HMSDingy

Agreed, I have used them quite a few times for different excursions. Always had a great experience using them. I am going over to Stone Island on our own in March. You just walk about 5 blocks from port to the Water Ferry pay I think $3. They have a tractor pulling a trailer of sorts with seats to bring you to the beach area if you don't want to walk. All the activities listed on the tour are available. The tour does include a nice boat ride before you get to Stone Island. You can do a search here for Stone Island and get a lot more info. on doing it yourself too.

I checked their website and it looks like its exactly the same excursion as the one offered by Princess at half the cost.

Anybody use Johan and Sandra Tours for the Stone Beach Break? They are advertising a similar excursion to the one by Princess at almost half the price per person

You have to admit that Princess is is doing a service for its Canadian clients. The current exchange rate at most Canadian banks is in excess of 26%. I picked up another 500 OBC at 10%.

This will be our second cruise as platinum members and we have never been upgraded. Mind you we are happy with our cabin selection; a balcony on the Riviera deck. But an upgrade would still be appreciated. Hear that Princess:D

I just spoke with Princess on their Celebration gift line and they informed me that the original reservation had to have been made in Canadian funds, mine was in American funds, so they cannot give me the 10% exchange rate. I called my on-line travel agency and they informed me that they only charge in US funds, and that only Princess directly can charge in Canadian funds.

 

Anyone use an on-line agency that charges in Canadian funds? Or did anyone charge their trip in US and then the OBC in Canadian?

When I booked our cruise with Princess, I was quoted and paid in Canadian funds. But my on board account is in US. I have a US$ account at BMO and I was fortunate enough to buy my US when our dollar was strong. I also have a US credit card which comes in handy as I won't be charged ridiculous exchange rates.

How's the body wash? I prefer my own shampoo but don't mind a different body wash.

We were assigned table 514 in the Da Vinci at 7:30 each evening. It was a 4 top for the 2 of us. The table was in a quiet corner near a window as we requested. The Maitre d' was very accommodating when we met with him.

 

In the Da Vinci virtually all the diners were dressed appropriately to the Princess guidelines on formal nights. There were very few exceptions.

 

P&J

Glad to hear about the dress code. On formal nights we always do the speciality restaurants. In all of my cruises, I've worn a tux and DW in a cocktail dress. I rarely get to dress up and what with the new baggage regulations, bringing along a suit or very least sports jacket adds to the weight and cost. I've never had any major problems with the cruise tux rental service. We also like to have a table for two in the MDR for the same reasons you've mentioned. Who was the Maitre D' for this cruise?

Thanks for the review & glad you had a good time. We're sailing the Crown February 21st. Curious as to the general dress on the formal nights.

It may well be...If I were a cab driver, I'd be hesitant to want to drive to San Pedro to take a fare about a half a mile...

Probably a good reason to just take the CP's shuttle--even if it costs $5 pp...

 

OTOH, it really is a very short, easy walk...We did it on the 3rd...But, I guess, with a lot of luggage, the shuttle is probably just fine...

Thanks, much appreciated :D

Quick question for Steve. We're staying at the Crowne & you say that the cab would be very cheap to the cruise terminal. I read on another thread that because of the low fare, some cabs are reluctant to pick up at the Crowne for a ride to the cruise terminal. Can you comment on this? I don't mind taking a cab or shuttle.

Re: my last post, apologies to the OP. My comments should of been directed to Flossie4495.

No disrespect to the OP but your mention of the usage of the utensils in the buffet can be very easily directed at ALL the cruise lines. Or in fact buffet style restaurants. You also stated that you own a restaurant but found it appalling that some pax were overly demanding. I'm sure that you've had your share of impatient clients no matter how excellent the service. I've read on other threads that Princess, like most other cruises, uses mixes for drinks. Too bad that you're cruise wasn't up to your standards but dismissing Princess after just one cruise may be a tad, pardon the pun, overboard.

I have searched the forums trying to figure what would work best for us, but can't quite seem to find a good estimate of how much a taxi would be from LAX to one of the San Pedro hotels. Since there are 4 of us the super shuttle will cost $68. I'm not opposed to a shuttle, but if we can not wait around or take any detours for the same price it seems like the way to go. Guesstimates?

Try this website for fares. I believe LAX to San Pedro should be about $75.

http://www.taxifarefinder.com

Do they make you REALLY wash your hands enough to get them clean? IIRC, it takes about 20 seconds of vigorous scrubbing with hot, soapy water. Most people I notice washing in public restrooms don't do nearly that. Some barely get their hands wet.

There's always the sanitary wipes you can bring onboard. I read somewhere that the Oxivir brand is effective against Noro.

Oxivir wipes are EPA approved to kill norovirus, requiring a 1 minute contact. Interpret this to mean it must remain wet on the surface for 1 minute to be effective. It is a hydrogen peroxide based product.

 

As previously posted, the Clorox brand hydrogen peroxide product requires a 3 minute contact to be effective.

