yags

It's in the DNA. Some can do it and some cannot. I CANNOT! I need 5 shirts just to get through lunch. I just don't even try anymore. One of the perks of being older is that Paying an extra $50 for a 2nd suitcase is a little easier then when I was 25.

I AM NOT the voice of experience. We will be doing Alaska for the first time on the Grand in June. I think being able to step out and see even a part of the beautiful scenery is huge. We are going to be on Caribe deck where the balconies are partially covered so go ahead and rain or mist. Cannot wait for whatever comes our way.

Thanks to all. I feel a little less apprehensive now. Although really looking forward to the massage.

All right this might sound like I have been living under a rock all my life but I have never gotten a massage. I have decided that I will tick off this entry on my bucket list on our cruise to Alaska on the Grand departing June 25th.

Can those who do this give me a quick run down on the procedure and some dos and don'ts. Thanks. I am kind of embarrassed to ask but hey it is what it is. :eek:

The pics are awesome. We will be on the June 25th sailing of the Grand and look forward to seeing Alaska for real. Thanks again.

We will be on the June 25th sailing of the Grand to Alaska. One of the excursions we will do is the White Pass and Yukon RR in Skagway. According to what we have seen no food is served on the train only bottled water.

Will the International café put food in "to go" containers or is it better to get it from room service while getting ready to go? Not an earth stopping issue but we are both diabetics and always careful about having something to nibble on. Besides it is a cruise for God's sake. You cant go more then 5 minutes without having food shoved at you. Thanks in advance for those in the know.

I was just curious when I popped onto the Princess site and saw the new cruise prices. Guess it doesn't matter since we are already booked and the "deal" came to within a few dollars if I exclude the grats. We booked under the Anniversary sale and got OBC + dinner and then the complimentary grats just appeared.

Saw your post and did some investigating and calling. We are booked on a premium balcony on the Grand for its June 25th sailing SF-Alaska-SF. We are booked under the 3 for free promo. We could save an additional $90 per person Figuring the lower rates and loss of grats. Not sure it is all worth that amount. What do you think?

You have two differing opinions here. There are those who think you made a huge error in not getting the insurance and you should just learn from it and move on. Then there are those who think that given your frequency of travel that Princess should make an exception. Both groups are right each to a limited point. Some feel that if Princess makes an exception it is going to be printed somewhere and floodgates will open and everyone will want special treatment. I am not one of those persons. It is not whether you were in error for not buying the insurance, you were. The real question is (giving you longevity with princess) is the company going to make any concessions as a company to retain your business deserving or not.

I have been on many cruises but only 2 with Princess. Based on that I would not expect any consideration at all. But if I had in excess of 20 cruises with the cruise line there are things they can and should do to minimize the loss. Post #44 asked the question "Surely you don't expect a full refund." That is not a reasonable expectation but some consideration based on your longevity would surely ease the distress. I had suggested in an earlier thread to be prepared to let them know that you would be willing to cancel your next cruise and all further cruises which met an outcry of don't threaten the company. That is not a tool you pull out of your arsenal until everything else has failed and you are about to hang up the phone. But they are right the courteous and civil discourse is the way to work the system but you already knew that.

The cruise business is so competitive that Princess may be willing to make considerations to a long term client. The money spent ON the cruise can sometimes equal or better the money spent FOR the cruise. So the question for Princess is CAN they and WILL they. There is so much on a cruise that costs the cruise line nothing. By giving you some minor considerations they have cemented a relationship that could go on for another 20+ cruises.

Be sure they know they check on your longevity but your class status should already tell them that. You wont get refunded the cost of your cruise but why walk away empty handed. Talk to the right person and become their friend but do not be afraid to claim the status you earned over so many cruises.

Because I so strongly believe that loyalty is a two way street I have been told by those who told you to forget it and learn from your mistake that I have a serious problem. I never believe in just walking away because someone else cannot see the bigger point. I have rambled on enough. The very best of luck to you and hope your husband is getting better every day. See you on the high seas.

I find it sad that a lot of bitter souls on here take great glee in telling you to suck it up and walk away a loser. Never walk away without giving it the best you got. There are things Princess can do to retain your business, as mentioned in above posts. Keep fighting no matter what these sorry souls say. 23 plus cruises, no cruise line wants to lose that kind of customer. They have the power to, at least, restore some of what you lost. don't let these nay sayers convince you to give up. good luck.

We reserved our trip for June on the Grand under the Sip-n-Sail last summer. Although we are not in the Alaskan Cruising season yet the ships are filling up. The Grand is almost full. I doubt there will be any substantial incentives.

My suggestion is to make sure you are talking to the right person. Ask them, "Do you have the power of decision in this matter?" Once you know you are not talking to some uninformed agent who is just waiting for lunch then pursue your request.

I agree with a responder above that you may have to wear this one. Being the kind of traveler you are with Princess should be cause for some additional consideration. You might not get everything back but see what they can do for you even if it is not the equivalent of what you lost. You might get some OBC on your next cruise which costs them nothing.

If they refuse to help I would use that same person to cancel your upcoming cruise and be ready to tell them the other cruise line and the ship you are going to book with never again to use Princess Cruise lines. Good Luck! Glad your husband is healing up OK.

We will be going on the Grand in June and decided to do the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Although never guaranteed I cannot believe that we would be going up that high and not enjoy some awesome wildlife. Whatever you decide I hope it comes with a plethora of beautiful animals.

