Mary Ann 2

3 hours ago, jwattle said:

Do any of you happen to know if they are selling the all inclusive photo packages? Much appreciated! 🙂😊

They were not selling the all inclusive package last week.  Most likely because it would be hard to take enough photos to make it worthwhile, at least compared to when they did embarkation, dining room, and port photos.  There should be a 10 photo package available on Princess.com beforehand.  We got a 5 photo package onboard which was $99 for printed and digital and $89 for just digital; we just did digital as I use those for my digital scrapbooking.

We went out with Jayleen's Alaska the week of August 15th.  It was in the afternoon 2-6pm, since we didn't get to Juneau until after noon.  In regards to the first comment on this thread about going with her when she was with Harv & Marv's, I believe that was years ago before her dad sold Harv & Marv's.  She is a great skipper ( the water was choppy and it was raining and she handled it with no problems) as well as a great photographer (look at her pictures online) who can advise you about the best settings for your camera.  It was actually Harv & Marv who recommended her as we wanted a small 6 person boat, and they were full.  We have done the larger boat with Princess and had to "fight" to get room at the rail to take pictures, so never again.  In addition to all that, she knows more about orcas and humpbacks that anyone I have ever known.  She had a wealth of information to share with us.  She actually recognized one of the humpbacks, her name, and her history.  You can't go wrong with Jayleen's Alaska!  We will use her again!!

If you really want to see bears catching salmon in a stream, it is worth spending the money for a private excursion.  We chose Hummer Adventures and loved it.  They took my husband and I and 4 others an hour away where there are no roads from Ketchikan.  It is much more likely that you will see bears away from town and roads. Hummer Adventures are one of the few that have a permit from the US Forest Service to go to the bear blind near Traitor's Cove.  You are up above the stream and bears with a fantastic view.  We saw two different bears catching salmon (who were jumping and swimming up the stream).  It was truly a bucket list adventure of a lifetime!  I can recommend them with no reservations!!

We loved The Loom in Skagway.  They had hand loomed products made in Alaska that were gorgeous. When we were there two weeks ago, everything was half off!!  I also love the porcelain earrings with beautiful swirls of gold and color called Gold Vein Designs found in Skagway at A Fine Line on Broadway.  Also found Alaska Artworks in Skagway to have beautiful prints done by Alaskans and a very friendly shop keeper.  I have many beautiful pieces collected over the years from the artist in Skagway.  It is our favorite!

We always visit House of Russia in Juneau.  Though expensive, they have beautiful Santas and nesting dolls.  For inexpensive gifts for grandchildren, the shirt company near the dock in Juneau is best.

We saw bears catching salmon on an excursion in Ketchikan, so we went looking for a piece to remember that bucket list event.  I don't remember the name exactly, but something Stoneworks had so many hand made stone bears and we got one for less than half price as it was the end of the day and they were closing for the night soon.  They can tell you if they made it or their uncle or cousin, so Alaskan made.

9 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

No. Vines is nothing special. It's just another bar.

If you like wine, Vines is something special! It has more choices of different kinds of wine than anywhere else on the ship.  Plus the Majestic Vines staff is wonderful and they can recommend what types of wines they have that you would like if you tell them what you usually drink.

One great thing about getting them from a bar is that they are ice cold!  I don't like water that isn't cold and it helps the poor fridge not have to cool them 🙂 Actually on the Majestic last week, we had the first fridge in over two dozen that actually kept things cold.

I didn't have any problems with the app after I figured out that I needed a new log-in (different from my Princess.com one though my husband used his successfully)  Having achieved the Green Lane for last week's Alaska cruise, I am in the Green Lane for both of my other cruises booked. I did have to watch one of the Medallion Mondays to figure out how to schedule Specialty Dining.  Also when they moved some information off of Princess.com to the app, they lost my emergency contact and Home City, so I had to call to get that communicated.  Maybe you won't consider that no problems, but compared to all the problems everyone else has had, I think it was just a learning curve.  I had just gotten a new iPhone earlier this year and think that helped.

12 minutes ago, isosika said:

I see that there is a lot of information about ARRIVAL groups here but nothing about departure groups.  I've never cared before but now we have B2B cruises coming up where our disembarkation time becomes a factor.  We are Elite, if that matters when selection occurs.  Any ideas?

