mtnesterz

Your cabin steward will leave a small card, about the size of a business card, as a reminder at the foot of your bed next to the sheet of daily events.

What do you think it should say?

I can't offer help except that to say you are not alone. You're the third person to post of problems booking specialty dining in the last few days. Suggest when you get your money back, just book on the ship. Last month on our cruise, there were very few in either of the specialty dining venues on any given night, even though the ship was full. Good luck!

Will be in Japan (with Princess) during the time you mention. You'll see my posts in that Roll Call. Daughter house-sits. Excluding the two Covid years, we averaged 2 cruises a year while still working, so we're not shy about getting out there. Thanks for the encouragement and good laugh.

Thank you both for taking the time to respond. Adrenaline is not an issue. We are both retired. We have also done TAs both ways (Princess) and you are right, east to west is worth some extra money. Same goes for doing a land tour in Alaska before the cruise portion. Cutting it too close, as far as cruising this year, but thanks!

Regarding this topic of destination immersion experiences. We are seriously looking at our first Azamara cruise, a TA stopping at Bermuda and Azores before with Ft. Lauderdale and Lisbon at either end. Point is, what kind of immersion experiences would be offered? I mean, for a cruise that is country intensive, Greece for example, then yes, I get that would be about Greek history amd culture, but a TA? Would like to hear from any AZ cruiser who has done repositioning. I think we're to the point we're willing to take a risk on booking despite some relating Az's "growing pains." TIA!

Should you come to the point that you would trust Princess for an answer to your question, for this or any future cruise, here is where you can type in your cruise number and it will tell you the health requirements for your cruise. https://www.princess.com/protocol/?fbclid=IwAR15FapmH1Hl74xuV39doqpqNUqsloaI7MtgyycJLQ2HddCercgIV2cuT_M

You can make a rough estimate. Take your total amount in port charges, divide by the number of ports. There will be a foreign port charges in there somewhere too, usually Canada, possibly Japan.

What you, the OP, posted is true except the mandatory part. If you book the standard fare, you may adjust/remove tips. If you buy a package, then that tip is not adjustable, because you've "bought" it. For your automatic tips the cruise line takes a distribution fee, rumored to be 10%. Lets dispel the often mentioned rumor now that crew must turn in envelope tips. They don't. What do we wish was the case, you ask? I'd prefer they used the pricing model of the Luxury lines where the fare and wages reflects no tipping. For this reason: Consider a Royal class ship, currently Princess' largest class ship, the Royal has 1346 crew. If you want to tip individually, just saying, that's a lot of envelope licking. Who gets the tips? Here's what Princess says: The pooled funds are distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.

Deleted.

My experience on the Emerald last month was the opposite of gottagocit. I asked the Future Cruise Planner, "Is there ever any discount booking on the ship as compared with booking when home?" The answer was no.

Like the OP, I too would be interested to know if internet must be pre-purchased or can be bought onboard, the first day. I am almost certain that internet cannot be purchased on Princess daily or only part of a cruise, as some lines do offer a daily purchase.

If you don't have it with you, by one method or another, how else would you get into your cabin? Remember Flavor Flav? Not that large around your neck. The medallion will fit in an AirTag holder; about the size of a quarter, but thicker. We use the free supplied neck lanyard and it is a very smooth non-irritating material. Next time, I'll get the wrist bands, because then you never forget it in the cabin. Yes, I locked myself out once last cruise.

For less than the cost of one pair of name brand jeans, you could buy him a leather welder's apron online. I won't mention the name of the store, but they're known for online cheap tools. Would sure keep his jeans nicer. I wear a denim one for my luthier work and keeps my clothes nice. Christmas idea!

This was the same on the Emerald last month. We missed Ensenada for hurricaine Hillary. At least for you the crew of the Emerald knows the drill. Unlike your cruise, we actually did pull up to the dock at Ensenada to wait the storm out, but not allowed to go ashore, so we did not get port charges refunded. You might. As far as disembarkation, meaning arrival day. Many chose to leave the ship a day early. This was done by decks, by order of top of ship down. They had to file a route deviation at passenger services. We walked off, then got back on the ship after about an hour, though we could have done things at the port if we wanted, then reboarded for the night. Cabin, food and drinks paid. Why not? Since we did not change day we left the ship, no change to our pickup, but if you do, a change could be made. Easy enough to do.

