jean95404

Over $1,5K price drop in the room we reserved.  We asked for onboard credit, NCL said "no" so we asked for an upgrade.  They hemmed and hawwed, but we did  get a very nice upgrade

I developed covid on a two week Panama Canal cruise.  I cannot say that I caught it while on the ship.  Fortunately my friends and I had a two bedroom two bath suite so I self quarantined. In the evenings I would take a beach towel and to up to the top deck (fully masked) and used a lounge chair to be out in air.  I boarded the ship with three vaccines and the booster.  It was chills, fever and fatigue.  I just asked out room steward to not bother if my bedroom door was closed.  My suite-mates never tested positive during this time or since we left the ship.  I did everything possible - frequent washing of hands, Purell, avoiding touching handles without tissue or paper towels.  But, thinking back, I did use handrails on stairs and from time to time used utensils in the buffet.  Any little slip....     I do plan to go on another cruise this year and will be more diligent.

12 days - the Joy

Hi!  We are preparing for our cruise next month - our first Norwegian cruise. We have booked an inside family suite, category SP.  There has been mention, on some of the board postings, of special perks that come with this cabin.  For instance, concierge services, meals at various restaurants at no additional charge, amenities, etc.   Could someone fill us in on any of this?  Our TA does not usually book Norwegian cruises and has no information.  The person I called at Norwegian (after a LOOOOONG hold loop) said that I had to ask my travel agent since we booked through an agent and not directly with Norwegian.  Odd response.  So, here I am throwing the question out to all of you.

I am a "Lugnut".  After many years of heavy leather purses/totes (Dooney and Bourke, Coach, etc for example) and briefcases I just got tired of the maintenance and care of leather.  I tried one Lug crossbody purse on a cross country trip with my two young granddaughters.  I continued to buy Lug purses, totes, overnight bags and a suitcase.  My grandchildren call my Puddlejumper my "Mary Poppins bag" for all of the things it holds.  My cruise to Central America next month will be the fourth cruise with Lug totes.

I have both.  It was mainly to avoid the dreaded process of getting the Read ID card.  The card is easier to carry in my wallet than the larger passport book.

Thank you BirdTravels!

We are interested in finding out if the coffee maker provided in the family suites (category SP) are standard packet  coffee makers or Nespresso with capsules.  I have looked at photos of the room, but none of the photos are clear enough to determine.  We have favorite coffees and would like to take coffee with us to use.

Yes, I received a note from them.   Princess, from what I have heard and read,  has been handling this extremely scary situation with a very humane and professionally caring approach.  Clearly they are a company that is facing great challenges and they are losing enormous amounts of money.  But foremost it appears they are putting their guest's welfare as a priority.

Yes!  In a heartbeat.  Princess has always provided my late husband and I with totally wonderful experiences.  I feel from what I have been hearing about recent events they have honorably and ethically stepped up and did their best to respond to a very extraordinary situation and put their passengers welfare above profits.  Kudos!

Being on a cruise within the next month or two would be cause for reconsideration to me.  But more of concern would be flying anywhere right now.  I can't imagine being in tight quarters for long haul flights with people from far ranging points of origin.

When I took my grandsons on a Princess cruise last year I was quite surprised by the change of the food in the main dining room since the previous year when I went on a Princess cruise with my granddaughters.  The soup at lunch was a gelatinous concoction that tasted like all of the leftover veggies from the night before had been run through the Vitamix.  I've booked a 15-day cruise to Hawaii for later this year but having to pay double occupancy for just myself, I think I might need to work on my expectations so as to not be grumpy about any possible downgrades. 

After twenty years of trying to get relief from knee pain (cortisone shots, creams, nightly icing, scoping, so much Tylenol my body was a mass of bruises), and of having my life very limited in what I could do, I finally had a serious face off with my GP and demanded a referral to an orthopedist.  The orthopedist asked why I had waited so long to look into getting a new knee.  I was scared, so scared. But going ahead with the surgery was the BEST thing I have EVER done for myself.  I was up walking the afternoon of the surgery.  Doctor gave me oxycodone for pain but I never needed it.  I was in physical therapy three days after surgery managing stairs, recumbent bike and lifting a ball between my ankles and raising it up and down.  I think a successful recovery is largely due to a positive attitude.  I was able to drive within five days.  (Left knee/automatic transmission).  Staples out at three weeks.  I am having the right knee done in April.  Take back your life, get moving the way you dream of doing.

