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I believe we cleared customs on the way up. St. John or Halifax? (editted: yes maybe, Sydney. There were 3 ports before Quebec). We did not have to pass through any customs' booths. Left the ship, got our luggage, and walked to bus line. Same for on the way down. We cleared Customs and Immigrations for the US in Portland, ME. That was was painful. We had to stand in line to show our passport. Took over an hour for us to clear....and had an independent tour that we had to reschedule due to delay. The Canadians do it right!

The number of outlets will be dependent on which cabin you select. A suite will have maybe one extra. There might be one behind the television. Lamps may have low powered USB A connections. The desk will have an outlet but the plugs are too close together to use more than one block. Most cabins will have European outlet at desk and behind bends. On the other hand: All Apple devices and most medical equipment will be dual voltage. Bring an adapter that will allow you to plug in a European plug for the bed lamp AND a US outlet for your device. I purchased non-surge protector power bar from IKEA. You can also bring on an old fashioned extension cord. I travel with an Anker outlet block that has a USB A and C plug AND places to plug in 3 other pronged plugs. If I were to make this purchase again, I would buy the one with a plug instead of the block plugging into the outlet.

I was on a similar cruise. There is no customs/border patrol. We walked off the ship on second day and walked on to a transfer bus. Gangway is put up on first day and left up the entire time (about 36 hours) for you to come and go as you please. You must be able to handle all of your luggage by yourself. You can leave at any time. To be "safe", I guess you could pre-arrange departure with Customer Service/security. Yes, most flights out of Quebec are early...early morning.

Tea service is "usually" on sea days starting around 3:30. It is "usually" in the MDR on Deck 6 (port door). The lines on the first day are usually down the hall and around the corner. If you have multiple sea days, I would wait until the second or third offering. You can request: tea, hot water with lemon, coffee, decaf. and/or hot water and bring your own tea bag from the buffet (or ask politely). Also, Princess does have decaffeinated tea.

When dealing with Medicare, they need to know if your ship was in at US port or within x number of miles to either pay or deny. It took me 60 days for them to ask me for my itinerary (lol) and another 60 days to deny....which I knew they would do. I learned from my experience to include the itinerary when submitting the claim. I wasn't as fortunate as you. Medicare sent me back my entire paper work claim and documentations and I had to "resubmit". 4 months later, after affirmation from Medicare that it was denied, my secondary health insurance paid for it all. Princess Vacation Protection/AON picked up the cost of my medical history. Glad you could find your itinerary online. Google is so helpful.

All valid points and good ideas. My sister (HNL) joined me on a cruise to Japan. She usually goes with the local TA who does lots of land tours to Japan. It was actually cheaper for her to fly to LGB to catch a flight from LAX to Narita (using EZ Air). She's not a cruiser but enjoyed just walking around Japan: eating and going shopping at Daiso. She (and I) had been to Japan before to see shrines and temples. The Yen is really good now. There is a tiny, tiny, tiny store front on Royal Hawaiian Avenue that sells Yen cheaper than anywhere on the island. You may have missed the all time low. Japan was very good about using credit cards. But I preferred to use Yen, especially at food markets. Check out my old thread. It might give you some good information (at least I thought so). https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2914719-konnichiwa-japan-is-welcoming-home-the-diamond-princess/ Now getting back to regular programing. Thank you @trintrav for your thread.

One of my favorite past times in Ensenada is to stand on the Promenade Deck and watch passengers go to town for the day. Once I saw a lady get stopped by a dog. She had fruit in her bag. She gave one up and proceeded to continue. Dog stopped her AGAIN. Once I saw a passenger voluntarily give up food to security. The next person did an "adjustment dance" thinking they could just continue by. Nope...stopped too. Love the dog. So entertaining.

No, it will have meat (a prohibited item). Only pre-packaged foods are allowed off the ship. Will you be stopped? maybe/maybe not.

If this will place a mental hardship on you, then I would consider using your travel insurance to cancel for any reason. Much better to eat a few hundred than a few thousand. Then turn around and use the Future Cruise Credits to book another ship to Alaska in the same time frame. We all have stresses in our lives (I just had a week of it). You need to do what is best for your peace of mind. Good luck.

iPad: 23 seconds iPhone 10 25 seconds I always wondered this too. Also get an ! Error/Internal Server Error when I try to book a specialty restaurant on either device. I don't panic. I know the app will work on the ship more efficiently.

Did you work with a travel agent? I would start there. Do you have any old emails from Princess? They would have sent you your itinerary many times. Did you copy it to your computer? Let us know which cruise. Voyage number, ship, date, which ports did you stop at. Some will have an electronic trail.

@PastryPal Thank you so much for returning to your thread with updates. I am so relieved to hear that your parents will be refunded. Now waiting for you to tell us that this nightmare is over and that credit card has been refunded. Once you/they “see” the credit… …be sure to print or screen shot …then call credit card to dispute charge so that your parents don’t have to pay the balance if the credit falls after the closing date. This was an excellent thread to warn passengers of the “dangers” of Princess Promotions. I do realize some may find this a fantastic deal.

