JoRoy218

Yes, minimal activity in our Roll Call, no ideas re: last day. Will keep looking. Thanks.

We’re booked on a Princess SA cruise, Feb. ‘24, looking for suggestions on some type of excursion for afternoon and early evening, ending up at Buenos Airport (EZE). (Looks like flights don’t depart till 8-9pm). Have looked here in CC, ports of call, Trip Advisor, Viator, Google, no luck. Am curious how those leaving same day off ship have handled their time. Thanks very much!

Will be on cruise ending in Buenos Aires, Feb ‘24. Wondering if there is such a thing as a debarkation tour, ending at Buenos Aires (EZE) airport? I did various searches here on CC, Trip Advisor, Viator and Google. Also looked at excursion offerings on Princess. Curious how people handled this last day and ended up at airport, for 8-9pm departure. Thanks so much for any ideas.

Thanks for the heads up! Have gotten response from Shaun and reserved a spot for the two of us. Yay!

Thanks for the input. I actually communicated with Patrick back in early Feb. He mentioned there was problems with drivers and unsure of this season, not to mention 2024. He advised me to get back with him in April to see how things are going. Obviously you have updated info, will contact Sean today.

Yes! We love Alfredo’s. Thanks so much for sharing your journey, have learned a lot! We’ll hopefully be on the Sapphire next Feb. after two cancellations. 🙄 Quick question: who did you use for Volunteer Point? Appreciate your input and experience!

We got these as well on the advice of a good friend. Amazingly helpful!

Absolutely! Same here. Have had to be persistent and assertive on several occasions. They recognize the Loyalty level but seems to not make a difference. I believe one factor is the influx of relatively inexperienced staff. Phone call this past week, had to be “elevated” to a more senior staff, got the action I needed in less than 5 min. 🤨

Had an issue lately, spoke to first person on Princess line. Her answer made no sense, asked her same question twice in a different way. She asked me if I wanted to speak to Customer Service, said yes. Proud to say after explaining my problem, it took her less than 5 min. to fix and said “Your booking was done incorrectly.” Problem solved! Might have to go “up the chain of command.” Good luck! Be assertive!

We did experience this after our New Years’ cruise this year. DH contracted Covid on day 3. I remained neg. entire time, thankfully. Between Dr “phone visit” and consult, Paxlovid, acetaminophen and cough drops he said he didn’t need, the bill came to over $900+. They actually used all our onboard credit (without even asking) but was fine. He did quite well, we feel, due to being updated on boosters and generally healthy, he suffered no ill effects. My point is that in filling out the paperwork for our Humana PPO, they stated they do not reimburse for care or meds outside the US. So I next went to AON and got their paperwork. Completed quickly and sent out…was pleasantly surprised that by week three, DH got an email that it had been approved and we had the check by week four. In the meantime, Humana called back and said “based on the Covid diagnosis, we can cover you for both medical and Pharmacy expenses.” So I filled out those forms too but then realize, one cannot file duplicate claims…so cancelled. That’s all I need to get hauled off to jail for insurance fraud. 😱 Nice surprise! I wish others I read about on here worked that easily. Thanks

Yup, never liked dealing with the aggressive porters at Port Everglades. Opposite end of spectrum: those of you who have been to Australia can relate. Attempted to tip our taxi driver, he very nicely explained “we don’t tip here in Australia.” He just asked us to enjoy our visit and come again. How refreshing!

It looks like so many of us here see ourselves in your predicament. I too went for the cortisone shot to delay inevitable surgery. Got one before we went on our Hawaii cruise, then again before our Baltic cruise…didn’t last as long. I finally decided it was time, Ortho scheduled me, I got serious with leg strengthening exercises. Did okay, though from what I’ve observed (Hubby had hip replacement and recovered fairly quickly.) knees are more complicated. Sounds like your personal life is frustrating. Perhaps you need to stand up and be assertive, claim YOU time for your mental and physical health. From a medical standpoint (I’m an RN) it’s always better to have surgery before too much time passes. The surgery is harder on you, PT takes longer, body may be weaker…as the wise people above stated, they’re all quite satisfied they did it and I think we all agree we shouldn’t have waited to schedule surgery. It just doesn’t improve without a little visit to the OR. When you feel better, you’ll enjoy quality time with family and friends. So very sorry you’re going through this. And re: cruise, is it because of your hip that you’re not enthusiastic or just not interested in that destination? Sounds like you have an awful lot on your mind. Best wishes…let us know how you are. (Sorry this was so lengthy)

Thank you! Answered my question.

