First New England Voyage of 2023 Observations/Caribbean Princess

[Z0nker]

48 minutes ago, mphouston said:

In the Palm dining room, the line for 'with reservations' usually stretched up the stairs to the deck 7, sometimes to the photo area.  Usually 20+ minute waits.  The cause: everyone with reservations was assigned a new table each night and had to be escorted to the table.  The 'without reservation' line was short and quick.  My solution, request the same table each night and arrive 15 minutes before the room opened. 

 

What a mess.  Formal nights were much worse.  Why not use the same table for reservations for the same time every night?  This is how it worked on the Emerald the last 3 times.

That’s how they do it on the Ruby. They assign you a table and waiter the first night. After that, you get right in. 

[cr8tiv1]

I'm home!  With a lot less for wear.  I'm going to start with my travel day and work backwards when my brain will be much more functional...mañana.  

 

Covid Post Test taken this morning:  Negative

Slept:  12 hours

LAX:  A horrible mess at 11 PM.  Thank goodness I have a great driver who was waiting for me 2 miles away/30 minutes to get to me.

Weather report:  Hot, sunny, dry.

 

Travel Day.  Arrived via Princess Transfer at Quebec Airport by 10 AM.  I was able to check in and drop off my luggage.  Agent was great and placed me on a StandBy wait list.  YQB is a small regional airport with limited food venues and gates.  Short story, I did not make the standby at 3 PM.  Got on my 5:40 PM flight to Montreal.  If I were to do this again, I would definitely take the transfer bus to Montreal for 3 hours.  25 minutes in the air.

 

Air Canada:  Cattle cow shuttle like Southwest.  Not sure I would fly with them again.  Not that I would have much choice.  Return to YQB in October will be on Delta.  The plane/equipment is just okay.  The support staff/ground crew is wonderful.

 

Montreal Airport:  Thank you to those that gave me so much advice.  I had a wheelchair request.  I "purchased" a seat ticket (14C).  And I was out the door as soon as I could.  Didn't wait to be called for my wheelchair.  There was an agent who had my name on a piece of paper.  Told me to go out to the terminal and wait for him.  Less than 60 minutes to get from here to there (57 minutes to be exact).

 

Kosta arrived to usher me to Gate 83 from Gate 11.  I was reassured, all along the way, that I would make my flight.  I'm about to panic.  Whizzed through the airport.  Signed on to YUL wifi so I could upload my Customs Form.  Dumped water bottle enroute.  Global Entry card/passport/boarding pass in hand.  All the while Kosta calling out..."coming through, coming through, coming through."  Cut in line for TSA (precheck).  Had a minute for a bathroom stop (important ... but way too my information for all of you).  Final Boarding already called and repeated.  Get to the jet way and there are still a few passengers in front of me...and a few more boarded after me.  WHEW. 

 

Got settled in.  The middle seat remained empty.  Wonderful window seat passenger who I did let know that I tested for Covid 11 days ago.  She was okay with me.  She had also missed her connection but was told that this flight had about 27 empty seats.  The rest of the flight was uneventful, but I was hungry.  Missing all the meals on the ship.  

 

Moral of story:  Be as NICE as you can be.  It will only aid you in getting through the day.  There was a crotchety/curmudgeon old man who was not nice to anyone.  When he got to YUL, he walked himself off, took a waiting wheelchair, and sat himself down.  Then barked loudly that he wanted an "express" transfer to the Airline Lounge for a flight that was still hours away.  I got taken before him since I was at risk of missing my connection.

 

Once on the plane and the doors closed, I could feel the adrenaline and anxiety lower.  I knew that LAX would be my next obstacle, but I was on my way home. 

 

Overview:  With all that transpired on this voyage, I am happy to report that I had a great time.  Taking a few days to decompress before preparing for my next adventures.  There is still a lot of paper work I need to complete.  For now, I am comfortably at home and survived this experience.  Please stay tuned as I complete the rest of my comments and hopefully add some Patters.

 

Mahalo Nui Loa for all those that took up the slack and added to this thread.  Heartfelt appreciation to all that were routing for me from the side lines.  

 

 

[Z0nker]

4 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I'm home!  With a lot less for wear.  I'm going to start with my travel day and work backwards when my brain will be much more functional...mañana.  

 

Covid Post Test taken this morning:  Negative

Slept:  12 hours

LAX:  A horrible mess at 11 PM.  Thank goodness I have a great driver who was waiting for me 2 miles away/30 minutes to get to me.

Weather report:  Hot, sunny, dry.

