pamwigs

On 5/30/2019 at 10:23 AM, bemis12 said:

 

They are giving away inside cabins on the Royal for $313, leaving Saturday.  Tons of rooms there for the taking.

There were not tons of cabins. I work at the port and they had over 3000 on board, excluding crew.

1 hour ago, pamwigs said:

 

There will always be 2 lines at check in. One for ppl that have their Medallion and are ALL Ocean Ready and a separate line for those that didn't get their medallion.

On 5/31/2019 at 7:31 AM, Doug R. said:

 

When I sailed on the Regal in January everyone was in a single line. Thanks for the heads up.

There will always be 2 lines at check in. One for ppl that have their Medallion and are ALL Open Ready and a separate line for those that didn't get their medallion.

3 hours ago, lx200gps said:

I would have to say that the "quick checkin" only matters if you show up after boarding has commenced, and even then, only marginally. We always show up very early, and on the Royal two weeks ago ay San Pedro, Medallion checkin made no difference to us as we still had to sit in the PES lounge for almost an hour until boarding started anyway. Also, in the pre-Medallion days, check-in usually took us a whopping 5 minutes at the counter while the Princess rep did their processing and gave us our cards, so reducing that small amount of check-in time is hardly important for us.

I am not familiar with a PES lounge, but moving forward once things get better understood by everyone (including guests) checking in will be even quicker. 

The Medallion is not just for checking in. There are many benefits for the technology. 

4 hours ago, richmke said:

 

Doesn't matter about the Ship. It is about the Port/Terminal staff. Once they figure it out, then they know it for all ships with the Medallion.

When I say Ship Rollout I mean all those involved on the ship and at the port. There's going to be a learning curve for everyone involved (crew, port staff and guests). Once learned it's a fabulous system for guests.

19 minutes ago, fishywood said:

🤔🤔🤔

Could you possibly share some specifics as to the medallion boarding experience that has led you to make the two completely contradictory conclusions above?

Once the process of checking in with a medallion ship is rolled out to more ships, checking in will be very fast.

With that being said, there are steps the guest needs to make before sailing to have everything in place when they arrive at the port.  Downloading the Ocean Ready App and following all the steps.

As each ship rolls out the medallion process, as with anything new the process check in might be a little slow because of the learning curve for guests as well as crew. 

The process of checking in with a medallion ship makes checking in very fast.

With that being said, there are steps the guest needs to make before sailing to have everything in place when they arrive at the port.  Downloading the Ocean Ready App and following all the steps.

As each ship rolls out the medallion process, as with anything new the process check in might be a little slow because of the learning curve for guests as well as crew. 

It really doesn't matter because boarding is fast for everyone. Now if it's a medallion ship ( first time in a particular port) embarking may take longer if any guests have not done their check in with the Medallion app. The process is new to everyone so it may be slower. Being patient with the new process is key. Everyone will get on. 😊

You should feel a snap when they are in place.

We live in Anchorage and are devistated. We love seeing all the guests traveling to Alaska being so excited with their travels here. Our state is so beautiful and majestic we love living here. There is still a lot of investigating to be done. The Royal will we Disembarking in Whittier (although they say Anchorage) on Saturday. Hopefully in the next few days will bring more information to this terrible accident. 

For those guests sailing on an medallion ship the boarding process is very quick. If the different steps are not completed by the guest, it can take additional steps at check-in which may slow the process. This medallion is great technology and new process so while it's rolling out, when embarking it may take a little longer. Being patient is the key. I'm excited and can't wait to experience it on the Crown this fall.

On 4/16/2019 at 8:13 AM, PrincessE said:

I just disembarked a back to back on the Royal Princess 3/30-4/13.  When we were on our way off the ship, walking by the closed gift shops, etc., a crew member was standing there with a small tablet. I didn't think anything of it.  As I'm passing by he says, "Have a safe journey home, Erica".  I wasn't expecting it and therefore didn't hear it, but my husband did.  He tells me as we've passed by - that crew member knew your name.  It kind of freaked me out.  LOL  And it wasn't a bar tender or another member of the wait staff that might have gotten to know me during our two weeks onboard.  So there's that!

