pamwigs

6 minutes ago, WAvoyager said:

That’s why I put in italics that this problem is occurring before the cruises.  If we were cruising along and they announced “something just broke, and we have to change our itinerary”, no problem.   Here they know their equipment isn’t up to standards, so they’re making changes to compensate, after all of their customers have paid.  
 

things happen, no doubt.  But a “scheduled engine maintenance” should never have a negative impact on customers experience without them being aware of it before  they pay and make their plans, in a properly run hospitality business.  It would’ve been more acceptable if they had said “due to unplanned engine maintenance needs” - but then, they would have scared customers worried about the ships seaworthiness.🤪

If it was scheduled and something happened so they had to make modifications to the scheduled cruise,  it isn't the fault of Princess. 

Better than getting stranded somewhere

10 minutes ago, WAvoyager said:

I don’t have any issue with the port change.  I do have major issues with the reason for the port change.  Imagine chartering a flight (or a tour bus) with a set agenda.  Then, once you’re booked and ready to go, the company says “oh, sorry, we can’t go to all of the stops you expected.  Our plane (bus) can only go at 50 MPH right now, so we have to remove stops, just to make it back in time”. Oh - don’t worry, we’ll give you back 10% of the charter cost… which you can use to buy extra cocktail peanuts”.

 

It’s one thing for weather, port congestion, or other issues outside of Princess’s control.  But changes like this because their ship isn’t working properly before the sailings…. That’s really pretty unacceptable.

Things can break during a cruise. Unforseen problems.

Better than the alternitive. 

The FB page does not monitored or written on by Princess.

It could have been scheduled but they had to move up because of a problem.

The sudden change would be because something recently  happened they are sailing at a reduced speed. Princess has had a horrible 2 years. The logistics  they have to deal with must be mind-boggling.

Over the years numerous passengers have had nightmare stories. EZAir stinks. So you don't have to pay for your flight until 45 days out.  Then waiting only 45 days out,  it is always going to be an inflated fare. Not worth the hassel and their fares are not that great.

How is it a vaca if you have so many flight changes?

No Thanks

It's disappointing that this happened. No port is guaranteed. It might have been planned but something happened with the ship so they had to change ports because they are sailing at a slower speed.

Better than the alternative. 

When going to or from the Whittier Port that can be 45 minutes to an hour counting the wait time for the tunnel.

Ppl forget to realize Alaska flight are always at night and we (Alaska) have our own time.

4 hours different than EST.

Flying in and out of Fairbanks sucks. It is hard enough to find a flight to or from Alaska. Flights from Alaska are always night flights.

I have no idea why lol think they need to visit Fairbanks.  I live in Alaska so I know

55 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Screenshot? Maybe I'm missing something? If so, I want to reserve a table at Sabatinis. This is so frustrating! It won't let me use OBC for anything other than excursions. Just credit card or PayPal.  What am I doing wrong?

Last year on our 28 day on the Emerald I was able to. There was no option as you show to use a cc or PayPal. It took from my OBC and if there was not to cover the entire reservation, it used my CC listed in my account. Things change I guess. 

3 hours ago, steelers36 said:

It isn't.  What makes you think you can order a Coffee Package - or any other beverage package for that matter - online using Cruise Personalizer pre-cruise and pay for it with OBC?

Because I've done it. 🙄 I have also used OBC to make reservations for the specialty restaurants as well. 

1 hour ago, voljeep said:

sorry, but no .. and not specific to CA...

 

only excursions can be purchased pre-cruise using OBC ...

Why is Cali any different?

3 hours ago, Kate P.C said:

Using your OBC you can purchase once you get on board. There is no option to use your OBC for the coffee package online. Why not take advantage of it 🙂

It will automatically use your OBC when you order it online. Once all your OBC is used it will use your credit card you have on your acct for anything you order. 

On 9/17/2019 at 6:27 AM, jovisoul said:

We have sailed on the Crown twice, once was great, the second time not so much. However, we are sailing on her again on Oct. 8th.

We will be sailing Oct 8th as well.

3 hours ago, raz455 said:

First - It's great to be back on this forum.  It's been two years since our last cruise and much has changed since then.  

