mina

hi all - we just booked B101 on the Sapphire for Alaska in 2025.   I know that the balcony attached to this room is not usable while at sea. That is ok.  We no longer feel the need to have a balcony in Alaska since we have done so many Alaska cruises, so booked this one instead to save $$ while still getting the internal balcony room space. Curious if anyone knows whether they allow you to use the balcony part when sailing through Glacier Bay? That would be a bonus!  Thanks!  

7 minutes ago, konatyme said:

@mina I have the "deck of cards" martini recipes mentioned by Thrak. Here is the one for the Tropitini (which is one my favorites to make at home):

 

l l/2 oz. Capt. Morgan rum

1 oz. Cruzan Coconut Rum

l/2 oz. Creme De Banana

Chilled over ice and strained. Garnished with crunchy coconut and a zesty lemon twist.

Enjoy!

Thank you so much!

7 minutes ago, coloradocruisers101 said:

Thanks Mina, yes I checked with Southwest, flying into California and have the info for TSA.  Can you tell me about your experience?

Take Care!

We went to guest services when we boarded to make sure all was prepared.  They had someone call us the next day to provide the documentation and showed the urn to the environmental officer[?]  And they gave us a date and time (was the first sea day).  We were brought to the aft deck seven promenade area on the port side of the ship (this was the majestic - similar layout) they placed a small table with cloth and a flower bouquet on it and then gave quick directions on how to throw the urn off the side.  They then left us to ourselves and that was it.  We just went back in, thanked the officer, and were done.  

So sorry for your loss.  We have done the burial at sea for a family member.  You have everything covered for the ship.  They will want to review your documents.  Are you flying?  If yes, please check your airline requirements for transporting ashes.  Most make you bring them in your carry-on.  They do not want to misplace your loved one through lost checked luggage.  Also, TSA has requirements such as an Xrayable urn - which should not be a problem if it is biodegradable.  They also asked to see the cremation certificate, so plan to have your docs available at the TSA checkpoint.  Also check the state you are flying to as there can be special requirements depending on the state.  We flew into California and had no issues.  

34 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

Maybe I'm getting the wrong idea but, sounds like you aren't planning to win anything in the casino 😮(lol)

Nope.  But I will probably not put down all the gift cards to start, cause well maybe lightening WILL strike once!  

Just now, Rick&Jeannie said:

I don't think it would make any difference if you did it all on the same day...JMO.

Thank you.  This is my first time bringing gift cards on the ship to apply to our account.   Little nervous!  

On 11/26/2023 at 5:35 PM, beg3yrs said:

We have firsthand knowledge and can confirm that as of last January it was $1500 per person.

 

We've paid over $10K using gift cards for final payment. It was done through a TA.

So in total, you were able to put 3000 in gift cards on your onboard account when you were on the ship?  I have 2500 to use for our gambling $$ on an upcoming cruise.   Thinking I should do 1500 one day, then the remaining 1000 another day?  

Just a tip for anyone booking free casino cruises online and wanting to use gift cards for your room port costs and deposit.  You have to pay in full on booking, so you can not get to your cruise personalizer to apply the gift card when you are booking.  Instead, you get a page with option to pay thru credit card or thru PayPal.  You can not save the cruise to pay later so you can get to the gift card button on cruise personalizer.   I discovered by accident, that if you put in a wrong expiration date or other info in for your credit card, the system automatically says you inputted an invalid card number and it saves the cruise to your account and asks you to go to cruise personalizer to pay.  Viola, you can then access the payments screen where’re the gift card button option is. 

Thanks. It’s been three days so far, but a know it can take a week or more for them to fix glitches!  I am going to chat and just have them book the days I want.  Easier and less stressful 

So trying to book and pay for crown grill on December cruise.  All info in the medallion app including credit card.  We get the message.  ‘Not all information provided for this reservation!’ When I get to the payment page and it exits out.  Anyone else have this problem?  I go to the web version of the app and it will not let me access the cruise so I can book on there.  It says this booking number has been claimed and exits out.  Any other way to make specialty dining reservations without having to call Philippines?

Regular reps have not been able to apply the casino percent discount using code CASINO  for some time.  However, a cvp or travel agent can.  Our CVP applies it all the time.  

Are you using the general email or this one for burial at sea requests. Ashesrequest@princesscruises.com?  They will give you instructions.  Be sure to also look into transport by air if you are flying.  Some airlines  specific requirements and transport has to be in suitable urns to go through TSA as you do not want to check the ashes and have them lost. plus a required biodegradable urn is required by princess..  We did this with our brother, it was a special ceremony and very easy to arrange.  Just fyi, you do not spread the. Ashes, simply place the biodegradable urn over the rail. 

arriving into galveston port at 7 am and am looking at a direct southwest flight from Hobby airport at 12:50 pm.  Princess says not to book flights before 1:30 pm for their transfers.   Can we make a 12:55 pm flight if we walk off with luggage and call an uber?  THANK YOU! 

