cruzin4us

3 hours ago, caribill said:

 

It would be great if Southwest was participating in EZAir, but they don't.

 

EZAir is great for international flights, but pricing is usually not better than booking directly with the airline.

 

Even so, the main benefit of using EZAir for USA domestic travel is that changes/cancellations can be made with no fees if done prior to 45 days in advance of the before cruise flight. Also, if Princess cancels the cruise, there are no penalties for the flights being cancelled, even if within 45 days.

Southwest is now participating in EZAir flights.   The problem is if your trip is farther out than Sept 5th, you won't be able to see any southwest options.   SW is supposed to open up more flights on March 30th.

18 minutes ago, lakedweller64 said:

I find Hal website very complicated and hard to navigate. today it seems to be locked up . Is anyone else having this problem?

It's working for me.   The only time I ever have an issue is when I have something in my cart that I haven't paid for.   If you do, then try deleting what's in your cart and see if that helps.

I'm a Guinness Gal myself....

4 hours ago, LindaJ+ said:

Ah, so do you create an account with EMED beforehand?  Do you have to schedule an appointment?  Do they email your results?  The outside of the box doesn't explain this.

I went to this website and then just clicked on "I want to start testing".   https://www.emed.com/app/login

After you do this step, it will allow you to set up a Navica account.   After that, just follow the prompts and it will walk you thru fairly easily.   

I really suggest having a laptop if possible and have your phone available just in case you need to call someone (I doubt you will need to).

We've used these tests numerous times with much success.   I just suggest doing the tests as early as possible on the day you are allowed to do them.   In other words, don't wait until the last minute.

I used the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card home tests a few times now and have had no problems.   Just take a couple extra tests with you for the "just in case" happens.    

I went directly to the EMED website using my laptop and took the proctored test that way.   I did not use the Navica App on my phone.   

At the current time all passengers including kids need to be vaccinated (as you already know).   My personal preference if I was sailing with kids would be to wait a few more months until they remove the vaccination requirement (especially for kids).    I assume there will be few kids on board until this is lifted.   My kids/grandkids love cruising but they like meeting new friends too, and because many kids aren't vaccinated there might be few additional kids on board (especially on HAL).    

Of course this is just my opinion 🙂

I love Nieuw Amsterdam!   The thing with HAL is it tends to get really quiet on board after 11:00 p.m.   (sometimes earlier).    I've also outgrown the "stay up drinking all night".

I can't remember exactly what time the BB Kings show ends, but I don't remember it going really late......anyone else know?

I like the food on HAL too.....especially the Specialty Dining venues.   

I personally don't care for the wines in the wines in the package.   If you look them up online most are $10-12 bottles of wine I can find in the grocery store.     I'd rather add the corkage fee to my $25 bottle of wine because at least I know I'll like it.    (yes, I'm a wine snob). 🙂

What they won't allow is anything with a surge protector built in.   I have something similar to yours pictured and I've had no problems

Just now, PurpleHays said:

I am currently finishing Voyager. I'm rereading so that I con hopefully be far enough along to bring the newest and maybe the one before it. All of them are ridiculously long.📗

They are ridiculously long but I love the series anyway.    I highly recommend listening to it on an audiobook.   I added to my iphone and then just carry some earplugs around with me in my purse.   It connects to my car stereo and it makes my 2 hr daily commute go by fast.   The narrator is insanely good.

I'm still traumatized by watch Midnight Express when I was in high school.   Glad they caught the SOB.

4 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

Geez, now I have to get on the phone...

good luck with that.....I was on hold for an hour 🙂

You can upload your husband's info onto your phone (we just did it).

We also have the handwritten vaccine card (CA does have the digital copy, but I couldn't get the QR code to scan) so we just took a good picture of our handwritten card and uploaded into VeriFly.   Verifly had to approve your documents, which they did and then you get a green check mark showing that it has been completed.

