luvtravel

We have reservations for a Christmas Cruise on Infinity in Aqua - concerned about the state of the ship so was glad to read some positive info.  On another cruseline, Princess, we are scheduled for a July cruise with friends. The ship is getting terrible ratings but we want to have a trip with these friends. The refurbishing of many of our favorites however are creating less public space and more cabin…not appealing to us.  

Getting ready for our May 3 cruise out of Vancouver.  Just today got access to documents and the bag tags won't print properly. Cuts off the vital info.   Could not see a link to order any either.  We'll be staying at the PanAm in Vancouver and the hotel staff will take the bags down to the ship for us--but we need the tags on it.  Trying to avoid a bag drop line if possible.  Anyone else have to this problem - and a solution.  Thanks for any help - will be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the great info. We do have Global Entry and surprised it will be useful there - worth the hassle of getting it!  This is our first post pandemic cruise and we can hardly wait!  Thanks again💕

We've never left for Alaska from Vancouver - and after reading how disorganized many embarkations are at different ports  - wondered if its the same in Vancouver?  Our cruise leaves May 3 on the Solstice but haven't yet been able to even review our documents.  We're in Aqua so no special boarding.      Just want to make getting on the ship as easy as possible.   We'll be staying at the Pan Pacific - right at the port.  Thanks for any insight.

Thanks everyone!!

26 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Your drink package works in the specialty restaurants.  If you want a drink that is above your package limit you pay the difference plus 20% gratuity.

Thanks Jelayne for that info!

We’re on a May Alaska cruise so am starting to more closely look at details. We are in Aqua but have several specialty dining reservations.  They show drinks with prices in the menu I saw. Just wondered how the drink pkg. works there.   Thanks for any info,

We're booked on a 14 day cruise to Iceland leaving from Copenhagen in July in a premium balcony.  We originally booked the 28 day cruise (B2B I guess) but after reading about this ship reduced it to the 14 day one mainly because long time friends are also going.  Otherwise we would be going on the Oceania Iceland cruise - nicer ship and better itinerary.  But our friends are important to us and we want to see them - they live in Ontario and we live in the US.   I just hope, knowing it wont happen, that another ship is substituted.   We just changed from a mini suite to a premium balcony to be close to our friends who have a premium mini balcony.  They will have been on the ship for 14 days b/4 we board and from what I read will be happy to have the extra room in the cabin with the ship's public spaces so crowded.   I'm watching to see if a prem. mini balcomy becomes available near them but think the only difference from our category is the extra space, which is nice but not necessary for a 14 day, but great on the 28 day one.  - so far the ship looks totally booked..mostly guarantee rooms now.   I'm looking forward to spending time with our friends, but worry about the circumstances on the ship.   We're cruising to Alaska in May on one our favorite lines - Celebrity and a European Christmas cruise  on Celebrity too.  

4 hours ago, Palms2Pines2Sea said:

Hello Monica,

First let me say that everyone has a different tolerance for airport arrivals.

That being said, If you are in the first walk-off group, and comfortable handling any and all of your luggage by yourself, then you will be absolutely fine with your 10:40 flight unless the ship is delayed in arriving or in clearance. In fact you will get to the airport quite quickly at that early hour.

BCN is usually MUCH less busy in December than in the height of summer season.

Good to hear - thanks!

We’re on that same r/t Barcelona that is over Christmas.  So few flights showing it’s awful.  Hope more choices come up later.    Our choice out of BCN was 7:30am or 2 something. Now thinking stay over 1 night and catch the early flight. We’re in west coast area.

I know  this isn’t a popular topic - with me either, but we’re booked on a May cruise with Celebrity and really looking forward to it. I’ve noticed that there is never a mention of covid anymore on ships.   Hoping this means it hardly happens anymore on cruises .. or is it people just don’t talk about it.  Know the ships just don’t want to know in case it costs them $.  We just want to be prepared.  Thanks for any input!

Looking at a cruise in May to Alaska and not sure which cruise insurance to get.   Its not clear if covid related reasons to cancel are covered by the plan offered by Celebrity.  Wondered if anyone has experience with the Celebrity coverage  versus other plans.  Thanks for any help!