The Medallion will allow Princess to be more personal with guests. There are so many exciting things you can do with the different apps. We can't wait to experience it in Oct on the Crown

On 4/16/2019 at 7:35 AM, Asquare said:

Our security type photo is horrible...mugshot looking...no glasses, hair off the face.  I hope they can see both photos and get a good laugh on our behalf...we don't look like the same people.  

The security photo will be that pic off your passport

On 4/15/2019 at 3:20 PM, Host CJSKIDS said:

 

Yes, for now it's only the US that Princess is mailing it to.

It is important once you get your medallion create an acct and add all your documents. Once a guest is Ocean Ready, check-in is a breeze.

For us, yes it's worth it. We take long cruises.

On 4/26/2019 at 9:12 AM, RMMariner said:

 

Agreed. Just make them a hotel charge. Do not know what percentage actually pull their tips, but just make it a mandatory charge. Tired of subsidizing the people who sneak down and pull their tips on the last day.

I can't agree more. They are likely the ones that cruise all the time and spend the gratuitie $$ on a bar bill. 

On 4/28/2019 at 4:07 AM, joe d said:

I don't see how Princess should be able to increase the price after we have booked the cruise.  The increase should only apply to new bookings.

The gratuities is the only thing increased. If you have paid off your cruise (with gratuities) you will not pay any more. 

I can't imagine, (if because of the increase), so many want to opt out of gratuities up front.   I look at it like this. So many (myself included) have experienced great service with Princess. I think most would agree with the crew knowing guests prepay gratuities is the reason we get the great service. If even 1/2 that prepay decided not to because of the increase the service will suffer. The crew work their ass off. If you can't afford the gratuities, stay home.

9 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Does not handle well at slow speeds?

Thats a new one.   🤔

Nobody one knows as she has never been in Alaska.

We have sailed on her many times the longest being a tad less than 1 month.

Never had any handling issues and have never read about any.

Personally I don't see her having any navigational/handling issues in Alaska.

The Maritime Pilots have been training on this and they will be on the ship coming into ports.

On 3/7/2019 at 1:52 PM, EDDY0827 said:

Thrak-

"See above. The listed price is not the price you pay. The gratuities definitely are added on top of the menu price. Where did you get the idea that wasn't the case? "

This is where, from on board reservations:

*****************************************************

Packages are not added to your booking until they are paid for. Prices include gratuity.

Premier Beverage Package$70.79 per person, per day

Enjoy a wide range of drinks for $59.99 per day plus a 18% gratuity. The Premier Beverage Package includes any individual beverage item such as fountain soda, bottled water, cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, beers, coffee and tea, up to $12 (retail value). A 25% discount is also offered on all bottles of wine when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants.

*********************************************

It clearly states on the first line, second sentence. You can not buy the package for $59.99 per day and then add a grat, it's inclusive at $70.79 per day.

 

What I don't like is you don't have the option to pay for the weeks you want. We take long cruises that are 3 to 4 weeks. I might want more drinks one week and not the next. $1400 for drink package is crazy.

I think that is crazy because we prepay gratuities

when we book our cruise.

We have our eyes on the Enchanted for 2020. 😍

43 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

Try a search on the Princess website for Luggage Valet.  It will take you here:

 

Princess Luggage Valet delivers your bags from your home to your stateroom, and then back home again. The service is offered in partnership with Luggage Forward® in order to make your travel experience easier. No more hauling baggage through the airport, no more long check-in lines or waiting for your luggage to arrive at baggage claim, and no more risk of being held up in lengthy bag inspections at Customs. With Princess Luggage Valet you can enjoy the ultimate in ease and convenience when you travel. Make it a carefree escape with the new Princess Luggage Valet Service.

Luggage Valet includes:

• Worldwide service to and from more than 170 ports
• All-inclusive rates charged at the time of booking, no hidden fees
• On-time arrival with a full money-back plus $500 guarantee

To book, visit the Luggage Forward web site or call Luggage Forward directly. From the U.S. dial 1-888 693-8229, from the UK dial +44 2033 754769 or +1-617-482-1100 if calling from any other location.

Thanks

I have searched high and low on the Princess site and can't find any info about EZLuggage. 

Where can I find that?

Thanks

On 3/26/2019 at 3:34 PM, Ofmyheart said:

I have a lonely 1 punch left on a card. Thought it was good until Aug but I get on the Island in a few weeks, maybe it will still be good.

No Punch cards from prior cruises will be accepted. 🙁