victoriaj

Used to love the Honohono Room with the view of Diamond Head over the heads of the sunken bar  keeps. The table side preparation of our Ceasar Salad followed by the best Filet Mignon then dancing to a wonderful live band. Those were the days but I guess I'm dating myself. Sure glad I had the opportunity and now the Memory of those days gone by. 

4 hours ago, voljeep said:

not even in the on-board shops for purchase?

On board shops were quite different to what we had been used to on 50 previous Princess Cruises, very little available like any candy items etc. very limited and very expensive. Also the normal small packages of things like aspirin or tums no longer available and told you had to get them through the Medical Dr. this was on the Grand don't know what others have experienced on other ships. We will be better prepared on our upcoming cruises. I hadn't bothered taking nylons/pantyhose for formal night as have always been able to purchase on board but sadly not now.

3 hours ago, karatemom2 said:

Yes, cruises do create the perfect environment for any illness to spread. Two plus years I dodged COVID, even working in a hospital. But we all tested positive after getting home from our cruise in May. It’s just so contagious and harder to avoid when you are in crowded places and also having fun on vacation which naturally leads to letting your guard down on precautions. 

Just wanted to add our experience . We were on the Grand B2B May 11-25th and tested positive several days after returning home. Everything fine with no one talking about cases on Northbound but 2 days after passengers embarked for Southbound many who had stayed at Denali prior to boarding came down with Covid. We never attended any events, sat at table for 2 and only place we were grouped in close quarters was waiting  to disembark in Vancouver where we were about 2 hours in Crooners.  Communication system and announcements so poor you could not hear them so we didn't want to deviate from our designated time and place. Wont do that again. Thankfully as fully vaxxed Seniors we had mild symptoms and approved for Paxoloid fully recovered.

On 5/25/2022 at 5:29 PM, Waynetor said:

Very glad to see someone doing a live from the Grand.  We are doing the north and southbound in July for our first Alaskan cruise.

 

How did you get from the airport to the cruise terminal?  I'm thinking of taking the train that goes to downtown near the port.  My wife is in a wheelchair and I 'm looking for the easiest way.

 

How many passengers on the ship for this cruise?  

Taxi from the Airport to Cruise Terminal is by far your best mode of travel and they have a flat rate between the Airport and Cruise Terminal. Recommend you check that out as the Skytrain would be a difficult option under your circumstances, excellent if physically fit and travelling with little luggage to handle the walk at the Cruise end.

On 5/24/2022 at 11:34 AM, Thrak said:

 

Just off of Royal Princess Alaska cruise 12 days round trip from Vancouver. I can't imagine being able to do the proctored Covid test with the ship's Internet connection. It was very poor. You can pretty much count on lousy Internet connections on an Alaska cruise.

We just  returned from B2B May 3 -25th Grand Princess and have done many previous Alaska sailings. Do not depend on Internet connections for anything that is truly importaant, reports, work, school etc as very unreliable. Spoke to people who had arranged with Inernet Manager to get proctored Covid testing last night at sea by Internet as we were in the Inside Passage but unfortunately unable to give an update as to how that worked out for them. There backup was to have it done at airport for a price and hope they were not delayed getting to the airport to allow time for results.

Our trip was fantastic with beautiful weather all the way, Princess food and service not what we were used to but acceptable given what the industry has gone through. 

IMO they should throw out the Medallion program as it just does not work, (they can also take Padgett out ),  also hated that to hear announcements from the Bridge including noon Navigational and Weather updates or the Naturalist while at the Glaciers you had to be on the outside decks or in the companionways as  you can no longer choose to hear it on your tv or your balcony. as you could B4 Medallion. WHY!!!!! When I inquired they said they didn't want to disturb the guests,well it never did disturb guest as you chose to hear it be tuning into the station. Only good thing I can think of about the Medallion is ease of opening the door when you have your hands full !!!!!!

