Mud_Shark

we did the princess excursion to Rendezvous Cay a couple weeks ago. Agree with Elizabeth about the beauty of the island, but, as she indicated, the snorkel groups are too crowded and we got turned off with that part. Anytime you were in the group, you were getting hit by someone kicking, or you were the one kicking someone else. We just lagged behind our group, but our guide kept calling us to catch up, and we would, only to get kicked and then fall back again. In truth, the snorkeling from the shore at Tabayana in Roatan the next day was far better than what we experienced on Rendezvous Cay.

We loved the cave tubing, but you are right - the drive there and back eats up much of your day. You will have to decide if it is worth it to you. The actual cave tubing portion is so enjoyable though.

Most who desire beach or snorkel time take an excursion out to one of the many islands on the barrier reef. There are many venders at the port selling such excursions and others pre-sell online. Usually it is about 45 minute boat ride out to the islands. Some have chairs. few have umbrellas. But the islands themselves are right out of a tourist brochure.

for a 6pm departure, Princess will usually have a last tender departure at 5:30pm. If you can actually get on the 3:30pm water taxi, you would be fine to catch one of the later tenders back to your ship. It's just the uncertainty of something going wrong. I am too nervous about such things to actually enjoy my time on a venture like this. So ourselves, we will just take a ship excursion out to Caye Caulker, though that includes snorkeling and not a lot of free time on the island - but that is what we prefer anyway. Hoe you enjoy your plan for the day.

Tabayana beach (west Bay) - snorkeling -is A+ for the Caribbean Mahogany bay - Snorkeling near pier by cabanas - is C- (but I would still do it for a while if we were staying at the port for the day instead of heading out on an excursion.

We were there last Thursday. Not one small piece of sargassum noted at Tabayana. Water was fantastic. I am sure they clean the beach shoreline in the morning if any accumulates during the night, but we saw nothing. In contrast, there was plenty on some Costa Maya Beaches same week. Not like an insane amount, but some piled up on the beach shore and pieces floating in the water every few feet. Some areas that had not been cleaned were thick with sargassum and stank.

Just about ditto to the previous post. 24 cruises to date. Have not purchased any extra insurance or cancellation insurance. We have health and travel insurance through a government retirement policy and our travel credit card. Sometimes have to top off if out of the country longer than 40 days. Just felt that if we had to cancel for some reason or got delayed, we would just eat the cost and in the end it would not be more than the amount we would have paid if we had purchased cfar insurance for all these trips. To date, have not had anything major. But now, as the years pile up, the possibilities of problems is tending towards us being a little more cautious and protected.

Another vote for "meh". For the right itinerary we would sail on her again, but definitely prefer the royal class. We are just getting off Caribbean princess on Saturday. Cruise was fine, but could list probably 20 minor things broken or warped or loose. Plus, there just is not enough seating in the horizon court, but that is more of a Caribbean princess problem alone. We cruised emerald right after the COVID restart, and they had not yet touched up maintenance on areas that had been left untouched for a year so maybe our perception is skewed.

The only one we inquired about was the Everglades your without the flamingo park. That one gets back to port at 1230pm.

We got off the enchanted princess this morning and boarded the Caribbean princess 90 minutes later. We had sailed on the Caribbean 4 times previously (all before COVID). Our last 6-8 cruises have all been on royal class princess ships. So, today was a step back in time. We had forgotten the layout of this ship. We will of course enjoy this cruise, but there is certainly no wow factor. We snickered at the very outdated bathroom in the room. The walls are very thin and we can hear everything around us. Venues are all much smaller, but of course there are also fewer on board. There are some musty smells in certain areas. The buffet has significantly less choice. There are no usb outlets in the room and only 2 plugs (both very close together so that an adaptor covers both when plugged in). The door to our room is slightly warped. We would sail on this ship again if itinerary was right, but all things being equal or nearly so, we would choose to sail on a royal class or sun class princess ships over the Caribbean Princess or any of her sister ships.

Yes. Should have mentioned that we booked the 3rd night on day 9 of 14.

Just to confirm, with premier there is no charge for spec dining. Your folio does not even list the event so you do not have to pay out of pocket for the gratuity for your first 2 meals. After that, you pay the same as everyone else. We added a 3rd night, sabbatinis, and our folio was charged $41.30 per person, so it is the list price plus 18 percent.

