roadster08

That's impressive. If I go over 4 glasses of red wine in a day I know I will feel some kind of headache the next morning.

Margins must be better on alcoholic packages than non alcoholic. Even though they say you can have up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day, I doubt most purchasers come anywhere close to that. Who wants to spend half their cruise in the cabin with hangovers? All inclusive is nice for the convenience of not having to spend time completing transactions but I've not really found it to be a better value.

The unsettling thing is that 10 years from now the 2024 cruise prices will seem like bargains.

Note that a hospital issued birth certificate may be a problem. A birth certificate issued by the state's Department of Vital Records is best.

Does anyone who has cruised recently have any tips for MDR special requests? For example, can you request a side from a different menu item than the one you are ordering? Can you request a simplified version of a menu item? For example, can you request simple grilled chicken instead of the specially prepared chicken menu item? Also, if you made a special request did it take an inordinately long time for your dinner to arrive?

Agreed and not the first time our good intentions backfired. 😉

Great idea. Kinda like when I travel to Europe and always bring a top sheet.

I get it. When you come from a culture where the people that do these types of jobs have other ways to get money besides relying on tips, it's hard to understand why everyone doesn't do it the way it's done back home. When you travel to an area that has different cultural practices, it's appropriate to adapt to the culture there. That's part of the reason why most of us travel, to be exposed to other cultures.

There is no longer a need to wonder about these things. Just ask ChatGPT. "The appropriate tip for a cruise porter typically ranges between $2 to $5 per bag. This amount can vary depending on various factors such as the size and weight of your bags, the level of service provided by the porter, and the prevailing tipping culture in the region where you are departing from. Some cruise lines may include porter gratuities in their fare, so it's always a good idea to check with your cruise line beforehand. Regardless, tipping your porter is a good way to show your appreciation for their service and hard work."

I think you are thinking about this all wrong. The best way to cure a concern about cruising is to do more cruising. Tell your husband he needs to take you on a test cruise in 5 months so you can be sure you are ready for the big cruise later. Maybe a 3 day or 5 day.

My first trip to Alaska in June also. Layering is important, and the type materials as well. Cotton is not a good idea because it feels cold when wet from rain or perspiration. Waterproof outer layer and moisture wicking inside layers will keep you most comfortable. Sporting good stores carry this type of clothing.

This year we have another challenge. Congress has yet to raise the federal debt limit and the extraordinary measures that are currently being done to work around it are expected to run out in May or June. I wonder if they don't come to an agreement to raise it and go past the deadline if that will affect the park rangers, and I really don't know whether the government is involved in allowing ships into Glacier Bay either. My cruise is in early June and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We are going on our first Princess cruise because we heard that Princess does a great job in Alaska (sailed several times with Celebrity previously to other places). Also, we added on a land tour because we heard from some Alaskans on a previous trip that it's a shame to visit without spending some time in the interior. They say that because many things to see and many excursions happen very early on Alaska cruises, lots of people go to bed earlier than usual. We're American, and will dress presentably for formal night but not like reliving prom, especially for an Alaskan cruise that requires packing clothes for so many weather situations. Don't anticipate Alaskans will be offended that I left my tux at home. We're planning on having a great time, going ziplining, dog sledding and some kayaking thing. You can hang out with us if you want.

When I read this, I gasped.

Err, to get TSA Precheck approval they did a background check that determined you are low threat. Thus, making some of the standard airport checks unnecessary. Not sure how that qualifies as incompetence.

Why can't some cruises be offered without formal nights? Many cruisers are just not interested but would ok with business or country club casual every night. Others would rather not have to pack formal clothes for just one or two nights Princess should at least try out scheduling some cruises during the month without formal nights.

Phone calls used to be really expensive on cruise ships. Has anybody recently tried doing free phone calls from the ship via Wi-Fi? How about just regular service through your normal carrier when in Port on the ship?

Just to set Alaskan cruisers expectations for the coming year. The Red King crab season was canceled last fall through this January because of a unprecedented drop in population of wild King crabs. Look on Amazon, for example. The going rate for Red King crab legs now is about $70 per pound. Even though I've never been to Alaska, research indicates that food prices are typically higher there than in the lower 48. Add to that the post COVID recovery supply chain problems. So, I am expecting it to be more challenging for Princess to offer fresh seafood in the main dining room this season compared to previous years. I am sure however they will do the most they can to provide us a memorable experience. Also if you are planning on doing the land portion of their tour, I suggest really looking into their prepaid meals packages.

I booked my June Alaska cruise tour back last August and have not had any reduction since then. One time, I saw the fare dropped $500 so I called Princess. They reviewed my original reservation, but determined the total cost was no different due to price increases in other areas of my reservation. So if you're planning to cruise on a popular trip during a popular season and want to have your best choice of cabin and excursions, I would reserve as soon as possible and expect that the cost may not change at all in this first essentially post COVID year.

For those who find it difficult to tip the recommended amount, let me offer a different perspective. Tipping for good service is a "pay it forward," selfless, cultural practice in many places. In other words, if you have a good experience from someone who expects to be tipped, many times it is because people before you tipped generously (not always, but frequently). When people who expect tips give poor service, it is often because they feel they were under tipped in the past. Your tip encourages the person being tipped to offer the same level of service to the next person that you received. Why? Because tomorrow, you might very well be that next person. Some ask why not just charge what the service is worth up front and do away with the tipping? That would be logical but it is not the culture that people who live in that place want to promote.

Would hanging wind chimes on the balcony be acceptable? Asking for a friend.

I sailed on Celebrity a few years ago and noticed that things started to close down as we got closer to the end of the cruise. For example, the self serve soft serve ice cream was no longer refilled and the morning juices were not available in all the dispensers anymore, etc. For those of you who have sailed recently on Princess, did you notice similar things happening towards the end of your cruise?

Well bless your heart. Thanks for contributing! 😀

Lol. Criticize CHATGPT answer and your computer could end up in a ball of fire🔥

Ok folks I got a definitive answer to the question "What to wear for formal nights on a Princess cruise? " from CHATGPT. It replied: For formal nights on a Princess Cruise, it is recommended to wear formal attire such as a tuxedo or a formal gown for women, and a suit and tie for men. Smart casual attire such as a collared shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes for men, and a nice dress or pantsuit for women is also acceptable. Avoid wearing casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, and sneakers. So there you have it. The final word on all things in the future.