 

Travel Day.  Arrived via Princess Transfer at Quebec Airport by 10 AM.  I was able to check in and drop off my luggage.  Agent was great and placed me on a StandBy wait list.  YQB is a small regional airport with limited food venues and gates.  Short story, I did not make the standby at 3 PM.  Got on my 5:40 PM flight to Montreal.  If I were to do this again, I would definitely take the transfer bus to Montreal for 3 hours.  25 minutes in the air.

 

Air Canada:  Cattle cow shuttle like Southwest.  Not sure I would fly with them again.  Not that I would have much choice.  Return to YQB in October will be on Delta.  The plane/equipment is just okay.  The support staff/ground crew is wonderful.

 

Montreal Airport:  Thank you to those that gave me so much advice.  I had a wheelchair request.  I "purchased" a seat ticket (14C).  And I was out the door as soon as I could.  Didn't wait to be called for my wheelchair.  There was an agent who had my name on a piece of paper.  Told me to go out to the terminal and wait for him.  Less than 60 minutes to get from here to there (57 minutes to be exact).

 

Kosta arrived to usher me to Gate 83 from Gate 11.  I was reassured, all along the way, that I would make my flight.  I'm about to panic.  Whizzed through the airport.  Signed on to YUL wifi so I could upload my Customs Form.  Dumped water bottle enroute.  Global Entry card/passport/boarding pass in hand.  All the while Kosta calling out..."coming through, coming through, coming through."  Cut in line for TSA (precheck).  Had a minute for a bathroom stop (important ... but way too my information for all of you).  Final Boarding already called and repeated.  Get to the jet way and there are still a few passengers in front of me...and a few more boarded after me.  WHEW. 

 

Got settled in.  The middle seat remained empty.  Wonderful window seat passenger who I did let know that I tested for Covid 11 days ago.  She was okay with me.  She had also missed her connection but was told that this flight had about 27 empty seats.  The rest of the flight was uneventful, but I was hungry.  Missing all the meals on the ship.  

 

Moral of story:  Be as NICE as you can be.  It will only aid you in getting through the day.  There was a crotchety/curmudgeon old man who was not nice to anyone.  When he got to YUL, he walked himself off, took a waiting wheelchair, and sat himself down.  Then barked loudly that he wanted an "express" transfer to the Airline Lounge for a flight that was still hours away.  I got taken before him since I was at risk of missing my connection.

 

Once on the plane and the doors closed, I could feel the adrenaline and anxiety lower.  I knew that LAX would be my next obstacle, but I was on my way home. 

 

Overview:  With all that transpired on this voyage, I am happy to report that I had a great time.  Taking a few days to decompress before preparing for my next adventures.  There is still a lot of paper work I need to complete.  For now, I am comfortably at home and survived this experience.  Please stay tuned as I complete the rest of my comments and hopefully add some Patters.

 

Mahalo Nui Loa for all those that took up the slack and added to this thread.  Heartfelt appreciation to all that were routing for me from the side lines.  

 

 

Glad you survived. I agree, always be nice. In a world where you can be anything, be kind.  Thanks for keeping us informed. We’re booked for a September Canada New England, round trip Brooklyn. And we’re coming from the west coast so I feel your pain. Sorry you had a bad experience with Air Canada. They were my go to airline for many flights across the pacific and their business class is fantastic and relatively cheap. 

[EDVM96]

51 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

LAX:  A horrible mess at 11 PM.  Thank goodness I have a great driver who was waiting for me 2 miles away/30 minutes to get to me.

Is LAX still big construction site?

[cr8tiv1]

4 minutes ago, EDVM96 said:

Is LAX still big construction site?

 

Yes, and in my opinion, new people walkers and changes will not help LAX out at all.  Fly into LGB if you get a chance.  I know....if you are flying internationally, bring a lot of patience.  

 

It is worth a private car service rather than transferring to a bus to get the LAXit

https://www.flylax.com/lax-it

to get an UBER/Lyft/or shared ride.

 

[dickinson]

Thanks for the update.  What an adventure!  Glad you are home safely.

[startedwithamouse]

On 7/30/2023 at 11:10 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

We were in the Crown Grill an hour before you.  They took all that were waiting in the lounge.  The tender took a really long time….going so very slowly 20 minutes. 
 

I booked independently with Acadia National Park Tour.  We had an air conditioned van and a wonderful tour guide/driver.  3.5 hours and 4 stops.  Disappointed in no pop over ice cream sundaes at Jordan’s Pond.  Machine broke  and they could not keep up with the demand for pop overs.  45 minute wait in the restaurant.  

