DrSch

Some one just told me the saw it in Belgium on the 7th, but didn't say which port

24 minutes ago, Fogcityca13 said:

You only get locked out while on board another cruise. Currently aboard Greek Gems and cannot switch voyages. I was able to switch voyages before we boarded.

I think, ( could  be wrong) if you disconnect from their wifi, (if off the cruise at a port where data isn't too much) you can access everything

10 minutes ago, neverendingcruising said:

You definitely cannot switch voyages while on a voyage unless something changed. We did back to back on Valiant last year and were unable to look ahead to the next voyage. 

Confused.  Does that mean you couldn't prebook dinners and such for the second leg?

Word I got from people is that she was trying to take a selfie

Sorry, while it is a terrible thing, I have been on the ship, and you don't fall off those balconies if you are doing things like sitting in the hammock, or standing up next to the balcony looking at the sea / sky.  You fall off a balcony because you were climbing on things you shouldn't have been climbing on, or showing people how cool you were by sitting on the railing..  

So while I feel sorry for the people that had to watch her land, or try to help her when she did, I have no empathy for anyone else on that ship trying to make it about them, when it isn't.

A person fell (or jumped) from Deck 14 and landed on Deck 7.  Unknown if they survived.  The ship went back to Miami last night, and will be departing this morning. 2 days at sea, no Roatan, and going to Cozumel instead of Costa Maya

Friend on board just told me the captain announced a full credit for future cruise

On 3/17/2023 at 10:24 PM, startedwithamouse said:

Please don't bash TAs. They take care of their clients. 

 

You apparently joined Cruise Critic just to post this thread.  

 

We get it. You booked and it was a glitch and thought you got a steal of a suite for a balcony price.

 

A TA would have given you real pricing and advised you of this, and you wouldn't be spending hours or days rehashing this. 

 

A TA is not a third party involved in a business deal. They are professionals. 

 

Note: I'm not a TA.

I am a TA, and I can tell you the comments about how the TA called and they said the price was made up are most likely made up.  As a TA, I can change the fare on anyone's cruise to a better rate, provided they are not past final payment, or have not paid in full.  I don't even need to call them to get that rate changed.  Additionally, I can often find lower rates that aren't advertised online. 

Please note, booking a trip through Expedia, or via Costco is not using a travel agent.

Friend just advised me that her passport expires in June, for a cruise we are going on in April.

Cruise goes to Mexico, Belize and Roatan.

Does anyone have personal experience on taking a closed loop cruise to these countries on Princess using just a Birth Certificate and License?

What were the costs for the Sanctuary?  How full was it?

More importantly, the non-lgtbq+ crowd for the most part is very accepting and friendly.  I didn't notice one dirty look or hear one nasty comment from anyone on our cruise.  At the late night dance parties, there was intermingling, and everyone was dancing with everyone.  Very odd feeling not having to worry about being persecuted.  Best time on a cruise ever.

i just got back from a solo cruise this past weekend.

A bunch of us created a facebook chat for solo sailors on that cruise and we got to know each other before sailing.   The group was pretty eclectic.  There were gay, straight, bi, trans, people from ages 25 - 62.  We planned some dinners and such together, and more or less hung out at different times and events throughout the cruise.  Several of us are now planning to do another cruise together next year.

Once on the ship, we went to the solo passenger meet and greet (around the time they do sailaway) and met several others that we incorporated into the group.   Then some of did the grog walk and found even more new people.

The team that runs all the events was an amazing bunch of people that I also got to know some of fairly well.  They were always there to say hi, and kind of made it feel like family.

You all are welcome to join us on our cruise in January 🙂

4 minutes ago, LidoLiz said:

My husband self-tested five days ago, and was quarantined based on his self-reporting. He has NOT yet been tested by the medical staff, and will not be tested by them until tomorrow morning, which is our 6th day in quarantine. As his close contact (I voluntarily entered quarantine with him), I was tested on Day 3 (negative) and Day 5 (positive).

I just received a letter from the Emerald medical team confirming that I tested pos and will be taken off the ship at 10 am on disembarkation day, the 23rd. 

 

 

I am guessing they are doing PCR tests?  What is the turn around time on them?

1 minute ago, stive1 said:

Do you know if someone does test positive and did want paxlovid if it is something they offer?  If they did I’m curious what the cost might be or if the passenger had princess insurance if that might cover it.  So sorry you are having to deal with this.  

not sure if the ships offer it.  In the USA, it's not an approved medicine, so many Doctors can't prescribe it. However there are online Doctors that can, and a pharmacist can prescribe it to you as well.. it was free when I got it, and I have an extra one on hand for when I travel should I ever need it.

1 minute ago, PacnGoNow said:

So, they test at day 5 and if you’re negative you are free. Are you saying it can easily be 10 days that you show positive?

