Mary Ann 2

You sign up for dinner on the app where it says "Dine My Way."  You can then choose to dine the same time and dining room for the whole week or just specific days.  If you have trouble, I recommend that you do a Google search for Medallion Mondays video covering Dine My Way.  It is the way that I figured out how to add specialty restaurants like the Crown Grill.

We have the Princess Platinum plan.  Princess increased some of the limits this year which is good.  I am still up in the air about whether it is better to go with private insurance (we also have used insuremytrip), but since we are over 65, it is usually cheaper and I like that I don't have to pay for it until final payment.  With all the past cancellations, just that has saved money.

We stayed on the Lido deck with a front facing balcony last month.  It could be very windy, but it was incredible on Glacier Bay day!  We also saw more whales onboard because we could see both sides of the ship and ahead of the ship.  We did not feel like it was a long walk anywhere as the hall from the elevator is broken up with several bends and seems shorter that way.  Plus it was super convenient to get to the middle of the ship just down the elevator and out past the stores or easy to get to the buffet.  We have one of these side room mini suites on Lido for our fall cruise and can't wait!

I asked about the tumbler on our August Alaska cruise as I like to carry water in something to help it stay cool.  They said they didn't have any!

Getting testing at CVS also depends on the number of cases occurring at the time where the CVS is located.  We had no problem getting one last month, but a friend who was pretty sure the kids had COVID was told at multiple locations and organizations that if they were only having mild symptoms, testing was not being done to save the tests for those with more symptoms.  So they definitely wouldn't do it for traveling!  We decided not to take the chance it was available for our fall cruise and ordered the eMed tests.

54 minutes ago, DiRonT said:

Thanks for this info.  I did find a CovidClinic that does the RapidTest (Antigen) close by PSP Airport but they are pop-up locations and don't know for sure how long they will be there, so I am looking for alternatives.  Thinking I might buy the at home test kits but not real savvy about doing the "zoom call with monitor" part.  I guess we will try and figure it out.  Thanks again for the info you provided.

Watch one of the videos showing someone doing the test.  It looks pretty easy.  We chose this option.

40 minutes ago, Retired 07 said:

Does Princess ever post anything here prior to the cruise?  We are leaving in 3 weeks and I’d like to have an idea of some of the things to do on board.  

Yes, it was available sometime between 2 weeks ahead to one week. I can't remember exact days, but they added events over the span of multiple days.  There were several events on the app that never materialized onboard though.

Princess will give you the airline's confirmation code so you can go online at the airline's website and enter your frequent flyer info or info for TSA Precheck (if you didn't when booking) or upgrade seats (only after tickets are purchased at 45 days beforehand) with miles.  Most airlines now have an app that you can download so you are prepared before you leave home, and then you can simply check in online on the cruise and download your boarding pass on your phone.  So you would need wifi, but not the ability to print if you use digital boarding passes.

I ordered directly from eMed.com on Sunday and got our tests Tuesday.  The extended expiration is authorized by FDA so no problem with that unless you were hoping to use the tests next year.  We plan to use 2 pre-cruise and 2 more tests several days after we return from our fall cruise, so we don't need to stay away from friends and family for many days like we chose to do for their protection after our August Alaska cruise.

12 minutes ago, Nytxguy said:

Question though -- for cruises from the US that go to Mexico -- e.g., Cabo from Los Angeles, when are you meant to do the negative test before returning to the US? Is that administered on the ship?

Do you need to do one if not returning to Canada?  I thought it was only if you fly in from foreign country that US citizens are required to test.

On the Majestic last month, we loved going to Vines for a glass of wine, but they also have liquor. Great atmosphere and staff!  That ship also had a great bar filled with bartenders with flair called Good Spirits. They were able to listen to your description of what you wanted (taste-wise) and recommend great options, not to mention the mini-show watching their skills.

51 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I'm not sure this will be an improvement.  Executive comes from EFFY.  I did not like that change either.  Where will I spend my OBC?  

