LIVE from the Star Princess; RT SFO to Hawaii - Oct. 6th to 21st

[tequilasunrise]

Thanks as always Pia for taking us along, and to Vicki for filling in more details! I really enjoy reading these, but can seldom respond, as I check them at lunch on a work computer.

 

Until next time! :)

[RMLincoln]

Princess will send a form for you to fill out asking about airline, flight and number and time. It specifically says they will not transfer anyone with a flight time before 12:15. Obviously we had no problem early Sunday morning. If your flight is actually at noon and want their transfer, you will have to lie.

 

I think we'll take a taxi or order car service, but will they make sure we get off in the first group if we are not doing a Princess transfer? Thanks again, m--

[caribill]

I think we'll take a taxi or order car service, but will they make sure we get off in the first group if we are not doing a Princess transfer? Thanks again, m--

 

Those on a Princess transfer are scheduled accdording to when their flights are and are not necessarily the first off the ship.

 

On the form you get requesting your departure preference you can tell them the time you need to be off of the ship and should be assigned to the appropriate group.

 

Please relaize that the time you are scheduled to be off the ship is a best estimate and various factors can affect what time you can actually disembark.

[windsor26]

hello Pia

 

reading your "Live" gave me a glimpse at all the stuff we did not do while afloat! we pretty much watched movies, napped, read, and visited the casino. we came out ahead... not by leaps but happily, no poorer.

 

it was nice meeting you and putting a face to the name. it was cool to find we have TJ's trail mix in common!

 

now... please advise?

I have searched and do not find any mention of unused Coffee Cards. Tim and I each bought one and used it for a daily cup of brewed coffee. for specialty coffees, we used Tim's card and there are six punches left. my card is unpunched and new for all intents. we have no plans to cruise in the next year. any suggestions?

 

It is generally said and understood that the unused punches on DH's card can be used for speciality coffees at another cruise even in a couple of years time At that time your unused card can be exchanged for a new one of the ship you are on :D

[Pia1913]

Those on a Princess transfer are scheduled accdording to when their flights are and are not necessarily the first off the ship.

 

On the form you get requesting your departure preference you can tell them the time you need to be off of the ship and should be assigned to the appropriate group.

 

Please relaize that the time you are scheduled to be off the ship is a best estimate and various factors can affect what time you can actually disembark.

Everyone who had flights before 1:00 pm were in the first scheduled group; RED 1. Anyone getting off earlier were self disembark. If you have a noon flight (and they really don't want you to have that), you will definitely be among the first to get off. If not, tell them you have to and get appropriate tags. You are much better off taking their transfer in the first group.

[vickie_bernie]

Hi everyone just catching up and had to share our story of trying to get disembarkation times we wanted.

 

First we are elite (so we usually get a form asking what time we want to get off and we get it)

Second We got a call personally from the purser's desk asking us what time we would like to get off a few days prior (I requested an early departure, shortly after self disembarkation)

Third, we got another call from the purser's desk asking again (different person) again we said one of the first groups as requested.

Fourth, next day we get another from purser's desk checking with us to ensure that we had requested a departure time. Again we said early departure.

 

guess what we get our tags and it is for a 10 departure about #15 group on the list

 

We laughed, and I left it to Bernie to go to the desk to deal with as I have only had problems with the purser's staff this voyage, the only dept this trip that we rated below average, all others were amazing.

 

He went down and was told sorry nothing they could do.

 

He said "you phoned us three times asking us what group we wanted, why did you phone if you can't accommodate us" Still he could get to resolve so ended up having to take it to the Customer Services Director who within two minutes handed him the first group after self disembarkation, Yellow 1 indepentdent transfer.

 

First time this has ever happened, but I guess I should of handed in the filled out form, silly me thought them phoning me would actually mean something.

 

Anyways no issues we got off the ship early, were in a cab to the airport before 9 am and the taxi was only $46 plus tip, still cheaper and faster than princess transfers (but you do have to schlep your bags to the taxi stand) - and we had an amazing trip.

 

Pia have a great trip

[Bucky3]

Hi Vickie - Met you just briefly at the M&G on the Mexico leg. I think my brain goes to sleep when my feet hit the embarkation ramp cause the morning of the Hawaii M&G I met a lovely lady who was sailing on Princess for the first time. She had some problems and wasn't at all happy with Princess, so Princess cheerleader that I guess I am, I proceeded to indoctrinate her, show her our cabin, etc. etc. Well, I completely lost track of time and missed that M&G and the chance to visit with you again and to meet Pia. Anyway, weren't both trips just great? I must say we've made many cruises to Mexico but never has it been as hot as this one. We love the Star and thought the service, food, activities, just about everything, was great. Sorry about your disembarkation problems - and that many calls with unhappy results is certainly grounds for complaining. Glad it got straightened out for you.

 

Now, can you give me a link to your blog, please? Would love to read your account of both cruises. How did you like Hawaii? It's paradise to us!

 

Bobbie

[vickie_bernie]

Hi Vickie - Met you just briefly at the M&G on the Mexico leg. I think my brain goes to sleep when my feet hit the embarkation ramp cause the morning of the Hawaii M&G I met a lovely lady who was sailing on Princess for the first time. She had some problems and wasn't at all happy with Princess, so Princess cheerleader that I guess I am, I proceeded to indoctrinate her, show her our cabin, etc. etc. Well, I completely lost track of time and missed that M&G and the chance to visit with you again and to meet Pia. Anyway, weren't both trips just great? I must say we've made many cruises to Mexico but never has it been as hot as this one. We love the Star and thought the service, food, activities, just about everything, was great. Sorry about your disembarkation problems - and that many calls with unhappy results is certainly grounds for complaining. Glad it got straightened out for you.

