catsforkids

I cannot say thank you enough for answering my nitty gritty questions! You have helped me tremendously! Thank you so much.

We are cruising with Hurtigruten for the first time. We will be sailing on the Roald Amundsen doing their “In-Depth Patagonia & Chilean Fjords Expedition” from Ushuaia to Valparaiso. We have a few questions if someone could shed some light on the processes aboard the ship, we would greatly appreciate it. 

1.    In most ports of call on the cruise (Puerto Williams, Puerto Eden, Caleta Tortel, etc.) it seems we must tender in. How does the tendering process work? Who gets priority? How long does it take till the last tender in? 
2.    How does disembarkation work? Do the times off the ship correspond to flight times of pax even if the air was purchased on our own?
3.    From these boards it seems that bringing a couple of good bottles of wine on board to enjoy in our stateroom or on our balcony is forbidden. Is this enforced with bag searches at each port? Just a shame since Argentina and Chile wines are so good and readily available.
4.    If we arrive early in Ushuaia, does H. take care of our carry-on or do we lug it around town? We will have small backpacks with the important things.
5.    Where do you stash your empty luggage on board? Pictures I have seen posted do not show any bags.
 

Thank you all for your input and great information.

After several more hours on the phone and agonizing days I got a Princess rep who assured me there would be no price change and let me speak to the EZ Air dept. because it was taking so long to rectify the problem. There had been a "miscommunication" and I had been dropped from the SYD - LAX flight. She (Nancy) was able to get me back on the flight and get the upgraded seat that I had paid for. What a relief!

Lessons learned:

1. Ask for the form to finalize the EZ Air Flexible flights when I make final payment (I had no idea it existed before this thread)

2. Monitor my flights on the airline's website (which I do & how I found the problem in the first place)

3. Do not trust the Cruise Personalizer information on flights to be correct

4. Be persistent. Don't believe a Princess rep when they say they'll work it out and get back to me. Keep calling till I get someone who will get the issue solved while I am on the phone, no matter how long it takes

I used EZ air a few years back. We were told that there are 2 price ranges. 1 is restricted and will lock your price for your seat at the current price. The second price, flexible, doesn't guarantee you the booking price. They can change the price until you pay in full. Yes, it does allow you change or cancel up to final payment without penalty.

I made final payment months ago to lock in the fare. Flexible for Princess to change up until 45 days out!

On the phone for the 2nd time for over 45 minute to no avail. American Airlines blames Princess. Princess blames AA. What a racket and I am stuck in the middle wasting a lot of time.

And my Cruise Personalizer still has my flight like nothing was wrong....BEWARE!!!!!!!

I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON :mad::mad::mad:

You can request that the flight be booked at the time of final payment. This eliminates that flex feature--you have locked in the price and can no longer cancel without penalty BUT you have also locked in your seat on that flight. This makes your place secure unless the airline changes the flight (in which case you are arguing with them to get you what you want/need.

 

I was told by Delta that prior to Princess actually purchasing the ticket' date=' I had "a spot" on the plane but no ability to assign seats other than what their computer did automatically, etc. Translation: I couldn't get the far forward seats that my mobility impaired family member needs. I talked to my TA, and suggested that since I had insurance (private) there was no risk in ticketing the flight early, so that's what we did.

 

This is the first report I've heard of someone being removed from a flight and told that the fare may increase, Like you, I thought EZ Air locked in your quoted price and flight but allowed you to claim a lower fare should one come available.[/quote']

 

I did have the flights "locked in" at booking and I paid in full early (not a cheap cruise) to ensure the flights and price. I had the Record Locator code and was able to upgrade my seat because this is a 15 hour flight and I do not want to be stuck in a middle seat!

 

My flights still show in my Personalizer as they did on my "ticketed" flights. So I am very glad I checked on my own...YOU CANNOT TRUST WHAT IS IN YOUR PERSONALIZER !!!!!!!!

Whilst I can understand you're upset Princess has no control over AA.

 

Ultimately Princess are on your side and will do everything they can to fix the AA cock up. You then have the peace of mind knowing that Princess will get you on board whatever happens to the flight you eventually end up on.

 

I'm sure your travel insurance will cover the cost of the lost seat too.

Princess does have control over booking the flight and informing of any change, which they did not. I found the problem. I also paid a specific amount at final payment and now have to pay more? Absurd!

I think Princess is on the side of the almighty dollar and that's it. I have no peace of mind with Princess, just the opposite.

I just checked my flights on AA site and found that I had been dropped from the SYD-LAX flight after the 4 Continent cruise! My Cruise Personilzer still had the flights there - the ones I paid for and supposedly was ticketed for at final payment back in May.

Called AA - nope, not on the flight. And I had even paid for an upgrade seat via AA.

Called Princess and got a snotty rep who informed me that the airlines can change the reservation (not Princess fault) and I will probably have to pay more! WHAT ????? She said it was a Flexible Fare and it can change up to 45 days before boarding. I thought it was flexible for me!

She said they would let me know...still no answer

I think this is a deceitful practice on Princess part. I paid for the flights, got a record locator code, the flights said they were ticketed and now they are not ???? And I have to pay more ??? And why did my Personilzer not reflect the correct information that I had no flight from Sydney to LAX ????