They were trying to steer around all the lobster cage buoys. This was the reason for the slow tender, weaving around to avoid the buoys. 

[startedwithamouse]

Just chiming in there was a $50 pp OBC for the Bar Harbor day. Fortunately, being elite early birds, we were already ashore. The wait for tenders back to the ship was around 40 minutes.

 

Also $21.05 pp refund in port fees for missing Newport, RI. 

 

We had a non flushing toilet for an hour during Boston day (which didn't affect us since we were gone most of the day) which resulted in a $25 pp OBC.

[startedwithamouse]

5 hours ago, mphouston said:

Just returned from this cruise.  A couple of comments:

 

At Bar Harbor, we were on a tender going ashore and heard one of those great shrill alarms in the boat.  The pilot called in a failed starboard motor (on the tender/life boat).  It was very slow going ashore.  I think the various reasons for slow speed (local rules, hardware issues) forced them to stop taking people ashore.  

 

Later in the week I saw that tender being piloted around on a test run (in circles) using the starboard motor.  I suspect they were testing their repairs.

 

In the Palm dining room, the line for 'with reservations' usually stretched up the stairs to the deck 7, sometimes to the photo area.  Usually 20+ minute waits.  The cause: everyone with reservations was assigned a new table each night and had to be escorted to the table.  The 'without reservation' line was short and quick.  My solution, request the same table each night and arrive 15 minutes before the room opened. 

 

What a mess.  Formal nights were much worse.  Why not use the same table for reservations for the same time every night?  This is how it worked on the Emerald the last 3 times.

Suspect they are severely understaffed in the kitchen. Never a dinner under two hours. Had a private table also.  Coming from multiple Discovery cruises, we always were under an hour.  

 

We were told this is why they served the Pub Lunch twice during sea days, everything is pre-plated and pre-made, and they can get it out quicker. 

[cr8tiv1]

20 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Suspect they are severely understaffed in the kitchen. Never a dinner under two hours. Had a private table also.  Coming from multiple Discovery cruises, we always were under an hour.  

 

We were told this is why they served the Pub Lunch twice during sea days, everything is pre-plated and pre-made, and they can get it out quicker. 

 

Even for the second Pub Lunch, we had to wait for our lunch.  One of the best reasons to book Reserve cabins.  MDR lines all the time.  Even after 12 days, people were still trying to enter MDR through Reserve Dining Room and were escorted to the other side.

 

Yes, lots of Lobster Buoys.

 

Sorry I missed meeting so many people I wanted to put a face to:  @startedwithamouse @eclue @Jadn13 I should have mingled more at the M&G.  I was surprised how many people I did run in to over and over again.  

 

I was able to spend ALL (and more) of my nonrefundable OBC and port taxes on medical.  Yippee!  Glad I made it to Bar Harbor for my independent tour.  I do feel for those who missed out on Newport AND Bar Harbor.  But the Captain made some really good decisions and kept our voyage high and dry.

[travelin.sisters]

glad you are safely home & testing negative...quite the adventure!

[cr8tiv1]

7 minutes ago, travelin.sisters said:

glad you are safely home & testing negative...quite the adventure!

 

I think this is the most "exciting" cruise I've ever taken.  Glad it doesn't happen often.  I would prefer a much more sedate voyage.  My adventuring days are behind me.  That's for the younger crowd.  This Roll Call is reporting several more covid positives and passengers getting off the ship with coughs and other ailments.

 

Again, not surprising.  Full sailing, no masking or other preventive self preservations, and longer than a week cruise.  

Edited August 6, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[cr8tiv1]

Clarifications:

 

I used EZ AiIr to get from Quebec back to LAX.  It was booked way in advance.  A couple of words of advise.

 

1.  Keep checking your booking.  Go beyond looking at your "flight".  Click on Manage Flights.  Check your airline website.

 

2.  EZ Air is not at fault for a lot of my issues.  Air Canada (Canada Rogue) either modified or cancelled many legs.  I HAD the perfect return flight.  Leave YQB at a reasonable time.  Plenty of layover time.  

 

3.  Put EZ Air contact in your phone:  800-545-0008

airdepartment@princesscruises.com (not exact address)

They are manned 24/7

 

Everyone has horror stories about EZ Air.  They really worked with me and finally rebooked my flight.  There was an increase in fare, but I was not charged.  I should have followed up and told them that the connection was too tight. I would never buy a restricted fare.  I would never fly in day of cruise using EZ Air (unless traveling in the same time zone with multiple flights into cruise port).  

