Boiler Cruiser

My wife and I are taking a cruise on Princess which departs from Southampton in September.  We will return there as well for debarkation.

We have not been to the Southampton Cruise terminal before and I'd be interested in any information might be helpful.

We are going to be staying 2 days in London before our cruise, and will be transferring to the port on the day of our departure.

For those of you who have been through the Southampton Cruise Port, what was your experience like?  Was it crowded?  Did your embarkation go smoothly?  Was it easy to drop off luggage?  How as check-in?

How was your debarkation? 

I'd be interested in any thoughts or advice that might be helpful.

My wife and I are going to be taking a cruise to Alaska on Princess in 2025.  Our cruise is RT from Vancouver.

We have not sailed out of the Canada Place Cruise Terminal before.  I am curious what other cruisers' experience has been going through Vancouver.  How was your embarkation experience?  How did your disembarkation go?

Did you use a transfer supplied by your cruise line, or get to the terminal on your own?

Was it crowded?  Was it easy to drop off luggage?  Was check-in what you expected?

Do you have any advice for my wife and I?  Anything you can share would be appreciated.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-on-a-cruise-ship

I found this article on the Indeed.com website.  It details the compensation of most positions on a cruise ship, from deckhand to Captain.

I mentions that the average salary for a Steward is $56,500.  Our Steward on our last cruise was from the Philipines.  If I were able to take a salary of $56,500 back home to my family in the Philipines, I would consider myself very well compensated, given the cost of living in that country.

For an upcoming cruise out of Southampton, my wife and I are flying into Heathrow 2 days before the cruise.  We are staying in the designated Princess Hotel in London, so we have arranged the Princess transfer to the hotel. 

On the day of the cruise, we are taking the Princess Transfer from the hotel to port of Southampton.

Our flight back to the US leaves Heathrow early in the morning, the day after we get back to Southampton, so we are staying at a hotel at the airport.

On 5/21/2024 at 3:17 PM, Torfamm said:

You might want to look further.  Other travel documents are accepted for those arriving on a cruise ship and staying in port areas.

 

11. I am traveling on a cruise to Mexico, do I need visa?/Voy a viajar en crucero a México, necesito visa? A foreigner of any country traveling to Mexico on leisure trips visiting Mexican maritime ports by cruise, are not required to obtain a visa or consular stamp. The passenger must carry a valid and not expired passport or travel document.

https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washington/images/2020/visas/FAQ_13-02-2020.pdf

Ultimately, of course, it's depends on how comfortable you are leaving the ship and setting foot on foreign soil without proof of citizenship with you.  The universally accepted document is your passport.  If you, god forbid, get into a situation where the local authorities want to see your identification and papers, and all you have is your birth certificate or DL, then you have no proof of citizenship, and it will complicate getting back to the ship or, in a worst case scenerio, getting ahold of the US Consolate.

I'd rather be accused of being overly cautious, than take the risk.  I never leave the ship without my passport.

5 hours ago, rbelshaw said:

 Like many posts in this thread, this statement is overly broad and thus misleading. A passport is required to enter Canada or Mexico by land or air. Not required to enter by sea. I have entered both countries by sea at least eight times in the past two years sans passport. While ashore, you need only carry ID/ DL (and your ship card) to keep the local constabulary happy.

 

This is what I have found on line about passport requirements in Mexico and Canada.

For entry into Canada, you need a passport, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's license.

This is detailed in https://www.afar.com/magazine/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-canada as follows.

"Do you need a passport to enter Canada?

Yes, Americans need a passport to go to Canada, or an appropriate alternative document. And that’s whether you’re flying, driving, sailing, biking, taking the train, or walking into the country from the United States.

The policy that requires Americans to have a passport or equivalent document for transiting between the United States and Canada was passed by Congress in 2009 as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) “to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States.”

Under this initiative, a passport is considered the standard document for international travel. It replaced previous forms of identification, such as a standard driver’s license or birth certificate, which were previously accepted for crossing the U.S.–Canada border."

For entry into Mexico, all US Citizens must have a valid passport.

This is detailed in https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/index.php/en/2016-04-09-20-40-51/tourism/1601-3-know-before-you-go

"All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors. Stays less than 72 hours within the border area, do not require an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM).
Tourists"

I hope this helps.  I never leave the ship in a non-US port without my passport.

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

could we please have a link to this official information?

For entry into Canada, you need a passport, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's license.

This is detailed in https://www.afar.com/magazine/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-canada as follows.

"Do you need a passport to enter Canada?

Yes, Americans need a passport to go to Canada, or an appropriate alternative document. And that’s whether you’re flying, driving, sailing, biking, taking the train, or walking into the country from the United States.

The policy that requires Americans to have a passport or equivalent document for transiting between the United States and Canada was passed by Congress in 2009 as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) “to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States.”

Under this initiative, a passport is considered the standard document for international travel. It replaced previous forms of identification, such as a standard driver’s license or birth certificate, which were previously accepted for crossing the U.S.–Canada border."

