szubieta

I have read a couple of posts that talk about fly-netting needed in Newfoundland.  Is this really needed?  What about Greenland?  We're cruising in August, going to Corner Brook, St Anthony & St Johns in Newfoundland and Nuuk, Nanotalik & Qaqortoq in Greenland. 

Thank you!

Currently on the Crown, deck 8, port side aft is still free to wash and dry. Soap and dryer sheets $.

31 minutes ago, PurpleTraveller said:

I was on Crown for the June 2 cruise from Vancouver. I was in E631 and had the most uncomfortable, saggy and horrible bed I have ever slept in. The two mattresses that were pushed together to make a queen bed were completely worn out with large sags in them. A mattress topper had been placed over the mattresses but all that achieved were very soft saggy mattresses. There was a hump in the middle of the bed where the two mattresses met. Our steward told us there was nothing else that he could do to make it more comfortable. When I emailed Princess with my complaint about the terrible state of our bed and an itinerary change, Princess did not even mention the state of the bed in their reply. On my review of the cruise a number of people have commented that they have also had worn out mattresses, particularly on Emerald deck. Fortunately others reported that their beds were fine. You can see the sags in the bed from the photo I took when we first entered our cabin.

 

 

I thought the rest of the ship was in good condition.

 

I hope our is in a decent condition!  We're in E632 on the Crown for 31-days.

Interested, following.

We did the 17-day Connoisseur tour & we're doing it again next year.  That said, 2 nights at 5 Lodges was almost a rush since we had an excursion on the full-day at all the lodges.  Like someone said earlier Alaska is big and some of the lodges are quite far apart.  The motorcoaches do stop about every 90ish minute for a washroom break and a few scheduled stops for sightseeing along the way.  Not much time for excursions on travel days, they are an event by themselves.  This is why I wish Princess would do 3-days at the lodges and why we did, and will do, the land first.  The cruise is more relaxing.  I'm not one to need/want a vacation after my vacation. IMHO

On 5/30/2023 at 12:40 PM, TravelingBeyondBoundaries said:

I just got this email from the dietary manager. It's long but I thought I would share. Funny though, it's not for our cruise in August, it's for the one I just booked for December 2024. Maybe I got the same before and never remembered 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

Here's the email:

 

Thank you for contacting us with notification of your request for vegan meals. Please take a moment to review the following information. Please advise if you are in need of a milk substitute. I can arrange either plain soy milk or plain rice milk. We do not carry almond milk, coconut milk or goat milk.  

 

Once onboard, it is very important that you contact the Maitre d’ Hotel to discuss your special dietary needs and any special preparation of your meals. It will be at your discretion to order meals in accordance with your dietary needs. The Maitre d’ Hotel will be happy to assist with making selections from our standard menu that would be suitable.

 

We do not have a specific vegan menu available. We do offer some vegetarian dishes, which may be suitable for your diet. We can also modify certain menu items to accommodate your diet. We do carry tofu, egg-free pasta and can prepare veggie burgers, as well. The chefs have been able to come up with good meal ideas.

 

To best accommodate your needs, we recommend you take your meals in the main dining rooms and alternative restaurants. On selected port days when the main dining rooms are closed for lunch, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs in the buffet restaurant. We ask that you speak with the Maitre d’ Hotel the evening prior to discuss your meal requirements and any special preparation for the following day. When arriving at the buffet, please request to speak to a Supervisor, who will coordinate any special preparations directly with the chef.

 

Please be aware that the staff who serve stateroom snacks, meals, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, 24 hour dining (International Café and room service) or work in the self-service buffets cannot identify the food contents. This is especially true of sauces, seasonings and spices that may be used. Additionally, some of the meals prepared onboard may use frozen, canned or prepackaged goods, which could contain some of the elements you may not wish to consume. The buffet does offer a self-service dining option. Should you choose to dine in that venue we cannot guarantee that cross contamination among the various food selections will not occur.

 

I have received favorable feedback from vegans who have sailed with us. They are surprised at how the dining staff caters to their needs. Again, please contact the Maitre d’ Hotel and discuss your needs with him, this will result in receiving the proper assistance with your diet. The ship staff will do everything they can to accommodate your diet.  

 

For your safety, any food/drink items you wish to bring onboard must be non-perishable, must not have reached the expiration date before the cruise ends, store bought and sealed in their original containers and packaging upon boarding. Any items brought onboard must be stored in the stateroom and we cannot assign crew members to assist with the preparation. No fruits, vegetables, homemade food or restaurant food will be allowed. Although we may allow certain items onboard, local port authorities may override any approvals we give. Once onboard, due to local agricultural regulations, food items may not be taken ashore.  

 

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you onboard.

