Jeter02

I was on the sky 3 weeks ago, and I rejoin again in 2 weeks. She's a beautiful ship. Have a fabulous cruise!!!

Just woke up, and saw this in my email, as I sail on the Sky on March 20th. Way to go Ian on providing this option and better yet, up to 72 hrs prior to cancel. I have intentions on still sailing, but I'll be honest when j got this email, I had the initial thought of "oh no they cancelled my cruise". It's funny I haven't feared this virus thing at all, but this email does add a little questioning in the back of my head of, "hmmm it's great that the offering that free cancellation and being able to apply towards a future Cruise and wondering with what's been going on and how it is growing is it a good idea to be in close quarters considering it only takes one person to make the stupid thing spread." Hmmm 🤔

1 minute ago, voljeep said:

and yet, on our last cruise, we re-fared 4 times after final and each time our card was credited back .

 

so the blanket statement of no re-fares after final is a disservice to posters, sorry ...

 

Princess

I think I've also heard from a travel agent that they could refund you the price is down but it's more pain and it's a long process and getting the money refund it. This is just from the hearsay that I hear.

You can refare as many times as you like prior to final payment. After final payment you are locked in. Also since you booked with a personal ta that's the only person you can confide in when referring because the booking is not directly with princess.

22 minutes ago, Boiler Cruiser said:

My DW and I are booked on the Enchanted Princess for a Mediterranean cruise in October, 2021.

 

Do any of you, with your ear to the ground, so to speak, have any information about the ship?  Any insight into how it may differ, or not, from the other Royal Class ships?

 

We are looking forward to our cruise on this new ship.

It's the same as the sky princess. Except where Vines is located it will become salty dog gastropub. And where Bellini's currently is on the sky it will become good spirits bar and then the bellinis will be located where good spirits is currently located on the sky. And then also they will be bringing back crooners right by the princess shops

7 minutes ago, cnd crsr said:

 

We boarded the Sky yesterday. Questionnaires were handed out when we entered the terminal. After filling them out we were asked to verify our answers orally. No temperatures were taken.

After scanning our passports the gentleman knew we had been in China 5 years ago --

Yes they handed the questionnaire out while in the line for check-in, when I went in the sky 2 weeks ago. However since you left yesterday, however last night they posted a video stating the new protocols. I did check this morning on my cruise personalizer but there's nothing there nor on The Medallion up but a health questionnaire, as I rejoin this guy yet again in 3 weeks.

I too have stayed mid ship on Emerald deck. However the insides are more centered in regards to proximity of the Piazza. Personally, I would have made calls or spoken the guest services about lowering the bass. To have loud music till around midnight would be awful for those who like to turn in early with cabins in those areas. I didn't experience any issues in E422 on port side. Do you think it's possible because you're directly above where the band is it's been checking all the way to the top with none of deck 6 or 7 blocking the sound waves? Hmmmm.

1 hour ago, twodaywonder said:

No We were in cabin E429 starboard mid ship balcony. Right above the Piazza. Very quiet.

7 hours ago, CATGUY7 said:

After every trip outside the US, we have had to complete a Customs Declaration form upon re-entry.  I don’t think I have imagined it on previous cruises to the Caribbean, and remember keeping up with receipts for ease of reporting.    

 

Today, after disembarking the Sky, we were not asked to complete the form, nor were we asked any questions about what we purchased.  We visited Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize and Cozumel.  Did I miss something?

 

They stop doing the declaration for customs 2 to 3 years ago. That's been the same not just in Fort Lauderdale but also sailing in and out of Seattle or Whittier.

I too just came off the Sky yesterday. I did thoroughly enjoy the new machines that we're not in existence 4 weeks ago when I got off the sky. The little machine where they take a quick picture to verify you and you're on your way. That was the world's quickest customs check I've ever been through. Now if they could do the same thing for international flights and the airport back to the States.

5 minutes ago, jovisoul said:

We walked out of 5 Skies. It was ridiculous in my humble opinion. We never got the chance to see Rock Opera 😞

Great thing about cruising..... Everyone has their own personal preference. There's always something to be found to enjoy that's palletable to ones taste.

2 minutes ago, RMMariner said:

 

 

 

How hard is it to reposition one ship? Schedules are made well in advance and that finding new ports etc. would be very difficult. With so many ships, I think it would be impossible. The cruise lines are going to take a big financial hit from this.

Princess posted this whole thing on their Facebook page, that the people who plan and organize all the ship itineraries do it two to three years in advance to pick their slots at all these different ports. So I know it's not an easy 1. 2. 3. fix. like they might do with trading one port out but changing a whole itinerary is a whole other story I'm sure.

Just now, chengkp75 said:

Given what information is available about coronavirus stability outside of a host, the "deep clean" would be no more thorough than a noro sanitizing.

Huh? Interesting. Kinda thought it would be more thorough.

1 minute ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

I agree.....it appears that all the major cruise lines are expecting too take major financial hits from the spread of the Coronavirus.  The Asian market was considered a major profit region for them and it appears that business could be hindered in that region now.  We have family and friends who are questioning our sanity for going on several cruises in the next coming months.  Like you said.....who knows how this is going to all play out for the world?

