LACruiser88

They are now called Director of Restaurant Operations (DRO). Check the thread titled "Princess Senior Ship Staff... " at the top of this forum for a current list. You will not be able to contact them before your cruise, unless you personally know them and have their contact info.

No Galley tours due to covid protocols.

In the past year, lots of Princess staff/crew have gone over to MSC and Virgin. Higher pay and better working conditions.

And, depending on demand, they can have multiple dinners on one voyage.

I hope you get through to them. It was about a month ago that I made our call. Good Luck!

We also have 9 cruises booked thru spring of 2024. Unfortunately, none are casino related. I guess you have to go into the casino to get those deals! 😄 😄

It is certainly on the short list to go next!

Ships are doing them depending on staffing issues. You cannot pre-book, inquire as soon as you board.

I've heard from a staff member that the "360" will be a new dining experience in the space adjacent to the Sabatini's entrance. My friend would not elaborate any further.

Thank you for posting the photos. Very odd cabin configuration. I would not book this cabin, regardless of the balcony size.

For our international flights, we can usually save lots of money on our Business Class flights via EZ air.

Wow! They have always taken our money if we wanted to pay for an upgrade, even after final payment. 🤔

Yes, that is correct. The check sent to us by Princess was for $1,000. Btw, I only tested positive (asymptomatic), my DW was negative. I did call Princess after 3 months of waiting for the check. I spoke to a very nice lady in their Customer Solutions Dept (? I think that was the name of the Dept?). She told me that she would expedite our request, 2 weeks later the check arrived. Their number is (800) 545-0008, Option #1. Btw, Option #1 states that it is for some other service, but that is the correct Option. I finally obtained that number after 3 hours on the phone and speaking to half a dozen rep's!

We just booked the 32 day, South Pacific cruise, but WOW sticker shock! But, it will be our 45th anniversary. Can't take it with you!

With the EU sailing FAQ's, it shows updated as of today. But, they did not change the medically observed testing. It must be the Medallion IT team at work again! 😄

Princess has some clarifying to do, as their FAQ's for EU cruises still indicates that the test needs to be medically observed. The below is from the FAQ's for EU cruises on their web site. 🤫 Based on current European Union Healthy Gateways (EUHG) guidelines, to board the ship, all guests ages five years and above will require a medically observed, negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within three days of embarkation. These protocols are subject to change and we’ll communicate any updates as they become available. Current testing requirements are as follows: Vaccination Status European Union Healthy Gateways Guideline Pre-Travel Test-Type When to Take Test Before Boarding Fully Vaccinated (ages 18 years old and above) At least 14 days past completion of a primary vaccine series and no more than 270 days (9 months) from the date of disembarkation since receiving the last dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is required for guests 18 and older if the last COVID-19 vaccine dose in series is older than 9 months (270 days) from the date of disembarkation. Antigen or PCR Within 3 days* Fully Vaccinated (ages five to 17 years old) Received primary series of COVID-19 vaccines with final dose at least 14 days before embarkation. Antigen or PCR Within 3 days* Not Fully Vaccinated Either not up to date or has not received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series. PCR Within 3 days

Below you will find a link to the Princess Refund Request page (www.princess.com/refund-request). We submitted a copy of our hotel statement with the request to prove we stayed in isolation for the 5 days. No meal receipts were needed. https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/customerCare.page?type=refund&topic=1 Did you obtain the 5 page medical report from the ship's medical staff? AON requires this for your claim. If not, you can request it via the below web site from Carnival's Medical Records Dept. They will email you the report via a secure link. This only took a couple of days to receive after we made the request. I also attached the Princess Authorization form that must be submitted with your request for your medical records. MRecordsRequests@carnival.com Princess Medical Release Form.pdf

Wow! I would say that was a lot of issues. We have cruised 70 days on Princess since the re-start and have had the opposite experience. The inconsistencies from ship to ship are startling. I hope this does not turn you completely off to Princess and give them another opportunity to impress you. So sorry that you had all of these issues.

