Crown Princess Alaska May 21st

[cruisingrob21]

Princess really needs to come clean on this issue - convert the Crown to 10 day voyages so she can reliably make her stops and let any passengers who can't make that work go to the Discovery.  It's wishful thinking if Princess thinks they are selling full ships this summer.

 

Alternatively, re-brand the crown to just sail a PNW itinerary with visits in Vancouver, Victoria, Astoria, Nanaimo, and perhaps Prince Rupert.  Give passengers who want "ALASKA" the chance to go to the Discovery

 

Aren't the Diamond and Sapphire still crew-only - both are sailing around in the eastern med?  They should be getting one of those ships ready very quickly and bringing it over to replace the crown for the remainder of the season.

 

Summer Alaska bookings aren't great this year - and most ships are not sailing full, hence the really impressive last minute drop and go fares we are seeing.  There are simply too many ships there this summer with only tepid demand.  I feel bad for people who are coming to Alaska for the first time on Princess - they are not getting a "great" experience that Princess normally provides in Alaska.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2022 by cruisingrob21

[Crow9]

This was my first time to Alaska, really wish I could have seen Ketchikan and Juneau.  I really only got to see Skagway and Glacier Bay.  Hopefully they make it to Victoria on time, but I'm not counting on it.

 

Today was cool, I saw 3 whales, a baby whale, sea lions, and tons of sea otters.  I also saw a piece of ice calve off to form an iceburg.

[QuilterGirl]

Just received a letter saying that each guest will now receive (yet another) $100 in non-refundable OBC, due to ports/time-in-ports/tours missed.  We have two remaining days to spend it.  We are reminded that it can "be used toward all purchases in the bars, boutiques and art auctions, as well as spa treatments and shore excursions." 

[Crow9]

Same. Received the letter about another $100 onboard credit for being so late to Juneau.  At this point I think we should receive 50% FCC.

 

For glacier bay, the best tip I have is to get up at 6am, that early you will see whales.  Lots of people had binoculars, I didn't and still saw them.  You can get blankets on deck 15 and then go up to Skywalkers on deck 18 and get a hot chocolate and watch for the whales.

[jk04]

4 hours ago, Crow9 said:

Same. Received the letter about another $100 onboard credit for being so late to Juneau.  At this point I think we should receive 50% FCC.

I assume it's refundable?  So, you could go to the casino slot machine and cash out for the cash if you wanted.

[JeffT237]

5 hours ago, Crow9 said:

Same. Received the letter about another $100 onboard credit for being so late to Juneau.  At this point I think we should receive 50% FCC.

 

So the total compensation that the May 21st passengers are now receiving is $200pp refundable OBC and a 20% pp FCC? 

[Crow9]

For the 21st cruise, $300 non-refundable onboard credit and 20% FCC.

[cruzin4us]

11 hours ago, QuilterGirl said:

Just received a letter saying that each guest will now receive (yet another) $100 in non-refundable OBC, due to ports/time-in-ports/tours missed.  We have two remaining days to spend it.  We are reminded that it can "be used toward all purchases in the bars, boutiques and art auctions, as well as spa treatments and shore excursions." 

 

That's like saying we will take you on a scenic cruise of Alaska but you can't get off the ship.....BUT we will give you a free massage

[Crow9]

I heard a rumor, another passenger this morning said they heard this from a crew member, so take this as a rumor and possibly not true as I have not verified, that the next 2 cruises are sailing (I'm assuming with the same itinerary issues as the may cruises), then instead of the cruise after that, they will dry dock the ship for a week and fix the issues.

[cruzin4us]

2 minutes ago, Crow9 said:

I heard a rumor, another passenger this morning said they heard this from a crew member, so take this as a rumor and possibly not true as I have not verified, that the next 2 cruises are sailing (I'm assuming with the same itinerary issues as the may cruises), then instead of the cruise after that, they will dry dock the ship for a week and fix the issues.

 

2 more cruises too late....

[jk04]

7 minutes ago, Crow9 said:

I heard a rumor, another passenger this morning said they heard this from a crew member, so take this as a rumor and possibly not true as I have not verified, that the next 2 cruises are sailing (I'm assuming with the same itinerary issues as the may cruises), then instead of the cruise after that, they will dry dock the ship for a week and fix the issues.

Wonderful, that would be June 11th, which is our cruise.  

[voljeep]

5 minutes ago, jk04 said:

Wonderful, that would be June 11th, which is our cruise.  

If I had 'throwaway money' I'd book a suite ( yep, still available ) to see what kind of compensation Princess would offer in the event of late cancellation - if not cancelled, invoke the CFAR and just ride the FCC

[jk04]

18 minutes ago, Crow9 said:

For the 21st cruise, $300 non-refundable onboard credit and 20% FCC.

Non-refundable OBC is just ridiculous...

[miagirl]

8 hours ago, Crow9 said:

For glacier bay, the best tip I have is to get up at 6am, that early you will see whales.  Lots of people had binoculars, I didn't and still saw them.  You can get blankets on deck 15 and then go up to Skywalkers on deck 18 and get a hot chocolate and watch for the whales.

Crow9, thanks for posting all the pictures and tips.  I really appreciate your upbeat attitude, particularly in light of the difficulties encountered.  My DH always said that a bad day at sea was better than a great day at the office!  

 

[cruisingrob21]

Just received notice that our Jul 9th voyage on the Eurodam has a 3pm departure from Seattle.  Also, Alaskan sampler on the Crown in Sept also has a 3pm departure.  I think some of these adjustments must be due to reduce speeds and save fuel when sailing to Juneau because as far as I know the Eurodam has no issues currently and has a higher top speed.

