Live-ish from the Grand Princess to Alaska

[Dani24]

We boarded the Grand this morning in San Francisco. We arrived at the port about 10am. Still tons of people coming off the ship and waiting for transportation. A porter collected our bags pretty quickly. They didn't allow anyone to enter until 10:30 am. At that point we headed up and through security and checked in. There was no lines, very few people. We couldn't board the ship until 11 am. We are in a suite, so we had an escort show us on board, and took our hand luggage for us. The escorts weren't ready until right before 11. One other family (unescorted) boarded before us. 🙂

 

Once onboard we enjoyed a light snack from International Cafe. At 11:30 the MDR opened. We're currently in Club Class having lunch. Giovanni is the head waiter. 

 

I expect to update this thread throughout the cruise, when I'm able. I have a list of questions from my earlier thread, and I'll do my best to get answers to each!

 

[voljeep]

this is already a great thread !!

 

not a lot of fluff, endless pics of food that's been seen hundreds of times already, and mindless babble

 

nice, succinct posting that allows back and forth discussion

 

much appreciated

[janina]

Can't wait to hear how your enjoying Alaska!

[Dani24]

I'm hoping to touch on aspects that I had been curious about, but couldn't find much (if any) info on. I also love taking pictures of everything, and will share a gallery at some point for those that want more!

[andio2of5]

8 minutes ago, voljeep said:

 

 

not a lot of fluff, endless pics of food that's been seen hundreds of times already, and mindless babble

 

 

 

 

Oh...I like the fluff, the pictures and the babble.

[suekel]

I love being escorted on.  I hope they do that next January on the CB for us.  Have a great cruise...love the Grand.  

[FloaterBoat]

5 minutes ago, andio2of5 said:

Oh...I like the fluff, the pictures and the babble.

Exactly.  Same here.  Bring on the fluff!

[Colo Cruiser]

Bon Voyage!!

[bemis12]

More babble please!  🤣

[stoneharborlady]

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

this is already a great thread !!

 

not a lot of fluff, endless pics of food that's been seen hundreds of times already, and mindless babble

 

nice, succinct posting that allows back and forth discussion

 

much appreciated

Hey voljeep, We havent seen any pics of food TODAY.  They are my favorite, and I for one, would like to see some!  Will ask Dani to post one of the butter for you, I promise.

Edited July 25, 2019 by stoneharborlady
Addition

[EmilyColwell]

3 hours ago, Dani24 said:

I have a list of questions from my earlier thread, and I'll do my best to get answers to each!

I did not see the thread mentioned but i'd love info on the thermal suite!

[LARGIN]

Can you please say hello to Giovanni & Club Class Waiters Royston & Edgar from Larry & Ginger.  Also can you check in Sabatini's and let me know the name of the Head Waiter.  Much appreciated.. Thanks

[Dani24]

Lunch in Club Class was delicious. No special menu item today, but Giovanni said he'd be making special pastas for lunch and dinner starting tomorrow.

 

Our room was ready just before 1 pm, and our luggage arrived pretty quickly so we spent some time unpacking. Even though we have the smallest Window Suite (which is still amazing!) there's TONS of storage. I'm certain I over-packed (for both my daughter and I), and there's 3 of us in here, but we actually have storage room to spare! For once we might actually keep this place organized (though ask me in a few days...)

 

The room is great, though showing its age. They did NOT replace the couch in the Window Suites, and it's looking pretty haggard. One of the window shades is broken, but my husband "fixed" it enough to get it to stay up. I can already see that the ship is tired, but honestly very serviceable and lovely. Nothing to ruin a vacation over!

 

Also the steward (Dede) said they don't have the suite bag anymore. Instead we got a sleep kit in a white bag (eye mask, ear plugs, lavender linen spray, shower puff, shower scent bomb, shower cap, lip balm). There's also a sewing kit, lint brush and shoe sponge, a silver bowl of bath salts, tubes of shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, q-tips and cotton balls in a silver jar, slippers, and two waffle robes lined with Terry cloth. I also just noticed our steward put a collection of goodies in the bathroom for us: Emery board, two more lip balms (different from the sleep kit), linen mist (also different from sleep kit), and shower cap. A beautiful orchid plant, big bowl of fresh fruit, two glasses of champagne, and canapes and two chocolate covered strawberries rounded out the amenities I've seen in here so far.

 

The Golden Gate bridge was partially obscured by fog when we sailed. We were all the way forward on deck 15, I think, (just under the Sanctuary) and it was cold and very windy (almost knocked me down a couple times). But I think I got some great pics! And sailing under the bridge is always a treat! (This is our 3rd cruise that passed under her)

 

We had dinner at Sabatinis tonight, with the newish menu (pics to come). It was excellent! We're accustomed to fine dining, and this did not disappoint. We were also treated to whales spouting and breaching, and seals popping their heads up just off the ship as we dined. Unfortunately I did not grab the head waiter's name (he wasn't particularly social). I'm also blanking on the name of our waiter, but it started with an F. I need to go find out because he was superb and I want to submit a comment card for him. He's actually getting off in Juneau to fly home to see his family, so hopefully the comment card will still be impactful.

