Paula_MacFan

Thanks!! Somehow we will survive 😀 Good thing we have 2 blue tote bags in our suitcases!

Yes, I'm aware. Was only describing the process so others would know what to expect. I have no reason to smuggle on beer as we have the drink package but prefer Pepsi over Coke. Side note -- years ago sailing from Galveston you could bring on beer. Slap on a luggage tag and they'd deliver it your room with the luggage 😀

We used this site. If you follow them on FB they have coupon codes. We parked directly across from the ship in a covered garage for $130 which included tax. They email you a code for the gate, but there were attendants there this morning checking people in and helping park. You might check your pier assignment on the port website too. We were at 25 but the Regal has been at 28. Edit to add they have other options besides the covered garage. https://www.portofgalveston.com/240/onlinespecial?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnrOtBhDIARIsAFsSe53_zG3V49ok8ZbKN7WayPYD_kYIRdQ-NpFwxShpM5OlGK7NMp1bcZ8aAk5hEALw_wcB

Pushing away from the dock now to the Love Boat Theme ❤️ They kept announcing how over 1,200 people still hadn't checked in to muster so that may have delayed us slightly.

This folder of info was brought by the steward. We didn't have this on our last cruise in October so may be new? NFL playoff games are on MUTS, in Vista Lounge, and cabin TVs.

See thread from yesterday: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2986397-bringing-soda-wine-or-water-onboard/#comment-66787628 Cans only.

Our room was ready at boarding but they announced not all rooms were. It's a quick turnaround day here leaving at 3pm. Another random observation -- we've already seen an usual amount of kids, probably 30 or so just in the last 30 minutes. We have sailed this week many times (birthday week) and there are usually very few children.

We just carried on 2 12-packs of diet Pepsi in Galveston. We have the drink package but prefer diet Pepsi over diet Coke from the gun. We drove to Port so no reason not to carry on. They had a table after security where they took out every can from the sealed boxes and checked them over, then taped them back up. It was quick.

We arrived at the terminal at 10:40 and we're in our room right now at 11:15. We had reserved parking across the street, easy walk into terminal, no waiting outside. Quick check-in through the Green Lane and immediately boarded ship, no waiting in the lounge. One of our quickest embarkation experiences ever in Galveston. Side note the Regal is at Terminal 25 today and not 28.

We leave on the Regal today. Basic activities have been populated in the app for a few weeks. Yesterday NFL games, shows, and musical events populated.

Per the Passage Contract:

Holy cow! We also booked the Hubbard Glacier excursion months ago for $299. I just looked and it's gone up to $409.95 in the Personalizer. It's waitlist only since it's been sold out for months now. So glad we booked early! Last time I looked it was $339 and I had no idea it had jumped up that much!

We cruise on Sunday and received our Medallions 11 days prior.

Mahogany Bay website https://www.mahoganybaycc.com/port-schedule.aspx

The Jubilee is the same ship that bumped us.

We have a cruisetour booked for late May/early June. Several of our excursions have been sold out for months and the ones that are still available have gone up in price from $10 to $50 per person. I've been advising people to book early to avoid disappointment and price increases.

We leave Sunday on the Regal and they did the same thing to us. It's been known for months a huge Carnival ship was scheduled the same day as us, but they waited until a few weeks prior to officially cancel. They were even selling Mahogany Bay excursions right up until the itinerary was changed. Disappointing actions, especially when the port schedules are done months or even years in advance. Sorry this is apparently happening again, to you. I just looked at the Mahogany Bay website and don't see the Sky listed. We weren't on there either for a couple weeks before Princess finally notified us.

That's weird! I use Chrome.

I noticed this new options banner in the Personalizer earlier this week. I posted it on the 'new internet prices' thread a bit ago in response to a comment on the marketing of packages. A couple people said their menus look nothing like mine. So that got me wondering what other people are seeing so I started a new thread. I noticed the new options for 'bundles' and 'extras', the icons have changed, and they moved the 'itinerary' option up next to the 'luggage tag and travel summary'. I think the old version said 'onboard services' or something similar and they've split out those options now and have the bundles option prominently displayed. Anyone else notice the changes or have the new options?

I did notice earlier this week there is a new menu bar at the top of the Personalizer page, that now includes 'bundles'. That wasn't there before.

For our cruise leaving Sunday no formal portrait nights are listed yet. That was the first thing I looked for 🙂 It shouldn't make a difference on activities but I have both apps on my phone right now and neither one shows formal pictures yet, just the champagne fountain as I mentioned earlier.

If that's directed to me I said you didn't say WHERE you were sailing, not when 😀

It's very easy to do yourself online. I check airfare everyday and have re-fared several times when prices changed or a better itinerary opened up. We have used EZ Air many times, most recently to Europe in September. We flew United Polaris class round trip for far less than we could have booked independently. I used the United app to book meals and get notifications. I also always book when flights open up at 330 days and then watch prices & schedules daily.

That's our experience too -- sold out means just that. Sometimes they will offer a wait list for possible cancelations. It probably depends on the itinerary too. For some of our upcoming Caribbean ports there are 6 ships scheduled so that will stretch resources. Princess has to rely on local available vendors -- it's not like they are running tours themselves. You didn't say where you're sailing but for our upcoming May/June Alaska cruise some excursions have been sold out for months already. Also prices have increased, so it pays to book early if you can.

We sail on Sunday and I figured out the first formal night seeing 'captain's welcome party & champagne fountain' listed in the Journey View daily schedule. That's been populated in the app for several weeks now. There's no clues yet for our second formal night in the app, but some recent cruisers uploaded daily Patters so we could see prior schedules. Maybe someone who has been on the cruise could share info.