gardenbunny

Was able to rebook at same time.  Took a screen shot!  

I understand if we like that table and crew, we can request to DRM to keep it.

On our Enchanted trip we had to reserve something every night.  And being a party of 5 and needed private for special needs,  we got the leftover party of 8 tables that no one wanted.  So we were added to a wait staff that had regular tables with same people since beginning and service was less than usual Princess service.  

When we went to DR mid trip to speak with DR Assistant to try and find a table that would work, every one we asked about was “reserved since cruise began” comment.

Hoping for a better experience this time.

Thanks. Had no idea.

But oh dear - nothing there!  Now what?  
I have read of people having this problem pre cruise but reservations showed up on board.

I really do not like this…..

Any suggestions??  Worried  if I try again nothing will be available and we will be back to different table every night and poor service. 

Really thought I had this Dine My Way figured out…..

After making a mistake and not making MDR reservations for a table same time every night BEFORE we did our NYE cruise on Enchanted, I learned my lesson.

So we are on Emerald Panama Canal March 13.  This time I booked way early!!

But I did not write it down - or if I did I cannot find it - 

So, where do I find it.  I have looked all over the App but seem to be unable to figure it out.

Thanks

I agree - that is a good change.  Enjoy 

We were just in St Maarten Feb 20.  Had not been there since they began the boardwalk project along the ocean front.  Really a nice improvement.  Unfortunately we were there on a Sunday so all the shops in town were closed except a few small souvenier vendors.

Even shops at port were mostly all closed.  But we had a nice 20 min. walk from the dock to the town, took a few photos and back to ship.

I did think Covid could also be a factor

On 2/28/2022 at 10:45 AM, azbirdmom said:

We got the Elite discount on items that were part of the “outlet” sale last Friday on the Regal so I guess we got in under the wire. 

We sailed NYE on Enchanted. We had no tshirt sales or the outlet. I knew about the change of making shops under a contract mgnt company so thought there would no longer be all the sales around the Piazza. They had very little Princess items, period. And items in shops seemed pricier than before Covid. 
We will be on Emerald March 13. Will wait to see what “sales” there might be…if any

Never in my wildest imagination did I think an unprovoked war would be happening in early 2022.  I cancelled in Feb 21 all my foreign cruises I had planned and moved them to 2023. Thinking that would be about the time Covid would be under control and tourism starting to return to normal with ports and cities fully open as before. 
First cruise will be Japan April 2023. Praying to God that our world will be in a better place than we all are now.

 May God grant his grace and mercy to the people of Ukraine 

As with other Caribbean port topics with regard to what island allows what, it is still very fluid.

Just did Oceania 2/11-2/23 and we could get out independently in Aruba and Curacao.  In Bonaire we had to have a ship excursion or government approved.  However they did let us walk over to the stalls across from the pier if we showed our vaccine card.  St. Vincent we had to have a ship excursion or government authorized, and could only walk around in the terminal shops.   St. Lucia we docked at the old pier and we could not go anywhere unless excursion.  The old terminal had about 3 shops, took 5 minutes and we got back on ship. The Norweigian Epic was across at the nicer shopping area.

Antigua was open for any type excursion or just walk around town - but had a temperature check.  Phillipsburg St Maarten was open for any type excursion but we were there on Sunday so very little shops open.  But a nice walk around town and boardwalk.

Everywhere was mask required.

58 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

I just don't understand with 85% or so of the U.S. population hating smoking, why all cruise lines don't get rid of this policy.  Maybe they can have a mini casino in some corner of the lido deck to help smokers out.

 

 

Agree.  However, I feel the casino probably brings in a lot of revenue $! which they need.

But  I wish they would design the ships where you don’t have to walk through it to get to somewhere.  Or maybe enclose half of it as the smoking area!  Same machines and tables, but for smokers only.

All ships in majority of the main cruise lines are extremely low capacity. Just off an Oceania that holds 1,250. We are about 370!