On the Grand & Royal they carried Almond & Coconut milks at the IC coffee bar.  And the buffet did carry plain Almond milk for my oatmeal.  Going on the Crown for 31 day & I feel pretty confident about eating in the MDR & Buffet.  Like some one mentioned, we won't go hungry.  Though sorbet was the only dessert available, besides fruit, some cookies or pudding would have been nice.

Following to see when Formal Nights are.

Safe Travels & ENJOY!!!

10 hours ago, szubieta said:

Even though we did the 10-day Connoisseur and LOVED IT and are planning another.  Having 2 days at each Lodge just felt rushed but is doable when getting on the ship at the end.  Our takeaway is that we would never do the 1-night at the lodges tour.  All of these tours are similar to the last night on the ship except your luggage is put out first thing in the morning most of the time before 8a.  So think about feeling rushed getting to you lodge, then doing an excursion, eating dinner, sleeping, luggage out, breakfast and getting on a coach every day.  Not for us, but others still do it.  I'm just glad my sister had done the 1-night lodge thing to steer us with our decision.  Whatever you choose, being in Alaska is worth a try on your terms and budget.  

Sorry we did the 17-day Connoisseur not a 10-day.  We were on land for 10-day with 5 Lodges/Hotel.

Even though we did the 10-day Connoisseur and LOVED IT and are planning another.  Having 2 days at each Lodge just felt rushed but is doable when getting on the ship at the end.  Our takeaway is that we would never do the 1-night at the lodges tour.  All of these tours are similar to the last night on the ship except your luggage is put out first thing in the morning most of the time before 8a.  So think about feeling rushed getting to you lodge, then doing an excursion, eating dinner, sleeping, luggage out, breakfast and getting on a coach every day.  Not for us, but others still do it.  I'm just glad my sister had done the 1-night lodge thing to steer us with our decision.  Whatever you choose, being in Alaska is worth a try on your terms and budget.  

11 minutes ago, that said:

TA takes the gift card numbers to make payment to Princess Cruises.

Tell your TA to have them apply the rest to your OBC.  IMO they can make the call for you.

I tried this exact thing.  It would not allow me to pay more than the final payment amount.  I had to call my PVP and she applied the remaining balance of the gift card to my OBC.  You have to know the exact amount that's left on the gift card.

Nevermind I finally found a thread that explains it.  

I am curious...why are people buying a pack of 6 tests?  I've been searching the threads and on the emed website. Don't know if I can buy a two pack for DH and myself. We come back the end of July and I'm trying to figure this all out.

TIA!!

IC's specialty coffees include lattes.  It's like going to any coffee shop.  On the Grand in February, no warm cookies to be found.  IC was as described by OPs.  Food selections were few.

Sadly, this is what happened on our last Princess cruise in February also.  I don't know if this is what they are trying to do as their "new standard".  I'm hoping not!  In past cruises, Princess, Disney & Royal, they had made a lot of the menu items special without dairy for my son and myself.  I also agree that the desserts were sorbets or fruit on my last cruise.  In the past there were a few dessert cakes and/or puddings that were dairy free on a daily basis.  I'm really hoping my July cruise is back to what used to be the norm...we'll see. 🙃

On 4/11/2022 at 9:11 AM, mtnesterz said:

Differences? The Majestic has Asian themed food; a Chinese restaurant and a Noodle Bar on deck. My choice for this year.

We were on the Grand in March and maintanence was long overdue and intrusively ongoing. But going for drydock in April, I heard. Funny how Coral says it was fine in December. Medallion functions on the Grand were poor. If you plan to try to use the Medallion functions, go the Majestic, it was built with it in mind. 

In a perfect world though, PhotoGal07 is right. Smaller ship the priority.

 

We totally agree!  We were on the Grand in February.  She was in sad shape and the Medallion was hit and miss from the moment we got to the terminal.  Heard many people with issues on the Medallion.  Even my Elite BIL was put in as a new cruiser (blue medallion) and they never got it completely straightened out.

We'll be there this July and Princess has already given us $35 OBC pp, about a month ago, for the change in itinerary on the TWT.  If they haven't credited you yet, contact your PVP or travel agent.

The water shuttles come in at the circled area.  Then it's a short walk.   Ask to sit on the back patio if available.

Thank you for the great information!  Can't wait to do this next year!

On 6/12/2020 at 8:44 AM, Budget Queen said:

Exit Glacier is ok.  🙂   It has receded so significantly.  It isn't all that impressive any longer.  Not sure but you are all day hiking of  the Harding Field?   

 

Kennicott Mine is excellent.   BUT,  flying in is spectacular which I mostly do.   The road is via the old rr bed and sometimes not in the best of shape.     

