Dunk

I'm on the December 4th cruise. Has anybody been to Dammam before? I'm not at all familiar with it. 

I believe that the blurred ship picture during load is a design choice. 

One of the things that's buried in there (and I love it) has to do with what dining speed you prefer. I believe the choices are slow, relaxed and fast. I've been on cruises where it's painfully slow, and others way too fast. I suppose you could have always told the waiter to speed up or slow down, but I like being able to make my choice known in another way. 

Crown Princess does not have window suites, so check your booking.

I've had these on Grand and Caribbean Princess, and they are awesome, especially if you don't mind not having a balcony. Me, I much prefer the space over say, a mini-suite.

On 4/18/2021 at 1:05 PM, memoak said:

The Ruby is going into dry dock in Portland Oregon for 17 days to upgrade the air circulation system, medallion upgrades and social distancing in restaurants and theaters 

Hmmm. I have a Classic California Sailing booked in August. If they are doing the things you indicate, I find it highly unlikely that my sailing would be a go--even if the CDC stuff changes to allow sailings. Believe me, I have a land-based "plan B' already booked. I've had so many bookings cancel I've lost track!

Does anyone know how early on the morning of the 27th that you can book online? I'm guessing like 8am eastern time, but I really don't know for sure. 

6 hours ago, 2Sojourners said:

Where can I find pictures.....

I have locked and looked

There's a picture in this thread: 

Not shady at all. The Conditional Sail order goes until November 1st, or until the public health emergency declaration expires. The current PHE declaration expires on April 21, 2021. By extending the final payment date until April 30th, they are hoping that the PHE will expire, making the Conditional Sail Order moot. It's a long shot, to be sure, but it could happen. 

15 minutes ago, Shmoo here said:

The point is the BORDER is closed to non-essential travel.  "I'm going to Puerto Vallarta to take a cruise."  isn't essential travel.

 

 

Agreed, but only the land border is closed. Mexico is open to air, sea and rail travel.

1 hour ago, kiwimum said:

The border between San Diego and Mexico remains closed, only open to essential workers.   

True, but Princess could also homeport in Puerto Vallarta. Its an easy destination to get to from west coast cities. 

I remember years ago, Celebrity would list cruises from San Diego, but you boarded the ship in Ensenada. You'd check your luggage at the San Diego terminal, get on a bus, and be dropped off at the dock in Ensenada. I wonder if that kind of thing could work for west coast sailings until the CDC lifts its order? Or, if not that scenario exactly, something similar? I'm desperate! 😉

Here is a printout of what Carnival pax receive when they book a new reservation. There is more detail here than in the linked article above--especially reservations for public areas is interesting. 

Check-In

Only booked guests are permitted to enter the terminal and boarding area. Visitors are not permitted in these locations at any time. All guests must complete their online check-in and select an arrival appointment time no later than midnight (Eastern time) prior to their sailing date. Guests must arrive within their selected time to facilitate physical distancing during the check-in and boarding process. Guests arriving earlier than their scheduled time will not be allowed to enter the terminal until the time of their arrival appointment. This also applies to VIFP Diamond/Platinum and Casino guests.

Testing

As part of our efforts to keep our guests safe and healthy, every guest 2 years of age or older, joining a ship, regardless of method of travel to the ship, is required to take a SARS-CoV-2 test between 5 days to 24 hours prior to the date of embarkation and must receive a negative result. Guests must provide the original document confirming a negative test result that is legible, identifies the approved and licensed testing entity, sample collection date and type of test, and identity of the tested individual. Carnival reserves the right to reject any test result that does not meet these requirements. Per our privacy notice, test results will be shared only with Carnival personnel and/or contractually engaged third parties to facilitate our screening and mitigation protocols, or as required by health authorities. Carnival may perform additional testing at the terminal or on board the vessel. Any guest who fails to provide the required documentation or testing at the terminal or on board will be denied boarding or disembarked, and no refund or credit will be issued.

If at any time within 14 days prior to embarkation, or at any time during the cruise, a guest tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, or Carnival otherwise determines in its sole discretion that guest is unfit to board due to risk of any communicable illness, guest shall be subject to denial of boarding, denial of re-boarding, quarantine, isolation and/or disembarkation.

