Cruise Raider

Once the tips and WiFi are added in, you only need about 3 drinks to break even with purchasing the plus package. But, the plus package also allows for unlimited specialty coffees, sodas, waters, mock tails, etc. But, I understand your point. It is hard to justify if you don’t drink any alcohol or use WiFi.

So many reasons. Insurance isn't just for CoVid.

I agree with what you've said. From what I hear and read all over the place, people feel they cannot contract CoVid after being vaccinated, boosted or wearing a mask ... none of which are true. I survived 11 cruises since the restart and got sick at a family party. I'm fully vaxxed and boosted. I wore a mask, I distanced from others, I kept my hands clean, I stayed outside, even walked in through the backyard, not through the house. I asked everyone if they were healthy because we were going on a cruise a week after the party. Well, darn it if I didn't get it 3 days before our cruise. It's just so transmissible, even though I was taking all my precautions. One person at the party had it and spread it to several others. What I didn't do was get really sick. I felt like I had a moderate cold but I was super tired and lost my sense of smell and taste. I used the cruiseline protocols for quarantine passengers to keep my DH from getting it. He never did and he was also at the family party. I isolated and I was the one to wear a mask if I needed to come downstairs. I do agree that the one who is already infected needs to be the one to wear a mask. But, that's not what happens onboard since the protocols have changed. We've cruised once since my recovery and I probably have a good chance of warding it off if I am exposed to it again in the near future. I would say about 2% - 5% of the people onboard were masked ... that was last month.

I loved it. Even if you live near enough to an embarkation pier, you could get some credits. We would treat others that gave us a ride to the pier. It was so wonderful.

You could board early even though you weren't booked on the cruise. You did have to sign up for it beforehand and you could board early and have lunch in the dining room, with other guests you were with or just on your own. You had all the benefits on being booked on the cruise, an embarkation photo, a personalized tour of the ship's amenities, embarkation lunch, etc. You could even book a massage or hang by the pool if you chose to do so. Then, you would get a future cruise credit if you booked while onboard. The disembarkation time for these guests was just before the muster drill. It was a nice payback for those that drove you to the pier .. that's what we did for our friends / family that took us to our cruise. It was about $39 pp ... forgive me if I got that wrong. Very fun way to experience ship life for a few hours.

Us, too. I think we will go for it. Thanks for the reminder.

Can you tell me if E424 over Crooners on the Royal Princess is noisy at night?

Either one is wonderful.

We were on the Ruby a few weeks ago and it was pretty much full. The specialty restaurants, The Crown Grill and Sabatini's, were only each open on alternating nights. The service was great throughout the entire ship, though even though I know they were a bit short staffed. It seems as though after having to open the third MDR, they may have lost some of their wait staff to that. But, as I said, the only problem we noticed is that it was hard to get into the specialty restaurants.

Princess has indeed implemented the cut off for the OBC at the end of each leg of the cruise. I don't remember that happening in Sept / Oct (maybe I didn't have leftover OBC?) but it was in place by last April when we asked. I was allowed to book and pay for a massage or two or three during the first leg of the cruise and actually schedule the appointments for the second leg. I don't really think anybody is being ripped off here, either. They simply changed the policy and it is what it is! In terms of the coffee cards, before the pandemic, I was full well expecting that my coffee cards were invalid (never was going to argue or even plead my case) but I asked onboard, they took my card and said I would need to leave it with them but they used it for my specialty coffees during the entire cruise. I had a couple punches left over so used those last two punches for a couple of our guest services staff. They were so happy!!

Just a bit off subject but I heard on the local news this morning that a pharmacist may be able to prescribe Paxlovid without a doctor's Rx but with a positive CoVid test result.

I also am a huge fan of Seattle Express. I wouldn't even think of using anything else next time up in Seattle for a cruise. They can't pick up at SeaTac but will pick you up at specific airport hotels. On the way back from the pier to the airport, you explained it perfectly. I love how you don't even need to give them a time for disembarkation ... they are just there at the pier and pick up every 15 minutes. I recently booked a ride with them and even though I missed to cutoff to cancel after getting CoVid, they still refunded my money. Class Act! They've certainly earned my business and recommendation!

