Safety Squirrel

The only way you can buy a soda package on day 9 of a 22 day cruise is if the cruise is sold as separate "legs." In that case' date=' you can buy for one leg but not another, provided you booked the cruise as a B2B. Cases of water have nothing to do with a soda package.

 

There are multiple sorts of herbal tea bags available at the buffet. On our April 1 cruise, they carried both Twinnings and Bigelow--mint, camomile, etc. There are "premium" teas available with the coffee card. The 15 punches have nothing to do with the premium teas; they are for fancy tea/ice/fruit flavored blends (think Starbucks ice tea). You can buy a cup of premium tea separately for under $2, but if you drink much, you'd be better off with a card, especially on a 22 night cruise! I'd suggest that you look at the tea available at the buffet and decide whether this meets your needs. Or bring a box of the tea of your choice. There is plenty of hot water available at no charge![/quote']

 

Thank you for the info regarding the soda card. It is a cruise with two legs - Vancouver - Los Angeles and Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale (through new canal). I purchased the cruise as one and not B2B. The day 9 referenced in my quote was the day we are in Los Angeles. I do not think that I would drink enough mocktails to pay for the package for the 22 days.

 

I never actually thought about bringing my own tea as I mentioned my last cruises were on Celebrity with the Premium Non Alcoholic package. I know the soda packages do not include bottled water, that is why I have pre-ordered 5 cases as I am big water drinker.

 

Thank you for being so helpful, I appreciate it.

I have two questions as this is my second Princess cruise (last one over ten years ago) -

(1) I know you have to buy the soda package for the entire cruise, however, could you purchase on day 9 of a 22 day cruise?? I have pre-ordered cases of water.

(2) Coffee card - Is this the only way I would be able to get herbal teas (personal preferance as I do not like the taste of coffee) i.e. chai tea, raspberry tea etc.??

I am used to purchasing the premiun non-alcoholic package on Celebrity which includes water, mocktails & specialty teas, etc. I do not usually drink soda.

Thank you for your replies.

Thank you martincath and RU_Gremlin for the maps.:D I am staying at the Westin Bayshore and it looks like a stop is very close. I will purchase a ticket for both the city and park routes.

As I am flying in two days ahead (hoping there are no snow storms in Winnipeg!!) -- will have one day to take the ho-ho bus with a couple of stops along the route. Previously (2015 - 5 days) I went to the Capilano Bridge, Whistler, Grouse Mountain as well as Aquarium, Stanley Park, Gas Town, Granville Island, gardens in China Town etc.

looking forward to the cruise. In the mean time, I have a three week trip to Alaska & Yukon; Kissimmee, Florida (October-November and January-February) to get me through to Cruise Time.

You can definitely buy onboard; whether hotels still sell them, no idea. These days there's only one combined HOHO now - Trolley and WestCoast (who ate up all the other non-trolley companies) are operating together, so things are a bit different than your last visit. No need to choose which HOHO - but prices are up and two new 'subsets' of the full route are available for a slightly discounted price (basically the same as the old full route cost). The Park route is significantly more useful than the City route.

Hi just booked my hotel in Vancouver for April 9 & 10, 2019. Leaving on April 11 - Emerald Princess to Fort Lauderdale through new canal.

Would you be able to explain the difference between the City and Park route. I was last in Vancouver in 2015 and really want to re-visit some of the sights.

Thank you.

[quote=canadarocks;55922016]Holy moly! Just checked my January cruise (which I've already bought a case of water for) and this is what is listed now..... :eek:

Bottled Water Package CA$29.33 for 12 (500 ml) bottles

12 (500 ml) bottles of water conveniently delivered to the stateroom. Price includes service charge.

For pre-purchase ONLY through Gift Guide or Cruise Personalizer

I paid CA$8.63 !!!

Hi -- water is back on my personalizer at $8.63 (Canadian). As I am a huge water drinker and cruise is 22 days -- I ordered 5 cases (I usually drink 3-5 bottles per day). Confirmation received and payment confirmed.:D

Very happy that Princess went back to the original price.

As noted on the various threads about the increase in the water package -- I am sure there are a lot of people purchasing the water "just in case" there is another change.

