sue2go

Internet is really sloooooooooow.

 

Just hunt out free wifi in Port if you really must connect.

I think I'm going to take this opportunity to disconnect. Thanks for helping me make that decision!

Thanks for the feedback on the internet speed... will have to decide whether to unplug or stay in touch! I will definitely check out on the Bayou as it's consistently reviewed as one of the best shows on the seas! And yes, phone in airplane mode for sure!!!

Where else can you post a question and get so much help and advice while you sleep?? We are located almost mid ship, and I have my Bonine and my ginger gum in my packing pile. Hopefully things won't be too rough. And yes, I had read conflicting info on how to schedule the UBD, citing both room service and dine line. Will I'm sure get 'er done so to speak. And I may just decide to unplug for 15 days unless someone recently on the Island reports that the internet is actually worth the $$. Will try to connect to wifi in ports to just check in if it's easily available. Crooners - check! We love live music and it's one of the things we look forward to about the cruise.

As for Los Angeles' date=' be prepared for rain. El Nino has arrived and we had a few inches of rain in just a few days this week (compared to some of our recent drought years when we were lucky if we got ten inches of rain all year). When it rains here, streets tend to get flooded quickly.[/quote']

 

We are actually visiting family in Venice Beach for a few days prior to the cruise, and they just said and you are coming during our el nino! I do hope it's not going to make for rough sailing, but I'll cover up and enjoy what I can despite the rain! Guess I should pack some rain shoes, eh?

Other possibilities for the "after boarding" to do list: (1) have lunch in the MDR--don't let them force you to eat in the buffet; (2) sign up for ultimate ship tour; (3) buy internet package to get possible bonus minutes offered the first day; (4) make spa appointments at specific times/days, if that's important to you; (5) if you want to take photos of the ship itself without crowds, this will be your best chance.

Regarding the internet - was figuring that it was pretty much a waste of money based on the complaints on the speed... has something changed to make it tolerable? Not expecting lightening fast, but also don't want to pay good money for slow dial up type speed...

I have not sailed on the Island Princess. I have sailed on her sister ship, the Coral Princess. If the Island has the Bayou Cafe specialty restaurant, I highly recommend trying it. Also, if the Island puts on the production show called On The Bayou, go see it. That show was put on in the aft lounge on the Coral but they have removed that lounge on the Island. I don't know if the show was discontinued or moved to the Princess Theater. It is a great show.

Will do! Have read wonderful things about that show! I'm also looking forward to MUTS.

Sounds like you might be the best-prepared Princess cruisers we've seen. Now, just realize the Panama Canal and environs may be the hottest, most humid place you've ever been.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip going the other direction Dec. 5-20. We especially liked San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, and Puntarenas, Costa Rica, But boy, the canal and Colombia were hotter that we could prepare for.

 

If you want to see a mess of crocodiles, make sure you go on a Tarcoles River croc cruise.

 

Jim

There are benefits to reading things on these boards for over a year pre-cruise! I have ordered a thing that you wet and wear around your neck to help with the heat from Magellan's... will post a report after our cruise (to thank all the kind folks on this board for sharing their knowledge and experiences) and let you know how it worked! I also have some cool wipes my daughter jokingly gave me years ago in my stocking for dealing with hot flashes that I plan to pack and take along - hahaha!

Sounds like a great night since you will be at anchor! We only did the UBD once and had no problem booking on board. We choose an overnight at anchor in Cabo and had wonderful and changing views from our balcony. Call Princess or your TA to see about prepaying the UBD. At the tender dock in Fuerte Amador there is a shop that has a reasonable selection of decent wine. We bought some before our HoHo bus tour and by the end of the tour the selection was quite picked over. You may or may not be charged corkage for a few bottles brought on board there [emoji6]

Wonderful - will do - thanks again for the information!

A slight correction, you can arrive whatever time you want and I suggest arriving between 10:30 and 11:00 to be among the first in line to check in after priority check in of Suite, Elite and Platinum passengers. The earlier you check in the lower the number of your boarding group. You can't board until your boarding group is called.