We have used Time Limousine and found them very professional a helpful, they have limos and vans and large capacity vehicles. You might want to check them out for price etc at www.timelimo.com

We have used Time Limousine for transportation from B.C. Ferry to cruise terminal in the past and they were excellent, very professional and helpful.  Their website is www.timelimo.com if you want to check them out or call them. We are in our Eighties and it was great to have such assistance.

Happy Cruising.

The seawalk which you would rejoin after crossing the Johnson St Bridge is a lovely walk right to West Bay, Esquimalt and goes right past Spinnaker's  for a Beer or Lunch or you can cut off at Head St and down Esquimalt Rd to Vic West.

The walk from Johnson St to West Bay Marina is approx. 5km .

Another option you can take the little Victoria Harbour Ferry back to the Inner Harbour or up the Gorge area Selkirk and Railyards. you can check this at :- https://victoriaharbourferry.com there you will find route maps and pricing as well as times of operation.

Enjoy your Cruise and enjoy Victoria !!

5arbusto - sorry I was thinking you were on Princess when I mentioned Kids Club don't know what your ship might have nor do I have any experience with kids on Royal Caribbean but worth checking as I am sure they will have something similar.

Once again I agree with Blackduck59 the walk from the Inner Harbour to Chinatown is not an arduous one, relatively level and so many sights to see along the way including Bastion Square. My Husband I and used to walk everyday from the Cruise Terminal area to Chinatown well into our 70's, unfortunately Don then had hip surgery that was messed up and no more long walks but wonderful memories of doing so.  If you get to Chinatown check out Fan Tan Alley, interesting and I think the kids will enjoy that (look it up Victoria Fan Tan Alley).

I would recommend you check out the regular city bus for getting around to Government House and Craigdarroch Castle very easy to get to check the on line schedule and fares etc. at bc.transit.com they also have a trip planner which is very helpful. They run often and many leave from right beside the Parliament Buildings. If you are using cash remember you are in Canada so Canadian $ (you can usually exchange at the guest services on the ship and exact change only on the bus so maybe smaller bills,  you can buy  a day pass from the driver on the bus exact fare only $5.00 p.p. good all day all ways.

I think your plan of boating from Fisherman's Wharf is a good one.  Hope you have a very enjoyable cruise and the kids will enjoy the Kids Club program on the ship so check it out. My Greatgrandkids never want to leave it when parents go to check if they want to spend some time with them.

I couldn't agree more with Blackduck59 he is spot on (my family has been in Victoria since 1896). Butchart's would be a bore for your kids as it is just too much walking , don't get me wrong it is   Beautiful and everyone should see Butchart Gardens but you need to be fit and love flowers and the history of the gardens.

The Government House Gardens are free and beautiful plus you get to see not only the grounds but Government House. If you walk into town from the Cruise terminal you will pass so many beautiful homes and gardens as this is the historic part of Victoria known as James Bay. The walk is generally flat the worst part is getting out of the Pier area. It is a good idea to go one way, say the Dallas Rd/ Coast Guard Base Coast route  to the left as you leave the pier leads you to the Inner Harbour and return the Oswego St route the other way or vis-versa. I would recommend you have a look at a map before you come. Many interesting shops and nooks and crannies within easy walking distance. The Gardens in Victoria public or private are always in bloom don't fall for the "August they will be wilted" It usually never gets that warm in Victoria for much to wilt, wind blown maybe !!! Children would love the little harbour taxi's in the Inner Harbour, Fisherman's Wharf, boathouses, Parliament Buildings, (horse drawn carraiges right beside the Parliament Buildings) the Royal B.C. Museum and 3D Max, the Empress Hotel, Chinatown and so much more Craigdarroch Castle was built by the coal Baron Dunsmuir originally to be his family home.  You will not be dissapointed in just a "walkaout visit to Victoria"

Enjoy your Cruises and any excursions you may take along the way with your Family.

