I object 2

40 minutes ago, galfromkazoo said:

We reserved an early morning tour that began with breakfast in a courtyard at the Vatican museums. We entered well before it was open for visitors, had breakfast and began our tour with a guide and headphones.  There were very few other people there. By the time we arrived at the Sistine Chapel, it was still almost empty. Friends who went on a “regular” tour could hardly see it due to the crowds. Of course, this was pre-pandemic and I am not sure what tours are currently available but this was one of our most memorable tours ever. We did the Scavi tour the following year and that was amazing as well. 

That sounds wonderful.  Would you mind sharing what tour company you used for the breakfast and Vatican museum tour?   We're spending 3 days pre-cruise in Rome.

Hooray!  Problem solved and flights are booked!  The air booking department discovered the problem was due to moving our cancelled 2020 transatlantic cruise to a 2022 transatlantic replacement.  The info didn't transfer well.  I hope this information will be helpful to others who might experience booking air for replacement cruises.   

34 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Sorry you're having so much trouble.  As best I know...you cannot call the Air Dept. direct. You *used* to be able to but I think that was stopped a couple of years ago.  Not what you want to hear, I know.

After 2 hours on hold with the Princess 1-800 number, a live person transferred me to the Air Department.  I've been on the phone with her for 30 minutes.  She can't book the flights either so she has me on hold (another 30 minutes so far) and is contacting someone else.  Not EZ is it?  🙂

I've been trying to book flights through Princess online for several weeks only to receive error messages to contact Princess.  I've contacted Princess several times - been on hold several hours each time - hung up and tried again - finally reached persons who transferred me to the Air Department only to be disconnected.  The flights we need to book will not begin in our home city and the return flight will start at the disembarkation port and return to our home city (not the city we originally started from) so this must be handled through the air department.   Does anyone have a direct number for Princess Air Department?  

3 hours ago, travelhound said:

We plan to bring a laptop to do our test from the hotel we are staying in prior to the cruise.  Too many potential problems with using the phone.

Yes, there could be problems using the iPhone, especially after the last iOS update.   We have smartphones and iPads....no laptop.   Keeping our fingers crossed!

28 minutes ago, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

ChangeOrder is right.  I didn't have to worry about sleep mode.  It stayed on whole time.

I also had my phone plugged in closeby..... you just have to be careful not to knock it over

during the test. 

Also, give yourself plenty of space on your table so your kit isn't sitting on the edge.

 

Thank you!

Thanks PacnGoNow.  I'll try that.

On 12/28/2021 at 2:45 PM, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

Ombud, my mom lives in your vicinity.  I helped her with her proctored test at home.

I brought over a small tripod to hold my Iphone.  Did my test first so she could see the procedure.

Then we did hers.  I was sitting off to the side to help Tilt the iphone when it was time

for the proctor to SEE her opening the packets, and doing swabbing.

 

If you happen to watch any of the testing videos online (there's several that people on the boards post

a Link to,  just click on it to watch)  You can see how easy it is, and even easier if you have a helper

for you first time.

Hey, Whatever works!

 

We ordered the BinaxNow kits through Princess since we'll be flying in 2 days before we board ship.  I plan to use my iPhone for the proctored test.  Not being very technical, I'm concerned the phone will go into sleep mode during the 15 minute wait and the test would be invalid.  Was that a problem for you?  

31 minutes ago, Upper Bob said:

Yes, as Steelers36 said, I have found selecting Business Class will many times actually produce the First Class options on certain airlines.

Yes, this happened to me.  I tried booking 1st class for a Caribbean cruise and E-Z Air showed "not available".  I retried business class and voilà....success!    

9 minutes ago, chamima said:

Ours had 2 dates also 12/09/21 (which I figured was manufacture date) and 11/06/22 (which I figured was expiration)

In large red letters it says not to open until instructed to do so.

It also says to download the App prior to your appointment. What appointment?

Also, can it be proctored via my phone?

There are several good videos on You Tube of people who did the proctored BinaxNOW tests via smart phone.  Be sure to view one or two to see the process.  We've downloaded the Navica app and registered so we will be able to test the day before we cruise.  I don't believe you need to schedule an appointment.  As far as I know there are proctors available 24/7.

