Calif. Cruisers

Would be nice if someone from Princess Cruises could confirm whether this is a legitimate promotion they are offering or not.  The caller I spoke to was calling from the UK and sent a link to what looks like it could be a legitimate website and has an @princesscruises.com email address.  

Yet, I am suspicious too- so would like to know more before considering these offers.

Here is the fine print in the email, so it makes me even more suspicious....:

The information contained in this email and any attachment may be confidential and/or legally privileged and has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient. If you are not an intended recipient, you are not authorized to review, use, disclose or copy any of its contents. If you have received this email in error please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message. Thank you.

To the extent that the matters contained in this email relate to services being provided by Princess Cruises and/or Holland America Line (together "HA Group") to Carnival Australia/P&O Cruises Australia, HA Group is providing these services under the terms of a Services Agreement between HA Group and Carnival Australia.

People wore a variety of types of masks. My guess is that most people infected came onboard with it and weren’t infected onboard but I don’t have any knowledge either way

We are on the Ruby and about to disembark. It sounds like the complaining couple may have brought on their case and been isolate? If they chose to self-isolate, well that is ridiculous.  This is the emptiest ship we have ever been on.  Totally easy to social distance and crew was completely accommodating if we wanted to sit further way when dining.  
we were in the random 25% tested but had brought on our own tests as we had planned to test before disembarking anyway.  (Since we knew we were on a cruise full of people who had just celebrated with their families before boarding.)

The shows came later in the cruise with the onboard dancers and singer but they did go on and everyone but the primary singers wore masks (those dancers had to work hard!)

sounds to me like they are smart and isolating when needed.  We are not out of the woods yet folks so there will be cases ashore and on ships but there is no ‘outbreak’ news here.  
I agree with a previous poster that we probably told more people to put on their masks than the crew did around us, but really it was the passengers who were not following the sip and cover protocol.  We observed a passenger at a slot machine without her mask on be asked twice by crew to put it on and finally we went and told her too also and she put it on.  Said she was ‘drinking’ and indeed did have a drink but was not picking it up at all to drink it.  If you are not willing to sip and cover maybe it is not time to cruise yet.  Saw same in some other shows but most people were good.

47 minutes ago, addie19 said:

Or they don't want to hire them/train them.

 

I was even expecting to be told that there wouldn't be a kids club offered for the Alaska cruises. And that I would have been ok with!

Us too- that was part of the benefit of having the whole family onboard was to spend time with the little one.  We weren't relying on kids club activities.  We are so used to wearing masks, no one would be bent out of shape having to wear them for times when we are in close proximity.  In reality it sounds like Princess didn't think this all through very well, and should have spent the last months anticipating how they might facilitate the return of children to cruising or just should not have made it possible in the first months.  The fact that they sold the cruises, took our money, and created the anticipation of getting to go and then took it back is a big factor in my disappointment.

Marin- I see you are in the Bay Area too

The reality is that parents of under 12's have been living under different restrictions than their children from the moment the parents have completed their vaccinations and until children under 12 are vaccinated.  This applies whether on land or at sea.  We fully expected that children either would be tested before boarding or would need to be masked when in public areas.  This may still be the case in many areas of our lives for the months ahead.  We happen to live in the most vaccinated county in the country, and case rates are extremely low.  The likelihood that we would bring Covid onboard is so unlikely that it is almost silly in comparison to other areas of the country where more people are unvaccinated than vaccinated.  As a group of first responders and people who have been working in front-line jobs this past year, we finally had a family vacation planned and something to look forward to- and now that has been taken away.  Of course we are disappointed and struggling with this news. They should have made this decision before accepting the children and the final payment.

Their offer doesn't take into consideration any other expenses incurred by passengers- airfare, insurance, or vacation time taken.  Since everyone in the family was going, and someone has to stay home with the child- we have limited options.  We can't all rebook for next summer, because it may not end up working for someone in the group.  We had to coordinate all of our schedules to make this work.  In option 1, we are being asked to tie up our funds for a full year for a train trip (and yes, guaranteed pricing.)    

