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Are your home tests the free one or reimbursed by your drug provider? They will not be valid for travel. The proctored tests are supervised by an online medical person. After the 20 minute test, they will send you an email confirming negative status.

The Diamond has not had any passengers for years (during the Pandemic). I've been checking out the Diamond for a possible cruise. Kai Sushi charges for their sushi. There isn't a "real" International Cafe.

The Princess suggestions are home proctored tests that cost anywhere between $50-$75. Walgreens offers free tests, but you are restricted by the amount of time it takes to get your tests results back. I would check around your town to see who might offer a rapid antigen test and/or pay for a service that will guarantee you get the results back in a timely manner.

From my understanding, ELUA "may be" on the Sapphire for the Hawaii cruise this fall. Not sure who or if any Hawaii Cultural Ambassadors will be on the Diamond. Tiki Dave will do the port talks and teach ukulele classes. Leialoha will teach hula. They will provide ship entertainment (generally sets in the Piazza). Are the itineraries the same? Both are sister ships.

It has been a very long time since I've done an Alaskan land tour. Thank you for the very detailed description of your trip.

WOW...this is not the summer to visit Alaska. I thought last summer was bad. I feel for all of you who have planned so far in advance for a cruise to Alaska. The disappointments are mounting. This has been a lesson in flexibility, endurance, and patience. I know the seasoned travelers don't care much except to be on a ship cruising. But for many, it was a well planned family reunion. I am glad I cruised when I did. Early on, with many fewer passengers, I was glad to be on the test run itineraries. Good Luck all. At least some of you have had remarkable weather. Beautiful photos are being shared. Thank you.

I think I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Received a phone call while I was away from my desks (notes). Agent was delightful and sent an email with numbers to "explain". I won't go into financial details but this is the response I am sending back to her. Hello DH, Thank you for understanding my situation this morning. I was out and about with my grandson (date day). It was a full day with lunch, beach, and shopping. We had a good day, but I am exhausted. I really do appreciate you taking the time to lay out the numbers for me. I am trying to work with my (older) sisters who do not understand how Princess works. I am also trying to erase the negative feelings toward Princess (for taking so long in getting the refunds back). I really do want them to try another cruise with me under more favorable conditions. Again, you helping assist me through this process is the best thing that happened with the claim. I do hope you will share this positive review with your supervisor. I also hope this finds its way back to you. I am a loyal Princess cruiser and am wishing Princess a speedy recovery to getting all ships back on line and crew to staff each ship. Mahalo Nui Loa, R.... On Jun 7, 2022, at 10:48 AM, Department, Customer Relations (PCL) <customerrelations@princesscruises.com> wrote: Dear Ms. X Thank you for your correspondence addressed to Jan Swartz. Your letter has been forwarded to the Customer Solutions Department, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond to your question at this time. Per our conversation, please find below the breakdown of payments and refunds for your sisters

Insurance is moving along. Expedited by my emails to Jan? For those who have received insurance reimbursement for a cancelled cruise: Why is Princess returning credit to your credit card AND AON sending you a check? Princess credited cards on file after cruise was cancelled (took about a month). Then, I was told last week, to expect another credit card credit from Princess for a smaller amount. All my "MATHering" can not calculate why. Doesn't match port charges and taxes. Doesn't match deposit. Doesn't match the % for cancellation after final payment but before 30 days. So I sent Jan, Carl, Carmen, and Customer Relations ANOTHER email rather than be on hold for 4 hours. Of course, I received the standard stock we got your email reply. AON closed claim and sent my sisters emails that checks "will be in the mail".

You are probably correct. I have not been on the Royal Class ships.

Make friends with someone who has the internet package. Buy them a drink and hope that the signal is strong enough to take the proctored test. This is really a problem that Princess created (announcement that they will offer a free test/retracted) AND not having wi-fi adequate for passengers to take the test.

MDR windows are both on port and starboard side. Most often (generic ship), dining room on deck 6/starboard side is reserved for Club Class dining. That will reduce the number of available windows for that dining room. Both other dining rooms will have about the same amount of window tables. Depending on time of day and direction of ship, the sun can be so bright that passengers/staff close the curtains. This is not only to benefit the people nearest the window, but sometimes a table or two in. As the post above mentions, once it gets dark, there is very little to see outside from the MDR. Crown Grill has booths with windows. the Assistant Manager usually sits parties of 3 or 4 at those tables, but you can always ask. Sabatini's has very limited tables near the window. One booth and one large table.

