Live From Majestic Princess - The Sept. 26th Last Alaska cruise of 2021 Season

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

Agree with Ombud & others that have never been given free coffee in IC....

Sounds like you get your own?

Never seen anybody do that....

Maybe you grabbed the pot used for staff, and nobody told you don't do that?

 

I've gotten coffee in IC many, many, times with or without the coffee card.

ALWAYS charged, and waited for staff to give it to me in the pickup area.

 

 

 

[Sea Emerald]

4 hours ago, Ombud said:

It is regrettable that you were misled. Service rep was / is wrong. Drip coffee has always been $1.75 for a small / $2.50 for a large at IC. Unlimited free with coffee card now called coffee program. But on the bright side you now have 15 free drinks (lattes, frapacinos, upgraded tea) in addition to unlimited drip coffee & cocoa. If getting cocoa they make it with water. I ask for extra hot and add a dash of heavy cream 

 

 

The couple of hot chocolates I got from the IC were made with milk.  Super yum.  Also loving the teas.  Staff remember our tea orders every night.  

[Ginnyfyr]

15 hours ago, Sea Emerald said:

We are having a great time!!  Bummer on no Ketchikan but we love sea days and as long as I don't get seasick it is no biggie for us.  Had some killer s'mores yesterday in Juneau at Captains S'mores and brew.  Highly recommend.  Great morning in the Hollywood Conservatory.  Beautiful views and a great time with new friends.  Loving the Enclave and since I grew up in the 70s I am staying up too late watching The Love Boat on TV for a bit of nostalgia.  lol. 

I watched a ridiculous amount of Love Boat every night on our cruise last week! Wish I'd known about those s'mores - they look incredible!

[boufa]

Unfortunately the clear skies didn't last... No northern lights for me.

[Don John]

Day Five

This was a difficult day to review.  It was a roller coaster of ups and downs.

After breakfast we enjoyed beautiful Glacier Bay from a variety of points on the ship - inside and out.  The best was the Hollywood Conservatory – indoors, large windows, far forward.  Majestic glaciers including some calving, wildlife.  We particularly enjoyed a seal floating by on a piece of ice.  The National Park Rangers provided both play-by-play commentary and more formal presentation in the theater.

But after a few hours it became pretty much another sea day on the way to Ketchikan.  Until the fateful announcement that deteriorating weather would force cancellation of the Ketchikan port call.  Like when a flight is delayed because of weather, it’s not welcome news.  But it’s nobody’s fault and it’s for safety.

Princess offered each passenger a $100 stateroom credit.  With the money from Ketchikan excursions unspent, we now had hundreds of dollars of credit which was, unfortunately, non-refundable – use it or lose it.  As we had already completed our shipboard shopping, I guess I’ll have to do some serious drinking.

Princess also offered a Future Cruise Credit of 35% of the cruise fare – more than reasonable.  Unfortunately, it must be used by the end of September 2022.  All of our travel plans are already booked for next year.  Our Princess cruise to Hawaii is in October.  So, we’ll have to figure something out with our travel agent.

It was Formal Night.  Thanks to the excellent commentary from previous Cruise Critic Live forums, I knew that tuxes are no longer common.  So, I packed only a tie and nice sweater.   We had a superb dinner of lobster tail with @farsight and @Sea Emerald.

Since we were dressed up, we had our photos taken at several of the available locations.

Still having an enjoyable time.

Edited October 1, 2021 by tplombardo

[Ken the cruiser]

If I might ask, is everyone currently required on the Majestic to wear a mask indoors at all times except in your cabin and when actually eating in the MDR to include when you're at a lounge you have to reposition your mask after every sip? The reason I ask is because on the Grand Princess CC thread currently going on, that's what's being reported on the B2B cruises the OP is sailing on.

 

For reference this is the onboard requirements posted on the Princess website in the FAQ section and was just wondering if the Grand Princess captain is just being extremely cautious or is this strategy also being practiced on the Majestic Princess as well?

 

Onboard Experience

 

Will I have to wear a face mask or physically distance?

 

First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, Sea Emerald said:

The couple of hot chocolates I got from the IC were made with milk.  Super yum.  Also loving the teas.  Staff remember our tea orders every night.  

Always been milk when I have ordered them.  I like to leave some room and add a bit of cold milk from the pitcher as they come out quite hot to start.

[twangster]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If I might ask, is everyone currently required on the Majestic to wear a mask indoors at all times except in your cabin and when actually eating in the MDR to include when you're at a lounge you have to reposition your mask after every sip? The reason I ask is because on the Grand Princess CC thread currently going on, that's what's being reported on the B2B cruises the OP is sailing on.

