bflysmile

I would hope anyone exhibiting symptoms and reporting them would be happy they are treated with care for both themselves and their fellow passengers. As a fellow cruiser, I want to know that the other passengers are keeping me safe, too.  

I’m sure others might know this but pro tip is you can use your web browser for some of the app things. And new ones!

today we used the photos section to access the same app they have in the photo gallery. You can upload your own photos from your phone to print them out and make cool things! You don’t just have to use their photos (which require $21 per photo to download!). We printed out a few selfies!

https://photo.princess.com/album/pro?PK=609a569c-87a2-44b1-bb65-ff6eb49686e1

Dan confirmed in the Life at Sea that this ship doesn’t have a helipad! Just figured it did. Good reminder to get cruise insurance!

We saw them lower a stretcher and fly off but then they came back. And are now circling. From our vantage point (deck 14 midship) it looked like they tried to land and pulled back. Then lowered the stretcher with 2 guys. 

We are on now and haven’t tried to bypass the tv controls to stream but they have upgraded the on demand (which is free). Tons of movies and tv shows. I’d say there are probably 40-50 options. Plus vintage Love Boat, of course!

sorry more food. But can’t find the Harmony thread. We went tonight and liked it better than Crowne Grill. It was really good Chinese - if more ‘Americanized’ than the original. Mongolian beef was tender and gingery. 
 

but the highlight was the Mango sago soup with fruit and pistachio gelato. With boba pearls. Yummmy!

go and listen to your server’s recommendations. Best meal on the ship so far!

now off to a show!

1 hour ago, Tripmaven said:

I appreciate how important food is to everyone.  We can't live without is, but I would like more information on other areas of the ship.  Have there been any Princess theatre shows?  If so how is that handled with the "covid restrictions?  Are there "movies under the stars?  We know that Alaska has suffered in the "pandemic".  We hope that cruisers can help with some of the suffering.  Anything else is helpful, except "food"'

There are shows. No real Covid protocols except cleaning after (they wipe down every armrest, etc). 
 

MUTS are happening too. Chairs with blankets are out for people when it’s cold. 
 

I usually go to shows and trivia, etc but haven’t this cruise. None have really appealed to me that much. But they are happening for sure. 

13 minutes ago, sailor moon said:

I wonder how the masking is going to affect the excursions we have booked for Alaska. Two are Princess excursions and one is private. 🤔

We are on this week’s cruise and so far every port is requiring masks in shops, restaurants and on excursions. Listening to Juneau NPR, they are also seeing cases rise with Delta and like

many places are bringing back masking regardless of vaccination status. 
 

But like all mask regulations, it’s enforcement that matters and I’m not seeing a ton of enforcement.  On the train excursion today we all started out masked and then by the end, most people had them down. All staff were 100% compliant. 
 

Personally, I got vaccinated for myself and my community. Now we know that vaccinations aren’t 100% effective in keeping you from getting or spreading COVID, I’m happy to continue to do my part and wear a mask to keep myself and others healthy. 

1 hour ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I have so many questions for you!  
 

How much was the cabana and how do you book them?

 

I am really excited to try the Noodle Bar. If you have time please share some photos. Love food photos, ha ha.

 

What are your favorite mocktails? I really like the Strawberries on Fire but I make sure to tell them that I want it mild.  I think it’s really tasty.

 

Enjoy your cruise and thank you so much for sharing with us!

Cabanas are no charge and we have been able to grab one each time we have gone to the Hollywood Conservatory. I’m sure tomorrow for Glacier Bay they won’t be as plentiful!

I’m partial to the Key West Cooler and may partner likes the Cranberry one. I’m not a fan of tonic so I like the sweeter drinks!

Haven’t made it back to the Noodle Bar yet. But happy to snap a pic if I go. 
 

this week they have issued old school cards for people whose Medallions aren’t working. 
 

just remember that for all tech you have the early adopters who love to see what the new things do and they are the testers. And then you have the majority of people who will follow along once the early adopters prove something valuable. And the bottom 1/3 of people will never adopt the tech. It’s just not important to them. 
 

So you will always have land lines. Always have handwritten letters. Always have photo processing businesses. 
 

