cr8tiv1

sail away....

I am an early arriver. My vacation begins as soon as I step onboard. Check in with muster station before watching the video (more often than not, it is nearby and uncrowded). Make suite specialty dinner reservations since my muster station is usually the Crown Grill. Alcohol spray/wipe anything that is touchable (I know, you don't have to tell me...). Set up safe (put away passport and valuables). Time for lunch in the MDR. Most ships have the 6th floor MDR open for lunch (and breakfasts), Except for the Diamond Princess...it was Deck 6 aft...for both, unless you were in club class (deck 6, starboard). Unpack carry on, set up CPAP, Kick back. Hopefully the rest of my luggage arrives before sale away. Time for sail away (from Promenade Deck or Aft bar). And it's dinner time again. It's been so long since I've attended a PES cocktail hour. Got to find a travel mate who prefers to eat later than 4:45/5. I miss the entertainment sampler they used to have on the first night. Usually skip the comedian they showcase. REALLY miss the crew talent show on the last night. I'd pick that over any guest entertainer. Crawl into bed and dread the thought that my cruise is now one day shorter. Fun thread. Thanks for starting this one.

I am not going to argue the point about NEXUS and/or Global Entry. Only stating my experiences. A CBP officer told me that NEXUS is only good for Canada/United States entry/exit to Canada/US (and Mexico border). She suggested I get a Global Entry if my travels would take me to other International countries. I have a current Global Entry card that I recently used to obtain TSA Pre-check in California and Japan. I was asked if I had Global Entry. I used the not so crowded Global Entry line when returning to LAX and sped through/by passed a line that switched back and forth multiple times. My brother has a NEXUS card since he frequents Canada often. I had the option to apply for NEXUS, Global Entry, or renew my TSA Pre-check. It was a no brainer for me.

I am not sure content matches thread title "Bridge Cam"??????

I see the cost of TSA precheck went up.

Nexus only gets you in and out of Canada. Splurge and get Global Entry ($15 more than TSA pre-check). I fly a lot domestically. Used it to re-enter from Japan at Tom Bradley LAX. Dedicated line, breezed right through. Only problem is trying to get an appointment for your interview. I was really lucky. I was in Hawaii just before the pandemic when there was a cancellation at the airport. I understand they might be doing online interviews now?

Which airline? I was just there at 7:30 am and the line for Southwest was out the door and down the pavement. Not sure if that was check in or tsa.

I will repeat myself again. I didn't say she was or wasn't a vegetarian. SHE "claims" to be a vegetarian. I do not judge her nor do I tell her "she is NOT a vegetarian". Again, I was offering the OP options to eating in the Crown Grill. If daughter is a true vegetarian, then this is not a place for her. I am sure they use butter in everything they prepare.

My travel mate is a vegetarian by choice (food not philosophy). She will eat milk products, eggs. seafood, and bone broth/beef broth (not the meat). I don't judge her for her claim to be a "vegetarian". I have other friends who are very strict vegetarians and abstain from all animal products. We dine one night in the Crown Grill and the other night in Sabatini's (for her). Without knowing the OPs daughter's restriction and limitations, I am only offering alternatives. Forgot to add asparagus.

My travel mate is a vegetarian but does eat seafood. Very limiting. Mushrooms, spinach in a cream sauce, baked potato. Dependent on strict her diet is, will she include cheese or beef broths?

This is what I do for laundry service when traveling in a suite: In by 9 AM, usually returned by 9 PM same day. 1. Once the steward threw it in the wrong (regular laundry wagon) and it took a couple of days to be returned. 2. Laundry is not processed on turn around day. 3. I would suggest sending the bulk of the items out a couple of days before you disembark. You should get it back in time to pack the night before/luggage put out night....then send out 1 or 2 days worth of clothes the last morning that you don't care if it isn't returned. 4. I have yet (knock on wood) not have all my belongs returned. But I have had it delivered the next morning (24 hours / express). On my most recent trip (not in a suite), I sent laundry 3 days before the end of my cruise. There were less than 25% elites on the cruise. Laundry was being returned the next evening (in by 9 AM). I had to track down my steward to get my laundry back. He delivered it closer to 8 PM. I felt confident it was a good time line for packing. I had contemplated sending laundry out the 1 day before I had to pack. Too close for comfort. Too many things could go wrong.

Currently, difference between inside and balcony is about $300. I would not pay that much more. I think it was less when I first booked cruise. There about 60 open balconies. Lots of interiors left, except for my section. It's a short 7 day cruise. I can live with my choice for 7 days. Yes, per person.

@HiCCCs My general method is to book the cabin (category/price) I am most comfortable with. I then mark it as a no upgrade. The bid I put in for my next cruise is at the minimum ($125) to move from an inside to a balcony. I do not care if I get it or don't. I just wanted to give bidding a try. I think Princess us cutting back on "free" upgrades unless they really need your cabin.

