hubble

I was just looking into this same issue myself, as a family member wants to go to Alaska (from Seattle) in a couple weeks and her passport expired.  The wait to have a new passport issued is months right now.  Even expedited it a few weeks.  I agree, it's always best to bring a passport.  But when you cannot get one issued fast enough it is nice to know it is actually an option to go without on a closed loop cruise.

Prince Rupert is a town of 12k people with a ferry to Ketchikan.  I doubt anyone could ever find a single case where someone was off loaded there.  Certainly something I wouldn't worry about.

39 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

When the Headwaiter takes your request for the next evening, it is filed away by your cabin number. So whatever table or waitstaff you have the next evening can easily retrieve it.

 

It is best to eat in the same dining room each evening so you can work with the same headwaiter, even if he is assigned to a different area than you are in that evening.

 

This also works if the Headwaiter had taken your order for lunch in the dining room the next day. Just tell your waitstaff that you have ordered in advance and your cabin number.

Good to know Caribill.  Thanks for the info!

No, I'll be boarding Sunday.  I'll report back at that time. 

I am fully assuming we will have the same table and waiters the entire cruise.  We do have a table for 2 reserved same time/dining room each night through DMW.  Our first night, we will explain GF requirements to the head waiter so I expect it will be handled same way they did in the past.   Since for the special menus for GF you have to order 1 day in advance, I don't see how they would want you to change times/seating or how would they find you if they did. 

12 hours ago, beg3yrs said:

DW is celiac and we simply try to arrange for the same table at the same time every night. That way the staff gets to know us and our special need. It's worked out very well. The head waiter comes by each evening with the next day menus (lunch and dinner) and works with her to get the meal she needs. Usually they can make most, but not all, meals gluten-free.

DH has celiac and this is our same experience.  It all works quite well in the dining rooms.  If you use the buffet, you can look for the manager and they can "guide" you through options that are GF if not already labeled.  They also can make some cooked to order items.  Thing with the buffet is your probably more subject to cross contamination, so if you are extremely sensitive you'll need to be really careful and express that to the staff.  The pizza place will also make GF pizza.  Sometimes they ask for 24 hours adv. notice though, but not always.  Our last trip there was no GF hamburger or hot dog buns on deck at the grill.  Hopefully they've added those items there on request, but I guess we'll find out on our next trip.  

We've been cruising w/Princess for years and it has been extremely accomodating to my DH dietary needs.  

I'm curious to see if Discovery tests this week on the B2B passengers.  This week the ship is sailing with about 1k more passengers than the previous week, and as others mentioned it is now at orange level.  Someone last week mentioned the ship said they were out of Covid tests, so perhaps they had some, but not enough to test all the B2B passengers.  I'd like to know if no longer testing B2B is their new policy, or it was really just a one time thing on this particular ship.  No one else from any other Princess ship has reported that they cancelled testing on B2B.  Guess we will just have to wait and see how they handle it this week.

19 minutes ago, sboh said:

Yes, at LAX they were right in the middle of the baggage area. Rolled my bags over and they took them. They use a truck to transport the luggage to the ship, the next time you will see it is in your cabin. There was a couple with a woman in a wheelchair and the man was carrying some sort of oxygen machine(?) and the transport reps were very helpful to them.

Thanks sboh for the information.  I appreciate your first hand knowledge.  This sounds like it is just what I was expecting.  For me to not have to see the luggage again until it is in our cabin is worth a lot more than the $34 each for the transfer ... and even possibly any long waits we may have from LAX to the pier on the bus. 

I don't usually use Princess transfers, but I booked one for our cruise this upcoming Sunday.  My husband is disabled - he can walk short distances only.  We are traveling with his transport wheelchair, plus a walker that we are bringing as checked luggage in a travel bag.  Due to his disabilities, I opted for Princess trf with the assumption that it would be easy to pull the luggage off the carousel and easily turn it over to Princess in the same vicinity for the transfer to the ship.  There is no way I could haul the luggage & his mobility aids myself if we were to take a Uber or super shuttle.   Is this assumption correct, that princess will be right there next to baggage claim to hand over our luggage to?    

1 minute ago, Astro Flyer said:

Beginning with Sky (and Enchanted/Discovery) the library has been removed & replaced with additional couches & chairs by the Crown Grill Bar.

Happy I asked, so I know in advance.  That is really to bad.  One of my favorite ships is the Coral because it has it's own game room.  Love to hit the IC get snacks and coffee and play a game of scrabble in the afternoon.  Guess I'll pack my own books and travel scrabble too.

Does the ship have a decent Library?  I don't want to drag actual books with me, so I hope they've stocked up at least a small assortment.  Also do you happen to know if they have any board games?  

