4x4bob

As soon as you said DELTA I had a flash back to our cancelled flight and the problems we had a few years ago. And yes, we were also involved with EZ air. We arrived at Sacramento Airport the required 2 hours early to check in and clear TSA to board the plane to LA. As we approached our gate we watched the people at the next gate being moved to our gate and to board the plane waiting. Then we were ordered to move over to the other gate. At that time the board posted a 30 minute delay for us. To make the departure story short they posted several more 30 min delay's until the flight was cancelled at 1:30 PM. We had contacted Princess Hq several times to give updates on our delay's. We scrambled and got onto another flight that arrived at LA at 5:00 PM and the ship had departed at 4:00 PM. The wife and I had talked and agreed to chase the ship to the next port which was Porta Vallarta, in 3 days. Two Princess reps were waiting for us when we picked up our baggage. They told us to contact the on duty Princess Rep which happened to be in India. Which added to the fun because they would time out in 15 minutes. Which required us to call back, get another person, and then spend time explaining what happened. And you can only guess how much fun it was trying to talk on a cell phone in a noisy Airport. Several phone calls later we were told that reservations were made for us for next morning on a flight South. We then contacted the Delta desk in the Airport to request that they comp us a Hotel and meals. After some back and forth they finally agreed to the Hotel, no meals. We caught the bus out front for the Hotel. Arrived at the Hotel to find out that they were booked and had no room for us. Back to the Airport and stand in line at the Delta desk. Second Hotel provided and we finally arrived at it at 8:00 PM. That hotel was very helpful after we explained what we were going through. Their restaurant was closed but they still made sandwiched for us. And, made a computer available so we could search for a Hotel down in PV. (yea, seamless support, right). By 11:00 PM we had finally located a Hotel and made reservations which required a phone call because the Hotel would not take a computer reservation same day and at night. Considering how things were going for us, we checked on the flight reservation. Reservation made, but not paid for. Could not believe that. So, at 6:00AM We call Princess Hq, only minor wait, told them the problem and they made the Payment for the flight. At the Hotel in PV we met another couple who missed their Delta flight and basically went through same process to arrive at PV to wait for the ship. Some humor for this mess. Last day at Hotel the bill was slid under door. I picked it up and looked at it. Surprise, Surprise, it was for $7,000.00 USD for 3 nights. We ran down to the front desk. Whoops they hit wrong key. It was $7,000 Peso's not USD. We had to collect receipts along the way, out of our pocket for payments, to file for reimbursement from the insurance. Wrote angry trip report and submitted it to Princess after the Cruise. Several months later was contacted by Princess Ref the trip report. If Delta is the only flight some where we will not go. We have used EZ Air since then, but watch it like a fox watching a chicken. We did have fun in PV while waiting and the Cruise was great. Bob

Thanks for this information. We are on the Diamond in January with a Aft Mini Suite on Deck 8. Was just a little concerned about the smoking on deck 7 being a problem.

Some back ground information to get started. This year one month or so before our Cruise on the Diamond we get the "Dear Valued Customer" E-Mail from Princess. Your Cruise has been cancelled. Here are three options being offered. None really appealed to us, so, we jumped on our Puters and did some research. Found the same cruise, same ship, being offered in Jan 2023. We contacted our PVP and made reservations and was able to obtain the same Mini Suite as before. Since then after making final payment for the Jan cruise, the Wife and I would log into our Princess Account several times a week just to make sure we did not receive a surprise upgrade to a Hammock down in Steerage along with $25.00 OBC, or something. Because, way down deep both the Wife and I suspect that Princess hired its IT Staff away from the California DMV. Monday night was my turn so I log in and up popped center screen the following message. YOUR FARES HAVE CHANGED Here's Why. If your fares are lower, we may have realized you were a past guest and eligible for different pricing. If they're higher, we may have had trouble confirming your cruise history ( we have been with Princess since they used sails to power their ships) as a past guest. Either way, if you need to tweak your profile just call 1-800-774-xxxx. All fares are subject to limited availability as indicated in our terms and conditions. Then UPDATED PRICING SUMMARY. New pricing, Guest 1, Guest 2, Cruise Total, Taxes, & Port Expenses. Total Price (USD). Just about double what we paid back in October when final payment was due. Then there was a page 2. I clicked on it. Showed my Military OBC. Then surprise, surprise, listed the same amount of Military OBC for the Wife. Hmm, did not know that in her younger years she Boondocked through the jungle with a rifle and field pack. Boy that is scary, sure don't want to get into a argument with a combat veteran . 😁 Showed print out to the wife. She jumped onto her computer and logged into our Princess Account. Record showed the same amount which we paid last October, no change. Turned out, just more Princess Entertainment kinda like making a phone call to Princess Hq. Hmm, I wonder what the record is for the longest wait on hold? Or, the record for the most transfers to different depts before being hung up on? Bob

