mtnesterz

I find the review threads say more about the reviewer than the cruise line. The OP tells us some personal things. If in the same situation, I'd be trying Oceania, food being the priority and solo cabins available. To each their own.

That's not been our experience. We've had four cruises since restart using the Medallion. I get emails from Princess about the latest sale, but they're generic and I could stop them if I want. Also emails from our CVP a day before everyone else gets an email because we're Elite. He knows what we like because we tell him, but his emails are form emails, generic. I call him, he doesn't call me. Surprise, they also know what TV shows and movies you watch in your cabin, because you're signed in to your stateroom TV. If you have Roku, Peacock or whatever at home, same thing. "Gee, the senior passengers all watched Jerry and Marge Go Large. Hmm, interesting." That kind of thing. Who cares. I'd politely suggest not to overthink this, but if it really bothers you, you do have options.

I checked Metrolink as you suggest. We can catch one early enough to Union Station to be able to catch the earlier train to San Diego, arriving in plenty of time. Thanks again to all of you who responded. Will check out the overnight across the street as @OlsSalt mentions.

Thank you all for your input. We'll try to make another arrangement. Maybe arrive the night before. Has been a long time since traveled by rail, but Amtrak was really late both times. The walk we can handle. Responding to @Bruinboy20 and @FlaMarinerThat is why I emphasized stations north of LA. True, there is an earlier train that starts in LA Union Station and points south, but no early service from near the Ventura County line to Union Station.

Posting here instead of West Coast Departures as my question is specific to HAL. HAL has the earliest departures, usually at 3PM, out of San Diego. The earliest scheduled arrival is 1PM for Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner (on trains originating north of Los Angeles.) Has anyone taken the train to San Diego and walked to the pier? Was the train late? If you arrived around 1 and sailed at 3, did you have enough time to board or were you cutting things too close for comfort? TIA!

I'm still curious if this was a question or a statement.

Yes, you can, or at least used to be able to, ask for a cruise card at Passenger Services instead of the Medallion. If you feel that you are being watched, then the reason for that is to know how many people are at the events, the ones you like to attend, so the more that go, they will offer more of that. It would seem to work in your favor to be, "seen." Also, some of the wall panels, or the app, can be used to find cabin mates, which is handy. That can't happen with the cards. You can keep the Medallion in something metal like a foil tea ball, mint case, pill box or Faraday card sleve and your Medallion can't be read. To each their own. Personally, I'm not concerned except in the ways it benefits me.

Oh, the journey part of the App. I first thought you meant the ship name. LOL.

The only butler service I am aware of is on Silversea.

I tried to edit the shoe part from my post as I thought I'd have to explain it. Which by your post, I do. We've all heard glass and dishes breaking in the MDR. Not a comment on style. Protect your feet.

Since there is no requirement, only a recommendation, there cannot be enforcement. Their ship, their restaurant, their call. The only non-negotiable is that shoes must be worn and that I wholly agree with for safety reasons.

One of the great things about being retired is that one has the time to investigate when curious. Searched thread titles for words like tuxedo, formal and dress code. The longest had Dress Code in the title and started January 14th this year by wannagonow123 and closed by cjskids with 340 posts Feb 8th after a post from Bgwest. Twenty four days.

Here is the page. The details are downloadable from the link PVP Platinium ( in blue), just above the FAQ section. https://www.princess.com/en-us/plan/princess-vacation-protection

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!