28 minutes ago, teecee60 said:

 

 

Is the pizza you can order through the app from Gigi's or from Slice?  

14 minutes ago, zonacruiser25 said:

We are on April 17 sailing and info from Princess shows we will disembark at 92

Boarding on 17APR at Pier 50, but getting off/disembarking at Pier 92.

39 minutes ago, Ombud said:

I'm so frustrated. Over 50 so supposedly I can get it. Yet every time I try to schedule a shot I'm turned down because I have no risk factors. Not that I want any but how can I be up to date if I don't get a 2nd booster? (in California, cruising in 3 weeks)

I had the same issues too trying to find a pharmacy that would give it.  Cruising in 2.5 weeks, and would like the shot.  I contacted my primary cares Dr. office, and they will do it for my husband and I  as a walk in.  I bit more of a hassle than CVS or other pharmacy, but worth the trip to know I can get it before the cruise.  You might want to try your Dr's office if you can't find a pharmacy to do it.

Thanks everyone for the pictures and updates.  Fun to see the menu's.  I am getting so excited... 19 days and counting!  Can I ask are there USB plugs on the nightstands on this ship?  

53 minutes ago, Mike-Cruisin said:

 

We brought this fan on our Nov Princess cruise and it helped DW.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0995CG5ZH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_463J3DQDQRHA5M7BKV8M

Thanks for the recommendation!  I like this with USB.  Is there a USB plug on the nightstand/lamp so you can put it next to the bed on Majestic (I'll be on Discovery so I assume it will the be the same)?  I've used a small battery one, but I'd love a USB one instead of hauling D batteries along if it can be l connected and sit on the nightstand.

Sure enough, they moved the Lane Victory this week to make room for the Discovery Princess at berth 50.  Now we know exactly where the ship will be docked.  This is not where the buildings are, this looks like they'll be sharing the parking lot with pier 46 at the end of Miner St.  Guess it will be tents for check in/security.  Hopefully everything moves quick and everyone is able embark fast so no waiting around on the pier.  Discovery Princess is scheduled to arrive Saturday March 19th in LA, I'm getting excited and really looking forward to cruising after such a long absence.

 https://www.dailybreeze.com/2022/03/15/lane-victory-moves-to-make-way-for-a-new-princess-cruise-ship-in-the-port-of-la/

13 minutes ago, billco said:

https://ihealthlabs.com/products/ihealth-verified-covid-test-service

I ordered several free test kits from them US government. iHealth will monitored the test for $20.00. I sent them the Princess antigen requirement for boarding in Fort Lauderdale and this was their reply:

Brian (iHealth Labs, Inc.) 

Mar 17, 2022, 4:06 PM PDT 

Hello,
Yes, our Verified Test can be used to fulfill the testing requirements of Princess Cruise Line, provided that you are fully vaccinated.
Customer Service Representative

iHealth Lab, Inc.
http://ihealthlabs.com

That's good news as I'm fully vaccinated + booster.  I already have a number of the free govt IHealth tests at home, so I think I'll go ahead and purchase the monitored test for $20 and set up the appt.  Looks like you can book an appt. 30 days out.  If anyone actually does this with IHealth, please post your experience so we know what to expect.  I think this is a really good inexpensive option.  Thanks!

I came across a link today that I-Health now offers a verified proctor service for only $20 a test if you use your own I-Health Antigen Rapid Test kit (these are the ones that many US Citizens got free from the Govt starting in January).  If you don't have one of the free test kits, they sell a 2 pk test kit w/one procotor test result for $37.  This seems like a great price, and worth the money to do it on-line vs. going to CVS or Walgreens before our upcoming cruise.  Has anyone done this successfully for their Princess cruise?  The I-Health site says it meets the requirements of the CDC for all airlines coming into the US, and they do provide you with a email confirmation.  It does not confirm if it is accepted by cruise lines, and says you need to verify your line will accept it.  

Anyone with first hand knowledge if this test is acceptable?  I'm only 30 days out from my cruise, and honestly hoping testing will no longer required by then.  Happy to see Canada and the UK are no longer requiring testing for their countries, so maybe the US AND the cruise lines will follow suit before I leave.

I was hoping there was a building at this pier, but according to the map shellbeachjim posted, that is berth 54 (were the Princess ship is).  The map shows berth 50 to be closer to the end near berth 46.  Doesn't even look like there is enough room to put up a tent there according to google maps.  It is really close to the road (Miner) with no pull outs for cars or any places to park buses.  Should be interesting.  Logistically, it looks like only a place to park the ship, certainly not a place to be used for boarding.  Maybe they'll change the pier again before the inaugural 3/27 sailing.  I guess we'll all just have to wait and see what happens.

