AJs Grandpa

Thanks all! That makes me feel better. I'd like to be able to check all of those options plus we have friends flying out of BWI, so I'd like to price flying with them from there. (We could fly up on SW)

You don't need to have Princess do anything to just check fares. Go on the website, find your cruise and click on the Flight Quotes tab. Then enter any airport you like. You will only need to have Princess' help when it comes time to actually make your reservation through your My Princess account.

[quote=tammymacb;50064173

Any idea how far away the airports I get to choose from can be?

Call Princess, or your TA if you used one. They can change your default airport

Yes, you missed something.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%C2%AE

Well, looks like I learned something today. Thanks

Funny that it isn't listed as a NEXUS feature.

NEXUS also includes both Global Entry and TSA Pre Check. So why would someone pay $100 for Global Entry when they can get the same benefits plus NEXUS by applying for NEXUS?.

I believe you are mistaken. Nexus does not include TSA pre check if I a reading this correctly

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/benefits-nexus

I see no mention of pre heck. Am I missing something?

Do they take your passport for any length of time during the application/approval process? I am wondering if I need to co-ordinate this process with a planned cruise. Of course I will not schedule the interview while off at sea.

You provide your passport number, issue date, etc on the application, but you don't send it in. You do bring it with you to the interview.

I have read on a Flyer forum that if you have a Known Traveler Number and for some reason Pre-Check doesn't show on your boarding pass, airline agents at the check-in counters have the ability to add Pre-Check to your pass. That's where you would show your GE card to make your case.

This has happened to us shortly after pre-check became tied to GE. I hadn't properly entered DW's trusted traveler info into her frequent traveler profile (or entered it when making the reservation) so pre-check wasn't annotated upon printing her boarding pass at home. I called the airline (Southwest), they added the number, and I reprinted the pass with the proper notation.

I don't know for sure, but I assume an agent at the airport can do the same.

TSA Precheck use to work when coming in from an international flights. There was always a precheck line after c and I and recheck of your cases from international to domestic. A couple of days ago when we returned from Europe, there was no pre check line. When we inquired were told that all

precheck TSA have been shut down and the agents are now doing regular checks. The TSA agent did say, just out outside, and upstairs and get in the

domestic precheck line. This I guess is the new normal. A friend came though Atlanta at the same time as was told the same thing. Leave the area, go outside and re enter . It will be so much faster than having to remove all

items from case, shoes off and the like. This of course if you have a green check TSA pre on your boarding pass.

Thanks

Sorry, we live very near SMF and would be thrilled if the interviews were available there. Alas, SFO is the closest, and, for weekends anyway, there is a long wait for a slot. We wanted a Saturday time when we submitted our renewal paperwork in mid-January and our appointment is in two weeks. :mad: Admittedly, I haven't kept checking to see if there was a cancellation because there was no need to hurry.

Again, to be clear, TSA pre-check is available at SMF, but Global Entry interviews are not.

Pre-check wasn't part of GE when we first enrolled but was linked shortly thereafter. We love it. Well worth the time, cost and effort if you fly domestically a few times during the term of the enrollment. Almost always in a much shorter line. We are in the renewal process now and never thought about not renewing.

I've experienced this. They just sent me to one of the "regular" belts. I did not have to get back in line. I suppose it depends on the staff, but just act nice and bewildered and they are likely to help;)

Yes, having Global Entry generally allows you to use the TSA pre-check lines IF you provide your Trusted Traveler number to your airline a few days prior to your flight. The simplest way to do that is to belong to the airline's frequent flyer program and have the numbers in your profile.

Theoretically, you are never guaranteed pre-check and can be randomly redirected to normal screening. However, that happens at the checkpoint, so you will be next instead of being at the back of the line.

We often get it before we leave the ship. Later that day for sure.

See here for insurance: http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Princess_Vacation_Protection.pdf

And here for EZ Air:http://www.princess.com/plan/ezair/

To learn about it, google "tricare overseas". What I did was go to the tricare service desk at Naval Hospital, Bremerton and speak to a representative there. She had the appropriate form, helped me fill it out and I sent them in. Took about two months to get the check, but that is to be expected when dealing with the government.

I googled "Tricare overseas and Medicare" and learned I am covered. Here is the answer: http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TFL/TFL_O.aspx

I will still get a travel policy because Tricare reimbursement rates are notoriously low (less than Medicare in CONUS), and I want the other benefits travel policies offer. However, it is good to know I have that basic coverage.

Thanks again.