 

A couple of things of note. I had asked the other day about whether to pre-order the internet. Many people (here and on another forum) said they've found it was cheaper on embarkation day. It WASN'T. There was no special, even after asking the Internet Manager. Pre-cruise is the lowest you'll get. 

 

Also, when my husband loaded up the app he clicked on a package thinking it would give him more info on it, and it purchased it with ZERO confirmation! Plus it looks like you get "300 MB of superior experience" with Surf (500 MB with Premium). I checked with the Internet Manager and he confirmed that after that point you get throttled (though you still have a connection, so it's technically "unlimited").

 

We're also having a weird problem wherein my husband's name wasn't on the Club Class list, or the DINE line's list when we called to reserve Sabatini's tonight. We were still able to go, but were told to speak to Guest Services who so far have not resolved the issue (because on their end things look fine).  

 

The interior of the ship is pretty crowded/lively. And I have only scratched the surface of it!

 

I did stop by the library/Leaves and there were a bunch of books (I didn't browse heavily, but seemed a pretty random assortment). The tea drawers are still there, and some still have loose tea in them. Most have just a little left. There's a hot water tap, but no attendant, no cups and no way to scoop or steep the tea. My guess is it got abandoned and that tea has been sitting in there ever since, and nobody bothered to clean it out. 

 

I have lots of pics to augment the above. But I'll have to add those later! Can't use too much of that 300 MB of "superior experience!" 🙂

[Dani24]

5 hours ago, EmilyColwell said:

I did not see the thread mentioned but i'd love info on the thermal suite!

 

There is no thermal suite on the Grand, unfortunately.

[Dani24]

6 hours ago, stoneharborlady said:

Hey voljeep, We havent seen any pics of food TODAY.  They are my favorite, and I for one, would like to see some!  Will ask Dani to post one of the butter for you, I promise.

 

Oh, I've got food pics! No butter pics... But that can be arranged! 

[Dani24]

6 hours ago, stoneharborlady said:

Hey voljeep, We havent seen any pics of food TODAY.  They are my favorite, and I for one, would like to see some!  Will ask Dani to post one of the butter for you, I promise.

 

Oh, I've got food pics! No butter pics... But that can be arranged! 

[DBSDSS]

Hi Dani,

We board the Grand on 4Aug, when u guys disembark - have a great cruise and look forward to reading ur thread.

 

We are booked on the dog sledding excursion in Juneau on 8Aug.  We were cancelled out of a similar tour in Skagway due to glacier conditions.  There was talk of possible similar cancellations re the Juneau dog sledding excursion.  So, if u get a chance, can u find out if the Juneau dog sledding excursion from ur cruise is still scheduled, and if they have any idea re whether the dog sledding excursion on 8Aug will take place.  Thanks in advance for ur help.    David

[rocklinmom]

Following along! We did this cruise a few years ago and will do it again next summer on the Star. Can't wait to see your review, and the more photos the better! 🙂

[milolii]

Thanks great information.  

[Dani24]

10 hours ago, Dani24 said:

We had dinner at Sabatinis tonight, with the newish menu (pics to come). It was excellent! We're accustomed to fine dining, and this did not disappoint. We were also treated to whales spouting and breaching, and seals popping their heads up just off the ship as we dined. Unfortunately I did not grab the head waiter's name (he wasn't particularly social). I'm also blanking on the name of our waiter, but it started with an F. I need to go find out because he was superb and I want to submit a comment card for him. He's actually getting off in Juneau to fly home to see his family, so hopefully the comment card will still be impactful.

 

🙂

 

Francis was our waiter from Sabatini's. Our staff from there last night is the staff in the Crown Grill suite breakfast this morning.

 

He is leaving in two days though. Going home for a bit, then transferring to the Sky Princess.

 

Royston is one of the other waiter's we had last night/this morning. And Robert was/is the Head Waiter.

[andio2of5]

For your free embarkation night dinner at Sabatini’s for booking a suite.........could you have chosen the Crown Grill instead?

Edited July 26, 2019 by andio2of5

[FloaterBoat]

Loving the info provided so far!

 

The internet is concerning though..

[4cats4me]

Regarding discounts of internet packages on embarkation day, on the MedallionNet ships (Royal, Regal, Caribbean and a couple others)  you get 25% on embarkation day IF you are platinum or elite.  I don’t believe the Grand has gone to MedallionNet yet, so perhaps the reason for no additional discount on embarkation day 

[FloaterBoat]

4 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

Regarding discounts of internet packages on embarkation day, on the MedallionNet ships (Royal, Regal, Caribbean and a couple others)  you get 25% on embarkation day IF you are platinum or elite.  I don’t believe the Grand has gone to MedallionNet yet, so perhaps the reason for no additional discount on embarkation day 

 

 

Hopefully you're right.  That makes sense.

[andio2of5]

13 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

Regarding discounts of internet packages on embarkation day, on the MedallionNet ships (Royal, Regal, Caribbean and a couple others)  you get 25% on embarkation day IF you are platinum or elite.  I don’t believe the Grand has gone to MedallionNet yet, so perhaps the reason for no additional discount on embarkation day 

If you are Plat/Elite with the free minutes then yes you can exchange those minutes for a discount on one of the unlimited packages on the first day on the Grand right now. The Grand currently has 3 different unlimited packages as well as the pay/day plan.