AVCruzers

It truly is an amazing experience and you'll understand why it is called an experience rather than a dinner.  But--without Rafael, who could possibly be a substitute for him????  I am sure he is the one who trained the servers and he has such a distinctive personality!!!!  We were not in a suite when invited.  I was told by a staff member that it truly is a lottery system but did she really know?   I was also told that it would only be on the Discovery, Sky and Enchanted.  Hope you get to go!!!

On 1/13/2023 at 2:57 PM, We_like_to_cruise said:

This has been a great purchase and used successfully for the last week.

 

If you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, this little guy senses motion and emits the perfect amount of light (brightness adjustable to three different settings).  We just hang it over one of the towel rack bars.

 

Much easier than trying to squeeze your hand out the partially closed bathroom door to prevent waking the spouse!  And if you turn on the bathroom light in the middle of the night that light is too bright.

 

Charged it once two weeks ago and have not re-charged it yet.

 

I have no financial interest in this company, lol !

 

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Brightness-Rechargeable-Magnetic-Wardrobe/dp/B09YPT2DGV/ref=sr_1_24?crid=25B6AC24NMK1O&keywords=hanging+battery+powered+motion+detector+night+light&qid=1673649856&sprefix=hangingbattery+powered+motion+detector+night+light%2Caps%2C1685&sr=8-24

What a great idea so I just ordered 2--one to give away to friends that are always on same cruise.  Thanks for sharing.  

We loved Club Class experience.  On their lunch menu, I remember seeing bunch items such as Eggs Benedict and French Toast for those who slept late and headed there after 12.  

Remember that embarkation day counts as one of the 15 days so we always try to board as soon as possible.  Disembarkation is not one of the 15 days.  

We just disembarked from the DISCOVERY this morning so the 360 EXPERIENCE is a very fresh memory.  Like others, we were called at home but no message was left so we had no idea why?   I certainly was unable to return the call.  We were lucky enough to be asked once we were onboard.  It truly is a lottery system to select whoever gets invited: I discussed that fact with a staff member.    We did have a mini-suite and friends with a balcony also were asked to attend.  Strangely, we were asked not to talk too much about it so I was surprised to see so much written here.  Rafal and his servers were amazing and the food was outstanding.   We enjoyed it more than any of the several Chef's Tables that we have attended.   Hope you are invited too!  

Yes they do have such a menu plus you can always order drinks without the alcohol such as a Virgin Bloody Mary.  

On 11/14/2022 at 6:35 PM, that said:

Where is Captain Tuvo

Think I saw where he is still on the Majestic which I believe is in Austaralia/New Zealand area.  Wherever he is, would love to be on his ship!  He has an amazing personality and we were lucky to sail with him twice.  

Service with Club Class on the Discovery was amazing when we were on it last spring.  We look forward to the same service during Thanksgiving week and then again in February.  Love that ship and its crew!

We cruised over two Halloween dates and each time, we were surprised as to the number of guests wearing costumes.  One time, there were more children than usual and the children had a parade around the ship.  Staff loved to carve the pumpkin designs--so fun!

I agree with everything in the above post.  Club Class is becoming more popular and I found no CC cabins available on several cruises.  After our first CC experience, it is the only category we consider.  We just got off the Sapphire and CC service was outstanding--thanks to head waiter, Petros and waiters, Dan and Aaron.  

I would try to get to port early.  I think there are 3 ships in San Pedro that day so traffic/parking is going to be a zoo!  Our ship (Sapphire) won't even be able to use either berth 92 or 93; we have to use 46.  Someone on CC wrote that the three berths will only be used three times this fall.  

On 5/6/2022 at 2:25 PM, cnd crsr said:

Even before the shut down my DH would pack tp as he said Princess tp was too thin!

Using your TP and Kleenex from home is what causes toilet blockage.  You are on a ship so just deal with it!

We have three ducks found in two different cruises: they proudly sit with the glassware in our china cabinet.   It is such a silly but fun thing!  Thanks to those who did the hiding.  Perhaps we will do the hiding on our next cruise. 

Some guests on CC have admitted that they go to outlets like Goodwill to buy their cruise clothes and then purposely leave them behind for the crew.  My husband accidently left his favorite Red Dog Saloon cap so hope a crew member enjoyed wear it.  Just a good reason to plan another Alaskan cruise.  On my last cruise, I lost a hearing aid on very last day of cruise.   

23 hours ago, pkt1976 said:

Yayyyyy I’m so excited for you! Yes, please do! I adore him, he’s such a great person.
 

I’m hopefully boarding the Crown Princess next Saturday and will do a live, it’s first sailing since the pause. I believe your sailing is the first back for the Royal? Lauren is also on the Majestic (cruise staff), she’s also absolutely fabulous and if she does her history lecture, I encourage you to go. 

We are also Kevin and Lauren fans!  We really enjoyed them last December.  Karen was also a part of their team on the Majestic and we just enjoyed Karen on the Discovery.  Kevin had fun with us on the Marriage Match game which we won.  He might remember us as Dick and Doris..  My husband didn't wash his face for days after a kiss from Lauren!  

We were recently on the DISCOVERY and both washing and drying machines were free.  They even had free boxes of detergent and dryer sheets.  What a deal!!  