 

Now, can you give me a link to your blog, please? Would love to read your account of both cruises. How did you like Hawaii? It's paradise to us!

 

Bobbie

 

Nice to hear from you again, and I know what you mean about how our brain goes to sleep or something when we are on board.

 

I won't complain about the disembarkation process to Princess, it was just funny on how they called us three times to ask us when we wanted to get off, just to ignore what we said in the end. But they did resolve it. And truely for the few issues we encountered, Princess certainly exceeded our expectations.

 

the blog link is always in my signature so you can click it below (unless you have signatures off)

 

We really enjoyed Hawaii, I guess I had what I expected in my mind for it to be like but I was surprised at how different each island truely was. We definately want to see more of each of the islands. I found the crossings to be rather cool (minus the 2,3,4 day going) and that meant activities were limited to indoor things. Also couldn't use balcony much on sailing back cause it was cool.

 

but that won't stop us from booking again.

 

Thanks for following and it was nice meeting you Bobbi

[Pia1913]

Yes, Bobbie, we didn't meet. :) OK, so now we need to cruise at the same time again. I think we might have already done that.

Hello from Calif. Got here this AM from Vegas. All ready to board the Coral on Sunday. All that needs to be done is to buy wine. :D

[luvcdays]

Good Morning from SF. If I have some minutes you know I need to use them. Nippy morning here, but no wind. Already had breakfast and back in cabin to finish last minute wheelie packing.

 

Jackie, not going home. Going toVegas, then to LA and then to the Coral. Hope some of you will join me for the 14 day Panama Canal cruise (which we have done over and over and over) on October 28th. Thanks again for cruising along with us.

 

 

Toodleoo

 

Thank you for taking us along with you! Will you be doing "a live from" on the Coral?

[Pia1913]

Thank you for taking us along with you! Will you be doing "a live from" on the Coral?

 

Of course. I can't keep my fingers inactive. As you can see right now. :D

[ping1]

Welcome aboard the Star Princess as we begin our 15 day round trip to Hawaii from San Francisco.

 

　

Our nonstop flight on Thursday from FLL reached SFO on time. This was our first experience using Virgin America and we were very satisfied with their seats and interactive tv. If you wanted food or drink you just ordered it “on line”. Our friends Dee and John were waiting for us and we were whisked back to their lovely home to spend the night. Of course we stopped at Trader Joe’s to buy some liquid refreshment to take aboard. This morning’s journey into the port was uneventful and even with the expected crowds for Fleet Week we still had no major delays on the Embarcadero. Perhaps 30 minutes or so, but that’s it.

 

　

EMBARKATION DAY SATURDAY 10/6.

 

Checking in was a breeze. There were about 30 stations open and we were in our cabin before noon. To those who have been wondering about the new limit on wine, all I can say is; “what limit?” Nobody looked to see what we had and I had 5 bottles. Checked bag arrived before muster which was about 3:30. Of course the Blue Angels had their show during Muster. We missed most of it, but did manage to see four planes scooting in and out and around each other. Lots of sailboats to be seen which will delay departure until about 6:00 PM (per Coast Guard.)

 

 

Pertinent on board info:

 

Captain : Todd McBain

Hotel Manager: Emilio Mazzi

Cruise Director: Martyn Moss

Staff Capt: Rikard Lorentzen

Customer Service: Jasper Wolthuis

Maitre d’ Rui Pereira

CC Host: Peter John

FCC: Pippa

 

 

 

Since we were on board so early, we decided to have lunch in the dining room. Open today was Portofino on deck 6. Our luggage was delivered early and we had everything in place before muster. We then went to say hi to the CC host Peter who we know quite well and to get he important stats. No folks, we are not in the top 3. Not even in the top 5. We are #7. I don’t know the figures, was the top three each have over 1000 days. The most traveled luncheon will be on Wednesday, Oct. 10th and the cutoff is 349. I understand that last cruise it was 401. There are 219 Elite, 537 Platinum and 1040 Gold. Platinum and Elite will be having their own cocktail party, while Gold will have their in the theater and be given a drink voucher. Aren’t you guys happy I got all this important stuff out of the way so quickly?

 

 

 

On the “menu” tonight other than the Welcome Aboard Show is My Week with Marilyn in Vista and The Iron Lady on MUTS. Eric Stone is in Crooners and since we do know him will stop by to say hello. Explorer’s has Orphea Quartet and Wheelhouse has Maxman Duo. I’m not familiar with either of these two groups.

 

It's now wine time and since the internet is working I'll just go and start attacking those 5 bottles. We lose an hour of sleep tonight. See you in the morning.

 

 

Was the ramp leading to the ship on the same level as the check-in booths? Or did you have to go up a steep ramp to a waiting area? Thank you.

[Kentchikan]

We're on the cruise after Pia's and are now on our last day at sea. It's been a superb cruise. The staff has been incredible and wonderful. Yesterday we were in Ensenada tomorrow back to reality. We have had smooth sailing except for the first two days. We left four hours late from SF but it was wonderful to be able to look at the lights on the bay and see the city lit up from our table at dinner as we sailed away.

[Thrak]

Was the ramp leading to the ship on the same level as the check-in booths? Or did you have to go up a steep ramp to a waiting area? Thank you.

 

I doubt Pia is still following this thread. From what I've read here on CC:

 

If you arrive way early, you will possibly be faced with a steep ramp up to a waiting area. If you arrive at the proper time there should be no ramp to deal with.

[Kentchikan]

I doubt Pia is still following this thread. From what I've read here on CC:

 

If you arrive way early, you will possibly be faced with a steep ramp up to a waiting area. If you arrive at the proper time there should be no ramp to deal with.

 

It also depends on the tide. We arrive early and the ramp was a slight slope but the tide was low.

Our last day on board.:( It's been grand...oops wrong ship it's been star like.;)