leaveitallbehind

Enjoy!

It's an interesting argument. I know you, as I, can well recall the days of the long lines and mass groupings at the terminal with everyone trying to board at 11:00. At the time all check in was done at the counters where documents were checked, pictures taken, and room cards issued. The process often took (depending on port) 45 minutes or longer in our experience. At least it was that way with RCCL. In some cases just before, but certainly resulting from covid, the check in times were initiated and early on rather strictly enforced. On line check in also came to prominence. And IMO the process smoothed out and was much shorter and more efficient. I know most people still hope for the earliest times (myself to some extent as well), but even the later times still have you on board reasonably early and, again in our experience, with far less hassle and time at the terminal. Not sure eliminating those slots wouldn't result in a return to the old days? I wonder if with your Princess experience people weren't staggering their own arrivals or maybe staged naturally with flight arrivals, etc.? Who knows, keeping everything else as is and with good staffing, maybe eliminating the check in queues wouldn't be a bad thing. I guess it certainly would be worth a try. If it didn't work out they could always go back to it.

In our experience on that itinerary, there was no change in ship time to local time.

As others have mentioned it is strictly the Captain's choice, when there is a time zone difference, to change to the local time or not. As I understand it, typically it is to the convenience of the crew and their daily work schedule versus that of the passengers in port. It is often far easier to maintain the original ship departure / return port time so as not to disrupt the crew's hours with their schedules for a given port of call than to have the passengers simply adjust their time accordingly for that port of call. All ship sponsored, and typically as well with independent tours, would be aware of the ship time in port and will coordinate those tours accordingly. One typical exception, as example, is with East coast US to Bermuda cruises when there is two or three days in port. In our experience at a point en route to the island the Captain will change the ship time to match the port time since the ship is there for that extended period of time. The reverse takes place on the return. It is then both to the convenience of the passengers as well as the crew. The other typical examples would be with trans-Atlantic and Pacific repositioning cruises where the time is adjusted with each time zone transitioned.

Not arguing your point and I don't disagree that all of the above factors are important and come into play when choosing a cruise. It's a holistic decision that would consider everything mentioned. But where the ship goes and with what you hope to experience in those ports of call on that given itinerary is IMO a primary driving factor in that decision. I would guess that most cruisers think first of where they want to go and then consider all of the other factors you mention in deciding how to best get there to fit their cruising preferences and expectations. And as previously said, if only one or two key ports of call drive that itinerary choice, then they certainly could have a disappointing outcome. JMO.

I am aware of that and indicated that in my original response, but thanks!

Not something I was aware of. Learn something new everyday. I guess some fares / airlines terms require it.

Jet Blue and United non-stops both ways EWR. Not sure why you aren't seeing it. If you booked through a TA call them, if not call FBC at 800.533.7803.

I am on the site now with my PC and using PHL (assumed?) there for June 9 is one nonstop and several connecting flights showing. If using your phone maybe try again or try a different device?

For what ship?

That is correct as just referenced in my last post - you do have the option to prepay the airfare but it is not required.

I believe the only time you cannot change flights based on fare type is if you prepay the airfare, which is an option. In that case I believe the airline change rules apply. If there are other such restricted fares I am not aware of them. And it is correct that you would go through FBC for all fare and flight changes as they booked them. The rest of the information is accurate as to their booking policies.

As D+ you will likely have reserved seating in the main theater and ice show. Show up 15 - 20 minutes ahead of the show as at 10 minutes prior they open the remaining seats in the reserved sections to anyone.

You can call 800.533.7803.

Also just be aware from a timing point of view, for her the trip would likely be around 21 days on the ship as most trans-Atlantic cruises are about 14 days and the Caribbean portion would be at least 7. Then she has to get back.