Bustersmom

Perfect! Thanks so much for the info! I too would just want to make it part of the boarding process and not have to go down later. Good plan for sure!

Thanks for doing such a great review! I have a question regarding the wine you brought on board. I know that I can pay $15 per bottle and take the case to my cabin, but how did you carry it on board while you waited to get to your cabin? Did you have soemthing like a collapsible rolling cart?  Many thanks-last time I was on princess I stopped and got a case of wine and slapped luggage tag on it and handed it over to the porters-so you know how long that has been!!

I can see them perhaps offering "TV" as a paid option, much like internet packages.

Correct - as far as I know, none of the other major Cruise Lines carry the traditional network TV stations.

Thanks so much!

I would like to know as well as is this across the board -not just carnival? other big lines as well? While we all understand that most do not care if they ever turn on the TV during the cruise, there are some that feel it diminishes the trip by not being able to stay up to date on news, current events via a few major networks-do not need HBO and premium stations just a few local media outlets. Again, for some this is a major letdown at the end of a long day not to veg and catch up.

I think the opportunity should be there for those who want it and for those that cannot understand why any person would need or want to watch TV on a fab cruise, well they have the option of never turning on the TV in their stateroom.

Agree with the full transit. We did the 15 day Ft. Lauderdale to LA on the Island in late October/early November in 2013. What a great time that was.

I have to believe it was fabulous! Thanks for the info!!

Just to be different...let me put in a vote for the Pacific.

We did a B2B full transit both ways (34 days). Amazing!!

Wonderful small ship.:D

Sounds amazing! Not sure a full transit would work for us but can add it to the future bucket list!! I am happy to hear everyone appears to enjoy the "smaller ship". I think we would also.

Fall is hurricane season, think this week's storm. Early December until the actual Christmas cruise maybe has the best value. A Christmas/New Year's cruise will have more children. Full transit is really nice. If doing a full transit I would book the Coral Princess. I am not a fan of the Island Princess since they took away the entire public stern area, added cabins for 200+ passengers, limited the amount of viewing space as well as not increasing the size of the DR's and other dining areas. Partial transits are also nice and they are RT same port. I have been there 4 times and it is always hot. On our March sailing the sun was very strong being just about directly overhead. You could not really stand out in the sun for more than a few mins.

Oh Thank you so much for the indepth info-seems like Coral is the ship-and after watching what has been an extraordinary weather season- will think carefully about my season to travel.

Spring cruise on Coral is nice.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you -I appreciate any and all information from seasoned "cruise critics" like you!

Come join us on the 3/21/18 10- day partial on the Coral. It’s a very nice mid-sized ship. We were on her for Alaska 7 day and never felt crowded. Stops include Aruba, Cartagena, Costa Rica. I am looking forward to 4 full sea days lounging on our balcony. [emoji432][emoji484]. Of course if you have the time a 2 week full transit would be the best of everything...Atlantic Pacific Caribbean and Mexican Coast.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I did look at this one-love Aruba-one of fav land vac over and over again! Thanks so much for the info! and again, Coral seems to be the choice. Many Thanks!!

A full transit? (its the best choice)

November thru February (or so) will enable you to avoid most of the rainy season.

Coral Princess would be my choice.

Thanks so much!

Have not cruised in over 8 years but considering a Panama Canal Cruise for hubby and I. We have only cruised to the Caribbean On Princess 3 times but this is a destination we both think we would enjoy in 2018. Can any of you recommend best time of the year and/or the particular ship we might choose? Any help is so appreciated!! The value of the knowledge on this board is priceless.

