mtnesterz

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.

What we like is not really at issue. What matters is what will be your favorite thing. I've noted you have started a few threads asking about Princess details. You don't like surprises and that is why I think you will enjoy Princess. By and large, crew service on Princess is consistently good, training is very good. The ship has always been in kept up. Sure the occasional thing need fixing, but those things happen anywhere. By comparison, we've been on two Celebrity cruises, one was the best cruise we've been on and another ship was the worst. Zero consistency. There will be a new App soon. Many, including us, had trouble with the old app. View the stickies at the top of the Princess board. But hopefully the new App will be better for you.

When I read these type of threads, it strikes me that there are basically two types of cruisers, with a generous mix of the somewhere in-betweens. Some vacation with the ship as the destination. Princess offerers an vacation on a budget, instead of vacationing at something like Disney World, they will sell you all you might want onboard to make your vacation memorable. At the other end, the ship is a conveyance between distant ports. After a day's excursion, get freshened up, dress for a nice dinner, an evening's entertainment and prepare for the next adventure. Which is more expensive than seeing Europe by carrying a backpack and staying at an Airbnb, as our daughter and son-in-law prefer. So to anyone who says Standard is going cheap, you might consider at that in a different light. We don't drink alcohol. In Japan last month, the ship's internet was spotty. Only our phone with international service was consistently reliable. Excercise classes, Ice cream, Alfredo's a charge now? We don't care. It's not why we cruise, so why buy a package? It's clear that people increasingly look to a cruise vacation as a resort. I think the time is coming we move on.

I received a summary today too. Cruise was months ago. No new charge, but I wondered why. Great having CC to get others experiences, thanks for posting!

We did have one time when a drink was erroneously charged to our bill. The charge was on the Mrs' medallion, who does not drink or go into the bars. We don't know how the charge got there. Yes, a Faraday cage; a metal or mesh pouch, works, but it would be a hassle in other ways. The charge was easilty removed at Passenger Services, though it could be said, having to take time to do that was also a hassle.

You ask as if I am old enough to know firsthand. Some say Walpole, but it has Twain's wit.

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. --Mark Twain. Bring a lined windbreaker jacket, not a sweater. It's the wind blowing off the water.

You don't mention the hours you were to originally have spent in Costa Maya, but for the other ports, It looks like you are getting another hour or two at each port. How you look at it I guess. We lost two ports on our August cruise, Lahaina due to the fire and Ensenada due to hurricane. Princess had no problem correcting excursion amd dining reservations.