Safety Squirrel

8 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

 My main take is that Canadian Insurance stinks.   

No Canadian insurance does not stink.  Unfortunately the OP did not do all her homework and relied on credit card insurance.  There are companies who insure prior existing conditions -- some are expensive and some moderately priced.  Some policies have 2-5-10 year exclusions.  A good insurance broker will assist someone with the best insurance for their circumstances.

Credit Card insurance can sound very good -- but make sure you read the fine print.  About a year ago I was invited to apply for a credit card with excellent benefits which required having a specific income.  To make a long story short -- when I read the insurance coverage - I thought - Great might not have to purchase annual out of province medical & cancellation insurance!!!  And then ..... I read the tiny, tiny, tiny fine print -- saying that it was only for people under 65 years.  So -- all the benefits did not apply to me and I still purchase annual medical & cancellation insurance to cover any trips/cruises that I may take.

I hope that the OP will be able to travel and enjoy her cruise.

Thank you Urban Trekker.  I had hoped for a grocery store or Shoppers Drug store close by to hotel to get things I need - then will not have to worry about going over 50 lb. limit on Air Canada.  

Looking forward to spending an extra day in Vancouver although I have been there several times - it is always nice to go to Stanley Park, Aquarium, Granville Island etc.

Hi, I am staying at the Bayshore Inn for two days prior to my cruise in September.  Are there any stores or drug stores close by - walking distance or short taxi ride.  I am looking at my preliminary packing list and weight issues (air lines) so thought about purchasing personal items such as sun screen, hand sanitizer, shampoo & soap (do not use those provided on the ship) etc.  Lighter to pack two cloth shopping bags than these items.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks

1 minute ago, geoherb said:

I played trivia with the woman from the solo travelers meeting last night .....

Have been following your review and have a question for you.  Is the 'solo travelers' meeting listed in the daily??  If not, where would I find out about solo travelers meetings?  Sailing on September 16th on the Island through Panama Canal.  So far, roll call is not very active.  Hoping that it gets more active as final payment was June 18th.  

I am glad you are enjoying your cruise and sailing on the Island.  It is nice to read a positive review.

Just now, ipeeinthepool said:

 

To avoid any confusion, you must be talking about those funny Canadian dollars.  It's usually $100 US/leg for longer cruises and $50 US/leg for shorter cruises.

Yes - in Canadian dollars.  Sadly, these days our dollar is not doing well.  I always book my cruises in Cdn. $$ and so far has benefited me - especially when the dollar was higher then went down -- cruise stayed the same price.

Yes -  I received it on my January 2017 B2B cruise.  I recently made a B2B cruise on Equinox  for January 29, 2021 with the New Orleans cruise February 7th and received it again.

Nice benefit.

I will be on a 21 day full canal transit in September.  As I am a huge water drinker -- ordered five cases -- which is approximately three per day and knowing that weather will probably be hot and humid.

How many glasses of water do you each drink per day??  I would base the purchasing of water on your daily water consumption.

2 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

Yes you can rent the cabana even if you are the only one using it. The price stays the same. Some chairs have better shade than others. We took the Island on the full transit in the same suite we have now. .....

 

The cabana has a ceiling fan and the sanctuary has an outdoor shower to cool off too. I think the cabana would be great just for the shade. 

Thank you for the information and the pictures of your Panama cruise.  I am prepared to pay the same price as if there were two people in the cabana.  I am looking at a cabana particularly for the shade.  I am going from Vancouver to FLL.  Will head up to the sanctuary as soon as I get on board.  Have a mini suite booked.  This trip going solo as family have to work and friends not available for three weeks.  You only live once and I am fortunate to be able to travel several times a year.

Did you do a live blog on your cruise through the Panama?  If so, I will enjoy looking at your pictures and reading your review.

Thank you once again for the information.  

"The chairs are $60 per person. The cabana  is $220 for two. You get two mini bar set ups"

Thank you for your great pictures and information.  I will be on Island in September for Panama Canal full transit.  Regarding the cabanas in the sanctuary -- were there any cabanas for only one person or all they all for two persons?  Some of the chairs do not look to have much shade and I am assuming it will be hot and humid.  Also, would you be able to ask if I could rent a cabana for two, although I would be the only one using it.  Thanks very much.

Thank you for the post milolli showing u tube video of the sanctuary on Coral.  I would certainly look into getting a cabana as it has some shade/shelter for the sun and/or rain.  Will go the sanctuary immediately upon boarding to see if I can book a cabana.  If not -- sitting in the sun with little or no shade does not appeal to me.  As I have never booked the sanctuary, it was nice to hear that my chosen lounger is mine for the day. 

