mtnesterz

I saw your other post where you mention only a two day cruise. So, I understand wanting to know before you board. If you don't get an answer here, you might ask about the broth on Live Chat on the Princess website. I am suprised at how responsive Princess is to folks dietary needs. One thing they do well. I did read a travel blogger who said they ate "vegetarian vegetable," at Chopsticks, but what is that really worth.

As far as the Rick Steves reference. If you have Roku or watch TV on a computer, get the NHK World app and watch Japanese TV in English. I am watching Sumo right now as I type. They have beginners language lessons, travel videos, stream or on demand. It's a lot like PBS in the US, where you find Rick Steves. No commercials either, paid for by a tax on Japanese TVs. We went last fall, circle Japan. A hurdle getting there is filling out the Yunyu Kakunin Sho form. There are threads about this in the Asia section. Were we to do it over, I would do a Cruisetour. Many of the ports are far from town. The ship booked tour interpreters language ability left a lot to be desired. The better private tours have better language guides, we were told. Lucky if you find the understandability like NHK World presenters, many of whom studied in the US or UK. I think most important to remember that Japan is different from any other country we've visited. Even other Asian countries like Singapore, which we call homeland. A different way of thinking. You just need to set your mind to roll with it.

But it is how cold, flu and Noro are spread, among other contact spread vectors. In our times, people forget there is still everything else out there. I suspect we picked up our Covid sitting in the theater, someone behind us with a cough, forgot our masks.

We keep the one hand we use to self serve gloved in the buffet for utensils. Then discard at the table so as not to need re-washing. That and other precautions, yet we came home with Covid one time.

I like the way Thrak explained it in post #5.

HAL does give loyalty for a cruise history with the other Carnival lines: To qualify as a member of the Program, you must have taken at least one qualifying HAL cruise or have sailed with one of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines: Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn or Costa Cruises. These guests are automatically enrolled as a Star Mariner when they make their first booking with Holland America Line because of their affiliation with the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Potential for OBC, a free drink... Something.

Regarding your experiences in the dining room, last week our CVP said Princess will redefine their dress standards soon. He would not tell me details of the new policy. If anyone knows, many here would be interested to know.

I'd suggest asking guidance from your doctor before consuming alcohol.

You can ask your CVP to email them to you as they receive them and still get an edge. Just how much time that is these days, as Thrak mentions, I don't know.

Coffee is subjective. I understand it is a blend, so both Arabica and Robusta beans. I do not sense the harshness of Robusta at all. It is very smooth. By comparison, Starbucks tastes over-roasted and this does not. A very acceptable coffee included in your fare. The Douwe Egberts and Nescafe syrup coffees weren't papatable to me, so previously we brought Via packets.

Lavazza.

The expression, the devil you know, explains us sticking with Princess. We just used our last pair of (Princess) FCDs to book a final cruise in '25. We also have Elite benefits. The cruise booked after that is with a small ship line. Princess offers a similar itinerary, for the same money except Princess is a balcony and the other line an inside cabin. On balance, there is no tipping and house drinks are included. We'll give them a try. I was wondering what was really behind your reasoning for this thread question, but I'd simply answer, you are not alone. If you are unhappy, venture out. There are other posters I don't see on the Princess board anymore. Oh, they are still on CC. They post of being happier with other lines. Good luck!

Not discounting that a good TA would be knowledgable and experienced, but for this kind of thIng and to avoid your call center problems with background noise and heavy accents, book your next cruise through a Princess CVP. If issues arise, in our experience, one call, direct line.

Here's the form: https://salessupport.princess.com/route_sector_change_request

We're not among those who have more than one cruise coming up at any given moment. Good for you if you are able to do that! Yes, that would seem clunky.

The answer is in your question. You mention you have several cruises booked and all on the App. So, when you log in to the Medallion App, unless you specify which cruise booking you wish to access, how otherwise could it know which cruise you want to work on? Your booking number links you to a specific sailing. Don't see it as clumsy, just specifying between multiple bookings.

Duration of cruise this time. Ours was $200, $100/ea. for a 7 night. Not $250 as I mentioned previously.

Thank you! Saw your post and called on the cruise I booked two days ago. Now have $250 more in OBC and no change in other money due.

While it may vary from port to port. Elite had no special line, out of LA in April this year. To the OP, while receiving the Medallion early may heighten your anticipation of the cruise, it also raises your anxiety should you do not receive it before you leave home. Yes, you can get a new one, but you have to wonder, who might get your mail. A crook may realize you're on vacation. We've been victims of home robbery while on a cruise. To each their own, but we'll go Blue line and make sure all is in order at the desk. I'd rather have peace of mind.

Just in case you need another hack. We had the same exact problem using the web version. We called OceanNow and was told to scroll to the bottom of the login page, then log in using our booking number. Works on several cruises since.

If I understand your itinerary correctly, Princess doesn't do this, but IIRC, NCL does. Not brushing you off, but those on that board may have sailed this one in the past. I will say the roughest waters we've ever sailed were off the coast of Alaska. The waters there can toss a ship around. It wasn't that cold, but... rough. Layer as you would for any cruise, but plan to bring something for Mal de mer.

The Princess website excursion page won't come up for me today, but as I recall, they don't claim it is. The exterior photo from the album is the Beverly Hills Hotel shot from a 60 foot lift, a so called "cherry picker." The interior shot is now called The Lido, in Hollywood. The website photo of the lobby, is shot from a different angle.

LA local. I believe you, but I about choked on my morning coffee reading that . So, I checked. The website says a 3 minute walk from Southwest. I can't imagine walking with the traffic as it (always) is. Good to know. To the OP. With construction going on and if you're not familiar with LAX, I like the idea of using the Princess shuttle.

What I meant is our next cruise will be on such as Azamara or Windstar, (which don't have casinos.) Or other cruise line, like Oceania, which would be considered a country club feel rather than a resort-at-sea. Sorry about my wording.

This seems to be the trend. I think we are at the tipping point of being willing to pay more up front for a cruise with a quieter ambience, an example being we don't need a casino or movies playing on deck.