For entry into Mexico, all US Citizens must have a valid passport.

This is detailed in https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/index.php/en/2016-04-09-20-40-51/tourism/1601-3-know-before-you-go

"All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors. Stays less than 72 hours within the border area, do not require an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM).
Tourists"

I hope this helps.  I never leave the ship in a non-US port without my passport.

15 hours ago, rbelshaw said:

You will be stopping in a foreign port, probably Ensenada, What you need is a drivers license and a certified copy of your birth certificate, assuming you were born in the USA.

The law changed a couple of years ago.  You now MUST have a US passport to enter/ return to Canada or Mexico.

The reason I mention this is that if the Police, Customs, or any other law enforcement stop you on the streets of Mexico or Canada away from the ship (on your own), or your ship's tour group, you will need a passport to show them (no carbon copies or cell phone pictures).

6 minutes ago, Samkitty1 said:

I booked a last minute cruise on the Regal Princess British Isles in June...I love the convenience of the plus package but not sure if it's worth it to us on such a port intentive itenerary. We don't drink much...but would make good use of the specialty coffees, Alfredos,  internet and bottled water.

 

Does anyone who sailed recently on the Regal know if Gelato's will allow you have a dish of plain gelato in place of one of the specialty desserts in the tall glasses?  On the Royal, earlier this year they would only allow you to order the desserts as described. 

If you wanted a scoop of gelato it cost 3.50, or you could wait in the very long line for one of the desserts that came with the package 

 

I have heard that some of the ships allow some flexibility 

Also, it's been our experience that the ship's wifi has been spotty at best... has there been improvement i the past year?

I was on the Royal about a year ago, and had the Premier Package, but I think my experience will be the same for Plus.  Gelatos did not charge for any ice cream or cake.

I have Platinum status.  I had made some dinner reservations for our September cruise to Norway, but they got removed from the Princess App when they did the most recent maintenance.

I think I read somewhere that I will be able to make reservations again starting June 17.  Is that correct?  If not, when will I be able to remake my dinner reservations for this cruise?

Thanks.

18 minutes ago, t&atravel said:

@Boiler Cruiser  see screen prints below. Select a restaurant, scroll down to guest and click on the 🖊️ icon, then the little man with the + sign.  You can then add their booking numbers

t&atravel,

I did as you said and my in-laws showed up on my app for dinner reservations as you said.  I gather that now that I have done it for one dinner reservation, their profiles will pop up each time I make a dinner reservation, regardless of restaurant.  I can then add them for each reservation, as I make it.

Thanks for your help.

12 minutes ago, t&atravel said:

I replied on your other thread

t&atravel,

I did as you said and my in-laws showed up on my app for dinner reservations as you said.  I gather that now that I have done it for one dinner reservation, their profiles will pop up each time I make a dinner reservation, regardless of restaurant.  I can then add them for each reservation, as I make it.

Thanks for your help.

My wife and I are sailing to Alaska with her brother and his wife on the Caribbean Princess in 2025.  Each of us have our own booking numbers since we made the bookings separately.

My TA just linked us with my in-laws as traveling together.  This will give us the opportunity to make dinner reservations as a group of 4, even though we have different booking numbers.  Apparently, according to my TA, we can also make excursion reservations together, as well.

My question is, now that we are linked, how do I bring them up on my new Princess App, so I can make dinner reservations for the four of us at a 4-top?  Do I make a reservation for 4 at Sabatini's or the Crown Grill the same way?

I think there is a way for their profiles to show up with ours in the "Reserve Dining" part of the app, so we can reserve one table for 4.  I don't know how to pull them up, though.

How do I make a reservation for the four of us at one table on my Princess App on my phone?

Thanks for your help.

My wife and I are sailing to Alaska with her brother and his wife on the Caribbean Princess in 2025.

My TA just linked us with my in-laws as traveling together.  This will give us the opportunity to make dinner reservations as a group of 4, even though we have different booking numbers.  Apparently, according to my TA, we can also make excursion reservations together, as well.

My question is, now that we are linked, how do I bring them up on my new Princess App, so I can make dinner reservations for the four of us at a 4-top?  Do I make a reservation for 4 at Sabatini's the same way?

I think there is a way for their profiles to show up together with ours in the "Reserve Dining" part of the app.  I don't know how to pull them up, though.

Again, is there a way to do that so I can reserve a table for four?

Thanks for your help.

My DW and I are on a cruise to Norway on the Caribbean Princess later this year, which includes an overnight stop in Alta, Norway.

There are excursions for the first day (and evening), but no excursions available for day 2, even though we do not leave until late at night.

Have any of you had experience with Princess and this port?  Will there be excursions available to day 2?  If so, when will we be able to sign up for them.

Thanks.

For those who have cruised on both Carnival and Princess, can you tell me what the difference is between the Princess Mini Suite and Carnival's Suites?  Does Carnival have an equivalent accomodation to the Princess Mini Suite?

