O2Bcrusin

fares have gone up already on the golden :(

i was going to book, and the prices changed

Check again, I am still seeing them.

 

A suggestion to CC people, print out any important papers for activities and post them in your stateroom wall using refrigerator magnets that you bring which will act as a reminder.

 

Tom:)

Also maybe just post the activities on the roll call. Easy to access that way. It is also nice to have a roll call list with people's name and whatever other information they feel comfortable posting. Don't need to post personal information if some don't want it.

Sorry...2 of us went to everyone's stateroom and left my reminder flyer in the box outside the stateroom. We also verified the name on the stateroom tag with the name that I had. We did have one flyer that we didn't leave as the names didn't match and they mentioned at our meeting that there stateroom was changed. Each flyer had a label with the person's name and stateroom number on it.

 

I had you in C107. Was that correct?

 

Tom:)

No, but I had sent you an email telling you my new room number and you responded that you had noted it.

Day 2...Saturday, May 24...Sea Day

 

This was a relaxing day at sea.

 

This was the first time that I had a M & G in the Afternoon, 1 pm. There were a number of officers there including the C/D and the answered questions that people had. One officer mentioned that they DO read the comments that people leave at the end of the cruise. We went around the room and people mentioned there name, where they were from and how they picked there screen name. Our group numbered about 30 out of 36 people signed up and I requested a photographer to come at 1:30 pm who took several photos of our group. Perhaps there was a good turnout because I left a reminder flyer outside each persons stateroom, a first time to try that out. There were people still there when I left at 2:30 pm.

 

A snack in the I/C and afternoon tea was enjoyable.

 

Before dinner 2 people, a mother & daughter from San Francisco, who we had met on our December holiday cruise to Hawaii, came to our cabin so that I could help get some corks out of their wine bottles. We sampled some wine before our 5:30 pm assigned dinner. We have also met some other people from our holiday cruise. A pleasant surprise and a first for me.

 

The show tonight was a hypnotist which was good and funny. That was followed by the "Match Game" with married couples on stage, also funny.

 

Then it was off to the Explores Lounge for dancing which ended at 11:20 pm. Then it was time for disco at the Skywalkers which was hopping when we arrived and still going on when I left at 12 midnight.

 

Weather today has been windy and cold.

 

Looking forward to another sea day tomorrow and tomorrow is formal night.

 

Reporting from sea somewhere heading to Alaska.

 

Tom:)

 

Tom, Never got the reminder flyer. That is why we never showed up. I didn't write it down since you said you were going to send out the reminder flyers.

there was a post of someone that did the bve experience post name was trbarton, not sure if you can search to see if they are on the ship or not but it had the same date as your post worth a shot? Kim

He is on the 5/23 sailing. I only know because he is on our roll call.

I had just checked on the Star earlier, because I would like to go to Alaska and my hubby does not want to fly. We could drive to San Francisco. Both the May 9th and 12th sailings are no longer available to book, and they were a few hours ago.

The May 12th sailing had been sold out for about a week now but looks like it may be available again.

I worked as a nurse at a children's camp that had a Noro virus outbreak with many of the campers sick. One staff member came to camp sick and that started it. Luckily I didn't get it but the public health department came in to evaluate. We had been cleaning everything with bleach and water. They said that was exactly what we should be doing to kill the virus. The solution is 1/2 cup bleach/1 gallon of water. You could reduce this down to get a smaller amount to take on board.

Whenever I read these threads, I wonder how they know it is noro virus, say as opposed to food poisoning? In the past I've heard medical practitioners say that most people who think they have stomach flu are actually experiencing food poisoning. Not trying to create controversy here, just curious.

They can culture it.

I agree, but my comments about a flu shot have to do with keeping the immune system in shape, and therefore having better ability to fight off other bugs, too.

The flu shot will only protect you against the 3-4 flu viruses that are in them. You can keep the immune system in shape by building up your own immunity and not using so many antibacterial products.

Plus a good TA will watch for price drops for you ;). A PVP won't do that. Some big online agencies will also charge change fees if the price drops. A good TA won't do that either.

For a lot of on-line 'training', there is a pretty good black market

for hiring a fill in. Impossible to tell who is actually pressing the

keys.

 

This is no different than 1000 years ago when I was in college,

and you could pay someone to write a term paper for you.

 

Always the best when the paper was on ethics!

Yes I guess there is always those who cheat. I just don't think along those lines.

You may have heard about this from a different cruise line. I could swear that one time on RCI when I brought my kids I got credit for their cabins. I was surprised and didn't expect it. Don't know if it is still that way it was then.

...or slip a few bucks to someone who already has.