On 11/22/2022 at 6:03 AM, Hlitner said:

We have a suggestion for those in high risk categories.  Before you cruise (or travel) ask your own family physician if he/she would advise you to take Paxlovid in the event you tested positive for COVID.  If so, simply explain you will be cruising/traveling and request a prescription.  We carry our own supply (for 2 persons) of Paxlovid along with several home testing kits.  For us, a big advantage of getting Paxlovid at home is that we have a prescription program that pays for the drug.  As very frequent international travelers we carry a pretty decent drug supply to handle most common issues.  

 

Hank

On 11/22/2022 at 7:46 AM, Florida_gal_50 said:

That was a long time ago.  I was on a cruise on the koningsdam in March and I'm on the ship now.  The amount of cost cutting is astonishing.

How did you get your doctor to prescribe Paxlovid without a positive test?  I wish mine would but says insurance won’t cover it without a diagnosis.  I asked about taking some with us.  You must have great insurance.  

I don't mind at all older ships as long as they are kept in good condition.  We have reservations on the Island Princess - and old ship.  I am concerned - not because its old - but the company doesn't spend $ to improve the plumbing system for instance. I don't mind worn fabric on chairs, etc., but  I do not like hearing about so many sewage smell areas and bathrooms/showers being unusable for a day or two.  I wish they would switch out this ship for a newer better maintained one prior to the 28 day cruise.  The Island Princess also seems to have the highest # of covid cases....

Thank you Level six!!

Thank you all for your responses!

On 9/1/2022 at 11:40 AM, NownZen said:

We used Blackberry Cars for the opposite direction transfer. We had an Executive MPV6 vehicle. There were two rows of facing seats for six and one more could go in the front passenger seat. They were easy to deal with, on time and found our apartment in a tricky spot in London. This will be quite a bit more cost effective than Princess from LHR and the convenience is great.

Thank you for the info - glad you had a great time!

There are six of us booked for a 28 day cruise next year on the Island Princes.  Good itinerary.  We joined in because we've enjoyed Princess in the past and had no qualms.  Now reading about the changes Princess made by removing several restaurants for 250 more cabins on a small ship that seems to be needing a great deal of maintenance....we are now worried about being on it for 28 days with not great food or choices for meals and increased crowding by removing restaurants, common spaces and adding at least 500 more passengers.   Why does Princess use their worst ships for longer journeys.   Are we worrying too much about this?   

I didn’t realize they refund insurance - good to know.

1 hour ago, Bizzie07 said:

We have a Princess transfer booked from Southampton to LHR and it is £45 per person.(one way)

Just now, luvtravel said:

Thank you for the recommendation!

Thanks!  That helps with planning!  Have a great cruise!

1 hour ago, dreaminofcruisin said:

I think there is a Princess pick up in town also, but with 6 a car service would likely be cheaper. We used to use Smiths also. This time we used Blackberry Cars--very satisfied with them also.

 

https://www.blackberrycars.com/southampton-airport/taxi-southampton-heathrow-airport/

 

Thank you for the recommendation!

Can anyone who has travelled from London to Southampton lately share their transportation details to the port - eg. by Princess or private car/van service, uber?  Train I understand has 2 changes - not ideal when carting luggage.   We're planning to stay in London a day or two before but could go to airport to catch Princess shuttle if needed.      There are 6 of us - so a van might be more cost effective.  Any recommendations for a private car service would be appreciated.   I did a brief look at the private car services - and boy the prices have skyrocketed!  The excellent car service we used previously, Smiths, is out of business.

Thanks everyone - appreciate your help.

We're booked for June next year leaving from Southampton - 6 of us - and we haven't been able to find out the current cost of what Princess charges or if their pickup is only at the airport or is it also in London?  With 6 we may be able to get private transfer for same or less than the shuttle.     Wondered if anyone has used the Princess shuttle lately or has a private car service they could recommend.   Last time we were there we used Smiths - which is out of business sadly.

Thanks everyone!!

We like the itinerary of an Iceland trip scheduled for summer 2023 but its on the Island Princess and its 28 days in length.  Its concerning to find out they are using this ship for a long itinerary when there are fewer dining choices and is more crowded due to reconfiguration years ago.     Does anyone know if its reschedule for refurbishment anytime soon?  I too don't mind if a ship is older but don't like if they've removed good amentities.  

we’re trying to decide which ship to take to Alaska they have the same itinerary and we haven’t been in either ship. They seem similar - Eurodam refurbished more recently but in 2017.  Which has better restaurants?  Would the Westerdam be less crowded b/c fewer passengers. Any comparison would be appreciated. Thanks!!