mtnesterz

Seating begins at 5 PM. Princess calls it Dine My Way, and you can just go and stand in line, but most people select a time on the Medallion App. You have to select the time and dining room for each night, so it takes a little time. Point is, you can if that is your preference. It is for us too. There is supposed to be a new App soon called the Princess Cruises App. Hopefully it will fix some of the glitches of the Medallion App, but it's release has been postponed. Just so you're aware.

Regarding your rail travel question. I am not aware of any (passenger) train stop in San Pedro. Freight lines once did of course. Los Angeles Grand Central Station is quite a distance away, northern Los Angeles near Chinatown. There is a light rail "A line" that goes south from LA to Long Beach, but still you'd have to get to San Pedro. Agree with @waltd. If there is an Enterprise office near the Cruise Terminal, then I'd do that. Enterprise used to have a pick-up, drop off service. Ask if they still do that. A real plus if they do. To your main question, consider viewing the World Cruise section of CC. Everyone there posts of being at sea for extended cruising.

Ours lives so close to us, we've talked about going on hikes in the local mountains. Our first cruises on Princess, waits on hold were frustrating. I understand those that want to use a TA for discounts or a big box store for a gift card, but for those new to Princess, save yourself some hold time and either get a good CVP or a good TA. This new call center sounds too annoying.

I do not know what your entertainment will be, but I can answer about the flying. I've come to know one of the comedians that occasionally works Princess, an Irish comedian named George Casey. Yes, they fly him in for a leg of the trip, he does a couple shows then fly him back home. I was hoping I could tell you he will be on your trip, because he is hilarious. But he will be on Holland America at the time of your sailing.

Think about it. If it were a scam, it would not tell you to contact your CVP or TA. It would say to contact a special number for the special price. Perhaps instruct to pay with a giftcard and leave the pin. True, there is a grammar mistake, but that happens often on Princess emails. It's usually a spacing error, not knowing when to use, "which" or "what," as also happens on CC posts. Point is, it's one person writing the emails and no one proofreading. This too sounds like Princess.

I wonder what the asterisk after the $50 means.

Princess installed higher rating air filters during Covid but I do not know the MERV rating. Nor do I know if or how routinely filters are changed. I do know the backpressure from the higher rated filters was enough to cause problems with the AC. When you say long hiatus, one assumes you refer to Covid and if this was your concern, Coronaviruses are so small they go right through.

Passengers always seem to find they have space to bring what is important to them. A 12 pack of soda, two bottles of wine (for a couple), a tuxedo if dressing for dinner is enjoyed, the need to buy a multi-device WiFi service for all the electronics they bring. Enjoying a good book is like savoring a good wine. You could physically consume a good wine from a red Solo cup, but it's more enjoyable in a proper wine glass. I'll allow for weight and bulk and bring a bound book.

Your concern is admirable, but in this case, they are in sales, things like cancellations and dealing with a widely diverse public are just part of their job. Most of our 20 Princess sailings have been booked through this one CVP and that builds familiarity. Yes we have needed to cancel, also cancel to refare for lower price, plus some line cancellations during Covid. Ultimately, we're a regular customer and that anyone in sales likes.

The key word there was, "everybody." Now, if there had been a long line behind you, all with the same complaint....

Then get a new one if you are unhappy. We have a good one, but I cannot give you his name here. It's a direct phone call and emails are answered in an hour or two. All he asks is don't call him on Mondays. And afternoons are better to call. That's reasonable. Having a good CVP is like having a favorite handyman, I know who to call and can trust the work. Or, the neighbor's son is a fishmonger. It's no cheaper to buy through him, but he'll set aside something nice for us. It's about personal service that doesn't cost any more. But if you're looking for bargains, it doesn't cost any less.

