mtnesterz

I had not seen the new colors or scents. Last cruise was October. Good news. Thanks!

Like it or not, those products pictured above have a eucalyptus scent. We don't and bring our own. Used to be Elites and Suites got upgraded products, not since Covid. You can ask your steward for things like a shower cap. I don't have a full list of what they can provide. The shop inboard sells needed items, but prices are a joke. Bring your own.

When you say basic package, do you mean Standard? Perhaps you are not aware, Crew Appreciation (tipping) is automatic. While Packages purchasers prepay gratuities, Standard purchasers may adjust or remove, but the default is to accrue them as a daily charge. To post that anyone buying Standard is stiffing the crew is untrue. A few years ago Princess said that they were working to increase package buyers from about 50% at that time. I can't offer a current number, probably more, doesn't matter. The same report stated about 10% opt out of tipping. Quite a difference in numbers to make a generalized statement.

If you feel seasickness coming on, provided you have not had a previous reaction to this medication, generic diphenhydramine, 25mg. Sold OTC as symptomatic cold and allergy relief, sleep aid, seasickness, hives, itch from sunburn... If it's caused by histamines, take an antihistamine. A store brand is as good as brand name Benadryl. Takes little space, yet has several uses.Takes about an hour and a half to kick in. You will be groggy, but you're not driving anyway. Ships now are so big and stable, not really a problem.

It's a regional expression in the US. The northern-midwestern states like to call soft drinks pop, while the east and west coasts US calls them soda.

Not really a Princess question. Probably get a better answer postingon the Ports Of Call Caribbean board. You can look by island. Good luck!

If you are looking to get to San Diego on Amtrak, you might enjoy reading the thread I started over on the HAL board. Likely for the same reason you are looking. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2981876-hal-sail-times-out-of-san-diego-and-amtrak/#comment-66667826 Also, just today, saw Allison from Let's Go, Travel Tips. No more pre-purchased water bottles on Princess. Starts about 7:00. https://youtu.be/rnSgJ4ExyQI?feature=shared

It would take a bit of tracking down, but if you find there's another sailing of this itinerary before yours, or hopefully currently, I'd ask in the associated roll call.

We were on a Diamond circle Japan cruise in October this past year. It's not the cruise, because a Princess cruise is a Princess cruise. Well, announcements are made in English and Japanese and about half the food is to Asian tastes, which is good BTW. It's Japan that is different. If you are the type to roll with things, great. I think of all countries we've visited, including several in Asia, Japan is the most unique. If I wrote all, you'd be TLDR.

Cruise ship drinking water has to meet standards from the World Health Organization and US Public Health Service. Whether testing and published reports are available for the public to read, I don't know. More than filtering happens for certain. I would think water would be desalinated by distillation rather than reverse osmosis because of the amount of heat available from the engines, then minerals added for taste. The water is very "soft" and I wonder if, or how much, salt (NaCl) is added back. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/cruise-ship-drinking-water-what-to-expect

WiFi was $20/day this past September. Instead, we used our phone in port. We have T-Mobile so, free overseas. In our case Japan. Nearly every day was a port day, so we had service. Having a good cell phone plan argues against buying WiFi, unless on a long stretch of sea days.

You don't print luggage tags? If it's your point that these papers could just as well be on a tablet/phone, I've considered that, but printing works for us. Luggage tags, Booking Confirmation showing a zero balance. Travel summary. Air confirmation. Also, each of us carries a photocopy of the other's passport and of course our passports. Actually, I did need to show my Booking Confirmation once regarding some OBC.

Mentioned by @nbsjcruiser, also on the CC page about chair hogs. #4 is my favorite. Don't move the stuff, move the lounger. No confrontation. Would work in a game room/library, but not the theater. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/7-ways-to-outsmart-deck-chair-hogs

Such a sad way for people to spend vacation days, feeling the need to keep and guard "their" places, while their vacation flies by.

Sailed several times out of San Pedro. You don't need the App to check in. We don't use it. We do bring hard copies of documents. Never needed them, just do it out of habit. Just get in Blue lane to pick up your Medallion. This is what we do. Pre-boarding however, we do on the web version. Assure the credit card on file is the one you want to use. If not, they'll add yours at the Medallion pick-up desk.

Clarification: Just spoke to SWMBO. She said on the Diamond, she swiped her Medallion for tokens, but later noticed there was no charge on our account. I didn't know. So, if that was the case, then it's possible that was also on the Emerald.

Seems to be ship by ship. Not fleetwide. Neither Emerald nor Diamond are complimentary and we are Elite.

The one line I wouldn't do again over the Holidays is Princess. When I write that, know we are Elite with them and that is the line we still sail most. "Formal" Holiday dinner was the only time I have walked out of the MDR to go eat a hamburger on deck. The food was overcooked salty mush. I believe the reason is the chefs have no reference to know what a traditional dinner is supposed to taste like. Christmas is different things to different people, but for many, it is a time to celebrate faith. At one time, Princess put a priest onboard at Christmas and now they don't. The only two lines that will have a Catholic priest aboard to my view is HAL and RCL. https://www.aos-usa.org/cruise_lines.html Since you ask on the Princess board, I'd go the Majestic Princess, 8 day Eastern Caribbean with St. Kitts Dec 20th, for reason of the other onboard dining options.

Since most of the world doesn't care about the Super Bowl, it might have been nice to know where you will be sailing, rather than have us look it up. If it's a US cruise, then probably. We cruised Japan and were able to watch Sumo live. So yes, regionally popular sports are shown.

While Princess could change their minds suddenly and sell a ship out from under booked cruisers, looking at the website, it is the Diamond that is absent from the schedule after August of '25. The Coral and Island are scheduled into '26.

At one time turning in cash tips was policy, but dropped as impossible to police.

Boba is the term I think of instead of bubble tea. Maybe that's why it didn't sound familiar to the others. The Majestic used to have a Boba bar but they removed it, along with the private Karaoke rooms when the ship relocated. Princess is always looking to make more money and the two things that are money makers, they get rid of. SMH. Anyway, I don't know of any of the ships serving those, but agree they are a treat if made well. As was mentioned, both need to buy if sharing a cabin.

I may be misunderstanding and not claiming to be expert on the App, but might it be telling you that your previously used card is already on file? You should be able to check which card is already there. I used the web version and was successful checking this, so the new App may be different. If not, call to Ocean Navigator. Good luck!

When you say access your booking, do you mean you can log in, but nothing there, or you can't log in to the App? Provided I'm understanding your question correctly, log in to the Princess website. Go to Manage my Booking. Under the boxes to download the App versions, select use web version. Scroll to the bottom and log in using your name and booking number. You do not need to download the App to book dining.

There was a shuttle at one port. Not one you mentioned. The price was equal to US$30 and the line was long, like a ride at an amusement park. Did not notice any shuttle with wheelchair access. It doesn't look like anyone else is going to chime in here and I know you ask about the Diamond Princess specifically. You might have better luck posting your question in the Disabled Travel section, or the Ports of Call Asia board. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/43-asia/