Questions re: first Princess cruise in 10 years

[nunuc2000]

Hello... We are tentatively booked on the Grand out of Vancouver on May 25th for the B2B.  It's been over two years since our last cruise(non princess) and almost 10 years since our last cruise on Princess.  I have a bundle of questions, as things have definitely changed quite a bit since then!

 

1. is the medallion required to be on our person at all times?
2. is there still a cruise card issued to show at the gates when embarking or disembarking in ports? 
3. is ultimate balcony dining still an option?
4. do we need to submit a request for the Chef's table prior to the cruise?
5. how early can we drop off our luggage at the Vancouver port on embarkation day? (Plan to fly into Vancouver before 9 am and would like to deposit our luggage and go for breakfast until boarding time if possible)
6. is there a different menu for Princess Alaskan cruises?
7. I get the impression we can order a drink to be delivered wherever we are... does this include to our room? Is that included as part of the beverage package?
8. is there anything else that has changed significantly that I should be made aware of? 

 

That's it for the moment... but I'm certain I'll have many more questions in the weeks leading up to the cruise.

 

Thanks for any help/suggestions 🙂 

[Steelers36]

43 minutes ago, nunuc2000 said:

Hello... We are tentatively booked on the Grand out of Vancouver on May 25th for the B2B.  It's been over two years since our last cruise(non princess) and almost 10 years since our last cruise on Princess.  I have a bundle of questions, as things have definitely changed quite a bit since then!

 

1. is the medallion required to be on our person at all times?
2. is there still a cruise card issued to show at the gates when embarking or disembarking in ports? 
3. is ultimate balcony dining still an option?
4. do we need to submit a request for the Chef's table prior to the cruise?
5. how early can we drop off our luggage at the Vancouver port on embarkation day? (Plan to fly into Vancouver before 9 am and would like to deposit our luggage and go for breakfast until boarding time if possible)
6. is there a different menu for Princess Alaskan cruises?
7. I get the impression we can order a drink to be delivered wherever we are... does this include to our room? Is that included as part of the beverage package?
8. is there anything else that has changed significantly that I should be made aware of? 

 

That's it for the moment... but I'm certain I'll have many more questions in the weeks leading up to the cruise.

 

Thanks for any help/suggestions 🙂 

1. It should be since it your cabin "key".  Also, used to "pay" for drinks, etc, with charge to room account.

 

2. No - it is the Medallion now.  You *may* be able to request a card.

 

3. Yes, but it had been suspended due to Covid and no one has reported actually having it yet (although at least someone has one booked).

 

4. You cannot submit this request until you are on board.

 

5. Based on your flight schedule, you should have NP dropping off luggage.  But what are you going to do with personal bags?  Leave them as well? 

 

6. Yes, all reports indicate there are some special items added to menus.

 

7. Whether you are on beverage package or not (hopefully vis the PLUS fare option as otherwise the drink pkg is a rip-off), you can order drinks and/or food for delivery where you are using the MC App on your smart-device.  They find you by locating your Medallion.

 

8. I cannot think back 10 years to really answer this.  Of course in the post-Covid era you are likely to encounter testing and masking protocols which have been changing and in flux and I wouldn't count on protocols being the same when you sail as they are today.   

Well... I gather food portions are smaller.  Menu items are less in number of choices.  Wine selection has been totally re-vamped some years ago and is much better than it was.  Corkage fee is now $20 instead of $15.  Sanctuary costs 2X as much as it did originally (that is in less than 10 yrs since price jump).

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by Steelers36

[john watson]

We ordered two drinks in the Vista lounge but only mine turned up.  After a bit of investigation it turned out that the the second drink was taken to the cabin because my cruise partner had left medallion in the cabin. Getting through the security at ports you should produce your medallion.  It gives your name and cruise date plus when you get off/on ship your photograph comes up on their monitor.  Unmasking is requested for this procedure.

 

Regards John

[Moondogy]

Here's an article I found....hope it helps some about the alaska  cruise menu.

 

 

Alaska Voyagers to Experience Destination Dining While They Explore All the Wonders of the 'Great Land'

Menus to Feature Seafood Sourced Sustainably from Top Alaska Fisheries

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guests on Princess Cruises' Alaska voyages can now enjoy an immersive destination-dining experience as Alaska's number one cruise operator launches its "Wild for Alaska Seafood" program aboard six vessels sailing The Great Land this spring. 