 

Currently-   were these bookings via Princess?     

 

I highly recommend Northern Alaska tours  for their fly/road combo out of Fairbanks to Coldfoot-   But-  I never recommend the round trip road tour.   IF you want to go above the Arctic Circle it is a very well run,  long established company,    I have used them several times.  

 

You aren't likely to see much wildlife in transit.    Alaska is a big place.    And if it is seen-   buses don't typically stop.    IF you can manage it-  Denali and Kenai Fjords are your top two jackpots.   I typically enter Denali multiple times.   You never know what you'll see.    Depending when you get there-   considering the transit buses is something I take advantage of every time I'm there.   Eielson-  is my minimum distance. 

 

The dredge-  is nothing like what you've been to.   This also usually includes a stop at the Pipeline which is very interesting-   and you have paid for this tour,   may want to rethink your idea of skipping it.     As I mentioned-  being your arriving early-   I'd suggest for as long as you possibility can.    Especially with a wildlife priority,  you could add additional time at Denali/

 

Kennicott Mine-  is extremely interesting and I'm sure you will enjoy it.  It is a short uphill trail climb then back through the mine.     If you are given free time  visiting the small museum is also worthwhile.    

At this time just the Exit Glacier hike of the Harding Field.  We are doing things that my sister and brother-in-law haven't done also.  But things can change.  Only the Kennicott Mine and the Denali Tundra tour are thru Princess.  And of course the dredge/riverboat.  I appreciate your suggestions and will review with my sister since she has been to Alaska a number of times, she is our tour guide this trip, so to speak. 😊

6 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

Are you 2 nights at each location?     Very nice ,  just be prepared for a lot of transit time.  🙂    There is not much going on at the Kenai and Copper River properties,   but superb-   for wildlife is a Kenai Fjords tour-  needing at least 6 hours on the water.    It should be offered through your lodge.    My reason for being in the Copper River area is for Kennicott// McCarthy.   But, not known what tours are available for you,  via the lodge.   It's basically impossible to do anything independent in either of these locations.     You're not staying at the McKinley Princess?    Fairbanks is best gotten into,  early as you see little of the area on tours.   A car is necessary in my opinion,  or consider flying or a Coldfoot fly/road combo tour above the Arctic Circle.  

Yes, we are staying at each lodge for 2 nights.  We are flying into Fairbank early and we will not be doing the dredge/river tour as we have a dredge here in Idaho that we have seen. I'll keep flying to that Artic Circle in mind for Fairbanks. Currently, at Kenai we are hiking to the Exit Glacier.  At Copper River we are doing the Kennicott mines/McCarthy (12.75 hrs🙃).  9 hours on the road to both Copper River and Kenai will be a lot, but we have traveled on vacation up to 12 hours in a day quite often.  Hopefully we might see some wildlife and they do stop every 90 minutes.  Sadly we are not staying at the McKinley, but maybe next time. 😊  Since we are just over a year out, things can change.  I'm already planning on an Alaskan road trip with our trailer, after I retire in two years, so we can really enjoy Alaska and Canada over a few months time.😄 

Looking forward to see the cruise tour video as our 8nt land portion is going to Fairbanks, Denali, Copper River and Kenai.  Any and all suggestions will help in finalizing our excursions. 😊

The itinerary does have a lot to do with the MDR dress code even though the Princess website states the same thing for all itineraries.  Search the board to get a feel.  You will see people wearing a lot of things in the MDR that other people feel should only be seen in the buffet.  I personally don't care what anyone else is wearing since it doesn't change how the food tastes and I won't let it ruin my vacation.

That said, I'd make a plan prior to the sailing.  Explain to him the dress code and that this is like going to a nice resort.  On our last cruise, our son was 13 and a big tee-shirt wearer at that time. He opted out of the MDR on formal night.  I bought him a nice pair of black jeans, nice black tennies and 3 nicer shirts that he picked out.  He actually choose to wear them to school after that cruise.  I didn't feel I needed to push him to wear dressier clothes, that age can be tough and touchy. 

FYI - On the first night, they know your luggage may not be at your room yet.  He should be fine in his travel clothes like most of us.  

HTH!  Good Luck and enjoy your first cruise!

I will be trying this out. It should fit in by carry on luggage till we fly into Seattle.  I will bring extra bungie cords too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N1XF68S/ref=psdc_553520_t1_B004B9V1R2

On 8/21/2019 at 5:35 PM, CruiserBruce said:

They no showed on us. They did give us 40 minutes notice, but essentially their position was "you are on your own". No plan B. No  follow up. Nothing.

Thank you for this.  If they've done it once, they will probably do it again or have already.  Very sad!