kamelia

Both propellers are currently operating and tests will continue for the next couple of hours before we resume course into Prince William Sound with an anticipated arrival at Harvard Glacier around 4:30p.  DH noticed a significant decrease in the cavitation when he went up to Horizon Court for coffee early this morning, which we take as another positive indication that things are on the improve.

32 minutes ago, zanzibargirl said:

Does anyone know the name of the naturalist? Thanks!

Sandra Schemp

2 minutes ago, dizgal64 said:

Oh I am sorry. I meant how did I miss this post. I’m on the 25th sailing so I am really paying attention to what happens with this next week’s sailing but I had missed that person posting that they had a communication from Princess. 
 

No apology necessary. 😊  This may help someone else who’s concerned they missed the email to know that there are alternative sources to confirm the Important Information specific to their itinerary.

12 minutes ago, Derfman60 said:

Just curious if anyone on board now could upload a copy of the Patter (or whatever it is called now). Would like to see what types of things are going on.

26 minutes ago, dizgal64 said:

How did I miss this?!

You should also be able to see it in your reservation under “Itinerary” as well as “Travel Summary.”

Just a quick heads-up for my fellow passengers currently on the ship: be sure to keep the compensation letter until after you have applied the Future Cruise Credit.  There was some pushback when I tried to apply it towards final payment for an upcoming cruise.  Usually, FCC can only be applied to new bookings made after final payment for the itinerary that the FCC was issued for, but there is no such stipulation attached to the FCC we were given and you may need the letter to show that.  If you don’t still have it, ask for a copy at Guest Services before you disembark.

6 minutes ago, that said:

@Boatharbour

thank you 

 

but

 

i was asking the question of KentheCruiser

Still not @KenTheCruiser, but I can tell you there were no propulsion issues on Sapphire Jan 4 to Feb 5 of 2024.

SO glad to see Troy's still an entertainer on Princess Cruises!  Thanks for posting that picture!

12 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

So an FCD is an FCC, but not every FCC is an FCD.

I absolutely understand the point you're making and agree that it's yet another Princess-ism that confuses everyone.  (Maybe someone should start a thread of Princess speak to help others understand the difference between FCD and FCC, and include other things like "Reserve Class Dining" is not for passengers with dining reservations, MedallionClass App is not the same as MedallionNet, etc.) 

I was just trying to help @PastryPal - and by extension, the dad who inadvertently got caught up in the Princess Promotions obfuscation - understand how it might have happened.  Most importantly, I'd like to reassure both OP and "dad" that he wasn't the victim of a scam, and it was NOT the result of poor decision-making on his part! 

Princess Promotions is a legitimate program, and I have no doubt that there are people who might benefit from it.  We got snookered into it ourselves last fall, so I know how convincing the sales pitch can sound.  Hindsight being 20/20, we never would have signed up for it, but now six months later, I am somewhat mollified knowing that although we may not come out money ahead - certainly NOTHING like the potential savings we were led to expect (travel-related discounts with AAA, AARP and Costco are greater than those offered by O.N.E., for instance) - at least we are nearing a breakeven with our initial "investment." 

All that said, I'm sorry for Princess that we are among a growing number of people who resent being made to feel that we were hoodwinked by Princess employees/ representatives/ contractors associated with Princess Promotions.  It cannot help Princess Cruises' reputation in the long run, and I certainly hope that someone in Corporate is keenly aware of the perils and cares enough to be concerned.

Late September is likely to be rather chilly, so I definitely recommend packing in layers with an emphasis on woollies.  It may get warmer during the day, especially if you're on an excursion with vigorous activity, so you may want to shed some layers for a while but keep them handy for later in the day.  Whales will be sparse by then as the majority of humpbacks will have started their migration to mating/birthing grounds, but you could still see the elusive orcas.  This may also be better timing for an opportunity to see Northern Lights, and you can do a search for University of Alaska Fairbanks aurora forecast that should lead you to a link with more information about the expected activity whilst you're there.  Bookmark it so you can check the KP Index when you're actually in Alaska.

With regards to ship facilities, a lot will depend upon which ship you're on.  Check the ship deck maps to see which might have covered pool areas if that's what you're interested in.  As far as whether to choose Princess or NCL, for your first time in Alaska, either one will do a good job of introducing you to The Great Land.  My personal preference is for Princess because they do a good job of not only taking you to Alaska, but also bringing Alaska onboard to share with you.  By that I mean that there will be an onboard naturalist giving lectures and telling you what to expect along the way, as well as Alaska-themed food and activities, and local Alaskans who'll share their stories and experiences with you.  NCL isn't quite as immersive, but we're booked on NCL later this summer, so I wouldn't rule them out either.

One aspect that you might take into consideration is an itinerary that includes a day of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.  The ship will pick up a team of National Park Rangers as you sail into the bay who provide educational programs and commentary over the public address system, and it gives you a glimpse at not only some spectacular scenery but also geological and natural history.  Again, not a deal breaker if it's not included, but I would consider it a tie-breaker if you've got two itineraries you're considering and one goes to Glacier Bay but the other doesn't.

HTH!

On 5/5/2024 at 12:55 AM, PastryPal said:

While they were onboard, they booked a European cruise.

It's not a scam per se, but definitely very shady and questionable business practices, for sure!  Based on our experience, I would suggest that your dad look at the cruise reservation they made to see if the Future Cruise Credit that would have part of the Princess Promotions package has been applied to the cruise they booked (substantially more than the $100 per person Future Cruise Deposit).  If so, it will likely have to be removed before the credit card company can process the cancellation.  If push comes to shove with Princess, your dad has every right to stand firm on having purchased Future Cruise Deposits to be used for the cruise, and NOT Future Cruise Credits from the Princess Promotions package.  ONE employees are very savvy about playing loosey-goosey with those two terms, so I hope this clarity will help your dad in making his case that he did NOT authorize the Princess Promotions transaction!  Best of luck!

