Grand Patters Alaska 2019 and more.

[Belle]

I'm surprised about not having more music in the Piazza or any where else. Princess always had music every where.

That was a good point people liked about Princess,

 

No paper coffee cards now if you buy the package. It's put on your card. You keep track of how many you've got

left or you ask the people getting your coffee.

 

Thanks again Masterty for giving us information and Patters each day.

 

[masterty]

2 hours ago, Gimer said:

Masterty,  Did Tlingit Kenneth White demo the carving of a totem pole in the Atrium?  

That was announced during the welcome aboard show. I forget which day. It has not yet happened. 

[Dani24]

Interesting... just noticed that the “Alaska Cuisine” menu has the Hawaii desserts menu.  

[masterty]

Update on the Explorers Lounge. Yesterday I posted the photos of the new loveseats. Today I discovered that they only exist in the rear two rows. The front two rows still contain the old wore out loveseats. I suspect these may over time get updated but for now they are not. Also the long curvy couch at the entrance remains untouched. Photo for referance.

[aprilsp88]

Masterty,

 

Thanks a lot for the update.

 

These days there is a rain storm from west coast, maybe that's why the seas is rough. Hope it will improve. 7 out of 10 is really rough.

 

We also love music, so disappointed for lack of music, especially there are so many sea days. Probably should get unlimited wifi to keep us entertained.

 

When you order room service from MDR menu, do all courses come together? This must be a club class or suite benefit? I never recall raspberry cream brulee chocolate journey,  I will make sure not to miss it in formal night.

 

Thanks,

April

[aprilsp88]

14 hours ago, Belle said:

I'm surprised about not having more music in the Piazza or any where else. Princess always had music every where.

That was a good point people liked about Princess,

 

No paper coffee cards now if you buy the package. It's put on your card. You keep track of how many you've got

left or you ask the people getting your coffee.

 

Thanks again Masterty for giving us information and Patters each day.

 

Exactly, one reason we love Princess is for the music every where.

 

I thought only medallion can do paperless coffee card.

 

Ditto your thanks to Masterty!

[masterty]

2 hours ago, aprilsp88 said:

Masterty,

 

Thanks a lot for the update.

 

These days there is a rain storm from west coast, maybe that's why the seas is rough. Hope it will improve. 7 out of 10 is really rough.

 

We also love music, so disappointed for lack of music, especially there are so many sea days. Probably should get unlimited wifi to keep us entertained.

 

When you order room service from MDR menu, do all courses come together? This must be a club class or suite benefit? I never recall raspberry cream brulee chocolate journey,  I will make sure not to miss it in formal night.

 

Thanks,

April

The first 36 hours was 12-15 foot seas. The seas calmed down on day 3 to a 4/10. About 4am we entered the passage and the seas calmed to a 1/10. This itinarary took us up the outside. Past trips entered the inside passage just north of Victoria island. This one stayed out much longer than I expected. As for the room service. We are in as suite. In room MDR menu for room service is a perk and yes they all arrive together if ordered together. We ordered a couple starters, then when hungry again. Ordered mains and dessert. I hope some more music will join us in Juneau. Some music with a little energy to it would be welcome. Everything so far has been a snooze fest. I am 50 years old if that helps. So less Sinatra is fine by me. 

[milolii]

Mastery, what type of suite are you sailing in?  Any pics of that?  Ty  

[masterty]

Anyone wondering about internet on the Grand can rest easy. It is working wonderfully so far. I even watched a series episode last night sitting in the princess theater waiting for the act to start using Amazon Prime. Ear buds to not annoy anyone. Worked ok for streaming Prime. HBOgo is blocked. Xfinity streaming worked a little but prime worked better. Here are my net speeds the last two days north of Seattle. 

[masterty]

1 hour ago, milolii said:

Mastery, what type of suite are you sailing in?  Any pics of that?  Ty  

We are in a Window Suite. 

 

[masterty]

Juneau today, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[greenman1168]

Looks Great! No wonder they’re always sold out when we are ready to book one.

Hope you’re enjoying the cruise, amidst all your wonderful, and much appreciated, postings!

[milolii]

Very nice, thanks.  Many people asking about Alaska menus.  

[SETexaslady]

Thanks for posting the menus. I was wondering on the surf n turf.. it says "petite".  Are we (my husband) allowed to order two of a main course or is that rude?  I've read where people will order two glasses of orange juice, etc., because they're really small but can't find info on ordering a larger portion of food. My guy is a meat & potato man. 😛 Not much of a seafood lover (though I am) . 😉 

[Belle]

April

Only those in suites can order room service from the MDR.  All others have to use the old

regular room service menu.

 

If you buy the "Coffee Card" it is put on your cruise card. The Grand still has the card.