Same here. Order drinks. Show up early for dinner to get a table you want. Make friends with the crew and get that personal touch!

But also be amazed that the door welcomes you. And I can order a coffee to my balcony at 5:30am. 😉

Just jumping in to concur. My motto - treat people with kindness and grace. We are all doing our best in a strange time. 
 

Being new to Princess, I will say that generally their cruisers seem to be creatures of habit who want things the way they have always been. And I have seen a fair amount of entitlement behavior which is just so jarring after the year we have just lived through. I know the pandemic has made me MORE aware of my own privilege and thankful for people who provide a service so I can be comfortable and safe. 
 

We had to go to guest services to reverse a celebration order (no way to do it on the app or website!) and the amount of complaining was unreal. One man just kept loudly saying of the crew ‘they’re just all stupid, if you fine one who knows what they are doing you’re lucky,’. Now I don’t know what his issue was, but is that any way to treat people?
 

As someone who likes to try new things, that attitude perplexes me. I see the cruise ship as a floating hotel and experience in and of itself. I’m so lucky to be the guest and there would be no cruise without the crew. 
 

If you are cruising now, know you are a guinea pig. Everyone’s getting their sea legs again and all these restarts are maiden voyages. 

13 minutes ago, Kay S said:

This menu looks like the paper one from the MDR.  The question was whether anyone had seen the OceanNow menu for dinner.  That would be on the app, the phone screen or the TV.

Looking at the app now it looks like you can only order the Princess Favorites from the Main Dining Room menu (on the app) - shrimp cocktail, salmon, fettuccini Alfredo, etc

Speaking of which, I read on CC that people love the fettuccine Alfredo so I had that with shrimp added last night. OMG so good!

I thought Alfredos would be more grab a pizza slice to go so a little disappointed  that it’s a sit down restaurant. But hope to try it!

Glad we didn’t go to tea today. That line would have prevented us from trying it. We weren’t sure if you could stop in anytime. Hope so!

33 minutes ago, bflysmile said:

6 hours ago, Irisagogo said:

Other than the Enclave, which you so kindly are checking on… does anybody know if anything in the noodle place is vegetarian?

They have three options as I recall - Vegetable Ramen Soup, Mushroom Chicken Soup and Chicken Wonton. 
 

we got the veggie and it was yummy but spicy. 

1 hour ago, fabby50 said:

Hey!  Question from cruiser that is hopefully going to be on a 9/25 sailing :0  Is the spa open?  We're wondering on our roll call.  Right now, there are no advanced bookings available for our sailing.

 

Thank you and I hope it all goes marvelously for you - 

Yes. Spa is open with Covid protocols in place. 

Just now, Jadn13 said:

Is there a room service breakfast menu or an equivalent of how we did it before w/hanging the card on the door? 

there is still the paper hangtag on the door. You don’t have to use the app or TV. 

6 minutes ago, pkt1976 said:

Not many, some are though 

we joked that the social contract was broken by sail away. 
 

we still mask in elevators and halls when we are near other people. 
 

and remember, masks protect others from YOU not you from others. So I see it as a courtesy to the staff to wear one when talking to them in close proximity. 

for the person with question on drinks for a 20 year old from a 50+ non drinker. I love love love that the app has a mock-tail section. 

The one thing that annoys me about cruising is the alcohol pushing at every turn and I like having drink-like options that aren’t soda. 
 

I have not seen milkshakes yet. But the beverage and food options for delivery and order are great, IMHO. 
 

there isn’t a separate ‘room service’ menu because food can be delivered everywhere. The order is just routed to whatever bar or kitchen serves that section of the ship. This morning we each ordered via the app to the room and it was delivered together by room service. Yesterday by the pool the orders came from 2 servers. 
 

1 hour ago, Georgiane said:

question: just looked at the menu posted above and did not see the regular vegetarian option, is that gone? Will I have to ask for a different menu?

There were several vegetarian options last night but not in a special section, if that’s what you are asking. 

Just to clarify, I was relating this person’s experience today and what she was told would have sufficed for her sister to sail. I am not an expert on documentation.

