Arlened236

No Window suites on the Coral. We had to book a full suite but it was lovey although VERY VERY pricey. If he needs a scooter the door might still be too narrow. The handicapped balconies are large and can accomodate a scooter.

 

Special needs on Princess can be reached at 661 284 4408

Thanks Dorisis...for the correction...was looking at the wrong deck plans

Arlene:o

Sorry, there are no HC Mini-suites on the Coral. The best you can do is a Caribe HC cabin with a large half covered balcony. Or a HC window full suite.

We prefer the MDR for both breakfast and Lunch (when open) enjoy the people we meet, less rushed, and portion control..less likely to over eat there.

Arlene

I will be doing my 1st Alaska cruise out of Seattle august 30th

curious who the cruise director is, anyone been on this ship how is the entertainment,I know i am going for the scenery this time out any info would be greatly appreciated

 

Rick

My family and I (24 of us) will be on the Golden Aug 2...I will let you know when we get back. Any other questions you have I am sure I will be able to answer then. If I forget ask again after Aug 10th...

Arlene

We have done this cruise 7 times so far and still have not tirerd (sp) of it. We are booked again next April on the Star out of S.F. Our only complained is the large price increase :eek: from last year for our Emerald deck mini suite. Hoping to see a price reduction before final pymt. LOVE LOVE those sea days.:)

Have your TA check the prices again, our cruise on the Star in Feb. just went down for our Caribe balcony over $300 pp.

Hope your did too

Arlene

Another thank you for the heads up on the price drop...just heard from our TA about our Feb. Hawaiian cruise...we got a reduction of over $300 per person. YEA...thanks again.

Arlene

Though I'm considering renting a small wheel chair for DH when we do our B2B cruise next summer, I am wondering if a scooter would be a better idea, since I'd have to push the wheel chair.

 

My concern is for excursions. We do private excursions and I know a wheel chair will fit in the trunk of a car. Do the rental companies have scooters that will also break down and fit in a trunk? Are they easy to lift and break down and set up? I am not very strong and he can't lift hardly anything, but I do know we can handle a wheel chair.

 

I'd appreciate hearing from others who do private tours with scooters.

A foldable wheelchair is the best for excursions. It can fit in the trunk or back of a van very easily... you did not say where you are cruising..many ports outside of the US do not follow ADA regulations. Which means using a scooter is a real problem. (uneven sidewalks, not cut-outs at the corrner, steps into store's and other attractions) Also you should not take a scooter in the rain or in puddles.

If he needes the w/c on board, then I would advise bringing your own w/c and renting a scooter as long as you have an accessible cabin. Having both on board would really cut down on the space in a regular cabin..Also, Pushing a w/c on the ship can be done but its a real workout on the carpets

There are scooters that fold like a childs stroller, but you did not say how large your husband is, so this may not be an option for him.

I use a scooter on board but always use my w/c for ship/private excursions.

There have been very few times I could have used the scooter.

Have a great cruise

Arlene

Really looking forward to our cruise on the Golden August 2, does anyone know if Michael Modzelewski will be the naturalist on that cruise. From all the positive comments I sure hope so.

Thanks

Arlene

Thanks for recommendation...we wont be in SF until Feb, for our Hawaiian cruise but I was wondering if you could recommend a shuttle service from SFO to our hotel in the Fishermans Wharf area the day before (Friday) and the best way to get to our pier on Sat. am...I use a wheelchair, but can walk short distances.

Thanks in advance...

enjoy your hot days in the City

Fancy meeting you on the boards! I've been looking for you since we dined on the Coral through the Canal. Say "hi" to Paul for me. Think of the both of you often. I had such a wonderful time with you during the cruise but especially at dinner.

 

Renee

Same here Renee...I see you on the boards every once in a whle...we are doing another SF to Hawaii in Feb...and a family cruise to Alaska in Aug..Hope you are doing well too..

Arlene

Just another heads up about sodium...I find the water on board to be saltier (because Princess desalinates it own water) So I drink bottled water on board.

Also if you want to eat at one of the specialty restaurants, just talk to the head waiter there and he will be able to make you something without sodium.

