CruiseCrabs

Please be careful with unsolicited emails, people. Names of personnel are easy to find and leverage and it can be really easy to dismiss red flags when you have a great offer in front of you. Always call the provider (Princess in this case) using a known, public number or use the Princess instant messaging app before responding. Never use the numbers provided on the unsolicited email and do not give them credit card or personal details until you have verified everything with Princess. If it doesn’t add up, report it to ic3.gov, even if you did not get taken.

Street tacos at Ernesto’s Grill (or on the app)

House made potato chips (on the app) for each port departure.

Macarons from the evening hang tag appetizer menu.

Grilled ham and cheese croissant sandwiches at the International Cafe

The “morning cocktail” on the app. It’s nonalcoholic and refreshing/yummy.

If I recall correctly, the premium package deadline posted on the website is at least three days prior to departure, which is likely to ensure a complete and correct manifest is sent to the ship well before embarkation. Use the chat function on the website. They have been great.

You do realize that emails sent to executive leadership are often delegate down to a department that is intended to handle the issue, right? Also, some emails are never received for a variety of reasons tied to the sender or receiver’s email provider. Send registered mail to corporate with an attention to your issue. At least, you will have proof that the letter was received. This is the best argument for snail mail.

On 4/4/2022 at 2:55 PM, neongoddess said:Any tips on parking and/or thoughts on the emarkation process/the SF terminal in general? I have walked by it before on Fisherman's Wharf but never sailed from there so I am a bit nervous.

We don’t chance parking in SF as of late—the risk of a break in/stolen car isn’t worth it—and are in your area. We take Lyft/Uber or hitch a ride with someone to the closest Amtrak station, take it to Emeryville, and then Lyft/Uber to the port. It’s actually cheaper than parking and relatively easy if you don’t overpack. Do NOT take Amtrak’s bus link from Emeryville to downtown SF. It actually makes things more challenging than it is worth (we tried it and it was an epic, frustrating fail).

On 5/23/2022 at 5:20 PM, scottca075 said:

Heck, I'd have just walked to the Buena Vista Cafe and started ordering Mimosa's until noon and Guinness after that 😄

The proper order is Irish Coffee, Mimosa, Guinness. How can you go to the alleged birthplace of the Irish Coffee and not have one? 

On 3/13/2022 at 4:20 PM, rjack22 said:

Have any of you tried the bracelet option?   I am drawn to that but I am afraid it will be the most costly option.   Does anyone know how much?   Is there a choice of gold tone or silver tone?

I have it and love it. It’s seems super durable as well. The bracelets are sized and hinged so they will find one that fits you well. 

Make them book it now if the flights are listed an available. The contracts changed between purchase and when they decided to explore booking our flights… and we had no choice but to cancel EZ air and book on our own to be in the same flight network to accrue points. The EZ AIr was a bit of a bait and switch in that regard due to the carrier and flight schedule… and, due to how long it too, them to upend our travel plan, we would have been better booking independently. We won’t use EZ Air again.

Princess EZ Air used to be a great option but we have had two nightmare experiences. The most recent experience was a completely different flight mix with an additional flight segment that added more than seven hours to our travel time. Also, none of the mix of carriers they booked were code shares with out preferred airline. Thankfully, this popped up before the 45 day window so we didn’t incur penalties but it would have been better to know that they would not honor our bookings (the original flights and seats existed but could not be booked, likely due to loss of contract with the airline) so we could have booked at a more competitive price. The fact that EZ air can completely upend your plans at will despite providing a booking and price simply isn’t the sort of thing I want to deal with ever again.

An Ultimate Mai Tai or Aperol Spritz tend to get ordered frequently, dependent on the itinerary.

Every drink is accounted for and drinks are not included in specialty dining.

4 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

Click on it...."feature disabled"

Ugh! This site has more issues than the Medallion app lately!

16 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 FYI: Sadly, Cruise Critic doesn’t have DM capability.

Yes it does. It is accessible by visiting a user’s profile. 

2 hours ago, waterbabyfish said:

Can someone tell me what area of San Francisco do the ships tie up? trying to put together a self tour.Tia

If you need help, direct message me. The marina district is a bit far away but you can do some things on your own in San Francisco that will be amazing. I can offer some ideas based on your activity level, interests, and available time.

2 hours ago, PaoloCaldo said:

The noise levels set for production shows on all Princess ships  are often too high for passenger comfort and many passengers  decide to miss the shows.

 

This difficulty has been raised many times on many ships by many passengers, including professional audiologists.

 

It remains an unattended issue because, despite  landside ‘customer relations’ advice to the contrary, sound levels cannot be adjusted on board.