I looked at the port schedule today, hoping maybe the Discovery Princess would be back at Berth 91/93 for the March/April sailings and it is now showing it will be using Berth 50 (instead of 46).  I can't find this pier on google maps, but I'm guessing it should be somewhere in the same vicinity as #46.  If anyone has any information on address or exactly where this one is & if there is any facilities or infrastructure there, please let everyone know.  Thanks!

36 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

I've been stressing about this since I found out about leaving from berth 46 but unfortunately it wasn't until after final payment. We would have chose another cruise otherwise. 

It's just a super stressful way to start a cruise.

That is exactly how I am feeling right now.  I found out hours after final payment, so no turning back for us without some financial losses. 

My husband and I used to cruise 2-3 voyages a year for well over a decade, and stopped a couple years ago after he started having some medical issues.  I decided he is doing well enough to travel, and I feel comfortable enough to take him in a familiar environment.  We really put a lot of thought into using Princess out of LA.  Very familiar with cruise terminal and airports.  Yes it's big, but for a first outing that I would have to push him in a wheelchair I felt comfortable as long as I didn't have to haul around luggage too.  He can walk short distances,  so having used pier 92/93 more than a dozen times I knew exactly what to expect and based my decision on that.  Now, I'm honestly not sure how we'll handle it all.  In addition to limited mobility, he has cognitive issues which stress and sleep deprivation trigger.  This situation will cause stress, and will definitely impact the start of our cruise too.   

27 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

Never heard of it? If you're a history person, Pier 46 was the site of the SS Saninena going up in Dec. of 1976. I heard it go off 30 miles north in Glendale while attending a Christmas party.  I think it broke every window in San Pedro.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this.  It's very interesting stuff watching/reading up on the SS Saninena!  It was featured on Modern Marvels "Engineering Disasters of the 1970s".  I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, and was only in Jr. High at the time.  I still don't recall hearing about it.  Looks like a lot of safety measures were developed after that happened, so that hopefully nothing of the likes will ever happen again.

17 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Discovery isn’t assigned to B92 until the 4/24 5-day cruise before sailing for Alaska.

 

If you’re on the 4/17 cruise you’ll have the debut of their new production show…Spotlight Bar.

 

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/spotlight-new-production-show-debuting-onboard-discovery

 

I didn't catch that the 4/24 cruise was back at B92 as that is when we are getting off the boat, so some good news for us.  Thanks for the update on the new production show, we are looking forward to seeing it!

Thanks Astro Flyer, that is great information!  I guess we will all have to wait to see how it is actually handled when Discovery starts sailing.    

I'm not sailing until mid-April, so I'd really appreciate if you would update with any details of your experience on your inaugural sailing embarkation, debarkation and how they handle the B2B turnaround here.  I was planning on taking an Uber from LAX over, but I might even just go with the princess transfers so they handle the luggage directly onto the ship from the airport.  Tents don't look like to much fun.  No restrooms, no elite lounge, probably no good wi-fi or connections to checking in passengers either.   I was hoping they at least had a warehouse or some permanent building at the pier that they would use (like they used to in San Francisco years ago).  Husband uses a transport wheelchair, so that might be an issue too on uneven surfaces.  Wish I knew of this situation when I booked it, I might have waited for a later sailing using the real terminal.   

I see that the Discovery Princess is scheduled to use Pier 46 in San Pedro during March and April.  I've cruised out of Pier 93 where the Princess terminal is many times, but I did not even know Pier 46 existed.  After a bit of research I see it is on the outer harbor and close to the Doubletree hotel.  Seems the ship is to long for pier 93, and pier 92 is being used by NCL Bliss that day.   I cannot find any info if there is actually a terminal building at pier 46, and how is check in is handled there?  Is there a lounge, restrooms,  is it handicapped accessible?  Can taxi's and Uber drop off/pick up at this pier?  If anyone is familiar with this pier, please provide some information.  With Royal, Majestic and now Discovery all using LA Harbor and to big for pier 93, seems like this pier 46 might be used much more in the future.  

My husband got this offer, and I have cruise on Hold for it in April.  We've never been given one of these before so I'm not sure how they work.  Rates of $99 and $149 just showed up when we logged in, but we never got any offer emailed to us. 

Does anyone know if you book one of these fares along with Princess insurance, will you still get the value of the trip in a credit to use for a future voyage if you have to cancel?  Husband has mobility issues, and booking the cruise gives him motivation to work on PT.  If he doesn't feel like he can make it by April, we just want to make sure we don't lose our money if we book the insurance.  I realize we can get him a scooter or bring his transport wheelchair if we absolutely have to, but we'd prefer to wait and travel later if we had a choice.