BRANDEE

On 4/11/2022 at 10:51 PM, Blackduck59 said:

The sea has calmed considerably. 

In answer to your question @NSWP Les we did the included in your fare excursion which was basically a bus tour. Unfortunately we got a terrible guide and it was not very enjoyable. 

I'm afraid Viking has NOT lived up to the hype. Service is slow and unattractive. Specific requests are ignored and we really feel poorly treated in general. We could have done Celebrity for half the price.

6 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Well we have a much better sea state, things are much more pleasant. This ship is not really stable in even a moderate sea.

We abandoned eating in the "Restaurant" which is what they call the main dining room. At these prices people expect a fine dining experience. Perfectly prepared meals, plated to impress. In the one lunch and 2 dinners we had the plating was akin to Chuck's diner. Although the food was okay it was just chucked on the plate. The last time we ate there I ordered the "Rib eye steak" I had visions of a nice thick cut with heavy sear marks for the grill and an appropriate array of sides. What I got was a half inch thick chunk of meat looking rather grey with a slight hint of grill marks (anything more and the steak would be overcooked it was so thin)

After informing our TA, our customer service person on board and writing a very pointed note to the head of guest relations we actually have the 2 "guaranteed" meals in the Specialty Restaurants. 

We will be happy to get home on Saturday, I can do a much more impressive plate at home.

Cheers everyone Lyle & Lynn 

Wow..not what I would expect from Viking.  Just received our Viking brochure and will be putting it out with the trash..Safe trip home!

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

The sea has calmed considerably. 

In answer to your question @NSWP Les we did the included in your fare excursion which was basically a bus tour. Unfortunately we got a terrible guide and it was not very enjoyable. 

I'm afraid Viking has NOT lived up to the hype. Service is slow and unattractive. Specific requests are ignored and we really feel poorly treated in general. We could have done Celebrity for half the price.

Wow..sorry you are less than thrilled. Hope things improve!!

28 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Our Medicare covers everyone. It is paid for by the government. In addition, higher income earners who don't have private health insurance (mainly for hospitals) have to pay 2% of their income into Medicare. Doctors and medical specialists visits are either fully or partly covered and hospitalization including surgery is covered and free. The cost of going to many other health professionals (X-ray, pathology etc) is also partly or fully covered by Medicare (depending on how much is charged).

 

We have systems attached to our Centrelink (that administers pensions) where low income earners of any age (Low Income Earners Health Care Card) and seniors with income under a certain limit (Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card), can access benefits. This is a very wide range of free services and heavily subsidized medications - currently $6.80. If the family expenditure reaches $1,542.10 in a year, the remainder of the medications are free. Concession-card holders can get five free RAT tests per month.

Sounds like a decent system.  Also, similar to Medicare  and Medicaid that is provided in the US. Medication costs is one of the biggest problems in the US.  Our Medicare does not pick up meds so we have a supplement that covers meds as well as anything else Medicare doesn't.  Our Medicare costs between $110 to $150 per month and is usually taken right out of our social security before you get it monthly. Covid testing and vaccinations are covered by the government to all. (of course, there is always an exception to the norm).

3 hours ago, NSWP said:

RAT's are only free if you have a concession/Healthcare card, Julie.

 

As you know not all us retirees qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Cards for the 'stay alive pills' and free RAT's.🤬

is the Commonwealth Senior Health Care Card similar to Medicare that is available in US.?  Aren't all workers required to pay into the system when working ? So they can collect in retirement. Both husband and I paid inti system so we are covered by Medicare, but we also have a supplement to cover what Medicare doesn't.  Our supplement is close to $600 per month for 2.Rapid Antigen Tests are covered for everyone who wants one..retired or not.  Although I did hear that some doctors are charging for administering the test.

7 hours ago, arxcards said:

Would be great, but not aware of this being a thing here yet. One snag is that travellers tests aren't being subsidised, yet telehealth is a doctor consult covered by medicare.

 

They will be so easy. I asked my local chemist a few hours ago. They are starting them in two weeks, and no appointment is necessary, but we can make one if we wish. They are not going down the online booking path. Just pay, give particulars, do test, get result.

Medicare is picking up testing at facilities here in US,  Even if being used for travel.  However, they are not providing/covering  telehealth home proctored kits.  You have to purchase on your own.  My secondary private insurance picked up the cost.  I didn't realize until I went to Aruba and had to be tested to come home that my private insurance picks up international and travel tests.  Nice surprise. Many local  pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc.)are not reliable in returning results in time for traveling.

