mtnesterz

I hope you will take the time to post your experiences as was done in this thread, but rightly over on the X board. We've sailed twice on X. Once was the best cruise ever, the other the worst. Inconsistency. Both times debark was chaos. Never went back. Hope you will touch those two issues. Sorry to read you are leaving Princess, enjoy your posts.

You use words like assume and possibly. Don't guess, know. https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/

The first thing would be to download the free Princess Alaska brochure from the Princess website. That should answer many of your questions. Having done an Alaska Cruisetour, I highly recommend going the extra money for the Connoisseur tours. Which includes many of your meals and excursions on the land portion. Agree about doing the land portion first, which again, is more money. Supply and demand. The Wilderness Lodges are nice. If you stop in Anchorage, you will stay at the Captain Cook hotel and that could use some updating, but that was some years back. I don't know what you consider boring, but the bus rides are long. We did see some wildlife from the bus. The distances involved in your land portion are more than maps would lead you to believe. We saw a lot of wildlife, but bringing good quality binoculars is a must for this. Consider a clip-on telephoto lens for your phone. We got lucky and bought a high quality binoculars at a garage sale for a fraction of new price. But however you get them, you'll want them. Is it worth it? Yes, I won't tell you wrong, this one's gonna hurt you in the wallet for real, but I'm glad we did an Alaska Cruisetour. I think you will enjoy it too. I see you've cruised Princess before, so I would suggest booking this through a CVP who would have more specific knowledge than if you just a called the oursourced call center.

Your doctor was correct to tell you that persistent dry (non-productive) cough can be unrelated to respiratory infection. Some might read the line about taking antibiotics the first day of a cold and think it a good idea. Antibiotics address bacterial infections and ineffective against viruses. If his doctor prescribed them, it was likely to address the sinus infection you mention and not the cough.

This is where we are exactly. Might interest you to know HAL offers Star Mariner for your Princess loyalty. San Diego pier is walking distance from the train station. On price and location, Carnival sails out of nearby Long Beach.

An observation is not a denigration. Times and what appeals changes. I did not dispute the onboard views presented. Being able to take the, "Bumps in the road," Is pretty much what I wrote. Never said we don't like Princess. Twenty cruises with them and another booked. Admit I can't relate to 3 feet of snow, but cruising when summer means week after week of triple digit heat? That I get.

This! What nobody mentioned is that nowhere in the review did the OP mention the itinerary, the ports, or if they enjoyed their vacation as a whole. Yes, it was a review of the cruise ship, I get that. But for example, nothing of how shore excursions were handled. Like many of the younger, newer cruisers, what is wanted is a floating resort. Not those things unique to a cruising. When you cruise, be assured, things will go awry. You have only what was brought or walked onboard, or can be streamed. If you can't roll with that, next time, buy an all-inclusive in Cancun or similar.

You won't. There isn't one. Earlier is better in our experience. Have fun!

Yes, I have received flame responses and questions about what I stated and it either didn't get read, or at least understood. I try to be helpful without being pedantic and I know you do too. Merry Christmas!

The tour operators are independent, Princess only takes a cut. Not for them to offer a sale. You may however during your cruise, buy a Future Cruise Deposit. (FCD) Depending on which type of cabin and length of cruise, this will increase the amount of On Board Credit (OBC) for your next cruise. That amount could be used towards excursions, or anything else onboard.

Good for you! Yup, luck of the draw. But once aboard, if you like your servers, ask someone white jacketed. If not then ask for the Dine Line number and they'll fix it. Remember your table number.

Don't recall seeing the drinks, but single serving yogurt cups are served in the buffet mornings. It's really good stuff too!

I do not know that the different passwords is the problem, but I do know that when you try to log on the Medallion App, to get Ocean Ready, you must scroll to the bottom and also enter your booking number. If you try to log in without it, it will tell you your booking number is already in use. Oh, yes, use the web version, not the App. If you can't fix it with our help, call an Ocean Navigator tomorrow on the main 800 Princess line. That's what they're there for. Good luck!

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.