gmcwalker

Time to chime in on this first cruise out of LA from the Roll Call to Live.

Tomorrow, I will get the Covid testing done twice at different venues to be sure. 

Then Saturday a short drive from north San Diego County to San Pedro. Short for California that is. 

75 minutes from my home to the World Cruise Center. I will drop off my suitcase to the porters first and then park at the World Cruise Center lot, $19 a day. There is a shuttle to the terminal from the large lot but as we are the first and only cruise there, I should be able to park close to Berth 93 where the Grand is waiting which is also the closest to the terminal. As I have early boarding I should be on the ship by noon and as the ship is ready to go, as there are no previous passengers, I should be able to go to my cabin right away. I can't wait to test out the Medallion app ordering system!

I am wondering if Princess will have a special celebration for their first cruise out of California since they suspended operations.

Aloha, stay tuned and enjoy the ride with us!

4 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

No, not recently.  Not sure of time-frame you ask about.  Internet pricing has significantly changed since pre-Covid.  There used to be package prices according to length of voyage.  Now, it is a flat price per day, regardless of cruise length.  It used to be that Elites and Platinum need to wait to book internet on board Day 1 in order to get the best price with the then 25% discount.  Now, those eligible need to book the internet ahead of the cruise in order to get the best price.

 

Internet is now $10/pp/day for a single device pre-cruise.  If you wait until on board, the price is $15/day.  There may be exceptions to that for the immediate time-being since guests have to call in to Princess in order to book pre-cruise and provide CC to pay for it.  Eventually, we will be able to order internet on MC App. 

 

If you want the 4-device plan, it costs $20/pp/day in advance and $25/pp/day on board.

 

If you don't want daily internet and just want to order a day or two on board, the individual day cost is $20/day.  Obviously as soon as you want half the cruise days, you may as well book in advance for the $10/day rate. 

 

If you qualify, the new discount is 50% (compared to old 25%).  If booking in advance, you get the 50% rebate as a refundable OBC (like cash).  If you book on board, you are just charged the net price.  Once the ordering is available on MC App, guests will simply be charged the net price if qualify for it. 

 

Thanks for the detailed info!

Thank you to all for your help. However the last time I called I was on wait for about 10 min, so not too bad. Apparently I should make a list of questions before I call. Steelers76 I saw you did a spread sheet awhile ago on Internet plans, have the plans changed?

Hi;

I am trying to book the internet package pre cruise but can not find an area in the personalizer with pricing and a way to buy anywhere. Please be detailed if you can. Thanks for your help

Eureka, Success!! The Arrival times just became available an hour ago! I was able to pick the first Group A embarking at noon! 10 Days out! 

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I really feel for you.   Waiting to read when you actually get your arrival time.  This is ridiculous and a total failure on the part of Princess.

 

I appreciate the sentiment, but I actually find it hilarious that is going this way but I am not surprised from my experience with Princesses' organizational abilities. I'm just going to show up at the pier by noon and ask to be boarded as soon I arrive. As the ship will be at less than 50% capacity I don't see a problem there and it probably why Arrival times are not ready as our cruise is a low priority or the ship is. I also think they don't want to piss off any more passengers, as every day I hear there are more and more cancelations. Stay tuned!

Another Update! 11 Days to go, still unable to select an Arrival time!

21 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

If you can get Princess to comp a free (short) cruise, I think you will get takers on your pool.  Otherwise, we are all hanging on pins and needles for your report back on when YOU were able to select arrival time.  

 

Maybe, just maybe, Princess will drop the arrival slots since you are sailing out of San Pedro.  It worked before.  Don't mess with things that ARE NOT broken.

So far it looks like this cruise 9/25 Cabo, is going out at below 50% capacity so perhaps the arrival times are not a priority for them.

An Update again!

18 days until we sail and we are still not able to choose a boarding time! I should start a pool.

I was curious if anyone on board noticed if there were the Princess Covid testing sites at the pier yet, per their 9/2/21 notice and if so how much did it cost?

As to Kahului, Maui. 

Recently Princess and most if not all Cruise Lines that would dock at Lahaina have diverted to Kahului Harbor because of uncertainty of tender operations during the new pier and upgrade construction in the Lahaina Harbor.

Here is the latest from Princess concerning Covid Testing at the pier. Sent early this morning. I highlighted the important parts. 

September 2, 2021 Dear Princess Guest,

We look forward to welcoming you on board for your upcoming cruise. We are writing to advise you that pursuant to updated directives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have updated our pre-cruise COVID-19 testing requirements for cruises departing between September 19 and October 31, 2021. All fully vaccinated guests must produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (medically observed PCR or antigen test) taken within TWO days of their embarkation on all Princess Cruises U.S. sailings. This is an update to our previously communicated testing requirement of three days prior to embarkation. Guests will be required to provide proof of this negative COVID-19 test along with proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 upon arrival in the terminal and can then proceed on board. For U.S. guests, Princess has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to provide over 1,500 locations in the United States to schedule a no-cost* COVID-19 test appointment, with results delivered within 48 hours. Click here to find a testing location near you. *This COVID-19 no-cost-to-you program is available to eligible individuals for $0 out of pocket when billed to a health plan or the government. We realize some of our guests are having challenges obtaining a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, especially considering this new guidance. We are working to set up mobile testing sites at all our embarkation ports to conduct a rapid test the day before or day of your departure. We are still working out the details and will announce those shortly on our website. Princess will be subsidizing the infrastructure of the mobile testing sites, but the company providing the testing will charge a per person fee (to be established). Providers will not accept insurance, but you will be provided a receipt should you wish to submit the cost to your insurance carrier. You should consider this as a back-up alternative should you not be able to make arrangements. The mobile labs will either be in or adjacent to our terminals, or within walking distance. Please check our Cruise Health Frequently Asked Questions for further details on our updated testing requirements and onboard protocols. We are hopeful these requirements will be temporary, and we appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Kind regards,

Princess Cruises

Here is the link:  PCL_0902_GuestLetter.pdf (responsys.net)

Another Update. Sailing on 9/25/21 out of LA and still I am not able to book an Arrival time.