What if someone from the group still wants to go and the others don't?  What happens if the person in the cabin with the child wants to still go, do they have to now pay double fare for the cabin?  It was supposed to be a family trip and now we are struggling to figure out who might stay home with the child so the others who badly need a vacation can go.  Princess could have saved a lot of trouble by not accepting kids from the get-go if they weren't sure they could manage it.  Schools have managed to educate kids around here for most of the year masked.  I think the cruise line could have handled a small group of kids.  I am not sure why the cruise line was advertising cruises as 'fully vaccinated' to some people, and available for children (who are clearly not vaccinated) to others.  This was a failure on behalf of Princess.  I was clearly hunting for a cruise that would take children, and Princess was advertising they would take them if they were under the 95% threshold.  

A child in our party was cancelled too.  We have three cabins for the family, with a 5-year old.  

We were told they were cancelling all unvaccinated children, here is the text from the message the travel agent got and forwarded to us:

Alaska 2021 policy change on unvaccinated child guests

As we prepare to return to service, we’re committed to delivering an experience with the health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew as our top priority. However, due to the complexities of requirements by U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), it will not be possible to provide the same exceptional experience for all guests, and as a result, we’ve made the decision to not sail with unvaccinated children on Alaska cruises for Majestic Princess® when she begins sailing July 25, 2021. We understand that this affects the vacation plans of some of your clients and we share in their disappointment. We appreciate your understanding that this change in policy was made with the careful consideration of the well-being and enjoyment of all guests. We sincerely apologize for having to impact your clients’ vacation plans and would like to inform you of the options available to your clients, listed below:

1) Move to a 2022 booking: Your client can elect to move their existing booking to any 2022 Alaska voyage that sails from Seattle with the added benefit of not incurring any additional increase to the fare already paid. In addition, as a gesture of appreciation for your client’s understanding, we are also including a free White Pass Scenic Railway shore excursion in Skagway for everyone in their immediate travel group (valued at $139.95 for adults; $89.95 for children). A shore excursion promo code must be added to the booking in order to receive the offer. Option #1 is available to guests in the same family group that rebook together. Your client will need to call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX by June 30, 2021 to let us know if they would like to move to a 2022 voyage or elect for the options below. You, as their travel advisor, can also handle this for them by calling XXX-XXX-XXXX, ext. XXXXX, Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm PT. If we have not heard from your client by the June 30 deadline, the booking will be automatically cancelled and the FCC option defined below will be applied.

2) Future Cruise Credit (FCC): Guests can choose to accept an FCC equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD*). FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022. The shore excursion offer does not apply to this option. FCCs can be used toward a deposit on a future booking, in Alaska or another destination. However, they cannot be applied toward air or hotel. Please note that FCCs in lieu of refund (limited to up to 100% of cruise fare) are refundable, but bonus FCCs are not. If your client changes their mind and later requests a refund, the initial FCC will be refunded and the Bonus FCC will be cancelled. (FCCs will continue to be commissionable.)

3) Refund: Guests can choose to receive a refund of monies paid toward the booking to the original form of payment. The shore excursion offer does not apply to this option.

Providing an exceptional vacation for families remains a priority for us and we truly hope your client takes advantage of the rebook or FCC offers, so that our shipboard team can shine for them at a later date and help create memories of a lifetime.

I will continue to book far in advance if I find something I want.  I never pay final payment before the final due date.  I always watch for price changes prior to final payment to request an adjustment if the price goes down.  I was lucky and didn't have any final payments due for the cruises I have booked in August-Oct, but I suppose it would be hard waiting for a refund along with the disappointment of not getting to cruise.  I know I will have to wait longer to cruise than I want as my husband won't be as anxious to sail as I am....

