coldweather

Hello Thrak @Thrak We are looking into a cruise tour to Alaska this year (2024). We have cruised before but have never paired a cruise with a cruise tour. We are looking at a Connoisseur Cruise Tour (RB5) or Denali Explorer (HB5) or Off the Beaten Path (MB6). I am struggling to understand what is different with each tour. (I do understand MB6 is a day longer.) I can see the Connoisseur Cruise Tour includes Breakfast and Dinner as part of the land tour. It also includes the "Tundra Wilderness Tour" that is an add on for the other tours. Can you please help me understand a bit more about what is included in the Connoisseur Cruise Tour? Does this tour help you get reservation in the lodge restaurants to avoid long lines? Are there other tours/services/perks that may be included that I am not seeing? Since the lodges are somewhat isolated it seem that everyone who stays there must need to use the lodge-restaurants. Also, I am assuming many people are trying to get ready for tours that start at similar times. What is the breakfast and lunch food rush like? Is there a restaurant open for lunch at the lodges? Thanks for your help. The prices are all over the place and it is hard to get a handle on what is included.

What sailing dates are changed? Thanks.

In case some folks do not know, some premium credit card companies offer trip insurance for no extra cost as long as you charge your travel using that credit card. (This does NOT include travel HEALTH insurance.) I agree. Travel insurance is a very good purchase. Instead of paying the premium, some travelers may want to consider upgrading their credit card. I have a chase credit card branded with a major hotel company. After paying the annual fee I receive 1 night free in their brand hotel and trip insurance for an travel I book using their credit card. The fee pays for itself. Yes, consider travel/trip insurance from the traditional sources but also look at the credit card options. Choose what works best for you.

Just last month I sent an old fashioned paper letter mailed via the post office to Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy asking her to consider adding more variety to the ports of call and to restart sailings from San Juan even if just seasonally for the winter. The current ports of call have too many Bahamas and too many repeats. In case you want to join me: Christine Duffy President Carnival Cruise Line 3655 NW 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33178 (305) 406-5437 cduffy@carnival.com

I could use some clarification on this FCD process. Here's an example. I am on a 14 day Princess cruise in an inside cabin. I purchase 2 FCD for $100 each. Total $200. This $200 FCD is charged to my onboard ship account. On the same cruise, I am then credited to my onboard ship account $75 per person for a total of $150. Can I apply the $150 OBC toward gratuities (no premier package). I have 1 year to use my $200 FCD toward a Princess cruise deposit (sailing can be later). Is this correct? How does the refundable part work? If 1 year passes and I do not book a Princess cruise the $200 I spent for a FCD is refunded to me? If I book a cruise within the 1 year and later (after 1 year) I cancel the cruise is the $200 FCD is refunded to me? Are the FCD for named guests or can I give them away or take someone different on my next cruise and use the FCD. Sorry for all of the questions. The concept is great. The process is a bit confusing. Thanks in advance.

The back of the ship pool attracts adults but, to my knowledge, is not an adults only pool area. It is the closest you will get to adults only. The back pool has no party-games or activities for kids. Many adults self select this area.

A few things to consider. It's a large port. When you know which termimals your ships will be at, you can google map the walk. If you are able to walk between the ships, be prepared to walk carrying all of your luggage. We did this in Miami between cruise brands and some areas did not have sidewalks. Turned out ok but was cumbersome with all of our luggage. Also, if you like to carry on wine, water or soft drinks you will need to make arrangements to get those items prior to boarding ship #2. You could Uber from ship #1 to a local store to pick up wine/water/soft drinks. Hang out until your check in time to ship #2. Then Uber to ship #2, Looking at Google Maps there are some liquor stores and a Publix not far away. When onboard ship #1 I would ask Guest Services for a recommendation on how to get to ship #2. Many years ago in a different port there was a shuttle for crew members changing ships that allowed a few passengers. The shuttle also took crew members out of the port to the local stores they like to shop to stock up. It never hurts to ask. Side to sides are a lot of fun. It's like starting all over with a new crew and new guests. .

New to Princess. When checking in I do not see an option to select a boarding time? Does everyone just show up when the prefer? I will be blue line.

@fpsphil. Which Carnival ship were you on? It's been my experience that a 7 day Carnival when kids are in school is a much different (more pleasant) experience than a weekend cruise when kids are out of school. I am looking forward to following your Emerald cruise. Thanks for making the effort to post.

@pinkiek Today is 1/16. I do hope all turned out well but I am curious, how did you handle the situation?

One suggestion. I usually print out a detailed hard copy of the travel insurance I purchased. During travel if a situation occurs, I can refer to the policy I bought to know what is covered. This should help me make good decisions. This is all in theory because I almost always have the hard copy but I have never had to refer to it.

