AVCruzers

Yes-I booked with Princess and saw only 3 Club Class cabins available.  By the next day, no CC were available as it will be a popular cruise.  What I wanted to know if I should now contact Princess first or travel agency and you answered that.  Thanks.  

I usually book with a big-box travel agency.  Last week late at night, I booked online as the cruise only had 3 club class cabins for a particular cruise.  By the next morning, all disappeared from the screen.  What is the exact procedure to transfer the booking?  Thanks for your help.  

I agree with CJPJ.  We have been on two b2b and each time, we were the last group to leave ship.  

We are also on b/b for both 4/10/22 and 4/17/22.   Since we don't like to fly, we book as many cruises as we can out of LA.  Really looking forward to being on such a new ship. DnD

MamaFej--which part of high desert will she be teaching?  We live in Apple Valley (home of recent American Idol winner) and I taught in Victorville for 38 years.  Needless to say, I am retired!   Where do you live?

We renewed our passports and have our shots so ready to cruise.  Like others, several cruises were cancelled but now have 5 booked.  

Would love to know if they will be on the Dec. 20 2021 Hawaiian cruise from LA?  Looking forward to that cruise.  Just took passport photos and will be sending passport renewal forms in this week.  

We have also booked the Hawaiian cruise several times via San Pedro.  For the first time, we booked the actual holiday cruise for Dec. 2021 so really looking forward to it.  Although we have an August cruise on the books, I rather doubt we won't be cruising until December---then as many cruises in 2022 as our budget will allow!!!!!

Accept our sympathies, Loki.  May you find comfort in your memories as you never expected 2021 to be worse then 2020.

Our vaccine shot is scheduled for this Friday--Hurrah!!!  

 I certainly agree about Captain Tuvo.  We were lucky enough to enjoy him on two cruises and both times, his family was with him so he seemed to be around the ship even more. 
We saw him even doing things like removing dishes from a table and serving ice cream.  He is amazing and hope to have pleasure of being with him again!!

Especially enjoyed the photos from Sea of Cortez and Loreto as we were scheduled to be on that cruise on STAR this very week.  Our  friends, Kathy and Ralph, also booked the same cruise.  Sad to report that Kathy took her last breath this week.  Stay healthy and wear a mask.  😷

On 3/22/2020 at 10:35 AM, woody14h said:

We had a claim with AON in December for medical expenses relative to a kidney stone while on board. It took over six weeks to finally get reimbursed.  Now I can't begin to imagine the delays inherent with this virus.  You will probably get reimbursed but it will be a long process..  We also are also int same boat with AON currently (no pun intended)..

I had a claim with AON from a January cruise--check arrived just yesterday and I cashed it today.  

Our first shopping trip went quickly.  We were in line only ten minutes before the supermarket opened and got everything on our list within 30 minutes.   Mad rush to paper aisle but normal after that! 

The orchestra music was delightful--thanks for sharing.  Like many of you, I 

feel so helpless.  I have not been outside our home for almost two weeks since the governor's stay at home policy.   DH can't golf as golf courses are closed so he is not dealing too easily with the solitude.  I have only left for short car or golf cart rides.  Luckily, we have had enough food and supplies except for a few friends getting milk, eggs and fresh fruit for us.  We are going on our first venture tomorrow morning as one supermarket opens at 6 for those of us who are older. Will be wearing our face masks and rubber gloves--have grocery list ready and will head first for TP, towels, flour and macaroni as think rest of items should not be difficult unless store is crowded.  So instead of embarking on the STAR tomorrow for a cruise to Sea of Cortez, I will be on a different adventure.  I watched the news tonight with sadness as USS MERCY pulled into LA port where STAR was scheduled tomorrow.  I was making my grocery list instead of checking my packing list.  

It seems like friends connections seems to be stronger during this crisis.  I have contacted a few cruising friends and childhood friends---more phone calls and emails from them.  Stay healthy!!😷

Was it the Pacific Princess?

For our Costco cancellation, we emailed cruisecancel@costcotravel.com.   
A link directed me to a page where it was easy to cancel.   I got tired of sitting by the phone for 1 1/2 hrs. yesterday and more than an hour today.

1 hour ago, kruzns4me said:

hhmm - thanks for the info -looks like it will change before Alaska....................

May well change as I understood that Marcus was getting married this spring-supposedly girlfriend also ROYAL employee.  Never sailed with Matt O but have heard many great comments about him.