 

For reference this is the onboard requirements posted on the Princess website in the FAQ section and was just wondering if the Grand Princess captain is just being extremely cautious or is this strategy also being practiced on the Majestic Princess as well?

 

Onboard Experience

 

Will I have to wear a face mask or physically distance?

 

First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board.

 

Everywhere indoors until seated and a drink has been served.  Once You have food or beverage in front of you the mask stays off. 

 

Bar seating is available (some other lines have made the seats right at the bar unavailable). 

 

In a venue like Princess Live some people with a beverage are unmasked while others mask between sips.  Many guests are ignoring the seats that are blocked off in Princess Live and it's been a full house for some events.

 

In the buffet and MDR masks on until you are at your table and ready to eat.  Complete your meal with mask off.  Masks back on to leave.

 

Honestly the masks haven't been that bad.  Most guests by a large majority are compliant.  It hasn't really been an issue.

[Ken the cruiser]

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Everywhere indoors until seated and a drink has been served.  Once You have food or beverage in front of you the mask stays off. 

 

Bar seating is available (some other lines have made the seats right at the bar unavailable). 

 

In a venue like Princess Live some people with a beverage are unmasked while others mask between sips.  Many guests are ignoring the seats that are blocked off in Princess Live and it's been a full house for some events.

 

In the buffet and MDR masks on until you are at your table and ready to eat.  Complete your meal with mask off.  Masks back on to leave.

 

Honestly the masks haven't been that bad.  Most guests by a large majority are compliant.  It hasn't really been an issue.

Thanks! I was just curious. We have no issues with wearing a mask indoors if that's what's required. Does Princess give everyone a cool face mask with their logo on it like Celebrity does or do you have to bring your own?

 

Of course, it was just the opposite on the Celebrity Edge when we did a B3B in the Caribbean back in August. But, that's OK, different cruise lines, different rules. As long as we can cruise again, that's all that matters to us. 😎

 

Edited October 1, 2021 by Ken the cruiser

[Ombud]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

4 hours ago, Sea Emerald said:

The couple of hot chocolates I got from the IC were made with milk.  Super yum.  Also loving the teas.  Staff remember our tea orders every night.  

Always been milk when I have ordered them.  I like to leave some room and add a bit of cold milk from the pitcher as they come out quite hot to start.

I saw them put water in it but I have no doubt that there's dried milk in the mix. I still ask for a side of cream -- not half & half. But maybe i was just unlucky that time and overcompensating every one after that (its my nightcap)

 

1 minute ago, twangster said:

Honestly the masks haven't been that bad.  Most guests by a large majority are compliant.  It hasn't really been an issue.

That was my experience on the 08/15/21 voyage. I've become so accustomed to them here that I don't even notice them anymore

2 hours ago, tplombardo said:

was a roller coaster of ups and downs...... 

enjoyed beautiful Glacier Bay from a variety of points on the ship - inside and out.  The best was the Hollywood Conservatory – indoors, large windows, far forward.  .... But after a few hours it became pretty much another sea day on the way to Ketchikan.  Until the fateful announcement that deteriorating weather would force cancellation of the Ketchikan port call.  Like when a flight is delayed because of weather, it’s not welcome news.  But it’s nobody’s fault and it’s for safety.

Princess offered each passenger a $100 stateroom credit.  With the money from Ketchikan excursions unspent, we now had hundreds of dollars of credit which was, unfortunately, non-refundable – use it or lose it.  As we had already completed our shipboard shopping, I guess I’ll have to do some serious drinking.

Princess also offered a Future Cruise Credit of 35% of the cruise fare – more than reasonable

This voyage has had a lot of those unfortunately. As to OBC -- jewelry if enough or facial cleanser / moisturizer  / etc. Have fun spending it

[JF - retired RRT]

11 minutes ago, Ombud said:

I saw them put water in it but I have no doubt that there's dried milk in the mix. I still ask for a side of cream -- not half & half. But maybe i was just unlucky that time and overcompensating every one after that (its my nightcap)

 

That was my experience on the 08/15/21 voyage. I've become so accustomed to them here that I don't even notice them anymore

This voyage has had a lot of those unfortunately. As to OBC -- jewelry if enough or facial cleanser / moisturizer  / etc. Have fun spending it

Don't forget the casino.🎰🎲🃏

[trey420]

We did the French place.  The bisque was really salty, the duck was overcooked.  It was not the best dinner.  Staff was great but man I cook a better duck through my mail order meal program.  Played bingo watched some game shows.  Just drinking really.  The Lynchburg lemonade is my new favorite.  Tried the Beverly Hills iced tea its pretty strong.  Waiter guy added some cherry stuff to it was much better, easier to drink.  I liked the toasted almond thing that was good Similar to the ivory coast drink.  

