Protirees

22 hours ago, Teechur said:

I have an electrical question about the Island Princess. Does the electrical receptacle in the bathroom shut off when the overhead light is switched off? I want to bring a small night light and ran into this problem on an NCL ship.

 

Thank you!

The electrical outlet (razor only) does not switch off when the overhead light is switched off--at least not in our cabin on the Island. That said, I have tried a small night light in the outlet and it doesn't work well at all, as it is not the same power. My small night light fits but flickers up and down so much that I took it out and just use a very small LED flashlight hanging from the shelf instead. Maybe others have had better luck than I have and it may depend on the type of night light ... not sure.

3 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

Thank you.  I have brought an adapter similar to the following for the European outlet behind the bed.  It allows me to plug in a CPAP with a US plug as well as reconnect the bedside lamp.  We have those European outlets behind each night table in our balcony cabin.

 

https://www.amazon.com/OREI-Most-Europe-Travel-Adapter/dp/B079RKX5T8?th=1

Thank you so very much. I have one of those adapters already, but it sounds as though I may need more. Appreciate the update.

Have really enjoyed following your posts on the Island Princess WC. I will be on the WC next year on the Island and also joining you for the last of the 2023 WC (FLL>LAX). I have a question that hopefully someone can answer for me, if it is not too much trouble. Do you, or anyone else, happen to know what type of outlet is behind the bed? I haven't been on Island Princess since before the refurb and vaguely recall at that time it was a non-US plug. Just can't remember what kind or how far it is inset. My husband finds it most convenient to use the one behind the bed for his sleep apnea machine. Boarding next week in FLL so if anyone has any intel to share beforehand, it would be much appreciated. So looking forward to being on the Island Princess again.

1 minute ago, Protirees said:

 

10 hours ago, calmjac said:

Thank you for taking the time out from your cruise to post.  May I ask you a question please?  Were you offered a package price for the thermal suite when you boarded?  My husband wants to take a sauna every day and it sounds like there is no free one now.  We are scheduled to take a world cruise with Princess.  Thank you very much, enjoy the rest of your time!

Guests staying in suites receive free access to the thermal suite. Otherwise, I understand the cost is $299 + 18% service charge for a 14-day package on the Island Princess. You don't have to wait to book it on board (unless you wish); you can book it on your cruise personalizer ahead of time. I vaguely recall that the last time we sailed (on a different Princess ship), we were also able to book a day pass, but don't recall what that cost and don't know if day passes are still available.

Updated information just posted by Canadian authorities COVID-19: Cruise ship travel – Travel.gc.ca expanding the timing of an antigen test from 1 day to 2 days, although it doesn't affect those on a cruisetour:

"Getting tested before you board a ship that will dock in Canada

All travellers 5 years of age or older must have a COVID-19 test to board a cruise ship in Canada or board a cruise ship that will dock in Canada at any point on the cruise. You must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:

1. Proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken no more than 2 days before you’re scheduled to board your ship
   • the 2-day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time that you board
   • for example, if your ship is scheduled to leave on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Wednesday, Thursday, or on Friday
   • it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth online service
   • the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained"

On 3/17/2022 at 9:03 AM, corky4man said:

Does anyone have any information how Princess will handle Covid testing for those of us that are on a cruisetour more that 3 days out from our boarding of the cruise ship?  Will we need to be tested prior to out land portion of the trip?

Princess has just posted that information today on its website CruiseHealth™ FAQ: Sailings from the U.S. and Canada - Princess Cruises: 

"Yes, based on current Canadian requirements for voyages that include Canada on their cruise itinerary, all guests ages five and above will require a medically observed negative viral COVID-19 test result taken before boarding the ship:

• Within 1 day for Antigen
• Within 3 days for PCR 

Children aged two to four (who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccines) will require a medically observed negative viral PCR COVID-19 test within 3 days before boarding, plus an antigen test taken at the terminal (complimentary).

We’re working closely with Canadian health authorities to manage updates as policies evolve and will advise booked guests of any changes as they occur.

For cruisetours that begin with the landtour, guests do not need to be tested prior to their landtour. We will also facilitate testing toward the end of the landtour prior to guests’ embarkation. No testing is required for disembarkation in Vancouver.

For cruisetours that end with the landtour, guests are not required to be tested prior to disembarkation."

4 hours ago, trbarton said:

I was on the Majestic Princess in February & here’s the plugs in my balcony stateroom. 

 

I would pack an adapter so you could use the Euro plug. The USB plugs were at the bedside table.