 

Ship’s technical Officers always indicate that it is something that is not within their control, being a Head Office production matter.

 

It would be of great advantage to passengers if:

 

1 - Head Office reviewed the set sound levels

 

2- Ships’ Officers were given some discretion.

 

What support for this issue?

 

 

 

 

Can you pack some foam ear plugs? I have a hard time at concerts so I’m used to having them on hand. Some are quite comfy. They also can muffle snoring husbands. 😂

On 9/5/2021 at 8:52 PM, vjmatty said:

I didn't realize Tony Orlando was still alive, let alone performing. 

He’s very much alive and still performing. I took my parents to his show two years ago for their anniversary and I was beyond surprised by how good the concert was. 

6 hours ago, dotty123 said:

Has anyone had their wedding hair done on Princess? I am getting married on Regal Princess in October and I have practiced a few hairstyles with family but not overly happy with it! I am considering getting my hair done at the spa but I am worried that they won't be able to bring my vision to life as I want quite modern hair. Has anyone else had a princess wedding who would be happy to share photos of their hair or reassure me that it is possible? (also I have hair extensions - anyone had any experience with this onboard either)

 

 

Thanks!

You have little control over who will staff your ship so either family is going to get great at hair or you are. In my case, my hair no makeup team were me, myself, and I. Just choose something that can handle humidity and breezes—you are at sea, often all and will take outdoor pics—and pack awesome hairspray.

On 7/23/2021 at 8:32 AM, norwega said:

My DH does as well, served in 1980s.  He ordered a veterans id card so he doesn't have to carry his original paperwork.  I know some say he doesn't need it, but our TA has said otherwise, so a card will work.  

My husband and father have never had to show their paperwork! 

On 7/14/2021 at 5:56 PM, Steelers36 said:

See my post #53.  I will bet my cruise deposit that this is yet another screw-up by the "wonderful" MedallionClass IT Team. 

In brief, IT teams fix functionality of a site or app. Marketing writes copy and is responsible for accuracy on a site and I suspect the marketing team became super lean during the COVID shutdown. 

57 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

We have not previously had a Princess account for my wife. After 8 cruises we have never seen the need. Medallion Class discussion suggests we should have one. I have forgotten why this might be a benefit. I decided to set up a Princess account for her and interestingly her Profile had information like Passport, .Princess Account number etc. that must have come from her past passenger information. I tried to Manage Booking, while logged in as DW, but Princess tells me 'You do not have access to this account'.

 

On Medallion Class I can login as DW with Booking ID and personal info, 'Your Next Cruise -----' shows up correctly. I try to add Emergency Return Airport but am told 'You don't have access to *****

 

I register her in Medallion App but when logged in using ID and try booking numbers 'No Booking' comes up.

 

So I seem to be 80% of the way there but need to tie our accounts / future cruises together.

 

Also I still do not see the benefit of having two accounts.

The two accounts enable your wife to complete her check in appropriately (including security photo and uploading her documents) and be able to order whatever she wishes on her own device while onboard. She can call Princess directly for assistance with how to set up the app correctly. After her app is set up, she can add the cruises to the app using the booking numbers.

The benefit of having two app accounts (on separate devices) is simple if you look at it this way; you each have had separate cruise cards on past cruises so you need separate apps to function in a similar fashion. Add to that the fact that she will be able to make reservations, order beverages and snacks, etc. on her own and it’s a great thing to have.

I don’t recall ever seeking a “deal” on specialty dining unless your TA gifted you specialty dining, you are in a suite, or get one of the coupon books. 

On 6/21/2021 at 2:03 PM, runner2013 said:

SwankieG,

Thanks for the tips. Especially about the photographer. The basic package doesn't really have much to offer and I am being told by the wedding coordinator I 'should' be able to work something out timewise with the photographer once onboard. I'll be sure to remember Crooners bar for pics too. (honestly, the pics are one of the only things we really care about)

If things fall into place we will have the ceremony in Skywalker's lounge(where cocktails will be after the ceremony) or up top on a deck outside depending on weather.  We are also planning on just a dinner afterwards at Crown Grille with everyone. From the feedback we've received from friends and family so far we will probably top out with 18-20 people all total.

One of the reasons we picked a cruise was not wanting to deal with all the stress of making so many decisions around a land wedding. We're ok with a smaller cake and 'simple' flowers for me. We're not having bridesmades or ushers, and welcome the fact we can use their music or bring a few songs of our own. We just want something small and then to be able to spend the week celebrating with family and friends. 

 

 

 

The cruise wedding was great. We didn’t have bridesmaids or ushers, either and just wanted our family to relax on board. 
 