I believe they are all offering deals to get people back.  
Most are making masks optional for fully vaccinated effective 3/1!  Or masks only in certain crowded venues. 
Many people have been waiting for that to end. 
And if testing ends in the next several weeks I predict capacity will increase. 
Of course there will always be people who still will not feel safe to resume cruising, but that is their choice. 
And if the Omicron variant cases continue to go down, and hopefully another variant doesn’t rear its head, or if it does, have even milder symptoms, perhaps it will become endemic and cruising can return as we once knew it. 
So many variables now - cruise lines are having to do something to generate revenue any way they can get bookings. 
We all still need to be patient. 

With so few passengers the need for masks is not a big issue. People are doing the right thing to have them on around the buffet and walking through inside areas but they are not crowded at all. And we rarely see anyone in our cabin corridor or on an elevator. And tables are spaced as “not available” so as not to sit by anyone. 
And they will be optional March 1. 

 

This is our first Oceania. Thanks to all the info before we boarded. The pre-cruise testing tent process went well - we are only 378 - could not imagine if it had been 1,000. 
Food has been phenomenal- Oceania definitely earns their accolades for best food at sea. We ate at Polo first night and GDR last night. I need to keep a running count on how many times I have said “oh my, this is so good”. 
Tonight Jacques. 
Terrace Cafe and Waves are as excellent as everyone stated. 
The ship is beautiful - a mix of grand meets elegant meets modern styling. 
The crew is so friendly and service is very nice. 
Entertainment has been good. There will be no shows - ship singers and dancers are regrouping from illnesses and will start again next cruise. But we had a nice opening night show with other on board entertainment - singers, string quartet, band from Horizons, piano from Martinis - 

Last night was Pianist Linda Gentille - totally awesome.  Tonight is ventriloquist Jerry Goodspeed - but could have some competition from the Super Bowl party that will be shown in Horizons at 6:30. 
First port in Aruba Monday morning at 11:00. No test required and free to go off ship and explore on your own. 
 

I could not wait for their bran muffins!!  Had one every morning. 
Oatmeal raisin is my favorite cookie and I thought the ice cream on Lido was better than usual- I had chocolate and thought it was much firmer and creamy and had a really good chocolate flavor. 

With regard to the bar soap conversations that some ship do have it and others don’t, makes me wonder if they are using the reserves that were on board when the pause began???  Just a thought.

As I recall, long before Covid, for environmental reasons they were going to switch to pump bottles at sinks and the shower stall to have body wash and shampoo (which did happen first)..  And also for body lotion - have not seen that yet.

We were on Enchanted NYE and no bar soap and the pump bottle at the sink.

16 hours ago, geoherb said:

I have a little round bar of soap for my sink. I could use it in the shower as well, but I brought along a full-size bar to use there. My only problem with it is that it's too slippery to stay in the soap holder. 

When we were getting ready for our first WC in 2017, we bought a flat tight mesh shower accessory (has 3 pockets, about 8” long by 5” wide) that has 3 velcro strips that you put over the bar on the existing shower rack.  Works great for holding bar soap, travel size shampoo bottle, razor, etc). We take it every cruise, lays flat easy to pack.  

15 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I would go to Harbor Freight and buy some magnetic hooks to place on the inside of the door.  Not sure I'd want to place my clean/soiled mask on a door handle (yes, I am a germaphobic).  

OMG yes!. Magnetic hooks are mandatory…so many uses.  We also bring Command hooks.  They will stick on slick services such as mirrors.  In an OV cabin they can hang inside the window, and if any sun, makes a great way to dry clothes.

We just use our cell phones with the unlimited wifi we purchase at 50% Elite discount

We have our first Oceania cruise Feb 11.  In addition to a negative test 48 hrs. before boarding, they also test everyone at the pier, no charge.  