To test, log in to the app and select "I Have a Test".  The app will walk you thru the process from there.   

Our test kit came from Optum today.  The kit lists 2 dates:  11/06/21 and 12/09/2022.   I'm guessing the December date is the expiration date.

Fettuccini Alfredo with a grilled chicken breast.

We received notice today that Bora Bora was dropped from our March 2023 28 day cruise.  I'm glad we did this itinerary several years ago.  Loved Bora Bora.  

26 minutes ago, DrSea said:

I was on it on Thanksgiving. There was no pop up restaurants. 

 

The cocktail hour for P/E/S guests are VERY poorly attended and the guests on my sailing were very unwelcoming (I am 30+ years younger than them and they didn't think I belonged). Only 4 people attended, including me. 

Sorry you experienced unwelcoming behavior at the P/E/S lounge.  Don't let that put you off enjoying your benefits....you've earned them.  

25 days until we cruise and our cruise is not showing up in the app on my husband's iPhone.  Our following 5 booked cruises do appear.   On my iPhone, the correct sailing date appears, but shows the cabin number of our 2nd upcoming cruise and under "Traveling Companions", it lists both of our names but my photo and my gender under both.  Pretty crazy.

When I click on the "+" to add the upcoming cruise, I receive this message "This feature is currently unavailable to guests who have logged in with a Booking or Cabin Number.  Please log out and log in with a Login ID and Password to continue...."      Frustrating because I'm not able to access the app using my login and password.  When I do enter my login and password I receive this message "Your login attempt was unsuccessful.  Please check your credentials and try again."    I'm able to log in to my personalizer with the id and password.  Go figure.   

Princess please get the web-based application up and running asap.   

Welcome back from the Regal, Tracie and Jon.  Thank you so much for your "Live From....".   We're so anxious to board the Regal in January I just might start pre-packing now!  LOL

Jan  

Thanks for your review.   The Regal is a lovely ship. We board her in 3 weeks....can't wait.  I'm looking at the snow outside our window and dreaming of warmer weather and adult beverages.  🙂

We also tip at the end of each segment on our longer cruises.  As Waynetor mentioned, you may not have the same steward during your cruise.         

6 hours ago, Hlitner said:

On the other hand, if your last name was Schitt you might prefer Chris!

 

LOL.....that's too funny.   I took a sip of tea while reading your post.  Now I have to clean my monitor. 🙂

I've been addressed as "my lady Jan" a few times on several cruises.  I was flattered.  🙂        

Just now, Loverofdogs said:

Check out Lab Doctor at 1245 SE 17th street in Fort Lauderdale. Just a few minutes from Port everglades. They do antigen test ($49.00) and walkin ins. I have called them last week to verify. Also, the airport does the antigen testing, with proof that you flew into FLL. 

Thank you!

Thanks for sharing your cruise with all of us, Tracie.  We board the Regal in January for a b2b.  Can't wait!!!!   Your "Live From" is putting me in packing mode.  LOL

18 hours ago, cruisetilidrop said:

Thank you. I was looking for one in Fort Lauderdale. I'm flying in too early to get it at home.

We have the same predicament.  Our cruise is January 2022.  We spend most of our day (Tuesday) flying to Fort Lauderdale and sail Thursday so we'll need to be tested Wednesday.  This is according to Princess website:  "For example, if sailing on Sunday, the test may be taken on Friday and Saturday, and as late as Sunday, if you are guaranteed to receive your results in time for check-in."   

If sure would have been easier for peeps traveling long distance to port if the 3 day timeline was kept.  Things may change by then. 

That bouquet is gorgeous!  Might have to order one for myself once on board.  🙂

2 hours ago, Cuedon said:

Sort of-- a major differentiating factor is that cachaca is made from sugar cane juice, whereas rum is made from molasses, which is after sugar cane juice has been processed to remove a lot of moisture and sugar.

 

A rather minor distinction to most people, but I had the (mis)fortune of accidentally discussing this with a friend whose grandfather ran a cachaca distillery...

Thanks  for sharing this information.  This is what we purchased during our visit to Brazil.