Just to answer one of the questions of this thread. We are currently on Enchanted on our second week of a 14 day cruise. We booked it as one cruise with premier package, though it was also bookable as 2 seven day cruises. We only got 2 specialty dinners each for the entire 14 day cruise. We booked a 3rd night of specialty dining just to see if it would be charged, (we were prepared to pay if charged) and yes it was charged to our account.

The app is all gimped up for us on our current cruise. Among other things I was unable to make any spec dinner reservations at all. It just kept saying "error...". Did that for many things. I think we confused it because we had three in our room for the first leg of a back-to+back and two in the room for the second leg. Anyway, when we arrived in our room on turn around day (after clearing customs), there was a note in our room with two spec dinner reservations made on our behalf for the premier package. One was for Rudi's and the other for sabbatinis. Pretty sure we could have asked for venue or timing changes, but we decided to just go with what they set up for us. So far, worked out fine. We ate at Rudi's tonight but have not yet done the sabbatinis night.

OK, It's as close to being a scam as possible while still being a "legit" offer. I would not touch this, but then I would not touch a time share either.

Cruising is still great. Couple differences I can think of: 1) Prices are higher. Gratuities are also up. 2) Free internet minutes have been replaced by 50% off daily or cruise long internet packages (which are also more expensive) 3) Dining reservation system has changed and is app based. 4) Steamers and Planks now alternate nights rather than having both open each evening. 5) few small differences in loyalty perks 6) Coffee card is no longer available 7) Princess Plus and Premier have access to dining options that are now pay venues for non plus cruisers.

I have noticed these age restrictions popping up more and more. We are doing the ship excursion for ATVs in Costa Maya (with Princess). It states max age as 65. We are 61, but have noticed these restrictions on some snorkeling excursions as well. have never seen them before - at least not commonly. Seems to mean that once you hit 65 or 70 - its only bus rides (Blah). I just cancelled our jet boat excursion in Cozumel as it had a weight restriction as well (max weight 240lbs - also max age 70 years). I am 250lbs. Grr. We did a jet boat excursion in Australia last year and had a blast (certainly didn't have a weight limit that low). But I didn't want to have a problem if they actually called me on the weight.

Yes - April 6th Enchanted. But it was my lowest bid. I bid on 4 categories and only had a minimum bid on the lowest upgrade - an Oceanview (there are only 6 of these rooms). But that is what we got. Satisfied.

We are also booked for a 14 day (booked as a single voyage but bookable as 2 7 days). Our summary also says specialty dining two nights $117.60. I thought dining was $39 per night plus 18%, but that figure does not fit in as a factor of 2 or 4 into $117.60 We sail in April, so if someone has not provided the first hand experience definitive answer by then, I will let you know how it turned out for us.

Plenty of testimonials on CC about supposed call backs from supervisor that never materialized. Princess call center is useless.

Well, I would have said they are potty trained (they are twins - 2 and a half years old), but the boy had an "accident" at our place on Saturday, so they are certainly not 100% yet. We will have to see how things progress.

Hmm. Ok thanks. Guess I never paid attention because I never had to before. We are on the enchanted, but it is probably the same situation.

Wow - Nice way to come back to cruising - this is a bucket list cruise for many. As far as boarding, we have only done it once at San Pedro. There should be at least two lines to check in - Green and Blue - with someone at the front of the lines asking if you have your medallions or not and then directing you to the appropriate line. After security and check in, if you are not in a full suite (or have status - which you indicated you do not), you will likely be directed to a seating area to wait until you can actually board the ship. Best time to arrive? Perhaps subjective, but many like to get onboard as soon as possible and "start vacation mode". So early arrivals will get to the port around 930 or 10 am, but may have a wait before they can get checked in. By 10:30 or 11am, the peak number of guests will be at the port and in the line or waiting area in some fashion. It can be a bit of a zoo at that time, but these cruise companies and ports are pretty efficient at moving people. Usually actual boarding starts around 1030 am or so, but can be delayed by customs inspections etc. If you arrive after noon or so, line ups are minimal, and it is often a short wait or no wait to get on board.

We have had 3 or 4 Princess excursions cancelled. Sometimes a day or two in advance, sometimes while waiting for it to commence. Disappointing, but these things happen.

I could certainly be wrong but I thought it was the opposite. I thought it was the forward pool by the sanctuary that was adults only and the aft pool was for anyone? We are sailing in two weeks with our grandchildren (first time for them - they are only toddlers) so time to figure this stuff out. Don't want a bunch of angry stares if we are in the wrong place.