Knickearth

14 hours ago, ladikara said:

I am looking to book a cruise in 2021. When I book, do I have to give passport info right away? Mine expires in August and will be renewed by the trip. My friends currently is packed in a box as she just moved. Do we need to wait? 

Your passport must have at least six months left before it expires to be used to travel. That said, my friend sent in her passport for renewal three months ago and still has received nothing back.  So I recommend you renew your passport sooner rather than later.  And yes everyone here is absolutely correct that you don't need to provide that info until the last minute.  Have a great trip next year.

we were avid HAL travellers until shortly after Carnival took them over.  In the ensuing years friends who travelled on HAL were not that thrilled with it.

All that said, recently had friends on the Zandam ship that had all the corona virus problems.  They were healthy and so HAL transferred them from an oceanview cabin to a balcony mini suite at 0 cost.  Even tho they saved a fortune, they most of all credited with the way they were treated with the crew of HAL.  They loved it.

My husband and I are now considering another HAL cruise.

On a very personal note, I would prefer the HAL signature suite as having been in Princess mini suites I was extremely  unimpressed.

Whichever you choose, have a wonderful time when you finally get to go.

12 minutes ago, memoak said:

At this time you are not required to buy insurance at all. I have cruised since 1990, 38 cruises and never bought insurance

Aah memoak,I remember cruising in my youth without taking insurance.  Now that the years have passed, we purchase insurance on our cruises - approx. 3 per year.

why you ask.  Twice I caught the flu on two different ships and got completely reimbursed.  And yes I had the flu shot. 
 

next, friends were with their 2 kids and wife had an accident in Europe and needed surgeries.  Flight home for four people last min. Without insurance was 8000. 
 

so we look at insurance as something to depend on when things happen

i do wish you continued health

4 hours ago, wrongwaywatson said:

Kind of a mute point to tell you that now, considering all of the passengers/crew have been out and about for 12 days now!    I understand that they didn't know until then, though. 

Except it was posted on CC March 2 and today is the 5th, so that is 3 days ago.  I wonder if they feared letting the news out earlier cause they might have had to hold the ship up in port.  This way all the passengers got off and the sailing continued.  hmmm.

I was on the grand returning the 21st of feb.  today March 4 we get an email from princess that there was a case onboard and we should stay indoors for 14 days.  This is like putting the horse before the cart.  

1 hour ago, 4cats4me said:

https://www.ktvu.com/news/sonoma-county-set-to-declare-emergency-as-another-coronavirus-case-emerges-after-travel-to-mexico

 

 

This is a little disturbing.   In the article they don’t name the Grand.  However, she was the only ship in port that day,

and I know a few people who were on that sailing.  

hey there, I was on the ship Feb. 11 to 21.  You didn't reach out to me.  So far I am good.

On 2/26/2020 at 5:46 PM, idahospud said:

It was only a matter of time! There aren’t many details out there yet. I’m guessing it’ll start sometime after BSE? 
 

Introducing Princess Plus – with drinks, wi-fi, and gratuities included

Because our Best. Sale. Ever. was so successful, we’ve created Princess Plus, a new fare type that includes our Premier Beverage Package, unlimited Wi-Fi and gratuities paid on guests’ behalf.

Disclaimer: 

General Terms (applicable to all portions of Princess Plus) – Available to legal residents of the 50 United States, DC, Canada, and Puerto Rico. One guest’s participation in Princess Plus may be dependent on the other guest in his/her stateroom’s participation in the Princess Plus, as determined by booking method. Princess Plus is contingent on ship capacity and only available on select voyages, while capacity lasts. Princess Plus and its parts are non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash at any point, and may not be combined with other offers or other onboard credits. Drinks, Wi-Fi, and Gratuities are only available on board the ship (not applicable to land portions of cruisetours), may only be used on a single voyage, and expire at the end of such voyage. Only available on cruises/voyages indicated as Princess Plus. Visit princess.com for additional terms, inclusions and restrictions.

 

Fares are per guest and apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares are non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom. Fares and other values quoted in U.S. dollars.

