Sprocket

42 minutes ago, compozer said:

When you made your specialty dinner reservations, did you have to pay with a credit card?   We are suppose to get two dinners included but we were not able to use the credits.                                    Same thing happened with excursions - they charged our credit card rather than use OBC.  We were told they will refund our money when we get on the ship and talk to customer service.   Makes me think they want to have use our money for months.  Thanks

42 minutes ago, compozer said:

When you made your specialty dinner reservations, did you have to pay with a credit card?   We are suppose to get two dinners included but we were not able to use the credits.                                    Same thing happened with excursions - they charged our credit card rather than use OBC.  We were told they will refund our money when we get on the ship and talk to customer service.   Makes me think they want to have use our money for months.  Thanks

No charge for mine, when I selected Crown Grill it showed the $39 charge then -$39 and a zero balance. Same for Sabatinis.   But you have to scroll all the way down to see that.  I have checked my pending charges and the only charge was for the Premier upgrade.

No when you board call the dine line and ask to be added to the list.  It is random so you may or may not be chosen.

I upgraded to Premier on the weekend and already have my specialty dinners booked. 

Our email referenced our upcoming cruise on the Discovery.  No Vines on there so I am guessing that’s why it wasn’t specifically mentioned.

The information was geared towards the changes in dining I don’t anticipate there will be any change to the shipping of the Medallions, especially since they are testing sending them outside of the US.

I could not download anything on my Kindle on the ship.  If you can find wifi in port you should be able to do it there.  If you do a Google search you'll see many posts from people unable to do so.

Easiest just to download them all before you go.

2 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

We booked directly with Princess.

 

The email came from Princess.

So weird then but definitely someone messed up.  

7 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Has Plus drink allowance increased to $22? We received this email today.

 

This is a Closed Loop US port cruise.

 

 

We booked a cruise with standard fare and plan to upgrade to Plus onboard using OBC. 

Did the email come from Princess or a TA?  If it was a TA I suspect they cut and pasted the wrong information into the email you received.

They did an update last night pretty clear to me its an error.  Website still shows $15 on the cruises I checked.  

Its like when the airlines offer flights for like a dollar we all know its wrong and they won't honor it but some will try anyway.

6 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Republic Parking is the on-site parking lot at Pier 91.  It is located in Lot D at Pier 91.  There is a shuttle bus that will transport you and your luggage to the driveway area just outside the terminal.  When you disembark, you will find the shuttle bus located at Parking Slot A and/or B.  This shuttle is driven by a Longshore driver, and the shuttle is also used to transport passengers to the Uber/Lyft lot, and then continue to the Republic Parking Lot located at Lot D (about a two minute further drive).  The parking at Republic Parking at Pier 91 is quite convenient. 

https://www.rpnw.com/locations/seattle/30-084/

 

The other local parking area (Seattle Cruise Parking) is commonly called the Armory, because it was a former National Guard staging area, and it advertises itself as a very secure place to park long term (and I have no reason to doubt them).  It is about a short 10 minute drive from Pier 91, located in a commercial area.  The Armory (Seattle Cruise Parking) runs shuttles which are found past the airport transfer buses around parking slot R, S, T - at the end of the drive area (right-side)

https://www.seattlecruiseparking.com/

 

You must have reservations for both parking areas (especially the off-site Armory Seattle Cruise Parking, as it can sell out).

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either parking lot.  Make sure that you remember which parking lot you used.  So many passengers will get off the ship and will be unable to recall if their car is parked at Pier 91, or off-site at the Armory.

 

Pier 91 = Republic Parking Lot D

Armory = Seattle Cruise Parking off-site

 

We used the Armory parking lot last year, very organized with frequent shuttles.  They also gave us a piece of paper with directions and contact information.  Would definitely use them again.

IIRC there was a Total Wine on the right just before entering the lot.

On 8/8/2023 at 11:34 AM, Scotmay said:

To those of you on the Crown today, how is the ship. I am about to book, but kept hearing of missing ports etc., because of loss of one engine!

Cruised 47 days last year on the Crown including the last sailing before it went into dry dock.  No issues at all and have 2 more cruises booked for this fall.

