jeanandjim

2 hours ago, ojaidenny said:

We decided on Glacier Wind in ISP for whale watching.  

We grabbed two of the slots on the 13 passenger boat. See you on-board.

Jim😎

4 hours ago, ojaidenny said:

I looked at that excursion as it is on my bucket list to see bears feeding in a river.  I THINK the excursion takes you to a bear reserve or nature walk.  For whales, I have two companies in ISP I am looking at trying to compare. The ship also has an excursion with lunch about the same price as the one I am looking at. Trying to stay in a small group. We went whale watching during September in Juneau in the past in a small boat and saw plenty of humpbacks. One of the companies has a discount for a group of 6. There are 4 of us, I will let you know if we decide on that one. 

Thanx, turfguyjim at yahoo dot com if you care to reach out to me.

Jim😎

On 3/7/2022 at 11:12 AM, hawk1972 said:

I highly recommend Glacier Wind Charters in ISP for whale watching. Small boats and personalized attention. We have our 2nd trip booked for September. 

Do you recommend either the 6-person or 13-person charters?

thnx, Jim😎

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Are people really wearing masks everywhere outdoors, including the beach?

only cover-up required on Orient Beach. 🤣

On 3/6/2022 at 5:08 PM, ojaidenny said:

Planning a cruise in September, looking for pros and cons on Icy Straight Point or Juneau for 

Whale Watching. 

Thanks, 

Nice topic Denny. We are on the cruise with you on the Grand in Sept. I have booked a brown bear excursion in Icy Straight Point but if whale watching in Sept. is better here than in Juneau, will gladly join you on this excursion. Maybe the good folks that have given advice can tell us what months they were lucky enough to score some great sightings.

Thanx, Jim😎

4 hours ago, SetAnOpenCourse said:

 What has been people's experience with a cancelled port (without a port substituted) - does the ship dock early at the next port or call, sail at a much slower speed to "kill time", or what?  I like sea days, but no so much if we're moving at a speed of a few knots.

Ship slows to a reasonable speed so there is less wind on your balcony making the extra sea day more enjoyable, gets to the next port on time or a little early and refunds you about $10 in port fees, enjoy...

Jim😎

6 hours ago, luv2cruisin said:

If ya can and have a chance to ask the head waiter during dinner service in MDR...  are they currently selling (or sell on return leg to FLL) the '10/12 bottle wine package' (for those who did not purchase the beverage package)?  TIA 

This is a paste from my Jan.8 live from:

I checked with our head waiter tonight. He said no they are not because of all the inclusive drink packages being sold. He also said that they used to get a commission on drink related items like wines, after dinner drink glassware etc. But that has now gone away. There is no incentive for them. There is no hard sell by the dining staff, so guess, bad news/good news.

Jim😎

Shelly and Nerd. If you enjoy wine, stop by vines and meet the marvelous Romeo and Ron. Romeo was very helpful in getting Jean a wine that she really enjoyed, it was a Moscato d'Asti, but I failed to get the Label name. Romeo likes to chat and he informed us that during his time off he started the procedure to become a Sommelier. He is two semesters away from finishing. Good for him he really enjoys people, he will be a success.

Jim😎

13 hours ago, Kmkub said:

You look familiar. Were  you wearing a kilt on the second formal night? 

LOL No, we also saw him, but I was in black tux, blue bow-tie with a lovely woman on my arm (much like my CC photo.) Spent most late nights at Crooners or Take Five.

Jim😎

1 hour ago, seastheday said:

The “word on the street” was that some/all of the cast members for the production shows tested positive and were seen leaving the ship on the 19th.

We were also on this cruise. We had to stop by numerous times to the medallion app area outside of 'Princess Live' because of the poor app service esp, re. buying a drink. A number of times the crew member helping me had a tag on that said 'dancer' so I guess their group was still on board. The musicians were seen playing in Take Five on a number of occasions. So I guess that leaves the singers as the missing group.

Jim😎

Captain 'bye bye' at our Jan 2020 Meet and Greet in Take Five.

Jim😎

On 1/27/2022 at 6:40 PM, Thrak said:

 

I'm guessing that also means those areas aren't available as an extension of the buffet or for lunch?

Michael, The Planks area on the Emerald Princess has been roped off and is being used as an officer/staff eating and lounging area. The Steamers side is available to all passengers to eat in or as we did, play cards in. It was almost half full by the end of the cruise as more and more people became aware of our personal 'sanctuary'.

Jim😎

Ate in Sabatinis tonight. Absolutely better than I remember, from the food, service, and atmosphere. Was totally impressed, sorry we didn't try earlier so we could go again.

Jim😎

On 1/23/2022 at 12:59 AM, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Were you given a complementary Interior Cabin from a Casino offer?

Yes.

Jim😎

but...........port fees, taxes, drink package, wifi package, crew gratuities.......not included.

21 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 would you say the crew was playing fast and loose  Or, were the crew masks insufficient to keep them Covid-free?

c'mon REALLY?. 99.95% of the time I have seen crew wear masks in public areas (only exception that I have seen was one officer adjusting her mask as she came out of a doorway) I have been stunningly impressed by their vigilance. They are KN95 masks. Officer told me production shows on hold because of a couple asymptomatic cases he said that he must emphasize asymptomatic.

