PrincessE

We always request a table for two and if necessary, will wait for it.    

We love the Southern Caribbean.  Our two favorites are Grenada and Bonaire.  The underwater sculpture garden in Grenada is fantastic as is Grand Anse beach.  So much fun!  And the snorkeling in Bonaire - it cannot be beat.  Gorgeous!

On our last cruise we were standing there waiting for the elevators.  The way it was set up there was about four elevators - two panoramic and two further back.  We were waiting with this elderly woman who appeared to have mobility issues. Each time she tried to hurry to an elevator the stampede would rush by her and she'd end up left behind. This happened a couple of times.  I told my husband to follow my lead and as the next elevator arrived I held the door as it emptied, so as to position myself for what I planned on doing.  As the crush of humanity tried to board the elevator, my big brut of a husband told everyone in a booming voice to "stand back!"  I held my arm out like some school crossing guard and said to the woman, "It's your turn now".  She was so relieved.  People kept trying to push and I just got louder and firmer.  She was so small and easily overlooked; she was just lost in the masses.  My mom used to tell me that as you age you become invisible; she said it's heartbreaking. I've always tried to notice others, especially the elderly.  I think if we look out for each other, just extending a little kindness life would be so much sweeter and easier.

2 hours ago, Denali2003 said:

I heard that with the Medallion, when you walk in to a bar, your picture, name & cabin # will pop up on the bartender's screen.  Does this happen if you are just walking past the bar?  For example, if I want to take a picture in one of the bars, will the bartenders call out my name and say HI?  IMHO, I think that's rude and will get old after a while.  Especially for people like me who like to take pictures around the ship.

 

I also heard that the waitstaff in the dining rooms will also have all of your information.  Do they carry around a tablet of some kind and everyone who is at the table, their information pops up?  If you have some dietary restrictions, I certainly hope they don't say out loud "so, Ms or Mr [so and so] I see you have "such & such" restrictions.  Especially if you are sharing a table with 8 other strangers.  

 

I just disembarked a back to back on the Royal Princess 3/30-4/13.  When we were on our way off the ship, walking by the closed gift shops, etc., a crew member was standing there with a small tablet. I didn't think anything of it.  As I'm passing by he says, "Have a safe journey home, Erica".  I wasn't expecting it and therefore didn't hear it, but my husband did.  He tells me as we've passed by - that crew member knew your name.  It kind of freaked me out.  LOL  And it wasn't a bar tender or another member of the wait staff that might have gotten to know me during our two weeks onboard.  So there's that!

On 2/16/2019 at 9:33 AM, tequilasunrise said:

I know the snorkeling isn't as good as other parts of the world, but since we are going there anyway.... wondering if anyone has done the Marietas Island tour? It looked like it might be fun for other reasons, such as Whale and Dolphin watching, or even Manta rays? Has anyone done this recently that can weigh in?

I realize I'm a bit late in replying, but just in case you haven't left yet or there are others who are interested in an opinion, I'll share it here.  The Marietas Island shore ex we took with Princess Cruises was the WAY too choppy.  Nothing against the cruise line (we love PCL) or the vendor - their boat was clean and we felt safe - but the water was crazy choppy and I got so very seasick.  Snorkeling was impossible and I don't think one person got off the boat.  This was in 2013.  Last October we were sailing Mexico again and chatting with a lovely couple. They mentioned snorkeling at Marietas Island on that cruise and I asked about it. They said it was awful - SO choppy - everyone was seasick and they were miserable.  

So that kind of sealed the deal for me. We'd wanted to give Marietas another try, but I think we'll pass from now on.

We're Elite as well. We used to book Anytime and we've gone back to Traditional. For Anytime we would always get a table for two - no problem. We're always willing to wait for one. As for Traditional, I think we've been assigned a table for two only a handful of times. The rest we've gone to the Maitre d and asked for a table for two.  Thankfully we've always been granted our requests.

I read this great article on beaches in St Thomas by a guy I follow on Facebook called RumShopRyan.  Here's a link to the blog.  Very informative and detailed.  https://www.rumshopryan.com/2015/12/02/top-5-beaches-on-st-thomas/

I live in Seattle, so here are my suggestions for what it's worth.  Go in knowing Seattle is super expensive - our food prices have gone off the rails. It's obnoxious!  