 

We have also had some problems calling the DINE line early in the afternoon. There will be a table set up outside either Sabatini's or the Bayou Cafe. At that table you can make reservations for any specialty dining or the UBD. I would also suggest that after making your reservations you go to the DR well before 1:30 for a nice lunch. It will probably be in the Provence DR on Fiesta deck 6 but check your Patter.

Great tips! Was looking for the place to purchase the UBD before boarding and couldn't find it in the personalizer - the breakfast was listed but not dinner. If I go to the specialty restaurant and book it there will that be good enough? I was going to schedule it for the night we are in Fuerte Amador.

Specialty Restaurant Reservations, It might be easier to just visit the restaurant(s) around 1pm or so on boarding day. It is sometimes difficult to get through on the DINE line on the first day. The attendant there may also be able to help arrange the UBD.

Sounds like I have options for getting those reservations - thanks!

Bon Voyage!!

 

You may find that the DINE line or whatever you will call to make a res for the UBD will not answer until late afternoon or evening. You might try speaking with a head waiter when you board either in the DR or the HC buffet. He may be able to put it down for you. ;)

Thanks for the tip Keith! Will keep that in mind.

And we will each have our allowed bottle of wine in our carry one! Cheers!

Will be boarding our first Princess cruise (on the Island Princess) Feb 18 for a full transit of the Panama Canal. Will be boarding in San Pedro after our night at the Crowne Plaza. My blue card in hand, I will board without regard to the boarding time suggested and when on the ship go straight to our cabin and call the dine line and make reservations for the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and specialty restaurant reservations for a formal night, which I can determine from the Patter (not doing formal nights). I will ask our cabin steward for a top sheet. I will attend the meet and greet that our role call has set up the first day, and I plan to attend zumba and join the pop choir. We will watch for happy hour at the Wheelhouse Bar, and plan to enjoy our anytime dining even if we are given a beeper by grabbing a glass of wine while we wait, as we would in a restaurant on land. Our excursions are booked, our onboard credit for military service is there, we have prepaid for our coffee cards and a soda card (not and more - did it before it disappeared). Anything else that experienced cruisers would like to share with this blue card newbie? Not new to cruising, have a few cruises with other lines (Celebrity and RCCL) under our belt

Others have posted that they were fine when they pre-purchased it. I think you will be fine.

Great news! Thanks!

I pre-purchased the soda package as I drink a lot of club soda. It still shows as purchased in the personalizer, but I do see that the package is no longer showing as available on our cruise - so what will they do with mine? Cancel? Honor?

Thanks so much for taking time to give us all answers and for sharing your cruise with us! Enjoy!!

Really excited to hear about your cruise - we are on her in Feb and can't wait to hear your thoughts. If you have any feedback on the Anytime Dining on her I'd be interested to hear that. This will be our first Princess cruise and our first AD experience...

That sounds perfect! Thanks for the information and reassurance... I look forward to participating!

And one who let's say enjoys singing in the car with the radio would feel comfortable joining the group? I love to sing, but am not particularly talented... but also not shy about singing. I hope to join (and feel comfortable) on our Panama Canal cruise on the Island in Feb.

Thank you for the information Daryleann. I am still interested in information on hiring a guide at the tourist center where the bus drops us off "on the fly". This would leave our option of doing it on our own or with a guide open. And if we chose to hire a local guide there how that process happens.

it makes us feel better that even YOU can make a mistake! :)

Will be taking the Princess Antiqua on your own transfer in February. I've read several posts about hiring a guide at the drop-off point for something like $10 per person. Do experienced cruisers suggest we do this or just go it on our own? And if you suggest hiring a guide, any advice on to go about that? Thanks in advance!

Thanks guys for the replies. Got a chuckle at the image of bringing our own, not because it's a silly or bad idea, but DH goes through about 12 cans a day, so you can imagine the wagon we'd be pulling up the gangway if we did so....oh well, will likely get the soda package and not hassle worry about it [emoji4]

Me too! I don't drink soda but put away a lot of seltzer so I purchased the soda card!

Thanks - will keep an eye on that for more info.

This article indicates all Carnival owned ships including Princess.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6551