You'll be happy with that choice. What a great price. We were just in those cabins on the Ruby up in Alaska. The location is so convenient to everything and not as noisy as some would suggest. We chose the starboard side, as it is not above Crooners. Plenty of day light and we headed down one deck to sit out on the promenade. As much as my DH loves when I book a balcony cabin for us, he survives quite well in these rooms.

No upgraded streaming service but there is decent connectivity in some of the port cities. I was almost always able to text back and forth all throughout the cruise. And yes, we cruised an average of once a month in the last year. It was a treat at a time that I knew we'd likely never see again. It was so lovely while it lasted. We were so spoiled!!!

We've stayed in that area a few times on the Royal Class ships. The obstruction is nonexistent in my opinion. I wouldn't hesitate to book another one in the future. Some have much larger balconies, such as E429 and E425, the same for the port side. There has been some noise heard from the seafood restaurant below (french music) but nothing from Alfredos. The location is so convenient.

We got that same notification for the Discovery when we booked it with a couple of friends. Even though the cruise was full, we were always able to sit together at the same private table each night. As a matter of fact, we've always been able to adjust our DMV reservations in the app once onboard.

Because I do and always have done all the cruise planning, I think I should have gotten the A. haha!!

We've been cruising since the restart and just can't seem to stop from booking more cruises. I think everything has greatly improved. Just my opinion! We loved the limited capacity. Since earlier this year, that was pretty much over. I'm actually happy that the cruiselines are starting (hopefully) to make some profits. I actually happier with the smaller portions in all dining venues. I also love the decrease in sending out paper advertisements for everything under the sun. I'm ok with no gold bag for elite status passengers and even ok with no blue bags. I didn't even mind the once a day service for our cabin. Sometimes, they would just make it up at night anyway, even though we said morning only was fine with us. Our service has been outstanding, the food has been anything from good to excellent. The entertainment has been great .. even when some of the entertainers have been in quarantine. The CD or entertainment director has always filled it in with something else. I'm glad they opened up the third dining room on our most recent cruise. Making reservations for the dining in the app has been a little hit or miss but, we were always satisfied once talking to the Maitre'd, now called something else ???? The app???? It's been both great and not good at all. But, I still love the idea of it. The WiFi is not very good lately. It worked much better when there weren't so many passengers onboard.

I just assumed that when they were assigned, they assigned to the same number to married couples and one got an A and the other got a B.

We were just onboard the Ruby a couple of weeks ago and we got the canapes, they weren't soggy at all, though.

It may be a moot point but we cruised on the Norwegian Wind a couple of times. The first time, down out of Florida and then again out of Hawaii. Well, they took all of the machines out for these itineraries even though they did have a stop over in Fanning Island. The casino had not been converted into another type of public space. It just had power cables coming up out of the carpet. So strange to see that after having sailed on her previously with a very active casino.

You are correct. There is a card in your stateroom (maybe somehow now on the app) and you can pick them up at any bar on the ship once you board.

I think it is just so widespread, around our area anyway, that it doesn't much matter if you are taking every precaution possible. You can still get it and just hope the vaccines do what they are meant to do and keep you from getting hospitalized.

I agree with going to Glacier Bay ... it will be a day you won't soon forget. We have gone in every month of the 'Alaska Season' except for April and October. In April and May, you will run the chance of not being able to get all the way down the Fjord to view the Glacier (not sure if this is true for Glacier Bay). Our friends went in late June and had perfect weather in every port. We had excellent weather at the end of July. We also had a mixture of cool and warm weather but no rain several times in late August and early September but then very cold, rainy and windy weather in late September. I'd shoot for July / August for a better chance of good weather but if you are looking for a bargain, late August and early September if you are looking for bargain rates. And .. there should be no issues with getting up close to the glacier. If at all possible, Alaska is the place you want to get a balcony. Also, you might find a flight to Seattle a lot cheaper than flying into Vancouver. We try to always go out of San Francisco, 3 more days of cruising with that itinerary. They have plenty of events, lectures, activities on the ship related to Alaska while onboard.

I am in complete agreement with you. If we take a 3 night sailing from Vancouver to San Francisco, for example, we opt for the train / sky train because we only have a carry on piece of luggage. For Alaska, we wouldn't dream of dragging all that luggage between the transfers and walking, especially if it's raining. The cabs at Vancouver airport have been very reasonable for us in the past and you will get door to door service and you won't start your cruise off with being drenched or a lot of frustration ... all for saving about $25.