eagletwo

Great question to ask Princess. Maybe since you started your trip with Princess in Fairbanks to Denali, your testing would be good 48-72 hours before the start of the land tour and still be good for the cruise?

I just downloaded the app today and entered our information for our March 14th cruise on the Sunshine. All we have left to do is upload our Negative Covid tests on Monday morning. Hope it works better than the Princess Medallion app. 

11 hours ago, Itried4498 said:

It isn’t over fuel surcharges.  I recall a recent thread on Reddit in which a Carnival corporate employee claimed that more than half of all passengers removed or adjusted their tips.  If you think about it, if the Vista Class ships sailed at 80% of their stated double capacity, and every passenger tipped the suggested gratuity, it would nearly DOUBLE the crews’ annual average wage (listed in its 2019 annual report).

 

We are simple people.  We decline housekeeping service, other than towels and trash every-other-day, eat most of our meals in the buffet and participate in few activities.  I’m not paying $60/day for a family of four in tips for this.  I tip the staff that directly impacts me, and lower the daily rate.  If the wages and hours the crew work bothers you (and they’re quite competitive for the countries the employees come from, nearly none of which tipping is customary), then you should restrict your cruising to the US-flagged Pride of America.

Tipping has been a hot topic on every cruise board. Unfortunately, you may never see the staff that helps make your vacation great. I hope you will do some research and reconsider your opinion. 

We sailed on the Regal, November 24-29, 2021. Pools were not heated. Outside air temperature was warm enough and it was nice to get into the pool after getting warm in the sun. We spent most of our time at the Retreat pool. Very nice area. 

After sailing on the Regal November 24-29, we boarded the Enchanted Princess November 30th-December 10th, 2021.The Retreat pool on both ships are adult only. We loved the pool on Regal as it was deeper. Enchanted pool was very shallow and did not have near the shaded areas as on the Regal. Didn’t ruin our cruise, just different. 

We have sailed on the Sunshine twice. It’s not the newest ship and rust happens on all cruise ships, even new ones. We enjoyed both of our cruises in August and November of 2019.

As for food, very subjective.  We did not care for the buffet. Sea Day Brunch was very good. Best Filet and eggs on any ship.  We tend to eat in the specialty restaurants most nights. Steakhouse was ok, Asian restaurant and Italian restaurant were awesome. 
 

As for cleaning cabins once a day, since Covid, standard practice. 
 

Ship may look a little old to you, but I would bet it is clean. Never a sewage smell. 
 

We have sailed on MSC, Princess and Carnival. All 3 lines offer something different. We have a cruise booked on the Sunshine March 14, 2022.  Looking forward to it. 

We are on the Enchanted Princess and called our daughters using WhatsApp. Worked great. 

The Retreat Pool is 3.2 feet deep. Very shallow. The “Cabanas” on deck 18 have no shade. We were on the Regal last week and the Retreat Pool area was very nice. Princess missed the mark on the Enchanted Retreat area. 

We are on the Enchanted Princess. Princess Plus device is one at a time. I have my cell phone, iPad and laptop and use all three. You have to sign out of a device before signing in on another one. Wi-Fi has been great. 
 

I think the drink package is limited to any drink up to $12.00. You pay the difference plus the extra 18% gratuity. 
 

We originally did all our check ins on the app for me and the wife. Added a second cruise and the app went stupid. Still made it on the Regal last week and Enchanted yesterday. Just make sure you have the medallions, your vaccine cards, negative COVID-19 test and Passport or birth certificate. Medallions can be picked up at the port. 
 

As a side note, our Medallions did not work at the port. We showed our Passports and they checked us in. Once on board, we went to guest services, deck 5 forward. Seems a number of people had the same issue. There were two members from the Ocean desk ready to help. They took our medallions and returned 5 minutes later saying the batteries were dead. All fixed. Working great!

Yes. Bought one today on Enchanted Princess. 

We used BeeperMD for our Antigen test. Made the reservation on line while on the Regal November 28th. Uploaded our insurance cards and drivers license. Confirmation came 10 minutes later. 

