AlibearNS

Well, I think I was truly cursed this cruise. In all my Princess cruises, this had to be our worst for issues, too many to list, but we made the most of it, as you do, but disappointing. The Sapphire was the first Princess ship we ever sailed on, so a bit sad so much went wrong for us but so glad everyone else on this thread had a great cruise. And we did have excellent weather!!! Disembarkation was the most organized we've ever seen in Vancouver, despite there being two other ships in. But on the last morning our toilet flooded which was crappy (excuse the pun) so we had to leave early to use other facilities. And now, despite wearing a mask indoors the whole time and on the ferry home, I have covid for the first time ever (sigh).

So sorry for the people posting here of their experience. The last thing you want as you start the cruise is a fight over what you've booked or paid for. I, too, bring hard copies of everything. I go one further, I screen shot my dining reservations on the app in case I have difficulty loading it to see when and where we need to be. This is nowhere as bad as others report, but still rankled. On my cruise last week, very late the night before the first formal, they switched our reservation for two for a private table to a shared. I noticed first thing in the morning and spent the day speaking to various people to try and get it back as it was, and being pretty much told it was my fault, and nobody at Princess had changed anything! That was the worst part, being gaslit when I had the screenshot! Also an automated email came through at 11.08pm the previous night saying they'd changed the reservation, but not showing what they did. Someone was obviously in the system moving things about! I guess they thought we'd not notice, turn up, wait however long it took for a table and the situation would resolve itself. The upshot, even after taking it higher, was to turn up at the assigned time, wait, pick up someone else's reservation when they don't show up after 20 minutes. Kind of makes a mockery of booking. I get that they anticipated being busy that night, but own it when you're caught out and definitely don't imply the passenger messed up 😞

It may vary from ship to ship but on the Royal (or it may have been the Majestic) last year we were personally invited by the restaurant manager but when he found out we didn’t eat meat and poultry he couldn’t put us on the list. He was very apologetic about it.

I found the premium desserts half an hour ago on the Sapphire, upstairs at the ice cream bar. I’m not a dessert person, maybe had three so far at dinner since boarding 8 days ago but I was determined we have at least one of these premium monstrosities on this trip since they’ve included two a day on Plus. I mean, who thought this up! They look like they’re aimed at 5 year olds not adults. I am now covered in chocolate and strawberry sauce. It’s in my hair, hands and face and there’s a dollop on my arm. These things are incredibly drippy! Maybe I shouldn’t have taken it back to the cabin. I still think they a ridiculous inclusion in Plus (just give me some decent wine!) but I have to say the cheesecake one was delicious!!! Meanwhile, DH arrived at cabin with his premium dessert from the International cafe! OMG! He valiantly managed a little less than half!

Currently on the Sapphire and had to crew chat to ask about juice as no one seemed to know. They say it’s at swirls ice cream bar. Interestingly met a couple at dinner the other night who said the slices of the big cakes at the International Café are also considered part of the plus premium desserts. Haven’t investigated this yet. Already had way too much sugar!

Beautiful weather sailing into Ketchikan this morning!!

IMG_9042.mov Looking through my videos of Fortress of the Bear in Sitka. Friends back in the UK are convinced it’s a person in a bear suit, ha! First time posting a vid here; hope it works! BTW, high activity and clear skies forecast tonight!!!!

Yes and tomorrow night according to University of Alaska web page. Captain says 50 50 chance tonight and hoping for wind to reduce cloud cover. We’re leaving the bridge cam on tonight as he’ll announce if they show 🙂

Our first visit. I liked it too. Loved Fortress of the Bear! Fingers crossed for the Northern Lights tonight!!!

We agree, Hubbard is the most impressive! But the weather yesterday was so amazingly warm and Margerie spectacular. People back home are saying I should frame some of my photos. They were taken with my phone ha ha but the light was excellent. With you about the rocking. It was going some last night but all good. Enjoyed watching you in the game show. We came 30 minutes early and I think got the last two seats at the back! People come for the trivia before and stay put for the big game shows. I think that’s a good plan. There were crowds standing at the back. Our dining in the Savoy was still super slow with lots of apologies. It was about 40 mins to first course but now I’m allowed to drink again it didn’t feel too bad and we don’t mind eating slowly. Those waiters work incredibly hard. The waiter we had in Juneau had just flown in - a 26 hour journey - and was straight to work!