 

 

†Premier Beverage Package applies to guests booked in an interior stateroom or above. It is valid only for guests 1 & 2 per stateroom who are 21 years or older. Guests who are under 21 years of age at the time of sailing can still book Princess Plus, but will receive the Premier Coffee & Soda Package and will not receive any refund or otherwise for that portion of the Offer. A daily limit on alcoholic beverages will apply. Bar tips are included in the package and value per day stated.

‡‡Wi-Fi included for one device per guest. Wi-Fi details will be delivered to the stateroom. All internet usage subject to Princess Cruises’ standard policies, which may limit browsing of sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings subject to change with or without notice.

 ‡Gratuities valid on select items only and are in U.S. dollar amounts. Amount of gratuities paid on behalf of guest may vary based on stateroom type. This amount is paid on the behalf of guests (up to 4) in a stateroom only. Princess Plus does not include gratuities added to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, or Lotus Spa services.

 

Available on select cruises sailing starting on April 1, 2020.

 

A deposit is required for guests 1 and 2 only and is refundable. The amount of deposit varies according to the cruise length and stateroom type.

 

Reference promotion code: NP*.

We just did a ten day cruise without the base.  But we have a 26 day cruise booked later this year.  It was offered with two different prices.  One was with bse and the other without it.  For the longer cruise we felt we should take it as the gratuities alone would cover a lot of the addtl. Cost.  So long trips yes, short ones not worth it for us

19 minutes ago, icats75 said:

What is the benefit of requesting early ticketing?  

with early ticketing it means you paid for the airfare already.  I recently learned I can't upgrade my seats for extra legroom until I make the final payment for a trip we are taking.

On 8/6/2017 at 8:51 AM, JP-Cruise said:

Hello, I am taking my first Cruise with Princess next summer. Everyone who has booked their flights through eZair, do you really save money by doing this rather then booking your flight independently? I am just wondering if it is worth it for me. I am flying to Fairbanks and doing the land portion first, then the cruise part so I won't be worrying about catching my cruise on time. Feel free to share any experiences or advice. Thanks

What I like most about ezair is that after I book a cruise (leaving only a deposit) and also booking the airfare - I check almost weekly as sometimes their airfare sales are fabulous.  We flew from SFO to LAX and back for free.  We flew to SFO to London and then JFK to SFO for a total EACH of $1i88.00 round trip.   So after you are completely booked using flexible fares, you can cancel to get a better deal up to a certain date.  Keep looking as it is worthwhile.

2 hours ago, memoak said:

You know there is no rule that you need to have every course.  I usually get by with 3 courses and am very satisfied 

Dear memoak, yes we know.  We ordered appetizers to share. Two of the four had salad and yet we were stuffed by the first course.  I had 2 courses and regretted that another course was coming.  But my point was the food was the best on the ship.  The service was impeccable and it was the most enjoyable dinner time onboard.

12 hours ago, need2cruisesoon said:

I'm on the Grand in 5 weeks and my expectations are low for this ship from reading reviews.

 

Please oblige me feedback of your recent Grand cruise under any heading including food, service, condition of the ship, entertainment, cabins and anything else you can regurgitate.

 

I need to be psychologically ready for whatever this old ship throws at me.

 

Thanks,

Need2Cruise

 

 

 

 

just got off the Grand.  The ship is still fine.  We did just go thru out 2nd major disappointment with the Crown Grill tho.  Aboard the ship the food is in the okay category (nothing you would write home about ).  to our surprise we loved Sabbatini's and highly recommend it but they serve toooooo much food for one meal.  Kiddingly I said they should make Sabbatini's a two night dinner.  Night one should be the  antipasta, appetizer, soup and salad.  Night two Course 1, Course 2 and dessert.

Cabin was pretty standard, service was much much better than expected - especially in dining room.  

I can’t find sabatinis. On the deck plans for the sky.  What deck is it on.  Thanks

On 1/25/2020 at 3:29 PM, Syracusefan44 said:

I have had the Princess Visa Card for 5 years and have never had a problem redeeming my points for statement credits via the website.

