LACruiser88

Unless they raised the price during the past 3 months, a half day is $30 pp and the full day is $40 pp.

This coming Thursday we will be boarding the Emerald Princess for a 16-day Hawaii voyage from the Port of San Pedro. We will be traveling with our almost 9-yr old granddaughter and her parents (our DD and SIL). This will be our 9th Hawaii cruise and 10th voyage on the Emerald Princess. The Emerald is one of our favorite of the older Princess ships. We have been to Hawaii many times as we vacationed on Maui every year during our kids summer vacations when they were young. This will be the first time we cruise to Hawaii during the summer. It will be interesting to see if there are weather differences leaving and returning to LA during the summer. Usually the first couple of days and the last couple of days of the cruise have been cool to down-right cold. We are also expecting LOTS of kids on this cruise. This cruise has been "unavailable" to book for quite some time, a clear sign that is has been sold out. It is interesting to note that this will be our first 16-day Hawaii voyage. All of our prior Hawaii cruises have been 15-day voyages. Princess has added an additional sea day to some of their 2023 Hawaii itineraries. I wonder why??? We live about an hour north of the port (our DD lives two miles from us), so we will be dropped off at the cruise terminal by a car service and picked up upon our return by the same car service. Being able to drive to the port makes these Hawaii cruises so convenient! We are booked in a Dolphin Deck, mid-aft mini-suite, with the Princess "50" Plus Package. As much as we love spending sea days in the Sanctuary, there will be no Sanctuary time for us on this voyage because we will be spending pool time with our granddaughter. Our daughter originally booked an Inside cabin on Plaza deck. A few months ago, they received a free upgrade to an Outside cabin on Plaza deck. After making final payment, they made an upgrade bid for a Balcony at $300 pp. A couple of weeks ago, they were notified that their bid had been accepted and were assigned a mid-ship Balcony cabin on Aloha deck. This cruise has been showing "unavailable" for quite some time now, so there were some empty cabins floating around or they had cancellations. Either way, they are very happy with the upgrade! We have not planned any excursions and will be DIY in all of the ports. Our main focus will be beach time with our granddaughter. We were sad to find out weeks ago that one of our favorite Maitre'd's (DRO), Rui Pereira, is going home the same day we board. We always look forward to cruising with Rui, maybe next time. Carlos Marques will be his replacement. As I do on all of my "Live" blogs, I apologize in advance for not being as witty or eloquent as some other bloggers. My DW says I'm a Sgt Joe Friday kind of guy, "Just the facts, ma'am." I plead guilty to that charge! I do try to be as informative as I can and try to answer all reasonable questions. I will usually post the "Princess Event Listings" on the daily. To our fellow passengers, I encourage you to add your experiences and answer questions on this blog as we all have different perspectives and experiences. Aloha! Date Port Arrive Depart Thursday, July 6th 2023 Los Angeles, California 04:00 pm Friday, July 7th 2023 At Sea Saturday, July 8th 2023 At Sea Sunday, July 9th 2023 At Sea Monday, July 10th 2023 At Sea Tuesday, July 11th 2023 At Sea Wednesday, July 12th 2023 Hilo, Hawaii 08:00 am 05:00 pm Thursday, July 13th 2023 Honolulu, Hawaii 07:00 am 11:00 pm Friday, July 14th 2023 Maui (Lahaina) 07:00 am 06:00 pm Saturday, July 15th 2023 Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii 08:00 am 05:00 pm Sunday, July 16th 2023 At Sea Monday, July 17th 2023 At Sea Tuesday, July 18th 2023 At Sea Wednesday, July 19th 2023 At Sea Thursday, July 20th 2023 At Sea Friday, July 21st 2023 Ensenada, Mexico 08:00 am 05:00 pm Saturday, July 22nd 2023 Los Angeles, California 06:15 am

In the past we would mail our letters to Siebaldi. However, he was fired last year and the position was vacant for some time. Recently, we have been mailing our letters to Padgett at the corporate office. They have responded with a letter in kind.

He left some time ago to MSC.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience. We board the Emerald next week for a 16-day Hawaii cruise. The Emerald is one of our favorite "older" Princess ships.

On our most recent cruise on the Sapphire in March, Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, the WiFi worked great. We streamed Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and video called with our kids with no issues. Hopefully, someone recently on the Emerald can give you a more recent update. 🤷‍♂️

To carry this a bit further, we have written letters of commendation to the corporate office many times. This has definitely helped crew members with promotions.

I can confirm this also. Room Service staff frequently rotate in and out of the MDR's, Buffet and other dining venues.

We have more than 10x our original investment via the OBC's.