My CVP has really messed up my bookings to the point that I spent three hours on a call with customer support yesterday to find out where my refunded flexible air $$ on one 2023 booking went.  Over the three hours, I found out the CVP made two duplicate casino bookings for another 2024 cruise -- one of these I paid in full per casino requirements  - the other - per my CVP -- would just "drop off" when the $$ was not paid - so he did not send out booking info on it    -- when it did not drop off and I called to find out why, he just canceled it.  So my refunded flexible air $$ on the 2023 cruise was used to pay the 400 cancellation fee on this duplicative 2024 booking that I never got any documentation on and that he made in error.  When these situations arise, he just transfers me to customer support and he takes days to return calls. So, I want a different CVP.  He currently has two active bookings for me.  Can I call the general CVP number and ask to have my bookings moved to a different CVP?  Do I have to give big explanations as to why?  Will I just get another person who will make the same type of errors and be slow to respond?

submitted via email late yesterday afternoon - showing on my booking this morning.  

1 hour ago, Shippy said:

   Food has been a pleasant surprise.

My husband normally hates buffets but we went when we first boarded the ship.

There is the Horizen Court and Horizen Bistro. They are attached to each other and huge with slightly different items.

 A lot of the foods were served in individual ramekins or small metal pots. Shepherds pie, little casseroles,etc.

   Fresh carving stations, stir fries, etc. unbelievable variety.  Many desserts to choose from and very fancy. All fantastic.

   There are pastries served in several different places on the ship, all impressive.

Alfredo’s Pizza, complementary, is wonderful. A sit down restaurant that not only has pizza, but soup, salads, pastas and desserts,

. International cafe, complementary and open 24 hours, has pastries, sandwiches, smoothies, specialty coffees, etc….excellent.

  I found Sabatinis to be a bit disappointing both for dinner and breakfast.

Concerto dining room is quite good. Crown grill is excellent.

Trident grill on deck makes fabulous burgers and fries.

 

 

 

Totally agree.  We are on this sailing and the food is great.  I think our experience for venues is totally different .  Not finding club class in concerto to be that great.  Service is not as friendly or personable as we thought it would be.  Breakfast in sabatinis for suites as been fantastic with great repeat servers who make us feel special.  Dinner in sabatinis last night was fantastic with really great service.   Room services is fast and great as well! 

Just an update.  We did the ubd last night on the royal.  It was served by course. However, our server said some ships are doing it different for now and delivering all at one time.  He specially mentioned the grand and the majestic.   

3 hours ago, PRNole47 said:

For those of you who have done this in the past, doesn;t the food get cold quickly? I had a pot of coffee delivered once to drink on the baclony and it was lukewarm-to-cool by the secund cup. 

Meal is served by course,  the waiter and assistant time each course and goes to kitchen to get it.  I think the main entrees are cooked in the crown grill.  

I know people are reporting the ultimate balcony dinner is back on other ships.  Have any recent Royal cruisers had it? We have it booked online, but also had it booked online on the majestic earlier in The year only to be told was not available when we got on the ship.  

4 hours ago, ccr1956 said:

I happen to have the deck of cards with the martini recipes: 

 

TROPITINI

1 1/2 oz Captain Morgan

1 oz Cruzan Coconut Rum

1/2 oz Creme De Banana

Chilled over ice and strained 

Garnished with crunchy coconut and a zesty lemon twist

Thank you!

1 minute ago, JimmyVWine said:

I had a Tropitini (or 5) on Regal earlier this month. No one gave me a sideways glance when I ordered it, except my wife!

My husband will be so happy, that is his drink more than mine!  Do you remember what is in it, I can’t find the recipe on google.

Great options!  The baked Alaska looks great.  @partybarbiewhat is the blue creamy martini in the first pic?  I think that is gonna have to go on my list!

1 minute ago, Thrak said:

The Chairman of the Board doesn't seem to be on the new menus either but I was able to order it in on Royal Princess in May.  If you know the ingredients for the Tropitini I'm sure they will make it for you in Crooner's and likely other bars as well.

You would think I would remember the ingredients -- but....  probably drank too many of them .....  will have to google it!

Ok, we sail a week from this Sunday on the Royal.  The drink menus appear to have changed and our favorite -- the TROPITINI is no longer showing on any menu.  We found, even when it was on the menu, most bartenders did not know how to make it so we would have to order it from the online app.  However, now its gone from there!  OMG the HORROR.  There appear to be a few new options though - like the Baked Alaska Martini, sounds yummy.  Anyone try it?   Any recent cruisers want to recommend a good first martini of the cruise?  We are sweet people, so no dirty olive martinis for us.   

@HaveDogWillTravel thank you.  Is this entrance on the other side of the ship from the main dining entrance?  I did see your videos and we are very excited to try club class!