teachtocruis

On 3/29/2024 at 4:11 AM, sparks1093 said:

Actually, you can fly back without a passport. There will be a delay while things get sorted out, of course, but there are provisions in the regulations that allow the waiver of the passport requirement for emergencies or humanitarian reasons. Fortunately for most cruisers the risk of having to leave in the middle of a cruise is low enough to be tolerable.

Thank you for this! I must say it was my thought this was more than likely what would happen. 

Summer of 2023, dh and I took a west coast closed loop cruise. Our passports expired less than 6 months after our return. Since we were not stopping in a country requiring those 6 months we were ok. They did point out to us that our passports had less than 6 months, but we were fine. 
 

On a side note, when we renewed we just got a passport card. Much cheaper and also works for most closed loop cruises. (Can’t stop in Martinique I believe. Cuba too, but we definitely will not be going to Cuba.) I know, I know…should something horrific happen and we have to fly back we can’t. I guess we’ll either have to wait and cross the bridge when we come to it, or become Mexican citizens. 😜

We had refundable obc left on the Emerald this summer. I must have gone to guest services 10 times the final evening trying to get it in cash. It was less than $20. Everyone I spoke to had a reason I couldn’t get it. I would finally get someone who agreed I was owed it, but they couldn’t get to it. Finally they said I would get a check in 4-6 weeks. 8 weeks came and went. I sent an email telling my story to every email I could find of Princess hire ups (searched here on cc). Got a response within 2 days and a check within 2-3 weeks. 

10 hours ago, hllwdcruiser said:

Thank you!
This may be TMI, but the thing is, I was a single mom raising 3 children with $0 child support and DH began his life in the projects in Brooklyn. Even though I moved up the corporate ladder with a global conglomerate and DH became successful in his field, we both still have a really hard time spending money. Thus the "gulp". Old habits die hard!  

See! You are celebrating! What a testament to dedication from both of you! Go spend the money and have a fabulous time! Come and tell us what you thought. 

11 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

I have heard this and are curious how they found out about your eating restrictions.  Do they ask when you are invited?  Do they alter the choices for you too?

 

I ask because we did 360 in October 2022 right after they started the trial on the Discovery.  We weren't asked about preferences and there were a couple of things we'd change.  First off we didn't touch the Octopus (note others around us were commenting on how tender it was but it's not our thing).  Second the steak came mooing as in if it came close to the cow it would heal back to the source.  I like mine medium, DH likes his medium well.  The waitstaff disappeared after delivering each course so we couldn't send it back nor would it have been appropriate given the timed visuals.

 

Thought it was weird that they didn't ask because folks have such clear preferences for how they like their steaks.  I'm asking because we booked a full suite on the Enchanted next Spring and we will be invited back.  If the meal is "as is" DH won't want anything to do with it.  I'm hoping to go again as it was a wonderful experience, but would just like it better if we didn't have to skip a couple of the courses.

 

It could very well be that they adapted after the trial.  When we were leaving we saw TV monitors were set up for every couple so they definitely observed us and I'm guessing that there were hidden microphones too.  We weren't asked for opinions but that's because they likely already knew.

When they gave us the invite I told them right off the bat we had diet restrictions. They assured us they could accommodate us. The next day they came to us and asked us to move our experience to the last night. I thought they were turning us away due to our restrictions. But no, the chef wanted more time to work out our dishes. We did not have the octopus served to us. People around us didn’t eat the octopus and wished they had our food. And this happened more than once. Can’t remember if they asked us about our steak, but it was perfection. Actually the whole meal was! While the waiters were not present the whole time, they were there enough that we felt taken care of and pampered. 

We were invited about a year ago. It was absolutely one of the best things I’ve ever experienced! I was hesitant even with a free invitation due to some eating restrictions. We also do not drink. They catered to all our needs and went above and beyond to make sure we had the WHOLE experience. While I don’t think I would ever pay for it, I sure am glad we got to do it. If you have the money and are celebrating something, or just need to celebrate something, I say go for it. IT WAS AMAZING!

1 hour ago, SCX22 said:

I always book guarantee cabins. Unless the ship was completely full, at minimum, I've been granted a location upgrade.  To me it's like gambling with nothing to lose, because I'm going to the same ports at the same times as everyone else on the ship.  Best case scenario, you get some sort of upgrade.  Worse case scenario, you get assigned a cabin in the category you booked.  Not really a picky a person when it comes to cabins location begin with; it might be a few extra steps to get here and there on the ship, but it's not a deal breaker.  I've also noticed, that Princess has been assigning guarantee cabins much closer to embarkation day.  If you're an anxious person, probably not the best option.  There's not really a way of predicting if you'll get an upgrade anymore because the Bid to Upgrade program keeps cabins assignments fluid up until about 2 days before departure.

 

Only you can decide whether you will be happy.  Pay attention to the location category that you will be booking under.  If you wouldn't be happy in this location at minimum, definitely don't book a guarantee.

This is us! We have booked a guarantee inside cabin many times and only once were we not thrilled with it. On a recent cruise we were upgraded to a balcony days before sailing. For our upcoming cruise we booked an inside guarantee and have yet to receive a cabin assignment and we are less than 2 weeks out. 
 