Just wanted to make several comments about the newer production shows.  We were recently on the Discovery and really enjoyed Rock Opera.  The costumes, dancing, singing and choreography were amazing.  We also were in attendance at the first production of Spotlight Bar; we were disappointed after seeing Rock Opera.  The best dancing in Spotlight Bar were the male dancers doing tap dancing on the tables.  Story line in Spotlight Bar was a little hard to follow.   

6 hours ago, jwattle said:

I think we saw two different pirates; the one on Majestic was rocking a less comedy / more smoky vibe, but still great with interactions at the poker demo.

Marriage Match was fully packed on our March B2B both times, and hilarious good fun both times too.

I don't think they'll get rid of that anytime soon (which is good; it's something that guests can participate in and it changes everytime depending on who the guests are)

We were on the Grand in January and I never could figure out whether the pirate gal was part of the CD staff or casino.  Whoever hired her, she was an amazing actress who stayed in character and so much fun to watch.   She even participated in the shows in the Explorer's Lounge.   Never saw the pirate gal on either the Majestic in December or recently on the Discovery.  Fortuna Luck gal always a little silly for me but others loved her.  

Marriage Match game is always one of the highlights of our cruises.  We were picked to participate on the Majestic and even won.  Kevin was the CD and had so much fun with all of us.  Usually the honeymoon or oldest couple seen to give the funniest answers.  

I really appreciated seeing the photos of your suite--now I really know what we missed.  We were booked for C409 for the Sea of Cortez cruise in Feb but unfortunately, I tested positive for covid so had to cancel.  It would have been our first suite experience.  We were on the GRAND in Jan for their first Hawaii cruise.  Weather for those first couple of days were quite mild.  Now looking for our first suite experience on the SAPPHIRE in Sept.  Enjoy all your other comments.  

3 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

Are elite medallions supposed to be black?   Just got mine and they are Silver. Does it matter?  

If you are going on the DISCOVERY, our medallions are white since they are the inaugural cruises.  Not sure how many will be considered maiden cruises.  

5 minutes ago, WinterCruiseLover said:

As many others have reported, I cannot get the Medallion app to work and we sail in 3 weeks. I’ve also tried the website with no luck. I called Princess and got a ticket number, but no progress on the ticket. I know I can show up at the port and they will get it working for me, but I’m not sure exactly what I need to bring to get through security and get to the right people. Can anyone fill me in?

Bring all necessary paperwork-passport, vaccination card and paperwork for the covid test.   At least in LA in January, the blue line passengers seemed to move faster since so few of them and you will probably go there before security.   

COMPLETELY SHOCKING NEWS!!!  Like others, I had my problems with the famous app!  I tried toooo many times and was never able to open DMW nor have I been able to add husband to our credit card.  Just had decided to get in the blue line with husband and hopefully could get our specialty dining reservation once onboard as I had no patience to call Princess.  An hour ago, we had a call from a Princess rep who called to help solve the credit card problem.  At first, I questioned the call--almost hung up as I had not called them.  Anyway---nice for both of us to be in the green line on Sunday when we board the DISCOVERY.  Thanks Princess!!!!

1 hour ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

@HBCcruiser. I’m glad to see you are doing this live from. I am sailing to Hawaii for the first time out of LA this fall. So I will be very excited to read about your experiences.  
 

I am wondering if you (or anyone else reading this) has ever used the long term parking at the pier. I found the website,  got the costs, read where someone said a month pass actually is cheaper than per day——great tip!——but I can’t get my head around the logistics of it.  Is it like those huge airport parking lots where there’s a tram that runs the circuit thru the lot to get to the pier? Or is it close enough for able bodied folks to walk after they’ve dropped off their luggage with the porters?  
 

Thank you in advance and have a great trip!  Bon voyage!

We have used the parking lot right at the pier.  It is quite close to both pier 92 an 93.  We always dropped off luggage with the porters and then walked back to check-in.   Seemed as safe as most gated parking lots.  Last time, we stayed at the Doubletree and used their shuttle after staying one night and that parking lot seemed less safe.  To exit the pier parking lot, you have to pay to leave so an added expense for any thief.  I do remember seeing AAA helping some car owners and even one time, our fab would not immediately open car door.   For our next cruise, we are going to use UBER for the first time to the pier.  We are going to be gone 14 days so parking ticket would be about $400.  

52 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

We arrived at B93 at 0950; dropped off luggage with porters; inside showed vax & test & got wristband; upstairs to check-in (Medallion & passports); in Elite lounge (bottled water) at 1005. Smooth process & waiting for shuttles to begin

Excited to see that it is going smoothly.  We will be embarking on the 10th so will be excited to read all your comments.  Glad to know they will be using the Elite lounge and assume you will be first on the shuttles.  Bon voyage.  

4 hours ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

Thanks for notifying us of the situation.  I hope they go back to enforced masks and non self-serve buffets before I embark in a few weeks.  Not a pleasant way to look forward to a cruise but it is what is.

I was soooo surprised to learn about the buffet situation on the RUBY.  We have been on four cruises since last fall using both the GRAND and MAJESTIC and on all of them, you could not serve yourself at the buffet except for items that were in a single small dish.   As far as I remember, covid problems were kept to a small number.  There were isolation cabins but mainly for new crew members to complete their quarantine time.