We will see I guess.  We gave up shopping for jewelry onboard after an EFFY purchase my daughter made and the diamond fell out of a $2000 ring within hours of buying it.  They refunded her, but we no longer even look if their quality control is that poor.  I hope this doesn't jack up the prices of Princess brand/logo merchandise.  On our Alaska cruise last month, I was surprised that there weren't more Princess logo shirts available, but just chalked it up to they weren't finished restocking after not sailing for so long.

3 hours ago, DavidsNana said:

As per your posts after this one, you have discovered that nothing shows in my Cruise Travel Summary from the Personalizer for these restaurant prepaid reservations.  Yes, if a res us showing in the app, it is paid for but just concerned that it is not going to be enough.  I will take what I have and go with the flow.  Frankly, I have thought about cancelling them and seeing if I get a credit on my credit card and just re-making them closer to the cruise date and maybe by then, the "new" area that they are promising us to be able to put things in online like we use to, will be ready. Then I can re-make the reservations and take a screen shot or hopefully show in the travel summary like they use to.  Still contemplating that.  Don't want to screw up anything more than I already feel it is.  Thanks for your help anyway.  Any and all help is appreciated and you were one of the ones that was instrumental in helping me learn how to do the app in my new smartphone.

We had 3 specialty restaurants reserved and paid for on our Alaska cruise last month.  There was no problem at all.  Just show up at the time you reserved and they will be expecting you.

4 hours ago, mellon1 said:

Can you get them from Amazon with free shipping?
 

I don't think so.  I don't see anything there.  eMed is providing the medical personnel to oversee the test and okay a prescription to get the test, so I doubt they are putting it on Amazon.

I ordered yesterday from eMed.  It's being sent today and will arrive tomorrow!!  Sent overnight FedEx which costs $14 something.  I didn't need it that fast, but there is only one shipping option.  

I know someone mentioned on a thread that they ordered the two pack from the other place, and it hadn't shipped one week later.

10 hours ago, trbarton said:

See this great video that shows someone taking the home kit.

 

It’s very through. Be careful that you don’t accidentally drop the test card on the floor as Tony did as it will be useless. Good to have a least one other card as a backup. 
 

This test was for a cruise on the Majestic Princess that departed today. 
 

Hope you find this video useful. 
 

Tom😀

We just bought this product, so your video was helpful.  It's always good to know what to expect and what to avoid (like keep card further up on the desk away from the swab 🙂 ) as it minimizes anxiety.  We used CVS to sail to Alaska in August, but now it's gotten difficult to get tests according to what I hear.  So we decided to get these so we don't need to worry about whether we can find a test later this fall.

Our skipper for our Juneau whale watching small boat tour said that it gets rainier as fall approaches.  We have always gone to Alaska the last week in May or first week in June and barely had any rain with mostly clear blue skies previously.  It was a shock to have 3 days of overcast and/or rain all day the middle of August.  We loved getting to see the salmon run and seeing bears on our private excursion, but if we return, it will most likely be earlier in the summer.

Yes, you need to do it within 24 hours of sailing.  They will also ask again when checking in or at least did for our August cruise.

6 hours ago, Italy52 said:

$125 taxi ride?  I have never heard of one that high.  Where in the heck did he take you?

Just from the port to the airport.  He did drop us off at the door rather than taxi stand in the garage.  However, he almost certainly lied to our face and said that was the rate posted at the port.  His meter was not visible to us.  I have reported him to the group that oversees taxis in Seattle and have a case number.  We were in a hurry to catch an early flight and didn't know what else we could do but question him and  pay him, though I did write down his cab number and the phone number to report him which was on the window of the cab. I knew to ask for a flat rate taxi but didn't see one near the front of the line, so went ahead and took first in line 😞. Wouldn't do that again.  Super happy though with Princess! 

Just a post script to our story about using a taxi to the airport to try to make a flight that was too early to have been listed in EZ Air.  When I called before the cruise the last time, my call was escalated to second tier.  I talked to a Guest Relations specialist who didn't succeed in getting EZ Air to change our flight (without a very expensive fee).  She asked me to report back to her what happened and gave me her direct line.  I left a detailed message including the fact that even the front desk on the Majestic had said that flight was too early, tried to change our flight, and then recommended a taxi refunding our transfer.  When she got back to me, she apologized for all the worry and fuss that flight had caused and offered to submit a request to refund our outrageous $125 taxi ride.  When I offered to accept an onboard credit for our next cruise, she said she could do that immediately.  She also said she would tell EZ Air that flight was too early.  I wanted to post this here to give Princess some praise for making things "right!"  Well done!!

