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reiddg

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  • Posts

    440
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About Me

  • Location
    St. Petersburg, FL
  • Interests
    Culinary, Photography
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Princess
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Caribbean

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  1. We've tried offsite parking and every time we use a shuttle (hotel, parking lot, Princess); it's always been a nightmare. I'll pay for the convenience and ease of the terminal parking garage.
  2. I'm on the same cruise as @Alaska Lily and I was just thinking the same thing as some of the respondents here so I'm glad I found this thread. I've done the free Princess shuttle from one terminal to another - it's not pretty and I don't ever want to go through that again. I'm thinking we'll just get to Terminal 21 early, drop the bags and park back in the Terminal 2 garage. I'm guessing Uber and taxis will be busy with disembarkation at Terminal 2 but I'm sure we can find something. I like the idea of excessive tipping to the taxi or Uber to compensate for the short ride. Thanks for the advice!
  3. You are correct in that technology doesn't solve everything. However, I must respectfully disagree that technology can't solve the Sanctuary reservation issue. I've been in IT for over 40 years and have seen some excellent technology solutions created. This one wouldn't be that difficult. Furthermore, it's ridiculous to force passengers to make the mad dash to the Sanctuary to make an in-person reservation and it's equally ridiculous to put the crew through it as well. They have better things to do as do the passengers. I can state unequivocally that a robust reservation system can be implemented without a lot of work. First, the challenges: 1. Sanctuary configurations differ from ship to ship - some more than others. 2. Sun & shade (partial or full) vary by ship, by itinerary, by weather. The solutions: 1. Just like when you buy a reserved seat for a movie, game, concert, or flight, there's a seat map available and you can choose your seat. A lounger map for each ship can be created and displayed in the app or the website. The loungers are always in the same configuration at the start of the day so having fixed positions on a map would be fine. They could even provide a 3D rendering of the actual Sanctuary on each ship so you can do a virtual tour. The map can display occupied and available seats by day and you can have the option to choose the same seat for the entire cruise, if available. A suggested full/partial sun/shade can be specified but personally, I would avoid that or disclaimer the heck out of it (see #2). Just like with dining reservations, they would commence by loyalty/cabin class. 2. First and foremost, a disclaimer is required in a big bold font. Nothing is guaranteed - for the challenges I stated. One can never be assured they will get their desired amount of sun. It's a crap shoot on every cruise. One needs to face facts on this topic. That said, there are loungers on many of the ships that can be designated all/partial sun or all/partial shade. Again, those can be highlighted in the depicted configuration but no guarantees. As I previously stated, it would save the labor supporting in-person reservations and the ridiculous mad dash for passengers to the Sanctuary on embarkation day. On our last cruise, when one couple made it to the Sanctuary podium at the entrance, they were there for almost 20 minutes deciding if they want sun/shade and calling their friends to get their choices. All while the rest of us were standing in the sun waiting. All of us in line did applaud when they finally turned to leave...
  4. Interesting. Thanks for the info!
  5. I would have to agree with you on San Pedro. Not much to it but it was better than FLL for sure. Thank you so much for the ArriveCan info. I had a feeling it was required for entering Canadian waters but you're the first person that's been able to explain it. As you saw in my post, I planned on completing it but was just wondering if it was required. Thanks for clarifying!
  6. Thanks for the info. Since we live in FL, we mostly cruise out of FLL but have left out of LA as well. So far, none of the PELs have been anything more than a separate waiting room near the gangway. Happy to have a smaller waiting room and priority boarding though. I'm glad you brought up ArriveCan. I've filled out everything and am waiting on the 96hr pre-cruise time to complete the app and get the receipt. However, I've found no clear info that we require it. We're not taking any excursions that go into Canada nor are we getting off the ship in Vancouver. Do you know if this is something Princess will verify for everyone or does it happen once in Canada by Canadian authorities?
  7. Thanks for the feedback. It's kind of what I thought - YMMV, but for the most part not enforced. I think we'll just head to the terminal at our normal time and then head to the PEL. Have a great cruise!
  8. We're on the 7-day Inside Passage embarking 8/28 on the Discovery Princess. I've read through a number of threads on the new arrival group boarding process and I'm coming away with the impression that it really doesn't matter what you choose, (and if the Medallion app will function properly to allow you to choose in the first place...), you'll be able to board pretty much whenever you arrive as long as boarding has commenced. It seems to be even more the case if you have Elite or Platinum status or you're in a suite. I've not read anywhere where cruisers were made to wait until their scheduled boarding time. Just want to make sure as we like to arrive early (10:30 - 11:00) and wait in the Elite/Platinum lounge. In all our cruises, we've never had to wait more than 30 minutes or so. I was browsing the Princess Cruises forum on Facebook and saw pictures of horrendous lines outside of the terminal in San Francisco recently and people were saying it was a 2 hour wait to board. I'm thinking that was an anomaly but would like to hear other cruisers experience in the boarding process: breeze through? disorganized mess? enforced/unenforced boarding times? Thanks in Advance and Happy Cruising!
  9. I am using Port Valet for the first time in August and while I've read that you'll depart in the first group, which for our Noon flight is fine, I don't recall reading that you would be "required" to depart - maybe I missed that. I can't imagine they would require you to leave just because your luggage did, but who knows? Maybe it's a TSA/CBP thing? If you don't get an answer from others on this board that have done it before, I would recommend talking to GS when disembarkation papers arrive in your stateroom and explain the situation. Best of luck.
  10. Got it, thanks. I'll definitely be checking with them that evening.
  11. Very good point. Sorry that happened to you but glad it worked out and thank you for the warning. I've already signed up for Port Valet for our 8/28 cruise but I will definitely check in with GS the day before disembarkation to make sure our tags were received.
  12. I just registered and submitted my order on Port Valet. It was easy to do and painless. We're all set for our disembarkation on 9/4/22. Thanks everyone for the advice. Safe and Happy Cruising!
  13. We're disembarking from an Alaskan cruise on the Sunday before Labor Day and we've got a Noon flight out of SEATAC so I want to make sure our departure is as expeditious as possible. I've read some very old posts advising the use of Port Valet to get our luggage to the airport and SEA Spot Saver to get through security quickly. I was wondering if Port Valet is still a reliable way to get your luggage to SEATAC vs just taking early departure off the ship and taking the luggage ourselves. I realize there's a convenience aspect of using Port Valet but I'm more interested in the reliability. Also, we both have Pre-Check so I'm wondering if/how SEA Spot Saver would help expedite through TSA. Spot Saver appears to save time if there is a backup in the Pre-Check line (seen that before at other airports) but would like to hear any thoughts on that from travelers that have used it before. Any advise would be most appreciated. Safe Travels!
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