But I have seen many people asking if passports were *really* required if their cruise wasn’t stopping in Canada. The answer this woman got today was that since the ship sails in international waters citizenship papers are needed for every passenger regardless of where the ship will be stopping. 

PASSPORTS REQUIRED… A CAUTIONARY TALE. 

I know we all read that passports are required, even if not stopping in Canada.  For those who thought that was “old news” be assured, you do need your passport (or enhanced driver’s license, or driver’s license and birth certificate… basically something that proves your citizenship, I guess)to get on board. 
 

We had dinner tonight with a newly-solo cruiser whose sister forgot her passport and didn’t have an enhanced drivers license so could not board. They even had a copy made by her family and sent over, but that wasn’t accepted. 
 

She said there were at least 3 other people in the same position who didn’t board.

As someone who once forgot her passport when driving to Canada, I know a bit of her pain (and embarrassment). Although Canada lets you in with me a DL, US could have denied me entry back to the US.

So if you meet Lynn whose sister didn’t make their vacation, offer her some friendship!  She’s lovely!  
 

2 hours ago, Chai8 said:

A question: Has anyone boarded who had to pick up their medallion at the port? How did that go? I'm on the next departure (8/8) and we've got to get our medallions when we arrive. I'm hoping it's not a mess. 

 

And a comment: Thanks to the person who posted pics from the library! I've never seen SO MANY Scrabble games in one place outside of a store. Good to know there are options. 

 

Many thanks in advance to everyone who is posting!

 

 

 

We did. And they just give you are card at check in. When you get to the next stop in the process they get your medallion and give it to you. Easy!  

Quick check in before my phone dies…

We spent the morning and early afternoon exploring Pike Place Market and boarded in group F (2pm). On the ship in 15 minutes. No waiting, no confusion. 
 

I think we are the only ones who love the Medallions and Medallion App. We will be using the order function a TON!

First impressions - ship feels full but not crowded. No problem finding a place to sit at a lounge or eating area. We are currently enjoying a cabana in Hollywood Pool area for sail away. 
 

Room is nice but Royal Caribbean balcony cabins have a sitting area which is nice extra space. And balconies are also larger. But I’m sure the room will be fine. 
 

Our TA ordered the birthday package for my partner whose birthday is Tuesday. Decorations are fun - now I have to figure out if I can cancel the ones I ordered for Tuesday! 😉
 

After 10+ cruises on various lines they NEVER believe you want twin beds! 😉 

The Internet and Beverage package were included for us and still figuring out the beverage package rules. From what we gather, you can only order 1 drink on the app at a time for free. Then have to wait a bit to order another. Seems inefficient since my partner and I both have the package and our payment is linked. But we each had to order from our phones. 
 

Not a huge deal as I’m sure they need to safeguard against someone sharing their package. Then again, we have the package because it was free to us and neither of us drink. So we are doing the fun mocktails!

Oh- love love love the noodle bar. Ramen was great and flavorful. We will be there a lot!

photos of sail away view and room decorations. 

love the idea of using text colors to indicate responses from those on board, so I’ll pick blue!  Thanks for starting the thread. 
 

Unlike you, this is only our 2nd Princess cruise but we are Diamond/Elite status on Royal Caribbean. So it will be interesting to compare the experience. We usually cruise with a group of friends with teenagers so the Royal ships with rock climbing, surfing, etc are more their speed. My partner and I are more excited about enjoying the balcony, seeing shows, and reading as many books as possible. 😉

We fly out tonight and are a little nervous about vacationing during the pandemic, so hope the Covid protocols are followed. We picked this cruise because it would be 💯 vaccinated and no kids. Felt safer a few months ago… but now, who knows! She gets tested each week at work, so we feel confident we aren’t bringing it with us. But I’d feel better if Princess was testing or requiring tests, even if vaccinated. 
 

We have never been to Alaska, so this will all be new new new for us!

Regarding the Medallion App, I am confused what you HAVE to use it for. Seems they are banking on it being more convenient for getting information from their passengers and moving to a paperless cruise experience (smart both environmentally and in a pandemic). 
 

if you can’t or don’t want to use it, certainly there are work arounds for check in, making dining reservations when on board, etc. 

But maybe I’m missing something.