Mary Ann 2

23 hours ago, pris993 said:

Are you sure only once?

We used the app and got it all working fine for our cruise in August.  All our data was there for November cruise this year and we had a green light as soon as August cruise was over.  When Nov. cruise was over, we now have a green light for Oct. 2022 cruise.  So yes, I only entered the data once.

EZ Air told us something similar in August when I needed to change flights home.  They would change them but wanted some ridiculous amount.  In the end, we just decided if we missed the plane then they had to get us there.  As it turned out, the plane was over an hour late, so we didn't miss it.  I super stressed out over this for weeks and even during the cruise, but it turned out fine.  Hope you can resolve it or let it go.

We were next to this room on the Majestic in August.  There is a plug under the bed and we brought a European plug to use it, but it was going to be quite a feat to get to it without help.  So we called and they brought 2 very long outdoor-type extension cords. We had to unplug and put them under the bed every day as they would have been very hazardous if left strung across the room.  No one offered to tape them down like azbirdmom mentioned, and it would have been the third or fourth time to call them back to the room for something on embarkation day, so we made do.

I would be more worried about getting in!  We were about the 5th couple onboard in November, and I went straight to the front desk, and they called the number to get on the list and handed me the phone.  After he took the information, I asked if we were sure to get in as we had to have been the first to call.  He said that there were people already on the list from so many people "in transit" (they were on the cruise the week before)! I finally understood why we hadn't been able to get in for several years.  Luckily, we were staying in a suite (our first ever), and the suite concierge got us in.  Another reason, it's probably hard to get in normally!

We have also missed the Pub Lunch on our two cruises since the Pandemic.  I was mad that I forgot to mention that in the after cruise survey I just completed.

I also have to use the sink to help me up due to knee issues. I haven't done a mini-suite lately to know how convenient or not that would be.  I had no idea that you could ask for a raised seat, so glad to know that.

We bought beautiful leather AirTag cases.  The women's can be clipped onto a purse loop, and the men can buy a leather keychain to wear on a belt or just put the case in your pocket (the medallion is not very big and could slip out of a pocket IMHO).  Leather colors and some brighter colors for the women's ones (mine is blue).  Will post one example.  I know there are cheaper options, but this leather will last, and we will use them for all future cruises.

https://saddlebackleather.com/search.php?search_query=airtag&section=product

3 hours ago, sandsunsurf said:

If I'd known we wouldn't get charged I'd probably have eaten one a day.  At $15/ea I'd say it's worth trying once, maybe twice.

My husband and I were both charged on this cruise.  I wouldn't count on not being charged!

3 hours ago, ljhershey said:

We booked Princess air with our January cruise so are past final payment.  We have had multiple flight schedule changes.  The most recent change has us arriving at 11:45 pm in LA (2:45 am at our home). What is the best approach to changing to an earlier flight?  Airline?  Princess?  Thx in advance for your thoughts or experience.

 

I truly wish you good luck!  We needed to try to change our flight after final payment this summer ( we booked last minute and had to pay immediately and then realized that the flight they sold us on EZ Air left too early to be sure we would make it from the ship at disembarkation).  They were going to charge us a ridiculous change fee.  American Airlines wouldn't touch it because it was booked through a "travel agency" which was Princess EZ Air.  Passenger Services onboard couldn't believe EZ Air had sold us a flight that early and contacted EZ Air.  EZ Air then dropped the change fee, but were going to charge us an additional $500 as the flights had gone up by then.  We ended up deciding if we were late, then the EZ Air guarantee that we could make it from the ship via shuttle to airport says that they will get you home by rebooking the flight (and I was told it wouldn't be more $).  Turned out our flight was two hours late, and we made it, but there was way too much anxiety about it to be happy with the way it was handled.

Yours is the other end of the cruise - embarkation.  I'm assuming you are flying in a day early so you would actually make the embarkation.  Please report back and let us know if an airline's flight change might be handled differently.

1 hour ago, brisalta said:

 

Exactly how are they going to get goods from Amazon delivered?

I can't tell you how exactly, but there is a system set up so they can get Amazon delivered.  I think it is delivered through the port authority to a ship's officer and they distribute it.  

I actually had to order a power cord for a CPAP on one cruise and had it delivered to St. Thomas.  I spoke to Passenger Services and one of their officers picked it up from the port authority (Princess gave me the address to FedEx it).  

I gave an Amazon card (and also cash) to our favorite head bartender last week on the Majestic and she was thrilled.  She just recently discovered how convenient and easy it was to order from Amazon and was appreciative as many things they can't get at a port and may not get the day off even if there is a port that might have it.  Plus they can use an Amazon card to sent things home for loved ones very easily (with Christmas coming up).  She also loved the treats that we got for her that had been made in her homeland.

On 11/12/2021 at 7:18 PM, soberbabe said:

I was wondering if anybody can tell me if Hawaiian cruise wear is worn on a Mexican cruise. Just want to fit in:)

I saw Hawaiian shirts, but not that many.  Maybe you mean the type of clothes (not just shirts) that you might wear on a Hawaiian cruise?  Then I guess so.  It was pretty casual.  Lots of shorts.

13 hours ago, imalori said:

Now that you all are back - if you have MDR dinner menu pics, could you post with the days?  Also, any thoughts on the ports?  We have $300 of use it or lose it cruise credit for our trip beginning Dec. 11. Will do a specialty - but trying to decide how best to spend the rest. Would definitely appreciate insight

First thing onboard go to Passenger Services tell them that you want to sign up for the Winemaker's Dinner and/or Chef's Table.  If you are in the first group, you can't get into your room and this is the easiest solution.  They are hard to get into.  We'd tried on the last two cruises and not succeeded. If there are lots onboard from the previous cruise, they get on the list before you can board, but try to talk to the Maitre'D or your Dining Room Head Waiter (both probably have different titles now as there was a lot of that recently) about how much you would love to go or if you are in a suite, ask the concierge to work on it.  I also imagine if you are among the Most Traveled you would get priority.  The Chef's Table is $115 each but it was amazing!!  Both the food, presentation, and attendees are superb.  That's what we did with our onboard credit.  