@suzyed  Checked the Living Wine Labels app out earlier today and the mechanics are a bit different, but it does still work.  😊

@suzyed, I tried using the app a couple of years ago and got a response something along the lines of the interactive aspect no longer being available, so I haven't used it since.  If I think of it, I'll try again the next time I see 19 Crimes in my local store.

On 4/30/2024 at 2:37 PM, Cruisemeister2002 said:

Don't know if this wine get's to the US. But I really like a red called 19 crimes imported from Australia. I am also partial to Chateaux neuf de pape from France , but that comes in over double the price of 19 crimes which can vary from around £7.50 to £9 a bottle with the Chateaux at around £20-£25 a bottle. Will be disappointed if you can't get a decent glass of vino collapso onboard for $15. First time virgin for the Plus package as we normally go P&O and have never had a package deal before.

Princess actually had 19 Crimes available in the dining room at one point.  I introduced the Living Wine Labels app to the wait staff so they could hear the prisoner's story.  That may tell you how long ago it was, though, as that function of the app no longer exists.

Also, make sure you are in Airplane Mode before turning WiFi service on.

19 hours ago, sharon_pei said:

Am i understanding it right that for those who stay in interior cabins, we would need to choose between going out to the deck to see glaciers vs staying indoor at 'visitor center' to learn from the park rangers? I can see why balcony cabins have a huge advantage here now. 

Balcony cabins do have some advantages for Alaskan itineraries, but you don't risk missing that much if you choose an interior stateroom.  The park rangers will be giving presentations in Princess Theatre (which will be scheduled outside of prime glacier-viewing time), so everyone who wants to attend will be inside at that time.  As the ship gets closer to the glaciers, you'll want to be outside, and the park ranger commentary will be broadcast on the outside decks.  To be honest, it's often easier to hear when you're in the public areas outside rather than being on your own balcony trying to listen to it on your stateroom television.  It's also a lot easier to move if you're on the port side of the ship and the ranger announces, "orcas on the starboard side of the ship."  😉  Even when we've booked a balcony, I still prefer viewing from the public decks on Glacier Bay day!

2 hours ago, tj_shopper said:

Where do we purchase the pass?

This is from the Tongass National Park "Welcome to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center" website:

"Visitors are required to purchase a pass from May 1–Sept. 30 to enter the Visitor Center. Passes can be purchased at the automated machines available in the Mendenhall Glacier parking lots or inside the visitor center at the Discovery Southeast bookstore. Day use passes sell for $5 per person and collectible season passes will be for sale for $15 for the card holder and one guest the entire season. Those age 15 and younger are free. The passes also allow access to the Pavilion, Photo Point and Steep Creek Trails. Fees are not necessary for accessing the parking areas, or hiking Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail, Powerline Trail, Moraine Ecology Trail, the Trail of Time, and all the Dredge Lakes and West Glacier Trails. Federal lands passes such as the “America the Beautiful” pass, Senior Pass, or Military Pass are also accepted."

1 minute ago, tj_shopper said:

Thank you for that tidbit because I thought we would definitely have to purchase a pass to use the bathroom.

There has always been a facility with flush toilets just before you get to the Visitor's Center, and when we were there last summer there the park service had added a trailer with additional stalls on the other side of the Visitor's Center just before you reach the trails.

7 minutes ago, dfilpus said:

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=fseprd502109 ,

 

Visitors 16 years and older will need a pass to access the following areas:

• the Pavillion
• Photo Point Trail
• Steep Creek
• Restrooms
• Bus Shelter
• The visitor center

It may be worth noting that there IS a restroom facility available that does NOT require a pass to access.  

On 4/10/2024 at 2:05 PM, skynight said:

1. Where?

2. Part of the problem is that one of the couple orders a drink for each and the two drinks are placed against one individuals account. I don't believe your scenario is realistic. If it is the problem isn't the accounting system.

23 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Where do you go on the AP to see the number of drinks that has been allocated to you?

 

Thanks

It's under Packages:

The beverage count only included alcohol drinks redeemed, not specialty coffees.  HTH!

1 minute ago, BamaVol said:

Or maybe someone mistyped your booking number when trying to connect their group.

Or my corrupt data in the POLAR system rears its ugly head yet again! 🥴

13 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Do you know the people in the photos?

Good thought!  I just went back in to check, and yes, DH and I are both shown within the 31 profile pictures that are currently associated with the reservation, although I don't recognize anyone else.  But, taking it to that next step did reveal that I "have been added to a Dining reservation by GroupZ_group5!"  No clue as to what group that might be, however, a private table for 52 people... maybe we've been comped Spellbound! for the entirety of our cruise? 🙄

7 hours ago, Gail & Dan said:

You have room for more Right.? 😂

"App"-solutely!

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

Big family!🤣

 

Do you know all those people?

Crazy.  Must be on the Sun.

 

SMH

1 hour ago, memoak said:

That eclipses my idea

Actually, it has led to a fun exercise this afternoon - thinking about who would be those 50 other tablemates I could choose from the folks I’ve observed and interfaced with here on Cruise Critic…. no doubt, it would make for a very interesting dining experience 😊

So, I thought I would try out the new app after the most recent update to make my dining reservations only to find out someone else has already made them for me.

⁉️