SiliconCruiser

3 hours ago, sirclean said:

I have Elite Status, so I m not a cruise new-be by any means.  Usually, I try to get my luggage to the room (if I can), meet the steward and then find lunch.  I used to hit the buffet, but recently someone suggested the sit down lunch was better.

 

I don't know why it took a while for you to find out that the luncheon in the MDR was preferable.  We did that on our very first (blue card) cruise because we were told that by some people who had gold cards.  We've never eaten anywhere but the MDR on turnaround day.  We almost fell for the crew's misleading instructions on one cruise but when we checked out the 6th fl. midship dining room we figured out that the crew members are instructed to tell everyone that the MDR was not open and that they would have to go to the buffet.  Realistically, there are always B2B pax that will reboard.  The 6th fl. midship MDR is open every day for breakfast and lunch, including on turnaround day.  We will generally have a leisurely breakfast if we are disembarking, and maybe even lunch if we do not get off the ship on turnaround day.

40 minutes ago, Ombud said:

I guess I can do just my carryon. Was hoping to pack my suitcase in that it was my home port. Yknow .... can take whatever in the 23" case. But oh well, it's a week so the 17" one will have to do.  Maybe I'll bring a big purse. 

 

Opps .... this is off the topic of getting from SFO -> Pier 27/33. Apologies

We took a pullman and a carry-on bag on board an F streetcar from Pier 27 to the Embarcadero station a couple of months ago, but had to go to Montgomery because the elevators weren't working to accommodate my wife's wheelchair.  The F was all but empty, but became loaded with Princess passengers at Lombard (or whatever street the stop in front of Pier 27 was at.)

How does this work and when/where can the gift cards be applied?

I found the giftcards on the AARP site, but just not sure how they are applied to the Princess booking. 

Also what are those points things that they credit to your account.  Been an AARP member for almost a quarter century, but wasn't aware of this.  Use it primarily for health insurance and some discounts.

On 4/4/2023 at 5:31 PM, trbarton said:

What time did you arrive at the terminal?
 

If you arrived at the terminal later vs earlier you may find the long line. Since I arrive before the terminal is opened I’ve never experienced a long line. I’ve seen photos of the long line on my cruise but arriving earlier I avoided that. 
 

Tom😀

We were told to do exactly that on our very first Princess cruise. Not knowing any better we had selected a 3PM boarding time.  Our travelling companions told us to get to the port by 10:30 AM.

Does anyone know what the current price is for the Princess transfer from JFK to Red Hook?

7 hours ago, damiross said:

We've always gotten to the dock prior to the boarding time but a wide margin.  We have always gotten on earlier than the boarding time.

It has been the case at every port that we've cruise out of. U.S. (both coasts), Europe, and Asia.

Priorities in India are a little different.

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Princess needs a new IT department.  Maybe everyone in the department bailed a sinking ship?

These things take a little longer when you have IT departments in third-world countries. They often have different priorities  (like understanding English.)

That is something I would be inclined to steer clear of, given Princess reputation for low grade wines.  I'd be more inclined to sample wines from the vineyards of the illustrious Charles Shaw.

Just get to the port at around 10:30 AM, regardless of your assigned boarding time.  They don't care and will board you in your assigned Captain's Circle group.  If you need assistance boarding (i.e. wheelchair,) you'll be in the very first group before any of the fancy passengers.

1 hour ago, victoriaj said:

Just a note, yes arriving early is almost a must if you want to have a view of the stage or sit with your companion(s) who arrives with you. Unfortunately the Pool Lounge Hoarders who stake out there spots at 6 AM and sometimes never return all day also feel it is their right to "Save" Theater seats and are not polite when you see a whole row of empty seats only to be reprimanded by them for thinking that we could possibly sit there as they were "saving" them.  Makes my Blood boil and wish Princess would enforce their rules rather than charge to ensure you have a seat in the Theater and simply ignore their rules for Pool Loungers.

Princess is  not afraid to charge everyone for something that would not be necessary in they enforced their stated policies and trained staff in how to do it. Instead of the current "blindeye", afraid of offending a passenger and getting a poor comment which really does effect staff.  Not fair for Passengers or Staff IMHO.

They used to make announcements that people could not reserve seats. On our last cruise in Feb. I noticed that they were no longer making that announcement. On that same cruise was an early implementation of the Premier Seating program for the production show.  There were probably less than 15-20 people that used that section.  Then there was a mad dash for those when they removed the covers (I didn't think they were very good seats.)

None, only electronic ones.

20 hours ago, Carol28 said:

There are two ships - Princess Royal and Princess Majestic.  I just read the Majestic was built for the "Chinese Market."  Does that mean to cruise in china or does that mean for Chinese people? (If that's a stupid question, I'm sorry.)

Which ship would you suggest?  Any info on this cruisetour would sure be helpful.

The Royal and Majestic are both Royal class ships with the same capacity. The Majestic was originally intended to be home-ported in Shanghai with restaurants that would be more attractive to the growing influential Chinese market, but then Covid happened and China shut down, so the Majestic was moved to other markets.  At some point it will probably return to China.

This is one of those ad nauseum topics.  Realistically, you'll find all forms of dress on any night including formal nights.  On my very first cruise, I was surprised to see many older (than me) folks wearing a worn flannel shirt and wrinkled pants (and maybe a sweater) on a formal night.  After a number of cruises, I decided to leave my tux at home and bring a suit.  That lasted for one b2b cruise.  Now I might bring a blazer, dress shirt, slacks and a tie.  Not that I'll use them all at the same time, and I even left the blazer at home on our last cruise.

1 minute ago, Cbtours said:

Maybe we could swap for laundry tokens by the sound of it 😁

Why would you need laundry tokens as an Elite?  Unless you're like me and don't really trust the onboard laundry services (like washing a business suit in hot water ...)

