dstables

26 minutes ago, eclue said:

My husband and I cruised on the Ruby in December, 2021 for the Christmas cruise. It was wonderful. Absolutely no complaints from the staff to the service to the food......We are cruising again on the Ruby on JUne 29th from SF to Alaska and will most definitely be cruising a few times on Ruby when she comes to Galveston later this year. There has been so much bad press about Ruby due to a recent blog about covid....Well, these are troubled times and one must take precautions for themselves regarding the virus.....It is unfortunate that there was a covid outbreak on the ship and it also affected the embarkation process for April 11th due to getting the covid cases off the ship.  So much Princess bashing. One simply cannot blame Princess if you get covid.....there is on one to blame. Covid happens and it could happen anywhere...that is chance you take. I highly recommend Princess as we have 38 cruises behind us and two more booked for this year so far...I also highly recommend Ruby as she is one of our favorite ships.

The recent blog about Covid on the Ruby you refer to is written by a very seasoned Princess cruiser. I have followed her personal blog for many years and it has always been very informative non bias reports about cruising on Princess and is a wealth of fabulous travel information. She usually has very favourable comments about Princess but when Princess does fall short she is not afraid to write about that. The recent thread here on Cruise Critic was not Princess bashing and her blaming Princess for getting Covid. It was her personal experience of how POORLY Princess treats passengers once they test positive for Covid on a ship. She is not the only Princess passenger reporting such terrible treatment of passengers testing positive on Princess Cruises. We all should know the current risk involved in cruising in today’s world and from what I have read this lady knew the risk but she was reporting and giving others a heads up as to what actually happens when passengers are testing positive on Princess. 

12 minutes ago, Optotronics said:

I agree.

we were not selfish, but everyone has their limits. The selfish are those going around onboard in side without masks, flying and taking masks off. Princess for removing precautions and not enforcing smoking and mask requirements.

the best advice I can give is to get n95 mask without a vent for your flight and don’t take it off to eat or drink because others will be.

You are being selfish. You want to blame everyone else.  You have not answered the question. DO YOU HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE?  If you did it would solve most of your problems. We are currently doing a land vacation. Been in Barbados for two months. We have insurance that would cover all expenses should we get Covid and need to stay here longer. I can’t control what everyone around me does but since decided to travel I controlled what I could with my travel insurance. 

25 minutes ago, Optotronics said:

I’m feeling better after 4 days of quarantine, but not back to normal and who knows we could shed Covid for weeks. This is costing us a bundle in lost work and income. If princess were refunding the quaratine people their cruise, then we could use that towards lost income….
the poopy quarantine cabin without a refrigerator, taking 5 hours to get us soda and ice for my sore throat, putting us out in the cold to wait an hour and witnessing a passenger pee on the side of the structure because they wouldn’t let back in. Then no contact from princess or a rep this whole time..

I am livid about this!
we are going home tomorrow.

we are in 1st class seating so there is more distancing and we will have n95 masks (without vent) on the way home because we had 3m high end n95 masks for our flight to fll, but since this had a vent in them, American Airlines made us replace them with a normal surgical mask.

when we get home we will stay there until we get tests sent to us and test negative .

so unless princess shows up and starts paying the bills, we can’t stay longer.

I am sorry that you got sick and got Covid on your cruise and most likely your wife has Covid now too. BUT I can not believe how irresponsible you are willing to be by getting on an plane tomorrow and flying while still having symptoms. I am sure both you and your wife would test positive should you be tested and you should be tested before stepping on a plane. I am so sick and tired of the me me attitude of people these days with no concern for others. You made the decision to travel knowing fully their was a reach to be exposed to and catch Covid. If you choose to travel now without proper insurance to take care of you should you get Covid that falls totally on you and you have absolutely no business getting on a plane tomorrow until you test negative. 

9 minutes ago, Sprocket said:

Taken from further down in the link you share.  I asked about testing for Canadians on the Live Chat with Princess this morning and was told no decision on testing yet for our B2B.  This literally just dropped they will need time to figure this all out.  Not optimistic we will be able to cruise in December.