 

I wait for a  Princess cruise costing more than $4000 so I can get 2% back (50,000 points = $1000). 

Like u we have never had a problem.  We always do 40000 pts for 500..  that said how do u do 50000 for 1000 cause we just booked a cruise for over  4000..  thanks for any help

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

Found an offer (Best Sale Ever, Europe) with discounted airfare that begins soon & also includes the PBP, WI-Fi and gratuities.

 

Europe’s Best. Sale. Ever. (1/22 – 1/29)

The Best. Sale. Ever. is getting even better with a special Europe deal – but only for a limited time! During the week of January 22 – January 29, when your clients book a Europe cruise or cruisetour sailing April 2020 and beyond they will receive all of the following:

 

• ^Save $200 on Airfare applies to a per guest discount off of flights booked through Princess on selected voyages with promotional cruise fares listed as such only. Additional airline baggage, change and cancelation fees may

 

PC_BestSaleEver_EU_eFlyer_USD.pdf 206.46 kB · 2 downloads EBSE_voyage_list.pdf 476.14 kB · 1 download

Thanks for info.  We r booking a transatlantic and in the past I got a ridiculous lowered fare tocopenhagen from San Francisco for 188. Each round trip.  Last year we got free flights San Francisco to L A and then ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco.  So was just wondering if anyone knew of the when a special will be. Your response was what I was looking for.  Thanks

Anyone know when they have sales on airfare?  I ask because I know people are aware of Princess sales on cruises.  Much appreciated.

On 1/2/2020 at 1:07 PM, Barry H said:

People on the Feb 1 and Feb 29 cruises on the Emerald Princess are receiving notifications of delayed boarding due to additional Immigration formalities (see below).

This is both ends of the 28 day Hawaii Samoa and Tahiti cruise.

 

Does anyone have any explanation?

 

Last time into LA it was after a South American cruise and getting through CBP was a nightmare with too few officers for all the passengers. Many missed their flights.

　

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Please be advised that check-in for your upcoming Emerald Princess cruise will now begin at 1:30 PM. Please do not arrive at the terminal prior to 1:30 PM as additional immigration formalities will be taking place upon the ship's arrival. Embarkation cannot begin until these formalities are complete.

we were on the emerald dec. 3  cruise from LA to Ft. L thru the canal.  When we got to the ship in LA there was a huge line until about 2 or 3 PM. No  one had boarded yet.  Princess did not put people out to inform us of anything.  Someone went up front and initially learned it was a customs thing.  Then we heard an immigration thing.  Whatever, I wrote about it to Princess and said they should inform us what is happening.  We stood out in the sun for the afternoon.  UGH

12 hours ago, az2sea said:

We are really torn between taking a cruise on one of the older ships or one of the newer ships.  We have cruised on Princess over 30 times so are familiar with many of the ships.  We have definitely noticed a decline in the conditions on the older ships lately.  The newer ships are definitely in better shape, nicer and clean, but way to crowded for our likes, though not too bad when in a Suite.  We much prefer the smaller ships over the newer larger ships regarding passenger size but also prefer being on a clean well maintained ship. The problem is we have found some cruises we would like to take but are hesitant to sign up because of being on older ships and none of the newer ships are cruising to these places.  Is anyone else having this problem between the older and new ships?

so we are also over 30 cruises with Princess and definitely prefer their newer ships.  The atrium and Alfredos is a huge plus.  The layout of the buffet area (horizon court and bistro) is fabulous compared to the old ships.  We recently got off the Emerald and after spending quite a bit of time in the Club Fusion started to dislike the fact that the "couchlike booths" had material on the arm part that had holes in it.   The chairs had wooden arms and the wood had worn away.  They are definitely not taking proper care of older ships.  As for passenger size, I found the newer ones altho they hold more passengers, felt less crowded.  I also tend to get a cabin that for some reason on older ships has a lot more creaks and other noises in it.  Friends and I are left looking into going on the newer royal class ships.