I have not been on a Carnival Cruise, but I have been on several Princess Cruises.

Princess has drink packages, as well as combo packages, such as their Premium and Plus Packages that include more than just drinks. 

Does Carnival have drink packages that include wine, beer and liquor?  Do they have packages that include Wifi, Specialty Meals, etc.?

How much do they cost?

Thanks.

I have been asked to give advice about cruising in Alaska, since I have had the wonderful experience.  But I would like to know what others have to share on the subject.

What advice would you give someone who is looking forward to booking their first Alaska cruise?

What should they consider when choosing a cruise line?  What kind of accommodations?  Should they do a cruise tour for their first cruise to Alaska, or just the cruise itself?

What time of year is best for booking an Alaska cruise?

Any other advice or recommendations?

I just noticed on the Princess website that when booking a cruise, you are no longer given the option of choosing the Premium Package, only the Plus Package. 

Is that a new wrinkle?  Is the Premier Package no longer available?  If not, what is the reason(s) it was eliminated?

On 12/7/2023 at 8:55 AM, STREETKING said:

We have booked a 16-day Hawaiian cruise sailing in January 2025. I would like to start making payments but wasn't sure if I should do this or wait for the final payment date. Is there any disadvantage to starting to prepay before final payment ?

Won't Princess only provide a "refund" in the form of a cruise credit is you pay early and decide not to go for any reason?

On 11/23/2023 at 3:33 PM, beg3yrs said:

We did this itinerary in 2022 on the Island Princess and we're going to do it again on the Emerald Princess in 2025. Yes, for us it was that good!

 

IIRC, excursions in Alta were available for both days the whole time. That said, I just took a look at our excursions for 2025 and see exactly what you do for 2024. Only excursions for the first day are listed. In 2022 unless it was a late night or overnight excursion, the second day pretty much offered similar excursions to the first day.

 

BTW, sailing out that late was amazing. The Northern Lights put on quite an amazing show as they were the backdrop to all the islands of the channel. Stay up, it's worth it.

beg3yrs...

Saw your cruise history and your note about your first cruise.  My dad was in the Army, and when we returned from Hawaii in 1962 (I was 11 years old), we took the Lurline to San Francisco.  I have great memories of that trip.

When I went back to Hawaii this year on the Royal, I saw the berth we left from in Honolulu!

My DW and I are booked on the Caribbean Princess in September, 2024 going up the coast of Norway, hoping the see the Northern Lights in Alta, and enjoy cruising the fjord-laden coast.

Our stop in Alta, Norway is an overnight stop.  We arrive on the first day at 11AM.  On that day, we have an excursion booked to hopefully see the northern lights, which goes from 8:30PM to 11:30PM. 

The ship does not leave Alta until 11PM on day 2.  There is no listings of any excursions for day 2.  Is this like some Honolulu itineraries, where they don't list any day 2 excursions, until close to the embarkation date?

Does anyone have experience with this Norway itinerary?  Any comments would be appreciated.

My wife and are going to  be on a Caribbean cruise that includes a day at Princess Cay in the Bahamas.  We have the Princess Premier Package.

When we are at Princess Cay, will the Premier Package apply to our drinks (beer, cocktails, etc.)?

What other benefits might we get with the Premier Package (and being Platinum level) while we are at the Princess Cay?

I was on the Royal Princess recently and saw that they had a cocktail hour for Captain's Club Elite and Platinum members in the Vista Lounge before dinner.

Do they have the same thing on older ships, such as the Caribbean Princess and the Emerald Princess, among others?  If so, where?  Is it available every evening?

My wife and I had an experience on our recent cruise to Hawaii that resulted in the tour taking much longer than expected. 

Our bus driver fancied himself a painter, so at selected stops as we drove around Oahu, he would work on his painting while waiting for us at various stops.  Between stops he drove the bus (a full sized one) faster than expected, leaving us with little time to take in the sights as we drove by.  For example, we drove by the Bonzai Pipeline beaches and Sunset Beach, (a sight I REALLY wanted to see) as well as drove through Haleiwa so fast we did not get more than a glimpse of the sand and water, as well as the town.

At places like that Dole Pineapple Plantation (where, by the way, we were not able to buy fresh sliced pineapple), he stopped for more than 20 minutes longer than he needed to just so he would have time to finish his painting before driving back to Honolulu (driving fast again).  By this time, not being able to see much because of his driving speed, we were all wondering when we would get back to the ship.

As a result, we were the last tour back to the ship about 40 minutes late, about 10 minutes before that ship was scheduled to leave.  Needless to say, the ship's officers and the Excursion Coordinator were not at all happy.  They asked us to quick foot it to get on board.

What about the painting, you ask?  He gave the painting (a not very good beach scene) to one of our fellow passengers as they got off the bus.  That was why he was so fired up to finish it.

Has anyone had a similar experience?