Cruise Raider

Checking back in with updates if I can get this to post with the good, the bad and the ugly. Just kidding, there has been zero ugliness! The only bad I can comment on is the WiFi. It’s so slow if you can even get anything to load. The good … everything else! This certainly has been an amazing cruise. To fit an extra cruise into our travel budget, we booked an oceanview cabin on the Emerald deck. For not having a balcony, this room is the next best thing. We have no obstruction, plenty of natural light and our room steward is outstanding. I’m even getting a little zoo of towels to make it even cozier in here. If I had any complaint at all, it’s that the ladies in the cabin next door have a ritual of slamming their cabin door five times every morning around 7:30. I thought the door slamming was limited to those cabins with a balcony so this was a bit of a surprise. Everyone is very concerned about the passenger experience. For example, they knew many were interested in the NBA game so they aired the last two games in the casino and in Club Fusion. Pizza takes about an hour so we planned our order accordingly. Ohhh .. that freshly made pizza is so good. We got it with Caesar salad last night … we weren’t the only ones. I’m sure there was quite the mission to clean up Club Fusion last night after the game. The entertainment has been outstanding. They brought a totem pole carver onboard which was a tour in itself. Same with the puppies in the piazza and the enrichment lectures from the naturalist onboard. This morning’s lecture is on bears but we attended one on the glaciers and one on whales. The naturalist is so knowledgeable and so engaging with the audience. They’ve also added in a production show or two. There are choices to be made and we’ve chosen not to go to these shows as we’ve seen them a few times each in the past. The piano player in Crooners keeps the audience happy and engaged … one of the better ones we’ve seen. The guitar player / singer, Gideon, is very talented and we’ve enjoyed his performances. Stephanie Hidgdon, the lady of rock is fabulous. They’ve added another show tonight. We may go if she will have a different show. The activity staff have a variant of different games, arts and crafts and events set up even when we are in port. if you’re bored, I would say that’s on you because there is always something to do. We had rainy weather in both Juneau and Skagway. We ended up staying onboard in the latter of those two ports. Then, the day at the glacier and cruising up Endicott Arm was cold but beautiful. We were blessed with brilliant sunshine in Ketchikan and again in the morning in Prince Rupert. Both are such gorgeous ports. There isn’t a lot to do in Prince Rupert without a planned excursion but twin is stunningly beautiful and has such friendly residents that seemed very happy we were in port to add to their economy. The Sunken Gardens and the BC museum are both within walking distance of the dock … while we didn’t go in the museum, I’ve heard it is small but worthwhile. We did spend some time at the sunken gardens and wow! If you need time to relax in nature, this is your spot. I found this port to be very quaint with such scenic beauty. It got cloudy there and started raining a bit by the afternoon, so if you see the sun shining, get out there and take advantage of a nice walk through the waterfront park there. I understand others had seen orcas and dolphins while there. I know food is subjective but ours has been outstanding .. even in the buffet, which we usually don’t visit. The service has been superb throughout the ship! I can’t think of anything that would make it any better! Some people are coughing and sneezing but it doesn’t seem to be widespread. Most passengers are not masked. We are all masking while indoors or in crowded places because we are traveling with someone that is considered high risk. Most passengers are just not observing the recommendations for the elevators and they are packing them full .. most unmasked. It is what it is. I’m not very concerned for me or my DH, just more for the one in our group that is very elderly. So far, I think everyone in our group is staying healthy. We’ve cruised an a average of once a month since the restart and still feel like you stand a better chance of catching CoVid19 on land than on a cruiseship. I did become infected last month and it was from a family party and not from being a cruise. I think the pre-cruise testing is important so, I do hope it isn’t eliminated any time soon. Update from June 19th: This just popped up as it didn’t post when I wrote it. The WiFi on the ship leaves a lot to be desired. I mean a lot! My only other complaints would be 1) that the music in the piazza is way too loud during the day. I know that sounds like an old person’s complaint and there might be some truth to that. It is so much more enjoyable to not have to shout over what is supposed to be background music. At night, it is understandable but before five, they should dial the volume down a notch or two. 2) the smoking in the casino is just awful. They don’t even seem to do the nonsmoking on formal nights any longer. The last two days onboard were very relaxing and such nice calm seas. Everyone working onboard aimed to please. I didn’t notice a lot of coughing and sneezing onboard until someone mentioned it but so far, everyone in our group remained healthy. Very few passengers were masked .. just an observation and not a criticism. The only concern we had was so many people trying to jam into the elevators. We tried to use the stairs as often as possible because of this. Disembarkation was delayed and deck 7 was just total chaos by 8:45 AM. It was standing room only. Thank goodness for the friendly and helpful port personnel to try to get us through quickly. We made it to our scheduled car with only a minute or two to spare. Overall, the cruise was fabulous for us and those in our party. The staff we encountered seemed to go above and beyond at all times. I read some complaints that the blue bags and elite toiletry bag … oh well, it is what it is and probably would t have even noticed it if it had not been mentioned on social media. The mini bar also just had two kinds of mini bottles of liquor vs the 4. Since we had the package, the liquor just goes to the room steward anyway .. or back in stock, I would guess. There were also some shortages of different wines and liquor, both in the bars and in the shop onboard. Thankfully, there were some suitable substitutes.

