Papa Yoda

Depending how your 401k works, you might be able to buy with retirement funds that you were not going to spend anyway. Hint: Carnival CCL tends to hit an annual low around the middle of October.<>

This is terrific advice and of course is exactly what we did. :)

We are not new to cruising, but it's been awhile (about 5-6 years!) and this will be the first with the WHOLE family (4 of us, 2 adults, 2 kids). When I booked, I asked why the balcony was configured 2 twins and a rollaway, but was assured that if we asked the room steward directly that he would fix it once onboard... has anyone had experience with this? My husband and I would much enjoy sharing one bed!!

 

The wine rule, we are bringing a few bottles of wine, and plan to bring our own corkscrew, are they stringent on the corkage fee after the first 2 bottles per person? We only plan on bringing 3-4 bottles for the 4 day cruise, so we might not even reach the corkage fee, but curious on experiences.

 

We are on the Crown Princess, ANY tips and info are appreciated!! This will be our first balcony, not sure what to expect. Tips on the Spa, room service, off menu items (already got the volcano on our list, my husband is a huge banana split fan!), etc.

 

On the Crown, what are the PAY FOR items, I know the specialty coffee thing, we are getting a card for that, is there anything else we have to pay for; and which specialty restaurants are must-sees?!

I'm not sure what cabin you are looking at, but you will love the balcony! Just watching the ocean go by is a major perk!

Booze: 1 (one) 750ml bottle per adult of still or sparkling wine with no fee, additional bottles are subject to corkage fee regardless. Beer and spirits will be confiscated. They are stringent and bags are xrayed.

Book spa for port days for discounts.

Room service is free except $3 for Pizza but it is a limited menu. Burgers are included tho! Check the Princess website for details on the Kids' drink package

Steak and lobster for $25 in the Crown Grill - seems to be the hot ticket.

Grab the loved one and get a chocolate martini in Adagio.

The Crown has a kids plus parents hot tub etc. zone aft on deck 16 that is woefully underutilized.

Aww thanks!

Where did she get that ring!

Agree with kama aina - adding maybe:

Maui: snorkel Molokini - beautiful!

Kaua'i: Seeing the Na Pali coast is important and beautiful - but snorkeling is dicey - we've tried 3 times and never got in the water (weather, temps, winds, whatever). But Ziplining! Woo Hoo! Or a visit to Hanalei Bay / Pier, or a helicopter tour are our choices. Kaua'i coffee is so good, but I've not seen a recent plantation tour advertised.

Oahu: You may be on Oahu long enough to get some garlic shrimp at Giovanni's on windward side on your way to Dole Plantation.

Of course, stop at an ABC store for some Spam flavored Macadamia nuts

We've tried twice on shorter cruises to no avail. "please read the fine print..." Maybe we'll try again on an upcoming 5 niter. Or maybe we'll just show up at the restaurant and stamp our little feet ;'p

I just eat Velveeta. I'm not sure it even comes from cows :).

Thanks for doing your part for the drought!

Just saw a billboard on California Hwy 58 that said: "Just say NO to Cheese. 2 slices = 55 gals of water."

Its funny to see the little rules that they make up to avoid having to grab a couple. :rolleyes:

Agreed, what a crock. Wonder if Stewart was throwing them overboard?

Yes. The secret is out -- jump on C752/C753...

Don't believe those guys! Aft facing cabins with private balconies and wake views are known to cause serious personal issues. Don't book those cabins under any circumstances!

There. Fixed that right up. Next?

My not so humble opinion might be that some of us may need our

tongue-in-cheek detectors re-calibrated. Not to be too definitive about it. But if this is a long standing feud of which I am unaware... then ... nevermind.

2 separate (but related) points:

1. US citizens with a valid, unexpired passport have no 6 month issue to re-enter US. (and BC+DL okay on closed-loop cruise for re-entry to US - see below)

2. MEX requires US PP that will be valid for 6 months prior to entry into MEX. Maybe no issues but no guarantees!

Therefore, Renew It. No sense spending 48 hours in a Mexican jail if it can be easily avoided no matter how remote the chances.

US CBP web site: U.S. Citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country on the cruise with proof of citizenship, such as an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) and, if 16 or older, a government issued photo ID. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise

We will be in 6088 and wondering if there is room in the bedroom for a rollaway? There will be 3 of us and would rather each have their own beds. Sadly the queen does not separate into two twins. We have requested the rollaway and are hoping that it will fit someplace in the bedroom but does anyone know?

6088 is Owners Suite Port Aft, about 900 sq ft inc balcony

(18 days in 7114 one deck up, my 1st house was 850 sq ft)

Room for rollaway in Bedroom - Y

Room for rollaway in Living room - Y

Room for rollaway in Dressing area - Maybe

Take a look at Baja Deck stern facing balconies (only place where there are stern balconies adjoining). Not all Grand-class ships have these.

You can use the balcony most all the time as they are sheltered. We think the benefits outweigh the extra bit of walking -- even given that wife has foot and knee issues. We've done a side balcony to HI and didn't get anywhere near the enjoyment as when we had a stern facing balcony. Try to get B748 or B749 as you have somewhat more of a view to the side as well.

Yep it's in the fine print footnote of the Suite Amenities flyer. I agree with cr8tiv1, I would be have to be convinced to leave the suite at all.