1 hour ago, queenslander said:

I'm doing B to B cruises so just wondering whether I will need one test or two. I am not planning to get off the ship on changeover day but might have to if a second test is required. 

We did a b2b and the day before the second leg of the b2b, the cruise line, which was Princess, gave us a covid test on the ship.  We were given an appointment time and place. If you were positive, off the ship the next day.  There were 300 of us (in transit),

4 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes, I imagine there will be a number of places to go to by June.

Hi Julie,

Once cruising began in the US, Princess began accepting two home tests that had proctoring through a  telehealth service. Optum or Radeas kits were purchased around one month prior embarkation. This helped many travelers test within the two day window.  Princess has their name and address to purchase them on their US site under health protocols.  I purchased them as a back up incase our appointment at our local hospital/outreach facility was cancelled.  Our friends who cruised in January and could not find a place in FLL to test prior their cruise used it and said it was easy.  The two test kit was $70.  My insurance actually reimbursed us.

8 hours ago, arxcards said:

I guess I got used to P&O drink packages, which were pretty much limited to menu cocktails or your standard spirit + soda, beer, wine. I prefer Southern Comfort to bourbon, so when you see a JD old fashioned on the menu, you would think you could sub that for SC. No, an extra $4, so outside the price range and you pay for the whole drink with them if over the cap. He said he couldn't even just pour it and charge the same price, as their bottles are all monitored to make sure they match the sales.

I thought the Princess drink package was pretty good.  My brother did order his old fashions with southern comfort.  Charging only the extra on an upscale liquor is pretty fair. There were some people who thought a 15 alcoholic drink pp per day was wrong and that it should have been unlimited.  Yikes!! 

2 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

It's early to bed the clock rings at 0300 hrs tomorrow.

Cheers everyone I'll drop a line in a couple of days.

Bon Voyage and have a great cruise.  We enjoyed ours and glad we did it!!

5 hours ago, arxcards said:

I am wondering how that works with the drinks package. On some lines, if you want to change an ingredient, they charge it by a sum of its parts which puts the price above the package limit.

 

Yes, vodka isn't about flavour, but other sensations in your taste buds. A vodka with a dry or icy finish works best if you like Martinis. I have pretty much sworn myself off tequila for life though.

 

A thin layer of pouring cream floated on an espresso Martini is sensational BTW

The drink package was a total of 15 alcoholic drinks per day per person. 

You could change ingredients if you wanted, however, if you picked a brand that was super premium you paid the difference over $12 charge.  Example ..Johnny Walker Blue

We would ask for a double shot in a drink and it counted as two drinks.  The same for a double glass of wine or double Bailey's over ice.  Just make sure the waiter knows you are on drink package, so he clicks two drinks and not a double that will be over $12.   

There was a wine that my husband ordered and there was a $1.10 charge on our account because it was a particular brand. The waiter informed my husband regarding the upcharge before bringing it. 

In 20 days only two drinks were over $12, both were a Chianti in Sabatinis. 

Also, I suggest that you check your account every day (on your app) to make sure you are not being charged for something you should not.  Twice we had charges taken off with no problem (drinks).

We tried almost every bar on board and ended up at Bellini's as our favorite hangout. We actually got mixology lessons from Maggie the bartender. Maybe being a "regular" at the Bellini bar also had the bartender trying different brands in our drinks to see what we liked best.  

Specialty coffees, Perrier water and soda were unlimited, but gelato is no longer part of the package.

I was drinking the Expresso Martini (bartender always got fresh expresso from the restaurant) with a dash of cream and then one time tried it over ice..Even better for me.  But I tried so many new drinks on this cruise. I slept like a baby every night..perhaps a double Amaretto on the rocks helped?

13 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

The other liqueurs overpower the vodka anyway. 

Discovered the Expresso Martini creamy and over the rocks with Tito's.  Found it smoother than Absolute.  There was every kind of vodka available.  Also a lovely amount of tequilas!!

14 hours ago, arxcards said:

An earlier post mentioned Enchanted Princess. I wonder if it was the maiden sailing, as these cruises can have their own issues.

We were not on the Enchanted's maiden voyage, just her maiden year.  (White medallions for all)  She has been sailing since November 10th.