My first thought when I first read about this new "procedure" on reserving seats in the theatre were. As I stand in the back looking down over the reserved section, how many will be empty because they were automatically reserved, yet the people did not come. Bob

Under the current system of bidding, the bids are locked at a pre-set minimum . You can not bid lower that what is set. That is why I passed on bidding on a suite my self because adding that minimum to the cost of our Mini-Suite would almost pay for another cruise. Bob

Very thankful for that. the mental visual picture of passengers without clothes on is just horrible frightening. 😄

We have been with Princess long enough years to go through the Upgrade Fairy, and Up Sells, so we were curious just how the new bidding process was going to work. When we reserved our Aft Mini Suite we wrote down the prices of the full suites that we might be interested in. Shortly there after Princess blocked out the Suites on our cruise with the message currently not available contact Princess to reserve. Then we finally received the E-Mail stating that we could now bid on our cruise. When we looked at the suite prices being offered at min to max bid we both agreed that if we had wanted to pay full price for a suite we would have done so months ago when we reserved the mini. At this point there are numerous empty cabins on our ship so we are waiting to see if Princess will adjust their min/max levels later on. Bob

After the pay out, was there heard a big splash as that machine disappeared from the Casino? 😁 Bob

Harry: Just wanted to say good-by and that your trip report was out standing. It provided information, entertainment, and some humor along with your photo's. Will watch for future reports from you and sure hope that some day our paths cross at the International Cafe on some ship. As for me, the Wife quoting from the Game of Thrones "Winter is Coming" is telling me to turn off my computer and go cut and split some firewood or do something else that is useful. Wishing you and your family Happy Trails. Bob

Going from ship to ship while cruising, eating is just part of the adventure. With this in mind, the very worst piece of steak that I have ever been served was at the Crown Grill. At first I asked the waiter for another steak knife thinking the one I had was just promoted up from the engine room where it started out as a screw driver or something. Next knife would not cut the meat either. On the menu it should have been advertised as "Sole of Shoe". Then I tried to see how far I could stab my fork into the steak. After a couple of jabs the Wife told me to stop playing with my food people are watching me. Instead of sending it back, we had family with us and we had something planned for right after dinner so I did not want to wait so I just let it sit on my plate. This May on the Discovery in the Crown Grill my steak was outstanding. Bob

You have some very nice photo's of your family. I think the best one of your Wife was her sitting by her self on the balcony with a plate on her knee. You should have a 8x10 print made of that photo and then display it back home with your family photo collection. You are lucky she sits still for photos. My Wife has a built in GPS unit that tells her when I am near her with my camera and she disappears like a puff of smoke. Bob

WOW. You posted: "So good enough is good enough until CC Pays Me More for my efforts" So, how does the payment rate go? Is it by length of Post or by the amount of photos submitted? Inquiring minds want to know. 😁 Bob

On your Caribbean Cruise you will have a good chance to see some float planes. We were heading across the harbor on a tour boat and I watched a float plane take off behind our boat. Now don't ask me when or where because it was back past yesterday I sure don't remember that kinda info. Just remember watching the plane. Bob

Forget Diamond International as a tourist trap, and read on. You want to hear jewelry store scary, listen to this. In Skagway the Wife was walking at a fast pace up and down the main street looking for the Broadway Jewelry Store. She had visited that store on 4 previous cruises and had called the shop before the cruise to make sure that they were still open. So in May of this year Wife headed straight to main street as soon as the Discovery Princess allowed passenger to dis-en-bark to starting looking. The owner had moved her location so it was challenge to find the shop. Then my hopes were dashed when she saw the shop sign hanging underneath another business sign. As we walked into the shop the owner took one look at the Wife and called out a loud welcome back and ran over and gave her a big hug. Then the owner looked at me and said you know where the Husband chair is. Well you know the story. Husband carries no cash, he is married. 😪 So, after a visit like this, when we return home, we are on a Kraft Macaroni and Cheese diet for two weeks as we try to get our check book back into some type of balance. Bob

Thanks for your inputs. Bob

Searching for Hotels we have questions about two Hotels. 1. Wyndham San Diego Bayside. Looking at map it appears to be across the street from the port. Is it an easy walk to get there while dragging suitcases along with us? Also are they any good restaurants in the area? 2. Best Western Plus Bayside Inn. Would you recommend this place and why? Also same question, are there any good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. 3. If you have a better suggestion willing to listen. Thanks Bob

