cr8tiv1

Looks like fun. Looks like a challenge to get on it. Thanks for sharing.

Agree with @travelin.sisters, if it is a marinade, there is not much you can do about it...unless... you speak the the Assistant Manager the night or two before you go. They may be able to marinade your shrimp with a dressing....before they place in the chili. I know I have asked the Assistant Manager in the MDR to serve me the table side pasta dish BEFORE he adds the chili flakes.

In my experience...Princess kitchens (not specialty restaurants like Kai) don't know how to make sushi. To begin with, they use the wrong rice. Rice is not seasoned (at all).

@Alaskanb An excellent review for anyone considering both land and cruise. Thank you for taking such good notes so that you could share with all of us. @Tripmode33 I, too, would rather do a round trip Vancouver and skip the land tour. Did it once, also found it unexciting, although did enjoy the train, one scraggly moose, one bear from a far distance, and the mountain was clear and visible all three days we were there. @cusematt4 Vancouver to Alaska is cheaper because it is so much harder to get home from Anchorage.

In the past, these were more precautions for Nora Virus than Covid. Stay safe.

@Ken the cruiser What a beautiful day in Osaka. I wonder if the pigeons are bilingual?

Same with me. I am not crazy about the change. Will probably opt for the Crown Grill over the new Sabatini's.

Unfortunately, it is what security perceives as a power strip. I have had a non-surge protection power strip confiscated (and returned at the end). All my arguing did not matter. Now, I travel with documentation.

Very interesting experiences. I’ve been on 5 cruises since the restart. I’ve had the prime rib each time. Every one was very good. I thought Princess correctly nailed how all their meats were cooked. I don’t eat the chicken dishes. The beef medallions were always tender.

mu’umu’u (or muumuu)

Wash your mouth out.....you already have my beloved Golden (and a few other grand class ships). I'm holding on to the Grand Princess with threads. By far, the Golden was the best out of the Grand and the Caribbean.

EXCEPT ... Hawaii. Everything needs to be shipped in, even milk. But I do know Princess will pick up a few items from the islands (pineapple, bananas, and Hawaiian Papaya). Sometimes they pick up strawberries (ha ha) that are shipped to the islands. That's because strawberries will not last the 15 day cruise.

Also, for the price you pay for Holland America, you can upgrade your cabin on Princess.

@azbirdmom I'm not limber enough to get down on my knees. It's one of the things I have "learned" to ask my steward for help. (S)he does it with such ease. Same with removal. (S)he's earned his/her (additional) tip at the cruise! I am so thankful for youngies. The desk outlets are in "valuable" real estate for electronic devices.

I never sign off. More afraid of not being able to sign in again (lol). If I need to, I just close the app manually (toggle up), and it will reopen when I click on the app again with no need to sign in.

This is another super great app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/night-sky/id475772902

That was very nice of GS to allow her to make the phone call at their expense. That has only happened for me once when we needed to contact the bank for onboard expenses. Wifi calling works if you have the right equipment and/or apps.

It is my understanding (somewhere on CC) that shore vendors that chose to participate in the Medallion Pay, also are charged 40% by Princess. I would suspect that the vendors would pass that on to the customer.

Could also be International Space Station. I was in the right spot at the right time (Death Valley) when the Shuttle/orbiter separated from the ISS. Amazing. https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/tracking_map.cfm

What happened to the "test" Suite Lounge off site? A long line by 9:30? In the heat and humidity? I'll be happy to get on the ship. I have my medallion. Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst. Got to look at the bright side...ONLY 3 (big) ships are in port.

Will you have an adapter with you? The ship will provide you with an commercial heavy duty extension cord. I always take my own (household variety)...just in case. I am one that packs the kitchen sink. "Don't leave home without one."

$$$$$ ?????

We will soon find out! 🚢 🤞 🛎️

I was concerned with some of the port times. Some were very short. Skagway was way too long. Some arrived too early. Some arrived late. I did the land tour first. Would I do it again? Probably not. I would do a b2b on a Grand Class ship out of Vancouver. So much easier than getting to/from Anchorage. Glacier Bay is a must do.

I’m not surprised. Your cruise is now 9-10 days in. Passengers boarded with active Covid. 5 sea days. Hawaii has a very low Covid rate compared to the mainland. Too close for my comfort level.