Sadly, my brother"s cabin, next to ours, had a water pipe leak in the middle of the cruise and he had to get a new cabin.  We got some residual leakage a few days later and was given the choice to change, but loved our location too much too move.  As a sorry for your inconvenience we got OBC for our next voyage, plus a specialty dinner. On disembarkation day they were already taking down our entire ceiling to redo insulation of pipes. (Felt like home..lol) 

I sailed the Regal's second voyage and had air conditioning problems the whole time,  maiden voyages are not something I look for,  Actually the Enchanted should have been sailing over a year without the covid break.

2 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Sorry you found food and entertainment wasn't as good as it used to be on Princess.  Had to smile Brandee when you said you were planning next year's annual March cruise.  When my daughter lived in London, she said everyone would be stir crazy during winter if they didn't have a holiday booked somewhere tropical in March. I guess by March everyone was wondering when winter was going to end. 

A March cruise/vacation has been a 24 yr tradition with my brother and wife.  A planned vacation gives hope thru the dreary winter in New York.  We booked today for next March.  Luckily, we spend October in Aruba so that gives us something to look forward to during the hot New York summers (we also have a pool so not so bad)!  Hoping the food and entertainment gets better.  I will say our specialty dinners were great..Crown Grill and Sabitinis and la Mer, but I am not a fan of paying extra for food that I am already paying for with the cruise fare.

21 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Why do people want to put things like lavender, mango and raspberry in coffee? Raspberry and chocolate, yes. Coconut might work with coffee in a strange way, as might salted vanilla but why salted?

 

Very remiss of them not to have sugar-free options. Do they still have sugar-free desserts in the MDR? 

 

BTW was that your first cruise since the pandemic? How did it compare to pre-pandemic cruises? Was there still the same Princess vibe? 

Hi Julie,

This was our first cruise since the Ruby 2020.  Same Princess vibe even though a few changes.  Some were little and some were big.  

The Enchanted is a beautiful ship and enjoyed being on her and would return in a heartbeat. She has no promenade deck like my favorites but plenty of indoor seating and plenty of outdoor places to sit, plus four pools..well 3 1/2 really!  New and improved shower (slightly larger, a low shelf/seat for toiletries, a shower curtain that has a mesh top for light that does not attack your body and a hand held jet shower head) makes up for a slightly smaller bathroom.  You can really *****, shower and shave all at once now...lol

Small cut backs here and there will only be noticed by those who are repeaters.  I missed the nuts and knosh when drinking at the bars.

Biggest changes for me was entertainment (Princess theater stuff) and main dining room food.  Both are very subjective, but Princess has done much better in the past than what we had for our 20 day cruise. 

Service was great and only had a few hiccups when ordering from the medallion app.

Masks were recommended by time we boarded, about 1/4 kept masks on all times and a few more when in Princess theater. The crew wore masks at all times

Each port had their own requests regarding masks and one required vaccination cards.

We were covid tested day 9 , 300 were doing the b2b with us and no one was positive. Part of floor 9 was designated quarantine rooms and the elevator would not stop there.

We felt very safe and enjoyed ourselves, just like on the Ruby in March 2020.

We spent a few days post cruise in Florida and now home ..unpacked and planning next year's annual March cruise.

10 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Flavoured sugar for coffee? Why? Coffee should be coffee-flavoured not disguised as something else. 🤣

 

They should just make caffeine infused syrups and leave the coffee beans to serious coffee drinkers, especially as there may be a shortage of coffee beans 

I kid you not..there were seven flavors to choose from..lavender, coconut, mango, salted vanilla, raspberry, etc.  But not one sugar free vanilla for diabetics who might want a little sweet in their latte.  They did have one jar of sugar free jelly at breakfast but you had to seek out the one waiter who knew which cabinet it was hiding in. 

6 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes but they aren't cards anymore. They'll be connected to your Princess account and you can see how many coffees you have left through the Medallion app. They changed this before the pandemic but, of course, you had to use the Princess@Sea intranet site to check them. 

 

The downside is if you don't use all the coffees on the cruise where you bought the coffee package you lose them.

Hi..Just back from our Princess Cruise.  The Medallion was great when it worked , otherwise a complete failure at times.  You did have to take a look at your account every so often to make sure you were charged correctly.  Never had a problem getting charges off..it is still a work in progress according to the Medallion people on board. By the way..regarding the coffee "card"...Princess still refuses to stock sugar free syrups in the International Cafe, but there were seven other sugar flavors to use for your coffees.