6 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

Well….CVS just threw us another curveball.

When they rescheduled our tests for this afternoon, they scheduled me for a rapid test, and Pam for a regular, non-rapid test. We didn’t find this out until we arrived and they claimed that there was nothing they could do, so we rushed to our local urgent care clinic who were more than happy to test us right away. 

We’re trying to laugh about it, but it gets harder with each screw-up. I don’t think we’ve ever had so many things go wrong before a vacation……let’s hope that this is the end of all this nonsense. 
 

I can't believe what you had to go through!! Glad you got it all sorted.  Our CVS here has been great and very reliable.  We got COVID tests for both our August cruise and this cruise with no issues and we also got our boosters there two weeks ago tomorrow (the first day Moderna was available),

We'll also be at the Crowne Plaza.  Are you going to take their shuttle to the ship or a taxi?  Maybe we'll see you waiting in the lobby Sat. morning.

9 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

I ordered one online to be at the port when I got there. Why pay for shipping and the waste of shipping containers and travel. (yes I got the eco-friendly option so I was thinking of these things). Then I thought, with Medallion Class I shouldn’t have to stop and check in. So now I have to stop just to get my accessory!?!  I couldn’t change my order so I ordered a second one and had it delivered to my home. I’m just going to walk on the ship and leave the first one for them to reuse. If I have to check in and I get it, I’ll have two in case I lose it between cruises.   We don’t need to check in anymore, right. Am I thinking of this correctly?  It was just a clip so not a lot of money. 

No, you do have to check in.  They have to check your passport, vaccination record, negative COVID test, and be sure that you did the health questionnaire within the time frame requested.  It's fast, but there may be a line to do this and it does take at least 5-10 minutes.  Green Lane just gets you into the correct lane, not the ability to just walk on the ship.

Several people have posted all the wine menus from one of the ships currently sailing.  Yes, the MDR has more choices than many of the lounges.  If your ship has a Vines, it has different choices also.  Check this out:

I did read that gift cards do not have to be turned in and shared at any time.  This seemed like a good idea to use especially if you want to give them something at the beginning of the cruise.  Amazon gift cards were mentioned, and of course, Visa gift cards are as good as cash.

Nice area onboard to chose accessories, but they cost more on the ship than if you order ahead of time!

The port of Seattle offered a similar program this past summer and it was free!

Wish LA or Princess had it in LA, but I'm guessing with so many airports available, it would be too complicated.  Though it seems like they could offer it for LAX only.

7 minutes ago, CruisingLover said:

Cruising over NYE on Regal 😊 Our package includes 1 specialty dining night. How do I book that online? 

It's booked on the Medallion app that you download on your phone or iPad.  You will use this app to add most of your pre-trip information and book dining.  So to Dine My Way to book specialty restaurants on the app.  On Princess.com, you can book excursions and spa appointments and some other things.

16 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

This is a very nice thought, and I don't want to seem negative, but before the Pandemic you could buy Toblerone Bars on the ship, so it is a nice thought, but not something they cannot get themselves.  Something that they cannot get on-board would be more special.

It was recommended for a gift by someone whose daughter works onboard, and she said the crew likes this brand.  I'm guessing that the price on land (saw 2.99 at World Market) is less than onboard (and perhaps not available in crew quarters?), so maybe they don't feel like they can splurge for it.  She also recommended Amazon gift cards, and of course, cash is good although it involves some work checking status of tips from passenger for them to keep it and not turn have to it in, at least as I understand it.  She said gift cards don't have to be reported.

14 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

since you're in a suite are you an elite tier? Elite tier gets 2 bar set ups so one bar could be your coffee card and the other exchange for 20 sodas.

Elite don't get 2 bar set ups.  Or are you saying you think the suite gives you one and Elite status gives you another?

2 hours ago, MJC said:

Can you still just wander in under the current covid protocols? If I wanted to use the sauna and a hot stone lounger, I can go any time?

As long as you have paid for the week's use of the Thermal Suite or Enclave, you can go anytime they are open.  On our Alaska cruise when we had over a 1000 people onboard, I heard some saying you had to make an appointment, but seems none of the current cruises have that many people and have said you could go anytime.

8 minutes ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

Thermal suites are only available as a suite perk on

 

“Only available on Caribbean Princess®, Crown Princess®, Emerald Princess®, Ruby Princess®, Star Princess®, Diamond Princess®, Sapphire Princess®, Coral Princess® & Island Princess®. ‘
 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

 

These are not all Grand class. 

Yes, okay they are not all Grand Class ships.  I don't know what class the others are!

This next cruise will be the first time that we ever splurged and booked a suite, and I have a question.  I thought that I had seen that we would be able to use the Enclave on the Majestic in place of the Thermal Suites on the Grand Class ships.  But I recently saw a list of suite "benefits" online at Princess.com, and it listed only Grand Class ships as having this benefit.  Has anyone that's been on the Regal, Royal, Sky, or Majestic in a suite gotten to use the Enclave for free?

9 hours ago, starboardcruiser said:

If you let them know in advance, I'm sure it can be arranged. My experience on the Majestic was that when I asked if I could have Crab Rangoon from the dinner menu, they accommodated me the following morning.

Yum!  I will have to remember that.  Harmony's crab rangoon was the only thing that I really loved when we had dinner there.