4 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

Well, what a difference a day makes!!!  I am staying on a Friday night which now shows $444 per night and you are staying on Sunday night which now shows $153.  The same weekend!

I checked the rate for Saturday night well over $800 I logged out and checked again very very happy I did not need a room for that night.

I book as early as possible to get it locked in, glad you got a good price too.

On 8/7/2023 at 7:11 PM, AnyMajorCruiseDude said:

I am om premier package, but it said complementary when I ordered.  It may change next cruise.  

When did you book the cruise?

22 minutes ago, StevenUS said:

How long is temporary? I am hoping they get it back up by the 15th.

No idea sorry but you can use the app or call them.  
 

Have a great cruise, my next cruise is September 5th so will see how this rolls out.

2 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

Hi Sprocket!  You mention that you have stayed at the Westin and have it booked again for Dec 2023 at a great rate.  We are taking a cruise on the Panorama Dec 2, staying at the Westin on Friday night.  I was lucky enough to book a while back at $197 for the night.  I checked today and the rate is at $440.  Now, that is a huge difference.  I am asking myself, did I get a great rate like you did OR not?  In your past experience, how did you get to the port in the morning?

Wow that is a huge increase did you book directly with the hotel?  We are staying December 3rd and our rate is $154 it started well over $200. Being a senior doesn't hurt lol.   Too bad we'll miss you by one day!

Keep checking and rebook if it goes lower I still check every couple days. 

We Uber to and from whichever airport we are using and from the hotel.

Enjoy!!!

I book cruises through the casino along with that is a $200 non refundable deposit that I can spend in the casino if I wish.  Same with the share holder benefit.  

When you use the charge to room option on the slot machine it pulls from OBC, I do this every cruise.

I'd put it on hold until you can reach someone to switch it out for you.  We always book the extended angled balconies and you will appreciate the extra room.

On 8/7/2023 at 7:52 PM, KXZ1498 said:

 

No, I mean comp money. NCL, Celebrity and Royal, and Virgin all comp charges on your bill depending on your play. Does Princess do that?

No Princess does not do that.

6 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

I have never used WhatsApp but I didn't realize it could make actual phone calls. I'm planning to put it on both of our phones for communication on the ship as the Medallion texting (I forget what they call it) isn't the best. I often get back to the cabin before I find I have a message. Same goes for my wife. I've read that WhatsApp solves this issue.

We just use Facebook messenger.

Saw this posted on another site.

11 hours ago, laedw said:

I'm booked to stay at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro pre-cruise.  This will be my first time at this hotel and cruising out of Los Angeles.  May I ask why you chose to stay at the Westin in Long Beach instead of the Crowne Plaza for your December cruise?  

Crowne Plaza is convenient to the port and the Green Onion if you like Mexican food.  We were upgraded to a suite last time but it was desperately in need of a renovation, and since we didn’t book the breakfast option with the room it was nearly impossible to get a simple bagel and coffee in the morning.
We book a refundable rate and so far have saved about $70 on our room.  It is a bit further but worth it to us.  We enjoyed the lobby bar and dinner, grab and go coffee service in the morning next to it was efficient and all the staff were excellent.

My husband gets bad muscle cramps if he gets dehydrated and the check in staff promptly gave him some bottled water.

Also if you have some time much more to see and do in Long Beach.

We stay at the Westin and really like it, price is very reasonable for our cruise in December.

3 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

There are large signs at SEATAC with verbiage to the effect that once you leave the terminal area do not expect to re-enter the terminal.  I seriously doubt that you will be able to leave the secure area, pick up your bags, and then somehow have them scanned again to re-enter the secured area.  Your airline will not somehow re-check your bags.

 

We have stayed a number of times at the Mayflower Park.  While there is no rooftop restaurant their on-site restaurant is excellent.  And their bar, Oliver's, serves large (think small plates) food offerings.  Go directly to the hotel.

Thanks for clarifying we always stay near the airport and go to 13 Coins, the hotel shuttles us back and forth.

Alaska has vegan and gluten free options that you can preorder for your flight and something to tide you over until you get to your hotel.  Does  the Mayflower have the rooftop restaurant?  Beats eating at the airport imo.

delete

I’ve been telling people this since last year.  Thanks for helping spread the word.