Fun things to do with kids - the aquarium down on the waterfront. Take a ferry ride - even if you don't get off, the Bremerton run is about an hour to and then back. It's always fun to be out on the water.  The Children's Museum, Pacific Science Center and Chihuly Museum are great.  There's also the Olympic Sculpture Park near the waterfront and it's free.

You'd need a car or you could take a Uber/Lyft to the Hiram Chittenden Locks, which is great.  You can watch all the boats going through the locks, watch the fish at the fish ladder and there is a beautiful park you can walk through too.  There are nice restaurants nearby.  

The Woodland Park Zoo is a great option - world class zoo.  There's also a rose garden (it's free) right next to the zoo and it's beautiful. Great paths to walk, park benches and fountains. A hidden treasure in the city.  The Asian Art Museum on Capitol Hill and the Seattle Art Museum are treasures.  The MOHAI - Museum of HIstory and Industry is a great visit.  The International District is fun and stopping at the awesome Asian grocery store and gift market Uwajimaya's is a blast.  Great food and reasonable too!

As for eating out, Ballard and Fremont have a lot of food trucks and those can be quite reasonable.  Depending on where you're staying, you can always pick up some groceries at a grocery store.

Enjoy your stay in the Emerald City!

Some people really do use and appreciate those perks. I’m fine with the current Elite perks. Would I like more? Sure! Not only do I get the perks but I get the Loyalty OBC as well. That extra $100 on every cruise regardless of length is nice.

Pam, what is the Loyalty OBC? I"m Elite and I don't recall having ever received a Loyalty OBC with the exception of an OBC being offered with a promotion.

Make sure it's either an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and not just a photo copy.

Mexico does actually have the requirement that a passport be valid six months or more if traveling by air or land, but for a cruise, no problem, you'll be fine. You can actually use a birth certificate on a closed loop cruise.

Personally, we think the snorkeling at Chileno Bay is better than at the Arches if only for the reason that Chileno Bay is a bit calmer. Sometimes at the Arches you spend more time trying to stay in your snorkeling spot and not being assaulted by the waves. I'm not that strong of a swimmer and I didn't really enjoy snorkeling near the Arches. Chileno Bay was better for me. Just something to consider.

This will be our first time in cabo and was wanting info on snorkel tours seeing the arches and good beaches Our second day we want to go into town advise on doing this also Thanks

If this person is a registered sex offender I am assuming (maybe incorrectly) that they are also a felon? Typically felon's are not allowed to obtain a passport. That may be the bigger issue - not if Carnival will allow this person, but if they can actually possess a passport.

I am planning a group cruise and a member of the group is a registered sex offender. I do not know exactly what his charges were, but I do know that it was more than 10 years ago. but my question is are registered sex offenders allowed to cruise carnival? I would like to know before I misinform this couple.

Unfortunately we've always found the canapes to be very dry. I love Princess, but their canapes - not so much.

When it comes to shore excursions we always book with the cruise line. I have no desire to be left behind. It happens. Maybe not all that often, but it does happen. Also if for some reason the ship can't call at the port you've already pre-booked and paid independently for your shore excursion - you don't get your money back. If you book it with the line, they'll refund your money.

I was born and raised in Alaska (I'm a third generation). There are a lot of things to do in each port and since I've been numerous times, I always seem to take advantage of a different excursion.

Anyway, here are some of MY favorite things:

Ketchikan - Saxman Native Village or kayaking and chocolates at Ketchi Candies

Icy Straight Point - I believe here you're just cruising - no stops

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier or Mount Roberts Tramway and a drink/food at Red Dog Saloon

Skagway - White Pass Rail and a drink/food at Red Onion Saloon

Seward- Alaska SeaLife Center and a meal at Ray's Waterfront

I included food stops, because, well...that's always important too! ;)

I can see where this is going and perhaps I need to clarify...

 

I did check out the ports of call forum and there are tons of descriptions of exciting tours, but the pat answer seems to be "it all depends on what interests you." That is the problem. It ALL interests me!

 

What I am saying is, if you had to pick the ONE thing that you have done before and would definitely do again, what would it be? For instance, we have heard from multiple friends that the Mendenhall Ice Cave Adventure is the greatest, most awesome, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. So that is the general consensus for Juneau.

They may have meant a cruise some time ago. My sister and I sailed from Acapulco to San Juan, PR (11-day Panama Canal cruise) in November 1998. Back when they used to sail in/out of Acapulco.

