Ancon

I know the gratuity charged for stateroom attendants is charged (per guest) based on two occupants per room.  How does it work when the passenger is traveling solo?  Princess is covering the gratuity, but are they paying the attendants gratuity for one passenger or two?  I don't want the room attendant to be only compensated for one passenger when they ordinarily would be getting paid for two passengers (for the same amount of work).  It is a 32 day cruise.  

Thank you for your responses in advance.

Are juice, hot chocolate and chocolate milk still available for free in the Horizon Court (Buffet) area?  I remember orange juice, apple juice and grapefruit juice being available and free of charge during breakfast (same as in the MDR).  Since we have not been on Princess for several years we're not sure what has changed.  My DS is quoting from the Princess Web Site in stating that one MUST buy a Beverage Package to get juice and hot chocolate.  Please help clarify beverage availability and types as we really don't want to have to purchase a beverage package.

Thank you.

Ancon

Thank you all for the excellent and timely information/responses.  

I do have a follow-on question based on your inputs.

Question:  Can you order from the Kids Menu in the MDR and take the order "to go" and return to either your stateroom or the Horizon Court to eat?  We are traveling as 3 families and not all members are interested in a restaurant setting (MDR), especially after a long port day.  

Clarification/response to original post and responses:

a) Food Court is Horizon Food Court (Buffet)

b) Grandchildren have cruised on Disney with their parents, hence the Kids Menu question

c) Potstech - I took time to have a family dinner and SLEEP!!!

Again thanks to all you wonderful CC members.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Ancon

We are traveling with our grandchildren for the first time (ages 9 & 10),  who are very pickey eaters.  I understand Princess has a Kids Menu, whose selections would satisfy them.  We have anytime dining, but plan on eating most of our meals in the food court.  

Our question:

Is the Kids Menu only available in the Main Dining Room or is it available in other dining venues (Food Court/room service etc) on Princess?

v/r

Ancon

Perfect!

Thank you Martincath for taking the time and providing such a comprehensive response.  You answered everything and added valuable insights.

v/r

Ancon

I know the CC Board has many expert Alaska Cruise travelers and we would greatly appreciate the wisdom of your experience traveling through the Vancouver Airport (YVR).   We will be a family of seven (with 2 grand children under the age of 10) flying non-stop from Vancouver to Boston on Air Canada.  Since we are flying out of YVR at 8:45 AM (the day after our disembarkation), it would be most helpful and less stressfull if we understood the YVR Customs/Immigration/Security process in advance.  The early morning departure means we will have to leave the hotel at 5 AM (via taxi) to get to the airport three hours prior to an international flight departure.  With small children in tow, you know the challenges that await us.

Sooooooo, our questions:  

1) Will we be able to check our luggage curbside (outside the main YVR terminal) or do we need to go inside to an Air Canada Check-in counter?

2) After we check-in with Air Canada, will there be a TSA Pre Check Line for security screening?  We all have KTN numbers.

3) What is the approximate wait time together through the security line?

4) Are there places to eat in the airport after going through security?

5) Will we go through US Customs/Immigration in Vancouver or after flying into Boston?  

6) Are there different lines for US Customs/Immigration, as only two (2) members of our group have Global Entry Cards?

Thank you all for any information/wisdom you can share.

Ancon

Our last Princess Cruise was seven years ago (2012) traveling from Anchorage to Beijing on the Diamond Princess.  We are experienced cruisers and have ~130 days on Princess.  We would like to know what have been the major changes that have occurred on Princess since 2012 (new services offered, better technology, cutbacks in service)?  We will be sailing on the Coral Princess doing a South Bound Alaska Cruise this July and will have our two grandchildren (Boy age 10; girl age 9) traveling with us.  You probably realize that I have been initiated into that great fraternal financial institution --- "Bank of Dad" with no credit limit or expiration date!   So, how do we keep the Grandchildren entertained (miniature golf, rock wall, etc.) during sea days since their only cruising experience has been on the Disney Cruise Line?  We do NOT need port or excursion information as we are quite familiar with the Alaskan itinerary.  Any information or experience regarding the Kids Club would be most helpful.  They will have their beloved iPads with them onboard, so the ship internet speed is of particular interest.  We have read conflicting reports regarding the new Medallion Services (internet and Medallion wearable RFIDs)--are they available on the Coral Princess.  Any help will be greatly appreciated and thank you all in advance.  

v/r

Ancon

BillB48,

Please, one final question. Did Panama ever pave the road to Pina Beach? As I remember, it was paved for about a mile after you passed over the Gatun Spillway Bridge (by the Tarpon Club) and then it turned into a grave road.

Ancon

Thanks BillB48,

KofC in Margarita: Ten (10) Hamburgers for a Dollar ($1) -- You're Bringing back Memories.

Ancon

BillB48,

Your Quote: "Once the ship is in the chamber it will be moored to one side with the ships own lines for the raising or lowering of the water."

Considering the 85' lift: For such a fluid/dynamic process to occur safely during the raising/lowering process, one would think the ship's crew would require special Panama Canal training (including communication/coordination) to become proficient. Or will the Panama Canal board trained line handlers for the ships as they currently do with the canal pilots?

