LIVE FROM - Royal Princess - Sept 3-10 2022, Vancouver BC to Anchorage Alaska

[rheathslc]

2 minutes ago, Princessfan20 said:

 

Singing draws too much attention but you are wearing a tiara and sash?  Love it!!  Happy Birthday.

It's not the attention I dislike in general. Just the song itself. I really really don't like the birthday song for some reason. Haha!

[rheathslc]

2 hours ago, lolo11 said:

I would love to know about the white wine selection in Vines, if anyone on board happens to go there. Also, what are the generic white wine offerings (brand) in any other bars? Thanks. 

Haven't been to Vines yet but once we do I'll get pics of the menu for you.

 

Interesting note: with Princess Premier we get drinks "up to" $18. On the TV menu and app the ONLY sparkling option is an $18 per glass Brut. It's quite lovely. But I know they have a Prosecco at $10ish. It's not even an option for me. Again this is only when we order on the TV or app. My favorite vacation drink,  a strawberry margarita, is NOT on the app so we've been calling room service instead to get them.

[_rusty_shackleford]

22 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Interested in knowing if the Royal will have suite breakfast available in Sabatini's (or Crown Grill) since turn around day in Whittier is so uneventful.  Most often, they use the venue for special disembarkation groups.  Rarely, someone has posted that it was open for suite passengers.  I've never had that experience (even on turn around days).

Got you covered. I won't be able to give you a culinary review (I'm just common balcony rabble) but if they're feeling generous enough to let undesirables such as me take a picture of the menu I'd be happy to do that. Do me a favor and tag me in a reminder post on the 9th in case I forget/get distracted by the buffet/wife can't stand another week with me and has me thrown overboard.

[Priszm]

40 minutes ago, rheathslc said:

Haven't been to Vines yet but once we do I'll get pics of the menu for you.

 

Interesting note: with Princess Premier we get drinks "up to" $18. On the TV menu and app the ONLY sparkling option is an $18 per glass Brut. It's quite lovely. But I know they have a Prosecco at $10ish. It's not even an option for me. Again this is only when we order on the TV or app. My favorite vacation drink,  a strawberry margarita, is NOT on the app so we've been calling room service instead to get them.

If you like sweet drinks, then I highly recommend the Egyptian Zombie. The app said it was an Explorer's Lounge specialty. 

[cr8tiv1]

48 minutes ago, _rusty_shackleford said:

Got you covered. I won't be able to give you a culinary review (I'm just common balcony rabble) but if they're feeling generous enough to let undesirables such as me take a picture of the menu I'd be happy to do that. Do me a favor and tag me in a reminder post on the 9th in case I forget/get distracted by the buffet/wife can't stand another week with me and has me thrown overboard.

 

I'm good with the menu (don't need).  Whittier is a really unusual port.  Disembarkation point for some.  Late embarkation for others.  Easy check out/check in for turn around passengers.  You would think Princess would be able to offer suite breakfast for those passengers.  

 

You are better off placating to your wife.  It's going to be a long swim home if you do not bend to her wishes and desires.  I'm not a buffet person so have no interest in buffet events.  

 

Thanks again for chiming in.  Get off the ship in Whittier and enjoy spending a lovely time in town.

[_rusty_shackleford]

6 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I'm good with the menu (don't need).  Whittier is a really unusual port.  Disembarkation point for some.  Late embarkation for others.  Easy check out/check in for turn around passengers.  You would think Princess would be able to offer suite breakfast for those passengers.  

 

You are better off placating to your wife.  It's going to be a long swim home if you do not bend to her wishes and desires.  I'm not a buffet person so have no interest in buffet events.  

 

Thanks again for chiming in.  Get off the ship in Whittier and enjoy spending a lovely time in town.

Fortunately for me a glass of Pinot Grigio is the ideal peace offering for She Who Must Be Obeyed. Do you have any suggestions on what to do there? None of the excursions appealed to us very much (we've done whales and glaciers before).

Edited September 6, 2022 by _rusty_shackleford
I'm OCD about spelling and grammar.

[cr8tiv1]

8 minutes ago, _rusty_shackleford said:

Fortunately for me a glass of Pinot Grigio is the ideal peace offering for She Who Must Be Obeyed. Do you have any suggestions on what to do there? None of the excursions appealed to us very much (we've done whales and glaciers before).

 

My recommendation to to have a leisurely breakfast.  Partake in the turn around event.  (Whatever is required.  For me, it was walk out one door and walk in through another.)  It is a short walk into town.  Visit EVERY store.  Have lunch in town.  Talk to the residents (imported or otherwise).  Sometimes the unplanned day in port yields the greatest rewards.  Support the local economy (not made in China/Mexico).  Reward yourself with Peanut Butter cookies and cold milk upon your return.

[_rusty_shackleford]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

My recommendation to to have a leisurely breakfast.  Partake in the turn around event.  (Whatever is required.  For me, it was walk out one door and walk in through another.)  It is a short walk into town.  Visit EVERY store.  Have lunch in town.  Talk to the residents (imported or otherwise).  Sometimes the unplanned day in port yields the greatest rewards.  Support the local economy (not made in China/Mexico).  Reward yourself with Peanut Butter cookies and cold milk upon your return.