( Will be put on your medallion if the ship is using them)

[mrell345]

what I hate is when there are a bunch of good things on the menu and my stomach is only so big...  Gads, I wish i could get time off to do a B2B2B so i could work through the menu items

[Bignickpsu]

38 minutes ago, SETexaslady said:

Thanks for posting the menus. I was wondering on the surf n turf.. it says "petite".  Are we (my husband) allowed to order two of a main course or is that rude?  I've read where people will order two glasses of orange juice, etc., because they're really small but can't find info on ordering a larger portion of food. My guy is a meat & potato man. 😛 Not much of a seafood lover (though I am) . 😉 

I'm pretty sure you can order as much as you want😀

[Bignickpsu]

Of course, the crab legs are on the day I'm going to have to miss the MDR because of excursions😡

 

Do you know if they let people eat anytime on port days?  On our West Caribbean cruise last summer, on certain port days they let everyone eat anytime.

[mrell345]

11 minutes ago, Bignickpsu said:

Of course, the crab legs are on the day I'm going to have to miss the MDR because of excursions😡

 

Do you know if they let people eat anytime on port days?  On our West Caribbean cruise last summer, on certain port days they let everyone eat anytime.

To be honest the best crab is on the excursions that have the all you can eat Dungenous crab.  Every Alaskan I have ever talked to says it tastes just as good without the cost of King Crab and I tend to agree.  You never get fresh caught King crab either, it is frozen as soon as it is caught apparently.  Not to say it isnt delicious, but there are other options.

Edited May 19, 2019 by mrell345

[Bignickpsu]

11 minutes ago, mrell345 said:

To be honest the best crab is on the excursions that have the all you can eat Dungenous crab.  Every Alaskan I have ever talked to says it tastes just as good without the cost of King Crab and I tend to agree.  You never get fresh caught King crab either, it is frozen as soon as it is caught apparently.  Not to say it isnt delicious, but there are other options.

 

I know...I just have a hard time paying for food on an excursion knowing I've already paid for it on the ship.😀

 

Plus we are already doing the Mendenhall canoe excursion

Edited May 19, 2019 by Bignickpsu

[Dani24]

We're in a Window Suite as well. We got F301 - the smallest one - though we're excited in any case! First time in a suite for us. 

 

How are you liking the room and the location?

 

Are you doing the suite breakfast in Crown Grill?

[masterty]

13 hours ago, Dani24 said:

We're in a Window Suite as well. We got F301 - the smallest one - though we're excited in any case! First time in a suite for us. 

 

How are you liking the room and the location?

 

Are you doing the suite breakfast in Crown Grill?

The location is the best cabin location on the ship. IMHO. If not in a suite we would be on deck 5 mid-forward. Second best location on the ship IMHO. 

We have stayed in aft balconys before for great wake views but it is such a long way back there that it makes using the room arduous. Mid ship deck 8, 9, 10 are great spots but with M1's going for ridiculous fees and even BA's being overpriced we will usually opt for a interior and if we want buy the sanctuary and Crown Grill for the voyage and still have savings for the casino. The S7 is a treat to my wife as we are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on this trip. I surprised her with the room. The escort at embarkation blew the surprise. A surprise none the less. 

As for Crown Grill we tried it twice. We both have the pbp so no benefit there. Surprised the Crown offeres only the same comfort food menu each day. My knowledge of the MDR breakfast is that it offers a different option each morning. So on day 4 we are going to the MDR to see which on we like more. I'll try to get a crown grill breakfast menu so you can see what I mean. 

[memoak]

20 minutes ago, masterty said:

The location is the best cabin location on the ship. IMHO. If not in a suite we would be on deck 5 mid-forward. Second best location on the ship IMHO. 

We have stayed in aft balconys before for great wake views but it is such a long way back there that it makes using the room arduous. Mid ship deck 8, 9, 10 are great spots but with M1's going for ridiculous fees and even BA's being overpriced we will usually opt for a interior and if we want buy the sanctuary and Crown Grill for the voyage and still have savings for the casino. The S7 is a treat to my wife as we are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on this trip. I surprised her with the room. The escort at embarkation blew the surprise. A surprise none the less. 

As for Crown Grill we tried it twice. We both have the pbp so no benefit there. Surprised the Crown offeres only the same comfort food menu each day. My knowledge of the MDR breakfast is that it offers a different option each morning. So on day 4 we are going to the MDR to see which on we like more. I'll try to get a crown grill breakfast menu so you can see what I mean. 

If you are in a suite you can use club class for breakfast as well, better service and more options.  Having said that the suite breakfast is our favorite when we can get an upsell to a full suite.  You can order off the menu there as well, you may have to give them the heads up the day before if there is something special you would like.  (say an omelet with shrimp)

[masterty]

1 minute ago, memoak said:

If you are in a suite you can use club class for breakfast as well, better service and more options.  Having said that the suite breakfast is our favorite when we can get an upsell to a full suite.  You can order off the menu there as well, you may have to give them the heads up the day before if there is something special you would like.  (say an omelet with shrimp)

I know this to be true, however I like unique offerings. The MDR gives that to me the crown requires me to "make it up". I have no objection to the food in the crown. My only objection is the lack of options. Same menu all 10 days vs 2 unique options each morning. I am sure we will continue to use both options. 

[masterty]

Day 5 Hubbard Glacier.