world_traveler_et

Just giving this post a bump as it was posted a long time ago.

Does any seasoned Princess cruisers have a contact email and name of who I can contact regarding the issue described in the first post?  Also, If I booked with a travel agent would I contact them first?

Thanks for any assistance in advance.

Just trying to reach out to the group of us who missed the rail transfer because the motor coach driver failed to drop us off at the Alaska Railroad Depot and we sat staged on the hill for a half hour and watched our train leave without us.

Has anyone received the credit back to their credit cards for the cost of the rail transfer?  Per my letter we received the next day the cost for the entire rail transfer would be posted back to our credit cards within 10 business days.  We are currently at 13 business days not including the Fourth of July holiday.

I was the one who warned the driver we were going to miss the train.  To her response that has never happened before and not to worry.  I did record her coming back on board the bus stating that it was her fault we missed the rail transfer.

We got the run around that the land transfer was a separate division and not handled by Princess cruise division?  We bought everything from Princess so what gives?

This was not a good way to start out the cruise on embarkation day when we were supposed to be the first to board the ship and they had to find out what to do with all of us around thirty if I am correct.  We did not arrive until around 3:30PM.  We missed early boarding, eating in the main dining room and had to spend money for our own lunches in Anchorage.

Just wondering if you received your credit?

If anyone who did not take the transfer but is knowledgeable as to who we should contact and an email address that would be appreciative.

9 hours ago, Fortunate 2 travel said:

Just curious, how long before the cruise do the medallions arrive?

Mine medallion was shipped by FedEx twelve business days before my sailing and it arrived the next day.  My notification was sent from "OCEAN Notification".  The package was shipped from Singapore and was in a blue envelope a little larger than the size of my hand.

You can view your tracking or check to see if your medallion has shipped on your app.

Here are the steps---Once you are in the app >tap on choose your wearable medallion>Than scroll down and tap on order history>Find your sailing date and tap on the sailing if you have multiple cruises>You will than see if your order has been completed and if so it will provide you with a clue tracking link.

I have the premier package and the additional medallion accessory that is included in the package also arrived.  I had heard it would be in my stateroom.  The accessory is a solid royal blue clip holder.  The pictures I saw on line looked like the accessory was supposed to have some wavy gold accents on the clip holder and the holder was a darker color.  You would think their marketing department would review what they are advertising to what you actually receive.  I also received the complimentary lanyard and a clear circle holder for my medallion. 

I wish Princess would have given the premier package cruisers an option of say two items to select for their accessory.

Thank you for responding and this is a great site to ask questions.

2 hours ago, DavidsNana said:

It happens to me every time.  My last name is 14 letters long.  First is 7 letters.  Just won't fit on that thing.  No problem, the bartenders all see my name on the record!  Not just Princess Medallions.  My whole name won't fit into my electric company's computer apparently either as my bill has always been first initial and last name.  Have a great cruise.  Wish I was planning for another one right now.

2 hours ago, DavidsNana said:

 

Thank you my name is as long as your name.

21 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

No one ever looks at the name, nor could they. The print is much too small. The Security people would need a jeweler’s loupe to look at everyone’s name. They just rely on the electronic reader. I wouldn’t give it a moment’s thought. 

Funny .. I did not expect someone to look at my medallion as you said the print is too small. Sorry if I was not clear in my message.

I was concerned what information the medallion was transmitting to crew for drinks, cabin steward, etc.  The medallion app on my phone lists my full first name.  I just do not want to be called by my last name if that was all they were seeing on their computer/ipads.

I thought the medallion was supposed to have your first and last name printed on the medallion?  Mine just arrived with my first initial and last name.  Maybe my first and last name were too long to print on the medallion?  I did add a preferred name in the medallion app.

The mailing label on my package correctly show my first and last name. 

Has this happened to anyone else with their medallion and did it cause any issues boarding or on the ship? 

I sure hope this does not happen but I wonder if Glacier Bay National Park sailings would another sea day as the park rangers are government employees.  The same could be said about visiting Mendanhall Glacier in Juneau. 

I should know the answer to my own question as I have disembarked twice from a Princess ship in Vancouver but sadly I do not recall or was not paying attention as I had Princess transfers (One to the airport and the other to Seattle)

When I self disembark the ship and roll my suitcase down the gangway ramp and into the building it sounds like I might have to navigate an escalator or use an elevator to get to the customs area or to the taxi stand area?

I am trying to debate doing self assist or booking the Princess transfer.   Thank you to everyone suggesting the train but for me as a solo I am not comfortable taking the train.

In Juneau the Pilot's Choice tour with Temsco was excellent.  The tour lands on two separate glaciers.  We landed on the Gilkey Glacier and a top the Juneau Icefields.  This tour was early in the morning and I still had time to take the Blue/White bus to Mendanhall Glacier and walk to Nugget Falls.

In Skagway there are many train excursions some are round trip and others are one way with a return by bus/motorcoach.  My favorite train excursion is the Scenic Bennett Journey.   I booked independent with Chilkoot Charter and tour.  If people are hesitant of doing another train ride; especially if they were on the land tour before the cruise than I can recommend Chilkoot's  Yukon Klondike Adventure.  I took that tour in 2015.