 

Plenty people in masks.  But I see a few without one.  I've seen staff ask people to put one on so far haven't seen anyone go Karen on anybody over it yet.  It's kinda loose.  Hollywood pool just now nobody has on a mask and no one is in the pool just a few in a hot tub but the atrium is pretty solidly masked up. 

 

Still here making the best of it.  As far as the cruising this is probably the worst I've been on as far as the experience, food.  But I will cruise again just make better decisions on when to sail.  I wouldn't suggest anyone do this time of year for sure lol.  Oh well the bars still open.

[Don John]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Don't forget the casino.🎰🎲🃏

The casino has been pretty near empty on this cruise unless I'm looking at the wrong place.

[telecheck]

35 minutes ago, trey420 said:

Still here making the best of it.  As far as the cruising this is probably the worst I've been on as far as the experience, food.  But I will cruise again just make better decisions on when to sail.  I wouldn't suggest anyone do this time of year for sure lol.  Oh well the bars still open.

 

I think you were just unfortunate. What a monster storm in the Gulf of Alaska now. It is just as impressive as a hurricane. The captain made the correct decision to keep everyone safe.

 

[dog]

Stay safe. Thanks to all on-board for sharing 

[jtcoolk]

1 hour ago, tplombardo said:

The casino has been pretty near empty on this cruise unless I'm looking at the wrong place.

Spend your onboard credit in casino, just play one time and cash out.  Works for OBC.

[JF - retired RRT]

12 minutes ago, jtcoolk said:

Spend your onboard credit in casino, just play one time and cash out.  Works for OBC.

You need to play more than one time...otherwise the casino might cut you off. Others have reported this.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

You need to play more than one time...otherwise the casino might cut you off. Others have reported this.

 

I think you mean play it thru.  Thats what I do.

 

Can't imagine casino is empty with so much more Sea time. 🤓

 

[twangster]

Position Report:

 

 

Having lost the protection from the island winds are up slightly but she is handling it pretty well.  From my deck 16 forward balcony:

 

 

Edited October 2, 2021 by twangster

[Mary Ann 2]

6 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Does Princess give everyone a cool face mask with their logo on it like Celebrity does or do you have to bring your own?

Princess has masks with their logo on them for sale in the onboard boutique.  You have the opportunity to  buy a pair when you order your medallion and those are the same quality, but cheaper and those patterns are not available onboard.  No one is giving cloth masks away.  I got a really nice black one with rhinestone  logo onboard for formal night.

 

You should bring a pack of masks with you as advised in the FAQs.  I dropped mine once in the buffet and they gave me a replacement, but in general, you should have your own supply.

[Ken the cruiser]

5 minutes ago, Mary Ann 2 said:

Princess has masks with their logo on them for sale in the onboard boutique.  You have the opportunity to  buy a pair when you order your medallion and those are the same quality, but cheaper and those patterns are not available onboard.  No one is giving cloth masks away.  I got a really nice black one with rhinestone  logo onboard for formal night.

 

You should bring a pack of masks with you as advised in the FAQs.  I dropped mine once in the buffet and they gave me a replacement, but in general, you should have your own supply.

Thanks! We’ll definitely bring ours with us. 

[geoherb]

Princess has complimentary masks available. You can order them through the TV app. But I carried several of my own so I could wash them and let them dry while still having clean ones to wear.

 

Sorry to hear about missing Ketchikan. You're lucky to be getting so much compensation for bad weather. We had a similar deal when our transatlantic cruise in 2018 had to deviate from the scheduled ports. But in 2019, when our next transatlantic cruise deviated from the scheduled ports, missing two, we did not receive anything. 

[2 cruises a year]

13 minutes ago, geoherb said:

Princess has complimentary masks available. You can order them through the TV app. But I carried several of my own so I could wash them and let them dry while still having clean ones to wear.

 

Sorry to hear about missing Ketchikan. You're lucky to be getting so much compensation for bad weather. We had a similar deal when our transatlantic cruise in 2018 had to deviate from the scheduled ports. But in 2019, when our next transatlantic cruise deviated from the scheduled ports, missing two, we did not receive anything. 

What is the TV app?

[4cats4me]

7 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! I was just curious. We have no issues with wearing a mask indoors if that's what's required. Does Princess give everyone a cool face mask with their logo on it like Celebrity does or do you have to bring your own?