 

EZ Air is a third party travel agent.  This would have happened even if I had booked directly.  I will admit that it might have been slightly less frustrating to deal directly with the airlines, but the initial cost would have been higher without the option to be flexible (you have to buy day of booking).

 

I am and would use EZ Air again.  Just be very pro-active.

 

[cr8tiv1]

Okay, where did I leave off?  

 

New York, Wednesday, July 26:  Stayed on the ship.  Sail away was awesome.  Great photos of Lady Liberty, the Verrazzono-Narrows Bridge, and sunset.

 

 

Sea Day Thursday, July, 27: replaced Newport, RI.

 

Boston, Wednesday, July 28:  Only a Hop on Hop off bus was at the terminal.  Bus stop was around the corner to the right of a large building, or UBER, or Lyft.  Stepped ashore to see if there was anything I wanted to do.  No shopping anywhere near.  Been to Boston before.  I will enjoy Boston in the Fall with cooler weather.  Hoping I am making the right choice.

 

Bar Harbor, Thursday, July 29:  I really enjoyed this port.  Small touristy town, but full of character.  Everything fell into place nicely.  It was a delightful tour to Acadia National Park.  I was able to get stamps for my National Park Passport (goal). There was a small Walgreens but the town does not encourage chains (no McD's, Starbucks, etc).  I must have already had covid because I stopped to get some throat lozenges.  

 

Bar Harbor is named after a natural occurring sand bar that appears/disappears with the tides.  Look carefully in front of the island (ship behind) to see the emerging sand bar.  It was nearer to 3:30 PM.

 

 

Beautiful Granite Rocks with pink speckles.  

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/granite-on-mount-desert-island.htm

 

 

Bar Harbor was/is a playground for the Rich and Famous. The Rockefeller's are a huge name on the island.  Guide told lots of stories (of which I can only remember bits and pieces).

 

 

Natural Spring.  @Jadn13 has some nice photos of Jordan Pond.  

 

Much of the land for Acadia National Park was donated.  Wild Blue Berries were in bloom.  

 

 

 

 

[Astro Flyer]

19 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Yes, and in my opinion, new people walkers and changes will not help LAX out at all.  Fly into LGB if you get a chance.  I know....if you are flying internationally, bring a lot of patience.  

 

It is worth a private car service rather than transferring to a bus to get the LAXit

https://www.flylax.com/lax-it

to get an UBER/Lyft/or shared ride.

 

I agree with you…like the 405 freeway expansion still resulting in gridlock think it’ll be the same at LAX. 😟
 

It took me 45 minutes in gridlock to go 1.5 miles to the international terminal at 2130 on Wednesday to pick up family…and that was without any construction closures.

 

I saw people running from cars to get to terminals faster. The terminal area horseshoe was better than the access roads getting into LAX. It would be faster to walk out of the airport to pick up passengers elsewhere. And the gridlock is always there even during times when it should be slower…like this Sunday morning.

 

I’ve flown out of LAX since the mid 1950s & it’s only getting worse…avoid if at all possible.

 

[startedwithamouse]

19 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

I agree with you…like the 405 freeway expansion still resulting in gridlock think it’ll be the same at LAX. 😟
 

It took me 45 minutes in gridlock to go 1.5 miles to the international terminal at 2130 on Wednesday to pick up family…and that was without any construction closures.

 

I saw people running from cars to get to terminals faster. The terminal area horseshoe was better than the access roads getting into LAX. It would be faster to walk out of the airport to pick up passengers elsewhere. And the gridlock is always there even during times when it should be slower…like this Sunday morning.

 

I’ve flown out of LAX since the mid 1950s & it’s only getting worse…avoid if at all possible.

 

Which way did you approach LAX from?  

[cr8tiv1]

51 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

Which way did you approach LAX from?  

 

My driver texted me that he was coming from Carl's Jr.  1.8 miles away (30 minutes in traffic).  I'm guessing off of Century Blvd.  Too late, we "should have' done a pick up at departure instead of arrival.  

[startedwithamouse]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

My driver texted me that he was coming from Carl's Jr.  1.8 miles away (30 minutes in traffic).  I'm guessing off of Century Blvd.  Too late, we "should have' done a pick up at departure instead of arrival.  

We always do backside of the airport, exit at Howard Hughes parkway. We always joke Century is for amateurs. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by startedwithamouse

[jeeper2]

On 7/26/2023 at 11:14 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

Suite passengers do not have reserved seats in the theater.  Only for Premier.  The small amount of seats seem to be sufficient.  They are releasing more than half 5 minutes before show time.  People are lining up against the wall for freed seats by intent or accident.  