Looking forward to following your thread.  This will be a Southbound one way sailing from Whittier to Vancouver.  I will be doing the same route as your ship sailing on June, 20th, 2023 aboard the Sapphire Princess.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for everyone who has commented so far.   Here is a link to see where your ship will be docked in Skagway

https://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SKG-Skagway-2023-1.pdf

The Crown Princess was docked at the Broadway dock on May 29th so that is why they did not tender.  Any ships docked at Broadway and the Ore are not impacted.

I appreciate the information on the tenders and the process of getting tickets. 

Even though my tour is scheduled to meet at 9:15AM for the tour and the ship arrives at 6AM many things can happen.  In 2013 I was on the same independent tour which was scheduled meet up around 7:15 AM.   It was a challenge getting off the ship and walking fast to get to the tours meet up location.  The tour was great and worth repeating as the scenery past Frasier is stunning.

This week seems to have the most ships in the port of Skagway at once with more in the RRF location and tendering.  I booked an excursion independent with Chilkoot for there Scenic Bennett Journey.  I have used them on two previous sailings and this will be my second time doing the Scenic Bennett Journey.  I believe our ship is due to arrive around 6AM.  I need to meet up with my group around 9:15AM.  Do you think this will be an issues with tendering? 

Will priority be given only to people who booked through the cruise line to get off the ship?  Do we get tender tickets?  How is the process working for those who have already cruised?

I have the Premier drinks package and are sodas included from a fountain gun or cans?  Reading other threads some people mentioned cans were included in the soda package but I am not sure if that is the case for the plus and premier packages. 

I disembark from the Sapphire Princess on June 28 (Ship arrives at 7:30AM with 2670 passengers) in Vancouver .  On that Wednesday there are two other ships that arrive at 7AM (Volendam 1432 passengers and the Regent Seven Seas 750 passengers).

My flight is at 12:40PM.

I am considering self embarking and I am traveling solo with a Suitcase a carry and a backpack with my camera gear. both suitcases have spinner wheels.  I think I can manage but my concern is when I exit the ship will I have to navigate the bags on an escalator or stairs to get to the customs area and than make my way to the taxi stand.  Just want to make I can manage.

Also with three ships in port and the Sapphire being the last to arrive do you think there will be a long wait to get a taxi?  Is the 12:40PM flight doable?

I have managed on international flights with two large suitcases and two carry on stacked on the bigger bags but I was assisting an elderly person.  Not sure I can manage an escalator or stairs.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

I am not seeing a location to enter my middle name.  Shouldn't this be a required field so that it matches the information on our passports? 

I have not tried entering my information on a computer.  Also be careful if you scan your passport as it uploaded some of my information incorrectly into the field with spelling inaccuracies.   I had to go back and edit my information.  Anyone else having these issues?

Suekel and EDVM96 thanks for commenting.  Although it is not the same atmosphere as the Crown I Grill I think I will enjoy looking out the windows and see the scenery while I eat.  I am glad the menu is now the same as the Crown Grill.

ET

Coral,

Thank you for the correction.  I meant the Horizon Court not the International Cafe. 

Thanks for your comments.

ET

Does anyone know if the embarkation photo, the Hubbard Bay photo and Glacier Bay photo are included?  If I recall correctly on my last two trips when I did not have a package in 2013 & 2015 that these pictures were more expensive and I was wondering if they are included in the plus and premier packages.

Pierces you have been a great help on my past two Alaska trips in answering my questions. 

I did buy the Op-tech after your suggestion for my first trip and they did work out had them on the second trip as well. 

It looks like you still prefer them and they do take up very little space in a camera bag.

Thanks again.

I am headed to Alaska and have a tour that I will be solo on and than on my own in Juneau.  I will be bringing my Canon Rebel as my main camera and a small Pansaonic Lumix with me as a backup camera.

The selfie stick or gimbel would just be used on my walk to Nugget Falls at Mendanhall Galcier or train stop in Bennett on the Scenic Bennett Journey.  Just trying to make sure that I am in some pictures and not rely on someone taking my picture or a movie clip.

I am not looking for anything complicated but works decently for an iPhone 11 Pro.

I know the Sterling Steakhouse is located in a section of International Cafe at night and a section is closed off and table cloths are added.  I also know this is not the same atmosphere as the Crown Grill and the menu does not offer as many items.  Since this is not a true steak house with a dedicated location on the ship like the  Crown Grill on other ships or Sabatini's how is the quality of food served? 

I am looking at order the ribeye steak or the porterhouse steak?  Will I be disappointed in the quality or the preparation of the meal?

I know the Sapphire recently completed a 32 day cruise and hoping recent travelers will respond but any comments are appreciated!

I appreciate all the great comments from everyone who has responded so far!

Thanks for the comment about the windows only being reserved for Club Class in the Santa Fe dining room.

What exactly are the premium desserts?  I saw a picture of heavily decorated ice cream sundaes are those the only premium desserts?   If there are other deserts are can you tell me what they are and where they might be offered on the ship?

I am going on an Alaskan cruise and just looking for a way to protect my camera.  I have used the rainsleeves in the past and they worked in a pinch.  The last cruise I was on it was pouring in Ketchkan (LOL).  I will still have rainsleeves but I was wondering if I should upgrade my supplies and also have either the Think tank or the storm jacket.  If anyone has used either were they easy to work with?  I will say the rainsleeves were easy to put onto the camera.   Any thoughts?