CCL stock closed at a post-pandemic high today. Company: Carnival CorporationTicker: CCLExchange: NYSELast Trade: $17.29Change: 1.4% Change: +8.81%Volume: 96,007,140Day's High: $17.48Day's Low: $15.88Previous Close: $15.89

We have never encountered this issue. I can tell you that on our 8 or 9 cruises since the restart, no one has asked about our arrival status at boarding.

We always use 30 minutes after arrival for our car service pickup. As previously mentioned, your pickup service should have been given your flight # and they should be monitoring your flight status. They are aware of the delays that can occur going thru Customs and luggage retrieval. Our car service always provides the cell number of our driver upon landing.

2025 TA's are also available. Just booked the Sky November of 2025 TA.

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet. Recently sent to TA's.

FWIW, the Gold & White party has been a big bust on all of our recent cruises.

You are very lucky, Singer/Guitarist Ella Ryan just boarded with you! Be sure to catch her performances, she is FANTASTIC! We are sad that she will be gone by the time we board in November! 😒

Same for us, we have never experienced this on a cruise.

Congratulations! 🥂 Enjoy your cruise!

We do lots of b2b's, they have always carried our folio over to the following voyage.

DO NOT push the "Quote" button. It creates a copy that the next person cannot properly update. DO select and copy ALL of the text (including the instructions and the list) up to COPY TO THIS LINE . . . from the most up-to-date list (the most recent reply with the list).  Go to the bottom of the latest post, to the "Reply to this Topic..." box to create a new post. Paste your copied text into that box. Make your modifications to the list. Add change notes at the bottom. Click the "Submit Reply" button just below the list you are modifying. Confirm that everything is correct! You can edit for up to 20 minutes. Ship Captain Cruise Director Entertainment Director Director Restaurant Ops CARIBBEAN Vincenzo Lubrano Jody Miles Robert Boyd Oscar Perego CORAL Gavin Pears Aaron Hawkins Sara Romera Joachim Rothe CROWN Tony Ruggero Olivia Guthrie Michael Kujawski Mariusz Czemarmazowicz DIAMOND Stefano Ravera Natalie Costa & Mikiko Ikemoto Samantha McDonough DISCOVERY John Smith DuVaul Gamble Matt Thompson Silvio Zampieri EMERALD Martin Stenzel Fernando Duran Geof O'Rourke Rui Pereira ENCHANTED Mario Ciruzzi Gary Golding Ron Goodman Francisco Patricio GRAND Michele Bartolomei Jayson Douglass Callie Smit Giuseppe Franchina ISLAND Paul Slight Karen Rogers Sue Rawlings Daniele Rosafio MAJESTIC John Foster Kevin Tugwell Marissa Wurms Douw Steyl REGAL Tim Stringer Sophie Gideon Martyn Moss ROYAL Andrea Spinardi Corinne Steel Caitlin Messerschmidt Claudio Giuliani RUBY Mario Tani Cole Bockman Lauren Meyer Jacques Ghennai SAPPHIRE Todd McBain Fernando Cunha Matthew Joseph Mario Propato SKY Marco Fortezze Dan France Matt Barnard Ciprian Hoidreag <COPY TO THIS LINE SO THERE IS SPACE TO TYPE "CHANGE NOTES" AFTER THE CHART> Douw Steyl has returned as the DRO on the Majestic

A lesson we learned many years ago, we only visit Europe in the spring or the fall. Summer in Europe is tough especially with so many locations not having A/C.