Re pre-purchase of water.

Thank you for posting. I also was in my cruise personalizer and saw that it was missing. Assumed it would just 're-appear' closer to sailing. Incorrectly I assumed it was because I pay in Canadian funds and the dollar fluctuates. I am just returning to Princess after ten years sailing with Celebrity. I am not interested in the soda package or the coffee card as I do not like/drink coffee. Specialty teas are my 'thing'.

I am hoping that they come up with a beverage package similar to the "premium non-alcoholic" beverage package that Celebrity has. I utilized the water, premium teas and the odd mocktail. I purchase packages for the convenience and do not calculate whether or not each day it I drink enough to warrant the cost.

I am hoping that Princess will come up with a better alternative.

There is also a cruise from Vancouver - April 11, 2019, down the west coast, through the new locks at the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale. 22 days -Emerald Princess.:D

You can either book from Vancouver or join the ship in Los Angeles.

..... From what I can gather from friends that still work there and from my own experience with recent sailings, you now check in first in the convention centre upstairs - you either get here from street level through the long hallway you talked about or you go down to the terminal through the parking lot (I STILL tend to do that, just out of habit - you have to drop bags there still, too, I believe). After check in you go downstairs (the stairs are not kid-friendly I might add!) and go through security and customs, then board. The process seems to be better now than when I worked there, but I agree it's a lot of walking up and down and does seem to be very disorganised once you add in the mobs of passengers both disembarking and embarking!! Still, if it means I get to go on a cruise I will take it!

I will be sailing the emerald from Vancouver. Are there escalators, elevators or moving stairways (like airports) to assist with the long walks to the various floors. Do not really want to request a wheelchair. Stairs can be a problem for me with depth perception as I am visually impaired in one eye as well as having arthritis.

Any answers would be helpful so that I know what to expect. Thank you

Looking at the April 2019 Emerald Cruise through the Panama Canal. Since the Emerald is larger than the Island, was wondering which set of locks it would use. Would it have to use the new locks, or would it still fit through the old locks?

If you decide on the April 2019 Emerald through the Panama Canal -- join our roll call (April 11th). Small roll call but hope it is more active as time gets closer to the cruise. Some people are only cruising Vancouver to Los Angeles and others are starting the cruise in Los Angeles.

If you book as a single occupant you will be charged 200% of the fare plus most of the promos do not apply to single occupant bookings.

I recently booked as a solo cruiser and received the current promotion - free grats and a %/$$ off if I book Princess air by a certain date. I am in a balcony so do not know if that has anything to do with receiving the promotion. The cruise is 22 days. I usually book as a solo as I have many friends who cannot decide where/when they want to cruise. I know when I want to go and where I want to go -- so I book solo. If a friend wants to join me -- so be it -- I will just add their name to my booking. Of course, additional port fees will be added to their cost.

Booking solo, you get charged as if two people are in your stateroom (200%) but I can live with that. Travelling solo -- I usually take ship excursions so they still make $$ from me and usually buy some type of beverage package whether it is water, coffee card etc. I once travelled with a friend of over 30 years who cancelled all her ship excursions once on board and did not buy even one bottle of water, wine etc. So .. travelling solo -- the ship still gets $$ from me and I get to do what I want.:)

Re: leaving passport or other documents at home by mistake:

I have a packing list on my computer. I highlight each one when I have packed the item. The list includes medications, OTC things for cruise (cough drops, ginger pills, etc.), also clothes for formal night, if required. The list can be adapted whether I am going on a cruise, bus trip, train or to a friend's for a week. For cruises etc. I make sure that if I take a purse, it has a separate 'purse within a purse' to keep passport & airline tickets. In another pouch I have my cruise documents etc. I also some times take a "Lug" bag rather than a purse and again - use a separate pouch for passport & airline tickets and one for other important documents, etc. I also carry a copy of my passport, airline tickets, cruise line tickets etc. in my carry-on.

Another tip is to have 2 credit cards especially for travelling and as I quite often travel solo, put them in separate pouches along with cash divided. I take a small purse when going on excursions which has one credit card, some cash, copy of passport etc. and anything that I might need for the day. I use one of the purses that goes over my head and around my underarm, one brand is 'pac safe' which is usually available at AAA stores or on-line. The other documents or $$ are left in the safe

My list has had additions over time including OTC as they can be expensive on the ship.

