mtnesterz

Short answer, not very well. Long answer, hand sanitizer is not like a light switch, it doesn't suddenly become effective at a certain percentage, but increases effectiveness with strength. At very effective strength, it also becomes expensive and hard on the hands. Alternatives acidic or chlorine solutions, are also hard on the hands. Anything to break the protein capsid protecting the virus' RNA (in the case of Noro) The best and most cost effective way is to simply wash your hands. Removal? Pinch from the outside at the wrist on the first glove, finger underneath the wrist for the second.

OK. If you prefer to book with the cruise line directly, then call and get yourself a CVP at 1(800) 901-1172. Some are good, some are worthless. Ours is great, but good or bad, we are not allowed to name them here. No discounts but you will have a direct line to Princess and an email address. Forget call backs, hours on hold, and dealing with an inexperienced new hire. The only problem with a CVP is a good one is hungry and will call you until you tell them, "Don't call me, I'll call you."

When you say package price, do you mean buying Plus or Premium (I mention because you may not be familiar with those terms.) or do you mean bundling your air, transfers and cruise fare in one purchase? We always booked in the past through what Princess calls their Cruise Vacation Planners (CVP'S) and no discounts. You might find one of those big TA agencies, or big box store that offers an in-house special, or gift card for booking any line they sell. I would be surprised and interested to learn if a discount specific to Princess is offered by anyone. Suggest you have a look at the threads on the first couple pages here and see if Princess is something you would be interested trying. Not just watching a commercial or reading a brochure, but what people really say.

Here you go: Great to be part of a rescue but the Coast Guard kept the Sapphire there all day and they missed seeing the Glaciers. (They also had a helicopter evacuation.)

For someone hyper-vigilent about contact transmission, you did not mention wearing gloves or washing your own hands, once.

You might have a look at videos, Youtube or the like, of these White and Gold parties. Very few actually dress for them. White and Gold strikes me as a passing thing; something they're running up the flagpole to see who salutes.

Which makes perfect sense. Just my two cents but they don't need to sell dinners at face value. The place can be nearly empty. Princess is in the business of selling that Premium package which includes dining, use it or not. The more they charge for Specialty Dining, the more they can say Premium has value. What's it actually worth? It has to be factored in that you've already paid for dinner and service elsewere on the ship.

@roadster08,The Majestic Princess is also heading your way, presently about 15 miles south at 17 kts. Don't know if this is their usual route or more assistance. I'll watch the bridge cams of both ships. Thanks for responding!

No apologies needed. We have friends who were on that ship last year. @roadster08, let us know how thing go, OK? Best thought to passengers and crew.

It's a 1992 passenger only vessel for UnCruise with a max capacity for 84 passengers. Sapphire still standing off about 1/3 mile to the north.

People love to worry over what they don't understand. Your physician is correct.

I forgot to mention that the type A sockets on the ship are non-polarized. If your dryer has one prong larger than the other, it won't fit.

The hair dryer in the photo above is currently manufactured and sold, under a different name. My guess is, the reason for this style has to do with that locking wall mount and (if I recall correctly) auto shutoff feature. The big question is, how would you power your hair dryer? We don't know where in the world you are and a Euro type C and USA type A are pretty standard on Princess ships. Bring adapters if yours is otherwise. In the bathroom. You have 20VA service in the bathroom using either a US 120V A plug, or a type C, 230V. I don't know about service at the desk. Thread here sometimes asks about shavers and water piks in the bathroom and shavers average 6 watts(VA) Water Piks are about 15 watts. A hair dryer is 1200 watts. Big difference.

Thanks for posting! I paused reading when he wrote something that is just wrong: "The smallest Princess cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience." True, the least crowded Princess ship is the Coral, but sister Island packs on an additional 10% more passengers and has the second least space per passenger in the fleet. The least space per passenger is the Caribbean, a one off from the Grand Class yet smaller than any Royal Class ship. Simply looking at Gross Tonnage on the Princess website, or Wikipedia, and writing an article was an oversimplification.

Thanks for taking the time to follow up. I saw your your first post as it first came up with the capitalized Wakeman and wondered if you meant a guy named Waksman, who invented several antibiotics.

Thanks about the staffing! Will keep a good thought for this summer. We don't drink so being served is not a concern. The Grand? Oh gosh, on the last cruise as I recall. As I look on the Princess website, there are no sailings past April, '25. Arguing against that, looking just now, newer ships are also not booked past that month. So... oops, it's past time to edit that out.

I believe you. Been reading other recent reviews too. Our most recent Princess cruise was right after restart. I attributed short staff and other things, like sourcing problems, to Covid. But, these issues appear to be persisting. Yes, our (Princess)steward greets us, except once, then I went to meet him. Really appreciate your review. Here's my point, if they can't fully staff the Emerald, which we will be on this summer, and taking into account the Grand is leaving the fleet in '25, how will they possibly staff the upcoming Sun and Star?

Coral is right, but to directly answer your question, generally four to six months.

Princess and Carnival are two different class lines. If your cabin was cleaned multiple times a day, and the other cabins on your steward's area, then he or she was in the hallway most of the day. In future, I would encourage you to introduce yourself. The robes were offered on your app pre-cruise, and the washclothes were both only a mention to your steward. We find that getting to know your steward is the fastest way to make your needs happen. But on Princess and higher lines, stewards will not intrude themselves on you, without good reason. For your safety, you may be too young to remember Jim Morrison, but drinking alcohol and sitting in hot tub is not a good idea.

Not to pry by any means, but if you care to relate your concern, others here may have also experienced the same thing and may be able to relate their resolution, and how they approached it. Good luck in resolving your issue

As I recall that started in Charlston, SC on a X cruise, saw a secondhand store near our hotel before boarding, so, post cruise, dropped it off the night before the flight home. As far as on the cruise, If not on an excursion, we like to walk around the port area and I have dropped off at a donation store or box. These days, you can use a smartphone and locate donation spots near the ports. If it's something nice, but doesn't work for you anymore, ask your Steward if they would like it.

What seems odd to one may be practical to another. We pack diphenhydramine in our medical kit. It has so many uses, seasickness, sleep aid, allergies, contact dermatitis, cough and sore throat... We also save old clothes to wear on cruises, then donate if still usable at the last port, if practical to do so, or throw out if not. Makes room in luggage for souveniers,

You mention a lot of time in post in Skagway after your rail excursion. Skagway has such an interesting history, it is our favorite place to walk and shop. There is a significant walk from the pier to town, if you have a mobility challenge. If your rail trip should fall through and you like history, consider the Ghosts and Goodtime Girls walking tour. Fair notice that quality of the tour is dependant on your tour guide's personality. Our guide, Shirley Worthit, wore an 1890's brothel costume and was a real character. In the lower 48, she was a college history major and has probably moved on.

Ukulele lessons? Yes. The immersion teams vary for the Hawaii runs, but here is the upcoming schedule for our favorite team: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2936827-elua-schedule-july-2023-april-2024/#comment-65359125 The Princess Patter has been renamed the Princess Event Listing. Before you leave, maybe a week or two, look at the Journey View part of the App, that is, if the App works for you. There is a current thread about karaoke, but it seems hit or miss on different ships. The private rooms on the Majestic have been repurposed. AFAIK, Princess does not post entertainer schedules.

Did you notice I mentioned those menu items, "as an option." Yes, I have heard that old saying. I guess you missed my very similar thought writing, "If that's what you want, go for it."