Princess Cruises Goes ‘Wild For Alaska Seafood’ With New Menus and Events Debuting Spring 2022

This industry-first, location-based seafood initiative features an extensive menu rotation of Alaska seafood dishes, along with destination-inspired cocktail experiences—including flights of Alaska spirits sourced from local distilleries—inventive cocktails such as "Creamy Cinnamon Moonshine," "Glacial chilled Martinis," and hand-picked, premium wine pairings to go with Alaska seafood dishes. This culinary program is another enhancement to the award-winning North to Alaska program, bringing local Alaskans, culture, and fresh seafood on board and ashore to immerse guests in all things Alaska.

"We take our role as the leader in Alaska cruising seriously and as such we're always looking for new ways to enhance our guests' experience, both on board and ashore, while helping them gain a deeper appreciation of this incredible cruising region," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "Guests are going to love these one-of-a-kind dishes that showcase the unique culinary offerings that add an exciting new dimension to our Alaska vacations."

Building upon Princess Cruises' popular "only in Alaska" menus, "Wild for Alaska Seafood" program will offer 30 distinctive Alaska seafood dishes with featured items every night in all main dining rooms. Recipes—created by Sodamin and his talented culinary arts team—will highlight only the freshest seafood ingredients with multiple varieties of Alaska salmon, including King (Chinook), Sockeye and Coho, as well as wild Alaska cod (caught by hook and line only), halibut, rockfish, Dungeness crabs, wild spot prawns and razor clams.

"When it comes to cruising in Alaska, more people choose Princess than any other cruise line, and now we're making the experience more authentic and memorable with fresh new seafood choices and culinary events not found anywhere else," said Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts for Princess who spearheaded the initiative. "We created our exclusive 'Wild for Alaska Seafood' program to celebrate its rich fishing heritage and fascinating local culture, all while enriching our guests' adventure as they experience and explore The Great Land. Our goal is to showcase Alaska's deliciously diverse seafood as well its history allowing guests to truly immerse themselves in this awe-inspiring natural wonderland."  

Additionally, ships' specialty restaurants, including the Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant and the classic Italian trattoria Sabatini's, will offer "Wild for Alaska Seafood" menu inserts featuring appetizers like salmon carpaccio and choices of pan-seared, poached, pan fried or grilled  wild Alaska halibut or Copper River salmon. "Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a whole new range of Alaska seafood regardless of where they're dining that evening," said Sodamin.

Underscoring its role as a steward of the environment, Princess developed the new "Wild for Alaska Seafood" program in partnership with Pacific Seafood, Alaska Seafood, and Alaska Leader Seafood, all of which have an abiding commitment to environmentally responsible practices and are among the best-managed, most sustainable fisheries in the world.

"It is our responsibility to serve our oceans through an unwavering commitment to sustainability, being stewards in our local communities, and leaders in sustainable fishing practices," said Frank Dulcich, president & CEO of Pacific Seafood. "We are proud to partner with Princess in a mission that aligns with ours in serving sustainable, wild Alaska seafood, and the healthiest protein on the planet."

Meghan Rider, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's domestic marketing director, is equally enthused about the new program: "We are thrilled that Chef Rudi Sodamin and Princess Cruises are expanding their offerings of wild and sustainable seafood from Alaska across their ships. In choosing Alaska seafood, not only are they choosing a world-class product for their guests, they are also supporting the thousands of harvesters and the diverse coastal communities that make up the world-leading sustainable fisheries of Alaska."

The 2022 Alaska cruises and cruisetours season features six MedallionClass ships—including the new Discovery Princess —offering 145 departures with 14 unique itineraries from four convenient North American departure ports. Guests can choose from more than 150 shore excursions, including "Cook My Catch," a signature Princess Cruises experience in which guests embark on a fishing excursion and have the chefs prepare what they catch for dinner that evening.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess Cruises : 

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying millions of guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the Medallion device, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation, giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). 

In line with the latest advice from health officials about COVID-19, Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from medical experts and government bodies and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Actual offerings may vary from what is displayed in marketing materials. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Cruise Updates and Health & Safety protocols.

SOURCE Princess Cruises

[skynight]

"I get the impression we can order a drink to be delivered wherever we are... does this include to our room? Is that included as part of the beverage package?"

 

When you carry the medallion ship's staff can locate you anywhere on the ship. If you order a beverage or food using your phone/smart device, using your cabin TV or one of the screens all around the ship the server will be able to locate you. The medallion also unlocks your cabin door as you approach. It is very easy to carry. No need to carry a ship card.

Tip. Check your on board accounts each day. There have been a few reports of incorrect charges.

[MissP22]

50 minutes ago, skynight said:

There have been a few reports of incorrect charges.