 

Of course, it was just the opposite on the Celebrity Edge when we did a B3B in the Caribbean back in August. But, that's OK, different cruise lines, different rules. As long as we can cruise again, that's all that matters to us. 😎

 

Hi @Ken the cruiser I read your wonderful Live From on the  Celebrity  board back in August. I was on the Majestic last month, and the mask thing was not bad at all.   I have been following the thread from the Grand, too,  and was taken aback when I heard about sipping and masking,  as that was not in effect anywhere on the majestic.   I did ask a clarifying question to cruise raider, who is currently on board the grand and she clarified the sip and mask “policy” later on.   She indicated that sip and mask was not in effect at most  bars,    But that she noticed signs at the explorers lounge and the Vista lounge on the Grand to remember to sip and mask, and thinking about it now, that makes more sense, as those are both technically showroom venues,  and because the Majestic doesn’t have an explorer’s lounge, the next closest thing would probably be princess live, where masking was required due to the density , ie,  anywhere that you can’t adequately socially distance     

So,  on the majestic,  the minute I was seated at any of the venues were drinks were served the mask came off immediately and it stayed off, including in the atrium in the piazza bars , et cet.  However,  if I had read quested a drink in the main show room, for example, then the protocol would have probably been to sip and mask, due to close proximity to others     

 

 On the Grand, the Explorer’s lounge is spread out,  yet due to the positioning of the tables some of them are close to other tables where a 6 foot distance cannot be maintained but since there are sailing is currently only 35% then that shouldn’t be an issue    

 

  I am from California and we are used to wearing mask everywhere but even with that, it really was not much of an impediment on the Majestic.  And I wouldn’t anticipate that it would be that much of an impediment on the Grand, either,   Unless another variant rears its ugly head or unless the venue is packed.        

 

 Also, and this is in reference to one of the posters above who indicated that once you are seated at the restaurant you can take your mask on once the food arrives — you can actually take your mask off as soon as the water is poured.    They were right there with the water immediately after being seated so it’s up to everybody what they wish to do but I was seated at different tables every night and everybody took their masks off as soon as the water was poured or their cocktails arrived.  

 

Edited October 2, 2021 by 4cats4me

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, 4cats4me said:

Hi @Ken the cruiser I read your wonderful Live From on the  Celebrity  board back in August. I was on the Majestic last month, and the mask thing was not bad at all.   I have been following the thread from the Grand, too,  and was taken aback when I heard about sipping and masking,  as that was not in effect anywhere on the majestic.   I did ask a clarifying question to cruise raider, who is currently on board the grand and she clarified the sip and mask “policy” later on.   She indicated that sip and mask was not in effect at most  bars,    But that she noticed signs at the explorers lounge and the Vista lounge on the Grand to remember to sip and mask, and thinking about it now, that makes more sense, as those are both technically showroom venues,  and because the Majestic doesn’t have an explorer’s lounge, the next closest thing would probably be princess live, where masking was required due to the density , ie,  anywhere that you can’t adequately socially distance     

So,  on the majestic,  the minute I was seated at any of the venues were drinks were served the mask came off immediately and it stayed off, including in the atrium in the piazza bars , et cet.  However,  if I had read quested a drink in the main show room, for example, then the protocol would have probably been to sip and mask, due to close proximity to others     

 

 On the Grand, the Explorer’s lounge is spread out,  yet due to the positioning of the tables some of them are close to other tables where a 6 foot distance cannot be maintained but since there are sailing is currently only 35% then that shouldn’t be an issue    

 

  I am from California and we are used to wearing mask everywhere but even with that, it really was not much of an impediment on the Majestic.  And I wouldn’t anticipate that it would be that much of an impediment on the Grand, either,   Unless another variant rears its ugly head or unless the venue is packed.        

 

 Also, and this is in reference to one of the posters above who indicated that once you are seated at the restaurant you can take your mask on once the food arrives — you can actually take your mask off as soon as the water is poured.    They were right there with the water immediately after being seated so it’s up to everybody what they wish to do but I was seated at different tables every night and everybody took their masks off as soon as the water was poured or their cocktails arrived.  

 

Thanks for the detailed review about mask wearing on the Majestic and Grand. We're going to be on a few more Celebrity cruises in Nov (Apex), Dec (Constellation) and Feb (Reflection) before we finally get to go on our longer April (Caribbean) and July (Regal) Princess cruises. Hopefully somewhere along the way the "curve" will start to flattened again as it was trying to before the Delta variant decided show up this summer.

 

Have we flattened the curve in the US? - Johns Hopkins (jhu.edu)

 

One can hope anyway. I have to admit one positive side effect of wearing a mask indoors on a cruise is that it definitely cuts down on the chance of getting bronchitis, norovirus and the dreaded "cruise cough". 😎