tcdcruiser

Consider having your bookings classified as “do not upgrade”. Sometime Princess as a courtesy will automatically upgrade your cabin. For example, they might upgrade from an aft balcony to a mid deck balcony (exact same layout but slightly better location).  This will then require a change of cabins.  
 

Some first time b2b passengers then discover the upgrade too late to switch back to the original cabin. 

The Governor of Florida can proclaim anything he wants, but just like the Brazilian Visa requirement, if any country Princess calls on requires proof of vaccination then you will have to prove you got vaccinated before embarkation.  It will effectively be beyond both Florida and PCL control.  

Thank you.  Never would have thought to examine fares across categories in this way.   Good advice, especially for extended voyages.  

Thanks to all!

Any preferred cabin Q5 or Q6 locations?   Any cabins locations to be avoided?

While familiar with the QM2 this will be a new ship type for us.  
Thank you in advance and stay safe till we travel again. 

And the Coral Princess

Someone asked for a Island Princess image.

111 days on the Pacific Princess 2019 WC followed by 33 on the Crown.   

33 minutes ago, memoak said:

I will only feel really safe unless vaccination is required. Plus I believe many countries will require proof of vaccination to enter their borders 

This is the main point.  PCL will require vaccination proof because Canada, Mexico, and others will require.  I remember passengers being denied boarding because they failed to get a Brazilian visa.   This will likely be just another boarding requirement. 

Parking near the SF Cruise Terminal.   I drop my DW off at the cruise terminal, park the car, and walk back.  The parking lot is about 6 minutes by foot to Justin Herman Cruise Terminal.  Be sure to get parking reservations as the long term cruise spots are limited.

Parking Lot Website

https://www.impark.com/san-francisco-bay/cruise-parking/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_content=0270055&utm_campaign=local_us

Google Waking Directions

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.8048993,-122.4028379/80+Francisco+St,+San+Francisco,+CA+94133/@37.8052453,-122.4057843,18z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8085817a62d50583:0xbedf429e4164e62e!2m2!1d-122.4065603!2d37.8057574!3e2

Agree. Plus booking as segments means you may have to change cabins.  Typically on a WC you have a bit more stuff!   

For the 2019 WC we got one stockholder credit since we booked the whole 111 day as a single cruise. 
 

elite benefits renew for each book able segment. 

Having been on the last full world cruise in 2019, here are a few thoughts. 
 

Food

Food does repeat, but it is over 100 days or it is fine. There is only so much variation in salmon, beef, chicken, port, etc.   But, they do a great job keeping it interesting. On occasion, they are able to bring aboard a special entree purchase and do something special. They also so special Sunday brushes for specials a few times.  These buffers are a total and complete feast.  Beyond words.  
 

Food can only be brought aboard at pre-arranged and approved locations.  Most food is shipped weeks in advance for pickup upon arrival in selected ports. Tahiti, Sydney, Cape Town, etc.  So most is frozen or canned.  Bread is of course made fresh. 

 

Entertainment

they hire a special team that will be aboard for most or all of the cruise.  Do not expect the usual shows like Motor City. 

 

Life on board

A WC is a wow experience and unlike even a long cruise. You are more living in a small studio rather than cruising.  Your relationship with staff and passengers is much more complex and interesting.  

8 minutes ago, cherylandtk said:

1.Was this an FCC (issued by Princess to you) or an FCD (purchased by you onboard for $100)?

2.  Are you certain this was a NR fare and not a NR deposit?

3. Does your cruise start before Oct. 15 and how many days long is it?

1 - Purchased onboard.   $100 for me and $100 for DW.   Total $200 

2 - Was a "non-refundable deposit" 

3 - Cruise starts 9/26/2020

The monies are FCD

Thanks 

Searched without success for this answer and found the PCL site less than clear....

A FCC was used many months ago to reserve a "non-refundable" cruise fare. The cruise is more than 175 days in the future and no other payments have been applied.   Under the revised PCL cancellation policy will they refund or reinstate the FCC?

I understand if the answer is no, in fact that is what I expect....but would appreciate the answer.  Thanks

14 hours ago, CJinSF said:

 

CJinSF

In your Twitter account you asked about the QM2.  The QM2 has ended its world cruise, and most passengers are reported to be at the Perth airport.  Here is the cruise critic link to the roll call. 

A few passengers and crew are still about, and the ship has left port and is headed west.  Destination unknown?

Hpeabody

Please keep the updates coming.  DW and myself were aboard for the 2019 WC (FL to FL) cruise.   

44 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

Local news here in SF showed Governor Newsom addressing the issue and apparently the ship will not be allowed to dock until everyone is tested with kits that are to be provided to the ship.

That is not what the governor said.      He said test kits were being flown to he ship for those with symptoms and for those who were on the prior Mexican cruise.  He did not  say that they could not dock until everyone was tested. 

Noticed that the Pacific Princess 2020 World Cruise seems to be visiting Australian ports that were not originally planned  (Albany and Busselton, Australia).  I assume PCL has decided to skip the Asian ports (Singapore, Thailand, etc.).  Does someone have the revised scheduled?

The P&O guess is based on the current schedule. You will not that the very last port on the schedule is Southampton.  Also word is P&O will also adopt the medallion technology. Again, this is my guess.  

I spent 37 days aboard the Grand in September/October 2019.  She is more than fine.  She is great.  At about 25 years old, yes she shows her age and she has to be headed to P&O soon, but the ship has been well maintained. The furniture, beds, tv,s, curtains, and such are very comparable with all the other ships (except the new builds).

The entertainment staff moves around the fleet, so that is the same too. 

The crew is wonderful and San Francisco will miss them all when this is no longer her home port. 

If they do not do the TA that implies they will cancel all the European cruises that follow. Does not seem likely to me...even if they have to put put across the Atlantic. 

Princess Cruise will deploy its very small ship, 600 pax, the Pacific Princess to Alaska this season.  She was suppose to be deployed for Cuban cruises but politics nixed that plan.  She is old but in great shape. 100+ days aboard in 2019.    I think she may be the smallest ship, from the lines you listed, in Alaska this season.  

Suggest southeast sea kayak.  Next may will be our 3rd time using this vendor. Ketchikan can be very very busy with too many cruise ships, but this vendor takes you away from a crowds.   Suggest the 3 hour orca cove trip. 
https://kayakketchikan.com/guidedtrips