Was it good? We missed it. Too much fresh air, fell asleep!

Interestingly, we’ve noticed all our guides and drivers on our Princess tours have not been locals and all seem to be from the same handful of US states. Although enthusiastic they struggle if you ask a question not on script. One of our drivers/come guide said to bear with him if he messes up the dates or names as it’s a lot to learn and his first tour. At Liarsville we stumbled into a quiet area where all the bake staff were chilling. We had a good laugh with them when they asked where we were from and then told us where they were from - only one guy was Alaskan. And the guy from Arizona was feeling the cold!!! So, curious now, I had a chat with one of the seasonal workers. All guides work for Carnival Corp and a recruiter company. They recruited in Idaho, Arizona, and at least 2 other states but not being from the USA I forget the names. Maybe Míchigan? They recruit mostly Mormons and they do their commercial drivers licence training at home before coming out. At the end of the season they get a very low cost HAL cruise! After cruising Alaska in May last year post COVID with few tour options due to lack of guides, I’m in two minds about this. It’s great to have so many tours up and running again and they’re doing a fantastic job, adding to the local economy and cruise experience but, if you want a truly authentic Alaskan experience I’d suggest hunting out private tours if any available. Saying that, Princess tours are a lot of fun!!!

Non US residents currently still have to be vaccinated to enter the US so if you were a US citizen you were fine. Being Canadians, we needed it but also weren’t told. Luckily DH had his phone (he normally doesn’t carry it) so we were able to board. Border didn’t ask to see passport or vac status but Guide said we were lucky to go through quickly. Before our afternoon tour, we took the obligatory shuttle to the end of the pier and then had to come back again as they’d changed the procedure to the tour bus waiting with the shuttles and being slightly early we got caught in the changeover. Luckily we checked and were sent back lol.

We did our first self serve laundry this morning. I send everything out but delicates and underwear. Love the stacked washer dryers on the Sapphire. Some pictures for first timers. And yes, Elites DO get free tokens. Just ask at GS. Yesterday I survived being eaten by a bear (just kidding) and had a surreal spiritual moment in Icy Point where some weird coincidences led me to think my late father was with me. He LOVED cruising and we had many adventures at his side. Got all emotional (in a good way).

Just wanted to say something about the shower. We’ve been on 7 different Princess ships, mostly balconies, and never had a shower like this. Currently in a BA on Baja and it’s superb. No more trickle to wriggle round; it blasts like a power shower, small but mighty! We keep joking with the steward about it. He says maybe they cleaned out the pipes in dry dock lol. It makes washing my thick longish hair much easier. Everyone else’s shower the same?

We went on the bear search in the morning. I think we saw the same bear! I was convinced it was a log but DH got a photo with his zoom lens. The guide was really good, very chatty and I also, like you, have a photo of Travis, carved by Travis. Adorable. I preferred him to the real bear 🙂 So glad you got to see whales. Our evening whale watching in Juneau has been cancelled but we’ve switched to the afternoon one so fingers crossed!

I think it’s just teething problems with new staff and training slowing things down. And they’ve definitely been understaffed at times. I’ve been told a few times they’re also short of supplies which should be resolved soon. We’ve sailed Alaska on HAL, NCL and Princess three times previously and Princess does it best. The food is great and the entertainment this cruise has been outstanding. I’ve been a big fan of the app from the start. It makes everything so easy! My only real gripe is the wine on the PLUS package is awful but we can pay the difference for a better wine so easily remedied. Are things perfect, no, but they’re getting there!!

We usually find the entertainment on Princess quite poor but this cruise the guest entertainers have been outstanding!

