jigger_b
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Posts posted by jigger_b
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Interesting to find this thread. We've over 40 cruises since 2009 anywhere from 4 days to 52 days. About a dozen cruises ago, I started to get bronchitis after about 8-10 days on every cruise which would last up to two months once home. Last October, we were on a 5-day (Cabo), and it hit on day two. I spent 51 hours in quarantine. I will note that I am a very healthy gal!
We've a Princess cruise upcoming April 4-18 followed by a Celebrity April 21-May 2. I'd bet doughnuts to dollars that I will get bronchitis on the first cruise causing issues to board the second. Yes, the ship doctor will give me a report however...
We've a group of eight couples traveling on both. Sniff... The good Lord is telling me to pass on these cruises.
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Chiming in to start receiving updates/posts. Our first HAL cruise will be 7/2 on the Zaandam with two additional this Oct/Nov on the Koningsdam. We've 30 on Princess and a few here and there on other lines (just got off NCL - never again).
It will be "sweet" to see the cake/candy demos as I worked 12 years for Wilton corporate as a teacher/designer/manager...:)...thank you!
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On land with Wi-Fi, YES. On the ship - NO. Will not use precious Internet minutes on the ship when a free (Princess) messenger service exists. The folks I want to talk with on board all share the messenger codes.
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We are booked in E727 for upcoming cruise. Yay, so excited! Any particular reason you feel E727 is the best?
E727 is a wonderful cabin. I corrected my statement to reflect E731/730 as the better cabins.
Whenever possible, we book the extended mini which is E731 on the Ruby (this cabin # varies across the fleet).
On an upcoming Hawaii sailing, our cruise gang has all the starboard aft minis in a row. We love opening the balconies doors and being back door neighbors. :D
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We love the Minis on emerald deck on the Ruby. We even like the E730, the one all the way in the back because it is covered and has a huge balcony. The noise has never really been an issue for us.
We personally like the covered balcony over the dolphin deck cabins.
Thanks. We were in E731. I was looking at a different deck
Plan. E730 is great too. Love be the extended minis.
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Thanks, it will be our first time so we were flying a bit blind. Luckily our TA helped us find a better (hopefully hehe) cabin and moved us from the Emerald deck so we aren't right above the club. I was worried we might have a bit more noise from the stairs but haven't found any specific info on this cabin so was curious if others had been there or were familiar with the location.
The Dolphin deck balconies aren't covered if this makes any difference to you. We've had pretty much every aft mini on the Emerald desk and have not had any issue with the club. E727 is the best on the ship. E626 is second best although there may be a slight "thump" from the club bass when the live band is playing as it's over the stage. Should you choose an Emerald mini in the future, you should feel okay with the decision. :)
We are also in NV and have a large Cruise Critic group in Las Vegas which meets for dinner every two months. Perhaps you are in our area?
My folks are on your Ruby sailing and my sister is now thinking of joining them - I was checking the Roll Call for familiar names. She needs a roommate!
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What a find! We used Edgar's services in Montevideo (City Tour & BBQ) and in Ushuaia (we had four full vans for the Half day trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park).
His communication is tops - price more than fair - the guides were great and the vehicles comfortable. You will not do better.
A note about our Montevideo City Tour and BBQ. DO IT...we are all still talking about what a great day this was. Our guide, Herbert, and his family are the most gracious hosts and the meal was about the best we had the entire cruise. Plus, on the way back to the ship, Herbert took us to a local wine store where we all loaded up on wines to bring back on board (Tannat, one of the wines he served, was a whopping $6 a bottle).
Thanks again!
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I think you will be okay -- at least I've never read of anyone complaining about that cabin. Realize that with the last aft cabin you will need to lean out over the rail and look back to see the wake since there will be a partition with the owner's suite side (bedroom) balcony on the other side.
Thank you again - yes, we often book C743 on most ships because of the better wake view which we need to look out a bit to enjoy. Once in a while we bite and get our favorite aft facing but since they are now more than minis in some cases, we're booking other options.