No way that would work.

Not true. Elite for as long as you are active as a TA.

 

However, it is HARDLY the easy way. You need to watch and take tests on 20+ videos on line and actually stay active booking cruises. I find it a wee bit offensive that people say you just "sign up to be a TA" and that's it.

 

:rolleyes:

Agree!

Yeah, but they're only Elite for their graduation cruise... next cruise, they'll be Gold.

This is not true. You keep your commodore status by taking refresher courses and thereby maintain your elite status.

What many people forget when they mention that someone got to the Elite level the easy way is the other easy way..

 

The other way is to take a travel agent course, take a test and be

awarded the Commodore level and Elite without ever having to sail on a Princess ship or any ship for that matter.

You do have to have $5000 in sales before you can do this.

Well' date=' I guess it's a little late for that now !!

 

We were hoping that if we got enough sign-ups, Princess would let us have a gathering up in Skywalkers (and they would provide a bar-tender and photographer)

 

On second thought - is it too late ?? (to change to a TA ?)[/quote']

 

I was going to suggest that you transfer your booking to a TA. Princess is good about letting you do that up until final payment. Would love to suggest one for you but get in trouble for doing that on CC.

Karin you should be fine. It is a different customer base but still a Princess cruise. We have noticed that Princess cuts back a bit on the menu especially in the buffet. Doesn't seem like they have as many options. You get more new cruisers trying out Princess. And I think it is a bit younger crowd but not bad.

That is kind of what I was thinking. We are actually doing a 4 day and was hoping it would be more typical of Princess. Have cruised Princess many times but not on a short cruise.

These are drinking, gambling and party cruises. Especially the ones that are over the weekend out of LA.

 

We prefer the seven day cruises.

I know Carnival has this reputation but has anyone done a three day Princess and is it the same?

The policy and it's enforcement don't always line up. I've bought alcohol in port thinking it would be stored and it was allowed on. If someone asks the policy, I give them the policy. If they want to risk it, they can, but they should know it's not "supposed" to be allowed on, and can be destroyed, even if it sometimes is missed or waved through.

I think it may depend on the port, the ship. the security people. We in no way tried to sneak it on. I don't think it was "missed" since we were not the only ones bringing it onboard. We were told we could bring it back on with no problem and did so. It does seem the rules are not consistent.

Beer is not allowed on. I don't believe that you can bring 1 bottle per port stop on free of charge; i belive that everything over 1 bottle, whether at embarkation or at port, is charged $15.

I had to go back a reread what the OP said but it does say a bottle of alcohol so I am assuming it was the bottle they come in.

 

Beer is not allowed onboard but we cruised with a couple last year he put a case of beer in a duffle bag, checked it and it showed up at the room. I guess it's just a gamble. Luckily if beer gets taken a case of domestic doesn't cost too much.

Like the others would be interested to know which port they left from.

Actually not always true. On our Alaskan Cruise last June we were able to bring beer on board from the ports. Went right thru the scanner without a word.

Do most people who do these tours do so to purchase FCC's? Unless you are an agent, I guess I don't see the point of going on a tour of the ship. I understand that you can apply the amount you pay towards a future cruise, which I suppose is a good thing.

 

I will be on the Golden Princess this fall, and although I have never been on this particular ship, I have been on others that are very similar. I am looking forward to my cruise, but I wouldn't want to tour it beforehand. Just my take on things.

 

Take care.

 

Suzi

I agree, I think it would be depressing to have to get off the ship after only a few hours.

In the past I've always kept mine. I'll be on the Grand for the first time, next April. If it appears the cards are collected, I'll conveniently lose mine.

Was on the Grand in June. Cards were not collected at the end of the cruise.

Been bidding every day for a hotel in San Pedro for April 5, 2013. Priceline had a special of adding $5.00 to your bid.

 

Bid up to 70.00 for San Pedro, added Long Beach for $72.00 and won bid for Hotel Maya. Looks like nice hotel.

 

Really wanted to be in San Pedro but took my chances so will make the best of it.

It is a nice hotel, have stayed there a couple of times.

Hello,

I went ahead and put in a bid last night (before your post) for seatec area for $51 and won Hilton Doubletree or 3 nights 3/12-15/12. Now I have to contact them to find out how much extra for 3rd person (22 yo son). Kind of at their mercy:eek:.

Might have to put him on the floor.

Thank you for the response though.

JK.

You may want to just call the hotel and ask what kind of room you are in. If it has two queens or doubles don't say a word and just go in. If they say a king room just request a queen or double. For all they know you are traveling with your brother or friend or someone else you may not want to sleep with.