I could be wrong, but I thought a side by side (on the same day/different ship) was allowed.

I understand all of what you said. Just added that Hawaii AND Alaska are hurt by the PVSA/Jones Act, more than the impact on Continental States. For instance, you can truck something from Florida to California via UPS. You can't truck stuff to Hawaii. I know I am stating Jones Act/Cargo examples. It has to be flown by air or put on a US flagged ship. Our milk has to be flown in, making it cost almost twice as much per gallon. Big stores will send stuff to "you" for free shipping. Everything to Alaska and Hawaii has a special shipping charge added on. NCL is the only US approved flagged ship (Pride of America). Have you looked at the cost of their 7 day around the island cruise? I can see both sides. Protecting US interests is important. But a slight amendment to this archaic act would benefit so many. As mentioned, this also applies to foreign air carriers. Even Japan has a similar law.

I remember doing a one night cruise...overnighting in Vancouver...and catching a cruise the next day. You meet the most interesting passengers who are as crazy as you. But, I digress. The only states that are really hurt by the PVSA (and the Jones Act) are Alaska and Hawaii. Both are remotely disconnected to the rest of the continental states. Thus, everything/person that comes over, must be on a ship that is US flagged, built, and crewed. That just adds an enormous price to goods, services, etc. Many have tried to amend or get rid of this Act. During the pandemic, Alaska was given a waiver (not Hawaii). It takes an "Act of Congress" literally and you know how that goes. They can't even get their act together to allow the states that have voted to keep Daylight Saving Time year around.

The closest answer I have for you is to search out the Assistant Maitre d'. She/He is normally in the buffet. They are in charge of the buffet, room service, lido deck, and probably an assortment of other venues. If they don't have an answer, you could probably search out the Maitre d' or the Food and Beverage Officer (all of the previously mentioned...boss).

That is rare and you have a good TA. I wouldn't count on this to be the norm. I could possibly see that a TA rebooked the cruise (but that would give you a new booking number). Lucky you.

There is a long history of why shows are timed the way they are. I can't give you a precise/accurate explanation, so won't. I did have the pleasure of sitting next to a cast member's mother on a recent cruise and had this discussion. Princess settled in on 45 minutes for the benefit of scheduling, cast members, other events going on outside the theater, and a sundry of other reasons. I don't know what your background is or if you are a passenger on other cruise lines.

I should also have added that I was one of the thousands who's FCDs expired during the pandemic. It was sooooo painful to book several cruises without the benefit of the FCD's OBC. I booked 3 cruises way out (before I could get on a ship to buy more). Fortunately, I have stock holders shares OBC to give me a little cushion. For a while, I was able to purchase FCDs for my sister while onboard. Someone reported that Princess is no longer going to offer this. I am not crazy about the 1 year expiration, but you are able to book a cruise further out than 2 years. Best to keep SEVERAL on had. You never know when the mood will strike.

I recently experienced a Brazilian Dinner in Hawaii for $79 per person. I would not do this again. I can't say how it is on a ship, but I would never eat my way through the cost to break even. The food was good. The experience was one and done. I have heard that the Sterling Steakhouse was much better than the Crown Grill. Too bad Princess decided on this change.

As detailed by seasoned CC members, you have been given some sage advice. I am a list person: (Using US dollars) 1. FCC (Future Cruise Credit) and FCD (Future Cruise Deposits) are two very different animals. 2. FCD are good for one year (used to be 3, then 2, then 1 but can be extended). 3. FCD, when placed as a deposit will generate FCC/OBC (on board credit). It will also be listed as FCC until you use it. 4. In order to get OBC, FCD needs to be used to BOOK a NEW cruise. Anytime it is added after the initial booking, it is applied as a cash $100 payment with no other perks. 5. FCD of $100 will be deducted from final payment. 6. FCD will generate OBC based on category of stateroom. 7. In my opinion, best $100 investment you could make. Better than money in the bank (interest). AND 100% refundable at any time.

@trintrav Thank you so much for relaying my message. He is really a wonderful person. Looks like you were in the MDR? What was he doing there? Anyway, glad you found him. Do you mind if I share your photo with Yalcin?

I do hope future passengers have cancel for any reason insurance. This is just the beginning of the Alaska season. It is very unfortunate that the Sapphire is experiencing so many issues. She is a really nice ship to cruise Alaska. I am glad Princess offered current passengers a nice compensation package.

Very interesting idea. I would like to know the answer to. Have you contacted EZ Air directly? 800-545-0008 airdepartment@princesscruises.com I have called. I have not every emailed them. If it goes to Princess.com 800, don't talk to them.

Passengers have reported that they were assigned a cabin when dropping off their luggage with a porter.