4x4bob

One of the best short cruises that we were lucky enough to go on was a one day from Vancouver down to Seattle. The Kid to adult ratio was about 2 to 1 or maybe more. And some of those kids were special needs kids. They were were having an outstanding time being able to go on a cruise. Some of them even participated in some of the lounge shows. Bob

Here is an idea for the young at heart. Take some Cruising Ducks along with you and hide them about the ship for others to find. I attach a small tag with the wife's and my first name, the date of the cruise and the ships name. Alaska cruise in May I found one that had been placed by a car dealer from Los Vegas. My daughter found a orange one without a tag. My wife found a tag without a duck. Have fun Bob

Oh yes, one more happy EZ Air customer here. Our Cruise departs in November from San Diego. So, yesterday we received our first flight change notice. The new flight would depart Sacramento at 2:45 and arrive at 4:18. Which you experienced cruisers know, the ship would depart at 4:00 PM. Do you see any problem here? This is why it is dangerous to fly the same day as departure by the ship. And the change notice was sent by a Princess staff person. Makes you wonder just where their head is located at? 😵 Lucky for us we had planned to go down there 2 days early. The wife checked. Our original flight was totally cancelled by the airlines. She then said, maybe we should just cancel the whole thing and look into going next February. The problem with this idea is, we lost over two years cruising due to Covid shutting down cruising and the clock is ticking on us. We are not getting any younger. Bob

On the Discovery in May numerous times while ordering a drink from the drink package the staff person had to enter my cabin number because they could not read the medallion. The wife did not have this problem. Since then other posters have suggested it was a low battery or something. Brand new medallion with low battery. Yup more Princess tech to contend with. Bob

Also was wondering what to do about a good cup of coffee in the morning. After looking at deck plans I pointed out to the Wife that there was not a International Cafe or Coffee bar on the Diamond. For a few seconds I thought she was going to cancel the cruise. 😁 In the morning I normally would get up early, wander the ship with my camera, catching photos of people saving chairs by the pool, etc. Then stop by the Coffee bar for a cup of coffee and then pick up a lemon filled donut for the wife. Oh well, this will just be part of the adventure, right? Bob

A few years ago we arrived at the airport at 7:00 AM for a 9:00 flight to Los Angles to catch the ship. The air lines diddled around with "30 minute Delays" until 1:30 then finally cancelled the flight. We hurried and got onto another flight that arrived at 5:00 PM and the ship had departed at 4:00 PM. The wife and I agreed, to chase the ship. So, 3 days later we caught up with the ship. During that time we generated gallons of Lemonade from the lemons that fell on us. Finding a Hotel late at night in LA was fun. Finding another Hotel in PV was fun. Arranging a flight down there and getting Princess Insurance to pay for it was fun. But when it was over we both agreed that it was an interesting addition to our cruise. So, with this in mind and watching the current flights on different air lines going under and causing passengers to hunt and peck to find another ride, we decided to go 2 days early and enjoy the local area. Bob

Thanks for the idea of calling the hotel. Should have thought of that my self. Bob

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Will copy to pocket notebook so I will not forget. Bob

The Wife just raised a interesting question. We are now flying to port two days early just in case flight problems come up. So, what have others done with their pre cruise test when they leave home early? I figured that we could take test kit with us and take test in Hotel room. However, what is going to happen if need print out of test results? How hard to get them on a Hotel printer? Feel like I have to take a Grand Kid with me to solve technical questions. 😲 Thanks Bob

I saw a rack of them on the Discovery this may. Bob

IMHO most of those posting here are experienced with cruising. The $1.00 deposit is like a fisherman putting a worm on a hook. It will catch new people and bring them into the cruising family. Bob

In your special requests example you posted, a word was left off which would have made the Dinning Preferences requests more easy to under stand. It should have read "Ocean Ready" which is the title of their Ap that ties to their medallion.

Scott Thanks Based on other input the Wife is now researching another hotel for our trip. Bob

No, because we did not really care if they were there or not. I was just reporting that the items were not in the cabin. Bob

On Discovery in may. No up grade amenities in Bathroom, no blue bag in closet, no laundry price list in closet, and no ice bucket either. De little cut backs just keep rolling along. How long before we have to bring our own sheets and pillows? 😲 Bob

To those who have responded, Thanks Bob

We are plaining to arrive in San Diego 2 days before our Cruise in November. Princess has offered us a room in the Sheridan Hotel and Marina. So, my question is, what are your opinion of this Hotel if you have stayed there before? Reviews seem to be all over the place, i.e good vs bad. Thanks Bob

Thanks for the information. Will file it away for next cruise in case I have similar problems. Bob

A big YES on buggy ap. April we tried to make reservations in the Crown Grill for us and our Daughter and her husband. We tried to link the four of us for the reservation. We tried several times on different days. Then finally said Phooy and waited until we were on board the ship to make the reservations. Then when we were on the ship my Wife's medallion would click open the cabin door as she walked up to the door. Me, I would have to stand there almost 30 seconds before that silly medallion was recognized and the door would unlock. 😬 Bob

Depending on the ship of course, but, some ocean view obstructed cabins have the windows between the life boats so you can get a good view. Have to look at deck plans. Bob

When I ordered the Medallion I also ordered the wrist band. Did not like it, so went with the supplied lanyard. I just dropped it down inside my shirt to keep it out of the way. Did want to bend over and have it drop into my soup or something. Only time I pulled it out was at port to sign off the ship and then back on. My door read it, and so did bars so no problem having it inside the shirt. Bob

To OP: Hello youngster, I am 78, and want to offer you some ideas on starting conversations. 😁 As you walk up to the 10 top dinner table smile and say hello my name is Mary and this is my husband Clyde how are you all doing? That will make it easy for others to talk to you. Most conversations around the dinner table usually concerns what happened during the day, what tours they went on, what shows they will see that night or questions about where you are from. When standing in line for something most people standing along with you will talk to you if nothing else on how slow the line is going. IF the conversation is not to your liking then you can change subject or move on. Just a smile and a hello is often enough to get someone else to talk to you. If you are not interested in talking then just move on. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Bob

In May our mini bar set up did not have any cognac. Did have Christian Brothers Brandy VS., I asked the room steward and he checked. Nope. So, swap out the mini bar for 10 bottles of Brandy. The rest we traded for cans of Coke for the wife. Bob

We were on the Discovery Princess in may. We did not ask for any canapes on formal night, but they were delivered to our cabin. Wife took one look and said Yuk. I tried one. The rest we dumped. None were delivered the second formal night. When we go out on the Diamond in November will make sure I ask for the chocolates. And yes, I did notice things that were missing or changed. However, did not impact our cruise in any way. Bob

Peanut Butter Cookies........In the "OLD DAYS" On the Discovery in May they did not have the same Zing as they used to have. In those days taking a plate full of warm Peanut Butter Cookies back to your cabin could be hazardous to your health and well being. 😵 Think about getting into an elevator that has a crowd in it and you are holding your plate of cookies. 😁 Bob