I also double check my list - having highlighted the items -- I then put a check mark on the item. I am very OTC or anal in that regard and do not want to have something that I will need sitting at home.

Hope this might help. My son gave me his list for packing on my very first cruise which was Carnival and I have made additions/deletions since then. AND -- I always carry my medications in my purse or carry-on. I have read a few threads on CC where someone's luggage did not arrive at their destination and they had packed their medications in the suitcase. I also put one change of clothes in carry-on in case luggage arrives late to stateroom - that way I can change for dinner.

Here's to happy cruising:D

Thank you to all who replied. Think my best bet might be to get a coffee/tea card and order a couple of cases of water.

I do not drink alcohol so PBP is not an option.

I think the Soda and More package is one of the best deals on the ship - if you drink mocktails. For just the soda it's not a good value for me. If I want soda I can just take as much as I like of the kind I like. It's a small hassle to take it aboard but the soda from a can is generally better than from the gun and one can also take the type of soda desired rather than being stuck with what Princess offers.

Hi

Have just booked Vancouver - Panama Canal - Fort Lauderdale 22 day cruise.:D I am used to the premium non alcoholic package on Celebrity.

Does the Soda and more package include any of the following: (1) water (2) specialty teas

Also -- do the mocktails cover things like virgin pina colada.:tropical-drink:

I am not worried about soda from the fountain and I rarely have had it on past cruises (even in the can).

I have primarily used the package for bottled water, specialty teas and virgin drinks or smoothies, fresh orange juice etc.

Thanks for any information you can give me.

Now I have seen everything. On NBCnews.com there is a story of a woman being denied on a United Airlines Flight leaving Newark Liberty International Airport to bring her "emotional support peacock" on the plane. Apparently she paid for an additional seat on the airplane. According to the article -- she had been told that the 'emotional support peacock' did not meet the standards of weight etc.

Could you just imagine sitting next to, across from, in front of or in back of the peacock:eek:

What in the world are we coming to.

Hopefully Celebrity and all cruise lines start to think about what are real emotional support animals and develop some guidelines. Some people do need emotional support animals, i.e. Post tramatic stress disorder, etc. - BUT these idiots like this person make it difficult for people who need support animals as well as true service dogs.

Kudos to Delta Airlines for developing a policy and for United Airlines for refusing to let the person board the airplane.

Celebrity -- it is time to please make a policy regarding emotional support animals -- AND STICK TO THE POLICY and not let people board the ship, taking their animal in a carriage to the dining room and throughout the ship.

From the OP responses to having such a terrible cruise, they might be like some of those cruisers who think they are the only ones on the cruise and deserve special treatment, etc. and can be rude to staff although they think they are not rude. I have seen all types on cruises. I am sorry the cruise did not live up to their expectations and do not want to reiterate some of their complaints, etc. I am sure that some of the things they expressed were legitimate and could have been rectified (not the bingo).

I was not on their cruise, however, would like to relate on a B2B cruise I did January 2017 on the Equinox. Seated at a table of 8 for both cruises. First leg -- had some very nice tablemates although two sisters were quite loud but they did keep us laughing at some of their antics.

Second leg -- Couple #1 - when showed to the table they said they did not want to sit at this table (apparently they had also been on a B2B). They were loud, rude and obnoxious to the head waiter. Ultimately the M.D. came and said that he would arrange for them to be seated in another area the next evening. Then ... came the meal -- they complained about everything and I mean everything. The head waiter offered politely to get something else but they just berated him for the terrible food.

Couple #2 - wife very nice but husband also quite rude to waiters. Wife finally said on the third night-- 'ignore him -- he is always like this". He was on a scooter and the assistant waiter and head waiter always helped him and to and from his chair.

Couple #3 - a very nice couple, who did not complain, and excused themselves before coffee saying they liked to go to the casino before the shows. I later saw them several times on the cruise and they invited me to join then in the buffet. It came out they left early because they could not stand the complaining of the other two couples.