thank you! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! We are having such a great cruise despite the rainy weather!

So, there was quite a bit of traffic on the Embarcadero throughout the even numbered piers. Once we hit the odd numbered piers, it really lightened up. We checked in when the lines were really starting to get busy but, we only had to wait about 19 minutes before we were allowed to board. We went to the sail-away party up on deck and then continued up top to take some photos of sailing under the bridge. We went to dinner at Michelangelo’s and Kieron arrange for us to have a wonderful table for the five of us by the window. The food was outstanding. We didn’t have much energy after a long and exciting day so headed up to the room without seeing any shows. more to come ….

I promised to come back and update this thread with my experience with just taking my positive results from over 2 weeks ago to the pier. Along with my DH, who never contracted CoVid, I went for my PCR test anyway. I really gave it a valiant try up my nares and while it took forever to get my test results back, wahoo ... I tested negative. I was getting concerned about not getting my test results back in time ...not too concerned, I just didn't want a lengthy second screening at the pier. So, I tested at home and it was negative. After that, I wasn't so worried. But when those results came back from my PCR test, then, I was really happy. So, unless I get the opportunity to ask at the pier without raising any red flags, I just don't know if they will take the positive results without the letter of recovery as they state on their website.

We will be joining you there now that all our tests came back negative. Two of us didn't even get our results until late last night. Would hate to go all the way down to the pier only to find out we couldn't travel ... not so much for me because I had documentation of previous recovery and took a home test just to make sure I wasn't still positive. My neighbor's mom was the one we were worried about but that's all in the past now as she also got her results in last night. I heard on the news that the BART trains were down this morning but slowly recovering from the system wide shut down due to a computer failure. Hope this doesn't impact anybody's arrival. I know the Bay Bridge was bumper to bumper early this morning because of it. Hopefully, all those that plan on parking have already reserved a space. Looks like we are going to have beautiful weather over in the City today. See you all onboard.

I've posted everything that she sent me ... I have posted several on the previous cruise's live feed, though.

I had to recently cancel a cruise due to CoVid and everything hit my account two days ago. It took less than two weeks to get all my funds back. CoVid cases are handled differently. They show up as FCCs. As others have mentioned, check your online account.

I would take a home test with me and test on the ship the day before disembarkation. I know this won’t meet the actual requirements to fly but at least you will not be stuck somewhere in Vancouver and try to find help at that point if you do test positive. This latest strain is so transmissible and you will want to inform the ship’s medical staff if you are infected before you disembark. All other posts have suggested what you need to do for the official test so won’t go into that.

Priority embarkation is the only elite benefit from the past that we ever use .. we don’t use the laundry benefit we don’t use the mini bar .. we’ll, maybe one of the Perrier waters we don’t go ashore in the tender ports we book spa services online ahead of time and with no double discount, who cares? if we buy something in the shops, we appreciate the 10% discount .. that’s always been a benefit the real benefit is the 10% off on excursions we did, of course, appreciate the loyalty OBC but I completely understand why they had to backtrack on that I still love the captains circle parties and the PES lounge on occasion I just love cruising!