However, on their CC page, they have just sent out detailed emails that effective March 1, masks will be optional on board, or unless local jurisdictions in sailing areas required.

And they will no longer test at pier, just bring negative test within 48 hrs. domestic ports, 72 hrs. international.

I agree with ToxM.  Hoping and praying this might be the weaning off of these restrictions for travel.

IMO it should be your choice to determine your own risk level of returning to cruises.

 If  you are afraid you might get Covid,  it might not yet be time for you.  Or if you are somewhere in the middle, continue to wear your mask and protect yourself.  If you are not worried and willing to take the risk, then go for it!  

Now if we can only get rid of testing…..because testing is only at that moment in time - 48-72 hours before boarding.  You might just not have enough viral load to detect it yet…

My sister’s husband who is now 78, was diagnosed Nov 2020.  We all went on a land trip in May 2021 and he did quite well.  Then we all just went on a Princess New Years Eve cruise not knowing how he would do.  My sister needed a change of scenery badly.  

He is quite frail with a shuffle walk disability issue and uses a rolator.  He seemed to enjoy it and did well.  Not sure how much he understood as he does not talk very much.  He can get aggitated easily not understanding the conversation we are all having about what we are about to do, so naturally you have to tell him slowly and in simple sentences.  One morning my sister did report that when they returned to the cabin one evening he got confused and did not know where he was and when she told him on a cruise ship he said what the h*** are we doing on a cruise ship.  But she was able to calm him down.

We always told crew members he had dementia issues and they were very friendly and understanding.  I am sure a number of them have experience with that.

My sister has to get his food at the buffet as he is not capable of doing that,  and read the DR menu to him but only tells him about items she thinks he might like.  Plus he eats very little and has become very picky due to the dementia.  He was never left alone and my husband would accompany him to the restroom if we were about on the ship.

They had an accessible cabin that was 4 steps from the central elevators which was very helpful.

They only went on 1 simple excursion that seemed to work for them.  But did get off the ship for an hours or so  if it was a port with a small shopping area.

Everyone with dementia is different based on where they are in the disease.

Based on what you have said, I think you should  be fine and keeping all activities within his comfort zone.

I was the caregiver for my father for 8 years with Alzheimers.  He used to love to go to our second home in the mountains, but as his dementia progressed, it became too difficult for him to go and upsetting him to take him away from his routine.

It is not easy, but enjoy the times you can do things together.  They will be special memories for you later on.

God bless you both

1 hour ago, crawford said:

I received the iHealth tests from the government. Your Binax tests likely say OTC on the front of the box and cannot be used for travel, as they are not proctored. You need the Binax test that says Rx only on the front of the box.

Thanks.  Yes.  There were a lot of letters, numbers etc on left bottom corner.  OTC was one of them. Sort of confusing not knowing what I was looking for..

Oh my. So sorry. When will you be able to leave?  My issue with testing - just a moment in time. 2 days later viral load can be enough to detect. 
Good advice. I can always wash out underwear but bringing more meds is a definite must do

Take care

I did lots of walking laps on world cruises. I would count my laps using fist and opening fingers as I completed first mile to see how many minutes it took. Then I would decide how many miles I wanted and watched the clock vs keep counting.  ie. 10 minutes first mile. 3 miles = 30 minutes. Etc

8 minutes ago, iamaqt2 said:

Home tests that aren't proctored are ineligible for precruise testing.  If the BinaxNow is the one you registered for, then that will qualify. 

It does not have anything in instructions to call for telehealth so I believe it is just home self test.  Thanjs

1 hour ago, coo359a2 said:

The ID NOW test falls under the NAAT type test which is listed as approved in the FAQs health  protocols 

I got the government free tests and received the Abbot BinaxNOW.  How do I find out if they are approved for cruising?  Thought I have read on some CC posts that people are using those.  I have Emerald Panama Canal coming up March 13.  Would be nice to use them vs. CVS.

Thanks