We experienced similar situation in February. AON refunded hotel expense, flight change fees, isolation time on ship, and cancelled cruise fare, all via separate checks. We filed a Trip Interruption claim online as soon as we returned home. AON reimbursements took 3 months from time of filing claim. The isolation meal allowance ($100 pp, per day) has to be claimed from Princess, that took 4 months to be reimbursed. So sorry you have to go through this experience. Have a safe trip home!

I'll be following along. It will be great to hear your comparisons, as you were so recently on the Regal. Enjoy your cruise!

Latest on the Sapphire: The current position of SAPPHIRE PRINCESS is at East Asia (coordinates 14.51278 N / 120.77445 E) reported 3 days ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Los Angeles, United States (USA), sailing at a speed of 14.1 knots and expected to arrive there on Aug 20, 14:00. The vessel SAPPHIRE PRINCESS (IMO: 9228186, MMSI 235103357) is a Passenger (Cruise) Ship built in 2004 (18 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK). POSITION & VOYAGE DATA Track on MapAdd PhotoAdd to fleet Los Angeles, United States (USA) ETA: Aug 20, 14:00 Predicted ETA Distance / Time Course / Speed 240.7° / 14.1 kn Current draught 8.1 m Navigation Status - Position received 3 days ago IMO / MMSI 9228186 / 235103357 Callsign 2HFZ6 Flag United Kingdom (UK) Length / Beam 288 / 50 m

Congratulations! 🥂

For us, it is Sabatini's. Sterling Steakhouse lacks ambiance BIG TIME! Enjoy your cruise!

From Princess web site: Based on current European Union Healthy Gateways (EUHG) guidelines, to board the ship, all guests ages five years and above will require a medically observed, negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within three days of embarkation. These protocols are subject to change and we’ll communicate any updates as they become available. Current testing requirements are as follows: Vaccination Status European Union Healthy Gateways Guideline Pre-Travel Test-Type When to Take Test Before Boarding Fully Vaccinated (ages 18 years old and above) At least 14 days past completion of a primary vaccine series and no more than 270 days (9 months) from the date of disembarkation since receiving the last dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is required for guests 18 and older if the last COVID-19 vaccine dose in series is older than 9 months (270 days) from the date of disembarkation. Antigen or PCR Within 3 days* Fully Vaccinated (ages five to 17 years old) Received primary series of COVID-19 vaccines with final dose at least 14 days before embarkation. Antigen or PCR Within 3 days* Not Fully Vaccinated Either not up to date or has not received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series. PCR Within 3 days* *For cruises embarking in Greece: The Greek government requires guests to take a PCR test within 3 days of embarkation or an Antigen test within 2 days of embarkation. We recommend guests take a medically observed viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) prior to leaving home to avoid queues and travel disruptions associated with a possible positive result on the day of embarkation. We understand that this may not be possible based on your travel plans. For fully vaccinated guests, we will be able to provide a limited number of antigen tests that meet our requirements, at or near the terminal. For those that wish to take advantage of this convenience, a fee of $60 USD per person will apply as a stateroom folio charge to cover our internal costs. For fully vaccinated guests who can show proof of testing within the three-day window but did not receive their test results back in time, Princess will provide complimentary testing at or near the terminal on the day of your cruise departure. All guests ages 12 and above that have been approved for a vaccination exemption, as well as unvaccinated children ages five to 11 years old, will need an embarkation day COVID-19 test performed at the terminal in addition to the pre-cruise PCR test noted in the chart above. Charges may apply. We understand that it may be difficult to find testing that can provide results within a tight turnaround. Accordingly, if guests do not receive their test results in time or are unable to find a testing location, Princess will provide complimentary testing at the terminal. Guests who travel internationally should always ensure they understand all entry and airlines requirements to travel from their home country and the destinations they plan to visit, including where health authorities may require pre-travel PCR COVID-19 testing to enter a country. Details continue to be updated regularly; official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries are the recommended resources.

Our experience has been that when the token machine is broken in a laundry room, they place a bowl of free tokens in the laundry room until the machine is fixed.