Reporting from the Grand July 6-20 2022 Roundtrip Vancouver

[wallyj]

Hello, currently on the Grand and thought I would share what has been going on this past week.

 

We have had mostly cloudy weather. Ketchikan was drizzling in the morning but it stopped and was just windy and cold for the rest of the day. Juneau was overcast most of the day but was still pleasant. Skagway started bright and sunny but then turned overcast by mid morning. I believe we were scheduled to be docked at RRF(railroad Forward) but wound up docking at the Broadway dock. A smaller Regent ship did dock at RRF and I think it was a Silver Seas ship that was docked next to us. I was told the NCL SUN was supposed to be in port with us but is still being repaired from its run in with a ‘growler’

 

The ship passenger count is only about 1485, with just over 1000 bluebies(first time on Princess), there are only 58 elites so laundry is taking the normal 1 day turnaround. The cutoff to make the MTG event which was a lunch was just 150 days. The Captain and some staff were there to greet us, but we were told no pictures will be taken.

Production shows are British Invasion and Sweet Soul Music. 
 

Today, Princess Prizes were awarded in the Piazza at 7:45 pm. They already had the winners names and cabin numbers on the prizes so they are drawn I guess in secret somewhere before so the Prizes are not drawn ‘live’.

 

They gave 4 $25 prizes, one $50 prize and then one $100 prize, followed by a Grand prize of $5000. Fortuna Lick was present and you had to see a Casino rep to claim your prize so it appears this program is connected to the Casino? They say you can win a cruise, but did not explain how or which prizes are awarded based on ?

 

Some guy is super lucky as he won the $50 prize AND the $5000 prize, as he was present in the piazza to claim the prizes. I wonder if he was contacted to show up to this event as the photo department was there to take pictures of each ‘winner’.

 

I will try to check this thread, if you have any questions, in Skagway, internet was not working till about an hour after leaving port. Ok reception in Glacier Bay and College Fiord.

[nini]

Are you doing a B2B? We will be on the Grand in September. Please keep us posted regarding any quarantine issues. 

What is your opinion of the ship?

Have a great cruise!

[caribill]

1 hour ago, wallyj said:

 

Today, Princess Prizes were awarded in the Piazza at 7:45 pm.

 

They gave 4 $25 prizes, one $50 prize and then one $100 prize, followed by a Grand prize of $5000. Fortuna Lick was present and you had to see a Casino rep to claim your prize so it appears this program is connected to the Casino? They say you can win a cruise, but did not explain how or which prizes are awarded based on ?

 

 

Yes, it is connected to the casino, but not in an obvious way.

 

Those who booked the Premier Beverage Package (the new one that is higher priced than the Plus Beverage Package (which used to be called Premier)) have the opportunity while the ship is out to sea and the casino is open to participate by unlocking their cabin door with the Medallion. I do not know how many times or how often they can get an entry by doing this. My guess is winners are chosen at the times a participating door has been unlocked.

 

Those who did not buy the Premier Beverage package get (I think) one entry into the contest, also by unlocking their cabin door with the Medallion at some point while the casino is open.

[Alcairns]

7 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Yes, it is connected to the casino, but not in an obvious way.

 

Those who booked the Premier Beverage Package (the new one that is higher priced than the Plus Beverage Package (which used to be called Premier)) have the opportunity while the ship is out to sea and the casino is open to participate by unlocking their cabin door with the Medallion. I do not know how many times or how often they can get an entry by doing this. My guess is winners are chosen at the times a participating door has been unlocked.

 

Those who did not buy the Premier Beverage package get (I think) one entry into the contest, also by unlocking their cabin door with the Medallion at some point while the casino is open.

You can pay $20 (I am reliably informed) a day to enter Princess Prizes otherwise it is included in the Premier Package. 

[caribill]

3 minutes ago, Alcairns said:

You can pay $20 (I am reliably informed) a day to enter Princess Prizes otherwise it is included in the Premier Package. 

I agree. I forgot about the paid entry option.

 

I wonder if the line to pay $20 to enter the open-the-door contest is as long as the line to purchase Bingo cards.

[Alcairns]

5 minutes ago, caribill said:

I agree. I forgot about the paid entry option.

 

I wonder if the line to pay $20 to enter the open-the-door contest is as long as the line to purchase Bingo cards.

You can do it on the medallion app 

[Senga]

@wallyj IF you get the chance, could you please get me contact information for Guest Services Manager Kimberley Shannon?  We had issues with my Medallion and she promised compensation attached to my loyalty number but Princess has no record of it.  Thanks in advance!

[Senga]

7 hours ago, nini said:

Are you doing a B2B?

July 6-20.

[nini]

52 minutes ago, Senga said:

July 6-20.

I assume that you are answering for the OP, @wallyj?

[Senga]

17 minutes ago, nini said:

I assume that you are answering for the OP, @wallyj?

I provided the answer which was in the title.  Is that a problem for you?

[nini]

18 minutes ago, Senga said:

I provided the answer which was in the title.  Is that a problem for you?

Geeeee........... it was in the title!?!?!? Oh, man..............

I was NOT asking you. I wanted the OP to explain THEIR itinerary and number of days.

 

Thank you for your time.

[cr8tiv1]

11 hours ago, wallyj said:

Hello, currently on the Grand and thought I would share what has been going on this past week.

