trbarton

I’m arriving on a cruise & meeting someone at pier 66 in Seattle. Can we meet inside the terminal? Thanks! Tom🤔

I’ve had both the Balcony Breakfast & Dinner but it has been with someone else. A lot of food for one person. Tom😀

Yes you could do it for one but be aware that it’s enough food for 2-3 people. The balcony dinner the same. Tom😀

At San Francisco there is only one line into the terminal regardless of your statues. Once through security there are stations where you tag your Medallion & they check documents sometimes & then there is a section for Elite. In Cruising from San Pedro the line outside the terminal was the same for everyone. Guess it depends where you cruise from if there are separate lines outside the terminal as I’ve never experienced that. I would print our your travel summary where it shows that you are Elite. Tom😀

Great photos & descriptions. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know about other people from the US, but on a cruise a dessert wine is a must for me with my dinner meal, no matter where I’m eating. Hopefully they’ll bring back the hors d’oeuvres in the galley. Now it’s time for the 360 dinner. Tom😀

I would not travel anywhere out of the US without a US passport even if one is nor required. Is their a reason why your friend would not want a US passport? Tom🤔

Here’s what I’ve done with success. I go onto the thread for the cruise that I’m on & invite people to join me for the Chef’s Table. I’m on an April 23 cruise on the Royal Princess & I now have a list of 11 people that I’ll turn in as soon as I board the ship. My list has everyone’s names & stateroom numbers. If your willing, why not invite people to join you as I’ve done, & turn it in the 1st thing you do when you board the ship. I have a copy of the letter that I enclose with my list that I leave when I board the ship if you would like a copy. Tom😀

FYI…I believe John Padgett has left Princess for another cruise line. If so their might be a new person in that position. Tom😀

The minute you board the ship there is staff there that can direct you to your muster station. Makes it real easy. Tom😀

I would expect around 3 hrs for the dinner. There was different wine served at each course. You don’t know what night, I’ve done around 12, so you need to have a flexible schedule. The number of times I’ve been speaks for themselves. It’s a great experience to be spoiled. I’ve never had one that disappointed me. When was the last time you had a group meal with a different server for each person all taking off the cover of your plate all at the same time. The same meal here in San Francisco might cost you $500. You are in a special area on one of the dinning rooms just for the Chef’s table with a curtain that wraps around you. Before the dinner we met outside the Crown Grill for hors d’oeuvres & champagne. The centerpiece was from Italy made just for that table. Here’s photos of my last Chef’s dinner. Any additional questions please ask. Tom😀 IMG_6594.mov IMG_6599.mov IMG_6601.mov IMG_6603.mov IMG_6606.mov

Had you thought of bringing gloves to wear while in the buffet? Then whoever touched them should be a moot issue. Perhaps the food service staff would give you some. I only suggest the gloves for as long as it’s self serve for everyone. Better than not knowing who touched them last. Tom😀

My very first place is the PSD desk as I leave my letters inviting the officers to my Meet & Greet plus my list of people asking for the Chef’s Table for our group. If I’m near I register at my muster station. Tom😀

I guess some ladies are attracted to me & I love the attention. Tom😀

If you can wait until my April 23 cruise I post any photos if you like. Just tell me YES & I’ll shoot a bunch. Here’s one photo from October of last year on Formal Night. Tom😀

Thank you very much. It’s easy to wear & I’m amazed as to how many compliments I get. Tom😀

Here’s something easy to wear on a Formal Night. It’s from the Philippines & this is what a man wears on a formal night & the cruise staff love to see it plus I enjoy wearing it. Here’s what the Princess web site says for my next cruise. They still use the term “Formal Night” but in over 35 cruises on Princess it was never enforced. “Your itinerary includes 2 formal nights and 5 smart casual nights. Formal nights tend to occur on sea days. However, since exceptions can happen, it's always a good idea to check your Patter for details.” Tom😀

Any suggestions for a MUST see stop on a Hop-On & Off bus in Vancouver, Canada? Tom

I’m like you, going to my stateroom if available, & then going to a nice relaxed sit down lunch. I can’t remember if I ever went to the buffet when boarding. Tom😀

They have a machine there that reads your Medallion just like on the ship. It’s charged to your shipboard account. You get a small credit when you use it this way. I use it when I can & yes my OBC is applied to my purchases. Tom😀

On my April 23, 2023 from San Francisco I’ll be at the pier around 9:30 am & usually inside the terminal around 10 am. I’ve never experienced a long line here. Guess it’s because I usually arrive early. Tom😀

I always have the drink package & it has always started when I first boarded the ship. I don’t think that it matters where you are cruising from. Tom😀

When boarding in San Francisco, until we depart, their is a small tax on any drinks but it’s so small I don’t worry about it. Tom😀

I’m on a cruise stopping in Seattle at the Bell Street Terminal, pier 66. I’m meeting a family member. Are they able to meet me inside the terminal? Thanks! Tom😀

Guess I’m lucky since I book through a T/A & pick a specific stateroom so I never see any difference. Tom😀

What were you bidding from so we can compare? Tom🤔