My husband and I took our two sons and daughters-in-laws, baby grand-daughter and my mother on a Mexican Riviera cruise in 2009. Hubby and I reserved two rear mini-suites for ourselves and the son and daughter-in-law with the baby. For our other son and daughter-in-law and my mother, we reserved two balcony rooms. A few months go by and we received a call from Princess asking if we would be willing to relinquish our two corner cabins. "Not really", I replied. "We wanted the balcony space and location. That is why we booked early for this cruise." "Well", replied Princess, "we have guests that have specifically asked for these cabins." "Yes, I understand", said I. "We want them too." "Is there nothing I can do to encourage you to release the cabins?" Princess asked. "Not really", I replied. "Nothing?" asked Princess. Then I thought for a moment, and decided that it would do no harm to ask; "How about if you upgrade the balcony rooms to mini-suites with no extra charge?" Princess, "Oh no! I don't think that would be possible." "Well then, I guess that's it then." "Well, let me check." "OK" "Mrs. Wilson, we would be happy to accommodate your request. Thank you for relinquishing the cabins." I have often wondered who exactly wanted those specific cabins on that cruise. Doesn't matter really. We all had a fabulous time. Our mini-suites were on the same deck and located within mid-ship near the elevators. Fabulous trip, fabulous memories.

For me, it's a matter of rolling items and putting like items into the same cube. It also helps prevent my suitcase from getting trashed if TSA decides to rummage through things. I don't like my undies being presented to bored tourists waiting in line. Things don't shift inside the suitcase when using cubes Basically, they get used for rolled tops, undies and socks, scarves, slacks, swimwear and toiletries (sealed in ziplock bags). Then I fold those other things like jackets or finer tops like silk or chiffon using tissue and dry cleaner bags. Shoes can go into those cubes as well.

I've got a quick question in regards to tipping. What is the policy in regards to giving extra tips to waiters? I was recently on the Diamond and we had great service from the our waiters and we gave them a cash tip at the end. I was asked for my stateroom number afterwards and it didn't occur to me at the time but does that mean the tip goes into the pool and place against my stateroom?

Last February on a Princess cruise I cash tipped the person who brought our room service orders. On my end of cruise bill I saw that I was charged a gratuity of, I think, $5 for each room service delivery. I just let it go without questioning it. We were treated well and quickly. But I am going on another cruise in April and I would like to understand what the process is. If I tip the person who brings in the order should I write on the order slip "tipped waiter directly" or just write a tip amount on the slip?

Amazon still sells the 3 in 1 sheets, but they are expensive. Pods are just as efficient.

I don't think Purex makes the 3-1 sheets any longer, they replaced them with one of those pod things. I really liked those sheets for when we travel, easy to pack and easy to use.

These are still available through Amazon...but they are VERY pricey. Pods seem to be as efficient.

Just returned from a 4 day getaway cruise to Ensenada on the Crown.

 

I can't believe the food quality. It has gone way down since last year. Plus the choices are really not that great. My husband and I are not really picky eaters, but one night there was really nothing that even stood out. The Horizon court buffet at lunch seems like they have a lot of choices but it seems to be a lot of filler food. Very disappointed. I am wondering if it is just on the short cruises that they have cut back.

 

What do you all think?

I too thought the food was pretty lackluster on my four day coastal cruise. However on a seven day cruise the food selections were much better. I am not a fan of the Horizon Court except for possibly breakfast. MDR is my preferred choice for meals...quieter and more relaxing.