 

 

For non-vaccinated & international travelers

For all other travelers, including those who do not qualify for an existing vaccine exemption and for all international travelers, there is a pre-travel testing option that will allow travelers an alternative, allowing them to bypass Hawaii's mandatory 10-day quarantine restrictions, as long as they bring along proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a state-approved trusted testing partner. All travelers must have their negative test results within 72 hours prior to the final leg of departure as an alternative to Hawaii's quarantine requirements. 

 

This pre-travel testing was available to Canadians that are vaccinated that were traveling by plane to Hawaii up till yesterday. This option I do believe is now removed with this new restriction. So whether traveling by plane or ship I don’t think Hawaii will be accepting any visitors that were not vaccinated in the USA without the 10 day quarantine. 

Hawaii introduced new restrictions yesterday. See 

www.hawaii-guide.com. 
It now says that 10 day quarantine in now in effective to anyone who WAS NOT vaccinated in the USA. So for now that eliminates Canadians wanting to cruise to Hawaii till this restriction is lifted. 

No Princess Insurance does not cover the cruise fare that has been paid by a FCC. Only covers what has been paid after your FCC is used. 

6 minutes ago, Ombud said:

And I can imagine it's getting ready to stop: https://thepointsguy.com/news/covid-outbreak-hurtigruten-norway/amp/

This is not surprising. Just way too soon to resume cruising anywhere in the world right now. 

3 hours ago, dstables said:

Sure glad I had my TA book the 24 Day Tahiti South Pacific Grand Adventure sailing February 8, 2022 cause I can see on line it now shows as sold out!😊

Sorry guys. I wasn’t logged in correctly. This sailing is not sold but I am glad my TA was able to book it today. 

Sure glad I had my TA book the 24 Day Tahiti South Pacific Grand Adventure sailing February 8, 2022 cause I can see on line it now shows as sold out!😊

Shore excursions and spa services are both charged in the currency the ship will be charging. If you are Canadian and you booked in CDN funds then all other purchases made through your personalizer are in CDN funds. We are Canadian and booked in Canadian funds and pre purchased the internet plan which was charged in CDN funds but also bought the unlimited fitness class that fall under spa services and that was charged in US funds since we are sailing out of the US.  

Just wondering if anyone who uses a TA that discounts their fares when booking with them have asked to add any of the perk packages allowed under this sale to be added to an existing booking?  Did your TA add the cost of the package to your booking and discount their price again? Or is this added cost not being discounted by TA’s who discount?  

2 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

In April on the Royal’s B2B 7-day cruises the Gold package was the only one available (Silver discontinued) with the standard prices (Add 18% tip)

 

Gold Package (wines up to $45 per bottle list price)

7 bottles -- $217 (average of $31 per bottle)

10 bottles -- $290 (average of $29 per bottle)

12 bottles -- $336 (average of $28 per bottle)

 

On our 28-day cruise in November on the Sky no wine package was available & staff didn’t know why it was unavailable.

 

I purchase wine packages when available but the inconsistency of this mismanaged program has resulted in bringing wine onboard subject to corkage.

Thanks that’s exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks. I think we will take our own wine on board and pay the corkage charge. We did this last February in Australia but there they insisted that you carry on all of your wine. No checking a case of wine with your checked suitcases. Will we be okay with checking a case of wine at San Pedro?  And how do you pay your corkage when you check your case of wine with your suitcases?  Thanks again!

We are sailing on the Emerald a Princess February 1, 2020 for 28 days. Does anyone know if Princess is still offering their a Wine Packages on their longer voyages still?  And if so what is the current price?  Thanks. 

It has been like this for a few years now. No exchange given on OBC. I do believe most sales now just say OBC in an amount for example $200.00 but does not have a currency attached to it till it is attached to a specific booking.  

We have stayed in these sideway inside cabins on deck 14 on the Emerald a Princess, sister ship to the Crown. Loved them. No noise from the above pools. We are never in our cabin during the day. These cabins are very spacious and wouldn’t think twice about booking them. 

6 minutes ago, dides said:

 

They have sofas on deck 16 above the Wakeview but they are a smoking area

 

 

However they also have them on both sides on deck 16 outside the buffet entrance - no aft view and they are covered but better than nothing!

 

 

 

Sandra and Chris

Excellent!  Thanks you so much. Enjoy your cruise. The ship looks wonderful!  

