USCcruisecrazy

2 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

You don’t say when you’re going but,

check health protocols shore excursions to see if you’re permitted for independent exploration.

Love Curaçao….so quaint….we love to walk around the town, shop a little and enjoy the great views.  
 

Bonaire is fabulous for diving and snorkeling as the protected underwater

marine park 700 acres is one of the

best in the world.  The town is very 

quaint also.

 

You should do research and see what

interest’s you the most.  Everyone is different.  
 

Grenada we always buy spices.

Great feedback.  We aren't actually sailing for 11 months.  We have been looking at excursions...many of them require lengthy bus rides and we don't really want to spend time in a bus if there are options around the port.  That's why I was asking that particular comparison.  Curacao sounds like a great walking around stop.  Thanks. 

4 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I think you would be better advised to post in the ports of call thread. 

I shall use your advice and post it in both locations.  I figured since it's a Princess Cruise that the clientele that responds will be more in the same stage of life as us, so likely tastes that are very similar.

We are going on our first Southern Caribbean cruise so we have 4 new ports to explore.  We really don't want to do Excursions for all 4 locations, so I'm trying to get feedback from folks that have been to all 4 locations.  The stops are:  Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Curacao.  Which are best for Excursions and which are good for wandering around the port to shop, eat, drink, or take in sites near the port?  If you recommend that port for an Excursion please provide one of your favorites.  Thanks in advance.

1 hour ago, mtnesterz said:

This really says it. Think back to a time when we all started cruising with Princess. What got us all started and what kept us coming back. It was about ports of call, consistency, ports of embarkation/disembarkation and branding; what makes Princess distinctive. Elite was far out of reach. Princess' best perk was being true to themselves; leaning toward traditional without being stuffy about it.

Instead, Princess gave us the Medallion debacle and the end of free internet and loyalty points. How many here are looking at other lines after using their built up FCD, FCC, OBC?

So should Princess raise the bar higher? I don't think so.

Well stated.  I am not Elite, so perhaps a different perspective...someone a few posts back stated that perks that are less visible would be the way to go.  I think that's the answer.  I'll use my Marriott status as an example.  I am Lifetime Platinum (takes 10 years of Platinum and at least 600 nights stay).  Yeah, they have a special line for check-in at the more prestigious hotels.  But the real perks are not visible.  Guaranteed room, late check-out, early check-in, free room upgrades, 5 free Suite night upgrades a year, extra points for my stay, and a few other lesser perks.  No one else sees those perks...no one feels like a second class citizen...but I get advantages I can use.  Perhaps if Princess gives free specialty dining, free room upgrade. add a drink or two to the drink package...simple stuff like that. 

9 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

There is a high percent of elite cruisers, some cruises have been 1/3 elite tier. Usually on cruises longer then 7 days have a higher percent of elite cruisers. You can reach elite status in as few as cruises as 5 if solo in a suite , if double in a suite it's 2 cruise credits so 8 cruises. 

  Since both other mass market lines NCL & RCL added a higher tier it seems logical for Princess to stay competitive.  I personally prefer RCL perks at their D+ which I am currently. 

Interesting!  So if you cruise alone (obviously you pay more) so you get double credits.  We've only done 4 Princess cruises (have #5 scheduled as a 10 day next January).  Can't imagine getting to 150 days or 16 cruises, but impressed with there being 1000 Elites on a ship with 3000 guests.  That would tell me that Princess isn't necessarily growing in patrons as much as they depend on loyalty.  So, yeah, I would agree they should increase their bennies.  Then again, if you've cruised that many days, perhaps the figure these same folks will continue regardless. Things that make you go hummmm!!! 

Curious...how many Elites do you think there are?  And what percentage of Princess Cruisers are in that category?  And is there an advantage for adding another layer?  Do you think Princess will find that increases sailings?  Or will they just be forking out more benefits? I know Cruise Critic seems to have a lot of people that cruise multiple times a year, so probably a high percentage here.  But it would take 8 years if you cruised twice a year for 8-10 days each cruise.  Or like us, we cruise once a year so it's a 16 year plan to reach Elite.  Just curious.   

Just now, smbt1 said:

There is the possibility that since the Enchanted is doing shorter cruises, (7 day I think) that they might be at level 1 which is not sip and cover, and where the crew can get off in ports. The Grand is at level 2 which is sip and cover and crew cannot get off in any ports.

 

 

Not sure.  Our Enchanted next January is a 10 day Southern Caribbean...thought that's what they are doing now, but could be wrong.  I guess COVID knows though if you're doing a 7 day or 10 day so acts appropriately!!

On 1/28/2022 at 7:06 PM, jwattle said:

The proper way to take off any mask, and what makes it safe for sip and cover, is to handle it by the straps.