We didn’t order the package at all but they still shot video and still photos and didn’t stop until we asked to stop. Our photographers (literally, we had two—that was a surprise) were great. We took photos all over the ship—inside and outside. We didn’t want the video but ended up getting it and we’re glad we did. It was a fun thing to view on our anniversary.

Crown Grille staff were amazing and made our group dinner very special. The wedding coordinator wasn’t great for setting that up but our travel agent moved mountains.

On 2/13/2021 at 10:58 AM, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

My boyfriend proposed on New Year's Day and whenever we've 'talked' about a wedding in the past, it's always been on a cruise ship. After almost 2 weeks of discussion we've decided to take the leap and book a Princess Wedding for May of 2022.  Before everyone says we are crazy, we are going into this with our eyes wide open. We are well aware how many things can go wrong, from the Pandemic putting everything back into serious lockdown, to friends and family not going for health, personal, or financial reasons. We are a bit older and an 'intimate feel' wedding with fewer people is what we want anyway, so if we end up with a handful sailing with us we are ok with that.  We are not naive to possible postponements, or the fact there likely will be certain health protocols in place while onboard. Our travel agent has been a huge help with all our concerns and questions, and we are purchasing travel insurance as we always do before cruising. We've read the fine print in the contracts and are at peace with our choice. We will also be stressing to our guests all the things to seriously consider before deciding to attend.( We're going to have a small at home reception when we return for those who couldn't make it. A seven day cruise from a port they would have to fly to is a lot to ask, and we know not everyone has the time, money, etc to come). 

I've been reading the postings here for quite a while now, (a lot longer than 2 weeks for sure) and have gotten some really good ideas-and advice- from past brides, and I thought I would post my own situation in the hopes there might be others out there who are thinking of taking the leap and booking a wedding as well. 

Hopefully things work out for us all. Either as a new or forced re-booking. 

Patty

 

 

Princess is a great way to do an intimate wedding. We jumped on a seven-day cruise for our wedding in 2018 and scheduled it to occur on a formal night so everyone could have two reasons to be dressed up.
 

If you don’t want to pay the fees to be legally wed per Barbados law (the fee is crazy for what actually happens) have a private, secret wedding pre or post cruise. We did.  It just didn’t make sense to send so much personal info through many hands for us. It can be a secret shared between the two of you. 
 

Word of caution… if you create a welcome letter and app with details about a meet up for sail away, wedding details, etc… Some (ahem… almost all of our guests) will not read it. Just roll with everything… the stories will crack you up later. The only thing that is important is the actual ceremony.
 

Some lessons learned/ideas. Your flowers and cake may not end up how you expect. We brought a custom topper to be the focus of the cake (ask for it before you leave the venue or buy an inexpensive one) and hired someone to make all bouquets out of paper clay (think like sugar flowers but more flexible and less breakable). We also had a wedding certificate for the parents to sign. Bring a portable music device (an iPod is wonderful) with your music. You don’t have to go with what the contract has.

Your travel agent can work wonders, too. Ours managed to get our party of 13 in one corner of Crown Grill for a fab wedding dinner. I will say we ended up having another, small-ish “welcome home” party for those who could not make the cruise, too, so it is great that you are already thinking of that. 
 

Do photos in and around Crooners. You will be glad you did (I won’t spoil the surprise) and the staff will ensure the newlyweds get whatever cocktail they need (trust me, you may need one) in short order.
 

You will have to meet with a crew member who will act as your on-board planner if your wedding occurs during the cruise. If you are lucky, he or she will be an amazing fixer and will be a special escort to get you down to the chapel.

I opted to have a second dress for dinner. You do you but it was nice to ditch the veil and train for a chicer and fresher white evening gown. 

Also, the photo package is negotiable. Do not pay this fee in advance and negotiate for what you and your family need at a price you can afford.

With COVID, 2022 is a great plan and we hope you have an amazing cruise wedding!!

I encourage you to read the CDC's actual demands on their web site. It's an interesting read. I'm not sure the current US CDC "plan" makes sense for cruise lines at all, especially when no other transport is subjected to the vast majority of the elements. Can you imagine cruise lines holding contracts to immediately house guests shoreside in the case of quarantine and ensure that each unit has completely separate ventilation? How about a 12-hour  "down time" between use for embarkation and debarkation for any enclosed space? Thats only two of the many elements.

Princess really does Christmas right. The ship is decorated beautifully, the holiday programming for all ages is great, and Christmas eve and day were packed with events and surprises. We didn't have kids in our group but we had fun watching children visit with Santa on Christmas day. I'm not sure how COVID mitigation measures may impact how things are handled so I won't detail much here but it was a great way to celebrate the season.