No charge if you have 2 or more people. 

Naomi called us about 20 minutes before our appointment to let us know she was on the way. She arrived promptly on time. We sat in the lobby of the Hyatt House near the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale. Quick swab for both of us, negative results in 15 minutes. 

We received a PDF of the results 20 minutes later. Just make sure everyone's name is spelled correctly. When we received our results, my wife's name was not correct. They fixed it about 2 hours later. 

Great service!

5 hours ago, Guardsy said:

I do take a stack of $2 bills to tip for room service coffee in the morning and other small things.

 

I do also tip our room steward, waiter, bus boy and the bartender at what becomes my fav bar at the start of the voyage.  $50 for room stew, $20 for bartender and $20 each for the waiter and busboy (or more since they are the one who will be lugging all of my orders!).

 

Some call it a bribe, I just call it money well-spent to enjoy a great cruise!

This is definitely a touchy subject. We do the same type of extra tipping. Our room steward, Rusty, was just great this week on the Regal. The dining staff in Concerto made up for some not so great meals. Its personal, so don’t tip extra if you are ok with the standard gratuity we all pay. We are just blessed to be able to cruise and don’t mind giving a little extra. 

Our Medallions cross country travel history for Nov 30th cruise on the Enchanted Princess:

Arrived at our home on Nov 24, the day we boarded the Regal.  Daughter paid for 1-Day Express Delivery with the USPS ($24?). Medallions arrive here at our hotel today, Nov 29th.  Well, we have them for tomorrow.  

November 29, 2021, 11:57 am
Delivered, Front Desk/Reception/Mail Room
DANIA, FL 33004 
Your item was delivered to the front desk, reception area, or mail room at 11:57 am on November 29, 2021 in DANIA, FL 33004.

November 29, 2021, 6:10 am
Out for Delivery
DANIA, FL 33004 

November 28, 2021, 9:16 am
Arrived at Hub
DANIA, FL 33004 

November 28, 2021, 6:13 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
DANIA, FL 33004 

November 28, 2021, 5:55 am
Departed USPS Facility
OPA LOCKA, FL 33055 

November 28, 2021, 4:20 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
OPA LOCKA, FL 33055 

November 28, 2021, 4:01 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
OPA LOCKA FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 27, 2021, 3:22 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
OPA LOCKA FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 27, 2021, 8:00 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
JACKSONVILLE FL NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 27, 2021, 2:53 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER 

November 26, 2021, 8:34 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER 

November 26, 2021, 7:19 pm
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
LEXINGTON, SC 29072 

November 26, 2021, 12:13 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
LEXINGTON, SC 29072 

November 26, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item

November 24, 2021, 2:18 pm
Delivered, In/At Mailbox
WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29170 
Your item was delivered in or at the mailbox at 2:18 pm on November 24, 2021 in WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29170.

November 24, 2021, 8:42 am
Arrived at Post Office
WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169 

November 24, 2021, 3:57 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169 

November 24, 2021, 3:44 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER 

November 23, 2021, 11:40 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER 

November 23, 2021, 4:45 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
ATLANTA NORTH METRO DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 23, 2021, 3:38 am
Departed USPS Facility
ATLANTA, GA 30354 

November 22, 2021, 8:38 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
ATLANTA, GA 30354 

November 21, 2021
In Transit to Next Facility

November 20, 2021, 10:36 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 20, 2021, 7:05 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
LOS ANGELES CA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

November 20, 2021, 6:41 am
Departed USPS Facility
CARSON, CA 90746 

November 20, 2021, 5:45 am
Arrived at USPS Facility
CARSON, CA 90747 

November 11, 2021, 11:37 pm
Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
JAMAICA, NY 11434 
Shipping Partner:  4PX EXPRESS USA

November 10, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item

We had a cabin steward on one of our cruises that was just ok. We were upgraded to the Owners Suite on the Caribbean Princess, which we paid for. We were so excited. The cabin was great as was the huge balcony. We asked our cabin steward for two things. Fresh ice daily and menus for the dining room each day. (This was before the Medallion app). Ice delivered every other day. Menus delivered at 5-6 pm daily.  Yeah, we could walk around the ship and see the dinning menus at 3 pm daily. 
 