A big negative for my hubby and his friends is that on the royal class ships (newer ones) you have to pay to utilize the sauna and steam room.  That is something they love to go to daily on the older ships.

10 hours ago, LeeW said:

Thought you folks might like to see the Upgraded Bathroom Amenities on Sky Princess (7 Dec sailing):

 

 

Are you kidding me - the bag contained 3 items.  UGH. We were on the Emerald recently and I thought the bag was light there, yours is even lighter.  Oh well, guess Princess needs money badly.  Maybe the ships are not filling up, or people or just not throwing their monies away when they cruise.  Whatever the reasoning, Princess certainly sounds like it is struggling as a cruise line.

On 12/11/2019 at 1:02 PM, PrincessLuver said:

 

We would not miss those Princess cloth tote bags.....we always throw them away and I am sure they could save so money getting rid of those too....

Pls don’t wish that.  We have to pay for bags from grocery stores and dept. stores, so I bring all my princess tote bags.  They are a nice size for groceries.

6 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I had to really read these posts.  OP is on the Regal.  You had mentioned the Emerald...Had to get my bearings straight.

 

P330 is an inside cabin.  Depending on who is manning the "door" leading to the piazza, it may be opened during the day and closed at night.  Not many will use this hallway.  Quick access to all three public decks.  Great access to forward and mid-ship elevators.  Occasional "noise" when art people are moving pictures around.  I think it is one of the best locations on the grand class ships.  Grab a bite from the International Cafe/coffee bar and take it back to your room without spilling contents!

Having recently gotten off the emerald, we were in cabin p328. After 1 night we and the people in the next cabin had to move as there was a horrible continuous noise 24/7.  Fortunately it was easy as ship wasn’t sold out.

On 12/22/2019 at 2:40 PM, wrongwaywatson said:

I meant to post this when we got home from our Thanksgiving cruise on The Regal.  When we got off the ship and were waiting for our Uber, there was a man pushing his way through the crowds, trying to get in front of people.  He had a suitcase with him and he had 5 or 6 stickers on his suitcase.  They were big white stickers with red letters and the word ELITE on them.   Seriously.   At first I thought it was a joke, but after watching him, he definitely looked like he felt superior to us lowly platinum people waiting for our Uber, LOL   But, seriously, who does that?

I wonder what that guy would have done on our recent cruise on the Emerald.  We were leaving from LA and when we got to the ship around 1:00 PM there were these huge lines waiting to get into the terminal let alone the ship.  Your "status" with Princess did NOT matter.  elites, platinums, magenta, gold or blue everyone was mixed in the line.  This guy would have gone crazyl.

Felt compelled to post this.  I just got off the emerald princess Panama Canal cruise.  One thing that bugged my group was that the menus in the dining room was awful.  We ended up eating there 2 times only because the menus looked so unappetizing.  Further, the food and choices in the buffet were only slightly better.  
 

I was concerned that it was only the 1 ship, but friends at the same time were doing other cruises on other ships and they returned home with the same criticisms..

On 12/15/2019 at 8:36 PM, gkthorn said:

Has anyone taken advantage of this and if so, does anyone know if their is a limitation on the WiFi?  I'm sure I can find out tomorrow,  but if someone knows I'd appreciate the reveal.

 

Glenn

Glenn,

I am presently on the Emerald and have asked about the wifi limitation for the sale - the response has been unlimited wifi.

I do think the sale thing is kind of a hoax almost.  Seems there is approx. 1000. differential between booking without the sale package compared to getting the sale package.  So check out the costs carefully.

I have two more "funny" not longer existing items.

One  is no more tenders - no they did not get to dock everywhere, but Princess has been taken over by the Brits in headquarters so the tenders are referred to as "water shuttles".

Second one equally silly is no more trivia onboard.  Now they are called quizzes.

I have two more "funny" not longer existing items.

One  is no more tenders - no they did not get to dock everywhere, but Princess has been taken over by the Brits in headquarters so the tenders are referred to as "water shuttles".

Second one equally silly is no more trivia onboard.  Now they are called quizzes.