Now -- second night couple 1A --they were not happy that they had been moved. They had obviously made arrangements as every night, they had a fruit plate and soft drink waiting for them. Again, the waiter helped the wife to get into the chair from her scooter. She asked for a cushion which was either too soft, too hard, or not in the right position. Several times they asked for different mains as they did not like what they had selected and complained about others. In general, they were not happy with the cruise - period - not just the dining room.

In all of these instances 1, 1A & 2- the head waiter and assistant waiter were very courteous and tried to assist them and offer to get them other menu choices, adjust their chairs, pillows, etc.

After three nights of this, I went to GR and asked for a comment card. I explained how these three couples were rude and obnoxous. Also I indicated that the Head and Asst. waiters were polite and tried everything to be courteous and offer suggestions.

That night (4) the M.D. came to my table and thanked me for the comment card. He said that all too often people only write negative comments. He said that the comments would be placed in their personnel files. The two waiters also thanked me after dinner when the others had left. The other couples asked me at the table why the M.D. had come and talked to me in a whisper and I only said that it was a personal matter. (of course, these two couples did not leave any extra tips -- and no I do not want to get into a tipping discussion).

All too often -- as cruisers, we do not think to get a comment card during the cruise to give a special thanks to a staff member. It can really make a difference. Too often it is the cruisers who complain that get a comment card. Speaking out when a staff member does an excellent job can be very beneficial to them.

Although I have not cruised as much as others on this thread -- I do enjoy Celebrity. I have had some things that went wrong but I did not let that stop me from enjoying my cruises. I spoke courteously to a staff member and in all cases it was recitified. I have never had a rude staff member, although I am not saying it could not happen.

I am just thankful that I am able to cruise and will continue to cruise as long as I can.:D

Safety Squirrel

I taught in the the high school driver education program (classroom) for 20 years. I guess I was always telling my two sons and their spouses about new driving methods, etc.

At Thanksgiving dinner I was explaining something about setting your mirrors when my granddaughter who was four at the time said "Oh there goes grandma, the safety squirrel again" -- out of the mouth of babes.

So my sons explained that they had started calling me 'safety squirrel' saying I was always talking about new techniques in driving etc. So -- the name has stuck. Later, when I was teaching new instructors, I would relate that story to them and it always got a laugh - so I said -- be careful that you do not always tell your family and friends about new methods/techniques you have learned - they do not always want to hear about them.;)

I think the tuba would only be allowed if it's a certified Emotional Support Instrument.;p

I just posted your reply on the Celebrity boards (Infinity going to the dogs) as there is a discussion on a woman who brings her dog on cruises in a stroller and even brings it into the dining room etc. Many people, it seems, have cruised with this woman and the dog is not trained at all, including using the bathroom facilities provided on board for service animals.

I loved your post and thought it provided a bit of humour for the Celebrity board.

I also mentioned a flight I was on where two people were training two service dogs to fly before they went to their actual owners who were visually impaired.

On the Princess boards - there is a 'tongue in cheek' post called "Can I bring my tuba on board and practice/play on the balcony" Post is made is jest and most posts are quite funny.

Thought I would copy one post here

"I think the tuba would only be allowed if it's a certified Emotional Support Instrument"

On a more serious note, I was flying a few months ago and had pre-boarded. It was a small plane with only two seats on either side of the aisle. A couple (also pre-boarded) with two German Shepherds and sat across the aisle from me. The female got in first and the dog laid at her feet. The male then sat down with the other dog at his feet. I talked to them and they were trainers of dogs for the visually impaired. The dog with the female was under one year of age and they were bringing the dog on its first flight to train.

The dog being trained one time moved around to get into a better position. The handler spoke to the dog in a quiet voice and s/he went back to sleep. The dog on the aisle seat -- never moved throughout the trip (3 hours) and occasionally just opened their eyes as the flight attendants went by.

The couple explained to me that they had been training service dogs for quite a few years and some service dogs need to be trained to fly if their new owner flies. The 'dog in training' was going to their new owner in a couple of weeks.

If you had not seen the couple and the dogs board -- you would not have known they were on the flight - and many passengers did not see them when they boarded as they were already at the feet of their trainers. They told me that they would then be the last to get off the flight.

As mentioned previously -- true service dogs are trained.