Yes! Small world. 😎

Am mainly concerned about the balcony, it looks like it’s probably a lot smaller than the aft penthouse suites I’ve looked at. We were recently on the Regal and their notoriously tiny balconies. We just spent minimal time out there, so uncomfortable. Also wondering about probable noise from Lido deck above. Are you on the California coastal cruise by any chance?

You mentioned you have arthritis in your hips and I’m wondering what your orthopedic doctor recommended? Were you offered steroid injection? Did he/she recommend a hip replacement? There are many options and alternatives if you are not mentally ready for a hip replacement. I should also add my two cents, my husband had his hip replaced after coping with very uncomfortable pain. He’s extremely active and it was quite noticeable how the pain seriously compromised his quality of life. He had the surgery and was up walking hours after the surgery, with just a couple of weeks of PT he returned to a stronger than ever activity level. Maybe you can have a long chat with your ortho doctor and he can guide you and give suggestions? I’m sorry, I know this is a difficult decision but one never knows what life will throw at you. I would do all I could to take that cruise.

We’re booked on the SA/Antarctica for next Feb., actually booked it over a year ago. I infrequently check the fares and noticed just this week that it had come down some. Went on Princess chat and re-fared with same OBC. Posted same on our Roll Call! 😎 Quite happy!

Your post has stimulated some special memories of my very first cruise. I was 21, just out of college, working and enjoying spending my own money. A group of five girls and I booked two inside cabins on the Cunard Adventurer (San Juan, circle Caribbean). Looking back at very cramped cabins, we enjoyed every moment. We were assigned to two different tables in the MDR, my best friend and I sat at the Captains table, which was quite a surprise. One embarrassing incident: I was attempting to crack a lobster (for the first time) the claw flew out of my hand and landed in the lap of the Captain who was sitting to my left. He just laughed, picked it up and said “I believe this belongs to you.” Will NEVER forget how horrified I was. 😱 Since you mentioned “ship board” romances, I too experienced this. His name was Angus, from Scotland (IIRC was “Assistant Purser”)He and a few of his buddies obviously sought my friends and me out, we spent a good bit of time during that Caribbean cruise with them. We did catch up several months later, when the ship docked in NY and we met for lunch. Another high point on that cruise was visiting Barbados, where my paternal grandparents and several aunts were born. My extended family had a big lunch for us and we spent the day enjoying this heavenly spot, a sweet little house and beach, on the Caribbean side. Sorry…very long…memories came rushing back from that week!

Tried to get one of the aft PH suites, but all gone! There is one left, R410. Anyone stay on that deck in a PH Suite? How is the balcony? Did a search but could not find a review. Thanks very much!

We were on the Regal for New Years’ sailing. It was 100% booked and crowds everywhere. Many afternoons we searched for relatively quiet spots, found none. The pool by the Sanctuary was shoulder to-shoulder people IN the water, and wall to wall people around the pool and bar, I feel like an “old fart” when I complain about crowds on cruises.🙄 So…we’d grab a cocktail or two from the bar and have a peaceful time on our balcony. In fact, we overheard passenger say “I feel like I’m on a Carnival cruise, not Princess.” 🤣

I have to share positive news for a change. I was totally shocked to get an email from AON/Princess Vacation Protection re: our claim for reimbursement. We filed on 1/30 and were notified claim was settled for full amount and should be rec’d in 3-5 days. Never expected it to be that quick! There’s hope!

I’m jealous! 😉 Have read numerous recommendations to attempt using Long Beach airport. Very limited flight choices coming from Atlanta and only flights four days/week. Oh well, we’re flying in a day earlier and have an early afternoon flight out post-cruise. Have had two other CA Coastals cancelled in the last 18 months, maybe this will be the lucky one! Thanks for your suggestions!

Yes yes yes on a land tour. Go see Denali, go canoeing and see outstanding scenery, eagles, moose, bear, get a good camera with a nice zoom lens, experience Alaska! They also have small plane rides around Denali, unbelievable sights!

I wouldn’t stress over the “formal” dress, the only time it comes into play is on formal night. There are many other choices besides the MDR. Don’t change your plan, sounds just fine! As mentioned a few times above, the crowd on Alaskan cruises is definitely more relaxed and casual than other destinations. Just go and enjoy!

So sad…our first two AK cruises were on the Coral. Absolutely loved that ship. I don’t think any other ship has the beautiful Promenade deck Coral has. 😢