I can't say for the Caribbean, but last month, the Emerald sold boxes of All and Surf detergent, also Snuggle fabric softener. The line probably buys by the pallet load for all ships. Neither product stated if it was unscented on the box, but I didn't smell a fragrence. If you have a reactive airways disease, probably best to bring your own for your own safety. As far as rinsing things at the sink, the liquid soap has a eucalyptus fragrance, in case that bothers you. The machines were $3 each, washer and dryer. Be aware the coins were different sizes, one to dispense the soap, another size to operate the machines.

Without taking sides, I will answer your question from history. (I work for a museum BTW.) A hat for men is considered outerwear, like an overcoat or raincoat. A person traditionally doesn't wear clothes designed to protect from the elements at the table. A fascinator is not worn as outerwear, but fashion. A ball cap is for sun protection.

We lived in S'pore for a few months. It should be added about the climate. Imagine the hottest, most humid July day at home in Columbus, Ohio. Now imagine the heat even more oppressive. That is the climate every day. Pace yourself. It is common for locals to do things in the morning, then come out again in the evening. It can be very draining to be out and about mid-day. Pasar Malam, (Night Markets) are fun! Enjoy your trip!

We were on the Emerald in August. Yes, those lights are annoying. Use the two small accent pillows from the bed to stuff over the bedside lights. I used an earplug container to put over the hallway sensor, but if you have some dark masking tape that will work. I wouldn't use something that leaves a residue, meaning something like band-aids. Your cabin steward should have some dark-colored tape. We had a couple of maintenance issues and Passenger Services got things done for us. Ask there about the mattress. If the ship isn't full, they should be able to provide.

The commonly heard term for the Princess Medallion app is, "wonky." And yes, there is a learning curve. We have cruised twice with it and the first, it worked not at all. The second, it worked seamlessly for preboarding, but on the ship, we found it's better to not bother with it. My opinion is that technology is a solution in search of a problem. If there's no problem, you don't need a solution. If the cruise line creates a problem so you need a solution, why sail that cruise line? Otherwise, the Medallion App is sort of like owning a cat. It can provide some comfort and something to do, but ultimately it's pointless. (I say as a cat owner.) So yes, we are here to see if we should try Cunard next, because I think we're done with Princess.

You are not dim, but new. As of three weeks ago (and our cruise before that one) no one checked for a QR code. Others have commented on this in threads. Also three weeks ago, there was no health questionaire to be done. This stopped recently, at least at US ports. You don't mention if you are embarking from a non US/Canada port, or if you reside outside the US. This would mean you would pick up your Medallion at the terminal. For whatever reason, if you need to pick up you Medallion at the terminal, you will not receive a QR code or be, "green," and will go to the desk anyway. We were "blue" because we didn't pay to have the Medallion mailed. No sweat. You can check for health requirements for your specific cruise here: https://www.princess.com/protocol/?fbclid=IwAR15FapmH1Hl74xuV39doqpqNUqsloaI7MtgyycJLQ2HddCercgIV2cuT_M Print and bring your Cruise Summary and luggage tags from the website. Bring passports too. Best to have paperwork with you. Enjoy your cruise!

Here is the Princess webpage where you can check requirements for your sailing: https://www.princess.com/protocol/?fbclid=IwAR15FapmH1Hl74xuV39doqpqNUqsloaI7MtgyycJLQ2HddCercgIV2cuT_M

You mention, "...the other 14 nights." There are 3 formal nights on a 16 night sailing. We just got back from Hawaii, The first "formal" night was the second full sea day. The second was the first sea day out from Hawaii and the last was the night before Ensenada, but as you are returning to San Francisco instead of LA, the last may differ. As far as making a reservation. Sabatini's and Crown Grill, (and Salty Dog on our ship) had just a couple tables taken each time we looked. I'd just make reservations the day you want to go. Few are buying at the increased prices. If you've got included dining, good for you. Formal nights, eat in the MDR. Food is better. What you describe wearing is acceptable. But you'll still see some older Princess loyals in jackets and ties. Please avoid wearing shorts, t-shirts and ball caps in the MDR.

Cruisemapper is your friend. Currently heading due east at 13 kn off Cohiba island, Panama. (Not at the Canal entrance yet.)

We got back from Hawaii on the Emerald a week ago. We will not do this one again though, like you, have done Hawaii before. You ask about crowds and that was our #1 issue. The ship has 3080 lower berths and went out over 3200 passengers. There is no game room for passengers to play, so passengers crowd the Marketplace tables and play dominoes and cards so buffet diners have no place to sit. Nothing is done about it. Most every place is crowded and noisy. Both ships will be sailing full these days. You are right about sea days. On port days, you can off the ship, but the crowding, noise and kids increasingly grind on the sea days. On the Emerald, quiet spots are found in the Adagio bar and Skywalker's.