For that kind of a savings it would be a no brained for us. We would definitely go with the guarantee. But we would rather cruise more often, so we take the savings every time. All depends on what you can live with.m

We were invited in November. We are elite, but were in an inside cabin. So as for invites, it sounds like it's kinda random. It was an AMAZING experience. I was hesitant as unknown things of this kind make me nervous. My husband kept telling me it would be fine. So off we went. We are not drinkers and had some dietary restrictions. We told them this when they found on the ship and invited us. They assured us they could accommodate us, and they did! It was a fabulous experience! I would jump at a second invite. Just need to get back on the Discovery. 

I called my vacation planner for help with booking a cruise and got hit with it. It was so confusing, and the more she talked the more confused I got! I finally said to her this sounds like a timeshare. She was adamant it wasn’t. But from some of the videos I’ve seen and what little research I’ve done, it sounds just like a time share, points and all. You get all these FCC, but if you don’t use them by a certain date you lose them. It was a hard sale pitch. Not only did I not buy it, I didn’t book the cruise I originally called about! And everything I’ve seen it is a 3rd party. No thanks! Not for us. 

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

Is yours enhanced?

No, it’s not! It’s to Mexico! They ask the 7 day Covid question, then also if vaxxed or not. If vaxxed they want the card, if not it says you have to test. I’ll wait till after the weekend and see what’s there.

It’s still there for my cruise in 6 days. 🤷🏻‍♀️

3 hours ago, yellowfrog777 said:

Attest to it only

 

So is there a form that Carnival has that needs to be filled out or just a letter to write requesting a religious exemption? 
 

i REALLY need these mandates to end. 

That chocolate dome dessert is the next best thing to sliced bread! I also love all the soufflé desserts. My dh and I are MUTS people. It’s a bit chillier when in the Mexican Riveria, but still awesome. 

23 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

My July 18 Panorama cruise disappeared from my profile, and when I try to add back the booking to my profile I get an error "This booking number and last name combination could not be found".  I smell additional cancellations being announced soon.

This sent me into a panic! We are booked on the 18th and the 25th. Both are still listed for me. Whew! Although I fully believe they will cancel both. ☹️

I was checking on our scheduled B2B Panorama for July and they are gone. You can not book Mexico till September. I am hoping as someone said that it is for capacity control. But this happened to our June Horizon cruise and then it was cancelled a week or 2 later. Not looking good! 💔

It appears you can book the Caribbean for August though. 

We have a MSC cruise booked that leaves on the 27th of June. I wonder if it will be impacted by this. MSC doesn’t say anything on their website. I’m wondering what their response will be. 

On 3/30/2020 at 1:25 AM, dog said:

Thanks, best answer I have seen so far.  Did you use a TA or book yourself with Princess?

Sorry, distance teaching is keeping me busy...I used a TA for the original one that got cancelled, but then booked myself directly with Princess for the second one. 

Kayla

We booked a cruise yesterday for December while still waiting on the FCC from our cancelled March cruise. We did not have to pay a deposit. It’s in a hold type pattern till late April. By when they expect the FCC to post. At which time I will need to either pay the deposit or hopefully apply the FCC. 

We did! Even took a gamble on later this year. 🤞🏻

Seas should be fine heading south. The return trip can occasionally be a bit more bumpy, but not horrible. 
 

In November, we arrived at the port at around 10:45, and were sitting in the atrium sipping drinks by 11:30. Smoothest embarkation ever.

Kayla

I’ve participated in the past and am happy to each time. But they don’t seem to do them on the 7 day cruises. At least I’ve only seen them on the longer cruises. I have not read Crawdad, yet. 

I’m all for the protection of the environment.  But I will admit that I will miss the balloons. I liked the balloons at our door for our special events and loved the balloon drop. Especially standing in the atrium and watching them come down. Now if the spirit of protecting the environment, does this mean that the over abundance of flyers put in our rooms and mailboxes each day will also disappear?! Let’s hope so! 

Yes they do. 

We were on this cruise as well. It was a fabulous week! And what a beautiful ship the Royal is.

While it is quite large, with many passengers, I felt it absorbed the crowds well. Except for the popular games in Princess Live. Having the marriage match game in there was a huge mistake! It was standing room only and stifling hot.

I agree about the carpet and knowing which way you are going. Several times I found myself headed down the wrong way on the wrong side. Annoying. But I kept telling myself I was walking off that chocolate journey dessert. LOL

We ate at the Crown Grill twice on this cruise, a first for us, even though we have been on many Princess Cruises before. We had the BOGO for the first night and a gift from our travel agent for the 2nd. We were not impressed. The service was terrible both times and the food mediocre. We both felt we would have enjoyed the mdr more. Probably will not plan on that again unless we have another complete freebie. Wasn’t worth the $29 to us. But I do realize that food is subjective. 

All in all, a fantastic cruise and I would definitely sail the Royal again.

I’ll have to try that! But I don’t see the Tropical Blend on the menu? Did they do away with it? It was my favorite. 

I didn't know about the increase in gratuity. It’s still such a great deal!