NORTH TO ALASKA...THE GOOD...THE BAD...AND TEH UGGGLLLY

hard to blame Princess...the Port of San Francisco's gangway connection to the ship had issues...so they held passengers until they fixed the issue...I did not mind...I'd rather not start my cruise by plunging into the bay riding a collapsing gangway...after the gangway was fixed and after we cleared security it took us 20 minutes before we were seated at the MDR for lunch...while we were unpacking we received a call from security...there was an issue and I had all of my luggage, so we knew whose luggage it was...mrs-the-old-guy is a strong, mature, responsible, confident woman...so of course I went to security...I love the medallion...the door opening feature is great...and for the safety you only need to watcha video on your set or your device...then at your leisure you can go to your muster station and staff will scan your medallion and you are done

the food was good...hot food hot...salads cool, crisp and fresh...and the surprisingly...the desserts were not only nice to look at...but also delicious...the issue in the MDR did have an issue...we had a standing 7:00 reservation in the Botticelli dining room...the problem was that the people at our table would consistently enjoy a leisurely 2 hour meal...which would mean holding us up waiting for the table to clear and be cleaned ...the staff indicated that they could not kick out the slow diners...and if they relocated us to another table, then the computer would randomly place us at a different table for the remainder of the cruise...we prefer having the same servers and table...I believe that the two dining rooms that are mid ship should be dine your way...while Botticelli should be traditional dining ...the staff did keep us in the same area with the same servers if the diners chose a lingering meal...the staff were attentive were attentive and outside of the issue they worked hard to keep us happy...the buffet was another issue...I normally go to the buffet for breakfast, lunch and snacks...i love oatmeal for my breakfast...but the oatmeal was self service...under normal situations I would not eat oatmeal at a self service station...but with COVID and 95% of the passengers not wearing a mask...I had decided that I would have no part of the buffet...sadly a couple we travelled with and mrs-the-old-guy decided that it was no big deal...all three tested positive on day 8 of our cruise...the old guy was subjected to daily testing and as of 6/13 is still testing negative...room service was great...as long as you use the selections on the app or your screens...the food normally arrived within ten minutes...but if you want something besides the apps offering you would need to call room service...and the experience was not very good...because of mrs-the-old-guy's positive test we were quarantined for the remainder of our cruise...and so we have the chance to play our favorite room service game..."how-badly-will-they-screw-up-our-order"...now as i mentioned...the room service with the app is great...but the selections are limited...calling room service experience...not so much...we ordered chocolate chip cookies...three times in a row we received chocolate cookies...it took a call to the service desk then in 5 minutes we finally get the chocolate chip cookies...for the two dinners in quarantine we received assurances that dinner would arrive in 40 minutes...after one hour on both evenings we called again and receive assurances that dinner would arrive in 20 minutes...on one evening after another hours wait the supervisor seemed surprised that dinner hadn't arrived yet and asked me if i am sure that the food hadn't arrived...now if one has seen my big belly...one knows that I am always sure of food...so for two evenings...2 1/2 hours after ordering on both evenings...after calling the service desk both evenings...dinner finally arrived...luke warm...and unappetizing...the old guy was less than pleased both nights...,before being quarantined we did have dinner at the Crown Grill...now that meal was pleasing...the staff informed us that they were understaffed...so they had to open The Crown Grill and Sabatini's on alternate nights...but that they should be fully staffed on the cruise following ours...so I strongly recommend pre reserving or reserving early in the cruise...or you might wind up on a waiting list

there were many activities available all the time...but if you desire a resort type ship with water slides and flight simulators then Princess might not be the line for you...you go to Alska for the magnificent sights surrounding you...if you wish to lay by the pool in the northern climate, then you re a better man than I am... the enrichment lectures were great and the classes had enthusiastic participants...but I spent most of my cruise reading, napping, watching the scenery...and of course using the medallion app for snacks

the shows were standard fare...very talented music reviews...very talented musicians...the evening game shows were full of enthusiastic passengers...i did not see any of the non music performers

no children

the service desk staff were either professional and clearly wanted to address your issue so that you would quickly go away...OR...they went so far above and beyond in their desire to resolve your issue your issues that it amazed me...in one case...I had forgotten to bring a cleaning cloth for my glasses...i checked the stores, but they had nothing...I tried the service desk to see if they might have something for a forgetful passenger...the gentleman ;eft me for a few moments to check with staff members who wore glasses to see if they might personally have an extra cloth...I was so amazed by the extra effort that i forgot to take down his name...the Captain's Circle Hostess was amazingly cheerful and helpful...we were going to renew our vows and the hostess met with us several times to discuss detals and prepare for the event...the last time we had the vow renewal they just told us to show up at a certain time and place...this extra effort was surprising...and when mrs-the-old-guy tested positive, we had to cancel the event.....the hostess handled everything and did not leave us feeling like we were a problem or hat we were alone...Benjamin was the officer who was our point of contact for issues during the quarantine...he was very cheerful, sympathetic and friendly...he made us feel listened to...a great feeling during a trying moment... the servers in the MDR were great and attentive...the host at Botticelli were also attentive even when busy...our cabin steward was friendly, hard working and accommodating...the room had some issues and he had them resolved immediately

the ship is a standard Princess ship...and with the medallion it is easy to find where you are, how to get to a different location...and to locate members in your party...the medallion screens are located around the elevator banks on each floor...and if you do not care for screens...there are many staff members around...and plenty of helpful passengers

i found the cabin large enough for me to easily move around in and plenty of closet space...the temperature control actually worked and swiftly heated or cooled the cabin to a comfortable level...no USB ports...so come prepared...just a quick note...if you are Elite and desire the Elite bathroom amenities you need to ask your cabin steward for one...also Elite receive a bar setup...and if you want a different setup...call room service...or if you don't want alcohol you can swap it for a coffee card...though they will not split up a choice...all elite in the cabin must choose to surrender the bar if you want the coffee card

I would have given five stars for their disembarkation...from what i could see from my balcony they were smoothly and swiftly disembarking passengers...the smoothest i have ever seen...but what they did to the quarantined passengers...shame on you San Francisco Port Authority