Pictures of the aft pool area and deck if you are able to post. What I’m most interested in is the Royal/Regal have a lovely area at the aft of the ship on the lido deck with deck sectionals sofas and chairs where you can sit and enjoy a drink and view off the aft of the ship. Some pics I have seen suggest there may be some sectional sofas and chairs on the deck above just outside of the gym. Thanks if you take the time to take  these pics. Enjoy your cruise!🛳

11 hours ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

This pic looks like a WS. The ceiling lights look that in suites. The other furniture is just probably not in the frame. 

These are the photos of Window Suite. The other is only the Oeanview Cabin. 

I know the Royal class ships have a sports court that unorganized PickleBall is played on. Is there a court on the Emerald?

Refundable deposit is just that. You cancel before final payment your deposit is totally refundable. Nonrefundable deposit is just what the word says. It’s nonrefundable. You cancel your cruise you will not get your deposit back. Never heard of the scenario you mentioned about losing only 100.00 and the rest of your deposit going into a credit.  

5 hours ago, Safety Squirrel said:

In answer to your question.  I have used Medi-quote.  They have offices in Calgary and Winnipeg.  They are an insurance broker and will review your sisters medical history, pre-existing conditions and suggest insurance companies.  I have used them for many years and they are reliable.  When my aunt, who lives in Calgary, was able to travel with me - also used them.  Highly recommended.  This company is used by many people in the Seniors club that I belong to and they have all been very satisfied.

 

Medi-quote

CALGARY OFFICE
251 Midpark Blvd SE, Suite 250
Calgary, AB  T2X 1S3
Phone: (403) 259-2969

 

Hope your sister gets well and she and her husband are able to travel to Hawaii and Tahiti with you.  Beautiful places to visit.

Thanks for the info. Will certainly look into this company. Funny that I’m from Calgary and my sister is from Winnipeg. 

Looking for recommendations for Canadian Travel Insurance Companies that cover pre-existing conditions. We are booked for Hawaii Tahiti 28 day cruise in February 2020 and my sister and husband are suppose to travel with us. My sister has been in the hospital most of the summer but it does look like she is getting out soon and we need to explore how much a good travel insurance policy will cost her that will cover pre-existing conditions. Need this info before final payment early October. Thanks. 

I just checked my two cruises I have booked. My 28 day cruise for February 2020 booked at 1.25 exchange rate now shows If I buy OBC it will be at 1.35 yet my cruise I booked in May for February 2021 at 1.30 exchange rate still shows I can buy my OBC at 1.30. Does not make sense. And the wording that Coral shared said the new exchange rate would effect new bookings effective June 5. It did not say the exchange rate was retroactive. Hopefully this is another one of Princess’s IT mess ups that will take a few days to sort out. 

On 5/24/2019 at 3:32 PM, steelers36 said:

Another way around it for those who book in CAD now, is you could purchase the USD early for final payment and lock in the rate if concerned it might be worse at that date.  IDK your TA, and we cannot discuss that specific here, but I have not come across a Canadian TA that discounts like US TA's and virtually all US TA's don't book in true CAD with Princess as it would require a second agency account with Princess.  That said, I have quit scouring around for a discount TA (discount off cruise price - not just more OBC) that will book in CAD since I have found our current TA who gives the largest discount for Princess cruises that I have come across or found.

 

Our American TA can book us in American funds or Canadian funds and gives great discounts. Anywhere from 8-12%. When she first starting offering her pricing in CDN funds I did the math and her price and discount were the same whether I booked in CDN or American funds. 

7 hours ago, pris993 said:

I booked with TAs for years, never saved any money.   Now I book during launch fares and save compared to booking prices later in the year.  Plus I usually get a good on board credit.  Most TAs in the past gave me the same on board credit that Princess did and claimed credit for it but I knew better.   I live in the San Francisco bay area, hard to find a good TA.  I do not like big box store TAs or on line.   So working with Princess or other cruise lines directly works for us, we have well over 60 cruises over past 40 years... so we know what we want.  Yes... some folks have found a TA they feels give them a good deal, I don't bother to try find any more here.  

We book the Sky Princess for 2021 for 20 days. We are from Canada but our small office TA is in the US she can book us in CDN funds or US funds and always saves me 8-10% off of the launch Princess fare or any sale price. She saved us $250.00 per person on this booking.