seagypsea

On 2/7/2023 at 10:50 PM, cruisingaussies said:

Thanks and this makes sense.  But I did double check everything.  It was difficult to get my country code (for Australia) to be accepted but it did eventually.  And I entered the emergency details for us both several times.  When I have more time (and patience with it!) I'll try again.

Hopefully you'll get it to work.  I had the worse time this time and kept going back and forth between the app and the web version.  It was finally happy and we're green lane now.  There are so many useful things on the app when on board so please call the tech support to help if you can't get it working. 

Try and call during California hours as you're more likely to get someone whose first language is English.  Just FYI I left the cabin early one morning and left my medallion in the cabin.  I went to guest services and she programmed a key card so I could get back in my cabin, so they do have them.

The Sky seems to be rotating homes for books and sudoku, etc.  Last November there was a small book exchange at the end of the guest services desk for a couple of days then it disappeared.  Last month I accidently ran into it in the future cruise area while dropping off an FCC and just looking around.  There were 3 books in Dutch and a copy of Canadian Living.🤣  But that's where I found Sudoku.

2 minutes ago, t&atravel said:

Sorry, this is not true per the FAQ #40 for the plus & premier cruise packages.  The change begins on 2/20.

What do you mean by free Medallion® device shipping? How does that work?
You will be receiving a complimentary Medallion device and lanyard as part of your cruise experience. For any guests with a Plus or Premier package, you may order these items delivered to your home (for U.S. guests only) for no extra shipping fees. If you do not have the package, you pay a $10 flat fee to have these delivered to your home. Or you could choose to pick them up at the departure port for no extra fees.

I guess it's true until 2/20 then.

I think they are shooting themselves in the foot and the lines to pick up medallions at the port will triple causing backups.

4 minutes ago, 1965 said:

 

I think it only applies if you are buying accessories or special medallions with something other than your loyalty color.  It's badly worded I think.  Accessories on board are more expensive.  For instance, the bracelet is $45 on the app and either $65 or $69 on the ship, so it's cheaper if you buy one and even more cheaper if you buy more because it's $10 no matter how many you buy.

On 12/6/2022 at 7:49 AM, 1965 said:

If I read correctly beginning in Dec. Princess will charge for shipping our medallions unless we buy a plus or premier pkg. I find that kind of annoying. 

If you order the free medallion and lanyard there is no cost for shipping.  I just ordered ours for a March 4 and May 6 cruise and the order totalled zero.  And I didn't buy Princess Plus or Premier.

I'm finding that even booking on the app before the cruise, specialty dining times before 8:30 are booked or not available at all on some days.  Friends of ours booked onboard last month at Sabatinis and all they could get was 9:15 on the last day of the cruise.  However, they got on a waiting list in case of a cancellation and got in at 7:30 that same day.

On 6/29/2022 at 4:55 PM, cbowls30 said:

Hi all 

Getting water taxi across to Klein Bonaire, ship departure is 4pm. If we get return taxi at 2.30pm is that enough time to get back to the ship?

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

Might be tight.  You're onboard time would be 3:30.  If the slightest thing delays you, you'll be running to the ship or watching it sail away.

Bonaire is a National Marine Park and very rocky.  It's doesn't have "beaches" like the other Caribbean islands.  Look them up online and you'll find little strips of sand here and there and lots and lots of rock.  The beach at Soboron is probably the largest but you have to walk between the roped off kelp beds to get out to the open water and there you stop or you'll be run over by windsurfers.  

On 7/1/2022 at 7:09 PM, SchoolNurseMom said:

Has anyone done this excursion who can tell us why it’s rated as “strenuous”?
Would it be better to do the spice beach excursion and just snorkel on our own off the beach? We’re 50 something couple not in the best shape, but have done snorkel excursions in St Criox and  St Martin and enjoyed both and did fine. 

Depending on the current, snorkeling can be challenging.  I would look on Trip Advisor for reviews on Bonaire excursions and find something that sounds good.  Bonaire is mostly a National Marine Park and very rocky.  They really don't have "beaches" like the Caribbean islands you mentioned.  But the water is beautifully clear and the snorkeling is great.  I read the description on this excursion and I wouldn't be happy with the "unguided" snorkel.  Sounds like they are covering themselves and not worrying about you.

FYI to the OP - you will not be given your shareholder benefit on a discounted cruise.  It's clearly stated on the corporate benefit page.  I tested that statement by asking for it on a discounted cruise and got a letter instead saying we love you but sorry...

On 4/8/2022 at 11:33 AM, kangforpres said:

Hi-

 

29 days until sailing on the K-dam on 05-07-22 from Vancouver. We have a GTY VH on a casino offer. I'm assuming the Upsells ad GTY assignments still start about 10-14 days out?

 

Thanks, 

 

Paul

 

 

I'm on your cruise.  I just received my GTY cabin assignment this morning, April 28th.  No upsell offer in sight yet.

WCB - thanks for the blog.  I enjoyed it before leaving home and continued to follow as we're on the ship.

Question - our arrival at Bonaire was cutting it close and curious about the delay I checked the marine traffic app and sometime during the night we stopped in Aruba before continuing on to Bonaire.  Guessing we either disembarked the covid folks or had a medical emergency.  Was wondering if you heard anything about it.