Yeah, and not what I see with 99% of people wearing and/or handling a mask.  Great in theory!

1 hour ago, mlh0500 said:

Hopefully we will have some luck !  Thank you for your response !!

Just so you know, usually the company you fish with will pack the fillets on dry ice and ship them back to your home of record if you like.  It can be a little pricey, but not any more than if you tried to buy fresh Halibut or salmon in the lower 48 states.

2 minutes ago, smbt1 said:

Yep, but reducing an R0 10 environment to an R0 4 environment prevents a lot of cases.

True story...with this I cannot disagree!  

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

 

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

 

Do you have past passenger status?  

Princess did that once for us...and we had 3 cabins...all upgraded for free from Balcony to Mini-suite.  Of course, it then addicted us to Mini's for most other cruises.  LOL!

Great question...following along!

10 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

We were on the second Majestic sailing after restart last year. We were dining on the last night and the gentleman at the next table had caught something (halibut maybe?) and it was prepared for he and his wife.  It looked delicious!  He offered but by the time they got their meal we were almost done so we passed...kind of wish I had tried a bite!

 

That definitely looks like a little halibut.  Very delicious white meat fish if cooked correctly!

6 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Thanks for your opinion. I have to disagree. The CDC would shut cruising down if spread was inevitable.

 

It has been proven that various safety protocols work. Most effective if used as layers of protection.

 

Fortunately, the cruise industry is voluntarily maintaining safety protocols. Contagion on the ships seem to be subsiding. 😷

 

I urge all travellers. Do not force yourself to cruise if you don't like needles, masks or tests. 😎

If they didn't feel the spread was inevitable, they wouldn't have quarantine cabins set aside.  They can do all the protocols they want, but masking and vaccinations don't prevent the spread...they only mitigate it.  So, if 1 person comes on board with the virus, the chance that more than 1 leaves with the virus is almost inevitable. 

1 minute ago, smbt1 said:

Yes test all 3.  During the first 3 days no ordering at the bars, waiter or app ordering only, distancing in entertainment venues with every other row or group of seats marked off, etc.

 

After test on day 3 bars opened, seating restrictions removed.

 

Masking, including sip and cover announcements remained the same.

 

No port stops until Hawaii on day 5. Everyone had to complete hawaii healthy travels form online before ship reached Hawaii.

 

Testing at pier added after first Hawaii cruise, probably due to number of cases found during on board testing. Since en both Princess and HAL cruises have added testing a pier for Hawaii cruises. The first cruise did not.

Thanks for that info.  I find it very interesting.  I'm curious if Princess would institute the day of testing and perhaps eliminate the 2 days out.  that may help limit the virus getting on board and help loosen some of the on board restrictions if found to be effective.

4 minutes ago, smbt1 said:

the requirements were testing up to 2 days before, testing at port, testing on board on day 3, 2 days before arriving at Hawaii.

Interesting that they used a different process.  I guess 2 days out would help alleviate stress by the cruiser, but not sure of the actual value since you tested at the port before getting on board.  Did you have any port calls during those days before Hawaii?  If not, if everyone tested negative all 3 times, did they allow less strict masking since it would seem by day 3 no positives could have snuck on board.  Just curious.  Thanks. 

3 minutes ago, smbt1 said:

The process for Hawaii worked well. Some were caught during the tests up to 48 hours before. Some caught during testing at pier before boarding.

Restrictions reduced after testing on day 3.

 

No word if there were any positives on day 3. But if so the number was apparently pretty low.

 

There certainly were some on the protest and at the pier.

 

The two additional testing cycle that were required by Hawaii probably cost the cruise line between 30 to 50 dollars per passenger.

 My initial objection was to testing 48 hours out and thinking that was a sufficient way to mitigate the spread on a ship.  I find the 48 hours a waste of funds, but a test before walking onto the ship may prove valuable and could also be a great way to eliminate mask usage in all or most instances.

1 minute ago, smbt1 said:

The process for Hawaii worked well. Some were caught during the tests up to 48 hours before. Some caught during testing at pier before boarding.

Restrictions reduced after testing on day 3.

 

No word if there were any positives on day 3. But if so the number was apparently pretty low.

 

There certainly were some on the protest and at the pier.

 

The two additional testing cycle that were required by Hawaii probably cost the cruise line between 30 to 50 dollars per passenger.

So, the Hawaii cruise required testing at the Port?  If so, I can see much more value in that even though the stress to the cruise passenger must have been pretty high.

1 hour ago, awinte2 said:

I have just booked Carribbean Princess 16 day Greenland cruise out of New York. I am a little confused on the Cruise Port.  Would it be leaving from Manhatten Cruise Port or Brooklyn Cruise Port.

