mysaddlebred000

Almost forgot.

Loonbeam,

You do not have to use AMEX travel to get the perk. Your TA can do it. Some don't want to bother with the extra work so they say they can't but they CAN!!

We have used it a dozen times the past three years with a TA

I also have been looking at those bump out cabins but I kind of like the aft facing ones. We usually book aft cabins and I like seeing where we have been. Also I have found that the wind isn't as strong as the bow facing ones. Most of the cabins I would have liked are gone, like deck C. I was looking at D726 - the last cabin on the port side. It is uncovered and that doesn't bother me. I guess it is as close to the aft as we can get. Yes I do like the back deck and know there are no chairs on that deck but sometimes you just want to look where we have been. My first choice would have been deck C.

Does anyone see any problems with D726 other than being uncovered. And yes, people can look at us. Is that window washing unit going to block any views? That is my only concern right now.

Thanks for all the comments.

Thinking about a two week cruise on the Coral - Panama. We love the sun. Yes I know it can be hot on the port side going west (leaving from Florida) but if we continue to Canada, I think it would be great facing west late afternoons. Now if we go the other direction, then I am thinking the starboard side. So, which mini suite cabin is the best for location and size - is there a difference in size. I saw a site that shows which ones are covered, uncovered, etc. Yes, I know not to be above or below certain areas - always check that first. It has been many years since we were on her.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I thought I remember reading a month ago that the elite bathroom amenities were cut back. Just after that we were in a mini suite and did not get any.

I just booked four cruises for 2015 and when I looked at the 8 FCC's that we had, I realized that two expired this fall and the rest next spring. I always thought that the date on the FCC was for the date it had to be booked by BUT it is the date that it has to be sailed by. So none of my 8 are good for the cruises I booked. I remember reading here that someone said they were able to extend them.

This was the day after I booked them. I called Princess and asked if I could extend them. She said yes but my TA would have to do it. My TA called the next day and he said it took a while but got the ones extended that were applied to those cruises. But they would not extend the other 4. You have to apply them to cruises for them to extend them.

We just did several cruises and I never thought about purchasing more since I had so many. BUT from now on, I plan to buy at least 2 every cruise.

I think they upgrade or offer upsells for suites to new people rather than us old timers because they know we probably won't ever pay the price for one. And even if the new cruisers don't book a suite in the near future, they are so happy with Princess, that they will book again and again.

First of all, I do apologize for saying I am glad you weren't able to get spaces. That was not very nice of me. It really is not your fault since Princess DOES allow people to bring guests into the boarding lounge and then board with them. Seems like I have had issues with this on every cruise. I still remember the one when a couple brought more than a dozen relatives, all first time cruisers, with them and they all pushed their way in front of us. HAs happened on the last six cruises. So I guess it will continue until Princess changes their policy. I doubt they will because they are looking for "new" cruisers that will spend money. Many of us elites don't spend as much as new cruises so I imagine they can put up with a few upset people - it is all about $$$$$$$$$.

I guess when you started off you talked about wanting to stay close to the port so you could get on board as soon as possible so you could to get those sanctuary spots - that is what triggered my response.

But as I said, I'm glad you had a good time.

I also agree that it is not fair for you to be able to board with your elite friends. That is a perk for them or someone sharing a cabin with the an elite or suite people. Your plan was to get on board first so you could book the sanctuary - that is not right! I'm glad you didn't get to book one. But am glad you had a nice cruise.

Not sure if their system for booking the sanctuary is best. And that is why so many people do b2b's. I have booked it several times and it really isn't my thing. It has been discussed her many times.

I wish they would try a lottery system. Not really sure what would be the best.

The biggest factor that determines your number is how many people signed up for early bird boarding (also the number of frequent flyers).

Last year we were on a flight during spring break and it seemed like more than half the plane was a student tour. We had high numbers. I doubt any of the kids paid for early boarding.

The other thing - everyone should stop posting on social networks that it is such a great deal. Just like posting the "best" cabins. Now we can never book them!!!

Just to clarify:

The earlier you check in to see what your boarding number is within that 24 hour period makes NO difference.

The earlier you book your flight and sign up for the early bird board is what determines the number you get. I have always gotten A's but booked a last minute cruise several months ago and ended up with B's. We took a friend with us recently and we had numbers in the A 30'd so at the gate, I paid the extra $40 each and got A 5 and 6.

I have not read of anyone who booked a WS guarantee and received anything but a WS cabin. I would be curious if anyone has moved from a WS to another suite on a guarantee.