Just my experience and observation after 11 cruises to/from  Alaska. To me the huge ships are not the way you want to take this journey. You would miss the Inside Passage which has not only absolutely fabulous scenery but many whale sightings and the fun of watching the pilots venture out of the wilderness to board the ship. Also sightings  of small cargo ships and barges servicing the coast. Also the large ships cannot access all the points of interest as mentioned previously, National Glacier Park with Ranger on board to tell the story of what you are seeing and watching for wildlife sightings to alert you cannot be replicated anywhere else that we have seen. also they are available to answer your questions etc. College Fjord is also a must in my books as is Skagway the starting point of the Yukon Gold Rush.  In Juneau (when we were able to walk without aids) we would go to Mendenhall Glacier and walk to the waterfall and also take in the Interpretation Centre there complete with movies and exhibits certainly worth a visit and not rushed if you aren't on a tour we always went on our own. Juneau is a very walkable town with lots of interesting old saloons/hotels etc. If you stop in Ketchican the walk up to the lookout gives you a magnificent view, some fantastic totem poles up there also.  Enjoy Alaska, it has changed a lot since our first visit in 2005 and should be seen at least once in a lifetime IMO.

Have a fun filled adventure on your Alaskan journey.

3 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 I thought "have you ever heard of the Medallion App?" and "how did you hear about Princess?" etc. were better aimed at new or returning Princess cruisers not those that had recently cruised multiple times.  For those that have, like us, it did provide the opportunity to share our opinions of the App and Medallion on-board experience.

Also designated  Elite with Princess  and have cruised Princess for 29 years, thought it ludicrous to ask such questions as you would have thought they could have done the slightest research that we have certain cruised before with Princess. I told them the Medallion App was a pain in the "you know what" !!!!

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

Not Princess, but I just got off NCL on Friday and they were offering free testing on the ship for anyone that required it to return home. If you do need to get your own test, be prepared that Vancouver pricing for tests is way more than US! You will find lots of options at the airport, plus there is a private clinic at the Fairmont across from the port https://www.empowerclinics.com/covid-19-testing/

Personally, I would just do a proctored rapid test - less expensive and you can do it yourself! 

When you were comparing Canadian and US pricing did you factor in the current foreign exchange rate??

1 hour ago, Mike & Zen said:

Yes, you are correct.  We'll be doing a couple of those out of Vancouver, Royal Princess, in July and August.

 

• Country of original departure - Canada
• Date of embarkation....ArriveCAN will allow you to enter date approx 4 days before embarkation (about a day more than by air or land)
• Port of entry - Vancouver Cruise Ship Operations
• Date of arrival... ArriveCAN gives you a 30 day calendar for Entry by marine so well within your 14 day back to back.

Which ship?

Thank you so much for all your assistance. We have been many times to Alaska but never under these conditions with paperwork that I guess I'm getting too old to feel confident I'm reading things correctly, particularly when the logic escapes me.

We were originally on the Saphirre then they switched us to Royal when Saphirre cancelled, really not a fan of the Royal and particularly not for Alaska so I moved our booking to the Grand which we have sailed on many times before. Just looking forward to being able to cruise again, even if we don't venture further than our balcony !!!!  Thanks again and enjoy your upcoming cruises. We are also on the Grand in Aug B2B Vancouver. 

6 minutes ago, Mike & Zen said:

 

If I recall, if you are boarding a cruise ship in Canada that is doing a one way, lets say from Vancouver to (Whittier, Hawaii, California, Japan, etc), and you are disembarking at those destinations, ArriveCAN is not required.  Are you able to call the ArriveCAN toll free number?

Actually doing B2B 7 days  Vancouver-Vancouver  so believe we have to do ArriveCan?

What is the appropriate answer for a Canadian living in Canada as to how you arrived in Canada ? When you are completing form to board a Cruise ship in Vancouver do you use the Marine option even though you aren't arriving by Cruise ship?

