goodie2shoes

I don't quite get the new slogan either. We all understood "Escape Completely", that being said, I believe they are trying to suggest that after a cruise on Princess, you will have relaxed so much, you would have escaped completely, you will be so refreshed from cruising with Princess, that you will be so revitalized and and renewed. So after a week long cruise you will feel so much better physically and emotionally, hence you will "come back new".

 

So that's my explanation! But if you have to put that much thought into a slogan, Is the new slogan working?

:confused:

It makes me tired just thinking about it. I need to "Escape Completely" so I can "Come Back New."

I think the videos are showing more formal than you will see on the ship for sure. We have sailed Princess for more than 10 years, and if anything the people cruising and less formal than they were back then (including us). We used to take formal wear, including a tux for my DH, but now he takes no more than a suit of slacks and jacket. I am more inclined to nice pants and sparkly top for formal night, if we even go to the dining room that night.

I still feel, when I board and go to my cabin, that I am coming home, and am complete relaxed. Don't worry about it getting more "fancy." It's not.

I assembly the tags as instructed, then cover them with a coat of clear packing tape. I staple them together around the handle of the bag, and put more packing tape over the staples to keep them from catching on anything.

We have never had one lost of even damaged. Takes a couple of minutes, but I can do it at home without any extra machinery.

I agree 100%. I'd try for an Emerald deck mini if at all possible. The reason is that it can be chilly, windy and rainy so that having a covered and somewhat protected balcony will be more usable.

 

The most spectacular fjords in Glacier Bay are on the port side. The Captain turns the ship around so everyone can see but the port side sees them first. The negative to staying on your balcony is that you won't hear the commentary which is broadcast over the PA on public decks. You might hear it a little on Emerald deck since Promenade deck is directly below.

Not to disagree with Pam, but when we were on the Star in Alaska we could get the commentary on our TV in the cabin, so with the TV turned up loud, and the balcony door open some we could hear outside. It worked for us.

Still watching for updates to this list. We sail in June to Alaska and would like to keep up with who is where. Anyone with information, please update the list.

I have been in an aft suite of both the Ocean and Pacific Princess in Alaska. It was wonderful. So wonderful that we are doing it again in 82 days. The weather in Alaska is much more like what you will experience than the weather in Tahiti for sure, and the covered balcony was perfect. The location made it so protected that we didn't feel any wind at all when cruising. We could be out there any time, whether it was sunny or raining. Yes, you can lean out and peek into your neighbor's space, but we never noticed anyone trying to see what we were doing. We have always been on deck 7, and I highly recommend it. Never any noise from above, and the only problem we had was with the person below who decided that the no smoking on the balcony rule did not apply to him. He would have his cigar out there and if we were on the balcony that was just too bad for us. I threatened to dump an ice bucket down on his head if he didn't stop, but I guess he knew it was all just talk as it didn't make the least bit of difference. Yes, you do have to stand to see over the rail, but I have been on ships where the "glass" was so dirty you couldn't see through it, so what's the difference? And when the scenery is as spectacular as it was in Alaska, and will be for you, you really don't mind. Grab an aft cabin on deck 7, and get ready for the best time of your life. You'll love it.

It's been that way all day, and there's no sound either. I hope they didn't "improve" the system.

My first cruise on Princess was in January of 2006 on the Island Princess to Hawaii. 15 days, with 5 ports instead of the 4 you get today. We were in C701, a suite. I made a big mistake doing that as we were immediately hooked on suites. Since that time I have only booked suites with two exceptions, and we were upgraded to a suite after boarding the Sapphire on one of them.

One more for the Coral Princess in June 2015. We are doing a back to back so we will have more time in Alaska without doing a tour.

Wonderful photos! Thank you so much. It made me nostalgic, as we too have been in this suite and love it. Take good care of it, as we are booked in it again for Alaska in 2015.

Yes. I just experienced the same thing. I thought it might just be me, as my TA is trying to get something straightened out with them. Guess I'm not alone.

I certainly agree that Mario is one of the best. I thought I had him on an upcoming cruise a few years ago after tracking him down, but he left the ship the cruise before I boarded. I keep hoping I will be able to connect with him again someday.

Anyone have any updates for the list here?

The Vista Suites on Coral are located on the sides of the ship, in the aft section. Same suite further forward costs more. We have sailed on these suites many times, and for Alaska we prefer the ones on Dolphin deck because they are fully covered. That allows you to go out even if it is raining and not get completely soaked. They are also good for Panama Canal, as they provide you shade. They are our favorite on the Coral or Island, but we do take the aft suites on the grand class ships. You will love it!