I'm currently onboard, and have 8 more cruises booked for this year. My mantra on the matter is, you can't live in fear, so go out and enjoy everyday. Also certain things, such as this just can't be predicted. I see no harm on the land of cruising. 😊

I'm on her now. This my 4ty sailing on her and another visit next month. My only tip is..... Enjoy your time onboard. She is elegant and lovely. The production shows are too notch. Rock Opera and 5 Skies in my opinion are legitimately the best shows princess has across the fleet.

True. It's such a shame with what is going on. Just comes to show the most unpredictable things can happen, when least expected. 

Any clue if Princess will reposition the Majestic, Sapphire, and God only knows how long Diamond out of commission with the deep sanitation clean it will need to go through.?

Just curious if they'll position those ships to other parts of the world outside of Asia, considering how many weeks and months those itineraries are cancelled for in the unforeseen future.

I do hope those crew members on the Sapphire and Majestic will also be getting all their pay through this unpredictable and unexpected predicament. I do applaud Princess and Jan for the amazing work they currently done not just for their guest, but more importantly their crew.

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

How many times do you think you might have an opportunity to see Barcelona?  

 

Forget the (admittedly very slim) risk of missing sailing - or the ruining of your first day on board by having just gotten off an overnight flight several hours out of synch — I guess it all makes sense - since you will only have a few hours in each of the several cities you visit on the cruise — why give yourself a decent chance to actually experience just one?

This true. I've actually been to Barcelona three times. Great city.  I checked my flight. I actually arrive at 8am. So, for me...speaking solely for me.... I'm ok with using it strictly as a boarding day as I fly in day of. 

15 minutes ago, Cruisingformetime said:

 

Even this can go wrong. though it's true that red-eye flights land early. The problem with that is, what happens if the toddler in the row behind you is wailing their poor little head off the whole flight and you don't get a lick of sleep on the plane? Now you're trying to navigate an unfamiliar city, on a time crunch and possibly in a foreign language, to start your vacation, on no sleep. Speaking from experience, guess how much fun that is?

 

It's worth the money to fly in the day before. If you've never seen the city, take two days.

True. Luckily I'm always full of energy even with no sleep. And I've been to Barcelona a few times already so I kind of know the city on the back of my hand.

Just now, caribill said:

The Princess transfer is per person. The taxi can be for several people, so the number of passengers makes a difference in comparing the two.

 

In Barcelona there is an extra fixed charge for pickups at the airport and dropoffs at the cruise terminal. This is in addition to the metered fare.

 

I'm one person traveling solo, which is why I'll most likely opt for the bus transfer by princess

On 2/6/2020 at 11:05 PM, JerrySueW said:

The Barcelona transfer is $29.

definitely liking the price on that. Cuz one of the other sailings I was looking at was between Southampton and Rome and vice versa and because it's like a two and a half hour track each way it adds up with the transfers. So I went for a later date sailing option with the Barcelona and Athens because it's a the shorter transfer after a long day of travel makes a world of difference.

5 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

I put all my gift card amounts, numbers, and PINs into a spreadsheet and sent them to my TA. Unfortunately, POLAR was being grumpy (it wanted expiration dates on cards that didn't have them) so he had to call them in. Between the bonus card I still had from Black Friday, the ones I got for this sale, and the AmEx offer in December, I knocked over $500 off our next cruise. Woo hoo!

 

 

That's Fantastic!!!! 

2 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

My understanding is that it's $50 per $1000 gift card, not $50 per $1000 purchased. I believe you will need to buy two $1000 cards to get two $50 cards. You will only receive a maximum bonus per card of $50, so buying one $2000 card will not result in a $100 bonus, it would only get you one $50 bonus card. 

Thank you!!!!!!

Okay I'm officially ready to order my gift cards. So if I order wanted $2,000 gift card I should be getting $100 back inform of another gift card correct?

On 2/6/2020 at 8:18 PM, fendersrule said:

Super generic question. I've cruised before. The first cruise was a 7-8 hour flight, plus a 1 hour drive to port. The answer is easy - you should absolutely get a hotel.

 

Curious about my second cruise. My second cruise in April as a 1.5 hour flight time including time zone differences. I can get into LAX at 9:02am. Cruise won't leave until 4-5PM. Am I correct that in this case that flying in the night before is unnecessary?

my theory is if you can find a flight that will land exceptionally early in the morning I see no problem flying day of. I've done it in Seattle la and now I'm looking at doing the same for when I go to Barcelona. My flights always come in no later than 10 ish I think I might have had one that arrived at 11 in the morning. anything to help cut costs of having to spend money on a hotel is the way I try to go

7 hours ago, Gwendy said:

Worst is on long haul flights.  Toilets are not pretty places after a 14 hour flight.  Cannot believe how people get them in such a mess.

It's called no common courtesy of your fellow guests. I'm a elementary school teacher, and the kids are really good at riding one another out when the bathroom instantly becomes a mess. And I make that last one go back in and clean it right up. Shame you can't really do that with adults as well unless you want conflict.

For those who have embarked to Barcelona is it better to do the princess transfer shuttle or do you recommend a taxi instead?