INeedAMaiTai

I was on an Alaska cruise a couple of years ago and had a cabin very far forward, almost to the end of the cabins.  We definitely felt it.  I remember nights when I would sink down in the bed and then come back up while trying to sleep.  If you have ANY sort of motion issues, I would stay as midship as possible.  My husband was taking meds the whole time because it was rough.  It was also a very rough seas trip as it was, but being so forward really did make a difference.

My middle daughter, last year on the Grand, looking at the other ships in Ketchikan.

1 hour ago, BabySarge said:

Wow, seriously hard to narrow it down to one favorite memory but our "happy" place when on board a Princess ship that has one has to be Vines.  To be able to sit quietly at a corner table, sipping our favorite wine(s), meeting new people, sharing tales of our day, and reflecting on how incredibly lucky we are to be there is a memory we look forward to doing over and over again.   

 

 

On my last cruise, I found this place on my last full day!  I was pissed!  I never went in because I didn't think they accepted the drink package.  I was wrong and plan on spending much more time in there on my next cruise.

Hello everyone!  I'm back.  I suck at keeping myself accountable so really need to look forward to Thursdays.  I was in a weight loss challenge for the last 10 weeks, so I'm down (money is a great motivator), but still have a lot to go!  Looking forward to chatting with everyone!

SW: 181 (03/10/20)
CW:168

First GW: 150

My favorite memory is also a ritual.  Every morning on a ship I'll get up, grab one or two of my daughters, and we'll head to the International Cafe for coffee for me and what we call "first breakfast", which is usually a donut or pastry for them and a yogurt parfait for me.  Then we read our books, write in our vacation journals, or just chat.  It's quiet, fun, and a wonderful way to start the day.

I wonder if they will add waivers to the Jones act this year with all of the ports being closed, especially with Alaska cruises and East Coast fall cruises....  just a thought.

I will be visiting the island next summer and have a question about the beach area.  Are there plenty of lounge chairs/shaded areas to sit on the actual beach?  I'll be traveling with my children and they love to be in the water so I need to be somewhere I can see them but might not want to be in the sun that long.  I see little dome things on some chairs, are those rentals we need to purchase?   Thanks in advance!

On 5/12/2020 at 7:50 PM, wolfie11 said:

They're not getting paid.  They don't know when they'll see home and families again.  But, most of them will sign up for another contract because they have an extended family depending on them and they need the money.

Actually, Princess has been great about paying their employees.  They could not promise new contracts at this time, but I personally know a couple of the bar tenders/wait staff that still received payment, at least until recently (I haven't asked them if they have been paid recently).  It is an "at will" job.  Most miss home, but they want to be there and work and support their families.  Most of us that work full time will miss things in our family's life.  But it's a choice.

Anyone know if Princess is going to jump on the hard seltzer bandwagon and start serving White Claws or Trulys?  

They frown on actually switching cabins because they know you are just trying to "work the system", but you could do it without telling anyone, but make sure to tell your room steward and give them a little extra cash.  They have to keep track of who's in what room for safety reasons.  You can go to the front desk area and just ask for other keys to specific rooms (ie, your wife ask for another key to her room and vise versa), I won't be connected to the medallion; I do this when I'm traveling in a different room than my kids just to make sure I always have access.

I know with Princess, they offer "Lotus Spa" choices in the main dining rooms, and a cheese plate for dessert, so there are healthy/healthier choices around to make.  As for an actual group, you might find some people in the workout area on the first day that would want to be accountability partners.  I would not be one of those people.... HAH!

On 4/28/2020 at 8:01 PM, Daisyloo said:

I think for the most part the cruise lines do a pretty decent job of cleaning and sanitizing.  At least Princess and HAL, the lines we cruise on.   I blame the passengers who bring the bug on board.  They that don't wash their hands after using the bathroom - I have seen it many times, and it freaks me out.  Or the passengers who lick their fingers and then touch utensils in the buffet that others touch (ladles, serving spoons etc).  I've seen that too.  Or the lady who touched all the bread looking for "just the right piece".     Again, I think the ships do  good job but they can't police every inch of the ship all the time. 

I just gagged reading this!  HAH!  We've all seen it.  And I agree 100%.  It's the people being gross that spreads these viruses. 

41 minutes ago, melmar02 said:

 We have a weekly weigh in post every Thursday - feel free to join! It's helped me with accountability. 