2 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Best of luck for an enjoyable retirement Neil. Now you can take advantage of those last minute deals that come up from time to time. Every once in a while I feel like chucking it in but I'm a couple years away from "Retirement age" according to Canada Pension so I trudge on. Lynn is retiring on 06 Jan 2023 lucky her. She will have Canada pension, Old Age security and her pension from 38 years working in health care. She has also been asked if she would work casual for a different section of the Cancer center.

Just back from our Princess cruise and Florida vacation.  There were a lot of Canadians and a hand full of  Aussies spending their pensions on this cruise.

10 hours ago, pompeii said:

I'm cruising in 9 days so I want to make my test appointment.  I have my choice of CVS or Walgreens, they each have plenty of appointment availability and either one is convenient to my home.  I'm going for the rapid antigen test, whichever I go to.  

 

Is one better than the other for cruise covid testing purposes?

The difference is cost and rate of accuracy.  PCR is more expensive, longer for a result but accurate.  The rapid antigen is less costly and known for a few false positive rates.  Both are fine for cruising.

Check your insurance carrier for coverage if you are charged, some do pick up the cost for travel tests.

Due to a previous false positive rapid antigen test, we decided to go for the PCR test. However, if we get canceled for the PCR test, I already purchased the Binax proctored test as a back up.  Also boarding in 9 days!!.

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

Certainly not surprising to me…my experience has been worse since promoting the CCL chief experience and innovation officer who leads the MC development to Princess president. They’ve been touting the MC system for over 5 years & yet it’s still a work in progress…so frustrating. 😳

Yesterday, my travel summary stated 3 days for testing, and today it says two days. Wow, Princess is giving such mix messages to the passengers.  Not surprising but very disappointing! (Mar 10th sailing)

9 minutes ago, julia said:

Frankly, I find it appalling that there aren't more sugar free options for many things. This is not just a diabetic issue (although it SHOULD be), but an overall health issue!  I've asked often for diet tonic as a drink mixer... no such luck.  

I have been on 23 cruises with Princess, my preferred line.  Over the past 5 years, I have contacted various  people in the "main" office regarding the lack of sugar free items on the cruises.  I've had the waiters and chefs tell me to contact the higher up in the main office, since they have very little ability to vary from the items the head office orders. 

As an insulin dependent diabetic I do watch what I eat and I do cheat and I do mix and match so I can have an enjoyable vacation.  The simplest requests like sugar free flavoring for coffees, or plain sugar free jello, sugar free tonic for a drink or even sugar free jelly so I can eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch are falling on deaf ears.  Last cruise the lunch chef told me he would make me sugar free jello..all I had to do is order it one hour before lunch. That never worked out but he tried.

I remember about 20 years ago, a mom and dad with an infant, who paid as a third guest in room, had only one flavor choice of jarred baby fruit  and one meat and vegetable flavor to eat all 10 days. They were originally told not to worry so they took nothing with them...Now I hear don't worry your next cruise you will see more sugar free choices. Wouldn't bet on it! So I pack my own.

33 minutes ago, bottomfeeder said:

Yep I was thinking about bringing my own small sugar-free Torani bottles.  I wasn't sure if they would use them for me at the IC or if I'd have to mix the flavor in myself later and I would mess up the latte foam if I mixed in my own after they give me the coffee...plus I am a little worried about the bottles leaking in my luggage (I would double-bag them in ziplocs but you never know!  Though I guess my clothes smelling strongly of french vanilla wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen!)

I put my syrups in the small travel plastic containers and doubled bagged them. On my pre covid cruises, the barista at the International Cafe always took the syrup and made my coffee...not sure if they will still do that now.  Time will tell!!

34 minutes ago, judithzuz said:

Honestly, the last time I sailed,  I brought my favorite salted caramel sugar free Torani bottle. Took it with me whenever I wanted coffee. Gave the left over half bottle to a favored waiter up in the buffet. We were both very happy.