Same here. Years ago someone said they don't upgrade any WS's to full suites because they booked a non-balcony cabin so they upgrade people from mini's instead because they booked a cabin with a balcony.

That happens a lot on Southwest . I wish they would make a rule that if you needed wheelchair assistance on you need it getting off .

I love their non stops BUT am so tired of them allowing wheelchair people and people with children to board first. They also allow people with medical cards to. Over the holidays when the boarding started, a dad with a small child was up with the gate attendant and she yelled back and said the entire family could board - it included gramma and grampa plus an aunt and uncle and more kids. It really made many people including me mad because they did not purchase the early boarding option. Same with many older people - they have figured out how they can board early and not pay the extra fee. An elderly couple came into the gate area with both pushing wheelchairs that were full of bags. They sat at chairs right by the gate entrance and the wheelchairs were parked next to them. The boarding started and they pushed their way to the front of the line. Number one, I thought the airport had people that pushed them so how did they get an airport wheelchair for their luggage???? They looked very spry - yes, that doesn't show all.

And on every flight I have been on lately, the bulkhead seats are taken up kids. I don't care for those seats but I don't feel kids need take them just because they are allowed on first.

And I also am sick and tired of being told to move over while I am in line waiting to board a ship. I had to stop at the ramp to the ship while 12 wheelchairs and their guest went past us. But what really upset me was when they jumped out of the chairs and ran off when they got on the ship. Saw several of them all over the ship - even dancing - no wheelchair

They are already seated - why do we have to stand while they are allowed to go on first. This handicapped stuff is getting out of hand.

Oh, and before you flame me, I do have a handicap car permit and my own wheelchair but I don't use them very often because it is better for me to walk and unless I am having an attack, I don't use it.

A friend called me yesterday to see if we would join them on a TA on Celebrity this fall. We were looking at one on Princess but may have to check it out. Celebrity was half the price.

It remembers your name, but you still have to sign in.

That is what confused me, if it remembers your name, why can't they log you in.

Thanks,

I'll talk to my IT friend.

Is there something you need to set up to stay logged into the personalizer?

I have been playing around the past few days and need to sign in every time I go there. I check "remember me" but for some reason it doesn't want to remember me. My wife said she always has to sign in. Why do they have it if it isn't doing its job?

My wife and I have been cruising since our honeymoon and she has been a member here for many years. She or I should say we have learned so much here and visit often. She reads my posts to me and one has hot a nerve with me. I own my company and am semi retired but still go to the office every day when we are home. We live in a port town so we can take last minute cruises.

We have sponsored numerous "puppies" who have become wonderful service dogs but have been thinking of becoming adopted parents for a puppy in training. I am not sure if I truly would be able to give him up after the year. We thought this would be a great opportunity to help someone in need. BUT after reading some of the posts on this thread, we aren't sure if we should. Would we be welcomed or would some people think we are fakes.

My wife would not let me post under her name and said I should start my own account so that is what I did and this is my first post. Not really sure why I am posting other than being very frustrated with people in general that feel they are entitled to things they did not earn or deserve. Be it from cutting in line, chair hogs, using other's handicapped permit or obtaining one fraudulently, or pretending their comfort dog is a service dog or drivers cutting you off in traffic. I truly am worried what this country is going to be like in 50 years. And don't get me started with the cell phone usage in public. Our last visit to the Crowne Grill consisted of at least one person at every table on the phone and more where the entire family was using them and I never witness any conversation throughout their meal.

We were on a long cruise recently and as always, seem to run into the same people all over the ship as well as in ports. We witness a man in a wheelchair with his poodle but what stuck us odd was that the woman he was with seemed to be holding the dog more. And around the pool, the dog was being passed around all the time. But what bothered us the most was that every time we saw them off the ship, the dog was never with him. This was the talk around the ship and others commented that they cruise often and the same thing went on. But what really made us shake our heads was when we went to Sabatinis for my brother's birthday with some other friends and saw this group there having a birthday party for the dog. My brother said "do not say anything to the waiter about my birthday". We had the same waiter and he was also shaking his head. He said "I have to be nice and happy about the situation but_____". We know many crew members after all the years and that dog was the lead conversation. I can imagine what was said in the crew lounge!!! And the dog wore a different outfit everyday.

Maybe I will post in the future about the misuse of wheelchairs at boarding.

Not sure what the answer is. Like handicapped parking permits, the police can NOT ask who owns it or why they have one. I see so many cars parked where someone is in the drivers seat and it is usually a man. So is it his permit and the wife runs in for something. I am afraid things are just going to get worse.