Thank you so much, Tom. Your e-mail does indeed help. I have already been looking at adapters so I can expand my plug capacity so your response is most timely. Appreciate the pictures--a picture is worth a thousand words!

5 hours ago, curmudgeon98 said:

On Majestic we had a mix of US and 2-pin Euro plugs, and also 2 USB charge points on the side of the bed by the desk.

This is really helpful (especially knowing it is 2 pin). Thanks so much.

I am trying to figure out the electrical plug type from your pictures. Can you tell me what types of plugs are available in your cabin--US and Euro 2 or 3 prong?--so that I can make sure I take the appropriate adapters with me?

Thanks so much for posting about your cruise. Much appreciated.

16 hours ago, jwattle said:

Two weeks ago,  I emailed the upsell department, ...

So glad to hear that you were able to get upgraded. Can you send me the e-mail to use to contact the upsell department. I called (the general Princess number) yesterday to inquire about upsells and they just told me 'not available yet'. I am on Majestic for a cruise in May so I am ahead of myself right now but anxious to follow your experiences on the Majestic. Have fun and thanks for posting!

I'm hopping on here to ask if anyone has ever disembarked prior to the end of the cruise (and not because they were disgruntled!) We are considering leaving our cruise a day early in Quepos, where transportation to the southern part of Cost Rica will be easier for us rather than transiting overnight, just to disembark further north. I'm fairly sure there must be some who have done this at some point, (maybe in Europe) just wondering how far in advance you needed to notify the ahip.

We tried to do that once (in a different country) for the same reasons you mention. The company advised that there would be extra port and customs costs for us personally to absorb because of the earlier departure (one port earlier than the usual port of disembarkation). This may not apply to you because you are leaving in the same country, just a different city, but you might wish to check because there may be extra cost involved and it is good to know this in advance prior to making your travel plans.

I know this may be too early to inquire about, however, are there any pictures/scans of the new Regal Menu's and Patters.

 

Mom and I are planning out when we want to do specialty restaurant(s) and want to do around the "formal" nights.

 

Thanks in advance

We got off the Regal earlier this month on the Transatlantic crossing and they said that they would be changing their menus for the Caribbean from that they had used while in the Med. So make sure you get the new menus from someone that has done the Caribbean since they arrived in North America this month. I must say though that the food--especially in the redesigned Horizon Court--was much better than we have had previously on other Princess ships. Or perhaps it was because the corporate executive Chef was on board during our crossing helping them get ready for the inaugural celebrations and new menu. Regardless, I am sure you will enjoy the ship and the food.

No alcohol. It can be used for brewed and specialty coffee and tea.

Can also be used for purchases of gelato treats and hot chocolate. Maybe that's not the case on all ships, but it was on the Regal Princess which I just completed a cruise on.

It seems to be a great mystery, does anyone know if Princess has a up sell policy? If so what is it!

Yes, they definitely do have an up sell policy but I don't really know what it is in terms of "policy". I was offered an up sell on a cruise a few years ago and took it--not sure how they decide what cabins to up sell and to who in what order and at what price, to be honest. I suspect it depends on what it still available and on that particular cruise that we were offered an up sell, there were still quite a few suites available. We were in the highest category mini suite and were offered an up sell. I recall that it was time sensitive and that the first person that responded got the first choice, and so on. Keep hoping for more up sell offers but haven't received one yet--guess the cruises I've been on since have all been sold out!

Does anyone have any insight as to if and when Princess starts offering upgrades. I'm booked on the CP on Sept.29 2014 and there are A LOT of open cabins in all categories. Have cruised often but have not been on Princess for 6 or 7 years. Would appreciate sharing of any experience with this Thanks.

They will normally offer paid upgrades (upsells) 1 - 2 weeks before the cruise. "Free" upgrades are a crapshoot as was mentioned by the previous poster. Seems to depend on what cabins they can resell in what category and a myriad of other factors that change like the wind.

I'm going on the Emerald princess in August, few years ago they used to have Hot Chocolate in the morning up in the buffet but they have stopped this.

 

I thinking of bring my own hot chocolate sachets but I prefer hot chocolate made from hot milk.

 

Does anyone know if they do hot milk in the mornings?

You can also purchase a coffee card and use it for hot chocolate at the International Cafe/Coffee Bar. My husband really enjoys his chocolate in the morning while I enjoy my coffee. It has a cost though where the hot milk from the buffet doesn't.

hello has anyone any information or photos of b428 baja deck. Port side my question is more about balcony shade, and wind speed thank you fellow cruisers

For which Princess ship in particular? B428 varies depending on the ship.