We had 4 on our Enchanted trip.

There wasn't any problem getting them removed but you still have to keep close check on them or they will charge you extra even if you have the plus package.

[nunuc2000]

Great info, thanks everyone!! @Steelers36 Yep, we'll keep our personal bags (backpacks) with us after dropping off luggage when we go in search of breakfast 🙂  And yes, got the beverage package included in the package deal we booked... I agree that to purchase it separately would be silly for sure.  I found on another members post a selection of bar menus that included Belle Glos Las Alturas... do you know if that is a standard stocked wine these days? Our favorite, and to be able to enjoy that on the ship would be wonderful! 

 

@Moondogy Thanks for the article on the Alaskan seafood menu - sounds amazing!! Living in landlocked Alberta, we have fabulous beef, but fresh seafood is nonexistent, so that seafood centric menu for the Alaskan cruise sounds perfect for us! 😋

 

And thanks for the advice to keep an eye on charges to our account - I'll be sure to do that each day before I start drinking the Belle Glos 😉 

[skynight]

"And thanks for the advice to keep an eye on charges to our account - I'll be sure to do that each day before I start drinking the Belle Glos"

I don't actually know the price of Belle Glos, maybe Steelers does, but if your favorite wine has a menu price in excess of $12 then your account will be charged the difference between the menu prince and $12 + 18% of the difference. There are many selections of wine $12 or less, and around 95% of all alcoholic beverages on the ship are priced $12 or under. 

[Thrak]

7 hours ago, skynight said:

Tip. Check your on board accounts each day. There have been a few reports of incorrect charges.

 

On one cruise where we had the beverage package included it worked great except... I was charged every time I ordered a drink in the theater. Each time it came from the Casino Bar and, despite having the beverage package, they charged me for the drink. Each time I caught the charge because I check my folio every day and each time I had to go to Passenger Services to have the charge removed. Of course they always asked me if I was sure it wasn't over the 15 drink per day limit and I had to assure them that wasn't the case. It was only that one bar that kept messing up but it is well worth the few seconds it takes to check your folio each day.

[nunuc2000]

On 4/12/2022 at 5:43 PM, Steelers36 said:

 

 

8. I cannot think back 10 years to really answer this.  Of course in the post-Covid era you are likely to encounter testing and masking protocols which have been changing and in flux and I wouldn't count on protocols being the same when you sail as they are today.   

Well... I gather food portions are smaller.  Menu items are less in number of choices.  Wine selection has been totally re-vamped some years ago and is much better than it was.  Corkage fee is now $20 instead of $15.  Sanctuary costs 2X as much as it did originally (that is in less than 10 yrs since price jump).

 

I'm just printing off our luggage tags, and it shows corkage fee of $15 on the tags... is it different on different ships? 

[Thrak]

Nope. It's supposed to be $20 on all ships. Just one more example of Princess IT not being up to the task. I suppose it's possible that nobody bothered to inform them of the change. It wouldn't surprise me.

[nunuc2000]

1 minute ago, Thrak said:

Nope. It's supposed to be $20 on all ships. Just one more example of Princess IT not being up to the task. I suppose it's possible that nobody bothered to inform them of the change. It wouldn't surprise me.

oh dear... hopefully we don't encounter anything major... but definitely reinforces the advice to doublecheck our folio each day! LOL!

[Steelers36]

56 minutes ago, nunuc2000 said:

I'm just printing off our luggage tags, and it shows corkage fee of $15 on the tags... is it different on different ships? 

In a grocery store, if the item is miss-priced, they are supposed to honor it (at least here where we live), but I doubt Princess will honor this since the Passage Contract (a.k.a. the bible) clearly indicates $20.

[Moondogy]

On 4/14/2022 at 7:33 PM, Steelers36 said:

In a grocery store, if the item is miss-priced, they are supposed to honor it (at least here where we live), but I doubt Princess will honor this since the Passage Contract (a.k.a. the bible) clearly indicates $20.

But isn't it also a US federal law, and if the cruise is sailing out of the US wouldn't not apply to them also?? I could be wrong....wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last if you ask my DW 🤣

[brisalta]

On 4/14/2022 at 4:33 PM, Steelers36 said:

In a grocery store, if the item is miss-priced, they are supposed to honor it (at least here where we live), but I doubt Princess will honor this since the Passage Contract (a.k.a. the bible) clearly indicates $20.

 

In San Francisco prices advertised are supposed to be honored.  Princess tends to try and collect the corkage for bottles over the 2 allowed on free, port side...