TIA

 

 

Well... assuming you didn't get exposed again on day 4, you should be fine.  You will think you have it on day 3, and know you have it on day 4.  10 days from day 0, so if you don't show positive until day 3, it's about a week that the tests come back positive.  I think after 5 or 6 days they say you can go back into public (with a mask and being careful).  I took the antivirals when I got it, and felt better by day 6.  My brother did too, but he rebounded, which seems to be one of the problems with being on the antivirals.  But its also different for everyone.. these are just approximate dates based on my and some other people I know having it back in August. 

I did a cruise in September, the ship was half empty, I still wore a mask when indoors in crowds except at dinner(and all the ship personnel were always wearing them as well) and had no issues.

There is a new variant since then. so all bets are off.

If you get a sniffle.. no.  

If you get a scratchy throat, feel a little out of sorts, tired possibly.

If you get  a fever absolutely.  Fever is going to be covid or flu this time of year, both are highly contagious.

Princess (and all of Carnival's lines) are going back to requiring masks.. so that should help control it

4 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

The roll calls for VV are hardly active at all.....the average sailor on VV probably has never even heard of Cruise Critic before. They are attracting many first time cruisers. Something I applaud them for.

Just now, DrSch said:

the whole ship for 2 of us.. no lines

I was checking on reddit as well.. nothing there.. found a link to  facebook group, about 35 people on there.   I still tink it's going to be a pretty empty ship

Just now, MeganGC1983 said:

Maybe it’s just us here. 😉 

 

the whole ship for 2 of us.. no lines

On 11/15/2022 at 8:27 PM, MeganGC1983 said:

When is your sail date? Which ship? We will be on Valiant Lady Jan. 14. 

Been looking for people on this cruise. I put a meet and greet out on here, but no one has even admitted they are going.  I am going solo, will be my first virgin cruise

They really should have renamed it the Scarlet Witch for that sailing 

If the weather is bad enough to make things unsafe, they will close the sanctuary.

I have been up there on a cold rainy afternoon, inside the covered area, sitting on the lounger with a blanket and a hot cup of tea, and enjoying every minute of it on the other hand. 

2 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Deb.  I am 'thinking' that a third person can be removed, before final payment, with no problem?

I believe that no changes can be made to the two first passengers?

 

I would not make any assumptions with things like this on Princess.

I would suggest that people call, in person, and verify....

Take whatever steps are necessary right there in the one phone call with the TA or Princess.

Either by having them book GTY and then making a cabin assignment.  (check availability by pulling up a mock booking for three)

Or by having them book a so-called third passenger, then a cancellation on the third.

 

With Princess you can add / change / delete without charge anyone except the one of the two initial passengers before the final payment is due.  If you try to delete both the first 2 passengers they will typically cancel the cabin, even if you try to do it at different times.

But for someone to have to book 3 people, and then cancel one, in order to get a cabin that is open is a bit ridiculous.  If you can find the cabin is available, have your TA, or Princess book the cabin as GTY and then have them move you to the other cabin.  Either your or your TA will need to call in to Princess for it, although sometimes if you know it's available, your TA can change the cabin number after it's booked from a different screen.  ( But to find out its available you (or they) need to pretend to book the cabin as 3 or more).  The problem becomes when they book you at a higher (or lower) booking level, then you can't get that cabin without a more difficult change process. 

4 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

It should be FCFS...   Anybody who thinks anything should be reserved for, applied to/or not applied to, themselves..  That is, indeed,  the very definition of the word entitlement.

Agreed. There are parts of the ship that some people prefer to be in.  Why should they have to book a cabin elsewhere or be subject to the whims of where Princess wants to put them because they don't have kids?   

For the people that want the 4 people cabins - book early.  Or get two cabins. One adult and one kid in each.. You will be more comfortable that way anyway. 

3 minutes ago, CruzerDeb said:

If you book a cabin for three and then cancel the third person, is there a penalty?

Depends on if you cancel them prior to the final payment date

Does the Princess Plus drink package include the specialty coffees or do they make you buy the specialty coffee card as well?

6 hours ago, californiagirl said:

Thank you Dr Sch for starting this thread.  I booked a cruise yesterday via live chat (will never use my PCP again).  There were some extenuating circumstances which precluded me from just booking online.  I did not want to spend time on hold by calling Princess.  The man helping me was very good.  Prior to initiating the chat I used the method mentioned of doing a test booking for 3 passengers.  I saw the cabin I wanted.  At first he said only guarantees available.  I said I was certain the cabin I requested was available and asked him to run it by a supervisor.  He immediately said he knew what to do and he booked the cabin we wanted without difficulty.  There must be an extra step even Princess employees must do to override the system.  
 

This will be my first cruise as elite.  I’m looking forward to afternoon tea in our stateroom.  My husband likes Diet Coke from the can so he is looking forward to the mini-bar set up.  We both will appreciate the priority tendering.  

Send me a message on here if you can