As a note, I am just returning to Princess having sailed on the Emerald Princess in 2009.  (was originally on Emerald Princess - April 2019 sailing through the new canal - but due to redeployment and original cruise changed from 22 days to 16 days -- decided to go on the Island through the old canal.)  Have sailed with Celebrity before 2009 and all cruises after 2009 with them.  Will be interesting to see the differences knowing that things have changed on both lines and food is very subjective.  It is also why I booked a mini-suite so that I have a sofa to sit on since they removed the barrel chairs from regular balcony rooms.

I am looking forward to having a great cruise as any day on a cruise is better than being home.

Thank you for your replies.  I did not know that the Sanctuary on Canal day was more expensive.  I knew  that on regular days it was $40/day.  Do you have any idea of the cost for the canal transit.  Fishywood mentioned approximately triple -- would it be $120???  Might have to think it over if it is that expensive.  I have a mini-suite so besides going on deck, can also view part of the transit from balcony (although from what I have read -- you really need to move around the ship and observe from several areas).

I will go as soon as I board and hope to reserve Sanctuary.  Nice to know that the chair is mine for the entire day (if I book the entire day).

Question -- if I book the Sanctuary on Island Princess for the entire day, can I go to my cabin, restaurant etc. and still keep my things (book, hat, etc.) on the lounger??  I am going through the Panama Canal and would like to book it for the day we are going through the locks plus one or two other days.  I do not think I would want to remain in the Sanctuary for the whole day.  I would not want to be considered a 'chair hogger'; however, do not know if I get there early in the morning - that the lounger I select would be mine for the entire day.

Thanks for any input you can give me. 

Does the Island Princess have a Mahjong game??

Colo Cruiser

I am already booked.  Originally I was booked on Emerald Princess -April 11 - May 3 - Vancouver, full transit to Fort Lauderdale.  When they 'redeployed' the Emerald from a 22 day cruise to 18 days and now 16 days!!! I re-booked on the Island Princess September 16th - October 7th (21 days) with some very good OBC.  I was only looking for my return fare from Fort Lauderdale as I had my air booked for trip to Vancouver and recently re-fared it directly with the airline.

I am just returning to Princess after ten years with Celebrity as they had the itinerary that I wanted.  Fortunately I booked a Mini-suite so I will have a couch.  I know Island Princess is an older ship and have read the reviews both pro and con.  Will have to see for myself.  Will miss the benefits of being Elite on Celebrity but going with an open mind.  Also miss being able to purchase the Premium Non Alcholic beverage package like Celebrity and having to purchase packages/water separately with Princess.

Reading your comments on the Boards, I know that you have also cruised on both lines.  I will have to judge my cruise on Princess to see how it compares to Celebrity. Being on a cruise is still better than having to cook, clean, etc. at home.  

18 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

You have to book EZ Air online through your booking.

Yes there is an EZ Air department but you can't talk to them on the phone.

The Princess rep will handle the questions with the EZ Air dept.

 

Thank you.  I will check it out.

Question - when you book with Princess EZAir - do you book with a different department in Princess.  This is the first cruise that I used a PCP as my TA retired.  So would I call the PCP or a different department.  Thank you.

As I often cruise solo - I use the ship excursions.  Next cruise, Roll call is almost non-existent so private tours not an option.  Just returning to Princess after 10 years on Celebrity.  As they do not have a premium non alcoholic package -- will order case(s) of water and soda package for mocktails.  Only bought the photos first and possibly second cruise.  OBC credit will be used for excursions this time.  Previous cruises, I have bought jewellery on board (expensive and cheap stuff!!) but do not need any more (so my children tell me!!).  Have also eaten in specialty restaurants and will do so this time.  Never participated in art acutions - bingo etc.

First cruise family booked a balcony for me and I was hooked.  Whether travelling solo or with a companion book a Concierge balcony (Celebrity)  and Mini-Suite on Princess this time (so will a have a small couch).
 

I agree that most new cruisers tend to spend more on things like pictures, t-shirts etc. than the seasoned cruisers.

Thank you for your input.  I knew CC members would have the information that I could pass on to my neighbour.  She and her husband appreciated the comments and will now decide if it is worth purchasing a bottle of rum through Carnival or just pay for drinks as they go.

I am posting this for a neighbour who is going on the Horizon on February 9th.  If they purchase a bottle of rum on the ship, can they take it to their stateroom for drinks or is it only delivered the night before debarkation?  If it is not possible to purchase on board and take to their stateroom, would they have to pre-order to have it in their stateroom?  They are not interested in purchasing the beverage package.  They are taking a case of soda on board and one bottle of wine.  Thank you very much for any comments.  (Carnival was my first cruise in 2005; however, travel mainly Celebrity and in September will be back on Princess for the second time - so not sure of Carnival's rules regarding liquor purchase.)