I took my two grand daughters (aged 7 and 10) on a 5 day 4 night cruise out of Los Angeles last February. It was kind of a test to see how they were as sailors. They had a terrific time and so did I. There is a group called the Pelicans that the children can participate in. My grand daughters went from 9-12 and then we had lunch. They made friends with whom they swam with and played games with. I had the opportunity of having some "me" time, they had lots of fun with kids their age, and then we had dinner and evenings together. The people running Pelicans were just great, the ships staff were wonderful. I'm taking my two grand sons on a cruise in April. Certainly a cruise is an easier method for me to take my young grandchildren on a vacation by myself.

Hubby and I bought a couple microfiber towels at REI. They're solid color and I put them into our carry-ons that we stow under the plane seats in front of us. They provide lightweight cover on chilly flights (and I know they are clean and unused by others). They are great beach towels, sand shakes right out easily. Fast drying and resistant to smells. (I've actually washed them in the shower and let them drip dry overnight.) The ones we bought can be rolled up and stored in the accompanying case that came with them.

I happen to be doing a mock booking for my January cruise and noticed that the port fees have increased about $12 pp from when I booked in late March. Is this normal inflation? When would NCL notify me about this, if at all? There's 7 of us going, so that's an extra $84. Not that much, but a lot more than the increase in DSC.

Friends and I have been making plans to take a cruise to Alaska next year (May 2017). I am a long time Princess faithful, so I went to their site. An interior room, $749 from Seattle with taxes and port fees of $220! When did the taxes and port fees blow up like that?

A cruise to Hawaii from San Francisco has lower taxes and port fees and has far more ports to stop at.

Can anyone compare the cost of a cab from LAX to San Pedro and a shuttle? Any difference between Supershuttle and Prime Shuttle. Thanks.

In February I arranged for Super Shuttle to pick us (3) up at the Hilton by the LA airport. Picked us up exactly on time. It cost $54 not including tip. It was fast, the car was immaculate.

The pick up after the cruise was really frustrating and it was due to the driver being unclear as to whether he was picking us up just outside the doors of the terminal or across the street in the median. After half an hour, with phone calls back and forth (GRRRR) he finally got to the terminal door and picked us up. While driving he informed me that the Super Shuttle fee did not include his tip.

It all depends on the driver you get. I would still use the service over a cab because of very poor experiences in the past.

My 14 yo son wants me to take him on a short cruise out of LA.

But the itinerary seems void of any really anything to do with he exception of Catalina.

 

Would he be bored, maybe I'm better off with a couple days at Universal Studios then the Catalina Express for a day on the island.

 

Any opinions would be appreciated, OBTW he's never been a cruise ship yet but planning on Alaska in June.

 

Ship: Ruby

Catalina

Ensenada

Sea day

The first of this month I took my two grand daughters on a five day/four night cruise out of Los Angeles. I wanted to see how they would take to cruising. They loved every minute. My oldest grand daughter was in Shockwaves and there were plenty of activities for her. Many kids on the cruise and they all seemed to connect quickly. Theater performances were good on our cruise. Piazza entertainment was ok. Four day cruises should be considered a light sampling of what cruises are about. Depending on whether your 14 year old needs to be entertained or can keep himself busy will be a consideration. Catalina is great fun.

My grand-daughters and I had a wonderful five day, four night cruise on the Crown. It was their first cruise (ages 7 and 10). I was very appreciative of my platinum cards help in getting through the boarding process. Arriving at the port aat 12:30, we were onboard and in our cabin by 1 o'clock.

The Youth Clubs on board were greatly enjoyed by the girls. The programs are well designed for the various age groups. I noticed that the staff made constant reminders for the kids to wash their hands. Great job!

Beyond the Youth Center, there were many activities through the day that the girls enjoyed. Needless to say, swimming and the ice cream were huge hits.

The staff that we encountered were so friendly and kindly answered any questions that we had. We had the pleasure of meeting many fellow passengers.

So, if you're thinking of taking the kids along on a cruise, do. I booked the five day four night coastal cruise as a test to see if the girls "took" to cruising. They did!! At the end of the cruise they stated they wanted to go on a 21 day cruise they had heard about. (Grandma wishes she has the $$ to do that too). LOL