It was a fantastic cruise.

Me either....hoping the person who posted that will come back with more information...they said it was an inaugural cruise

 

 

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There was an older woman on one of our Caribbean cruises who would lay out in the sun all day. I'm shuddering at the memory - she was half dark, dark brown and half bright pink/red. Her skin would peel off and underneath there would be these bright pink/red patches. You'd see her picking at her skin and peeling off the dead layers. She literally kept burning her skin over and over - even on the fresh, baby skin areas. If I were laying out and she'd lay anywhere in my line of sight, I had to move. I couldn't take how angry her skin looked and the fact that she kept picking at herself. It was an awful sight. Wow.

Unfortunately I've seen passengers be rude to crew members on more than a few occasions. I'm the kind of person who speaks up and I will and have interrupted the idiot doing the yelling and shut them down. I've also followed up with the crew member and praised them for how they handled the situation. Finally I do either make a visit to the Purser's desk or I fill out a comment card about how fantastic this crew member was during a rotten situation. I'm not looking for fights when I'm on vacation, but I will not stand by while someone needlessly gets dressed down by a fellow passenger.

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it.

Sorry for the late reply. I didn't receive notification and I'm subscribed to the thread! How odd. Anyway...thanks again!

Krystall still sells daypasses to cruise passengers as far as I know. I think for just a few US$ you can use their pool and beach. Food and drinks not included. However be aware the grounds have changed since a few years as part of the buildings, pool and garden are now the allin Hilton. Please use the search function you will find more postings as people also went to the Marriott. They have an allin daypass. Los Arcos Hotel and Hotel Tropicana in old town offers passes.

Maybe this helps you too: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g150793-c135367/Puerto-Vallarta:Mexico:Resort.Day.Passes.html

Hi there -

I just now found your reply...had to go looking for it. Strange I wasn't notified there was a reply to my original post. Anyway...thanks for the information. I really appreciate it!

I understand your desire to go to White Bay as it is very nice there!

It's always possible to hire a private charter for a price, there are small 6-pax powerboats that have excursions to White Bay like lionindasun, sonic charters, rockhoppin and others. We haven't taken these excursions, but they look great and I seem to remember them being priced $600 - $700 for 1 - 6 ppl, not sure if that includes gas. There are water taxis like dolphin shuttle and st thomas water taxi that you can contact for availability and pricing. You do need a valid passport of course.

Good luck!

Hands down I vote for June over August. You can almost always bank on great weather in June!

Thank you for your responses!

 

Princess E, we would be on a land/tour on the Coral Princess. Thinking about June 6, 2018 (my first thought) or August 29, 2018. We are very flexible, so really anytime between June and September would be fine. Thoughts on timing and the other Princess ships ( Star, Golden, Island) ??

 

 

Mapleleaves, after reading your response, we are definitely leaning towards June.

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Cyndi

I guess I'm not quite clear on how you're needing help. Choosing towns to visit? Things to do? Is there a choice you're trying to make between a couple of different land tours?

To give you an overall idea of the towns you've listed, there is a lot to do in each place. A two night stay in Denali is always great if you can get it. There is hiking, river rafting, flight seeing, the tour at the park (about four hours) and the wildlife search (about 7 hours). Talkeetna is darling with some really great restaurants. Again, flight seeing and river rafting are good here. Cooper Landing (basically Kenai) is beautiful. The Kenai Fjords tour is highly recommended. From the sound of your locations I'm assuming you're taking a Princess cruisetour (which I think is the best product in Alaska). The Kenai Princess Lodge is gorgeous. All their lodges are gorgeous though. In Fairbanks there is gold panning, the natural and cultural museum at the University, visit the oil pipeline, musk ox farm at the University and so much more.

If I haven't answered your original question please let me know. I'm a third generation Alaska, born and raised and lived there for over 25 years. When do you plan on visiting?

We are taking a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean with Princess in March 2018. We will be in St. Thomas from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Is it possible to take a water taxi to Jost Van Dyke and back during that time frame? We absolutely love White Bay and JVD and would love to visit again. A Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar is on our wishlist too!