OK .. without reading through the entire thread, we are kind of non-techie, too. This is what we do: We switch all devices to airplane mode (not really sure if that is necessary for you on your laptop, though because it has no cellular service). Then, when we go to the settings, WiFi service and choose MedallionNet. Then, go to your Safari and type in Login.com … you will enter your cabin number and birthdate. From there, you should get swirly green circles and connect you to the internet. When I switch back and forth, I go to safari and type in Logout.com on the device I am using and again, Login.com again on the other device I want to use. We’ve found this method works best for us. As when I was in college, I used little tricks to help me remember things I needed to know. So, I think of In and Out Burgers for login and logout. This was only after I couldn’t remember if it was login or logon and logout or logoff. It is login and logout .. like the burger.

The nightstand lights didn’t bother me so much but that hallway light is way too bright. Not sure what the people who thought of those were thinking.

We never needed them at night but loved them during the day. That’s why we just took some magnetic hooks (clips would also work) to hang a bag over it during the night.

Did they send them to a qualified lab, such as Quest?

They did in our rooms on the Ruby. More on than off … all night long! Made my hubby crazy!

I’ve never noticed that but we never turn on the hall light to go into the bathroom at night. But, good to know … We always bring a very little motion light for the bathroom, one that isn’t too bright. I also use one at home. I’m sure their lifespan is limited so I must remember to get more of them. Those bright lights are what tend to really wake you up and that’s not what we want in the middle of the night.

We take magnetic j-hooks and have one of those Princess string back pack bags (they give them out as prizes on the ship) and just surround the light at night. That way, it still works during the day ... we simply drop the bag down from the hooks. It's ingenious ... came to me in the middle of the night when my DH just couldn't sleep with the light going on and off all night in the rough seas. He also likes to put one of the decorative pillows over the nightstand motion lights. I really don't mind those at all. But, that one in the hallway ... what was somebody thinking????

A friend of mine is currently on the Ruby and sends me pictures to post. I think the internet is not so robust as for her to post photos … here’s what she sent me this morning.

That's exactly the situation we are in, too. I don't want to try to find a place that has rapid antigen tests available since there is nothing nearby. I am going to get my regular PCR test and if it still shows as positive, I'm just going to go with my test results from a couple of weeks ago. Princess clearly states they will take the original PCR results at the pier so, I'm definitely not stressing or going to any extra trouble. I am with you, paying for tests for a party of four is just an added expense I could do without.

I am sailing in and out of San Francisco in one week … so, I will let you know from the ship .. or from my home if the positive test results from a couple of weeks ago doesn’t work. I live near the port so am willing to take the chance.

I am planning on bringing my positive PCR test results on my upcoming cruise and canceled the appointment with my doctor because of what Princess clearly has written stated in their policy on their website. I think other cruiselines may require the letter of recovery but it looks as though Princess does not. I also plan on getting a PCR test three days prior to my sailing, even though I full well know that it could still show a positive result even though I am fully recovered. My rapid antigen tests are showing as negative so if they want to test me again at the pier, I am fine with that. And hey, I may even test negative so, why not go the easy route since my DH has to get tested and we have our appointments all set up?

True ... they don't last that long at our house.

It might be why they are free ... well, not really free but paid for by the US taxpayer.

Always have some $1s and $5s on hand. There is no bill to sign ... different crew deliver your room service items. We always hand them a few singles plus some individually wrapped chocolates. They are most appreciative.

I had already done that as well as checked several other online travel agencies … Are you sure it didn’t bump you to the July 9th sailing? There doesn’t seem to be any availability for either June 9th or June 19th on any site … even after refreshing Chrome.

The two upcoming cruises on the Ruby, on the 9th and 19th are showing as sold out on a popular site I check. On Princess, they both show as Currently Not Available. It's been displaying like that for a week already. Not sure if they are just stopping all new bookings or what .... maybe full, maybe just halting bookings at a certain capacity based on crew levels / stock. Last week when still open for bookings, there was nothing higher than an oceanview room available, though. Of course, with the number of CoVid cases increasing in this area, I would think there will be some cancellations right before the cruise. Time will tell.