June 22, 2023 1:22 PM EDT Princess Cruises Unveils New Princess Perfect Weddings at Sea "King of Bridal" Designer Randy Fenoli Named Love and Romance Ambassador for The Love Boat, Will Host Dedicated Bridal Fashion Cruise in December NEW YORK, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-five years after hosting the first modern wedding at sea, Princess Cruises today unveiled an exciting new line-up of wedding packages and announced TV host and bridal designer Randy Fenoli as Brand Ambassador for Love and Romance, a role which includes hosting a bridal fashion themed cruise in December 2023 and developing a signature wedding package exclusive to The Love Boat. New Princess Perfect Weddings create unforgettable moments by offering packages tailored for couples seeking unique and romantic ways to say "I do," including grand ceremonies in The Love Boat's picturesque piazza as well as outside deck areas that offer breathtaking venues with stunning ocean views, providing a perfect backdrop for a romantic ceremony, at a price significantly lower compared to land-based venues. "Twenty-five years ago, Princess set the standard for weddings at sea, and with the help of Randy Fenoli, the most trusted source in the bridal industry, we're doing it again with our new Princess Perfect Weddings packages, evolving our offerings to create unparalleled experiences for couples and their loved ones, all at tremendous value," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "These new packages let couples combine their dream wedding with an unforgettable voyage to picturesque destinations, to celebrate their special day in the most extraordinary ways imaginable." Princess Perfect Weddings offer couples a range of options, ensuring that every proposal, wedding ceremony and vow renewal vision can be realized, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. The first phase of new packages features at-sea options, with more packages, including a signature Randy Fenoli Weddings package, as well as Weddings Ashore, to be announced later this year. Princess Cruises also announced that Fenoli will host a bridal fashion themed cruise aboard a seven-day Western Caribbean voyage on Regal Princess embarking in Galveston on December 3. The Randy Fenoli Bridal Fashion Themed Cruise at Sea will offer meet and greets, signature events, and even wedding gown consultations with the celebrity bridal designer. "Being named Love and Romance Ambassador for Princess Cruises is an incredible honor, and I'm beyond excited to explore new ways to weave enchanting moments of romance that reinforce and expand The Love Boat legacy," said Fenoli. "Our December Themed Cruise is going to be a celebration of all things bridal, and no matter their shape, their budget or type of wedding, we're going to help match all of our brides-to-be with the perfect dress." With all Princess Perfect Weddings performed at sea, ship captains serve as the ceremony officiant and all packages include a dedicated wedding specialist who works closely with couples pre-cruise and on board to tailor their wedding package according to their unique vision and requirements. From selecting the perfect venue to arranging decorations, flowers, and photography, every detail is handled to ensure a seamless and unforgettable event. Princess Perfect Weddings packages include*: Perfect Pair Wedding (includes the couple and up to 2 guests) Symbolic Wedding $2,995 / Legal Wedding, includes marriage license $3,495 Package Highlights: Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship's captain Fresh florals, wedding cake and sparkling wine toast Dedicated photographer service and memorable prints Romantic breakfast for the couple Stateroom gifts and goodies Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator Keepsake certificate Timeless Ceremony at Sea (includes the couple and up to 8 guests) Symbolic Wedding $3,995 / Legal Wedding, includes marriage license $4,495 Package Highlights: Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship's captain Fresh florals, wedding cake and sparkling wine toast Solo live musician during the ceremony Dedicated photographer service Memorable prints and digital high-res photos Romantic breakfast for the couple Stateroom gifts and goodies Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator Keepsake certificate Timeless Wedding at Sea, (includesthe couple and up to 18 guests) Symbolic Wedding $5,995 / Legal Wedding, includes marriage license $6,495 Package Highlights: Indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship's captain Fresh florals for the couple and the wedding party Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast Bridal hair styling & makeup Solo live musician during the ceremony and reception Dedicated venue to celebrate after ceremony Signature welcome cocktails curated by the couple Dedicated photographer service Memorable prints and all digital high-res photos Romantic breakfast for the couple Premium dining experience for the couple Stateroom gifts and goodies Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator Keepsake certificate The Love Boat line has also added packages for Princess Proposals at Sea and Vow Renewal Celebrations that include a dedicated event specialist who works closely with couples pre-cruise and on board to tailor their special event. Renew the Love – Vow Renewal $1,595 Package highlights: Short, sweet indoor or outdoor ceremony by the ship's captain Fresh florals, celebration cake and sparkling wine toast for the couple Dedicated photographer and memorable prints Stateroom gifts and goodies Pre-cruise and onboard wedding coordinator Keepsake certificate Princess Perfect Proposal $795 Package Highlights: Secret proposal setup in a private indoor or outdoor location Proposal rose and rose petal décor Dedicated photographer and memorable prints Celebration cake Stateroom gifts and goodies Pre-cruise and onboard coordinator In addition to the beautiful ceremony and reception venues, couples and their guests also enjoy the unmatched amenities and entertainment onboard the iconic Love Boat. From world-class dining options to luxurious spas, vibrant nightlife, and thrilling onboard activities, Princess ensures an unparalleled experience for all guests. To further enhance the wedding experience, Princess also offers an array of honeymoon options. Couples can seamlessly transition from their wedding festivities to a romantic honeymoon cruise, exploring breathtaking destinations and creating lifelong memories together. For more information about the Randy Fenoli Bridal Fashion Themed Cruise departing December 3 from Galveston, call 1-800-Princess. For information about Princess Perfect Weddings visit https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-gifts-celebrations/romance/wedding-cruises/. *Pricing does not include cost of cruise

When they have had currency exchange ATM's onboard, the exchange rate was HORRIBLE! We always obtain our foreign currencies from our bank at home.

Here are 3 recent threads that you will find on-topic...

We received the below email notification yesterday for our July 6th Hawaii cruise. Great news - your OceanMedallion™ for your upcoming Princess MedallionClass™ vacation is on its way. Please keep the information below as your receipt.