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You should be fine -- we were in an aft corner suite and while the aft balcony had a definite soot problem, the small side balcony had very little. Our traveling companions were further down the hall (still in the 7XX series of cabins) and had no soot at all.
Good news. Thanks - do you feel that the last aft starboard or port cabin will not have issues as well? We like the wake view even from the side.
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We generally book aft facing or the last aft cabin starboard or port. With the soot issue, we're looking at a Dolphin cabin (D715) which is five cabins forward of the aft facing suite. It's a Deluxe Balcony (prefer a little more space for a longer cruise).
Might this be forward enough to escape most of the soot issue?
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Here is a list from a February 2014 post....
Jenny Streeck - Sapphire & Grand jstreeck@princesscruises.com 661-284-4444
Diana Hall - Diamond & Star -- dhall@princesscruises.com 661-284-4449
Jan James - Golden, Ocean & Pacific jjames@princesscruises.com 661-284-4452
Berna Grayr - Emerald & Ruby bgrayr@princesscruises.com 661-284-4448
Coleen Reyes - Crown & Carribean creyes@princesscruises.com 661-284-4447
Stacey Anderson - Royal, Dawn & Sun sanderson@princesscruises.com 661-284-4333
Lawrence Andrada - Island, Coral & Sea landrada@princesscruises.com 661-284-4445
Lawrence Andrada also handles the new Regal.
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Does anyone have contact info like this for the Coral?
Last coordination I did was with:
Stacey Anderson
Group Services
There have been some changes - no guarantee Stacey is still assigned to the Coral. Princess Angel Jan James would know.
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Don't worry, you still have plenty of time. I have done one that was a short time to sail and all was organized in time.
Once you post on your roll call, you will probably find that everyone jumps in and signs up. Most do not want to organize, but are willing to attend. On our last 2 cruises (I did one and someone else did the other), no one was expressing interest in the M&G. In fact, there were a lot of comments along the lines of "who needs it" and "why bother". As soon as the spreadsheet link and the time/date were posted on the roll call, the attitude changed. We had between 30-40 at both of the M&Gs.
Have fun!
Amen to all that! :D
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You have a very small Roll Call for this sailing although it may pick up. I have planned/hosted 14 M&Gs as well as numerous other activities for our Cruise Critic gangs. Read below for an option for your smaller group.
Yes, Jan James is your Princess Angel for this ship and she will help you book whatever may be available at this late date. I generally book our M&G venue at least 18 months or more out as we're ones to book when the itinerary is released and I then immediately book our venue.
Dry snacks is all that Princess will provide.
You are responsible for inviting the officers - they all know the drill and that a M&G is generally held on the first sea day. I prepare personalized invitations for each based on the pre-cruise emails we all get. Jan can also help you tweak the list about 3 weeks prior to sailing. Once on board, I give these invitations to guest services and they see that they are delivered. I also include a small Las Vegas trinket with each invitation as well as gifting one to the staff at guest services whom I hand the invitations to. I've had very good luck in having a great showing of officers.
Also...check out the starboard side of the Tradewinds Bar at Sailaway - back at the wall. I think there's an unwritten rule that officers gather here for Sailaway. I've ambushed a few times to introduce myself and how I hope they'll join us tomorrow... I find that most had already received the invitation and planned to attend :). One time, I had gifted a Las Vegas poker chip magnet and several had them in their pocket!
You are most welcome to email me for specific questions - the link is in our signature.
If your groups stays intimate, then I might suggest a combo Sailaway & M&G at the Outrigger Bar at Sailaway. Arrive right after muster, have name badges for everyone, and simply provide the opportunity to everyone to mingle. No need to reserve a space. We've done this a few times for 3 or 4 day sailings. And, sailing out of Seattle offers the most beautiful city view - this is where to see it!
Most of all, have fun, and remember to relax.
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If you go to Guest Service to get a true upgrade, you will pay for it.
The other posts here have been by people who learned about a free upgrade that Princess made, but did not learn about it until checking in.