Health Screening

Carnival has the right to screen any guest to facilitate compliance with its health and safety protocols. All guests will be required to complete a health questionnaire beginning 72 hours before the date of embarkation to identify any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (or other infectious diseases) and any contact with individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 prior to the cruise. The questionnaire will be based upon the latest CDC guidance for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and guests will be required to reconfirm their responses at time of check-in. All guests will have their temperature taken as part of the boarding process.

Screening on Board

Guests may be required to undergo at least daily temperature checks and must submit to any requested medical screening during the cruise. Temperature checks may also be conducted prior to disembarking at a port of call and before participating in certain onboard activities.

Reporting COVID-19 Symptoms

Every guest has an important duty to immediately report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to the ship’s medical personnel. Failure to do so jeopardizes individual health and that of all those on board and others ashore.

Face Masks

In our continuing effort to keep our guests safe and healthy, all guests over the age of two will be required to wear a mask when indoors except when inside their own stateroom, while eating and drinking seated at a table and when using the cardio equipment at the gym and physical distancing is maintained. Guests are required to wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks should have two or more layers and be worn over the nose and mouth. Gaiters and bandanas are not allowed, and face shields are permitted when used with a mask. These requirements apply during all aspects of the cruise, including embarkation, shore excursions and disembarkation. A limited supply of masks will be available in staterooms after boarding.

Physical Distancing

In our effort to maintain physical distancing on our ships, access to public spaces will be limited and venues/activities will operate at reduced capacity. We may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. 

Our physical distancing protocols will be in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations, which is defined at staying at least six (6) feet (2 meters) apart from other people who are not the guest’s cruise companions (family or immediate travel group).

Guests can expect appropriately distanced seating in theaters, dining facilities and other common venues, modified entertainment showings and meal services to control capacity as well as other measures to promote a healthy and safe environment. These measures will apply during all aspects of the cruise, including embarkation, shore excursions and disembarkation. Buffet service is modified to eliminate or severely restrict self-service items.

Contact Tracing

All guests may be required to provide identifying information and information about certain activities engaged in during the cruise so Carnival can perform contact tracing in the event any person on board is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Various location tracking technologies may be used to assist in the collection of contact tracing information such as wearables, video surveillance, transaction data, and photographs taken during the cruise. Please refer to Carnival's Privacy Notice for more details.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

To help limit potential exposure and/or transmission to communities at destinations, during the initial return to sailing, guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by vetted tour operators who maintain Carnival’s level of COVID-19 controls. Shore side visits may be also limited to port areas that have no public access. Self-exploration or non-Carnival sponsored excursions will not be permitted. This policy applies to all sailings scheduled during the declared Public Health Emergency involving COVID-19.

Carnival may, in its sole discretion, avoid a pre-planned destination should a concern arise regarding the level of COVID-19 community spread in that destination or impose certain restrictions on shore excursions relating to capacity, participation, locations, times, eligible venues and persons with whom the guest may come into contact. Carnival may offer indoor excursions only if physical distancing, use of masks, and other recommended protective measures can be implemented.

We will have pre-arranged transportation from the ship to the venue and back again. Guests will be able to pre-purchase shore excursions through Carnival.com, the Carnival HUB app or on board, subject to availability and capacity restrictions. All guests will have to comply with our physical distancing, mask wearing and all other COVID-19 related requirements. Throughout the duration of the shore excursion, guests will be asked to remain with their cruise companions. There may be additional restrictions during shore excursions depending on local conditions.

Any noncompliance by guest or members of guest’s travelling party with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for refusal to re-board after going ashore, or other steps deemed necessary in Carnival’s sole discretion to protect the health and safety of others. If a guest is denied boarding or disembarked due to failure to comply with Carnival COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, they will not be entitled to a refund, credit, or compensation of any kind. Guests will be responsible for all costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses.

I'm a loyal Princess person. I did a cruise on the Meraviglia in the Yacht Club. I really liked that experience, but I think if I was not in the YC, I wouldn't have enjoyed myself as much. The ship is dazzling, but it seems crowded, and akin to NCL or RCCL to me. YMMV. 

I really hope that once Princess builds another new ship (who knows when that'll be at this point!) That it'll be named Pacific Princess. That's an important part of their heritage, and I hope they never let that go. 

27 minutes ago, compozer said:

Now that I think about it, I have only been in the owner's suites on the newer ships.   I try to stay away from them - prefer smaller ships.   Are there any? - I just looked at the deck plans for the Majestic and do not see any Vista suites.

