown because I knew they were having engine problems 3 years ago in the Caribbean.  But I figured they had plenty of time to repair them and fix it.  So I am not happy to find out now that it is the same old issue.  It isn't just that we miss Ketchikan -where we were really looking forward to a family axe throwing contest, and the totem poles- but we also are late into Juneau, so two of our families three excursions will need to be rebooked.  This on top of the Train problems in Skagway really has us rethinking the whole thing.