I've been reading that many cruisers ask their room steward to take the contents of the mini-bar out.

 

I've asked for this on several cruises and they never want to do this for me (by the way, I do tip them a little when we arrive)

 

Is this something they should be doing or just a guest courtesy?

 

Tx

We just take it out ourselves and put it on a shelf (where they can still see it or let them know what you did so you don't get charged for it) and then return it to the appropriate place at the end of the cruise. I've also learned that room service is in charge of the bar/fridge contents and not the steward so you might want to try room service if your steward does not contact them for you to do this on your behalf.

Can anyone comment on the window suites on the Golden? Did you like or dislike it?

Also, do the South American cruises ever go on sale?

Thanks.

We had the opportunity to book a window suite on the Golden to South America recently and chose a mini-suite (which cost more money at the time) rather than the window suite. While we would have loved to have had the suite privileges, we would not have enjoyed the window suite when the weather was rough. There are many advantages to the window suite but one of the disadvantages we found when we booked one from LA to Hawaii some years back was the increased noise level. When the seas are rough, you hear a lot of noise that low from the ship's stabilizers (and thrusters at other times) in addition to the waves pounding against the side of the ship. The cabin itself wasn't rough as it is low enough and centered enough to be quite stable, but I sure found it hard to sleep on the "noisy" nights. If you're like my husband who can sleep through anything, you won't have any trouble.

Unless I misunderstood your question and to the best of my knowledge, Princess does not assume any responsibility to obtain VISA's for a passenger. Rather it is the passenger's responsibility to do so if they plan on being on land at that particular country (but Princess does provide advice as to where you will need them, etc.). As to the cost, it really depends on what country you are from. You would be best to check the relevant embassy's website.

In 2013, we only had to go to the gangway to close out our old cruise card and activate the new one in Santiago. I presume the rules are still the same. As mentioned above, Princess will give you instructions the last evening for the turnaround.

We just returned last week from the same cruise (Buenos Aires to LA) and this is still the procedure. If you are going out on tour or to walk around, you don't have to worry about it--they give you your new cruise card the night before and it will be activated when you return to the ship. If you are staying on board, you go to one of the lounges (forget which one) at a certain time (think it was 10 am) and then you will be taken care of there.

It was a fabulous trip! I am sure you will enjoy it.

Our family is cruising on Caribbean Princess this summer.

My son has enrolled in an online class and he wants to bring his laptop so he can keep up with it.

On our previous cruises we have never used computer

or even cell phones so I never looked into the tech stuff.

I have read that internet will be slow.

When is best and where is best to use laptop on ship??

3 of us are platinum so we will get some minutes right?

Will he need special adaptor to plug in or anything?

Thanks.

I teach an online course and just returned from a cruise last week where I had to access my course often. Most people have answered your questions already. I will add that the time of day does make a huge difference. Early in the morning (e.g., 5 - 6 am) worked best for me. Others talked about late at night working also for them. My online course management software is a huge site and difficult to access at the best of times. It depends on what course management software your son has to access. Many profs ask that students only e-mail them within the course directly. I would ask if he could e-mail outside of the course, if that is the case, during the cruise so that he can compose e-mail offline. Much faster to download and send e-mail than to access course sites.

It can be done. He should let his professor know that he may have limited access to the Internet during the cruise. And if online assignments need to be done, he may need to attempt them early.

It also depends on where you are cruising how good the Internet coverage is. You don't say where or for how long. I was on a cruise for a month so I had no choice but to use the Internet when I could to manage my course. Finally, I always went onshore and found WiFi (even if I had to pay for it although cafe's often have free WiFi) where it was easier to find more bandwidth and a faster connection (and saved my Platinum cruise Internet minutes for when I needed them).

Hope this helps. Happy to answer any other questions your son may have.

I agree with the above posters. I also am a vegetarian and have never had a problem in Sabatini's (in some of the other specialty restaurants yes, but not Sabatini's). They are incredibly accommodating with or without notice and always have made me a meal I've tremendously enjoyed.

I would take the mini also. It has a better location in case of rough seas. We love the aft when in calmer seas (and we are excellent sailors and don't get sea sick) but the aft can sure buck around in rough seas. The days you are in Hawaii, you will likely be in port rather than on your aft balcony. The extra room in a mini is also valuable for a longer cruise such as you will be taking.

Nice to have a choice. To be honest, you can't go wrong with either really. It's just a personal choice.