Enjoy! Just have to live with the 2 cruise credits towards Elite.

My friend will be bringing his Mac Air on our October Royal cruise. Do any of you techies know if the Mac Air will connect wirelessly? A few cruises back, he said it did not and the mgr of the Internet cafe claimed it was an Apple issue with the wireless card.

 

Has anyone successfully used a Mac Air wirelessly on a recent cruise? Could it be some proprietary issue and he needs to talk to Apple?

 

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Kathleen

I'm not a Mac user but I can say that Apple tends to have WiFi issues - they are the strangest interpreters of IEEE standards I've ever seen and tend to have orthogonal engineering solutions (i.e. 90 degrees off normal)... (I retired last year after nearly 30 years work in data communications engineering and architecture)

Macbook Air WiFi issues seem to be common (google "macbook air won't connect to public wifi") and have your friend try the Apple Support recommended solutions out at a Starbucks or similar public WiFi venue since the splash screen logon methods are similar. Lastly - most of the Apple solutions involve updating software/drivers on the Mac ... enough said.

Enjoy!

Yes the promo is still on as verified just now by checking even into America's May 2017 voyages. But as reported in azbirdmom's "Weird Pricing" thread it is "Capacity controlled" so could be that limits for this summer Alaska cruises are kicking in. Also they may not be as willing to cancel and rebook cruises if they are getting swamped which could translate into "pulling the promo", it needed a call over to "support" to accomplish the rebooking.

And yes the promo is tied to your account (for some reason my wife sees the discounts in the online system but not in the MyPrincess My Dream Deals "View deals"). The only way to know if you're going to get the Casino discount is if you see a lower fare when you select a specific cabin when booking (or get the email).

Got the email Monday - been busy or would have posted sooner. There is no promo code - it just shows up. Wife and I are linked and the discount is given to both even booking separately. No known expiration or limit at the moment.

Discount varies by cabin type and "trade"

They cancel and reissue with a new booking #

Just did 2 cruises and I didn't lose OBC and they applied FCD. But rep said if the category is sold out you may have trouble keeping a specific cabin.

I think I know what you mean, but say it slowly - more detailed - so I really get what to do. :-)

Sit down at a slot machine and put your cruise card in.

Follow the little screen prompts to charge Casino Cash to your account. I think it has a minimum of $100.

Once you've got the casino cash as Credits on the machine then Cash Out. (Or play a little since you never know!)

Take your cruise card to the Casino Cashier and they will hand you the cash.

And if, as I will be, you sail solo in a Full Suite, after 5 cruises, on my next cruise-hoping to organise it for my 60th birthday-I shall be Elite based on current information, and I know the rules may be changed!

 

The 2 and 3 night cruises will be what helps me achieve this-have, for my access needs, only the Golden Princess available, and not many cruises that are Coastal, I do not want, at this stage, to travel internationally, so my choice is a bit limited.

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

Ah but on the Golden you can book the Sun Deck suites. We totally love those, only ones in the fleet. Private - very quiet - and just a cut above.

I always get them, and for our last 6 cruises they've been on the menu at least once per cruise - even a 3 day. They are served on a white platter with little "nests" for the escargot, no shells as in a French restaurant. Of the 6 or 8 servings I've had they've been a little overdone a couple times.

But now the clams casino - oh man - not seen them since the Sapphire.

One at a time. The exception may be one beer and one water...

Righto - we've never had an issue getting water with any alcohol order on the AI sticker. But overall, I think he can figure out how to get the deck staff to keep his bucket full :')

It's been 12 years but we did the couples massage on the Pacific Princess. It was fine for room. It's a typical spa massage room. Given a choice - I'd take a beach massage! We were in 7055 and concur with the other reports - it is huge and I spent 90% pof the trip on the balcony.

We have bought onboard in LA - no added Tax. You can buy on day 2, so for a

10 day cruise you'd only pay for the last 9, but any drinks you get on day 1 are paid for at regular prices (not free).

Some bartenders are known to honor the sticker on debarkation day "figuring 24 hours in a day" ;')

Covers wine 10 USD or less in Vines; wine. port, specialty coffee in DR; all Coffees / Teas in IC. Bottled water, canned or not sodas, beer, shakes, sundaes. Drinks over 10 USD list price (i.e. before tax/gratuity) are not included. plus the afrorementioned 40% off bottled wine that lists for under 100 USD

Kelly has put together a spreadsheet to help us out

Thank you I couldn't find a list of teas those should keep herself happy.

You are most welcome!

Only the All-Inclusive package includes bottled water (both .5 and 1.5 liter sizes)

"Kelly's painstaking Princess Beverage Package Evaluator spreadsheet " lists these teas in the IC at US$1.25:

White Orchard

Vanilla Bean

Organic Earl Grey

Organic Breakfast

Organic Spring Jasmine

Chamomile Citrus

Ginger Twist

Marrakesh Mint

I presume those are the Premium Teas on the ship

Quote from Princess pdf (see below):

Café Selects Coffee Card:

Enjoy 15 espresso-based hot or cold specialty coffee drinks along with complimentary brewed coffee and premium tea for the duration of your cruise.

Item #524 – $31

More information in the PDF:http://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-gifts-celebrations/gifts-and-services/