Really appreciate this and it hits home. I grew up in a tourist town (Clearwater Beach, FL) and although my parents didn't work in the tourism industry I was too young at the time to appreciate what a difference it made to my friends and neighbors. Now that I'm old enough to reflect and understand one of the highlights of cruising for me is being able to give back and support local economies in ways I otherwise wouldn't be able to.

 

On that note, if anyone who sees this finds themselves in Juneau, Deckhand Dave's is THE place to eat. I'm not going to say it's the reason we came back but it's darn sure something we aren't going to miss either! Local fishermen, fresh catch, local business, and high school/college aged workers. Reminds me of where I came from and how much it matters.

[1emerald1]

2 hours ago, rheathslc said:

It's not the attention I dislike in general. Just the song itself. I really really don't like the birthday song for some reason. Haha!

You're lucky you're not my kid.  My kids are early thirties and I still call them and sing the song!  They just tolerate it!

[ceilidh1]

2 hours ago, _rusty_shackleford said:

Fortunately for me a glass of Pinot Grigio is the ideal peace offering for She Who Must Be Obeyed. Do you have any suggestions on what to do there? None of the excursions appealed to us very much (we've done whales and glaciers before).

Hands down one of the best excursions we ever did in Alaska (and we have done MANY) was the 26 glacier cruise out of Whittier. It was spectacular, even better than Glacier Bay in my opinion!

[CruzeQueen2]

Question to those on board - Is  a tube of lotion provided these days? I read somewhere here that amenities were proving to be scarce these days. Will I need to bring my own? TIA

Edited September 6, 2022 by CruzeQueen2

[koolforkatz]

12 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Hands down one of the best excursions we ever did in Alaska (and we have done MANY) was the 26 glacier cruise out of Whittier. It was spectacular, even better than Glacier Bay in my opinion!

 

100% agree! That's how I would spend the day in Whittier.

[partybarbie]

18 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Interested in knowing if the Royal will have suite breakfast available in Sabatini's (or Crown Grill) since turn around day in Whittier is so uneventful.  Most often, they use the venue for special disembarkation groups.  Rarely, someone has posted that it was open for suite passengers.  I've never had that experience (even on turn around days).

When we were on the Royal in July, it was open. It does close earlier than usual. I believe it was 8:30 am. It is held in Sabatini’s.

Edited September 6, 2022 by partybarbie

[partybarbie]

Would love to know who the piano man is in Crooner’s bar. It should be listed in the patter.

[_rusty_shackleford]

2 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

Question to those on board - Is  a tube of lotion provided these days? I read somewhere here that amenities were proving to be scarce these days. Will I need to bring my own? TIA

We do have lotion in our cabin. We're in a deluxe balcony so I'm not sure if that's standard for all rooms or not. I would think it is.

[_rusty_shackleford]

5 minutes ago, partybarbie said:

Would love to know who the piano man is in Crooner’s bar. It should be listed in the patter.

It's been Colin Salter every night. We haven't been yet so I can't comment on his performance.

[CruzeQueen2]

11 minutes ago, _rusty_shackleford said:

We do have lotion in our cabin. We're in a deluxe balcony so I'm not sure if that's standard for all rooms or not. I would think it is.

Thank you!

[Yehootu]

15 hours ago, _rusty_shackleford said:

Really appreciate this and it hits home. I grew up in a tourist town (Clearwater Beach, FL) and although my parents didn't work in the tourism industry I was too young at the time to appreciate what a difference it made to my friends and neighbors. Now that I'm old enough to reflect and understand one of the highlights of cruising for me is being able to give back and support local economies in ways I otherwise wouldn't be able to.

 

On that note, if anyone who sees this finds themselves in Juneau, Deckhand Dave's is THE place to eat. I'm not going to say it's the reason we came back but it's darn sure something we aren't going to miss either! Local fishermen, fresh catch, local business, and high school/college aged workers. Reminds me of where I came from and how much it matters.

Our favorite port was Whittier ( done a few other Alaska cruises ). We walked into town first but wanted to go to town housing building. Didn't realize there was a tunnel under tracks. We backtracked to go to apt building ( forget name). There are a few trails to the right of the building to a stream . Nice easy walk. Then we headed back to town through tunnel and visited stores. Bought some fudge then lunch at Oceanview Cafe. Great non touristy day. Great people in town.

[Yehootu]

Deckhand Dave's is awesome. If there before opening, the dive bar across the street has cold beer.

[rheathslc]

Hello all, sorry to have been MIA again. I'm just not having much luck getting CC to work even with the cell signal in port. Every time I go to post it looks like it's going to quote every single post in the thread and I can't find a way to remove the quoted material. Has anyone else experienced that?

 

I'll post some full day reviews this evening if I can get them to post correctly. 

