Trvlingal

This 10% deal came out last Sept while on our Quest Greece cruise.  They told us we could use our OBC for payment of the shore exc while we were still on that cruise and then the next day they came to us and said headqters wouldn't allow that.  We had to pay for those shore excursions on this next cruise on our credit card in full NOT with the 10% discount.  We were told when we got on the Onward in March that we could present the letter and get the 10% discount and we could also have the shore excursions costs refunded to our credit card and use the OBC for that payment.  As I said, we have a LOT of OBC and if we were given faulty info last year we would be quite upset.  This is a convoluted way of doing business.  I am a travel agent in the business for 43 years and this is an accounting nightmare especially when they can't get their bookings right anyway.  I've got a small group on this sailing and my husband and I can deal but the others may not be so forgiving!

So in Sept on the Quest we ran into the same "DEAL".  Had to FIGHT to get the letter and were told when we board later this month that we will get the 10% back AND we can get the credit card payment refunded and use our $1000+ obc to pay off most of the excursions.  I get they want to use our money.  My only concern is when I present the letter to them on Pursuit they will not honor using the $1000+ in obc to pay these excursions and not only will we have paid for them ahead of time but what the heck will we do with $1000+ in obc if we can't use it for the shore excursions. We aren't people who use the spa, nor do we drink much and the shops had high end merchandise.  So I'm holding my breath that they will honor what we were told  over and over again last year.  

Along the same lines, IF one was to get Covid ON the cruise, what is Windstar's policy? 

My spouse got Covid near the end of a Holland America cruise. They quarantined him in another cabin and we were told he would have to quarantine in San Diego, where cruise ended, unless we were driving home.  We drove home and then he immediately quarantined at home. 

Agent at WS today told me we would have to disembark the ship immediately if testing positive and we would be on our own to find hotel etc.  Does anyone know if this is correct or if they would let us both stay onboard until the end of the cruise and then quarantine in BCN if more time needed. We are talking ROME - Barcelona in Nov so a long cruise...long enough to quarantine onboard if they would let us.  Thanks for any accurate info anyone has.

Internet question.  If bought plan for 1 device, I know it is one device at a time.  But can I only use that inital device to access internet only for the entire cruise ?  In other words if I start working on my phone and later with phone turned off and I wish to use my ipad instead, is that okay?  Or must I use the SAME device the entire cruise?

3 hours ago, JustBCruz said:

I believe you have to do the Port Valet by today.  It is a great deal.  We missed it and had a 4:00 flight out of Seattle.  Air Alaska would not take our bags until 4 hours before our flight so instead of being able to Uber Seattle we were stuck with our bags at the airport.  There is no cost to you other than what the airline charges.  We flew first class so there wasn’t going to be a charge for our three bags.

The Seattle airport is a good place to hang out so all was not lost. 

Is this something you are offered  once on the ship?  And if you have free baggage privilege with your carrier the service is free?  Where do you sign up?  Thanks.

DUH...simple enough! THANKS!😊

Thanks to geoherb and mjceditor for your info!  Really great copies!

I know on a previous post on another Live there were instructions on how to respond to someone direct so they see it.  Not sure how to find those details.  Promise to copy them this time.  You all are good at that, so can someone reinstruct me?  😬  THANKS!

I know the Patters have been posted for previous cruises but I didn't take a screen shot and can't find them.  Friends going on cruise Sept 19 were asking what times the shows were.  So would someone either answer the question OR post one Patter for the week showing the evening activities?  Thanks so much.  Looking forward to our cruise on the 12th.

It is available in Polar under Special requests, Gratuities & Beverage packages (never would have thought to look there!).

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Yes, you are correct that a 4-device order for the full voyage is $20/day pre-cruise.  On-board, it is $25/day.  Elites (Platinums as well) get 50% off either pricing, but of course makes best sense to order pre-cruise from Princess.  The 50% benefit applies to all MedallionNet options.

Thank you.  

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

I suppose, if the TA doesn't mind (they might have to wait on hold a while for no income).  It is not something they "need" to do and they earn nothing from the purchase.  No harm in asking.  I do use a TA that discounts the fare, but I handle everything else myself.  

 

If the TA knows how to use the Princess agent site instead of calling in, it takes less than 3 minutes to do.  Not all TA's use the agent websites though.

11 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

The pre-cruise price is $10/day and the on-board price is $15/day.  For the early cruises, some folks have got the pre-cruise pricing on board as a goodwill type thing, since it is not easy to pre-order internet at this time.  You have to call in to Princess and get an agent to add it to your booking and charge you for it.  IDK when you are departing, but jump on the phone to Princess and see if you can still order it.

If you booked through a Travel Agent they can prebook and pay for the internet package for you without your having to call Princess.