I grew up in a home that only ate low sodium (daddy had high BP) so my body does not like sodium, even though I do not need to follow this diet, I do. I have other food allergies which makes my food very plain on board (no sauces, etc). The food is not why I cruise...so it does not ruin my fun.

Be sure ask for lemon and Balsamic vinegar to add some flavor to the food, they do not have any salt in them.

Actually, I have been very pleasantly surprised how good the food is.

Enjoy your cruise...your new diet will become normal after a while.

Arlene (a retired Cardiac Rehab Specialist)

Just an FYI...if you do not spend all of your onboard credit you will get a check back from Princess.

We finished our Panama cruise on March 17th and we received a very nice check yesterday from Princess for the remaining amount...we had over $700 shipboard credit (FCC, Military, stock ownership, TA) Since this was our 4th Panama cruise we did not take any excursions (did it on our own).

It was a plesant surprise to get the check.

Yes they do but not for flights that early.

 

Mike:)

Thanks, I was asking for our flight in August. We should be ok, it's not until 2 pm Ex check was not available in San Pedro on our last cruise and I really missed it.

Check the West Coast Departure link...you will get many suggestions for shuttle/taxi's from the cruise terminal to SEA.

Does anyone know if they have Ez Check for luggage in Seattle...it would also make getting to SEA easier on your own (only carrying your hand luggage) as larger luggage goes to home airport.

On our last cruise on the Island in March, I bought the 'soda and more' package, my husband did not. I could get Soda, juice or mocktail at any bar or theater but not in the dining room. I filled it up at the bar outside the dining room before eating.

It was worth it on a 15 day hot and humid Panama cruise. And I loved the double wall cup (with lid and straw) they give you.

There is one problem with the traditional dining rooms on the Grand Class Princess ships.. They are on deck six at the rear of the ship which is accessed by only 2elevators and a staircase . There are no bathrooms on that level ( you have to go up to deck 7 )

I use an electric scooter on the ship so this is a big problem for me.

It's a beautiful dining room if this does not pose a problem for you.

I have been on the Grand princess 3 times and will be on the Golden this summer and the Star next winter. Other than this issue we love this class ship.

We have found that they usually keep one side of one of the anytime dining rooms (early seating) for traditional dining. We ask our TA to request this for us.

I too use my lanyard, I always know where my cruise card is. If you do not want to buy a lanyard just go to the cashier cage in the casino and they will give you one free, they even punch a hole in the card and attach it for you.

And if you like to play trivia, and are lucky enough to win, one of the 'big' prizes they give out is a princess lanyard.

Have a great cruise

Just heard on the news that the east coast (several states) are experiencing the return of the flu, a much milder strain that was around earlier in the season. This is possibly what the OP has.

Regardless, it's never a good thing to come home from a great cruise sick.

Feel better soon.

For those of you who have had such enjoyment traveling with or reading about travel with Aunt Sue and Lewie, I want to share some sad news. Sue returned home from her last cruise ill and passed away in the middle of March. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Our condolences to Lewie and the whole family...yes Aunt Sue touched many lives, many who never got to meet her but only knew her thru her posts.

She will be missed. RIP Aunt Sue

Thanks for the heads-up...just got a $379 per cabin price drop for our Aug Alaskan cruise...CC is the best.

Arlene

Please take care of the Golden Princess, we get on her when you get off. Really looking forward to aur family cruise to Alaska

You will have a grat time on Princess.

No blame necessary...it was a very good question, we did not understand your post. Many people really enjoy Glacier Bay, but if you want to do more in Ketchikan, then Tracey Arm would be better for your cruise.

Just remember that the later you go on the cruise the greater chance for more rain and storms and from what I have read on the Princess boards...you see more whales the earlier you go. Either way it is a memorable cruise.

We cannot go in August; comments to go in August miss the point entirely.

 

But thanks for the comparisons of the two glacier experiences.

Reading your first post I thought you were considering a cruise in August and one in Sept. Sorry for the confusion.

I know you will enjoy your cruise when ever you go

The Golden Princess is RT Seattle on Aug 2, 2014 and it goes to glacier Bay,

We are doings family cruise then. Really excited about seeing the glaciers again

Our last Alaskan cruise was the first week of August and the weather was prefect.

Arlene

Heard it on the Island Princess last month, was very surprised, but loved it.