KillerSnake

17 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

You might want to check your Military Credit to see if it still shows as refundable.

Right now, my On-Line Web account shows Military as Refundable. It stays the same when I print out the Cruise documents.

If they changed the rules - OK. It is free money after all. Just wondering with all the nickel and diming going on across all businesses lately.

How is OBC deducted when a charge is made? By this I mean, does PCL automatically deduct the charge by taking from the "Refundable Military Credit" first before the "Non-Refundable pile?

I figure the "We have got make more profit" team has this set to do just that to save the costs of refunding the credit (refund check processing, overhead, etc) and the actual "refundable" OBC amount.

Follow up question as it have been 30 years since my first and only cruise.....

If one is on the Aft Lido deck and one's cabin is forward on Desk 5, does one really have to go all the way back to the cabin to get one's floatation device if the "Man your Life Boat" was given?  Or does one just get to the assigned spot ASAP?

13 minutes ago, davy jones said:

We are sailing Grand in both directions this summer and considering excursion options.  Could you share your excursion decisions?  Since there will be two stops at each port, we will do an excursion day and an explore the port day.

We looked at the standard excursions and pricing. We opted to do the map guided walks in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway that are offered by the American Volkssport Association (AVA.org).  We are taking the 5K walks that will let see basically the same thing as the $60 pp walk offered by the cruise line. This gives us time to sit, drink coffee, have snack, read all the signs along the way. In Juneau, we might go up the tram. These walks then give us time to window shop, etc.  In Skagway, we are still searching for a church (we will be there on Sunday) as that day is our actual anniversary (40th and the reason for this cruise) to attend. We are there for a long day so we have time to walk, etc...after church.

14 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

Outside of the glorious scenery and naturalist presentations, other activities onboard will include trivia, and other types of games/shows organized the the cruise entertainment staff if you enjoy that type of activity. There is also Bingo and Casino and evening production shows, so you will have a wide selection of options. Other types of daily events include afternoon tea, wine tasting, fruit carving, crafts, cocktail demonstrations, piazza entertainment, etc. Never a lack of things to do - although the best pastime is watching the beautiful scenery roll by

What was the one activity that stood out to you?

I know all of the things you listed......I am looking for the one thing each of you found to be a "Wow, I really liked this and hope others try it."

We will be on a 7 Day Alaska, Northbound cruise in August (148 days!!! but who is counting).  We are comfortable with our "excursion" selections. And we feel we have our dining set.

What was your experience during the same cruise? What recommendations do you have for the Sea Days?

We figure we will do a lot of sitting on our balcony during the while traveling the inside passage. But what activity got you out of the cabin and exploring the ship?

We do plan on attending the National Park Service enrichment talks.

But what else you recommned?

Did something sound good, look good on paper but when you got there was not as desired, expected or hoped for?

1 hour ago, SightCRR said:

 

Thanks for the info. Looks like Sitka has one but I just told you everything I know about it. 

Yes, Sitka has two 5K loops. one is rated 1B that can handle strollers and some mobility devices. The other is rated 2B. That means a more challenging trail that may have steps, tree roots, steep incline / decline, etc.....

1 hour ago, SightCRR said:

More info please. Are maps with highlights on line? Some I saw last 6 months with no individual dates. TIA. 

Juneau is only walk that has a Physical Start Box with all the information. Alaskan Fudge Co, 195 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801  Skagway and Ketchican are On-line Start Boxes. This means you need to register before getting the map guide and Start Point. Because of insurance reasons, the maps are not released until one is registered - at least that is how it was explained to me.

There are a lot of AVA events that do this remote registration because no one wants to check the Start Box or the actual trail is in a remote location.  These three Alaska walks are managed by the HQ or a club in Washington State.

Review the AVA.org site and do not be afraid to call them with questions.

As you mentioned walking / hiking, consider the American Volksport Association (ava.org) map-guided walks in each port.  it does cost $5 but that is way less than the excursion rate of $50 on our cruise.

On 2/18/2024 at 7:54 AM, Buckeye80 said:

Yes, they are on an electronic table. Currently the tournaments are at 10 am on Sea days for a $60 buy in of which $50 goes to the prize pool. 10 seats, 1st pays 50% , 2nd 35 %, 3rd 15%. 15 minutes blinds. Cash games available at all other times the casino is open 

$50 into the prize pool, that leaves only $10 worth of chips to play with.  Not much of game to me.

Or is this one those places that give you $10K face value of playing chips and then if you win you get 50% of the pool?

What are the starting Blinds? Straddles? 7-2, Stand up or Nit button? PLO Bomb pots? How far into the game before the level of Blinds kick in? Is this $5-$10, $10-$20? Or $1-$2?

On 2/17/2024 at 12:27 PM, lahlah57 said:

Just looked at excursions in alaska for our cruise in may and it is absurd...$$$!