Plus/Premier Beverage Packages includes: Crew Appreciation (Valued at $16, $17, $18) One WiFi connection (one device at a time valued at $15) 15 Drinks under $15. And an assortment of other not useful enclosures. https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/beverages/

I am so sorry.... Mark me two of the 58 that have viewed your thread. I am also curious and floored that no one has given their first hand experience. I was on the Diamond. The three times I was up on the Lido Deck, and passed Cones, there were no passengers waiting/ordering their "specialty desserts". Did not see anyone eating it at the tables. That is a very sad commentary for Princess....Or is it a wise business move? Charge $10 more and pocket the money since no one is taking advantage of this must have perk. Same with the reserved seats in the theatre for the production shows. All three 7 PM shows/seats went empty. They took the blue covers off about 5 minutes before show time and a few moved in. The theater was never crowded.

Put in a bid as soon as I could after final payment. Still pending with 50 days to go. When I put in my bid, there were tons of balconies open. Each day decreases. Should I wish to receive the dreaded...."sorry your bid was not accepted", or cross my fingers that I will be assigned one "at the last minute" ? Inside to balcony bid for $125. First time. I am not a guarantee and usually mark my bookings do not upgrade.

I have been pondering this concept. And agree with most. Guarantees should "should" be at a reduced fare. It's all in the perspectives. You are getting a bargain if you let Princess assign you a room (that no one wants). I am not a gambler. I prefer to pick my room for peace of mind.

I just checked my Medallion Class app under Medallion net. Don't know if it is because I made final payment. For a 7 day cruise. But I will buy it with OBC when I get on the ship. The question is...will it be charged to my folio or my credit card on shore?

On the Diamond (off now): INTERnet usage 1. Internet Manager told us that connections would be better on port days. 2. Ocean People told me that I could not access other bookings on Medallion Class app because they didn't have enough bandwidth to support all of my bookings/access. I had to go to the terminal to get my next boarding arrival time. "Lost" two of my 4 bookings on the app. 3. Speed was slightly better on port days when everyone was off the ship. Sister tried to download/watch Netflix (I know/don't ask....) and it kept buffering and/or dead stop while the ship was moving (everyone onboard). 4. I didn't have issues downloading emails or reading sites like CNN. Some YouTube or CNN videos took a long time to load. I can imagine how hard it must have been for those who were working remotely. Never had trouble on Hawaii voyages or CA coastals.

Oh, is that her name. Cherry....I loved how pink she was. Just couldn't do it. Tough when you have only one free luggage and $100 for the second one.

I am also elite. My grandkids do not have one. I was tempted on my recent cruise, but had absolutely no room to spare. I keep booking. Maybe one day.

Booked another cruise. After getting frustrated, I just texted my TA. Done. But, of course, the $600 promotion per cabin did not apply to the cruise I booked.

Amendment! Jet lag, multiple time zone changes (in both East AND West directions in the same 24 hours), and sleep deprivation…. @CCAubs is CC employee Mr. Weinstein is CCL… So thankful there are posters who keep me on the straight and narrow. I did get the part about the conference being over correct.

Just filled out a post cruise survey. They asked for my recommendations and this is what I suggested. 1. Discount the Plus Beverage Package for Elite members. Shouldn't we be "entitled" to the 50% off Medallion Net pricing? They do not take that in to consideration. Lowering it by a $7.50 a day would be a great incentive for Platinum or Elite guests. 2. Offer a package without the desserts and gym classes. Take $10 off a day if we don't want those "fabulous" additives. 3. Offer a lower price package for non/light drinkers. I shouldn't have to pay the same for my "2" drinks as someone who imbibes on 15. By the way. Those reserved seats for Premium Package for Production shows...What a joke. On the Diamond Princess, there were 2 "guards" and three rows with chair sleeves. NO ONE showed up for the first show. They removed the sleeves about 6:55 PM. The theater was never full for the first show.

Update: Left a couple of text messages for my TA. She was able to get me "a" Window Suite for a transpacific voyage from Sidney to San Francisco...on the Grand Princess. I did not receive an email from Princess. Only read it here on CC (thanks @Cruise Junky ). Last one available (dreaded F301). But I'll take it and see what develops. Hugely expensive cruise for very few ports and lots of sea days. Still waiting for the "official invoice". I do see it on my personalizer. But my cruise mate is having trouble seeing it (tech issue???). The Grand will go to Alaska for the summer season. Then there is absolutely NOTHING for her in the fall 2024. That worries me. I do hope they homeport her back in California. Envious of those down under or far east that have an extra 24 hour to get in on the action. Still think the system is broken that it is so difficult to get any information online. I understand "overload" but Princess needs to update their systems to handle these "tech" issues. I just completed a post cruise survey. Huge contrast between being on a ship (crew makes up for Princess' failures) and land based operations. They got an earful and more.