Lulubelle45

My flight isnt until 6pm. The only excursion offered is a Long Beach on your own transfer ending at LAX for $49pp giving us about 3 or so hours in Long Beach and the bus holds our luggage. Has anyone done this? 2 of us in our party or there a better option?

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Did they still have happy Hour on board? BOGO $1?

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Had no BOGO $1 on the CB. Unlike in your situation. we already knew that there was none before boarding. There were already talks that it will be done fleet wide. Maybe your sailing is the start for Golden.

 

 

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I'm sailing Ruby Princess on Sunday and this is the first I've heard about it

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It also didn't help that this particular weekend also had multiple road closures in the area, a major bridge nearby closed and work being done on the Expo/Millenium skytrain lines. Enough so that it made it onto the local news

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Thanks for the info. We will be on her this Sunday to LA. What were the shows like? Any drink of the day specials or just the happy hour?? Did you go to any pool areas or the spa?

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I was on the NCL Pearl on my first cruise when we had to bypass Astoria due to the high seas, we ended up with an extra Sea day only. We did however find a port credit of around $10-15 FOR MISSING THE PORT

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Saw this series last year in Canada. For those of you (like me) That can't get enough. Have you seen the 2 season series called " Cruise ship diaries??" It's been around a bit but shows the crew perspective aboard the Costa Cruise lines. I saw it on You tube

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Thanks so much. Writing a review for the first time is a bit intimidating, as I was wondering if anyone would be interested in our trip. (I reasoned that at least I would have a trip journal I could always look back at to remember what a wonderful time we had.)

 

Oh my gosh, I am so directionally challenged, I was constantly running up and down the stairs, trying to find places I visited every day, like the International Court. I'm sorry, but I have no idea what deck we boarded on. It's really a mystery to me the different ways we got on and off the ship, depending on the port.

 

We didn't really look for hidden spots, although a couple we dined with told us they loved an area outside of Cafe Caribe (on the far end of the Horizon Court) where they would sit every day. We found our Glacier Bay lookout forward on deck 8 (a short flight up from the Promenade deck) to be a perfect sheltered place to spend the morning on Glacier Bay.

 

Rain was predicted for every day we were in Alaska, but we never saw a drop. (Eleven inches of rain the weekend before we arrived in Ketchikan!) We really went with the expectation that it would rain, and that flights might be cancelled, but we were determined to have a great time, no matter what.

 

Your third time back to Alaska - how wonderful!

Oh. I must clarify, I'm doing a Pacific Coastal on the Ruby down to LA. I totally get the disorientation on ship. I was on the NCL Pearl last year and thank God for the carpeting. The fish pattern always faced the bow off the ship. If I noticed them swimming downstream I knew I was heading to the stern. Also HAL ships have the day of the week carpet in the elevators. Most ships have the theater at the bow and MDR and buffet at stern lol all about the food!

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First review??? Wow you did a fabulous job!! Been to Alaska 1 1/2 times ( a 4 day sampler on the Coral + a 7 day on Celebrity) so I was more interested on info on Ruby as I'm sailing on her Oct 1. Do you recall what deck you boarded on?? Any hidden must see spots on the ship?? Glad to see you had awesome weather too. I have yet to see rain in Ketchikan!

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Thanks!!

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Just to confirm, do you not get bottled water on the regular beverage package either?

Last i cruised Princess , water bottles included in the alcohol package but not the Soda and More package (non alcoholic)

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No bottled water nor specialty coffees on the S&m pkg. (I think Celebrity is the only line that includes bottled water) I usually purchase a 6-12 pack of water bottles ahead of time for port days. I drink the ship water on board. I slap a luggage tag on it and it's sent to the cabin with my luggage. But you can also buy it if you prefer. My mom will only drink bottled water.

Now the Nohito was one of my favorite drink on that package along with one that I can't recall the name...sunrise something I think- plus almost any drink could be made virgin style

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I booked a transfer with Princess in LA for $50 pp just so I didn't have to drag my luggage around until my flight so I could see the sights. This EZ check sounds interesting. Is it only for flights booked thru Princess?? Also does anyone know the cost to get to LAX and best Way?

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Would like an idea of what movies are currently playing on NUTS. I will be sailing Oct 1/17. Also, does anyone have a copy of a Patter from any Pacific Coastal cruises? TYIA

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Great to hear. Was a pleasure to meet you and Tyr though never did get to meet your daughter.

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Sailed 2 years ago with mom and its how my sister and I first noticed the early signs of dementia. Advice I'd give? Block the cabin door at night with a chair or get one of those alarms that go off when door opens. Mom got out when she mistook the cabin door for the bathroom in the middle of the night and of course it locked her out. Luckily it woke us up but in that instance she had gotten quite far down the hall. Putting a picture of your parent IN HIS YOUNGER DAYS will help him locate the door. Just remember that they function better with routine, and being on a cruise is far from routine so more confusion is certain. Consider hiring a caregiver, peace of mind.