Second - With the new coffee "card," is there a discount when pre-purchasing it or is it the same price once on board?  I ask because I have a bunch of on board credit and would rather use this to purchase the coffee package then buy it early.  

Thanks . . and only 88 days until we board the beautiful Regal for 14 wonderful days! 

If you have on board and you request any package or make specialty restaurants reservations, it is taken from your current OBC amount.

On 8/12/2019 at 4:40 PM, cruznliz said:

We'll be on the Crown Princess in a couple of weeks and I'm intrigued by the Thermal Suite. I saw a video that shows all the steam rooms, stone beds, showers etc. It was briefly mentioned that there was a Jacuzzi within the Lotus Spa. I'm actually more interested in the jacuzzi. I have knee issues and thought it might be helpful after a long day of excursions.

 

Two questions:  Do you have to pay to use just the jacuzzi? And how much is the Thermal Suite per day or for a 12 day cruise? 

 

Thanks!! 

For my cruise a 10 day pass is $189 pp or a couple is_289

On 9/13/2019 at 2:48 AM, paul929207 said:

We are on the Crown now. The couple at the table next to us bought a wine card  last night.

 

What is a wine card? I was not aware there was one. 

Thanks

Just a reminder that your security photo must be a pic w/o a hat. 🙂🙂

On 9/7/2019 at 4:09 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

That thought crossed my mind as well.  The regular coffee was very good.  Maybe a different coffee than what is used in the Horizon Court/MDR?  I don't know.  

Yes, the Horizon is different coffee. Some kind of a syrup mixture. Found that out our last cruise. This cruise I plan to only get coffee at the IC. Some of those iced coffee drinks are also great

2 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

Curious why "you will not be able to fly home until you get one"? Will Canada not let you leave without a U.S. passport?

I can tell you if you get on a ship in Alaska or Seattle that ends in Canada, you MUST have a passport if flying home from Canada to the US.

I work at the Whittier port in Alaska.

12 hours ago, leck57 said:

 

We were on the Royal from 10 August and we only had light rain in Ketchikan that lasted about an hour. Other than that the weather was perfect but that really is no guarantee as to the weather you'll get.

You really can't predict the weather her in Alaska. It can change suddenly. Each summer can be very different. Just plan on dressing in layers and bring a poncho and waterproof shoes.

58 minutes ago, brisalta said:

 

The Golden Princess has been sold to P & O Australia.

Yes but it's been here in Whittier all season.

9 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

I think they did the same with the Royal Princess and put her up in Alaska.  She is a beautiful ship but no indoor pool area.  The Retreat Pool does offer a little shelter but still not covered.  

We also have the Island and the Golden which have enclosed pools

On 8/30/2019 at 7:17 AM, FritzG said:

I hope the poster is right.  We’re sailing on September 9, and I’m bringing our 5 unused cards just in case they extended the expiration date. 

It won't be accepted. Those expired Aug 31.

On 8/26/2019 at 12:27 PM, POF1234 said:

I leave for Alaska on Royal in 5 days !!!! 

 

This is my second cruise, and I became really concerned when I've read all the negative things about Royal.  So I found your review to be very timely and helpful.  I love to walk outside - so I would have liked a more continous promedae deck - but DH reminded when we sailed on Freedom of the Seas 6 years ago - we had to duck inside to cross over, and there were some weird paths as well.

 

I think the oddest is that the traditional dining in Allegro can only be acessed by the AFT stairs ( kind of the New England - you can;t get there from here ! ).  

 

Thanks again 

There was some talk at the beginning of the season about concern because the Royal is so big. Ended up being just talk. 

Sounds like You will be on the last turn on the Royal out of Whittier. I work at the port. Look for me and say Hi.

On 8/24/2019 at 11:05 PM, indygirl99 said:

Nope no birth certificate needed with the EDL. It is looked at the same way a passport card is. I used my EDL for my most recent flight to Alaska and cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. Went to the Summit on the Canadian side from Skagway and no problems there either.

 

The process to get your EDL (at least in Washington state) is similar to a passport. You show up at the DMV with your certified birth certificate and they take your picture and an extra $30 and 5 minute later you walk out with a temporary license and 5-10 days later your permanent one shows up in the mail. Hubby and I had ours in the mail 2 days later. I was impressed.

This is true. I work at the Whittier Port.