The mighty Gods of Princess must be angry at us for going on that Celebrity cruise! Left the cabin at 5.45 last night, and had a great evening. Met some lovely Australians at dinner, and made 3 new friends at the trivia - lost horribly but that’s okay. Couldn’t get seats for the comedian’s early show (agree other OP, he should be in Club Fusion) so it was 11.30 when we finally arrived back at cabin. “I feel a little sea sick. Can’t wait to go to bed,” I said naively and then, bam, it hit us. The sewage smell that’s been lingering off and on around the centre of the ship had found its way to our cabin. It was overpowering! And, surprisingly, the loo was the only place smell free. I waited there while Princess sent someone, who, to be fair, came straight away, apologized and opened the balcony door for a few minutes. I guess we could have done that but thought it should be reported. He said it would have come through the air conditioning and built up whilst we were out, We’re to let them know if it happens again. This morning sheet under door, our Juneau evening whale watching has been cancelled. Going on an excursion to look for bears this morning. With my luck I’ll probably be eaten by one!

We were up there. Loved every minute even if we got a bit wet lol! Did you see the sea lions? They were so noisy coming in!

We are being super unlucky this cruise! Yesterday ordered the Elite afternoon tea for two at 3pm on Hubbard Glacier day. Explained I wanted the vegetarian version, no meat. She said, you only want vegetable sandwiches? I said yes, no meat. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what arrived - only vegetable sandwiches, 5 small identical avocado and beet sandwiches on a plate. The delivery guy said even he was surprised we didn’t want the scones or pastries. He’s going to let them know… sigh. So disappointing after after being outside for hours Glacier viewing and looking forward to tucking into those cream scones. And worse, DH hates beetroot. I think I am cursed! Please send good vibes!!!

We’re currently on the Sapphire and long been curious about whether Elites get free tokens. Just went and asked and we do 🙂 I like to wash underwear in the self service laundry but in the past whenever we’ve sent out t shirts, shirts, shorts etc Princess have done a great job. Definitely not boiled and baked.

Our steward has suddenly started wearing a mask and last night’s dining was chaotic. Only one guy at the door booking in and showing to seats AND handing out menus while the line up waited! We were on time for the reservation but had to wait a while to be seated then 45 mins to first course. Missed the YES NO 😞 Our waiter was the first great waiter we’ve had but clearly there were staff shortages and they weren’t saying why. MDR lunch has been difficult unless you’re prepared to share. We went at 12.30 first day and couldn’t get seated. Told to go back in 45 mins so gave up. Second day turned up at 12.05 and told we should have come earlier! They did take cabin number and had us come back at 12.50 and they called us from the line up. Luckily we had late dinner reservation else would have given up again. Went to store to get some mints last night. Listed to be open till 11pm but was closed at 10.30 when we went.

No idea but I was shocked to see so many! We’ve taken many Princess cruises and never had this happen before.

An update on our damaged luggage (for anyone interested in the process). Got a call day 3 to say unrepairable & to come to GS to fill form. I didn’t know who rang, hence some confusion on arrival and I was asked to identify my bag from a line up of about 8-10 cases that had been damaged and repaired, sadly mine not among them. The form was about compensation: make, model, when bought, how much paid etc. Here the real stress began with language difficulties and misinformation as I panicked over how to get my things home with no suitcase and a broken wrist! First told no problem, the store could sell us a suitcase (big relief) so off we went to find they don’t sell big suitcases onboard, only small travel bags that would barely hold my socks and knickers! I’d need at least 3 and none were on wheels. Upon return to GS, now more stressed, told to go shopping in port or later at home! Really panicking now as later at home doesn’t work and we have planned activities/excursions at every port! Spent all day googling luggage stores with Internet intermittent and hanging. None of the stores we found were within easy reach of the pier. Returned to GS, begging them to somehow do something to enable us to use it to get home. They said they’d have the upholsterer take another look and see what they could do. Tonight returned to cabin to find suitcase fixed with all of its wheels. I could have cried with relief. They must have had the missing wheel all the time! Does it look pretty? No, but it will get us home!! Now I can finally relax and enjoy the cruise instead of constantly focussing on disembarkation!