Duh!  I don’t know where my head was!  I knew that!  Thanks. 😊

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, jeeper2 said:

Duh!  I don’t know where my head was!  I knew that!  Thanks. 😊

 

Not that I didn't try to do this.   If I persisted...maybe.  But it wasn't that important since I don't like the seats they choose for "us".

[jeeper2]

On 8/1/2023 at 11:54 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

 Verifying 

 

Just purchased 2 FCDs for my sister who is not on the cruise with me.  I did have her Captain Circle number.  It will be charged to me.  

 

 

I did not know FCD’s could be purchased for someone not on a ship, if you have their CC number!  Do you know how long that has been possible?! 

[jeeper2]

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Not that I didn't try to do this.   If I persisted...maybe.  But it wasn't that important since I don't like the seats they choose for "us".

They certainly don’t look like the best seats in the house!

[cr8tiv1]

Completely off topic.  But if I don't jot this down now, I will forget.  And if you haven't figured it out yet, I did not do much touring on this cruise.  Hence, very little to report on each stop.  

 

No Blue Bags.  I did see them around the ship.  Not sure if other's got them or brought their own.  No bar soap.  No tube amenities.  1 shower cap, 1 chap stick, 2 eye shades.  Paper laundry bags in "other" cabin.  Blue nylon reusable laundry bags in the suite.  Bathrobes and slippers in suite.  Different types of thermostats in suite and balcony.  

 

Starboard Deck 6 (Fiesta) seemed to be a "favorite" location for primary gangways.  Also sometimes had one on Deck 5 (near Good Spirits).  Tendering was on Deck 3. Saint John was the most fun with the extreme tides.  Disembarkation from Quebec happened on Deck 6.

 

Monkey Bread was available in the mornings.  Peanut Butter cookies could be found at the IC on most days.  You do have to ask for them.  Pub Lunch on 2 out of 4 sea days. 

 

No roaches.  No trouble with toilet in my cabin.  Refrigerator never worked.  

 

Neville Saldana joined the ship.  I met him back on the Golden Princess.  He is very personable and visited our CC MDR table frequently.  Comes on for 2 months at at time and "gets the staff in shape" and then leaves.  (He claims he's in semi-retirement mode).  Amazing how quickly they can change out the officer's board.

 

 

Did I mention that I met "JP" from corporate?  He sat in the Customer Service Officer's office for most of the time.  When I first saw him, I asked who he was.  He told me that he was "support".  On one of the last few days, I delivered a 7 page hand written note to Carla (Customer Service Officer) detailing my encounters with her crew.  ALL were positive interactions.  But I did add in a few comments about the direction Princess is going and what I was unhappy about.  I sure hope she shared it with this JP.

 

Saint John, NB.  Fascinating to watch the tidal change from my cabin window.  They have a very sophisticated gangway that adjusts by many feet.  Not a very good photo.  But, we started out the morning even with the top ramp.  

 

Saint John:  Princess completed immigrations and customers with a few of the officers and CBP.  Did not involve passengers.  I was told by Carla that Canada may select a "few" passengers from the ship and Canada to "interview".  Can not confirm that.  We did have to fill out a form and submit it to our steward.  Day of disembarkation in Quebec, walked off the ship and onto a bus transfer.  Lots of porters around to help you.

 

 

And of course, no visit would be complete without a photo of the Fiddle in Sydney.

 

 

Thanks for being so patient.  I will be getting around to posting the Patters soon.  I think this is the last of the cruise comments.  

 

About isolation.  Yes, they had me in two rooms, but the television did not recognize me as being in there so I couldn't do any "business" on the tv.  Even the phone didn't have any identification except room number.

Edited August 8, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[cr8tiv1]

24 minutes ago, jeeper2 said:

I did not know FCD’s could be purchased for someone not on a ship, if you have their CC number!  Do you know how long that has been possible?! 

 

Qualifying "Yes, you can purchase".  I had to return to the office to pick up a hard copy.  There was no way I was walking off the ship without verification since nothing was sent to my email account.  Even after returning home, my TA never received notification.  I had to send her the certificate numbers.  

 

Do it early.  Make sure to get that hard copy.  I have heard that others had done it.  I did check with several people on board before talking to the Future Cruise Department. They told me that I could do it from my room.  I'm sorry...not that trusting.

[Astro Flyer]

12 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Which way did you approach LAX from?  

 

8 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

We always do backside of the airport, exit at Howard Hughes parkway. We always joke Century is for amateurs. 

We do like you & waited at the Ralph’s on Sepulveda for our Ohana to be ready & entered on Sky Way…gridlock.

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by Astro Flyer