Princess said they would have to get me on a flight "within their parameters" meaning I have lost my seat and will probably be stuck in the middle.

I am more than livid at Princess :mad:

Thank you Opua Kiwi

Thank you for the detailed information you have given....very helpful!

Was there a Princess Shuttle available from the port to Pattaya? If so do you remember the cost and hours?

Thanks so much!

Thanks for the input. I love to see where we are going on a big map so I will try the fun-tack. I hate to haul my magnets around and not be able to use them ;)

Without an IC there will only be a tray or 2 of pastries or small finger sandwiches at the atrium bar "La Patisserie". Its always been a bummer after experiencing the IC on other ships then not having it on the Island. :(

And they open late (usually 6-6:30) for us early birds. 2 more wasted coffee cards for good coffee I don't get.

I have always cruised on ocean vessels with magnetic walls where I would put up a wall map. Are the walls of river boats/ships magnetic also?

Thanks

I enjoy the Theme nights in the HC. And the salads at the IC.

 

:)

Do they announce a theme night for the HC or do you just happen upon it? I have been on lots of cruises and never noticed this!

Best thing I love in the HC...the bread & breadsticks...mmmmm...and the fruit tarts

A.J. Clarke, a pianist and vocalist, was on the Island in November and he was awesome! Took requests from the audience and could play and sing ANYTHING. He was amazing. My entire family enjoyed him every single night of the cruise. What an amazingly talented man!

He was also approachable and loved to engage in conversation around the pool, at the bar or in the HC.

It is not a tender port. It is Cadiz, Spain. I should have clarified that.

I will post the choices: casino, Vines-although some people may have to stand:eek: or dockside and see what the consensus is

Thanks all!

I think we will use the casino. I have done a Princess excursion where we met in the casino but that was on the Royal and that is a whole different game on that ship!

Thanks for everyone's input :)

The group I am talking about is a private CC group so we need to figure out where to meet before we board. Can 40 people fit in Vines (yes, some standing) before an excursion on the Emerald?

Oh yes,I do know better than exchange money on the ship in view of Princess people. I agree it is not a good practice

What lounges and bars are reserved for Princess tours on the Emerald?

We have a group of 40 plus for a tour in Spain and Vines may be too small of an area for us. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

My husband and I are booked for a 14 day Med cruise in this cabin. I have read older posts (but no recent ones) about the "vent problem". Has anyone had this cabin and was it an issue for you?

I wonder if Princess has addressed the issue.:confused:

Appreciate this nice review, video, sharing! YES, Kotor is wonderful. Also, there are some great nearby options. For us, one of the highlights was getting up, UP above the town and seeing the overall area, etc. See more visuals and options to consider with the below linked postings. Below are just a few of my visual sample to get people excited about Kotor and these great areas of Montenegro.

 

Don't miss the spectacular sail-in and sail-out views when doing Kotor.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro? Check these postings. Have had over 21,289 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and commented.:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

 

 

Here’s our bus driver going to up, back and forth, through twenty-seven serpentine twists and turns to rise up the 4000’ high mountain above Kotor as we headed to the old Royal Capital of Cetinje. You can see our cruise ship down below tendered in the scenic harbor.:

 

 

 

This is a close up of the mountain fortress that overlooks Kotor and the fjord bay.:

 

 

 

This high and wide view of Kotor shows the overall area, including the Bay of Kotor. It is one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. This bay is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe. It is actually a submerged river canyon. Kotor has seen a significant increase in tourism, attracted by the Gulf’s natural beauty and the old town of Kotor that is a World Heritage Site.:

 

Thanks for the beautiful pictures! Makes me so excited to do the hike!

Is the last picture from the fortress? It is an awesome view!

I was on the Coral partial transit last April. There were three classes on the sea days. I think they were at 4pm and were quite good(45minutes). I would anticipate a similar schedule on the Island and a full transit. Have a great cruise.

With 8 sea days I was hoping that! On other ships I have felt it was money well spent & the classes were good. Thanks!

We are doing the full transit in April 2015 and I'd definitely be interested in cycling. I've tried a few shore excursions involving cycling but they are more like coasting downhill than cycling so no interest in any of those. I just got back from two weeks on RCCL. Took my folding mountain bike and rode when in ports. Please post a link to what you are referring to.

I am referring to the spin classes on the ship on sea days. Yes, they are usually $15 a class (on other ships) but it is a good class and not exactly easy ;)

To CatsForKids:

 

I *think* the Deck 5 Lobby Bar opens at 06:00 for your coffee needs.

Cheers.

Thanks...I need my coffee and my quiet time in the morning ;)

Hi - just returned from the Diamond Princess.

Yes - the Lobby bar on Deck 5 (there is no international cafe still post dry dock!!) would be the main coffee place to use the card. You can use it in other locations also, but the selection is more limited. (ie - I could use it in areas such as Crooners bar, or the Wheelhouse bar, MDR to order - say a cappacino, but not a Vanilla bean Latte). Hope this helps.

P.S - the girls at the Lobby bar are absolutely lovely.

What time in the morning does the Lobby Bar open? I love my GOOD coffee with my journal early in the morning. ;)