Our August 1 cruise was canceled too, but I didn't see where the entire season is canceled yet.  Jan S. said they are still hopeful that the Ruby and Emerald Princess may be able to do RT Alaska out of Seattle in her message.

Some Panama Canal Cruises that are not full transit, leave from and return to the same US port.  In this case you could not get off at an earlier port.  If it is full transit and you visit Columbia, for example, it would be possible to disembark in an earlier port but you should contact the cruise line to arrange this so they can have customs ready for your departure.  We have done this before on an NCL Panama Canal cruise that was full transit.

We pre-booked and then asked for assistance if we needed to change something, or when our previously made plans didn't work with something else we decided to do onboard.

On the Bliss there was no charge in the Haven restaurant.  It was also available free of charge in the observation lounge.

We didn't try to order one to the cabin.

My response to this would be this is 'gouge' because:

1) The price continues to go up exponentially even though in their original business model the consumer cost was far lower.

2) The consumer price is unrelated to the cost of provding the service/goods- as clearly their costs have not tripled in one year's time. (Yes there are costs for maintenance, replacement, etc. but they knew this long ago.)

3) The increase in cost affects some consumers quite a bit more than others.  Yes, some people could care less whether the cost is $15 a ride- they can afford it and it is no big deal.  For others it begins to price them out of the activity.  Just because you can get people to pay something does not mean that it is justified or just.

Yes, the world is supply and demand driven.  I understand that. This is a business and their goal is to make as much money as they can.  In that goal to make as much money as they can, they also have to take into consideration how their customer begins to feel.

They are selling this ship as having fun activites to do onboard.  I had fun, my family had fun.  We are likely to sail on this ship again and will probably ride on the cars again too (although maybe not three times.)  I will still feel like they are gouging passengers and raised the prices because they could still get people to do the activity for a higher price.

What I do know is that some activities we no longer do on crusies because the cost has gotten ridiculous- bingo for example.  We are all making choices every day.  For a family with several teenagers, the costs of the added activities may determine whether they choose this ship or another one. (Why pick a ship with activites that cost so much you won't do them?)  

It is fun to do the race carts at sea but we can also do them on land and it is not the main decision-maker for me about what cruise to take.

The novelty will wear off for the repeat customers, and the new customers will always give it a try if it is affordable for them.  The price will likely never drop...

I am not expecting their participation levels to drop at $15 a person, but I do know that for some families it might price them out of the activity if the rates keep doubling and tripling 'JUST because they can get it.'

We used a highly rated private tour guide we found on Trip Advisor and had a great day.  If you want the specific name just email me.

This will not be an issue.  By the way it wouldn't matter if it was the same cruise line either as long as it is two different ships.  We have done this multiple times especially in Vancouver.  We take an Alaska cruise, hop off and take another cruise home to SF.  We have used the same line but different ships to do this.  You cannot, however use the same ship to do this (i.e. first cruise is ending in Vancouver, and then a new second cruise on that same ship leaves that day and you re-board.)  If you keep in mind that over the full combination of cruises you cannot start in one US port (i.e. Seattle)and end in a different US port (i.e. LA) without going to a FAR distant foreign port (Canada and Mexico are not considered to meet this criteria)- then you cannot do it on the same ship.

It would be hard to know who has a daily pass or weekly pass.  There were two lines somewhat but I think it was reservations vs no reservation.  If one were to get an unlimited daily pass depending on the cost it might be worth it.

Well- that is disappointing if that is the new charge, with no change in length of time etc.  So how much has the price gone up in one year's time?  I am an NCL stockholder, with 13 cruises sailed , and am disappointed in some of their decisions about raising rates.  I guess since they can fill every slot, they feel they can raise the rates.  I don't think it reflects very well on their business model.  They should have figured out what the cost of providing this activity was and price it that way initially instead of raising the rates so much in one short year.  Otherwise it just looks like they are raising rates to gouge the passengers.  For those who are trying to plan a budget it gets more difficult, especially if you have several teenagers etc.  who will want to go several times.