Yes - appreciate the clarification. Most times there is a sign which reads the ship is at full capacity - don't ask! :)
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These upgrades/changes are made prior to sailing perhaps as you stated the day before. List has to be finalized before embarkation day.
Sounds like your friends recieved a moveover offer.
Totally agree...wanted to make certain folks knew the upgrade fairy does exist. I'm sure they must have some internal accounting for the cabin change we received the day of sailing. We had not received any prior notification from Princess and was not using a TA at the time.
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If you want to pay the upcharge.... you can change cabins up to and including when you get on the ship.......ill say it......if you don't know the correct answer say so or at least say you're not sure. ......ITS OK.......giving outrageous answers not only scares people. ...it hurts many who don't get the best possible answers.......
BLAST ME IF YOU WANT.......its how I feel........you have a god given right to spend your money.....and be sure Princess will take it :) Sometimes its good to see if you can get a FREE upgrade.
We have been the recipients of an upgrade at check-in without even knowing it! And it was a good upgrade! No extra fee. Princess was shuffling a few of us around to accommodate folks wanting to buy our category at a higher rate than we paid. A family we were traveling with had an inside and a balcony across the hall from one another. They had received a call the day before to see if they wanted to move to the large suite to share as Princess had buyers for their cabins...uh, you bet! No extra fee. And yet another friend (same cruise) was traveling solo and had a similar offer to go from her balcony to an OV Obstructed only they were refunding her entire fare! Yes...good things happen now and then. It is always possible to get an upgrade once on the ship early if you go immediately to Guest Services and space is available. Upgrades may only be a better location for the same cabin but hey, if it's better! We've lived to tell the tale.
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Yeah we were to be with her in 2011, but that is when the cruise lines started canceling Mazatlan so we never got the chance to ride with her.....:(
Same here - we were booked 4/30/11 on the Sapphire and had made arrangements with Randi for a ride. They then cut Mazatlan and gave us overnight in Cabo (no complaint there).
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Oh Jeanie I would love to but I have the trip in March on the new Regal! So far flights are more than the cost of the cruise......LOL :eek:
How exciting! I may follow along to read what y'all have to say. We had the Regal booked for her 3-dayer on 11/6 before hopping over to the Coral for a Panama Partial on 11/9. Needed to cancel both to stay on the west coast to be closer for family needs.
So sad to read about Randi. I will treasure my emails with her even more now.
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Does anyone know if anyone has taken over for her and her company? I see ships are starting to return to Mazatlan and would still love to try this tour hopefully with someone who cared as much about the horses and people as Randi did...we sadly did not get to ride wtih her as our port there was canceled right when ships started pulling out.
Cassandra - join us on the November 15 sailing on the Crown!
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I have a sincere yet silly question re Internet. How are you posting your blog? Through the ship's Internet? Are you using your cell's service? If so, what plan are you using for international travel? We have AT&T.
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Jumping on so that we too will be able to follow your journey. We have a LARGE gang of cruisers in the 4/12 and 4/19 Serenade sailings. This will be our first RCCL experience although most of our gang are long-time RC cruisers.
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Just came across this thread. I have coordinated numerous Cruise Critic Meet & Greets, Cabin Crawls, Poker Runs, Slot Pulls, Cocktail Parties, and more since 2009 on Princess. I have made arrangements and reserved meeting space as far in advance as the day an itinerary was released. There are numerous "Princess Angels" to contact based on the ship and I see a list has already been posted. Remember to thank YOUR angel before and after his or her work on your behalf.
Please feel welcome to ask away. :)
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I need to read all 11 pages...:D. In a nutshell, we're on the Emerald's 11/8 sailing out of FLL. We've never been to FL. Plan to arrive the day before sailing and stay a few days after our return to visit some of the Keys and/or the Everglades.
Would love some suggestions of where to stay and what to do! Thank you!
Beautiful evening in Ketchikan
in Holland America Line
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Hello back to you! We, the Koningsdam, and the Majestic all in today. Happy to say we have enjoyed all three ships with the Koningsdam being our favorite. Prince Rupert tomorrow, a sea day, then (sniff) back to reality.