I have been a part of it off and on for a few years.  I just wanted to start a new thread for people who maybe felt like they were "walking in in the middle of a conversation" since the weekly weigh in is the only thing really going right now.  I think it's great, just want everyone to feel welcome and that if they didn't feel comfortable being a part of that to be a part of something new.  

Just me bored at work, trying to add a little something. 😉

On 4/24/2020 at 5:26 PM, rkacruiser said:

I prefer a different type of dessert to end my dinner.

I have both!  I never leave a dessert behind!  And I have a specialty coffee with some sort of booze in it too!  Soooo much good stuff and SOOOOO many calories.  But I love every single one.

Anyone else feel like they are putting weight on while being in quarantine?  I find when I have to work at home, I snack all day.  Luckily I keep having to go into my office.  I'm sad that my gym is closed, but I'm doing my best to do workouts in my garage.  Definitely not the same, but it's something.  And all of the cocktails...good grief!!!!  Ha ha ha.  Stay safe everyone!

Princess has what's called a "family suite".  You cannot see prices online, you must call about it.  I haven't staying in one, as of yet, but planning to do so in the future (every time we go to book it is sold out because there are only a few on each ship).  Good luck!

I forgot to add (from the Princess page post) that the mdr has cut up fruit salad on the kids menu that is super tiny and easy for little ones to eat.  My kids have lived off of that stuff.

My mom, whom I travel with on cruises, has type 1 diabetes.  I emailed our cruise person (the elite rep assigned to us) and asked her about the new "rules" and how it pertains to our cruise next year.  This was her response:

"Princess has not come out with any information in regards to limiting passengers.

You can go to the link below which was updated last on April 14, 2020.

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/plan/Health-Advisory-and-Travel-Safety-Procedures.pdf

If anything changes Princess will update their website and send emails to our guest."

If the limit of people with "chronic illnesses" actually goes into effect, Princess will miss out on A LOT of business.

14 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

What does she ordinarily wear?  Is she refusing to wear something?  EM

She doesn't want to wear dresses and skirts.  I have encouraged her to wear some nice leggings, shirt, and a nice sweater.  I'm hoping that'll work.

18 hours ago, beachbum53 said:

 

I found these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Misslo-Packs-Over-Door-Metal/dp/B013SBC2AI/ref=sr_1_31?crid=3V69IA5N9GJDL&dchild=1&keywords=over+the+door+hook&qid=1587594329&sprefix=over+the+door%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-31  You may be able to find something similar at Lowes, Home Depot, or a neighborhood hardware store. 

These are perfect!  Thank you!

I am at a loss for what I should encourage my going to be 11 year old daughter to wear in the main dining room.  Anyone have any suggestions?

I have brought beach chairs before and it has been nice.  You are definitely allowed to, they just turn into a pain in the ass.  I wouldn't recommend flying with them.  One thing that I know friends have done in the past is to order from Amazon and have it delivered to a locker in the port where you embark.  I have found it is easier to rent a chair or lounge for like $5-10 at whatever beach I find; I have never seen them completely full.  The nice thing about the backpack chair though, is you can stuff all sorts of stuff in it and carry it, but it does get annoying, especially on tenders because they take up a lot of space.

I will be visiting a chunk of the Caribbean next year and wanted to bring back some great rum.  Which island will I find the best?  I'll be going to St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City, and Cozumel (the Princess Cruises Caribbean Adventurer).

27 minutes ago, Starshine95123 said:

I’ve used string (or strong ribbon) on the shoe holder, then put the string over the bathroom door and attached it to the hook on the inside of the door. I’ve also used strong magnets and attached it to the wall, usually behind the cabin door. 

Thanks!  Great idea!

13 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Definitely a "hard row to hoe" but it's good she can cruise. I've worked with blind and deaf folks and had close friends who were severely disabled. Our oldest son broke his neck in the army at age 20 (he's 45 now) and has been a "high functioning" quad ever since. He cruised with us twice but decided it's not for him - although he may try a different line one of these days. (He liked the first cruise - 10 days - a lot but the 14 day cruise seemed a bit too long for his taste.

This is the only way she likes to travel.  She is elite, so she likes the perks.  And, she likes that she can unpack once and familiarize herself with one location while visiting many places.  She and my kids stay in one cabin (the kids actually float between our cabins) and my husband and I in another.  It's total chaos traveling with her, but she enjoys it and so do we.