The QR code is no longer used...if it ever was. We've been on four cruises since restart and not once has it been asked for. I think the intention related to boarding times, but those are no longer used. If that was the sum and substance of the intent, then no point. Upgrades I have no idea. We either get a confirmed cabin or select another sailing. Let me add that if your cruise is in Japan, or another country that requires it, you will need those two QR codes from Japan immigration, but this has nothing to do with the Medallion App.

I wasn't going to post on your first comment on this, but this is not wholly correct. There is a season of sorts for Noro. It peaks in cold weather as people congregate indoors. In Australia, it's summer, but on a cruise ship, people are always in closer proximity than usual by design. Good hygiene is what we can all do, true, but Noro can also be brought onboard by contaminated bivalves. Clams, mussles, eating raw oysters especially.

You'll probably never see anybody there again so wear what works for you. More importantly for everyone, download a free sound level meter app for iPhone or Android and measure the sound. Screen shot when the sound goes over 80db and go to Passenger Services, show them and complain. If everybody did that, change would happen.

I did not look up your excursion, but in Japan recently there was a difference in excursion price, substantially more if guided in English. Might check the language offered. Just a thought.

You're only going to be on the ship four days so really, in terms of a cruise, all you'll get is a brief look; passing impressions. The Sapphire is one of the two last of the great Princess ships. After this, they started overcrowding with the one-off Caribbean and other Gem class. The Sapphire, along with the Diamond, was built in Japan and one of the engineers told me these two ships have the fewest maintenance issues of all Princess' fleet. It figures! This will be a different style of cruising than what will be offered on the Sun and Star, which you might as well sail MSC, RCL or Carnival in terms of crowding. Enjoy and remember it. This style of cruising will also go away in a few years.

I freely admit, there are things onboard which appeal to folks that I don't understand. Among them, religious services, gambling, Clamato, whether by itself or in a Caesar cocktail. But I dont presume to know or guess their reasons for doing what facilitates their vacation enjoyment. I assure you, it would be very rare that anyone dressing for dinner cares to be noticed, or cares what you wear, unless by intent demands attention, or wants to go back to some bygone time. We dress for our own enjoyment. Intrinsic reasons, it has value by itself. Some just don't understand the appeal.

Here is a video of R216 on sister ship Discovery. https://youtu.be/l7x5kgZXVNk?feature=shared The view is about 30 seconds in.

We have disembarked in San Francisco twice, on different cruise lines. Both times we booked transfers to the airport through the ship. Princess is the most efficient in disembarkation process of all lines we've sailed. On Princess, take the self early walk off option, meaning bringing your own luggage. You have your own reasons and preferences, but especially given it's Princess, I'd go the bus transfer.

Probably a non-issue, but if your Medallion goes dead on a longer cruise, or lengthy B2b, Passenger Services will issue a new one and adjust the account to match. That happened to us.

By your saying, "total cost," I'm understanding it can be used and/or for the deposit, the fare balance, or to load OBC. Our next cruise is a short one and the fare is $4500, which means a saving at 8% is $360. That's not just a coffee or cocktail, but excursion money. Thanks! @Rick&Jeannie

And there's the point of it all. I have read several threads about AARP gift cards and wondering, "What's the savings?" But if you are saying you buy them at discount, then how much of a discount? I am not an AARP member, but with all that we cruise, if the savings are significant, sign me up! Could we use the card for final payment or just to load OBC? We always have FCD for deposits, which also give some OBC, but more is better of course. TIA

One of my favorite items onboard is the egg muffin sandwich at IC! It is better IMO than McD but not as good as the one at Starbucks. My estimation is one egg. If it means that much to you, I'd look online at the nutritionals for a McMuffin and the Starbucks version then average them. Likely a ballpark number.

Having had the experience of staying in a lower deck forward cabin, the show noise was a non-issue. Hull noise from the waves hitting the ship kept us awake.

Small clarification, there will be two formal nights on a 12 night cruise. There will be more people dressing up if your canal passage is part of a world cruise segment. I agree with you that dressing for dinner helps make the night special! I wish more people saw it that way.