 

We have had mostly cloudy weather. Ketchikan was drizzling in the morning but it stopped and was just windy and cold for the rest of the day. Juneau was overcast most of the day but was still pleasant. Skagway started bright and sunny but then turned overcast by mid morning. I believe we were scheduled to be docked at RRF(railroad Forward) but wound up docking at the Broadway dock. A smaller Regent ship did dock at RRF and I think it was a Silver Seas ship that was docked next to us. I was told the NCL SUN was supposed to be in port with us but is still being repaired from its run in with a ‘growler’

 

The ship passenger count is only about 1485, with just over 1000 bluebies(first time on Princess), there are only 58 elites so laundry is taking the normal 1 day turnaround. The cutoff to make the MTG event which was a lunch was just 150 days. The Captain and some staff were there to greet us, but we were told no pictures will be taken.

Production shows are British Invasion and Sweet Soul Music. 

 

Thanks for your summary.  I would have finally made the MTP cut...ha ha.  I wish the Grand would have new Princess Theater shows.  These have been around since Pre-Covid.

 

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your cruise.  

 

If you run into any higher up staff would you ask if most of the crew will stay on until LA - TransPacific (disembark in LA)?  

Edited July 13, 2022 by cr8tiv1

[wallyj]

11 hours ago, nini said:

Are you doing a B2B? We will be on the Grand in September. Please keep us posted regarding any quarantine issues. 

What is your opinion of the ship?

Have a great cruise!

Hi @nini, I just woke up today in Whittier, to check for replies. It is very cloudy and looks like rain soon. Breakfast in the dining room was 6-8am, as they shuttle early to get those off doing the land tours.

 

I booked the cruise as 14 days as it was offered as 14 day or you could book the 2 seven day segments NB or SB and hope the same cabin is available. Princess does reserve separate inventory of cabins for the 14 day .  
 

I think the condition of the ship is fine. Spent 29 days on Grand since the Sept 2021 restart in Los Angeles last year and the crew are still great , although all mostly new crew as many finished their contract that were on last year.

[wallyj]

6 hours ago, Senga said:

@wallyj IF you get the chance, could you please get me contact information for Guest Services Manager Kimberley Shannon?  We had issues with my Medallion and she promised compensation attached to my loyalty number but Princess has no record of it.  Thanks in advance!

Hi @Senga, would you provide sailing date and cabin number and if you can what issues so I can relay to Kimberly, also if you can your names, but cabin number and sail date she can look up, I think. She is leery of me posting her contact info on a social media site. 

[Senga]

3 hours ago, wallyj said:

Hi @Senga, would you provide sailing date and cabin number and if you can what issues so I can relay to Kimberly, also if you can your names, but cabin number and sail date she can look up, I think. She is leery of me posting her contact info on a social media site. 

Thanks so much @wallyj.  May 25-June 8,  B630.  My Medallion malfunctioned and on board printer was out of commission until repair could be made on shore.  Kimberley offered us a future cruise discount which was supposed to be attached to my loyalty number.

[wallyj]

4 hours ago, Senga said:

Thanks so much @wallyj.  May 25-June 8,  B630.  My Medallion malfunctioned and on board printer was out of commission until repair could be made on shore.  Kimberley offered us a future cruise discount which was supposed to be attached to my loyalty number.

Hi @Senga, Kimberley just called me and said she just audited her records and confirmed she promised you a future cruise discount. She told me you should see it within 24 hours. Let me know if it does not show up.

[wallyj]

FYI, I was informed we will have on board the most traveled passenger with Princess who will be sailing for 4 weeks and will celebrate 3000 days with Princess. Of course, she will be #1, and I heard she is staying in a suite.
 

For those that may not know, when you are #1, suite breakfast in the specialty restaurant is a perk extended to you being the #1 passenger on the voyage.

[Senga]

10 hours ago, wallyj said:

She told me you should see it within 24 hours. Let me know if it does not show up.

@wallyjThank you so much, I really appreciate your assistance.

[LACruiser88]

10 hours ago, wallyj said:

Hi @Senga, Kimberley just called me and said she just audited her records and confirmed she promised you a future cruise discount. She told me you should see it within 24 hours. Let me know if it does not show up.

Hi Wally!  That was very nice of you to take care of @Senga.  Have a great trip and hope to see you again on a cruise!

[wallyj]

1 hour ago, LACruiser88 said:

Hi Wally!  That was very nice of you to take care of @Senga.  Have a great trip and hope to see you again on a cruise!

Hi @LACruiser88, I know you did not elect to take the replacement cruise for the canceled April SYD/LA sailing, but Princess has decided to reinstate this sailing and it is back on and was available for booking as of yesterday 4pm pacific time, in case you want to reconsider. 

[LACruiser88]

7 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Hi @LACruiser88, I know you did not elect to take the replacement cruise for the canceled April SYD/LA sailing, but Princess has decided to reinstate this sailing and it is back on and was available for booking as of yesterday 4pm pacific time, in case you want to reconsider. 

Thanks for the update! Unfortunately, we have booked a week in Buenos Aires, then will board the Sapphire on March 5th in BA, for 32 days back to LA.  We are going with another couple, too complicated to change plans now.  Enjoy the cruise!

[Senga]

On 7/14/2022 at 12:26 AM, wallyj said:

Hi @Senga, She told me you should see it within 24 hours. Let me know if it does not show up.

@wallyj, thank you so much for your assistance.  The credit went through.  Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did.

[wallyj]

Hi @Senga, thank you for the update and happy to see all is good and promises kept.

[montgomeryfamily]

Is Corinne Steel the Cruise Director?

 

 Also, please let us know where the Grand docked on your second stop at Skagway.  It sounds like so far tendering has not been necessary.  Hopefully that continues.

 

 

[mvaldes140]

40 minutes ago, montgomeryfamily said:

Is Corinne Steel the Cruise Director?

 

 Also, please let us know where the Grand docked on your second stop at Skagway.  It sounds like so far tendering has not been necessary.  Hopefully that continues.

 

 

I was on the Northbound (July 6th-July 13th) and Corrine is the CD