Also want to stay 2 nights in New York.  Does anyone recommend a nice hotel and area to stay close to the port.

 

Thanking you in advance for your help.

 

Arlene

If you plan to stay two nights, I'd recommend not being near the port, but stay in the Times Square area.  That's a great place to spend a few days.  We always stay at the Renaissance by Marriott in Times Square.  

18 minutes ago, smbt1 said:

While testing is only at that point it serves 2 very valuable purposes when it comes to cruising.

 

1. it identifies and removes a percentage of active cases. Reducing the number of potential initial sources of spread on board ship.

 

2. It helps to estimate the number of undetected cases that might have made it on board. 

Yes, I agree it can eliminate a few potential cases.  But, if safety is the biggest concern, then do the 10 minute tests at the dock prior to boarding the ship.  That would eliminate even more.  Problem is that if you had to wait until then for assurance of boarding, many more people would just sit out...it's too risky.  So, the cruise lines have instituted something that sounds great but in reality only marginally decreases the chance of covid getting on board.  And since the science tends to show Omicron (98% of all cases in the US) spreads regardless of masking or not unless it's a fitted N-95, if even 1 person comes on board with the virus although they tested negative, the spread will be inevitable.  

Haven't done a halibut fishing excursion, but my 4 years in Alaska we did plenty of halibut fishing.  The reason they recommend longer fishing tours when fishing for halibut is because the larger halibut are in deeper waters and it takes more time to get there.  You can keep two halibut a day, so even fishing for smaller ones (20-30 pounds) could provide enough fillet for a decent shipment home.  Just for comparison purposes, our average halibut over those 4 years that we kept was around 60 pounds (largest I landed was 95 pounds).  So, if you are good with a smaller catch or mixing in some other types of fish, I say give it a shot.  I compare halibut to a flounder on steroids!! 🙂 

On 1/21/2022 at 3:54 AM, caribill said:

 

a) Testing two days before the cruise is not as valuable as testing the day of the cruise, but it will find some people who have an active case of Covid and should not cruise.

 

b) Even those who tested negative two days before the cruise (or even the day of the cruise) may have Covid but not enough to be detected yet.

 

c) People can have symptomless Covid and still be contagious. Thus the need for testing.

 

d) People who develop symptoms can be contagious a couple of days before the symptoms appear, thus the need for testing.

 

e) Even vaccinated people can catch (and spread) the virus, but will likely have a less serious case of it than if not having been vaccinated. Thus the need for testing.

I agree 100% with everything you said...except for the need for testing.  Testing is a waste of funds.  Testing is a snap shot of 1 moment in time.  ROE should be you must be vaccinated (so it's very unlikely you die from COVID) and unless you are showing signs/symptoms of any illness (not just potentially COVID) come on board.  If you show symptoms while on board, you test and if needed quarantine.   

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

It's now time to abandon all testing of passengers - pre-cruise, during cruise, and post cruise.

 

protect yourself - make adult decisions - let others do the same

 

well, what about the crew - well what about them ?? - let the cruise lines protect them with vaccines, just like we did - double vax and boosted ...

 

so over all this "testing" bs  - what about the 2 days between testing... ah, nevermind - you're either with me or against me - and I really don't care which way you are.

 

you protect yourself if you wish, and I'll do the same - adults

That's the real point...the 2 day time delay.  Daughter and Son in Law tested negative on a Thursday before Christmas and then tested positive the next day.  A few days later, wife and Mother in Law tested positive and I was negative.  Next day I had COVID.  Testing is just a feel good endeavor, but just like masks, it makes little difference in the spread of this virus, especially the Omicron variant. I'm 100% with you...make adult decisions.  Still stumped about someone that is vaccinated caring about what other's status is...and when all are vaccinated on the ship, should be no need for tests or masks unless you are obviously sick...no different than if you get Noro while on board.

27 minutes ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Spouse and I wear our KN95s when exiting the car anywhere we go.  Yes - they take a bit to get use to, but the safety and the fit is the reason they work.  

You do realize that a KN95 mask is not fitted and is only slightly appreciable from a cloth mask.  But the real issue is why does the cruise line require them at all if everyone is vaccinated?  They will ultimately make no to little difference besides in the mind's eye!!   

9 minutes ago, bandmp said:

Planning Princess cruise in August, and need info about wedding vow renewal.  Is this done as a group (multiple couples) or could it be arranged as private?

What is involved in planning?   Would appreciate any information.

We held a Wedding on the Emerald Princess 10 years ago.  It was a private wedding in the Chapel conducted by the Captain.  We worked with the Princess Reps to schedule everything from pianist, flowers, and a room for a reception that included spread of food, cake, open bar, and music.  It was a great event and would recommend it highly!!