Ship - Sunshine

Deck - 6

Stateroom # - 6280

Stateroom Category – 8B

Starboard or Port Side - Port Side Balcony

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Mostly quiet except it's located directly above the Red Frog Pub on Deck 5.  While we did not hear any noise from people, at certain times we heard the thumpa, thumpa, thumpa from the music and discovered that speakers were mounted close to the ceiling right under our cabin.  Ear plugs blocked it out at night.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –  Cabin is mid-Aft - normal views with no obstructions

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal small size

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - As stated above it's above the Red Frog Pub.  

Any other comments? -  Recent drydock changed out all the carpet so room felt clean and fresh.  However, signs of age, wear and tear all over.  Trim along ceiling was chipped in places.  Balcony was the worse with paint splatters everywhere over furniture and floor.  Railing needs sanding and varnishing.  Glass on balcony needs to be cleaned and was not done during our 2/28/22 cruise.  Please see my review for further info on this cabin/cruise.

Sorry about the pictures.  They are in the correct position on my laptop and there doesn't seem to be an edit feature.

I do have a document with the promo that I'll take.  Guess I'll find out in a little over a month how they handle it.  I'm not really worried but my DH wanted me to call them and verify and I really don't want to spend time holding on the phone for a rep who may or may not give me a correct answer.

Yes and it's listed on there.  I will certainly take that onboard.  I just think it's strange.  Other cruise lines, it shows up on your online account.

I tried to find an answer in the other threads but couldn't... so,

This is our first cruise with the Have It All.  We booked directly with HAL.  Our booking shows the credits for the dining and shore excursions, which we used on pre-booked reservations, but nowhere does it say anything about the SBP.  In fact, it's available for us to buy.  This is confusing.  Do we just trust that we have it and there will be an SBP on our card? 

Thanks,

Diann

Just my 2 cents... we received a boarding time of 1:40 for a December cruise (after getting 4 emails of that time changing).  I was irritated because it meant missing the Mariner lunch, but we were good little cruisers and showed up at our assigned time along with about 3 other couples who did that same.  We were the last people to board the ship. Totally empty terminal except for employees. We have another cruise coming up also with a 1:40 arrival time assigned.  We will see what happens because I will get there when I get there and it'll be way before 1:40.

We did Rudi's on the Mardi Gras in January... excellent service and food.

Reviews on the steakhouse were not over flattering so we passed that one up.

On 12/19/2021 at 6:19 PM, smmountaingal said:

Who has used Go Port for parking at Cape Canaveral?  I think this is the best option for me so I can stay at the Hampton Inn.   I would like to hear any experiences.  Thanks

 

 

 

I just used them for a Jan. 2-8 cruise on the Mardi Gras.  It was a good experience, however, they do not open until 10.  We had an 11:00 boarding time which we missed and went on with the 11:30 people, which may or may not have made any difference.  We stood outside the terminal forever and when they let us in, we stood inside forever.  You could see where the people before us were, and it was quite a while before we got on the ship.  Coming back they were easy to find but then we sat in the bus for over 30 minutes until enough people boarded and they decided to leave.  Next time I'm going to look into staying across the street in the pricey hotel where I can leave my car and they shuttle us back and forth.  I'm thinking the total cost may just all wash out.

GoPort has a gated lot and they were very professional.  I'd just like a little better control over my time with a 7.5 hr. drive home.

Thanks for the answer!  Can't wait to get back to Coco Cay.

Thank you Bird for doing this!!!  Love it!

Can you find out the upcharge for the new beach place?  I think someone said that oversea bungalows were around $1600 for 8 people, but I don't need one of those.  Wondering what it costs just to use that area.  Thanks.  Sorry it's raining...

Here's a review of someone who did the cruise on the Royal Princess.

Inside Passage

·         As others on this website have pointed out, the inside passage is more than just the inside of Vancouver Island.  It goes all the way up the coast.  We went west of that island into the open water.   Would have preferred to go inside, but – itineraries on a cruise (or any vacation) can and will change.  We sat at lunch with someone who just pitched an ever-loving fit about it.  There was so much beautiful scenery, I’m not sure it mattered in the long run.

Sorry I was just repeating what I've read about cruising on the Royal class ships on this board.  I just looked at the itinerary map and it shows a solid line coming out of Vancouver and a dotted line going around that island there, so not the inside passage.  But do some searching on CC.  There's a lot of talk about the cons of doing Alaska on the big ships.  I have a good friend who has sailed Alaska many, many, many times and the Sapphire was her best recommendation for cruising/viewing Alaska.

15 hours ago, mtnlvr53 said:

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate it. I was leaning toward Sapphire since it was rehab-ed most recently it appears.  We sailed the Majestic in NZ/Australia and would be happy to try to answer any questions anyone has about that ship. I would choose that ship if the prices were the same, but they are not. 

Keep in mind the Majestic is a Royal class ship and too big to do the inside passage.  It goes around the outside.  We are booked on the Sapphire due to a friend's recommendation citing the recent rehab and Skywalkers.  

33 minutes ago, pcur said:

 

If it's worth another try, here are the codes.  There doesn't appear to be any logic to which cruises qualify, because the email says "summer" and I used it on a November cruise:

Campaign code: PE0MS145   Reference promo code: MFP

Thanks for the info!