Thanks for any comments/suggestions.

My granddaughter (university student) and I were in Vancouver in April 2015.  We went on a bus tour and the bus picked us up at our hotel.  Trip included the ferry; several hours at Butchart Gardens (including entry fee) and back to Victoria where we had several hours on our own.  Our original tour bus dropped us off near the Empress hotel, close to the legislative buildings, museum and the waterfront (we took the hop on - hop off bus).  You could also do a walking tour on your own, whale tours, carriage rides etc.  The tour bus then picked up all guests for the return ferry ride and again, dropped us off at our hotel.  It was a long day but you do not have to worry about booking the ferry and they pick you up at your hotel.

Food was not included.  Free time in Victoria was at your expense also.

I do not remember the name of the tour company but there were several listed on the internet.  We were very happy with the experience.

Martincath usually has some very good recommendations, so perhaps he will answer your post with the name of some recommended tours.

Enjor your time in Vancouver and visit to Butchart Gardens and Victoria.

On ‎10‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 8:01 AM, Essiesmom said:

I would think that the hotel being booked through Princess that there shouldn't be any cancellation/change fees.  EM

Princess cancelled the hotel as I booked through them.  Excursions, beverage package & water were refunded to my credit card yesterday.

Have booked another cruise - September 2019 through the old locks on the Island Princess (not offered on the Coral).  The only change is not stopping in Victoria, BC but I have been there several times, so does not really impact me. Reading some negative and positive remarks on CC about Island Princess - however, will take my chances.  The one thing I am sad about is the Island Princess does not have the International Cafe.  I had been making a list of things 'not to miss" at the IC from quotes on CC and guess I will have to book another cruise on another ship to enjoy the IC. 

Just received e-mail -- Cruise departs Vancouver on April 15th instead of April 11th.  Two sea days followed by a short stop in L.A. (8:00 - 4:00) - no stops in Astoria, Oregon; San Francisco or Santa Barbara.  Two more sea days to Mexico.

To make matters worse -- they have now changed the exchange rate (higher).  This affects the cruise fare and the soda package that I had prepaid for.   Shows no excursion reservations.  Thankfully I have printed out copy showing that I paid for the excursions and will contact credit card if required.

Stateroom is now guaranteed B2 and not my original assigned cabin.

Of course, since Princess has retained the original departure from Vancouver, changing only the date -- the terms of the passenger contract takes precedence as they have dropped three ports.

Certainly not a happy camper.  Just returned to Princess after sailing Celebrity as I liked the itinerary.  Will certainly be telephoning tomorrow.

Just received an e-mail from Princess that the 22 day Emerald Princess cruise through the new Panama Canal departing departing Vancouver, B.C. on April 11th, 2019 to Fort Lauderdale (May 3, 2019) has been changed to a 18 day cruise, departing April 15th from San Francisco due to refurbishment taking longer.  We no longer visit the ports of Victoria, B.C. and Astoria, Oregon.

I had booked my hotel through Princess for two nights in Vancouver although I had booked my flight to Vancouver privately.  Any thoughts on this?  The e-mail said that Princess would cover change fees, which I also assume means my hotel bookings.

Looking at Princess schedules -- there is a full transit Panama Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver, B,C,, also leaving in April, 2019.  The ship is the Island Princess.  Ship goes through the old locks.  Similar Ports. I know that people say that going through the old locks is much better.  As the Island Princess is an older ship -- any thoughts from those who have done the full Panama canal on Island Princess.

I had booked the cruise as it left from Vancouver and would not have to change flights from Winnipeg. The Island Princess would just be the reverse.

Any comments would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Reminds me of the cruise where a woman coughed loudly every few seconds while DH and I were on our balcony reading.  It was so annoying that we could not concentrate.  Had to retreat inside. 

The lady coughing could have had a medical condition.  I was on a B2B for 21 days in the Caribbean in 2017.  Unfortunately I got a severe case of bronchitis the fifth day.  Visited the medical centre several times and the Doctors put me on a bronchial inhaler twice a day for several days plus meds. Doctors told me not to stay inside the ship but to get lots of fresh air.  Fortunately I had a balcony and I alternated between my balcony and the stateroom.  I certainly did not plan to get sick on the cruise but was very thankful that I had a balcony to sit outside part of the day.  Yes, I coughed but slowly the meds worked and finally during the last days of the cruise, I was not coughing.

I did not go to any of the shows or the dining room so I would not infect others.  Thank goodness for room service.

The canal is more north to south or south to north. Take a look at the map and you'll see. ;)

I was referring to the East coast (i.e. Florida) and West coast (i.e. California or Vancouver, B.C.) not the actual direction of the canal.;p