yags

We have been to Alaska 3 times and never seen the Northern Lights. As seeing the lights is something of a bucket list for me we have booked a cruise specifically for that purpose. If you are serious about seeing this phenomenon you may want to look into booking the same cruise. It's billed as Search for the Northern Lights

 

Voyage / Dest: H929 / 12 Days Europe - North Cape

Ship / Registry:Sapphire Princess / British

Embarkation: October 19, 2019 / London (Southampton)

Disembarkation: October 31, 2019 / London (Southampton)

 

The ship goes up to Alta, Norway. It arrives at 10:00 AM on one morning and departs at 11:00 PM the following night so there is a good shot at seeing the Northern Lights. We have a TA on Emerald Princess booked from Barcelona to FLL 4 days later so will be taking the train to Paris for two nights and then on to Barcelona for 2 nights. If you want to spend the extra time and money that cruise can actually be extended through the new locks of the Panama Canal to Los Angeles. (We didn't book that portion.)

Although I really did not expect to see the northern lights on this trip I have never been to Alaska before so I thought I would ask. The northern lights IS on my bucket list and your trip to see them sounds Awesome. I hope they are spectacular for you.

We Will be going on the Grand in June to Alaska. Any Chance of seeing the Northern lights?

The free gratuities no longer show up on your account so there is no way to remove them.

 

 

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We are going on the Grand under the 3 for free promotion which included free gratuities. Right now under our personalizer the gratuities show as having been paid.

Here's another tip. When you return to SF at the end of the cruise, be up on deck early to capture some amazing photo's of the city all lit up in the dark.(y)

Although I grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula and still live in the bay area that is something I think would be worthwhile seeing. Does the Patters give you any idea when that will happen?

The muster drill on many Princess ships is held prior to sailing. It was that way when we sailed on the Crown Princess last March (2017). We are going to Alaska in June on the Grand and sailing under the Golden Gate is on my bucket list. You can bet it is on others as well. I can tell you it is a big event on this ship. No one is going to miss it unless you want too.

Our experiences have always been on cruise lines that do not have "formal" dining nights; we purposefully opt for lines that have more relaxed dress codes. The most dressed up we want to be could be best described as "resort casual." We have a family reunion coming up on a Mexican Riveria trip on the Ruby Princess. We noted that there are 2 formal nights as part of the itinerary. If we do not want to participate in formal nights, are there other dining options available to us? (A proper dinner; not a cold sandwich and beer...:D). In addition, are men's jackets required in any of the other restaurants? Thank you!

In my 30 something years of cruising I have done everything from tuxedos to shorts and t-shirts (That was on a Windjammer barefoot cruise) for special nights. Last year on the crown we did one formal night and I wore a nice pair of slacks and a nice shirt. Seemed totally acceptable. If you don't want to dress at all you can go to the buffet or the Crown Grill, Sabbatini's, Alfredos, or any of the other food venues that do not push formal night. Even the International Café always has something cooking. Others may not agree but this is YOUR trip. Short of piracy do what you want. Have a great trip.

I have no mobility problems except for the fact that I am too lazy to walk. enjoy the city.

I cannot respond intelligently about your luggage questions but my question is where do you plan on walking too? Pier 39/ Fishermen's Wharf is a good taxi drive away. Ghirardelli Square is close but on the other side of Pier 39. Check it out and have a good time but check your distances.

I sailed on the Carnival Spirit a few years back and enjoyed the trip immensely. It was a newer ship so it did have balconies. My only concern would be the fact that Carnival ships tends to be a little more of a party ship. I would not want to sail during spring break. We had fun. Enjoy!

Some years ago (many) I remember using fairly cheap walkie talkies to communicate with friends on the same ship. Is this ever done anymore? Does it still work?

Funny you should mention that. My sister is a big proponent of walkie talkies. I have heard pros and cons on their effectiveness with all the metal inside the ship. I am sure she is bringing hers I will report back after our June cruise.

Thank you everyone for the information. We are traveling with other people and they have a teenager to keep track of. This information is invaluable.

You cannot get it until you are on the ship and yes, you'll need their info.

Sorry to sound dumb but what kind of info do you need to make it all work?

Why are you going on a cruise if this is the plan. Anyway charges are based on TIME and service is SLOW

I am sorry but I have no idea what or who you are referring to. Please explain.

We will be on the Grand going to Alaska on June 25th. What are the texting requirements on board and how are they accomplished? Thanks for the help.

This might be for only certain class of princess. We live in CA and have not received anything. Only gold members so might be for higher up levels.

I agree with you Floridalover.....I am sailing on the Regal Princess this coming november...i pick Any Time Dining....I have done this type of dining on other lines...I like eating at 5:30 as i like to enjoy the experience...and i dont have to rush through dinner....I like making the first show, which i believe starts at either 7PM or 7:30...I have tried 8:00 dining, but that is far too late for me....so hopefully all works out well for me...I am a solo traveler and am hoping just to get a table for 2....:):cool:

I have found that those that like to eat early (like myself) usually have no trouble getting into the Anytime dining promptly. I am still against those who want to step to the front of the line with reservations when every time you do that you are rude to those you cut in front of. Those that use reservations to cut in front of your fellow passengers usually want to go at the busiest times leaving others to wait even longer.

We are going to be on the Grand in June and have pre-ordered the water. I will try to remember to let you know.

Submit them again and tell them to process it

Be sure to tell your friends what you are doing so they can look for the confirmation e-mail. Both of you get an OBC so they should be ok with it.

Should not be allowed. TD should not be allowed in at all. Turn up when you want to dine and take your chances with the wait, They should have lots more two tops so you aren't forced to share.

I totally agree. Making reservations defeats the purpose of AD and is a rude way to get to the front of the line.

We are booked on a cruise on the Grand. We are elite and bringing newbies with us. Will they be allowed to board with us?

 

Also, we did a referral with Princess for them. So they (as well as us) each get $25. shipboard credit. We have both paid in full - when can we expect the $25.00 to show up as a credit.

 

Thanks ahead of time:):)

Once the referral is verified it should show up immediately. Although it took a phone call from me to get referral credits for our trip on the Grand to Alaska in June.

Pre-purchasing water is the best deal ever IMO. 24 bottles for $13.80? That's only .575 cents per bottle vs. something like $3 once you're onboard. I pre-order water all the time because of this.

 

If you cancel your cruise, you get your money back for any pre-purchased items. I think this is true right up until the sail date.

I am under the Impression that you have until 72 hours prior to cancel for a full refund. I could be wrong . Won't be the first time.

We will be on the Grand going to Alaska in June. We are excited about getting the larger balcony on Caribe deck. We will be traveling with other family who will be staying in interior rooms. Our deck is most likely going to be ground zero for the group so we will need the extra space.

We like to purchase things ahead of time. The costs are basically the same but when you go on your cruise 6 months from now the money spent on the excursion or product is 6 months old and you do not feel like you are paying for something every 5 minutes. Adds to the enjoyment of the cruise.

I don’t have any idea about taking food with you.

I gust like to say I loved the White Pass and Yukon RR excursion. It was great.

Tony

Thanks for the input on the train excursion. It sounds like exactly what we were hoping for. The food thing is minor if the trip is spectacular.

I booked my massage on line and did not see anything about a male or female masseuse . My preference would be a male masseuse. Is there a way of confirming that preference?