One thing that might not be known if you are retired U.S. military and use Tricare is that it pays for overseas medical services, unlike medicare. We were on a cruise around Africa a few months ago and DW had a cast removed and x-rays taken onboard the Ocean Princess. We filed a claim when we returned and they paid it minus $150. annual deductable.

I am a military retiree, and I have learned something thanks to you and subsequent posters. DW is still covered by Tricare Standard, so she is covered by Tricare Overseas.

Being over 65, I am now covered by Medicare with Tricare For Life as the supplement. I haven't found anything on the Tricare website specifically addressing that, but I assume I am not covered by Tricare Overseas. Does anyone know that for sure?

I've been reading this and other similar threads about spring breakers on various Emerald cruises this month. I thought I would offer my views.

DW and I enjoyed our 3/14 - 3/19 getaway on the Emerald. However, I can understand why others may have been chagrined. IMHO it depends on the type of cruiser you are. No value judgments...just opinion.

Here is the type of cruiser who should probably (maybe definitely?) avoid similar cruises in the future. Those who:

--Do not like spending lots of time in their cabin

--Enjoy poolside solitude, MUTS and other top deck activities

--Want to be able to get a drink from almost any bar with minimum waiting

--Enjoy the Princess Cays experience

--Are offended by seeing lots (and I mean lots!) of skin on fit, and not so fit, young people

--Are accompanied by young, impressionable children

--Prefer anytime dining

On the other hand, if, you are like DW and me (over 20 Princess cruises of varying lengths, destinations and ships) you might find the cruise entertaining and a welcome change from the "God's waiting room" atmosphere on some cruises. (Please don't take offense, I can see the entrance to the waiting room on the horizon and hope I get to stay there a long time!)

Our cruising style for this type cruise is:

--Spending lots of time reading, practice napping and enjoying the solitude of our balcony

--Considering Princess Cays as just another sea day

--Staying dry--we haven't been in a Princess pool in "can't remember when"

--Going to the Lido deck only to enjoy lunch or a snack and immediately returning to our "cocoon"

--Watching the occasional movie in the Princess Theater and/or on our cabin TV

--Going to the "spas"--DW to the one with massages; yours truly to the one where you have a chance to have more money when you leave than when you enter

--Taking our "BOGO +1" cocktails back to our balcony

--Choosing late traditional dining at a table for two

Simply put, our cruising style minimizes exposure to the type of offensive behavior described here and in other threads. Consequently, we would not hesitate to take another spring break cruise if that is what fits our schedule.

Again, I am not quibbling with any prior poster. I have no doubt they observed some of the behavior they described. I just wanted to offer another perspective to those whose cruising style might be closer to ours. It is possible to enjoy a spring break cruise without getting caught up in the revelry if that is what you wish.

Good news. Thank you.

We are US citizens flying to Heathrow from the US in July. We flew British Air a couple of years ago, and business class passengers were allowed to use a dedicated line to go through immigration. It saved some time. Does anyone know if Virgin Atlantic offers the same service?

If you paid for your flights princess will not ticket you until 45 days prior to sailing,which means you can't get your seat assignments.

there is a form you can request from princess for any anyone who pays for e-z air 75 days prior to sailing date.

long cruiser

Just completed domestic flights on American and Delta and was able to select seats as soon as booked--well before final payment.

Similarly, we have seats on Virgin Atlanic and Delta for July and August flights to/from Heathrow. Again, seats chosen on day flights booked.

Flexible fares used in both cases.

The unlimited soda package used to be $4.50/day ($5.18/day with gratuity). Did you pay $5.00/day ($5.75/day with gratuity)?

I know it isn't evenly divisible, but $25.88 hit my statement. Close enough for me:)

The "and more" package is $7. The basic package is $5.

Boarded the Emerald today. No mention of soda-only card at display tables. However, I just had to ask for it to get it.

Can you buy a bottle of wine or champagne for the buy one get 1 for $1 during happy hour?

Perhaps not a "normal" size bottle, but DW often gets the "small" bottles of Korbel Brut that way...gets one delivered open to drink during the happy hour and takes an unopened one back to our cabin. I'm guessing she could get both unopened if she asked.

--but not the OBC benefit. You only get one bite of the free OBC pie per FCD. Which is how it should be.

We have canceled a cruise, had the FCC returned to our account and used it, along with OBC, on another cruise. That was a couple of years ago. Has it changed?

We have been on Princess ships three of the last four Independence Days--Scandinavia, Baltic and Mediterranean. In each case the ship was decorated with American flags, red, white and blue bunting and streamers along with the "artificial pastries" displayed in the Atrium. Can't recall whether the waitstaff wore their American uniforms. No other celebratory activities.