[byucruiser]

I’m on the May 28th cruise and our initnerary has not any further changed. Still showing Juneau at 2:30, skagway, icy straight point, Victoria. Very much hoping with smooth waters we can make the scheduled times.

 

When the time comes would you mind sharing your disembarkation experience? I booked an early flight out (10am) and I'm really hoping I can self-assist off this ship asap after a 7am port. Curious when they'll actually let people off tho. 

 

Thank you for all the updates. Long time lurker and first time poster. Been following the crown updates for weeks, been stressful yet helpful. 

 

 

[wolvey]

16 minutes ago, byucruiser said:

I’m on the May 28th cruise and our initnerary has not any further changed. Still showing Juneau at 2:30, skagway, icy straight point, Victoria. Very much hoping with smooth waters we can make the scheduled times.

 

When the time comes would you mind sharing your disembarkation experience? I booked an early flight out (10am) and I'm really hoping I can self-assist off this ship asap after a 7am port. Curious when they'll actually let people off tho. 

 

Thank you for all the updates. Long time lurker and first time poster. Been following the crown updates for weeks, been stressful yet helpful. 

 

 

I'm on the same sailing as you....finally got all the paperwork and testing done...next thing to worry about is the plane getting to seattle on time.  I feel so bad for my family.  Everyone is so excited about the vacation.  I can't tell them any of this as there is nothing we can do about it. it'll just depress them unnecessary. :(

 

Just like the other three sailings, it looks like Princess will notify everyone tomorrow (the day before the sailing) or while you're on the ship...i'm sure they do that so the passengers are stuck.

 

Yes....nonrefundable OBC is stupid...you can only do so much on the ship...they need to do refundable 50% not FCC.

[MarcsSharon]

49 minutes ago, wolvey said:

I'm on the same sailing as you....finally got all the paperwork and testing done...next thing to worry about is the plane getting to seattle on time.  I feel so bad for my family.  Everyone is so excited about the vacation.  I can't tell them any of this as there is nothing we can do about it. it'll just depress them unnecessary. 😞

 

Just like the other three sailings, it looks like Princess will notify everyone tomorrow (the day before the sailing) or while you're on the ship...i'm sure they do that so the passengers are stuck.

 

Yes....nonrefundable OBC is stupid...you can only do so much on the ship...they need to do refundable 50% not FCC.

So I’m on the June 4th trip. I think it’s outrageous that Princess will wait until the day before to notify me of a change they are well aware will happen. Has anyone mentioned a class action suit. I am well aware of the sailing contract..however, this is different. Princess has a ship they know is in trouble but continue to sail. Thoughts?

 

 

[MarcsSharon]

A nddd…the Princess website is still showing sailings with the updated itinerary. If in fact they know of further cancellations and are waiting until the day before or worse..when all ready on board, I believe we are being taken..big time.

[Crow9]

The princess website for my cruise showed the icy straight point itinerary up until the day before when I checked. There were a ton of people who did not check their emails the night before who had no idea of the changes.

[MarcsSharon]

1 hour ago, Crow9 said:

The princess website for my cruise showed the icy straight point itinerary up until the day before when I checked. There were a ton of people who did not check their emails the night before who had no idea of the changes.

Shameful…

[byucruiser]

Our helicopter excursion company just called and cancelled our 4:15pm flight and said that they have knowledge we won't port until earliest 4:30pm even though Princess is still claiming 2:30pm.

 

I am chatting and calling Princess and the support agents are still claiming 2:30. This is all so frustrating and I am pissed and I get to leave for Seattle tomorrow. Yay for being mad before the vacation even starts.

[jk04]

6 minutes ago, byucruiser said:

Our helicopter excursion company just called and cancelled our 4:15pm flight and said that they have knowledge we won't port until earliest 4:30pm even though Princess is still claiming 2:30pm.

I assume this is for Juneau.  We already had to adjust our private whale watching tour that day from 1400 to 1700.  I'm sure Princess has no concern for the private excursions but they should have concern for their own tour partners.  It's also unfair to them to cancel or change so close to sailing.  These tour operators rely on the cruise passengers to make their money as well.  I mean, I know everyone will be upset if there are no excursions available, but something has to give somewhere.

 

I know the cruise lines have been bleeding cash the last couple of years and need to recoup their losses.  But, I don't think to many people would be happy to book a trip to Disney World only to ride around on the Monorail.  Not the same, but you know what I mean....

[byucruiser]

Confirmed with Princess, and the excursion company that the Crown will not arrive in Juneau until 5:30 PM for the cruise dates: May 30th, June 6th, June 13th, June 20th. The excursion company sent us the notification alert they received directly from their cruise travel partner and scheduling operations.

 

Now looking for last minute excursions and not much available and nothing really runs after 5:30 anyways. 

[wolvey]

4 minutes ago, byucruiser said:

Confirmed with Princess, and the excursion company that the Crown will not arrive in Juneau until 5:30 PM for the cruise dates: May 30th, June 6th, June 13th, June 20th. The excursion company sent us the notification alert they received directly from their cruise travel partner and scheduling operations.

 

Now looking for last minute excursions and not much available and nothing really runs after 5:30 anyways. 

Did Princess say what will happen to their own excursions?  the previous sailings had everything canceled.  Not sure what you can do now if we are barely there for 5 hours...i have the glacier and salmon bake excursion.  i guess we have to take a shuttle to the glacier ourselves or what?

 

And when will princess ever tell anyone????