I hear ya. I did the white pass train ride and Laughton Hike last year! The train ride was phenomenal! Incredible views! You’re going to love it! But this year I wanna do something different.

If you had the choice between the above two excursion, which one would you choose ?

Both tours (as you describe them) sound amazing. Only one observation is that if you can interact and pet the animals then it is not wildlife in their natural habitat. That being said I would be conflicted because how many times can you come that close to these animals?

Hello,

 

I’m having such difficulty trying to decide which of these two tours to do when in Skagway. I’m arrive with Golden Princess ship:

 

I love animals, but I also deeply love mountains and spectacular vistas!

 

Between the Kroschel wildlife centre and a hike in the white pass, through international falls, up feather peak or mount Cleveland. Here is the link to this hike

http://skagwayexcursion.com/skagway/white-pass-adventure/

In this hike I have the chance of seeing animals (in their natural habitat) such as goden eagles, bald eagles, bears and dall sheep. But of course it’s not guaranteed. In the Kroschel tour, it’s guaranteed to see wildlife, and you get to interact with them, pet some of them and get photo opportunities with them.

 

Given these points, I’m trying to decide which one would leave more of an impact on me.. any thoughts in helping me decide between these two tours would be wonderful :)

We will be going on the Grand in June and decided to do the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Although never guaranteed I cannot believe that we would be going up that high and not enjoy some awesome wildlife. Whatever you decide I hope it comes with a plethora of beautiful animals.

And not pleasant for the parents either.

I am not against children in the specialty restaurants BUT It is the responsibility of the Parents, Grandparents, or other guardians to remove the child from the restaurant the minute they begin to act in a disturbing manner. People did not come to listen to your child (including me).

For a cheaper excursion, you can skip the glacier sled ride and go to the dog breeding camps. We did that in Skagway (I think there is an identical one in Juneau also). They bring you to the camp in the hills. You go on a cart ride with a couple other people. I think we had 6 or 8 dogs pulling us. After that you get to see and handle the puppies. As a dog lover, we enjoyed it very much. We had done it through Princess....I think at the time there was only a $5 difference to book it on your own.

 

 

 

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We are going to be doing the Dog Sled Camp in Juneau in June 2018 when we go on the Grand. We are really looking forward to it. Thanks for the pictures.

I think it kind of depends on the ship. We did the CG on the Crown last March. We should have done Sabatini's. The CG on the Crown was a terrible experience on an otherwise great cruise.

My vote is for a really really hot virgin bloody mary. That will kick start your boring eggs.

Yes. I have seen they doing that when boarding in SF. The only problem is the traffic which is even worse than horrible IMO. It was very congested.

Having lived in SF and still live in the bay area I can vouch that the traffic (If you are not used to the city) will be CRAZZZZZY. I would Drop one or two of your group off with the luggage and have one person park the car to catch up to you later. We will be doing the same thing in June but luckily we will not have to park just getting dropped off. Just enjoy the madness Your going on a cruise for Gods sake.

Thanks all who responded for your advice. I did find out that it was not my friend who was taken off the Grand. My best wishes for a speedy recovery to the person who was taken off the ship and again thanks to all of you for helping me straighten it out.

Well' date=' since the article says that the woman involved was 71 years old, it isn't likely that it is your 80+ year old friend.[/quote']

I saw it on FOX National news on TV. Can you direct me to the article? Thanks

Does her daughter check her email when traveling, do you know any of her other friends? Considering the number of older people on a cruise, it very well might not be your friend. You are right about finding out the name. News media usually won't release a name either until authorities can first contact her family.

She is the mother-in-law of my ex-partner. We still see each other for lunch periodically but the rest of the family does not communicate with me. Sounds like a BRAVO TV show but I am concerned. Thanks for the suggestions. You are right. Medical emergencies happen all the time and it does not mean it is her. Thanks.

I just saw on FOX national news that an elderly woman was airlifted off of the Grand Princess (Currently in Hawaii). A very dear Friend of mine is on the Grand right now (She is in her 80's). I am very concerned it might be her but have no way of contacting family members. She is traveling with her daughter so I know she is being looked after I am just concerned for my friend. They have not released her name and I am afraid HIPPA laws prevent inquiries from friends. I am hoping the news will release her name. Any suggestions?

The Crown and the Grand have the Terrace Pool all the way aft that is strictly for adults. 18+. Great pool and fun to be swimming and watch the sea.

Just disembarked on Monday. I thought the ship was in fine form. The crew works hard at maintaining outside areas as well as inside. I didn't notice buckets, etc. The furnishings were in good shape in our Caribe cabin and the bed was very comfortable. The balcony was perfect and we enjoyed an Ultimate Balcony Dinner for four adults - no crowding. The bathrooms are a little dated, but fully functional and we had no issues with the plumbing. Main areas including Vista, Explorers, Wheelhouse Lounge, One Five , pool areas and bars and the Horizon were all in excellent condition. The promenade deck was closed every night at the steps, which was a little irritating, but apparently high winds made this necessary. We had rocky seas from Cabo back to San Francisco, Grand Princess handled them well. I was concerned too, after reading some of the reviews. No big problems that I noticed..... enjoy!

Which stateroom did you have. We will be on the Grand in a few months on Caribe deck as well. Stateroom C333.

We are going to be on the same ship. I must admit I wondered briefly about fireworks but by the last day on a ship full of Bloody Mary's I think there will be enough fireworks exploding inside my head.