I don't know why that is even on the app; it is never used.   Under preferences, then Disembarkation Page, you indicate when you want to depart and they use that as far as I could tell.  Since you are Elite, you can easily go to Guest Services and have them adjust your departure.  We had a very early flight and they were happy to change our group to the first Walk-off group.

Someone may have mentioned this, but the new update said it would be easier to add others to dining table (just in the description; I haven't tried it), and I just discovered that it finally says there are no reservations needed for Club Class Dining when you go to Dine My Way to look at reservations.

It was very easy last week to make that night's reservations at any of the three dining rooms (we were not a capacity which helped I'm sure).  Or you could just show up and wait to be seated.

6 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Travelling Saturday. 4 hours on telephone to Princess still not sorted. States Blue lane Group F. The operator states Green Lane Group C.  Interestingly she claims we have completed Health Questionnaire- we have not be cause the app wont let us!  Now been told it doesn't matter if we dont complete the questionnaire before leaving home yet their Terms and Conditions state its mandatory!

 

Total b......t. I'm never cruising g with Princess again.

Don't stress out.  There were many people last week on the Alaska cruise that never got it to work.  They will get it all sorted out at the port.  The thing that surprised us the most is that our Medallion Class App did not even work at check-in.  It didn't matter.  They knew what you had done and it was easy to check in. They asked us again about the Health Questionnaire and we had to verify it was still true even though we had just done it the night before.  If you read about the first week when Jan was on the cruise, she said that she didn't want anyone stressing out about the Medallion Class App.  Yes, you have to have  correct ID (Drivers license and birth certificate or better a passport), vaccination records and COVID test results, but that is all as far as I could tell as they would sort the rest out.

7 hours ago, Jimmys Chippy said:

Got my arrival group a few weeks for a late September sailing, still no word on departure group though.

Just returned Sunday from Alaska cruise, we actually didn't ever use the departure group.  Under preferences then Disembarkation Page, you indicate when you want to depart, and they used that or if you bought a transfer, you were assigned on the basis of having a transfer.

We just got back from our Alaska cruise Sunday.  We were tested beforehand and vaccinations were required as well as masks except when eating or drinking.  It took a day or so to relax and to see that almost everyone was masked when appropriate, and if they forgot it, you could just ask politely and they responded well (we left our cabin several times forgetting our masks but remembered before encountering anyone and went back to get it).

Like someone has already said on this thread, we actually felt safer on the cruise than out and about in our home state because our citizens are not great at wearing a mask and only about 50-60% are vaccinated.  Plus we were got off in Alaskan ports where vaccinations were high and masks required unless outside.  

We are seriously thinking about how a Mexican cruise might be different, but if we can get a third vaccination by then, we will feel more confident (depending on the course of COVID, of course).

9 hours ago, CEinNJ said:

@caribillit was a metered rate. 

That is what we were afraid of; that this guy totally ripped us off.  We don't even think he ran the meter as we couldn't see any amount.  However, I have started an investigation.  Something prompted me to write down his cab number and the phone number to report him.  Won't get me the money back, but got me some satisfaction that he was reported and will be investigated and flagged.

We you left in the garage where the taxi stand is?  He dropped us off at the correct door, and I didn't even think they were allowed to do that?

I don't see the post that I did this morning.  I just wanted to let you know that if you plan to take a taxi from the cruise port to the airport, be sure that you ask what it will cost.  I asked for a flat rate taxi coming from the airport, but we were in such a hurry to get to the airport due a very early flight, that I failed to ask on the way ay the port the price.  We were charged $124.80 which is outrageous.  He claimed that it was posted at the port , but we never saw it.  I am calling tomorrow when they are open to complain to the taxi  company at the number posted on the taxi if you think you were overcharged.  We couldn't see the meter and had no idea that it would be that much.  So heed our warning.  Ask for a flat rate taxi or ask what the current rate is.  We did get to the airport quickly and were dropped off at the door and were at the gate at 8pm (walked off at 7), but of course, the plane was two hours late, so we didn't need to rush so.