Bottomfeeder and Judithzuz,

My last six cruises I also took my own sugar free flavors with me in small plastic bottles.  The barista at the International cafe every night asked what flavor.  Sadly, I have requested over the years for diabetics to be "catered to" with sugar free syrups, jello and a variety of jelly.  Three week cruise with only sugar free orange marmalade.  I was told they can't open another bottle until it is all used up. Even though there were four regular jellies of various flavors. If you hear about jars of sugar free orange marmalade disappearing on the Enchanted in March...well I  might know who!!

Sorry to hear the Enchanted doesn't have any sugar free syrup since I am going on her soon.  Will be packing my stash of mocha, salted caramel and vanilla.

7 hours ago, Bubbeh said:

and (assuming he was a permanent employee) not exactly legal.

He was a full time employee and just a few years away from retirement and able to be in a pension system , that is how I understood it.  When the Ruby came back he and wife tested  negative and he was told to take two weeks off and retest.  Did that and told to wait another month and retest.  It was like they were waiting for the monster covid to appear from within.  Anyway, around two months he went to work and was stopped at the gate and told he was not allowed on property, because other employees were afraid they would get covid from him.  Talk about paranoia!! They paid him for a year to stay away..sounds good, until you factor in the loss of self esteem and being labelled a hazard to people's health.  His lawyer told him to collect for as long as they would pay him and that by paying him he had no ability to fight and win.  After a year, they finally fired him and end of paycheck and no one in his field would hire him.  Through this whole ordeal, his wife said his mental state was very fragile, worried that he would be financially ruined and not be able to provide for his family. Plus being isolated from his peers at work who were his "friends" for years.

I have no idea how his company got away with this..I know laws are different in every country, but that is pure discrimination based on ignorant fear.  He had a hard time getting anyone to represent him at first. Currently, he has been very quiet, so not sure what is happening since December.

2 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Never say never, BRANDEE. Once the world settles down again, and I'm sure it will in time, you may be tempted to come down under again. Remember, you've got lots of friends here now to catch up with.

 

BTW are you still suffering from Long Covid effects or has that gone away now?

Thanks OzKiwiJJ and lyndarra!

You're right..never say never.  I never thought I would go to Australia the first time.  Time will tell, but as my husband and I get older..being too far away from the US and home is less and less appealing. We have been lucky to be traveling the past year either around the US or at our timeshare in Aruba..never more than 6 hours from JFK..home.

Unfortunately, I still gets bouts of fatigue.  I've have many tests but the conclusion is long covid effects.  I just have to take a nap or I basically can fall down on the spot. No pattern except boom it just happens. Usually, once a week /10 days and a nap of 30 minutes to 2 hours. The only thing it really effects is my driving long distances alone, I am always concerned it will happen then. So I don't take trips to see my younger son and family without hubby. How many people can say they took a nap in Yellowstone National Park or in the lobby of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas!!

I am in contact with a few passengers who were on the Ruby with me.  One couple were traveling with their two year old son.  They all returned and had covid.  The wife also suffers from fatigue, but much, much worse than me.  She had to give up her job as principal of a school .  And worse,  their son still has seizures since he got covid and doctors can not pin point any other reason than long term covid effects.

Another passenger from Sydney, who never got covid (nor his wife) never got his job back just because he was on the Ruby.  After one year of paid leave, they finally fired him and he is now involved in a law suit.   

We are taking a chance next month and going on a cruise..sorry, don't mean to rub it in.  Excited and nervous at the same time. The hardest part of some travel is the testing rules. Cruising is 48 hours before sailing and testing on board for 2b2s and cruises to Hawaii and Panama Canal. BTW, covid travel insurance is a joke..very expensive and no real coverage!

Perhaps, we will meet in person one day, but I love to keep in touch here with my friends and hope you all soon get back to cruising and more important something they call normalcy!!

2 hours ago, sewgood said:

Spot on especially for the older Americans.

I wonder how many do a combined cruise and land holiday when they come to Australia/New Zealand.

I know that the only reason we have spent time in some countires is because it was at the start or end of a cruise. It's been a long time since we have flown overseas and there hasn't been a cruise invloved.

Our 6 week combined land and cruise was cut in half due to covid.  We discussed returning to finish our original plans, but the government's handling of the Ruby and all the constant opening and closing has us deciding not to return.  I regret the decision because we loved everything we saw and everyone we met, but the uncertainty is not worth it for us to travel half way around the world. Thankful for our week in Sydney area and our New Zealand cruise and the lovely cruise critic  Aussies and Kiwis who helped us plan our dream vacation.