Can anyone tell me what the cost of a 4 device internet package is if purchased on the ship?  I know if purchased before you board it is $19.99/day for the 4 devices.   Also would an Elite person get a 50% off the ONBOARD charge if they waited to purchase onboard?  Are they getting 50% off the $19.99 if purchased ahead of time?  Do you know if any other capt circle member besides Elite gets the 50% off?  Thanks for the responses.

Thanks to both of you.  Hope I remember to go up and look at MUTS supply or ask steward.

We booked an aft balcony cabin for the first time on our Sept 12 cruise.  Can anyone tell me if the rooms have any extra blankets that can be used on the balcony if we sit back there in the cold?  If not, are they available at the pool deck?  Once years ago we were on an Alaska cruise where blankets were available to borrow for Glacier Bay day if not other days.  Haven't been on Princess in 10 yrs so not sure what they are doing these days.  Appreciate any info on extra blankets for this purpose...also Movies Under the Stars- think we had them for that one year somewhere.  Thanks.

3 hours ago, cruiser1956 said:

Bon Voyage! Happy Boarding Day! 

I am sailing in September on this cruise.  Being a self-diagnosed over planner, over worrier, and over thinker, I was wondering if after you have successfully boarded today could post about your Covid Test?  Where & When did you go? How long did it take to get your results? What test was it, and how much did it cost? 

 

I really need to get a grip on this before my cruise.

 

Thank you so much, and have a wonderful voyage.

 

Echoing these questions with more.  Was the antigen test at CVS the one people got who used the CVS minute clinic?  If not, which test did you take? Also most posters said it was at no charge.   Did CVS bill your insurance?  Are any of you on medicare and did they accept you without cost?  And did they ask for insurance or did you note no insurance?  And did you only check, the first box about needing it for travel and no on the other answers?  Then the most important....are you on the ship now and did they accept your documentation?  If anyone would post what the CVS results look like (delete your name and dob) it would be helpful to see what Princess accepts.

Thanks.  

We will be on a cruise from Dubai to Cape town Nov - Dec 2017 on Crystal cruises. We will stop in Maputo and also in some other ports in S. Africa.

We were told by our cruise line that we can get our Visas (we are US citizens) ahead of time but that doesn't work for our friends who need it a week ahead for another trip. OR we were told we could get it on board but the process could take hours. So my question is, did it take your ship hours to process visas? Or was it fairly quick.

Also I see you used Alan Tours for Addo Elephant Park. Was your experience a good one? We have been to Africa on safari 3 times so we are not new to the experience but want a nice day experience. Could your vehicle have held 4 persons as we are two couples traveling together?

I will need to read more to see what other ports you visited to see if you have any other suggestions for individual tours in other ports. Thanks for any questions you can answer.

Sue

Cruisemom. I'm impressed that you are still doing this after 4 yrs. Can you please send me your notes too. Email me

trvlingal at aol.com.

Also thanks for links to open and closed buildings.

Yes, we are on the Nov 2016 cruise and going with 8 other friends. Will look for roll call but may not be too active as going with friends.

Thanks for that warning. That is the reason we picked this trip. Figured we had the best chance of landings with more places to visit! Also longer on Antarctic peninsula than many.

Look forward to meeting you on the trip. When it gets closer I might ask for advice on clothing etc as I get cold in winter in southern California!

Good to hear that on several Drake passages you have had calm waters.

Have cruised MANY times all over the world in all sorts of cabins. I DO spend LOTS of time in the cabin so one with a view and space is important to me. We did go for the M category and friends got the MG's. So we shall see.

Cannot wait to do this with all the special stops. We have been on the trip around the horn twice and to Falklands twice. But really excited to see So. Georgia, Orkneys and to set foot on Antarctica.

Too many months to wait, but know it will go fast.

Thanks for your input.

Going on Fram in 2016 doing Ultimate Antarctica. Worried about motion sickness. Have booked an M category midship, but the thought of a balcony and views in an MG is intriguing. Am concerned that the MG suite in the back may move too much in rough seas. Input? Should we go for it?

My real question was what time do tenders stop when you are staying at a port overnight. Do they go until midnight or do they stop earlier. We will be there overnight and the next day. So wondered if anyone had done THIS itin with this overnight and next day situation to see if they could tell me how late at night on overnight night the tenders went and how early the next morning when we don't leave until 3pm that day.

Thanks for warnings. Done this many times so am aware and always cautious.

We are on the Jan 5, 2014 Gems of Indonesia cruise on the Celebrity Millennium. I am trying to look at some independent excursions and would like to know from those who have gone before, the times tenders start and end for the days in Bali. I am especially interested in Jan 11 when the tenders STOP for the evening (meaning how late can we get back on the ship that eve) and on Jan 12 how early the tenders begin (so we can start our tour earlier rather than later).

Thank you for any help you might give me with these times.