The ones in question are only on Sky, Enchanted and Discovery. 

44 minutes ago, compozer said:

vista suites have two tv's

 

That's only correct on older ships. The Vista Suites on the newer ships are one large room with one TV. 

For those wondering about deadheading to Los Angeles, that's exactly what Carnival did with the debut of Carnival Panorama. 

On 1/12/2021 at 10:31 AM, cricketts said:

 

 

 

Thank you very much for the input!

We don't have a choice of ship for the itinerary, and I think we would really like the covered teak balcony.  I guess I hope we're not too loud for our neighbors!!

I really did not notice that the rooms had more or less insulation than on any other ship. You'll be fine. 🙂

I have stayed in one of these cabins. 

The décor in the cabins is the same as on a Royal-Class ship (padded headboard, darker colored wood, etc.) The other nice thing is that the balcony is teak instead of rubber mats or bare metal. 

Given that-I'd never book the Island again, since they added so many more passengers, and got rid of tons of public space to do it, and didn't add an International Café in the process. Coral Princess is far superior. 

On 1/3/2021 at 11:17 AM, nini said:

 

 

We have sailed Alaska 4 times and loved hanging in Skywalker's for glacier viewing days

because you could also run outside quickly and then back in to warm up.

Grand Princess doesn't have Skywalker's, leaving it without a good observation lounge. While Coral Princess doesn't have one either, the Horizon Court can be used as one, being at the front of the ship. 

As the folks above said, while it is free for lunch, it's basically just pasta. Definitely not the full menu. 

I had a great experience at dinner. I thought the food was delicious, and I found the service to be friendly and attentive. The menu is more traditional Italian; I'm also a Princess cruiser, and I found Cucino del Capitano to be more to my liking than their offering, Sabatini's. I think you can't go wrong. 

In Cabo, it really doesn't matter which side you are on. With the ship at anchor, it rotates depending on the direction of the wind. I have had several visits there where the ship did a near 180 during the course of the day. Doesn't always happen, but it certainly can. Also--you do sail very close to the coast as you approach Cabo. While you're technically at sea, there are hours as you approach that you can easily see the coastline. 

On 12/2/2020 at 1:47 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

The Royal Class ships rate Window Suites as a higher category.  I was switched from the Grand to the Regal Window Suite and was not thrilled about the ship change.  I am a frequent Grand Class Window Suite passenger.

 

Pros:  Location, Location, Location (as mentioned above).  You are mid ship.  Club Class dining in feet away.  Princess Theater is feet away.  One flight up/one flight down....to public areas.

 

"Second" bathroom down the hall near Princess Theater.  You are so centrally located that you can return to your cabin at anytime.

 

Very little ocean movement felt.  (The Royal Class suite is way too forward and high for me).

 

All suite amenities (but no concierge's lounge).

 

Separate hallway just for your cabins.  F311 is more mid-ship than F301 (avoid).

 

3 huge closets/21 draws

 

Cons:  No separate living room/bedroom

No separate bath/toilet

 

GRAND PRINCESS WINDOW SUITE 2-1 copy.pdf 355.05 kB · 20 downloads

Regal Princess does not have window suites. Only Sky, Enchanted and Discovery have them as far as Royal Class ships go. An S5 is a Premium Suite, which has a balcony. 

As far as "tracking" you, companies like Princess, our your grocery store rewards card and the like, really don't care about you, John Q. Public, as an individual. They don't care what you individually buy or where you go. They DO care about trends--things like "only 10% of passengers used the spa", "22% stayed on board in XYZ port", "passengers 65 and older spent the most per capita on chocolate in the gift shop", things like that. That's how they refine their offerings, and determine how they can increase revenue. 

6 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

Regardless ,what is shows is that  this virus  spreads rapidly even  with only 56 pax   on board  & only for a 7 day cruise . Additionally ,they all had 2 vcovid 19 tests before boarding . There is no sure thing with this virus

 

 Now expand this to a ship carrying 2000 + pax  & more because of the new larger sized vessels  & there is a disaster waiting  to happen    Being kept in a cabin & food delivered to my state room is not my idea of a fun time or vacation     

 

 

What people are failing to mention is that Sea Dream did not require masks, and nearly all passengers chose not to wear them.