Here is a tip for taking photos in the rain. I am sure that you know that putting a plastic bag over your camera and then trying to take a good photo is very hard. On a nature hike up through the forest above Mendenhal Glacier, on a rainy day, the guide handed everyone getting off the bus that had a camera a bright yellow wash cloth???? Hmm I wondered to my self, will he also be handing out bars of soap so we can take advantage of the rain? Nope, he explained that we should cover our cameras with wash cloth. When it gets wet, hide the camera under our coat and wring out the wash cloth. Worked like a champ. They were bright yellow so the guide could be sure to collect them at the end of the day. Since then I have always carried a wash cloth in my camera bag for a rainy day. Bob

To answer your question about us going on our own Tours. I signed up for a Photo Safari that went out whale watching then a hike through the forest that came out above Mendenhal Glacier. The three ladies rushed into town to go shopping which would give a average husband a chill just thinking about that. The other two men, after missing out on a tour, went back to town to visit Diamond International for their free gift. 😆 When we travel with family or friends, my rule is, we are not joined at the hip. Can go and do separate things. Can you imagine three families standing on a street corner, each pointing a different direction that they wanted to go? 😬 Bob

Your photos of the Kiosks brought back a funny memory. A few years ago the Wife Unit convinced all of her In laws and Out laws to come with us on a cruise to Alaska. Her Brother-In-Law convinced her brother that when they arrive at Juneau that if they wait awhile until the ship empties out and the dock is clear of people the Kiosks operators will negotiate on the price of a tour. Me being a graduate of the 6th grade, was smart enough not sign on to their plan. So the two of them hurried into town as soon as the ship was cleared. They poked around for little while then headed back to the dock. Part 1 of plan. Dock was clear of people, check. Part 2 of plan approach Kiosks, whoops, they are all shut down and operators have left the area. That night at dinner in the MDR I asked them what tour did they finally go and how much did they save? Mumble Mumble pass the butter. Could you repeat I did not understand what you said. 😁 Finally they fessed up. They did not go anywhere. But, hay, they did save a nickel. Bob

Topic: New ideas for perks that could be added. Are you all paying attention to what is happing over at Carnival? They just announced no more free room service and came out with a menu of items and the new costs. The one that caught my eye was a Peanut Butter and Jelly on toast sandwich with cookie and chips. $5.00 along with another 18% service charge or .90 cents. What goes with Carnival, Princess could soon follow along with as they try to pay down the huge amount of debit that they piled up the last two years. Bob

Take a look at MedJetAssist. I will be up front with you in saying it is a tad expensive. But over the years several CC members have used it with very good results. We have the card in our wallet when we leave home as the advertisement goes. Bob

The photos of the hiking trail reminded me of an event that occurred while we were hiking along the nature trail. A few years before the cruise the Wife Unit had purchased for me a bright orange vest that she wanted me to take with me when I went hunting out in the forest. Her thinking was that it would be much easier to find me if I was wearing the vest instead of a full set of camouflage clothing.(AS if me, the descendant of vikings that crossed the ocean without a compass could lost in the woods) That vest was really warm so I brought it along in preparation for cold weather in Alaska. Also I brought a long a light weight water proof wind breaker with hood in preparation for the mandatory light rain at 10:00 AM every day in Alaska. I was wearing both during our hike. After a while it was getting a little too warm so I unzipped the wind breaker and let it hang open. A woman walking towards us saw the vest and came running up to ask me why was I wearing a life jacket out in the woods? Just as I started to answer the Wife Unit said "Don't you dare". Hmm seems she has a keen understanding of my wacky sense of humor. So I just showed the lady that it was a vest. Bob

On our trans Atlantic cruise we marked our reservation "Do Not Upgrade" since we were low mid ship. Then the E-Mail came stating that we had been upgraded to a higher class cabin.😵 I quickley checked the ship map to see that we had been moved exactly two cabins farther down the hallway. When I told the the Wife she just shook her head wondering why Princess even bothered. Then I told her that the cabin were were moved out of was a tad bit cheaper and Princess had a better chance of selling it. Now we have a Mini Aft reserved and the Wife and I take turns checking our reservations just to make sure we have not lost it in a unwanted upgrade. Bob

Driving in San Francisco traffic is not for the faint of heart. In My humble opinion to maintain their jobs, Cal Trans spends the day digging the pot holes deeper and the local news does not bother to report traffic accidents unless there is at least 50 vehicles involved. 😁 Which translate in big traffic jams at times that could impact arrival at airport. Bob

A report from an Old geezer. Back in the day, as my Grand Pa used to say, when we arrived at ISP the ship dropped anchor out in the bay and we rode the Tenders into a small dock in front of the Cook House. Then up behind it was the remodeled cannery along with the mandatory gift shop to separate the sheep from their wool, er money. Also there was a hiking trail up through the woods and campfires on the beach at which you could buy small chips of wood to toss in for good luck that was supposed to bring you back to ISP. I guess the small chip we tossed into the fire was not big enough to have strong magic to bring us back. From your photos there really has been some changes made since we were there. Bob