 

This is just a brief review of Princess Premier so far:

 

Wine prices DID go up as has been reported on other threads about Premier. The only New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (my personal fav) - Cloudy Bay - is now $19 so thank goodness for Premier or I'd be paying a bunch extra for it. There also seems to still be a supply issue. Several of the wines I have ordered have not been available and they tell me they'll replace them with something else at that price point which is confusing to me as the menus don't have multiple options for each varietal at the higher price points. All of the wine offered on Princess Plus is JUST offered by varietal - no specific wineries are named at all. I'm not much of a red wine person so I've been paying attention mostly to the whites and sparkling options. If there is a specific wine you want me to check on let me know.

 

Prizes: So far I've only noticed that we've "won" one entry for the end of cruise drawing. We end up not coming and going very much while the casino is open which on this cruise has so far been only one sea day and late at night. I have also noticed that every stateroom door shows the Princess Prizes logo. I don't know if that's just to entice the people who didn't sign up or of somehow everyone actually is enrolled. That seems unlikely to me and I'll try to get an answer about that.

 

Pictures: we've been posing for lots of pictures on board and we even had one taken at embarkation and when we got off the ship in Juneau. That's the first time they've had either of those on any of my cruises since the restart. Hopefully there will be enough that we like that we can each pick the 3 prints that are included with Premier. 

 

Stay tuned for reviews from Days 2-5 🙂

[CruzeQueen2]

16 minutes ago, rheathslc said:

Hello all, sorry to have been MIA again. I'm just not having much luck getting CC to work even with the cell signal in port. Every time I go to post it looks like it's going to quote every single post in the thread and I can't find a way to remove the quoted material. Has anyone else experienced that?

 

I'll post some full day reviews this evening if I can get them to post correctly. 

 

This is just a brief review of Princess Premier so far:

 

Wine prices DID go up as has been reported on other threads about Premier. The only New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (my personal fav) - Cloudy Bay - is now $19 so thank goodness for Premier or I'd be paying a bunch extra for it. There also seems to still be a supply issue. Several of the wines I have ordered have not been available and they tell me they'll replace them with something else at that price point which is confusing to me as the menus don't have multiple options for each varietal at the higher price points. All of the wine offered on Princess Plus is JUST offered by varietal - no specific wineries are named at all. I'm not much of a red wine person so I've been paying attention mostly to the whites and sparkling options. If there is a specific wine you want me to check on let me know.

 

Prizes: So far I've only noticed that we've "won" one entry for the end of cruise drawing. We end up not coming and going very much while the casino is open which on this cruise has so far been only one sea day and late at night. I have also noticed that every stateroom door shows the Princess Prizes logo. I don't know if that's just to entice the people who didn't sign up or of somehow everyone actually is enrolled. That seems unlikely to me and I'll try to get an answer about that.

 

Pictures: we've been posing for lots of pictures on board and we even had one taken at embarkation and when we got off the ship in Juneau. That's the first time they've had either of those on any of my cruises since the restart. Hopefully there will be enough that we like that we can each pick the 3 prints that are included with Premier. 

 

Stay tuned for reviews from Days 2-5 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to give us so much information. If you like sitting at Vines, try the Jordan, cab sauvignon. If Amel is there, tell him Donna sent you! I will see him soon.

[CruzeQueen2]

On 9/6/2022 at 10:53 AM, _rusty_shackleford said:

It's been Colin Salter every night. We haven't been yet so I can't comment on his performance.

Let us know, please. Is his style easy listening, or sing- along? Thx. 

[rheathslc]

On 9/5/2022 at 3:41 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Interested in knowing if the Royal will have suite breakfast available in Sabatini's (or Crown Grill) since turn around day in Whittier is so uneventful.  Most often, they use the venue for special disembarkation groups.  Rarely, someone has posted that it was open for suite passengers.  I've never had that experience (even on turn around days).

We just got disembarkation info delivered. Suite Breakfast in Sabatini's is from 6:30-8:30 in Whittier on disembarkation/turn around day.

That is unfortunately the end of the line for us. I'm jealous of all the folks staying on. But I've used up all my PTO with my two Alaska cruises this year and have to get back to work before they replace me. Haha!

[CruzeQueen2]

Just now, rheathslc said:

We just got disembarkation info delivered. Suite Breakfast in Sabatini's is from 6:30-8:30 in Whittier on disembarkation/turn around day.

That is unfortunately the end of the line for us. I'm jealous of all the folks staying on. But I've used up all my PTO with my two Alaska cruises this year and have to get back to work before they replace me. Haha!

Thanks for posting! 

[rheathslc]

1 hour ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

Thanks for taking the time to give us so much information. If you like sitting at Vines, try the Jordan, cab sauvignon. If Amel is there, tell him Donna sent you! I will see him soon.

I usually love sitting at Vines but found their wine btg selection lacking on this trip. My favorite mainstays in the sparkling department, Gloria Ferrer and Nicholas Feuillatte are not on offer. But they are available on the ship somewhere. Because they are on listed as by the bottle options to order on our evening canape menu. And I got a glass of the Nicholas F. at Ocean Terrace with our sushi last night.

 

Will try posting the menus I've collected if the internet will behave.