My husband and I did the Stone Island shore ex in November 2016. We have been to Mexico many times and know what to expect, but I must say we were disappointed with this excursion. You board a well-used boat and motor over to the island. Our captain wasn't very skilled at docking so it took numerous attempts. My husband almost volunteered to do it for him. Once we docked it was a trick getting off. The boat didn't line up with the dock and there was a huge gap. You had to kind of make a jump in order to make it.

There were carts with wooden planks as seats and the carts were pulled by a tractor. It's not as quaint as it sounds. The boards bowed terribly under the weight of everyone sitting on them. We sat nearest the sides so that in case the boards did snap we wouldn't be in the middle with huge pieces of wood being shoved you-know-where.

The ride to the beach was depressing. From what we understand after discussing it with some on the tour and then others on board the ship, Stone Island has really gone in a downward spiral due to drugs. The roads are dirt and not smooth. This is fine, but you would think they'd make some attempt at a modicum of beautification of their little island. Garbage is everywhere. Broken down cars, parts and pieces of what was once a vehicle, abandoned housing structures, etc. There were some dogs running around along with chickens. It is very poor community and one did not sense any pride in their little town.

Once we arrived at the beach we were let off near the outside of what I think they were referring to as a resort. The ground was all wet and muddy (I think they had hosed it down) and it was filled with mud puddles. We maneuvered through the parking lot and into a covered structure that had open sides.

Most people parked it there as they were exhausted from the boat ride, bumping tractor ride and then walking to the covered picnic benches. My husband and I walked through the structure and out to the beach. There were about six covered plastic tables with plastic chairs. We picked a table and sat down. After a few minutes we were approached that it costs money to sit at one of these covered beach tables. I'm trying to remember what we paid for that table, but I can't quite remember. I want to say it was $20. I'll ask my husband and report back if I'm incorrect in that amount.

The beach was okay. Regular type sand, nothing silky or terribly soft. No seaweed though, which was great. The water was nice and warm. A bit rough at times, but we had fun bobbing around out there. There was a part of the beach we weren't allowed to swim in. We started out down there, but a lifeguard told us we had to leave so everyone stayed pretty much to one area. That was a bit frustrating.

The included lunch wasn't very good. By the time it was served to us it was pretty cold - tortillas were cold and the meat overcooked and crunchy. It was just okay.

Drinks could be had under the structure and you had to hoof it from the beach and through the structure to get to the little table where drinks were offered. These were included as well. There were quite a few vendors on the beach and they did stop often. We've been bothered worse by vendors in Cabo and PV though.

Once the day was done we boarded the wooden-planked tractor pulled carts and headed back to our little boat. Again, the drive through town was depressing. I felt bad for the donkeys and horses tied up at some of the residences. Everyone and everything looked miserable.

It really could be a darling little community. We very much enjoy out of the way places and seeing the real community of a place we're visiting, but Stone Island left us feeling kind of sad.

pretty much anywhere I've ever been in Mexico that isn't on a private resort is full of vendors trying to sell you stuff. Can you elaborate on why this was so bad? Are you not an experienced mexico traveler so this type of thing was shocking to you? Were the people rude? Did you feel unsafe? Was there anything good on the excursion at all? thanks.

Princess is in the process of revamping their kids and teens programs. Good news is that it's been completed on the Grand Princess. They're offering Camp Discovery in conjunction with the Discovery Channel. The Treehouse is for ages 3-7 and The Lodge is for ages 8-12. The Treehouse has hands-on activities and The Lodge has sports activities, among other things.

Princess is also offering interactive games, scavenger hunts, etc. There are PlayStations, Wii's and XBOX games. Dance lessons, basketball, mini golf, etc. There is science too and they feature things from Animal Planet. They have talent shows and theme nights (Pirate, Mexican Fiesta, etc.). Also arts and crafts and a JrChef@Sea program.

They're also offering activities for the entire family like family movie nights, shows in the theater, stargazing at sea, dance parties, etc. They have family game night, game shows and trivia challenges. Finally there is a parents night out program where they offer late night group kid-sitting and kids-only dinners.

I think the boys will love it.

This is your sister-in-law, by the way. ;)

I am looking for any feedback on kids programs.

 

We've cruised with Princess many times but this is the first where our boys 7&9 will be old enough to participate in the kids programs.

 

We are sailing the Mexican Riviera on the Grand in January.

 

Did your kids enjoy themselves, were they entertained, and want to go back to them.? How often do they have programs? Did you encounter any problems or difficulties.

 

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

Thanks