We are now on the Regal. Rusty is our cabin attendant. 22 years with Princess. Best attendant ever! 

We are on the Regal and spent the afternoon at The Retreat Pool area.  The hot tub temps were very warm, not sure of the actual temps but if I had to guess, 99-102 degrees. Wife does not like it too hot. Temps seemed just right. Pool water was a little chilly. 

Currently on the Regal and will board Enchanted on November 30th.  Our Medallions work great. The app, not so much. Shows us on the Enchanted from November 24-December 10th. Can’t use most of the features as we are on the Regal and the app “thinks” we are on Enchanted.  Both my android phone and IPad show the same thing. Ocean Medallion staff have no clue. 
 

We are having a wonderful time on the Regal!

Our update is the shipment has departed Los Angeles today at 10:36 am Pacific time.  No way it will make it to Columbia SC by Monday.  We drive to FLL on Tuesday to board the Regal on November 24th.  This shipment is our Medallions for the Enchanted on November 30th.  My daughter probably will overnight them to our hotel in FLL.  One of the items in the package is a wrist band for the Medallion.  Or we can just get new Medallion on board and buy another wrist band. Shipment supposedly held up in NY since the 11th?  Oh well, we will just be happy to cruise.

Sorry you are having issues. I agree, the app is horrible. Princess needs to own up to this disaster. 

1 hour ago, kitty2264 said:

Has anyone had problems receiving their medallions on time.  Our cruise is Nov 30th and our medallions made it to Jamaica, NY eight days ago.  The USPS tracking number indicates the package has "Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item" .  There has been no change since Nov 11th.  Princess says it isn't a big deal because we can always pick up the medallion at the port.  Contacting the post office does no good because even though there is a tracking number, they say they have yet to receive the item.

 

I'm curious if anyone else has seen this.

Yes, same. Just checked and the package is still in NY since Nov 11th.

To the OP, spot on. The Medallion App is really bad. 

Is it worth the extra cost? We think so. Even before COVID-19, the "extra" side dishes did not empress. Its the extra service you receive that makes Club Class special. Never having to wait to be seated was great. 

When we sailed on Divina September 16, We arrived at our assigned time. Did not see anyone get turned away.  Seemed they were just checking at the entrance to see if you were listed on the manifest and had the required documents, then went through security check point and then to the check-in desk to have our photo taken, passport checked along with keeping a copy of our health form and looking at our CDC card and proof of the negative COVID-19 test. We got lucky and boarded in about 25 minutes.  The computers went down a few minutes after we got on board.  Some folks waited over 2 hours to get on the ship.

3 hours ago, TNTLAMB said:

 Good question, apparently the status symbol folk (the one who always hung their colored cruise card around their neck, though nobody in the "blue Card" realm knew your were to step aside and hold your breath when a black card bearer walked by, felt the logo cards should come in the status colors for the plastic holders. I remember on who colored hers all black. I always thought it was nice just to slip the medallion in my pocket and forget about it. I do remeber once one of the corporate execs making the Comment in the old days "black Card" makes book, "Blue card" makes profit... 

 

Ouch!

On 10/16/2021 at 9:31 PM, eagletwo said:

We have a cruise on the Regal Nov 24. Another cruise on the Enchanted Nov 30. Both cruises show the Regal on the app. Princess can't seem to fix the issue. 

Update. Looked at the app today and both cruises show the correct ship and date. Now waiting to be able to choose or boarding group. 

Great question. We sail on the Regal Nov 24 and get off on the 29th. We then get on the Enchanted Nov 30th. Port Everglades. The antigen test before the Nov 24th departure is no problem. We have the home tests that will be proctored on line, just hope it works while on the Regal on the 28th.

With Princess offering free onboard tests to anyone that has an international flight home, why not offer the free test to those passengers getting on another ship in 24 hours at the same port?