VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome to Today’s Video
0:31 Let’s Talk about the Cruise Ship Crew
4:46 Japan Cruising Covid Requirements
6:28 Watch Cruise Pricing and Sales
7:30 Unique Idea for a Port Visit
8:20 Onboard Updates / Dining Discussion
12:48 Boarding Pass – App vs Print-out
14:10 More Black Friday Deals
CruiseHealth™ – Health Protocols for Your Cruise – Princess Cruises
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29 Comments
Yes, the princess prices are a couple dollars more today than yesterday.
I talked to the Maiter'D and we got a standing dinner time at a private table for the 2 of us at a 4 person with our waiter of choice in the international dining room though the app showed not available. The only caveat was we had to be finished with the table by 6:40 for the next seating. We gladly cut our dinner short, skipping the desert most days. Sometimes we'd get desert in the buffet. Time was of the essence as there was always a show we didn't want to miss.We surely gave the Maiter'D an additional tip for how we were taken care of.
I always tip extra. I chat with them and when they ask how my day was, I show them some photos. We always have a good laugh together. Especially my room stewards—they are my temporary family!
Just such a sad things.🙏🏻 to his family.
Great video Allison. The cre members work so hard often 12 hour days, 7 days a week. Imagine having serious family or health issues under those circumstances. Your video reminded me to be extra grateful the next time I cruise. Thank You
Jump back into bed with heavy blankets after your chicken soup………
We tip everyone.
We were booked on the Norway cruise this coming October but it’s a 2 week cruise that starts and ends on a Wednesday and with travel to and from it was going to be 3 weeks off work. Would have loved to meet you face to face,oh well next time. We rebooked a transatlantic cruise this coming March
Can you give me some guidelines for tipping crew above the standard gratuity, please?
Thank you for all your updates Allison. That's just so sad about the crew member taking their own life. They are such hard workers. We always try and get to know a little about our room stewards and waitstaff. They really enjoy talking about their families and home countries. And we try to leave them generous tips .
I have made many friends on the cruise ships with staff members. Now when I cruise there is a good chance that I know several crew members on board. When I boarded my September cruise on the Nieuw Statendam, I felt like a celebrity! Dozens of crew not only recognized me, but remembered my name and were genuinely glad to see me again. You do yourself a disservice if you don't interact & get to know the crew. Also as a solo cruiser, this is a great way to keep the socializing up. I keep in regular contact with many crew & musicians from previous cruises! Also, get well soon Allison. Hard to avoid those pesky colds this time of year🤒
Thanks for another excellent update Alison. The only thing that gets me cranky on a cruise ship is when my fellow passengers are either rude or disrespectful towards a crew member. The number of people who can't manage a simple please or thank you astounds me. Apart from the usual tipping I will often carry around in my pocket envelopes with $20 in them to quietly slip to the often forgotten crew members such as the guy chipping rust off the railings, the bathroom attendants or the crew members cleaning windows and stair rails. Even when not tipping, a smile and simple hello to an unexpecting crew members is free and can truely brighten up their day.
Thank you so very much for all the updates and helpful information, Allison. I’m so sorry to hear that another crew member has taken his life. I can’t imagine what the crew members go through being so far away from their loved ones, for such long periods of time…and always give their best to the passengers.
Regarding price changes prior to a sale, I have been looking at an Alaska cruise and checked yesterday to see if I noticed a price change. Today, the base fare was the same, but the plus (???) package was $11/day higher, and a $100 excursion credit was removed. It will be interesting to see where fares go from here. Lois😊
I always tip beyond the gratuity (just consider that part of cruise price). I get envelopes at Customer Service; they're happy to give as many as requested. In addition to room steward and dining staff, I tip staff who have been helpful to me or with whom I may have talked several times. I definitely tip International Cafe and coffee bar staff,as that is one of my favorite places, and they know how I like my coffee!
Thank you, Allison, for your kind and caring updates.
I always give $ & have in the past given out chocolate. On my last cruise I gave out some refrigerator magnets from San Francisco, one being a cable car & other ones with a bottle opener on one end & it was really appreciated. As we know they are a long way from home so I feel these are appreciated. Yes it’s sad when someone working on a ship decides to take their own life. The cruise lines should take this more seriously & have onboard support. I’m going to Hawaii on the 27, this Sunday & I’ll fill out that form.
I'm hoping there's a way to write letters of appreciation for the various cruise members. Maybe there will be a place we can drop them off before we leave the ship.
You’re right. There’s absolutely something we can do to show appreciation and to encourage cruise lines to provide mental health supports. Thank you for bringing this to light. ❤
This is what was listed for my Princess Cruise leaving January 8th for Covid protocols.
This specific booking and/or voyage follows our COVID-19 Standard Protocols for vaccination and testing requirements.
Vaccination Requirements
It is highly recommended that all guests be up to date on their vaccination status. Vaccinations, however, are not required.
Testing Requirements
Guests are not required to take a COVID-19 test prior to embarkation.
Global COVID-19 regulations and protocols are continuously changing and we may revise or modify these requirements (effective immediately) to evolve with the latest practices at any time. Please check back regularly for any updates. These protocols only apply to the specific booking number or voyage entered.
Hope this helps, will try and look it up a few times to see if it changes before cruise.
Our crew was very kind, and some of the passengers were less so. Remembering how many regular cruisers said they hire "people pleasers" I was chatty with tired looking crew – and they lit up!! (Maybe the crew already heard their bear story, etc.?)
You know that the cruise lines take advantage of crew members, especially from third world countries. I am sure the cruise companies don't want to spend money on mental health specialists on the ships. There really does need to be someone that the crew can go to when they have an issue. Shame on RCL for not letting the crew member go home especially since they extended their contract
HOLLAND canceled a couple of excursions I was interested in. I found good alternatives on Venture Ashore and Shore Excursions Group. Gary B recommended these.
I love this video – I think it's SO IMPORTANT to show appreciation to the crew – they absolutely adore real, genuine human interaction (don't we all) – great points!
It's so sad that someone thought his only way out was to jump overboard. We always try to get to know the crewmembers, I bring cards so I can give a handwritten note with a tip.
Do you have a cold
We have 5 cruises booked, two on Black Friday!!
I think people need to realize that everyone has a bad day including crew. And their bad days just get worse when they have nasty customers who are not pleased by anything they try to do. Try giving them a compliment or telling their boss what a great person they are. You would make their day.
I’d like to go to the British isles or Antarctica with Hollands special deal
Hi Allison. Last month I sailed on the Sapphire Princess. I didn't need the app. to board. I just scanned my medallion. No paper boarding pass. No digital pass on my phone. Simple.