Good suggestions. I also plan to bring a bit more OTC medications with me than normal. It seems the current virus going around is upper respiratory. I plan to bring decongestants, cough medication, tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc. I always say.... there is no CVS onboard....bring your own but don't over do it. I also plan to bring covid test kits. On another Princess thread the OP shared that she used her own test kits and tested positive while sailing. She self reported to medical. She quarantined in her cabin and Princess offered food from most other restaurants delivered for free not just the standard room service menu. She also had to follow different debarkation procedures. Thanks for sharing your journey. I enjoyed following along.

Does anyone have experience with the Medallion OFF of the ship? I see in the app there is a choice to add your credit card to use for "Shoreside" purchases. On another cruise critic thread it has been reported that passengers are greeted by name in some of the shore side stores because the vendors can read the medallion. Also, can someone comment on the process for security check to re-enter the cruise port area after a day ashore? Back in the day you used to show your cruise card and a photo id. Does security staff read your medallion? "

Got it. Thanks. I see I can only purchase on the app.

I have looked all over on the website (not app) to purchase the wifi package. I can't seem to find that option. Will someone please point me in the right direction. We have the standard option and just want to purchase the wifi package. Thank you.

Thanks for the continued updates. Is the wifi working well? Is it fast enough to stream?

Thank you for sharing your cruise adventures. Are all of the menus paper based or are they also in the app or a QR code on the table. Thanks.

Thank you @karaboudjan. You have a good thought that the cruise demand may be higher in other locations. Follow up question - If I do cruise from Sydney in July should I be aware of anything? For example, in the US if you cruise from NY in the winter the Atlantic Ocean seas are very, very rough. A few ships continue to sail to the Caribbean but passengers should be aware that is will be rough ride and it will be cold for the days closest the embarkation and debarkation.

Hello. I am an American looking to understand the cruise/weather season in the Australia/NZ/South Pacific area. Google has informed me that cyclone season runs from November - April. In 2014 we were indeed impacted by a cyclone for an April cruise from Brisbane to Papua New Guinea. We missed a few ports. We are trying to avoid that. As I look at the cruise schedules, it seems that most of the south pacific cruises have sailings concentrated from November - April. We are looking for a once in a lifetime cruise to visit South Pacific islands. Fiji and Tahiti and sound fantastic! We are also interested in cruises with World War 2 history. I am seeking information why there are so few South Pacific cruises from May - August. I do understand that is the winter season. In the USA, winter is a popular cruising time for people who live in the cold (me) to get to warmer weather and to avoid any storms (USA Hurricane season is June - October). Thanks in advance for your information and coaching me on selecting my Australia/New Zealand holiday choices.

It's been awhile since I have been to Aruba. Will someone please remind me of how that tourist bus to Eagle Beach works? Cost? I recall seeing it but we did not ride it. Thank you.

Bumping.... looking for current information on day passed to Avila/Marriott/Renaissance. Thanks!

Bumping to see if someone can answer this. Thanks.

Thank you. I did not know that having the cruise card was an option. I like the cruise card. It seems I only need the medallion if I want to order items to be brought to my location. Also, to automatically open my cabin door. Am I missing any other reason I would want the medallion? Does it come with a lanyard or some way to secure it?

Good Day. We have cruised most mainstream cruise lines and they all seem to handle their version of "anytime dining" in a different way. We are new to Princess and plan to eat in the main dining room or buffet. I see that I can make dinning reservations each day using the app. Question - Do I need to make reservations? Is it recommended to make reservations? Some lines (carnival) you simply request a table on your phone when you are ready to eat and they text back a table number. This is super easy with no lines and no crowding the hostess desk. Other lines (pre-pandemic) you could just walk up to the main dining room and get on the wait list. Sometimes they gave you a buzzer. We prefer to eat at a table for 2 and eat early. I am indifferent if we get the same wait staff each night. Do you recommend we make reservations or just "walk up" each night when we are ready to eat. Thanks. I did try to look for the answer to this question and did not find an answer.

Good Day. I have cruised for many years across multiple cruise lines. We are looking at a 5 day Liberty of the Seas cruise where we would book 3 adults into 1 cabin using a guarantee rate. My questions are to understand the Royal process for booking and possibly changing names/number of people in the cabin. Questions: 1. Can I price match a guarantee cabin until final payment? In other words, if I book a 3 person guarantee today and the price drops can I get the lower price until final payment? 2. What is the process/penalty if I need to switch my guarantee cabin from 2 adults to 3 adults? Do I get the updated pricing at the time of the change. (This would be prior to final payment.) Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.