Update: 30 days out for the Grand Princess Cab- Cabo sailing out of LA and I'm still not able to book an arrival time.

8 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

The first cruise out of Los Angeles is not until September 25, so I assume the times will be available at some date prior to that...but how much time before is anyone's guess.  In the meanwhile, I'll just keep checking...  When I do get in, I plan on posting it to my roll call...

I booked on the 9/25/21 Cruise and Arrival times are still not available. 

On 8/12/2021 at 10:03 PM, Steelers36 said:

Have you been reading the threads where CC members are reporting live from the ships?  There have been posts about selecting Arrival Groups there and also in the Medallion Class App threads (Part 3 and "Working Again"). 

 

The times have been all over the map so to speak and quite unpredictable right now.  Perhaps you should mention the dates and then people who are sailing then can report if they have had access to Arrival Groups or not.  Has anyone on your Roll Calls had access as yet? 

 

Don't expect to be able to do this months ahead of time.

Thanks for the input but this is not about me or my Cruises but to help others get  an idea of the wait time to book their Arrival time as not all of us have the time to search through 800 posts. The more answers we get the more future cruisers will know.

How long before your cruise were you able to book an Arrival time?

For any UK cruisers, here is the current Los Angeles Airport LAX Covid Rapid Test info and pricing if you still need the test before your cruise and or after,  to return home after your cruise.

LAX Official Site | Travel Safely (flylax.com)

Be safe and Cruise Well!

Aloha!

Here is the current LAX Rapid Testing Info and pricing at the airport.

LAX Official Site | Travel Safely (flylax.com)

As I have several cruises coming up, I would like to share on my roll calls: How long before your departure were you able to book your Arrival Time on the App?

I would appreciate if only those who did book would respond thank you.

20 hours ago, trbarton said:

If your considering hosting & M&G, I have helped many people & have copies of my letters to officers inviting them to our meeting & flyers that I use that I’m willing to share. Yes it’s special if you get the main officers there including the captain. I’m enclosing a photo of my last M&G,  I’m wearing a shirt from the 50th Anniversary Cruise of Princess on the Pacific Princess that was signed by all of the Love Boat cast. Something I’ll always treasure. . I can be reached at trbarton743 at aol dot com. 

Hi Tom I am interested in your help however your email address trbarton743@aol.com will not connect. Would you please message me or provide another way to contact you as I am planning similar event for two opening cruises coming up. Thank you.

22 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

For whatever reason I'm assuming the Wi-Fi has been a bit glitchy when it comes to posting on here and I didn't carry over what I had written to go on with those photos above. 

 

Tonight's dinner was Italian night another wonderful dinner as always. Normally I tend to be a creature of habit and which is the same thing from cruise to cruise but I've been really good the past few years about just trying new things that I typically would never even eat. I have especially enjoyed it my waitresses daily evening recommendations as you can tell there's chicken ordered which I would never do in a millionaires because, I always say if I could get it at home no need to get it on a ship. And clearly I'm glad I got it because it was amazing.

 

Started off with a fan favorite classic especially my own of fettuccine alfredo. And then I had some garlic herb scallops and shrimp. Breaded chicken stuffed with spinach. And the amazing dessert for this evening chocolate journeys tiramisu trio and if you love lemon or lemon meringue pie I cannot recommend enough the lemon meringue cheesecake which is OMG out of this world!

 

Earlier for lunch today I stuck with something late and went to Alfredo's and ordered a delicious rotalla di melanzane. I've ordered this several times on Royal class ships but I have to say on here they blew out of the water the competition as it was spot on amazing. For those of you who don't know what this is It's essentially just a plant with angel hair pasta rolled up inside the eggplant. Topped with some delicious sauce and loads of delicious cheese.

Post Cruise: What diet do you recommend as it looks like I will be gaining some weight!

2 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I'm thinking Beyond Sysco 😛

 

Actually Sysco Foods has 4-5 different options for Veggie Burgers and some are fine. However the Food Cost Control Purchasers  @ Carnival Corp most likely bought the one they got the best price for first on a mega deal, as it is easier instead of finding the best and negotiating for the best price first. 

I like to call it " The Complete Backwards Principal" especially when your goal is to provide the best!

24 minutes ago, Ymmet27 said:

Allergies question is  on the medallion app

 

Apparently the customers are not the only ones having difficulty adapting to new Medallion App info.

11 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

As to the Spa Being Open. Yes it is 😀

I will be sailing on the first Princess Cruise in my home port next month and was wondering when the Spa bookings opened for your sail. As of now we are unable to. I assume because of staffing and training as we 53 day out. But looking forward to a massage on the sail! Thanks to all for the preview for all of us!