We too like the Golden Princess very much, but haven't been on her for a couple of years, so I can't address her current condition. But I can address being in an aft cabin in Alaska. Our first Alaska cruise was in an aft cabin. We were back the next season in the same cabin. Then, for several years we were not able to book on the art for various reasons. This year we are back in the aft cabin we love. There is nothing to compare to being on the stern. Especially when you are cruising. We have been out there watching whales on both sides of the ship as well as behind us. The schools of dolphins will come up from behind you and follow you for a long time before moving on up one side of the other. If you hear there is a bear on the short on the Port side you can step out and look that way, rather than saying darn, I missed it because I chose a cabin on the Starboard side. When you leave a glacier viewing you can stay out there and watch it fade away in the distance, with a glass of wine or your favorite beverage. Can you tell I love aft cabins?? I can't wait until June to board and enter my little piece of heaven for the trip to Alaska.

We have had towel animals only two times on Princess, and that's fine with me. The first time was because we came back in the evening, very tired, and our room was not made up. I was obviously very angry when the steward finally came. We went out onto the balcony while he was working. When we came back into the room there was a bulldog sitting on our bed. I think he did it to apologize.

The second time we were in the Grand Suite on the Star in Alaska. We came back one evening to find an animal on one of the shelves in the living room, and one beside the flowers in the entry. We put them both on shelves, and thanked our steward. They stayed there for the rest of the cruise and were rather cute.

But overall I do not expect or appreciate them. It just seems like a waste of the steward's valuable time. They work hard enough without having to make something that is often not appreciated.

Mauilvrs - That sure isn't the menu on our embarkation day in January. That looks like the regular lunch menu.

That's exactly the same menu we had on the 4 day Sapphire cruise we boarded January 9, 2014. I was so disappointed. No soufflé, and nothing edible (I tried the scaloppine and it was too tough to cut. We didn't eat much!

We took the Star from San Francisco to Alaska a couple of years ago. The ship was fine, the service was excellent, overall it was great, and that was important because the weather was miserable and we chose to stay on board in most ports. I would not hesitate to sail on her again. We picked the Pacific Princess out of Vancouver for this year's Alaska cruise. Having choices of different ships is part of what we love about Princess. Star in 2012, Pacific in 2014, and just booked Coral for 2015. Three completely different ships, sailing from two different ports, and I know that we will not have a major complaint from past experience.

I will have to say that I probably won't sail on the Star our of SFO again, but it has to do with the port facilities - not the ship. Maybe when they get that new building open for cruise ships we will try it again, but not again from the current pier.

We have been in a suite on the stern, 7119, and had good service. As for peppier, not so much. Usually slow, but didn't have the times when you just couldn't get anywhere, so I guess that's a little better.

Prices seem to be available now, but I didn't have the patience to wait. I called and was on hold for about a minute, then booked the b2b I wanted on the Coral easily. I would rather do it on line, but when all else fails (and you don't have the patience to wait) give in and use the phone.

I called Princess. On hold for a few minutes only. Booked what we wanted. Piece of cake. Now, I will call my TA.

Same thing here. On hold for maybe 2 minutes at the most. We're set for Alaska 2015.

I have lived in Las Vegas myself, so I know you have cold weather in the winter. A few years ago, on a ship in Alaska, it was 90 degrees in my balcony. You just never know. Take layers!

Many will tell you that you do not need a balcony. That you need to be out on the deck with all the other people and move from side to side to see everything. I don't agree.

You will not use it for sitting outside a lot of the time because it is often cold - especially when close to a glacier for viewing. But I would not go to Alaska without a balcony. The chance to be away from people, looking at what I want to look at, without someone elbowing their way in front of you so they can see is necessary for me. If you are a crowd lover, then you would be fine without a balcony, but if you are like me and want to get away at times it is a necessity.

On our last Princess Cruise our cabin steward noticed the canes in our room. She asked if we needed assistance in case of an emergency. We explained what we would need, and she said she was required to ask this, and would see that Passenger Services was informed. She took notes as we were talking, so I have no doubt that she did what she said she would do. This was new for us, and I am glad Princess is making sure that those who need assistance will have it.

Pacific 14 day Conneseour cruise was the best Alaska cruise we ever took.

Same here! We did it on both the Tahitian and Pacific and both are cruises we will never forget. The ship made you feel that you were so close to everything. Oh how I wish they would bring that 14 day cruise back. But only if it is on a small ship.

Check the Princess forum. Alaska is scheduled to open March 11, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. pacific time. There are people who have the schedules and have listed the ships and will answer questions about specific routes.

The Grand Princess, Star Princess, Pacific Princess and Coral Princess will be doing the 7 day Voyage of the Glaciers, both north and south between Vancouver and Whittier. The Crown Princess and Ruby Princess will do 7 day cruises round trip from Seattle. The Golden Princess is doing the 10 day round trip San Francisco. The Coral Princess will do a y day round trip Vancouver on May 6 that will replace the cancelled Island Princess sampler.

From our experience, in Icy Strait you don't even have to book a whale watch excursion. All would miss is the close up to the whales experience. You will see them from the ship, from the tender, and from the shore. At least we did last time we were there. And the time before that we "had breakfast with a whale" that was cruising along right beside our ship as we came into the area where we would anchor. It is a great place to see whales.

Disclaimer - it is well known that when you tell someone they are going to see whales the whales will refuse to cooperate and hide. All I can really say is we saw a lot of them both times we were there.