93yearsyoung

2 hours ago, phabric said:

Can you pick up a taxi LAX curbside?

The short answer is no. The longer answer is maybe. There are cab stands at the LAX-it Lot, Tom Bradley International terminal in the parking structure and at the end of Terminal 7, the last terminal in LAX's U-shape.

So if you come into LAX early enough and come in at TBIT, Terminal 1 or Terminal 7, it is a short walk to a cab stand. All other terminals you need a shuttle bus to the LAX-it Lot.

On 7/28/2022 at 8:41 PM, Bgwest said:

What?!?!?!? No mention of appropriate dinner attire in the MDR?

Do note how Captain Stubbing is dressed...

We've done several Hawaii cruises. They usually have things like hula classes, ukulele lessons, lectures on Hawaii and movies indoors during the day. I don't know if that is "additional" to what they do on other sea days, but the sea days to and from HI seem very full to me, or were pre pandemic.

We haven't been on a Princess cruise shorter than 15 days for several years now. The first couple of days the Library seemed sparse, but it got better as the cruise progressed. I don't know if it was Princess adding books or just guests leaving their finished books.

5 minutes ago, phabric said:

Is port side the even number cabins and starboard the old number cabins?

As you face the bow of the ship, Port side is your left, Starboard side is your right.

17 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The I guess you'll never sail on NCL, with their attitude towards dressing for dinner, you'd have heart palpitations.

Granted I am new here, but I am trying to figure out how these comments are helpful to the original poster, who isn't asking about NCL. They are asking about Princess. This topic isn't a theoretical discussion on what the dress should be on Formal Night, but what does Princess request and what is the reality.

We have taken the great grandkids on NCL and also Cunard. They have dressed accordingly to the ships requested attire each time.

16 hours ago, Ptroxx said:

Maybe her husband can go on NCL.   And she can go on Princess.   Just sayin. Lol.   

I am sure you think that is funny. I find it rude and not helpful to the original poster who is looking for real world advice and experience.

Just now, SiliconCruiser said:

Coat with shorts ... don't tempt me 😄  Besides with all that weight on top, I might topple over 😄

We vacationed many years in Bermuda when my son & daughter were in their teens and young adulthood, and my husband and son looked smashing in their coat & tie, Bermuda shorts and high socks.

The Best Western Plus Downtown Long Beach is close to Von's Super Market (part of the Safeway/Albertson's chain).

1 hour ago, SiliconCruiser said:

Shorts are acceptable in the MDRs on the first and last nights of the cruise.  But I don't remember if I ever wore shorts into the MDRs on Mexico or Hawaiian cruises.

I would not let my husband, son or SIL go to the MDR in shorts for dinner, on Formal Nights I expect them in a coat at least.

On 7/24/2022 at 10:06 AM, Esprit said:

Are some guys so selfish not even to respect their partner’s desire to dress up?

Have you ever met Onslow?

If you only want a few hours of entertainment, I think Pai'a Town is the place to go. Get a cab from the port area

On 7/1/2022 at 12:46 PM, cantgetaname said:

Looking for recommendations for a post cruise hotel in Honolulu.   Realistically I can't afford the Hilton Waikiki |Beach or any of the more expensive beachfront properties.

Try the Waikiki Marriott, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Centric, Laylow and Hilton Waikiki Beach. I know these are all big chain hotels, but we like getting nights to get perks and free nights down the road.

I would just go to Kalapaki Beach, get some beach time and then eat lunch at Duke's.

3 hours ago, suekel said:

The Grand is the only ship where we've been escorted to our suite.  It's lovely.

We've been escorted to our suite two of our last three San Pedro cruises. The one time we were not we arrived very early and the suite was not ready so we were escorted to it.

11 hours ago, Ronnieslady said:

The last 2 cruises we took out of San Pedro Nov. 2021 & April 2022 , we got there about 10:30am . We were Green with our Medallions & we walked right in, showed our travel pass to the nice lady @ the door & went right up the escalator.

You walked right in after clearing the airport like screening area where they x-ray your carry on bags I presume you mean. How long was the wait there? Does anyone know if that is TSA manning that or is that a terminal/cruise line ground crew?

2 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

Just how many people sailing at any time could possibly have more than 1,000 days sailed? The way you describe it, there must be literally dozens on every cruise. 😄 LOL

I think it depends on the cruise, i.e., number of days, destination etc.

I bet a 7 day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale has a lot of first or second time cruisers. Our last 15 day, LA-Hawaii round trip, I swear half the cruisers were Elite...  it didn't feel all that elite 😁

57 minutes ago, suekel said:

We stood in line for 30+ minutes just for that to happen.  They never once looked at our boarding time.  You get in the long line outside, go inside and once you get upstairs there is a Elite/Suite line. I've cruised out of multiple cities and thought this was the worst but I hear since the restart that San Francisco is rather a mess.  

Thanks for both your replies. I am still fuzzy on details.

Yes, I understand that TSA clearance, the metal detectors, etc is separate from actual Princess check-in. My question is, I guess, is what is like actually checking in for the cruise? Is it faster than it used to be? Are there separate lines for Suite/Elite? I recall being checked three different times our last Princess cruise; once at the metal detectors, once for actual check-in and again upstairs before actually getting on the gangway (which is WAY too long) onto the ship.

Has the Green Lane, etc made the process faster, easier?

I also agree that San Pedro is terrible for boarding vs FL and BC.

34 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

Since you are in OC, you have likely sailed out of San Pedro, so I'll use terms you would know. Usually, the Princess ships dock at berth 93. But on our recent sailing, we got out of the car at berth 91. There was no posted sign for this! We were early, second boarding time group. There we turned over our luggage and went inside that building for testing. Once our group cleared testing, some shuttled, we walked, to 93. Going inside, there was no waiting for someone to handle our Medallion App mess. After that, no wait to board and walked right on. That said, the ship was about 60% booked.

Princess has testing at the port? Is this in lieu of getting it from Rite Aid or CVS? If the ship is departing Berth 93, can you not be dropped off at Berth 93?

I am not sure I am understanding Princess boarding procedures in San Pedro now. I get that there are arrival groups; we are "Green Lane" in the app now, so what is boarding like? There has to be some kind of line to show someone you are Green and your Covid test, but how long of a line? We are Suite & Elite, does that matter anymore?

On 7/8/2022 at 11:37 AM, suekel said:

My boys travel in a different cabin than us and I take them with me through the line. 

But same booking number? I think that would be the difference.

On 7/8/2022 at 8:25 AM, vakamalua said:

Been a while--is there a dedicated Platinum line at the terminal for check in?  Can non-Platinums who are traveling with us use that line?  Thanks

I thought this Medallion app thing was eliminating lines? Am I not understanding?

On 7/8/2022 at 9:17 AM, Reina del Mar said:

If everyone who is P/E took friends through with them, no wonder it is a long line..please don’t make it longer !!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't read the question as "friends", but more like non-platinum family members. Our grandkids aren't P/E, but I certainly expect them to come through with us.

I signed up to comment on CC recently, but have been reading the boards for a long time and these type threads amuse me, although not as much as "what can I wear on Formal Night" threads.

We too are Elite and none of the lost benefits effect us that much, certainly not enough to storm off to another line where I might have zero benefits. I appreciate the struggle these companies are going through to stay alive

If there were zero benefits I'd still choose Princess first because we can drive to the pier.

What does Green Lane mean? Less waiting at the terminal? No waiting at the terminal?