This was decades ago, but I do remember how cold the train ride was. I had my winter wool coat with me since I didn't want to pack it for the ship portion. That was the only garment that saved me from the cold. Denali was scorching hot on July 4th weekend.

On one of the culinary shows in the theater (or was it at a Meet and Greet), the Maitre d' mentioned that plates do not sit under any warmers. They are plated and served. Most of my meals are diet restricted but rarely had to wait in CC for meals.

I was told...that CC waiters have front of the line privileges. Don't know how true that is, but I rarely ever had to wait. It could have been because all of my sailings were not at capacity.

That's exactly what I did. I'm on Plaza deck starboard. Made sense to choose the same. I'll do enough walking as it is.

A quick search found the following sample 2 articles. Yes, Vaxed and Boosted are having breakthrough infections. But the unvaccinated are "driving" the pandemic with more serious cases, hospitalizations, and death. Personally, I do not see the end in sight. Every time it is reported that there is a decline, it is followed by a spike. I am not a infectious disease expert, but I do follow the trends. Omicron/Delta/Corona (all the same in my book) is a fast changing virus. I will continue to do what is necessary for myself to protect me and my family/friends. You have to do what you feel is right for you. I do not wish this upon anyone, even a mild case. https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20211124/unvaccinated-14-times-more-likely-to-die-from-covid https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7104e2.htm

The Grand returned to service last Fall (2021). Many of the crew extended their contract through April (Hawaii 4/19). A few stayed on through dry dock and replacements came on board for Alaska.. Those that signed on for the Alaskan Season would probably still be on for your sailing. Staff officers are usually on for 6 months while service has a contract for 9 months. Then toss in the fact that the Grand will be repositioning to down under for the fall/winter and who knows when crew and staff will leave. It is a constant rotation. For me: My waiter was on for my October and March cruises (4). He had extended his contract but left when I did (April 4). His Jr. waiter left at the beginning of March. His replacement (March 5) stayed on for dry dock. Liz (loyalty coordinator joined the ship in January 2022). Her contract should be up soon. My room steward in October was still on the ship but re-assigned to a different deck in March. My cruise director in October was different that the one in March. My Assistant Manager in CC dining had to leave the ship in January and a replacement planned on staying through Alaska (or at least part of). Crown Grill/suite breakfast, some waiters were the same in October and March but getting off before dry dock. Executive chef was different October and March. It is much easier to make changes in Los Angeles than Alaska/Vancouver. Are you looking for someone in particular?

@SengaLove your composition. Great lens' eye.

Not an expert on this. I'm sure someone will weigh in. In order for for you to transfer photos (aka airdrop), both devices need to be connected to the same wi-fi. In technicality, it should work. An example, if I am trying to airdrop something to a friend's phone, as long as we are on the same network, I should be able to do this. For me, it's just easier to send it from my iphone and "later" pick it up on my laptop. Apple has started this new format....HEIC....don't know what it is, but sometimes some other formats don't like that. They prefer JPEG. If you open it on your laptop and "export it", it will export as a JPEG. Just have a folder on your laptop labeled trip photos.

Just wondering if your masking is because it is so common place in Hawaii Nei. Malama Pono

New booking made on Thursday did not show up on Medallion Class app on Friday. Live chat with Princess. She asked for some information (which was dropped from my file). Once that was completed, I refreshed (updated) app. Cruise booked separately showed up as b2b (ugh). I was able to book DMW for March 2023. Same time/same dining room/same private table. No option for same wait team. Elite, but I don't know otherwise. Screen shot saved (I don't trust Princess). Maybe I should change my Avatar name.

Liz's first cruise was in January/February.

Oops....I am guessing "my" Liz and "your" Liz is one and the same. She is from South Africa??? Please let her know that Mac Nut passenger sends her aloha. I was a teacher and always had trouble putting faces (on the board) to names. Mahalo

The difference is that DW will be quarantined in a hotel (of choice) room verses spending the night a several different hotels not quarantined. There would a chance of exposing many along the way home. I am glad you can see a positive in your situation.

With either the complimentary suite and/or the elite mini-bar (10 alcohol/10 non-alcoholic beverages), you may trade them out for 2 coffee cards (package on medallion). Unlimited brewed coffee, tea, and sometimes hot chocolate plus 15 specialty coffees (lattes/Americano/espresso). You may also exchange like for like. Plus there are a lot of other combinations offered for a mini-bar trade. Coffee packages are listed for purchase also.