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Phew. Me too and not blonde

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3 of us in a cabin on the Pearl, which when the sofabed was open, only way to get to balcony was to climb over that person. We kept the suitcases under the beds, as our dirty hamper for clothes, bought a magnet penholder from the dollar store to hold pens highlighter and comb as well as a magnetic whiteboard for messages. My first gift shop purchases are magnets which i used in cabin for the dailies then served as gifts when i returned home. Its amazing what can be attached to the walls in zip locks lol. The main thing was that everyone put their stuff away before leaving the cabin.

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I am glad you found something useful. I think the cruise from Vancouver will be very similar, and the Emerald is a little newer than the Grand.

 

I would like to sail from Vancouver at some point, maybe for an Alaska cruise if I can convince DW to do that route. Vancouver looks like a great city.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

 

 

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Thank you! Just finished reading this review and took loads of notes. Will be our first time to Hawaii, our longest cruise (Alaska 7 day being our longest) and my second on Princess. I'm sure the Patters will be similar. Do you recall if there was a special seafood Crabpot style menu? What were the prices like for bevvies in Hawaii.? DO you know if there were any swim with Dolphin excursions and if so, which island? Thank you again and do convince DW to cruise Alaska, you won't be dissapointed !

So, maybe time for a couple more posts about the balcony cabin this afternoon. Aside from being almost a clone of our cabin on the Coral, the closet space, and the bath on the Grand was even smaller.

 

We probably overpacked a little, but we were going to be gone for two weeks and we planned to do laundry for our workout clothes a couple times during the trip. In addition to our workout clothes and smart casual clothes, we also had a tux, tux shirts, three formal gowns, and 10 pair of shoes packed in our two bags. I know, 10 pair of shoes!!! But two pair were flip flops, so maybe they really are not shoes. Then there were a pair for my tux, a pair for smart casual, and a pair of running shoes. DW had to have a pair for each of her gowns, running shoes and a pair for smart casual. The closet floor space was not large enough for 10 pair without stacking them.

 

 

There were about 20 hangers in the closet, so we had enough, but only because we packed all our formal clothes with their hangers. Still, all of our clothes fit there and on the shelves. We did see some couples that had four large suitcases, so unless they had suites with large closets, I don't know where they would find room for that much.

 

 

The room safe was large enough for a iPad, but it would not be large enough for a laptop. The bath sink area had three shelves that would hold everything we needed, and it appeared if you brought a night light, the wall plug would work without the light switch being on. I had a battery operated magnetic light that I brought and attached to the door this time.

 

 

The shower with the patented clingy curtain was typically cramped.

 

 

 

 

Recently got back from the Crown in Europe and Scandinavia. Love seeing the ship. I hate those shower curtains and wish they would put in a door. Also, when will Princess get hand -held attachments!!!

 

 

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I hadn't thought about the customs issue for my cruise. On my prior Pacific coastal it was non-stop LA to Vancouver and we had customs at Canada Place Pier. But this time I'm on the Oct. 1st Ruby sailing from Vancouver to Astoria, SF, Santa Barbara and then LA. Will we go through a immigration inspection in Astoria and then customs in LA?

You are jot stopping in Canada first so should be in LA

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I hadn't thought about the customs issue for my cruise. On my prior Pacific coastal it was non-stop LA to Vancouver and we had customs at Canada Place Pier. But this time I'm on the Oct. 1st Ruby sailing from Vancouver to Astoria, SF, Santa Barbara and then LA. Will we go through a immigration inspection in Astoria and then customs in LA?

All 3 of my Pacific Coastal started in Vancouver to LA x2 (NCL)and San Diego (HAL). Only on my last cruise was this an issue. Vanc- Victoria- SF- LA. Was told the reason for customs in SF was because it was the first US port following a Canadian port. The other Pacific coastal missed Astoria due to weather, but San Fran wasn't effected. It didn't have a Canadian port stop so customs was in LA. The San Diego one stopped in Victoria then customs in San Diego no other ports

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I've done 3 coastal though none on Princess. Having sailed all in late September or late October, the weather was actually fair each time. Never made it to Astoria, as it was to stormy to dock (winds, no rain) have always stopped in Victoria rather than Nanaimo. SF was great but on our cruise without the US port prior, we had to clear customs in SF which meant EVERYONE had to disembark, took about 3 hours to clear the entire ship. I'm looking forward to doing the Reviera as that would be new to me

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As the entertainers switch constantly, what was on the Pearl last year will no doubt be different this year. Did like the game show version of dancing with the stars, forgot what they call it now but very entertaini g for all ages to watch.

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Hit or miss really. Probably a bit cooler. Plan for cool and wet and you may be surprised. Note that as the days go shorter, less daylight =cool nights. Victoria will be dark by 9 in September which is a shame as it's a lovely city. Get out early and enjoy

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Given I choice, I always pick Westjet. Employees all own shares in the company which results in amazing service. The do alot for the community as well ( YouTube westjet Christmas for eg) I've never been bumped, made connections easily and service is always top notch

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