Gatorinmd

Thank you! I thought that might be the case but wanted to confirm. 

My Alaskan cruise departs and arrives at Seattle. I am using Seattle Port Valet to check my bags in with Alaska Air. I have no status with then, so I will have to pay for my checked luggage. I emailed Port Valet to ask them how I will be charged and they said that my stateroom will be charged for the baggage fees. Does this mean that if I have an OBC that the costs of luggage will be deducted from the OBC? 

Thanks in advance for your help. 

First I am sorry you had to go through this. It sounds like a horrible experience. If you don’t hear from Princess or get the run around, maybe try Elliot.org to assist you. I have linked their Princess website contacts page. Also on the top right there is a link for you to fill out form to request assistance. 

https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/princess-cruise-lines/

Thank you all for the great information! I appreciate it. 

I have a question about adding an AARP gift card to your OBC with a partial balance. From my understanding I can only add an AARP gift card amount to my OBC when I am on board the ship.

For example, I have $149.17 left to pay for my cruise. I buy a $500 AARP Princess Gift card and use it to pay the rest of my balance for my cruise. So this leaves $350.83 left on the gift card. So I just go to guest services and tell them that I would like $350.83 added to my OBC from this gift card? (I will have a print out of the gift card with the number and pin on it)

Thanks in advance. 

1 hour ago, RocknRoll22 said:

My phone wasn't able to use WiFi calling, so I installed Whats App. It's been working fine over WiFi for both text and voice calls. Only issue, the person receiving your text or call also needs WhatsApp installed on their phone. Otherwise, it works just like the normal text or voice apps on my phone.

This is why I chose Google Voice. Not all of my US friends use or have WhatsApp. Google Voice is like a substitute cell phone number. And hence the reason for my question. 

Just now, Snaxmuppet said:

Sounds like a good idea tbh. I'll look into it. Thanks for the heads up 🙂 

The reason for my question about voice calls. I was pretty sure I could send&receive texts but I wasn't sure about actual voice calls though. Sounds like I won't have any problems. 

4 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Just switching on wifi calling is not enough to avoid expensive charges by your carrier. It is quite possibly that using wifi calling, not in Airplane mode, it might not be able to make a call by wifi and then it will automatically use the cell network... aaagh!

 

So, always put your phone into airplane mode with all your radios off. Then you can turn on wifi. That will ensure that your cell connection is off and you won't then incur expensive cell calls or cell data charges.

And this is why I use Google Voice. Cruise ships roaming rates can be outrageous and your cell has to be in Airplane Mode.  I wanted my Google Voice number to be my "cell" phone while I am on the ship. I can send&receive texts and send&receive phone calls over WiFi. 

1 hour ago, hpeabody said:

Yes, I believe all Princess ships are now using Starlink.  I have used Google Voice on at least 2 or 3 ships, maybe more and it worked great!  I even received a call on one cruise.  Absolutely it does require that you purchase the internet plan/MedallionNet.  I don't remember about airplane mode, on or off.  I have used Google Voice both before and with Starlink.  It did not seem to make a significant difference with Google Voice quality which internet platform.  I used it with my iPad and ear buds as sound volume is not great on an iPad without earbuds.  IMO, Google Voice is amazing.

This is good to hear. Appreciate it. 

8 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

No idea about Google Voice, but I will say that everything is hinged on the Internet speed MedallionNet is providing.  Even over cell carrier's wi-fi or on Apple Facetime, if the connection is slow, the calls will drop or not go through at all.  Before the switch to Starlink, both of the aforementioned methods of communications didn't work well at all. 

I was wondering if Princess had gone to Starlink. Thanks. 

7 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I have Google Voice.  You will have to purchase Medallion Net and have it connected/signed on at all times to receive texts and calls.  It does go through your phone.  It will work the same as you do at home:  airplane mode and cell phone/wifi calling turned on.

 

Princess does not block VOIP service by Google Voice. It worked for me last fall when calling internationally to US.

Thank you so much. This is what I wanted to hear. And I do have the Plus package so I'll have the Medallion net. 

I have confirmed it at home but I wanted to make sure that Princess doesn't block VOIP on their WiFi. And wanted to hear from others what their experience was if any. 

Thank you.

I have seen people talk about FaceTime but since that's an Apple to Apple device connection. For my friends and family members who don't have an iPhone (I do) they won't be able to use FaceTime or iMessaging. And most of them also don't have WhatsApp. I have a Google Voice number that I use, where I can make and receive phone calls and text from it (via the app). This way I can give everyone my Google Voice and it will basically act like my cell phone number (if it works) so people will be able to contact me. 

I am cruising on the Majestic Princess in June for an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle. My question pertains to Google Voice and the ability to place and receive phone calls using the ship's WiFi. Has anyone had any success or experience with this (or even using WhatsApp) for voice calls? 

Thanks in advance