On a positive note, we had a great time.  In Ketchikan, we went with Hummer Adventures to a US Forest Service bear blind one hour north by boat and saw two black bears catching salmon from the river.  It was incredible!!  Also did Jayleen Alaska in Juneau on a private 6 passenger boat whale watching and followed pods of orcas for an hour!! Also saw humpbacks.  Such an incredible cruise!!  Loved the staff at Vines, Ganna is amazing!  Have a great time if you are going soon!! We so look forward to our cruise in several months on the Majestic to Mexico.😃

On 8/20/2021 at 6:04 PM, Shelly97060 said:

Do  they still give you a card to  request the canapés or do you have to do it via your TV or app? 

No card nor any idea about whether they are even doing it! We did request them the second formal night and they were delivered.

Just a heads up for those coming onboard. We waited on formal night thinking our Elite canapés would show up automatically like they had in a previous week. But they never came. When I asked about it, they said we had to request them. I did ask how we were supposed to know that!!

just a small thing but thought I’d pass it on. Spectacular day at Glacier Bay - we saw 3 glaciers!! I’ve never been to more than one a cruise, so a great day. No calving but sun came out the last few hours and mountain peaks visable. 😊

Most of us are all packed and heading for airport or in transit - see you all soon!

37 minutes ago, SaltwaterDaffy said:

Whenever you get something from room service they have you sign for it. There is a line that says " gratuity "

But I haven't been on a ship since March 2020

Okay.  I wasn't talking about room service.  I wanted to know from someone on board if the deliveries, say a drink from a bar, from Dine My Way should be tipped.

18 minutes ago, PointRoberts said:

  We just managed to get an afternoon appointment at the airport. It’s just one more hassle to deal with on this trip. A good 30 min road trip and we don’t have our car. Cab or Uber....it is one more expense.

SO glad that you were able to get an appointment!  The testing has been a hassle for sure and caused many people to have anxiety!!  Keeping our eyes on the prize - a cruise in 2 days 😉

51 minutes ago, SaltwaterDaffy said:

We always added $2 to the invoice you sign unless there was a 18% gratuity added already ( like alcohol). May be giving a little more since they've all been out of work for 16 months 

So there is a way to add a tip?  Where or what is the "invoice?" Is that on the MedallionClass Dine My Way when you order it?  Or what?

I have a question that I don't think I've seen answered in the first 3 Live threads.  When you order from DineMyWay, do you tip whoever delivers it?  If so, how much?  I know in the past we tipped for Room Service; this seems different as you may not be in your room or carrying money.

Need to know whether to go to the bank again and get $1 bills.  DH doesn't think anyone wants to handle money anymore?

If you will read though the Live threads by those who are or were on a cruise, there is a wealth of information.  No boarding or port pictures are being taken.  Pictures at night on the ship are still being taken and they took pictures at Glacier Bay up on deck.  Majestic Princess has the new computerized pictures - printed pictures are not made and set out like before, but you look at your pictures and buy those as digital copies or printed.  That is what I read over the last three cruises in the Live threads, but things change...

6 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I wonder if there will be a live from the next cruise (covid test required).  

It's been discussed on the Roll Call for next week.  Someone said that they would start a Live thread.  I can tell you now that some have considered or decided to cancel due to the difficulty of finding a COVID test in their small town or difficulty planning to get one when they were going to be traveling or visiting Seattle within the three days, and some are having to drive like 45 minutes away to find one.  It has definitely been a topic of conversation.  

8 minutes ago, dalibi said:

No champagne waterfall?  and no candy on pillows?   Are they doing anything to replace items?  Guessing no drinks at shopping talks either?

 

Anyone have a list of beauty salon prices?   Thank you.  Mostly interested in men's haircut price.  

If your cruise is still enough time out, you can go to the Princess website, log in, go to your account, access your booking, and choose Onboard Services then Spa then Hair Salon.  You can then see the prices and if close enough, you can even book an appointment.

2 hours ago, Purple Galinule said:

We would appreciate it if someone could post a photo of the $15 lobster roll. Yes, I noticed the price went up.

They posted a picture on the Aug. 1 Live thread.  It looked delicious!! But I didn't save it and just now went back 14 pages and couldn't find it.