On 1/19/2022 at 8:11 PM, FlaMariner said:

 

Wow....wondering why they would give this away for free?

They give it away for free because the ship is only half full, they have an amazing hotel staff starting at the top, want the future of your cruises to be with them, etc. etc. etc.

Jim😎

Last post before going to bed final night. It has been a very relaxing cruise, we intended it to be.

Last night in PES was shrimp cocktail and today was a repeat of steak tartare.

Crew has been amazing and helpful all around the ship. We had a 2top dining the whole cruise and Marcial and Julie learned our preferences early on, which is always appreciated. Romeo and Ron in vines helped us navigate a range of wines that we enjoyed. Romeo took the time during the pandemic to start his education to become a sommelier, good for him. He says he is 2 semesters away from attaining his goal.

A negative word, or two, about the Medallion app. We were very disappointed in the apps usefulness to us. We had trouble with it finding us so ordering and being served where we were was limited. We have a linked cruise with our next cruise beginning Wednesday on the Enchanted Princess. We were not able to access our dining info for that cruise. It was a total cluster f... for us to use many of the features, but still we were able to find drinks and other things in the old normal way so..... whatever.

It has been fun answering your questions and providing you with some insight on the Emerald Princess. Smooth sailing to all and I will check back in a couple of days in case there are any lingering questions.

Jim ......out😎

15 hours ago, coo359a2 said:

 Did the letter give  the  time  that the shuttle will begin taking passengers back to pier 21 to get there car.  

The letter did not mention timing of the shuttle, however disembarkation times start at 8:15 for suite guests, we are leaving at 9:05 and have to get covid test in the tent area after leaving the pier. 

Jim😎

On the Emerald Princess now. There is a library. They offer sudoku, crossword, and word game changing daily. There are plenty of bookshelves encased in glass doors that have a label on them that says 'clean'. There is a chute for returning books. There are a couple of shelves devoted to games. Some of the glass doors say 'clean', others say 'return'. Looks like a pretty good system to me.

Jim😎

Last night was captains party. None of the officers spoke, not bridge nor Hotel. Cruise director talked about the ship and the companies history, the Future Cruise Consultant talked about coming to see her, she looks forward to meeting each and everyone of us. Loyalty Representative announced the winners of the champagne and the most traveled guest couple with 1202 days sailing on 95 cruises.

There are 324 blue medallion guests on board, 310 gold guests, 116 ruby guests, 151 platinum guests, and 93 elite guests.

Jean and I have found a nice quiet spot to play cards. We go to the area know as Steamers, and since this area is not open for service this cruise, it is a nice area to sit and play. The area on the starboard side known as Planks has been reserved for staff and officers to eat or lounge.

Found out from an officer, I believe she may have been medical, that we will not be able to get our antigen test on board ship for our upcoming cruise on the Enchanted on Wednesday. We will have to get it on shore in the terminal provided free of charge by Princess.

Jim

On 1/13/2022 at 5:36 PM, rabin1 said:

Dry dock in October 

Last night at Captain's party, I talked with an officer re. drydock. He told me that the Emerald Princess is not going into drydock this October but in the fall of 2023. He indicated this was the normal time and as of now it will be for routine and required procedures.

Jim😎

1 hour ago, sns1 said:

Jim......any other itinerary changes?  Costa Rica or Jamaica?  

As noted we were delayed getting into Costa Rica due to fueling issues in Panama. Jean and I ventured into the shop area, only half the booths were open. We needed to provide our vaccine cards, but nothing else. We were back in the ship in fifteen minutes. 

There has been no indication of what to expect in Jamaica Mon.

Jim😎

Surprise surprise, there is a fully functioning library with glass doors. Labelled 'clean' with a closed chute to return books into. Games are available with a 'clean' and a 'return' shelf. Sudoku and crosswords available every day.

On 1/13/2022 at 10:24 AM, FlaMariner said:

First time Princess cruiser......Help me understand upsells.

 

• Does the TA get them and then send them on ?
• Is there an inventory area you can call and ask for an upsell?

 

 

 

 

On 1/13/2022 at 10:24 AM, FlaMariner said:

First time Princess cruise

We are currently on the Emerald Princess Panama canal sailing. We boarded and headed directly to guest services and inquired about an upgrade from our casino interior to a balcony. We were told that after all requests were in they would work on them that first evening and we would get a call in the morning. Sure thing, around 8AM we got a call asking if a particular room would suit us, go visit it, your medallion would let you in and get back to us. It is a port balcony on Baha about twenty doors down from our booked interior. We accepted it and since we had not unpacked the night before we were in by 9AM..... NO CHARGE!!!!

Jim

Today PES Sushi, yum.

tomorrow movies:

10AM The Princess Bride

1PM (PT) Can You Ever Forgive Me

2:30 The Greatest Showman

4:30 NFL Football

8:15 NFL Football