On 3/26/2023 at 9:31 PM, Cbtours said:

Thanks. Well I guess I’ll know the answer this question in a months time 😊

:You can always find another Elite passenger and exchange your liquor for their non-alcoholic beverages and then swap it for your preferences.  I'm sure you'll be both appreciative of the exchange.

7 minutes ago, GTJ said:

Yes, if already certified for VTA ACCESS, then NYCTA can get you set up in advance, as a visitor, without having to go through the normal steps for local certification here.

Thanks I saw that in their visitor option.  It's just a matter of providing them with a local address and phone number (I guess I'll use the Brooklyn dock and the local Princess number.)  Of course they'll have our cell phone numbers as well.

5 hours ago, ninka26 said:

My husband and I will be taking our first ever cruise on Ruby Princess (Inside Passage Glacier Bay) RT San Francisco leaving July 6th. We booked an aft balcony on the Caribe deck. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! I want this to be an extraordinary cruise experience for my hubby!  

Get to Pier 27, around 10:30 and check-in (don't worry about your check-in time, no one else does.)  You'll be able to board after the ADA and Elite/Platinum and suites groups board.  Take your carry-on to your cabin (which will most likely be ready.)  Then head to the Da Vinci dining room on the 6th floor, for a relaxing lunch (the crew will inevitably try to steer you to the buffet and tell you that the dining rooms are closed; it's a fib.)  Da Vinci is open everyday for breakfast and lunch (albeit only for 1.5-2 hours.)  If you plan on dining at the same time every day, in the same dining room, speak to the restaurant manager or his assistant (they're in the Princess blue blazers,)  they can usually arrange something for you.  You'll probably have the same waiter and assistant waiter, so you're pleased with their efforts don't hesitate to show your appreciation in addition to the daily gratuity charge.

12 minutes ago, Got2Cruise said:

Have you considered Uber Comfort? Or a mini van for 6 pax but use one row for the folded wheelchair? 
 

Also request wheelchair assistance from airlines. The wheelchair helper is supposed to wait with pax until they are in the cab. Of course give a generous tip. My Mom uses this assistance and it’s a godsend.

 

That was one of my original considerations (actually Lyft XL,) however @GTJ's suggestion regarding Access-A-Ride bears investigation; we have a similar program here.  Especially when their visitor program appears to be easily available. 

21 minutes ago, GTJ said:

Ordinarily, a wheelchair user eligible for paratransit service could use Access-A-Ride paratransit service for door-to-door service, from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Brooklyn, by wheelchair accessible vehicle, for the wheelchair user, and a personal care attendant, and a guest, and baggage, at a fare of $2.75 for each of the wheelchair user and guest (the personal care attendant travels for free). This is effectively a shared taxi service. However, the rule for baggage is: "Customers must * * * board AAR vehicles with only two bags or parcels totaling 40 lbs. or less. A very bulky item that fills a seat or is a safety hazard is not permitted on an AAR vehicle, even if the item weighs less than 40 lbs. Additional * * * bags/parcels carried by PCA and or guest cannot be accommodated." Because the baggage limit applies collectively to all persons (and not each person separately), your anticipated baggage will be considered excessive, likely making use of public transportation not practicable. That said, the rule is not always strictly enforced, but that laxity is not something you would be able to rely upon. Other cruise line passengers with disabilities, who are paratransit eligible, might consider using Access-A-Ride service if they are not carrying excessive baggage.

Thanks, it sounds very much like our paratransit service locally.  I even drove it for a couple of years during the Great Recession, when tech jobs were slow.  I see that they have a visitor option for application.

1 hour ago, Got2Cruise said:

Does your wife need to stay in her wheelchair in a special van for transportation? Or can she be helped by you into a regular vehicle?

She can be seated in a regular vehicle on her own, but needs help with higher vehicles (trucks, normal height vans, and buses with baggage compartments that have steps.  She is able to walk relatively short distances with crutches.

We'll be going on  b2b NY-Quebec cruises later this year and looking for transportation options from JFK to Brooklyn.

My wife is in a wheelchair and we'll probably have two Pullman suitcases and a 22" carry-on and a backpack.  I'm thinking that the complexity of moving the luggage around is going to rule out the use of public transit.  Would appreciate any suggestions. 

I was told that shorts were acceptable on the first and last nights of the cruise and was told to change my attire to enter the dining room.  The hostess on the Regal was apologetic when I reminded her of our encounter in the Nordic when I reminded her of the instance in the Caribbean, so I had to assure her that I was only kidding about the incident.

We were on the Royal recently, but I didn't know of this offering.  We're going back on in a few weeks.  I'm gonna have to investigate. I don't expect it to be real BBQ, but a close resemblance would be appreciated.

On 3/24/2023 at 2:36 PM, Ombud said:

@Calif Explorer

Highlighted important info. I just sweated this despite my CVP having her super review my birth certificate and saying I was good to go. Passport Office was assured that IF I paid for expedited passport + express mailing + did not get it within 14 days of my cruise, I could try for an appointment in SF within 14 days of my trip. No idea where you live but those appointments are available in SF, LA, and San Diego State Dept Offices. Not in Sacramento or Stockton. Call 1st thing in the morning. 

 

Fortunately I got it after 7 weeks. But I can totally relate to your anxiety.  

 

@Lady Arwen is right: no Skagway White Pass excursion 

 

 

 

:Yup it's a maze.  You don't need a passport to enter Canada from a cruise ship on a closed loop tour, but if you want to travel into and out of Canada (i.e. White Pass Railway) you'll need a passport.   Much of it is more ceremonial but U.S. CBP want to see a passport (they don't even stamp the passport.)  When we took the van trip to White Pass from Skagway, there were no Canadian officials looking to inspect credentials.