Cruise Raider

There are still other forms of transportation to get back to the US where is possible without a passport, though. We’ve gone to Victoria and to Vancouver many times without a passport by ferry and by car, even by train it is possible. Prince Rupert may be more difficult to navigate but it still is possible.

I’d be surprised to see it… the place is nowhere we’d ever go again!

The state department warnings have been in place for a really long time in Mexico. Princess did cancel the port of Mazatlan for a couple of years when the cartels took over. So, if any consistent unrest does happen, they will most likely cancel it again. But for now, they have assurances from the city officials to keep the tourist areas safe to the extent that is possible. There are no assurances that bad things can happen but that is anywhere, even in our home town. But, exercising some increased awareness of your surroundings and remaining in the clearly marked tourist areas is your best bet to staying safe. Enjoy your cruise.

it’s only if you upgrade to the newer package

here on the Royal, there is also an Alfredo’s. It probably did come from there as the one in charge of Alfredo’s noted that the pizzas were complimentary as of the last Hawaiian cruise back in the middle of the month.

No, just in a mini suite .. not club class.

Funny you asked that because Silvija just said to say hi to you! We are having a great time … there is so much to do, I’m finding it hard to keep up with all the activities! We were upgraded to a mini suite on the Marina deck. I’ve always dreaded being under the pool deck but so far, so good! Can’t look a gift horse in the mouth! The food and entertainment has been awesome. The staff couldn’t be nicer and more attentive. With 3250 guests, it started off feeling empty but now now, the crowds are quite apparent. I think it was the rough seas that kept them in their cabins those first couple of days. We went to the winemakers dinner and it was phenomenal! It was probably one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my whole life! We are going to the Tuscany dinner later in the cruise.

I understand that of the last Hawaiian cruise on the Royal, there are no longer charges. Whether or not this will last remains to be seen. But, the pizza is fabulous! Happy happy!

They are delicious! We always order them a few times each cruise. the capriccio has artichoke hearts, ,mushrooms, ham, Kalamata olives and basil the romana has anchovies, olives, capers and basil The vegetariana has avocados, sun dried tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers and mushrooms

They are 5 pizzas to choose from Vegetarian Margherita Pepperoni Capricciosa Romana There is no place in the app to adjust your toppings .. just pick one of the five available options. You can get different sprinkles including oregano, pepper flakes and grated Parmesan on the side in little ramekins.

We are currently on the Royal and just noticed that the whole pizzas delivered to you room are now showing as complimentary, when it used to be a $3 charge. While the $3 never bothered me, this is a step in the right direction and the opposite of what some of the other cruiselines are doing. Or maybe it is a temporary glitch in the system???

We’ve arrived as early as 9:45 AM, only because that is what time our ride was available. We waited in a relatively short embarkation line until they opened the doors to the terminal for arrivals. I believe they begin to open the doors for check in around 10 AM. A couple of days ago, we arrived at 11:10 AM, went right through security without delay and were immediately allowed to board the ship right after check in. Very quick and easy!

Not necessarily. Their rates really depend upon how many people are ordering Ubers at the same time. When disembarking from the ship, we’ve always found it is more expensive than doing the reverse. It’s because so many people are ordering a ride at the same time. Sometimes, when we get off a plane, it’s the same. Prices go up by about 20% to 30%.

Many drivers work for both Uber and Lyft and the prices can sometimes vary between the two but then again, sometimes they are the same. It all depends upon demand at the time. Either one will cost a lot more when coming home than going to the pier. BART is very convenient when you don’t have a lot of luggage to schlep to the pier. From the CV station to the Embarcadero is a piece of cake as there are no transfers involved like there is to go to SFO. Just of note, for shorter cruises, we’ve parked there down by the pier. It’s about $20-$22 a day and we’ve even found some lots with security guards. But then again, BART is still a lot cheaper option.

Sorry, but that is still not true. I don’t know about the Canadian passport regulations for entering the US but, as US citizens, we’ve certainly gone with friends without passports (original birth certificate and government issued ID) on closed looped cruises out of SF and they were allowed to go into Canada. They only restriction is you cannot fly back from Canada in case of an emergency.

While it is possible and we’ve had it happen to us, it’s not a regular occurrence. And aren’t there also escalators available? It’s been a while .. so just can’t remember!

We’ve been able to use ours as general OBC.

Same here … my DH always gets the beef tenderloin for embarkation lunch. He says it is absolutely delish!

I thought I read it doesn’t open until 75 days prior to the sail date but I couldn’t swear to that. Don’t give up hope yet, it’s probably just a little while longer.

I truly wish we could keep the Royal or even the Ruby in the port of SF. I guess all good things must come to an end, though.

Only if they request them. I never like to promote smoking but the crew have a tough job and if this is their one outlet, so be it.

I am absolutely aware of that. My comment was based on the fact that the Ruby is heading over through the Panama Canal on Oct 22nd and ending up in Florida on Nov 6th ... but they show her at Pier 27 on Oct 29th and beyond. So, the schedule needs to be updated. I think only the Crown will be in SF past October of this year.

I don't think that one is right either. It's showing the Ruby and the Crown in port at the same time from October through the end of the year. They still need to update it ..

Actually, this doesn't matter. And it is not the Jones Act per se but the PVSA that governs cruise ship passengers. The reason it is ok to use Ensenada as a foreign port is because it is a closed loop cruise, meaning it starts and ends in the same US port. If your continuous cruise starts and ends in two different US ports, you must then stop at a distant foreign port. Starting in LA and ending in Alaska, you are in violation with the PVSA and the cruiseline will refuse to allow you to do this itinerary. If you start and end up back in Vancouver on the second leg of the cruise, you'd be fine because the PVSA is a US law.

hmmm? I don’t know the answer to that. I have to admit, I’m not a huge shopper. I’m going again next week so will try to look into that.