It was 9.95 per person (not sure if they charge both people in doubles, assuming they do, but we only did the single cars.)  I am not sure where the other $15 amount came from.

The only reason the two car groups might be slower is that the drivers might be more cautious driving with their children and so aren't zipping around trying to pass people.

The speeds are not slow for the single driver cars, but of course some people are slower than others and are encouraged to stay to the right when they are.  The speedier drivers zip around the slower cars and learn where to pass quickly.

There are times when the cars are slowed down by the NCL employee, in particular when it is the last lap and people are starting to exit back into the loading/unloading zone- so you might have a very slow last lap if you are far behind the other drivers.

You are given a cloth headmask (see below) that you put on before putting on the helmet (which is put on your head once you are in the race car by an NCL employee.)  These are washed (not disposable), I believe, and then used again for future people.  

We swapped bedrooms mid cruise (we were cruising with daughter and son-in-law, and granddaughter.)  We just let our cabin steward know and they switched the bedding just as mentioned above.  They were very nice about it.  In addition the living room couch can be used as a bed (although we didn't use it for that we certainly had a few times when people slept on it.)

We felt we got the 'full' Haven experience- we were right in the Haven.  The whole family ate together for several meals, and then did some separately, etc.

We were offered the Margaritaville option for our first day lunch (for free) or could eat at the Haven restaurant.

We also got 1/2 off at Food Republic for dinner on that first evening- and took advantage of it.

Just returned from a 6-day cruise in the 2 bedroom Haven Family Cabin.  We had 4 adults and one young child.  I had trouble finding photos of the second smaller bedroom lower bed made up for two so I thought I'd post here for those interested.  The bed worked for two people but wasn't as comfortable as I hoped.  We had to ask for two layers of foam on top and it still wouldn't have been very comfortable if you were a 'side' sleeper.  (However it wouldn't keep me from doing this again- splitting the cost of this cabin over 4 adults makes it affordable.)

We never used the upper berth but I imagine it might have been very crowded!  The lower bed was always left open like this and was not opened and closed daily.  (We didn't care as the living room area was fine for all of us for daytime use.)

I have some other tips/photos I will share in a bit.

Just back from the 6-day Coastal Transition cruise on the Bliss.  Here is a little footage for your enjoyment.  For those curious about the height of the 2nd passenger in the 2 passenger cars, you will enjoy the 'helmet' riding along with the driver in one of the cars (don't think this child was able to see anything...)

We had a blast and two in our cabin went three times each.

https://youtu.be/BElqz38CADQ

Absolutely Icy Strait Point- we had the most amazing experiences there with bubble net feeding and multiple humpback whales.  It is all up to the whales however, so no one can guarantee anything.  If you want a recommendation of a vendor to use, let me know

For any Bliss Haven guests who took advantage of the 50% off at Food Republic the first evening- How was this managed?  Do you just show them your cabin card and they only charge 50% of the total bill?

I am assuming that lunch at Margaritaville is handled similarly- just show your card and the fee is waived for lunch on the first day?

Is there special seating for Haven guests at the various shows?

Although I am happy with the increased value of my shares over time, I am disappointed with the onboard shareholder perk in relation to other stocks for cruise lines.  We have never benefited from the shareholder passenger perks because we always have some other OBC.  Other companies give you SOMETHING, and often combine other OBC.  Why, because almost everyone gets some sort of OBC or other promotion when booking.  The benefit of even having a shareholder perk should be that you get something above what every other person would get IMHO.  I don't know the solution, as RCL doesn't seem to think it is an issue.  After several tries at redeeming this, I think I am satisfied with the gains from my stock and will just sell it and move on.  I rather not have the stock rather than continue to be disappointed that there is really NO shareholder benefit that I will ever be able to take advantage of.