I think most of you following along in this thread's discussion last month saw my post on the Live August 15 thread about what happened.  Passenger Services advised us not to take the shuttle, but to take a taxi and walk off in the first group to be able to make our 10:11am flight, which we did.  They refunded our transfers BTW.  They also contacted EZ Air and told them to offer us another flight, which they did but the cost was too high to consider it.

This is what I reported about the day of disembarkation:

"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 the plane was two hours late, so we didn't need to rush so."  (BTW, I filed a grievance with the taxi board in Seattle and have a case number. Be sure to write your taxi number down which I did!)

I had talked to Princess two times before we left about this flight we got on EZ Air which I didn't realize until after final payment was too early because I trusted EZ Air.  The second time I called, I was on the phone over two hours and was passed to second tier, Guest Relations.  She asked that I let her know what the outcome was when I returned home and gave me her direct number.  She was on the phone when I called after the cruise, so I left a message.  She called me back several days later and was very apologetic and said she would work to get me a $125 check to pay for the expense!!  I was shocked though very happy.  When I offered that an onboard credit would be fine, she said she could do that right now.  So she did.  She also said that she would communicate with EZ Air and try to get the standards fixed.

I want to give Princess kudos for making this "right!"  I was already loyal to Princess, but this made me feel much better about the whole situation and more positive about dealing with EZ Air again in the future.

Our flight into Seattle for our cruise to Alaska last month was over 5 hours late.  We were very glad that we were arriving a day early so although we missed seeing Seattle, we didn't miss the cruise.  Coming home, it was delayed over 2 hours.  Flights are not as reliable as they once were!

9 hours ago, Coral said:

I often get Princess insurance to cover the cruise (and air) and for cancel for any reason.

 

I get a 3rd party insurance to cover days before cruise and after. I only insure the hotel costs (and air if applicable) before and after and then include the entire trip dates. This way medical is covered by 3rd party insurance for the entire trip.

 

I also get medjet assist.

One of the articles I read at one of the mass insurance brokers said that if you don't cover all the expenses for a trip, they can cancel your insurance if they discover that during the process of investigating a claim.  Anyone hear that before?  Your solution sounds good, but I wonder if it is considered appropriated.

1 hour ago, KLM3164 said:

We are docked in Ketchikan. Easier to upload photos now that we are off the ships Wi-Fi.

So happy but envious that you got to dock downtown.  I couldn't understand why in August they had us at the far northern dock on the other side of the tunnel!! 

58 minutes ago, mkca91 said:

Great to hear your review on the Hummer Adventures.  We are scheduled to do that next week.  Where else did they take you and what did you see?  Thank you!

We went by boat, so we saw all the sights between Ketchikan and Traitor's Cove.  The bears and salmon are really the main attractions to this tour.  Are you doing the Hummer boat tour or a Hummer mobile tour?  Even they say the boat tour has much better odds of seeing bears.

12 hours ago, rabin1 said:

For those of you who have been in CC would you please tell me how to make a reservation in a specialty restaurant?? I can't figure it out and Steelers36 has been trying to help me and he suggested I ask you guys.

 

Thanks

Kathy

If my explanation doesn't help you, then look for the Medallion Monday recording in YouTube.  It was the only thing that I needed to figure it out.

Go the Dine My Way.  Then View or Book individual daily reservation and choose the day you want to make a reservation.  Hit make a reservation.  It will warn you that you might be making double reservations.  Just keep going and cancel dining room later.  After you confirm your travel party, it will take you to a page to make reservations at any of the 3 specialty dining place.  Good Luck!

We went to all 3 two weeks ago and went twice to Sur la Mer and Crown Grill!  We had booked all 3 online beforehand and added our favorite two after going to all 3 onboard with no problems.