Still at a loss as to why Canadians have to complete an application to arrive in Canada when we are already in Canada makes no sense to me.

In the past you phoned room service to do the exchange of product. I don't know if this has changed or not but if you see your room steward they would be able to tell you. Enjoy your Cruise and your beer !

email sbpcl@princesscruises.com put your last name and booking # in subject line phone is useless IMO

Don't count on getting an answer any time soon, here was my experience sent all documents by Fax Feb 5th 2022, nothing showed on booking so emailed them Feb 28th,  2nd week of March still nothing so tried Live Chat they tried to reach Shareholders Benefit people and finally gave up after we were on hold for 20 minutes and they told me to send another email, March 16th sent email to sbpcl@princesscruises.com and finally got a reply Mar 20th telling me my original faxed documents were illegible and I needed to email them to the sbpcl email putting my last name and booking # in the subject line, did this and finally got email confirmation from Princess of shareholders benefit credit on March 27th.

So OP I would suggest you email all your required documents to sbpcl@princesscruises.com with your last name and booking # in the subject line and good luck.

9 hours ago, capriccio said:

I bought the metal bracelet on board the Enchanted Princess last month.  The Ocean Medallion desk has all the accessories available for purchase.  I waited until the line died down during the dinner hour - it was busy in the afternoon with passengers needing Medallion assistance - and the entire transaction took about 2 minutes.

I understand the Apple watch strap is same size and costs a lot less maybe someone knows more about this,

Hi, enjoy your cruise, we sail in May which will be our 10th Alaska Cruise and as others have said you probably wont be disappointed if it's not your 1st cruise but personally I never want to miss Glacier Bay and if possible College Fjord. We have been Northbound, Southbound many times also on B2B and they are different each time even if same itinery, the weather, ice conditions, Glacier calving, whales and wildlife never ever has it been the same twice since we first went in 2003. We have done Alaska  end of April, May and September, we were scheduled on the Saphirre for this May and they changed the ship to the Royal so we cancelled as I would not want to miss the Inside Passage or Skagway and truly once was enough for me on the Royal. IMHO spaces too chopped up and we miss Promenade Deck and Explorers Lounge. Rebooked on the Grand and getting excited haven't cruised since 2020 and have truly missed it after having cruised over 28years and 56 cruises.

The Park Rangers at Glacier Bay are terrific and are available with so much information of a truly magical area. Truly hope that your enjoy your cruise and can take some excursions.

Yes cruisingrob21, also confusing once you have navigated the skytrain, traversed the stairs and streets you can't just enter the Cruise Terminal at the closest point you have to follow the "traffic cop directions".  I would caution everyone that   you have to read the signs carefully at Skytrain station or you could even end up on the wrong platform going the opposite direction.  I love Skytrain and whenever we could in the past on any visit to the city always used Skytrain, Even arriving by Ferry from Vancouver Island and taking the bus to the Skytrain Station at YVR/ River Rock  to get wherever we needed to go.

Sucks to get old with mobility issues but still going to cruise !!!!

3 minutes ago, cruisingrob21 said:

I'll second the comment about taking Skytrain.  On the west coast, there is no other transit service that is as fast, frequent, and gets you so close to the cruise terminal than skytrain.  We've taken it multiple times and I would highly recommend over a cruise line transfer that can get stuck in traffic.

Just be aware there is quite a walk with luggage to the actual Cruise Terminal, we always did the Skytrain/walk to Cruise however now find we are unable to do this anylonger with cane and luggage. So just a caution that I thought you should be aware of. Our experience using e-z Air and Princess transfer is they will be there as long as you are on their list and make your way to their meeting place, and they will get you to the ship.

Thanks Steelers36, that could well be the problem. 

Kind of strange her phone line and extention would still be operational as I have been trying for over 4 months but I guess anything is possible right now.

Longing for cruising and hope May settles down for Alaska Cruise.