Don't they scan luggage?   I mean if they can find a pint of vodka, wouldn't ya think they would spot $50 million worth of methamphetamine?   

Booking Specialty dining is much easier when booking early, otherwise you might not get the time slot or even the night you want once you board.

There is a discount on the beverage packages but I'm still not convinced it's a good discount because they include the day you sail and you might not even start using it until dinner time. 

Sometimes the spa has a special which are usually port days but if you want the day/time you want I'd book it before boarding.

Excursions can sell out so booking early is good.

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Yes they do, but a wine snob (even a 'presumed to be a wine snob' 😉) would be better off bringing bottles onboard and paying the $20 corkage.

Here is a link to wine lists and packages.

 

I agree...

On 3/16/2022 at 6:56 PM, Kineticoh20 said:

The only cut backs we care about are culinary. We found food on the Majestic in Dec to be sub standard in fact it was the worst we ever encountered, this was true in all specialty restaurants. We are booked in April on the Discovery and June on the Caribbean. If the food is still not to our liking we will move on from Princess. Other than food other cutbacks don’t bother us at all.

I found this to be true when we were on the Majestic in October.   Crown Grill was fair, service was poor.   Harmony was the worst meal I've ever had at sea and I eat everything except black licorice.  Even the International Cafe seemed to be lacking different choices everyday.   The buffet while large was lacking in flavor, most items were just kind of blah.   I just wandered around picking a few items and taking one bite and going this is just "blah"

As for the ship, I love the Majestic.....but the food was a different story

Don't over plan or overthink your cruise.   You've got  a perfect amount of things planned, it's just about what I do.....Now, just get on board, walk around, experience everything without a plan.   I'm serious, some of the best cruises we've had are when we did absolutely no planning.    Especially if you are a first time cruiser.   Trying to stick to a schedule on a cruise means you miss the best part which is relaxing. 

Obviously, there are certain things you need to plan (when to be back on ship, specialty dinners, excursions, massages) but for the rest of it, just enjoy.

Your daily patter (program) will be set in your room the night before so you can look it over while laying in bed.   Figure out if you want to do something that's listed (Bingo, trivia, wine tasting, etc).    

In Alaska in particular there are a lot of good excursions so you might want to consider those.  But watching the scenery for your balcony or on board elsewhere is what Alaska is all about.

1 hour ago, ROWSE said:

Our plan also is to use these test.  I will turn the price in to our insurance.  Question...did they cover the shipping also?  Seems a heavy price for shipping but there is no choice but one day shipping!  I am so glad there is this option out there!!!!  

They reimbursed me for everything but shipping costs.

Just like Disneyland, but the ride is worth it 🙂

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon --- BTW it is a super audio book too (great narrator).

On 1/19/2022 at 10:41 AM, scottca075 said:

PS Princess Pub serves breakfast on the weekends.

and they got good fish n' chips!

I usually use Aladdin Parking (they have a shuttle but make sure they take to the port) otherwise you could Uber.    If you book online discount for reserving ahead of time.   It's not much but it's something.   They are a secure parking structure with inside parking or for a little cheaper you can park up top.   Either way, I recommend them and they are fairly close to the port.   Not walking distance, but close.

On 3/15/2022 at 4:48 PM, scottca075 said:

What time is the flight? I'd probably go eat in Little Italy, or at the Portside Pier instead of hanging around an airport lounge.

That was my thought.....I'd take a cab from the airport go to Little Italy, Seaport Village or Old Town Mexican Cafe and get some lunch

3 minutes ago, STREETKING said:

 

Thanks for the replies. I think we'll also enjoy the views from our balcony, where we can warm up as needed. We have a mini suite (C730) which I believe is a larger covered balcony and should be fine for glacier viewing.

We had a balcony as well, but dang it can get cold at the glaciers.   We ran around in shorts in Anchorage and then we bought a BIG warm jacket in Skagway for like $10.....it was one of the best purchases I ever made and I still wear that jacket.