We decided no excursions and will just walk off the ship and walk around town or take a simple shuttle into town or hop on hop off! We will not be hosed anymore than we already are!

 

Depending on your Ports of Call, I recommend the Guided Map walks under auspices of the American Volksport Association. They cover the nice major points of each port. Three that come mind offer 5K or 10K (some 11K - I think) options. The longer ones can be a bit more challenging for mobility-limited persons.  There is a small fee of less than $10. The guides keep you on track and a Turn by Turn instructions. Plus you get AVA credit towards AVA Event & Distance tracking.  After looking at the Excursions list and prices, this is what my wife and I opted to do. I know several of the Youtube videos of "Walking in Port X in Alaska" are fairly close to the 5K routes.  For my wife and I, this is type of excursion we like. We get to see the key points, have time left to stop and eat or shop (before during or after) our 2-3 hours walking (we read all the signs LOL), earn our AVA credit and can then go back and enjoy more of the ship.

On 1/30/2024 at 12:27 AM, Iamcruzin said:

...... Ties aren't even seen in office situations any more. .....

We have a local company that requires the men not assigned uniforms all wear dress shirts, dress pants and a tie.  AND no man can have a beard. The owner says a beard means you hiding something.

Yep, I am hiding the fact that I am 50 pounds overweight. The beard helps me face myself in the mirror each day.

I currently wear jeans and a company logo polo every day for the job I have.

Bummer.........I like my passport to have the entrance and exit stamp. Sad day for International Travel.

At least most Caribbean countries will let Cruisers get theirs stamped as if they came in on their own sailboat. Just have to find the Port Office if you really want it.

On 1/27/2024 at 12:01 PM, DHP1 said:

ArriveCAN is optional entering into Canada and if you do use it, there is a special line (not we’ll advertise) at Customs. We use it arriving back in Toronto and the Customs Agents was dead quiet in the ArriveCAN lane. The passport lane was long. My guess 10 minute wait. It all depends where you are flying into and time. You would think the Quebec airport will be quiet. 

So, I can use ArriveCAN - just not required.   And if I ask politely, will the agent stamp my passport? I like collection stamps.

What about leave your wonderful country when I get on the ship? Will I be able to obtain an exit stamp and the port of embarkation?

What is the max buy-in for 5/10 NL Texas Hold 'Em on the Grand

when she sails from Vancouver to Whittier?

9 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

The ONLY thing you can use OBC for pre-cruise is to book Princess excursions.

That does me no good. I just want to be able to reserve one night at Sabatini's for our anniversary.

9 hours ago, thinfool said:

Not sure how that works...if your card is compromised, there is zero liability for you.  A little inconvenience while you wait for a new card. but you are not out any $$.  And, how will you avoid those hackers once you actually enter your CC info into their system  once you are onboard?

Can't avoid the 100% of the time. But the risk is higher by letting the CC info sit in the system for the next year before the cruise.  I will be using a Pre-Paid card once we get on board. We are not doing any PCL excursions as we are doing the International Volkssport Verband guided walks in each port. The cost is only $5USD, and is basically that same as the $100USD walks offered by PCL. Only takes about 2-3 hrs and gets us back on board well before the plank is pulled up.

On 11/24/2023 at 4:47 PM, skynight said:

You don't make that decision. It's automatic. The OBC is posted to your on board account(s) as a credit. The on board accounting system nets any on board expense as it occurs against the credit balance. It uses non refundable first then refundable. If you are a couple linked to the same credit card each will have an on board account and there will also be a summary account. 

If it is automatic, why do I have to have a CC on file to make an SD reservation pre-cruise? Neither the App or the WEb version will let me without charging a CC.

I am not going to put my CC in the system and risk hackers getting into the system and get it until we get on board.

Where in the App or On-Line account do I make the setting to use any and all OBC first before ever going to the CC on file?

Between Military, booking credit and other special credit given by PCL, I have more than enough to cover what we plan on

doing board (2 x SD for two) and a basic "gift shop" purchase for the coffee mug, fridge magnate, t-shirt and water bottle

collection.

19 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I was able to book our included Specialty dining using the web version of the APP for our Feb '24 Discovery Princess cruise. 

Please share how you paid for them using On Board Credit from thee App.

I am trying to book just one SD for my cruise.  The App is not giving me an option to use my OBC to pay for the

SD reservation.

Where is it hiding? 

2 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

The IC menu below is plus 18% gratuity.

Dagnabit.......I'ma gonna die on my crise......I need my Vanilla Breve every day.  I see latte but I want my Breve and I prefer the heavy cream version.  Double shot of espresso and Double shot of Vanilla.

Thank you

Where is the Anchorage City Center that Princess Cruises uses to drop off passengers when take the Whittier to Anchorage Transfer?

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

It was tasty. 

Absolutely tasty. Had some in Fairbanks, AK summer of 2021 and 2022.