 

Here is a link to the product

 

http://www.medicalartspress.com/oxivir-hard-surface-disinfectant-wipes/cbs/225867.html?cm_mmc?cm_mmc=SEM_PLA_225867.

 

 

 

And here is the link referenced on the CDC page to the EPA list of approved disinfectants for hospital use

 

http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/list_g_norovirus.pdf

Would you know where I an get the Oxivir wipes?

Update, as of January 6th, code red has been lifted on the Crown. I got this from a roll call for a 10 day Mexico cruise leaving today. Let's hope it lasts.

Your best bet would be to take a shared shuttle from LAX to the hotel in San Pedro. I believe Super Shuttle charges $17 per person per way. A lot cheaper than a cab or town car. Then depending on which hotel you stay, you may get a free shuttle to the cruise port. We're staying at the Crowne Plaza and they charge $5 per person per way. You'd be better off taking a cab for a similar price but less crowding.

When I called Princess with questions about the virus, they assured me that the ship has been thoroughly cleaned. And yet I see all of these negative posts from pax just recently off the ship. Unfortunately I did not have the foresight to take the insurance and, unless I want to loose 50% of my fare, I will be taking the cruise. They would not even consider a future cruise credit. I don't sail until February 21st, here's hoping things calm down. I wonder if others with future sailings have canceled.

We are booked for a cruise onboard the Crown at the end of February and at first I wasn't too concerned about the virus. But now as I read more and more posts about the lineups and problems by pax who have recently sailed her, I am becoming more and more troubled. If I were to cancel the cruise, would I be able to receive a credit for a future sailing? I see a similar itinerary March 21st on the Ruby for a similar price. Unfortunately having already booked and paid for our flights, we would have to pay a penalty for the flight change. Would Princess step in and save the day? Anybody have any similar experiences? Tks.

I think the words "Free Shuttle to pier" resounds with so many cruisers that it was a nice selling point...So, though it's no big deal, it may hurt a bit that they're charging...

 

OTOH, we just got off the Crown Princess yesterday...

Since the ship was delayed quite a bit at embarkation...and we arrived at 11:30 am, we had lots of time to kill anyway...

So, we took the trolley from the terminal to Ports O' Call, then walked from there, all the way up PAST the Crowne Plaza to San Pedro Brewing Company for lunch, then beyond that to Off the Vines Wine....

 

We walked all the way back to the ship from there...and it occurred to me that...with luggage on wheels, it wouldn't really be all that hard to WALK from the Crowne Plaza to the pier...a couple of short blocks down 6th Street to Harbor, turn left and walk along the waterfront...all flat and easy...OR you could just walk down to the Trolley station at 6th and Harbor and ride the trolley for $1 per person (of course, this past weekend, it was free!)...

 

The distance between the Crown Plaza is not very far...From the CP to the USS Iowa, it's only about a quarter of a mile...and another half a mile along the cruise terminals and parking lot to Berth 93...So, about 3/4 of a mile total...If you are docked at Berth 92, maybe half a mile...

Good advice & maybe if the weather is good, we can hoof it from the Crowne to the cruise terminal.

Good information, even if it's a bit more in price. I am a bit annoyed since I booked with the offer of "free shuttle service" but obviously not a deal breaker.

We booked because of the great reviews and the free shuttle was an extra. But after reading a post where they were charged, I e-mailed the hotel directly and was told of the fee.

Just so you know the shuttle is FCFS and the lines are very very very long for the tiny hotel shuttle.

 

We gave up and grabbed a cab! Don't remember the cost but it wasn't much.

 

 

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I checked the fare for a cab ride from the Crowne with taxifarefinder.com to the cruise port and its $7.25 tip included. Better than to be crowded into a shuttle bus.

An update on those staying at the Crowne Plaza. Their shuttle service to the cruise terminal is $5 per person one way. I got the confirmation by email just this morning.

Just an update. I emailed the hotel today and was told that the shuttle is no longer free and the charge is $5 per person one way. Still cheaper than a cab.

Dana,

Taxis are fairly unpredictable as to cost...

 

A shared shuttle should cost around $38 (SuperShuttle) to the pier...a towncar from ExecuCar Express, $47...

 

The problem with a shared shuttle is that sometimes you make multiple stops picking up or dropping off other people...With the small price difference, go with SuperShuttle's Execucar...You'll have your own car and door-to-door service at a rate you probably can't beat with a taxi...

 

Of course, the big question is why stay at LAX? There is nothing really there to speak of...The Renaissance is off by itself amidst long term parking lots and industrial buildings...There aren't any restaurants to speak of other than the hotel restaurant...

 

You are on Princess, correct? Why not get a ride directly to San Pedro right after you arrive and stay at the Crowne Plaza or Doubletree...and relax...and not have to deal with getting to the port in the morning except for a short free hotel shuttle?

Update on the Crowne shuttle service to the cruise terminal. The hotel is now charging $5 per person one way.