Safety Squirrel, just to let you know, you were absolutely right about the chocolate layer cake. My DW just tried it again this evening based on your recommendation and it was great! Not sure what happened with the first piece she had at the start of the cruise, but she definitely enjoyed the one she had this evening. Thanks again for letting us know how tasty it is.

Glad your DW enjoyed it. :D

Hope you are enjoying your cruise

A winning of $1199 or more on one pull (which would also require an attendant payout) is considered earned Income and is taxable (and reported by the cruiseline) IF AND I SAY IF,, the player of record is a US citizen.

In Canada, we do not pay taxes on lottery winnings, casino etc. -only on the interest earned in subsequent years. So .... if there is a Canadian on your slot pull - have them say they won the money and then you can all share.:D

I have organized slot pulls and do not have a card and no one participating in the slot pull asked to put their card in. Just lucky I guess as the situation did not come up.

....

Their MDR is average and they only have a chocolate dessert every 5 days or so which is not good when your DW is a chocoholic. However, we’re finding that if we book a sky suite on our next cruise so we can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Luminae restaurant that will solve the food issue as they have chocolate desserts every night as well as lunch with both the lunch and evening menus changing every day. [/quote]

 

Having sailed mainly on Celebrity -- would just like to point out that the MDR has chocolate cake every night on the right hand side of the menu -- which includes things like, salmon, chicken, steak, onion soup, shrimp cocktail, desserts etc.

 

It is a very deep, moist and delicious chocolate cake with chocolate syrup on top.:D

 

 

I agree that they do not have a chocolate dessert every night on the regular menu -- but then I always went with the chocolate cake when a chocolate option was not available.

 

Like most cruise lines (Princess, HAL, Celebrity, Carnival etc) - the choice and quality of food has gone down in the last few years; however, food is very subjective and I do not want to get into a discussion on that topic.

 

Went to a HAL presentation this week to look at a possible cruise and land trip to Alaska. One of the things that, so far, is preventing me from going on HAL, is that on older ships they have very few balconies as well as some ships still allow smoking in their casinos. The Volundam was the ship highlighted (August 2018) and it only had suites, oceanview and inside cabins. I usually get a concierge balcony on Celebrity.

 

If I find an itinerary that suits me and a newer ship with balconies and that does not allow smoking in the casino -- I will then consider HAL. They do have some intineraries that Celebrity does not. So will probably look at Princess for next cruise.

Do you not have to keep your insurance papers in your car in the US? We do and it has your address on it.

In Manitoba (Canada)- they finally took the address off our insurance papers as we too, are required to keep them in the car. We are insured by the province for auto insurance (mandatory for basic insurance) and that is one of the best things that they did in years.:D

Just renewed my auto insurance and they pointed it out.

(quote) I prefer excursions provided by Celebrity. Thanks folks.

Why. There are lots of great private tours available in Costa Rica.

 

DON

Not everyone wants to do a private excursion. I travelled solo on my B2B last January on the Equinox. Most of the roll call tours were walks in the rain forest, private flights etc. that I did not think I would want to do or felt I could not keep up with the group. Also -- I am not interested in starting private excursions.

I took a Celebrity excursion which was the Train-Boat-Bus Adventure (PL02 4.5 hours) and I enjoyed the tour.:)

the OP said that they preferred ship excursions and asked for suggestions. There is no reason to question why they did not want to take a private tour.

Different strokes for different folks - some do ship tours and others private tours.

I'll bet they'll all be dressed in their crazy hats & outfits for dinner. :D:D

Yes - it always interesting to see some of the hats in particular as well as some of the outfits. They are just a group of senior ladies who like to go and have fun:D

:DFor those who do not wish to go on a cruise that is partly chartered, I just received an e-mail from the Red Hat Society. This e-mail was sent to all members in U.S.A. and Canada.

They are having a 20th anniversary cruise as follows:

April 14th - 24th, 2018

Ruby Princess

Ports: San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Loreta (sp?) and Puerto Vallarta

They listed a number of activities which, I assume, will mean they will have some lounges, rooms booked.

FYI for those who may be interested in this sailing and do not enjoy travelling with groups. I do not know how large their group will be.