We were on the ROYAL Jan. 4-11-our first time on that ship.  I was surprised that you did not mention Marcus as we thought he was an outstanding cruise director!  Sorry you missed AJ Jamal as comedian as he must be on a break or different ship--so much better than Carlos!!!  My sides hurt from laughing with AJ.  We did see Secret Silk but understand the next time, it did not go as planned and our performance was not the best.  

Like others, I have really enjoyed your taking the time to write such a detailed trip.  I looked forward to reading it each day.  Stay healthy and keep cruising!  

For us, ships embarking/disembarking in Los Angeles and cruise dates are most important to us since we don't enjoy flying. So--the GOLDEN PRINCESS will be our choice this year to Alaska (cruise dates include our 60th wedding anniversary)..  Our first Alaskan cruise was on PACIFIC  PRINCESS which really introduced us to the joys of cruising.  

Many thanks for all the comments about suites as we booked our first suite-in July to Alaska.  Will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary.  I often thought the price was too high for our budget but for this occasion, the sky was the limit.  I have always wanted an aft cabin so we could watch the wake.  Won't have to be so concerned about excursions as have been to Alaska several times.  We usually book  CC mini-suites as really enjoy the service of CC dining.  Never been on the GOLDEN so looking to add another Princess ship to our list.  

I always felt perfume was something to use the OBC--might be about same price but using Elite discount and no tax!  T-shirts are inexpensive too.  

3 hours ago, AF-1 said:

yes you will have it for breakfast and dinner for sure.  you can ask your waitstaff on last night where club class breakfast will be served on debarkation;  they may just leave it where is normally is, or move it just for debarkation

I agree and when with CC, the dining room on disembarkation day has always changed to a different dining room but usual CC staff was there to meet us.  I was skeptical of value of additional money for CC but now it would be difficult to not have it. 

12 minutes ago, SDWalt said:

Just got off the Royal from the Jan 11-18 Mexican Riviera.  I cannot agree more.  These suites are terrible and so cramped they aren't worth the up-charge.  Why would Princess make these suites any smaller?  We've always stayed in the Owner's Suite or better and these suites just don't compare.  I expected the downsized dimensions could be bothersome and was prepared.  I was NOT prepared for the inability to use the balcony as the soot was TERRIBLE.  Not to mention we had an equally bad room steward.  Needless to say this was the first cruise ever I did not tip the steward extra for their efforts.  The concierge was awesome and exceed all my expectations.  He received the extra big tip!  So I suppose if we ever sail on one of the older Royal Class ships again it will have to be one of the Penthouse Suites mid-ship instead of aft.  Goodbye huge balcony & great views! 😞 On the newer Royal Class ships I guess we'll need to spring for the Owner's Suite on Deck 8!

Otherwise the Royal was a joy to sail although it took a bit to find our way around a new ship.  Sabatini's and the Crown were wonderful, with fine food and fine service.  I was a bit concerned after our experience on the CB last may.  The new Sabatini's was okay though the ambiance was lacking.  And the Crown was awful, mediocre food with worse service.  I'm so glad that was an isolated instance.

Unfortunately we were unable to see the Secret Silk everyone raves about, but they were having technical difficulties with the hydraulics.  The last night we saw a singer from Silk perform solo with the cooking show backdrop for the scenery. 😞 The other shows were as expected, but the comedian was just hilarious.  Wish I could remember his name.  We all were almost in tears from laughing so much!

Thanks for the review.

Was the comedian AJ Jamal?  If so, I never laughed so much-my sides hurt.  We were on Jan. 4-11.

Is the SUNSET QUARTET still on the ship?  We enjoyed them wherever they were entertaining on the ship.  We had enjoyed them on a different ship so were delighted to find them again-usually in Wheelhouse.  The Singer (Marie?) is married to the drummer in the group.  We were on the ROYAL Jan. 4-11.  Always wondered about Secret Silk and Encore so were glad to have opportunity to see them--especially Encore!  Secret Silk was somewhat difficult to follow the story--would have appreciated an explanation prior to seeing it.  High praises for Marcus as he was amazing  cruise director-also enjoyed him on the STAR!

We did UST just last week on the ROYAL and as usual, it was amazing.   We have also been able to do it on two other ships but at our age, this was probably the last time due to all the walking and stairs.  It lasts about 3 hours and well worth the cost in terms of what you learn.  We went right to the passenger service desk within 45 minutes of embarkation and were #11 and #12 on the list as they only allowed 14 names.  One gentleman said he signed up within the first hour and he had to be put on waiting list--luckily there was a cancellation and he was able to join us.  I always compared it to cost of an excursion but some excursions aren't worth the  price.