PS: When you lived in Gatun, did you frequent the Gatun Yacht Club or the Tarpon Club by the Spillway?http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

v/r

Ancon

BillB48,

Thank you for the excellent explanation of the new procedures.

Reference my screen name (Ancon)...you have a keen perception.

Association: 1) Born in Gorgas Hospital; 2) Made many trips on Panama Line ships -- SS Ancon and SS Cristobal; 3) Lived on the Atlantic side (Coco Solo); Graduated from Cristobal High School; 4) During college summer breaks, Worked for Panama Canal Commission (Locks Maintenance Division), job was overhaul maintenance on the "Mules" at the Gatun Locks.

v/r

Ancon

The "Old" Panama Canal Locks used a combination of tow-vehicles (Mules) and the transiting ship's engines to transit thru the locks. The "Mules" also provide tensioning to keep the ship centered in the locks and avoid ship contact with the lock walls (not always successful).

From the virtual video of the "new" lock system, I saw a tug pulling a ship thru the new locks--is there also a tug to assist in stopping the ship as well? Also, there did not appear to be any visible system to keep the ship centered while entering or during the ship's transit through the lock chambers. Who assumes liability (Panama Canal or Ship Owner) for bumping or scraping the locks?

Sorry for the double post.

We are sailing on the BOS doing a New England Cruise (Oct 15).

I tried to make an on-line reservation, using the RCL site, for 6:00PM in the Chops Restaurant and the only time available every night during the entire trip is 9:00PM; except for the last day of the cruise.

Are we out of luck or does RCL hold back some tables for guests making on-board reservations?

Thanks in advance.

Ancon

We are sailing on the BOS doing a New England Cruise (Oct 15).

I tried to make an on-line reservation, using the RCL site, for 6:00PM in the Chops Restaurant and the only time available every night during the entire trip is 9:00PM; except for the last day of the cruise.

Are we out of luck or does RCL hold back some tables for guests making on-board reservations?

Thanks in advance.

Ancon

Disney CM indicated that is would be "Private" (our sole use) and that it was through their service contract with Mears. Cost one way was ~$340.

Moki, Thank You for the response. I am not so worried about the cost, but we are more interested in learning what special services/equipment Disney provides since they are classifying the service as a "Luxury" van.

We are a party of 7 going from a WDW hotel to the Disney Dream and then returning to a WDW hotel after the cruise. We have previously used the Disney Bus to get from our Disney Hotel to the Port Canaveral cruise terminal and then used a 3rd party limo service (not Disney) to return to a WDW hotel.

While talking with a Disney representative, we were informed that Disney can provide "Private" Luxury Van transportation to and from the ship. We have a few questions:

1) Has anyone used this service?

2) Was your experience enjoyable, efficient and prompt?

3) In what manner was the van considered luxury (vehicle/amenities)?

4) Any issues with the luggage?

5) Would you do it again?

Thanks in advance and sorry for all the questions.

Ancon

We are a group of seven and will be taking the Disney Bus Transportation from Port Canaveral to The Animal Kingdom Lodge after disembarkation from DCL Dream. What time does the bus or busses leave Pt Canaveral and arrive at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW? We did independent transportation on our last trip and it was way too tight inside the Van. :eek:

Thanks in advance.

Ancon

Thank you for the responses. Now we can pack light.

Ancon

We are experienced cruisers, but will be taking our first cruise on Disney. We will be on a 7 night DCL Fantasy cruise to the Caribbean in April. Our adult DS does not want to pack a "suit" (coat jacket and tie) for the cruise. We know jeans are now allowed in the main dining room for dinner, but during the Formal Night what is considered appropriate for the Dining room and around the ship in general?

Ancon

LMM - your photos are all wonderful (especially the low light exposures) and you have an excellent eye for composition. I have the Nikon D7000 camera with a prime 1.8 lens and an 18-300mm zoom. I really love the 18-300mm lens, but with the camera, an 18-300 lens and a Nikon SB 900 flash, the camera can get pretty heavy.

We have only been to WDW twice (in 25 years) and never been on a Disney Cruise Ship. We are taking our family (7 members) and grandchildren (ages 4 & 5) on a 3 day pre-cruise and 3 day post-cruise to WDW (Contemporary Resort - Theme Park View) along with a 7 Day cruise on the Disney Fantasy.

At WDW, we have arranged for breakfast at Cinderella's Castle. Based on your experience, do you think the Cinderella Breakfast would be a positive experience for our 4 year old granddaughter and 5 year old grandson? In addition, we are thinking about arranging for a 10 hour VIP Tour…is the VIP worthwhile in your opinion?

Thank you,

Ancon

John and Diane,

Thank you so very much for your response.

FYI during the 1980s, we lived in Lompoc, CA just a few miles down the road from SLO. Beautiful country.

Wishing you a safe cruise and a Happy New Year.

Ancon

I really, really enjoy reading your wonderful postings. If my memory serves me well, I remember you had to leave the Amsterdam (World Cruise) early last year. I wish you well this year.

Please, if you will, I beg a small favor of you. Jeff Farschman takes such wonderful photos and rarely responds to comments. With his permission, would you/he be so kind to let us know what camera he is using. He mentioned in his Blog that he had a new toy this year.

Enjoy your adventure.

Ancon