On all bottles of wine that has had the corkage fee paid ($15/bottle), the wine can be consumed anywhere on the ship. The answer is then "yes". In the "old days" before the corkage fee being enforced on the pier before boarding the ship, I would go to Total Wines and purchase a case of selected wine. They would put the bottles in an old wine shipping box. I would then tape the box closed and put a luggage tag on the box and turn it in at the baggage area along with our luggage. It would always appear in our state room many times before the luggage arrived. This was at Port Everglades for 10+ day cruises. It was all so easy. Now we have to carry it on but have two 6 bottle carriers that fold flat very nicely in our luggage for the flight home.[/quo

On all bottles of wine that has had the corkage fee paid ($15/bottle), the wine can be consumed anywhere on the ship. The answer is then "yes".

 

In the "old days" before the corkage fee being enforced on the pier before boarding the ship, I would go to Total Wines and purchase a case of selected wine. They would put the bottles in an old wine shipping box. I would then tape the box closed and put a luggage tag on the box and turn it in at the baggage area along with our luggage. It would always appear in our state room many times before the luggage arrived. This was at Port Everglades for 10+ day cruises. It was all so easy. Now we have to carry it on but have two 6 bottle carriers that fold flat very nicely in our luggage for the flight home.

I know! My last cruise was prob 5 yrs ago and based on CC Board-I purchased a case of wine at Total wine-slapped a tag on it and it appeared in my cabin! Thank you for the info-I have been reading for years all the threads of people trying to slip their wine in -I had NO IDEA that you could bring more than 2 bottles if you were willing to pay the $15 corkage on them! Seems alot easier than trying to smuggle in different ways!! I think I would just factor in the corkage as part of budget of vacation and/or compare to bev packages.

So you can bring a case of wine on board and pay the corkage fee on 10 bottles (I assume you have two "free" as allowed) and then take to your cabin as it does not matter where consumed as long as the corkage fee has been paid?

dmwnc1959: I too think about the weather aspects as well-did I say I am from upstate NY and oh gosh need escapes from brutal winter temps-so I guess a departure from that port would need to be in higher temp times! So back to Florida departures if this is to be a winter cruise! Many, Many thanks!

sknight and all others! Thanks so very much for the in depth info! I do see lots of opportunity and of course you have made it easier for me to choose! I do think I want Princess too. So again, many thanks-now I have some investigating to do!!

Would leaving from Baltimore to a caribbean destination mean a "roughter sea start" I read those people who go out of NJ etc have that kind of experience? Really do not know, but of course for me Baltimore would be driveable!!

I think since we live in upstate NY Florida will be our embarkation point-7 day cruises-caribbean or bermuda cruise-have been to many caribbean ports but only a couple of cruises as I said years ago! Not sure I need a mega ship and would like a more adult passenger list versus children, but we can try and pick times where kids are still in school. Thanks!!

Oh that sounds lovely! thanks for the positive input!!

Gosh thats a broad range for sure but counting on all the great CC members to chime in! I have reviewed and lurked for years! Last cruise I think was 2012 on Caribbean Princess. Looking to take a cruise in Jan 2017 (after the holiday crush) and thinking maybe newer ship like Regal? But again so long since last cruise. We loved our aft room even with the big obstruction-really did not bother us-so that being said, can anyone direct us to the best aft cabin on the newer ships? Or perhaps suggest a better cabin? We only get to cruise every so often so want to make each one as good as we can-Many thanks in advance! While I lurk on other boards, I think this one is simply the best! And we are early 60's and think Princess probably continues to serve our needs best-while I think the newer ships are awesome, not sure we need all the bells and whistles entertainment wise-more interested in service and comfort.

I have emerged from my usual "stalking" position to thank you for an excellent review! I have so often thought that I would love to cruise just as you describe ( I am at best an anytime diner) and your review just made me think how easy and casual and yet good your cruise was! I love my food for sure, BUT! I do not cruise to eat and anytime I do not have to shop it, bring it home, put it away, then take it out and plan and cook a meal, well just give me a PB& J that someone else made and I am a happy camper!! Many thanks for an awesome "new" look!

Exactly! Hoping that will be the case next time! again many thanks for the updates on this policy. It was so easy a few years ago but things are always changing, darn it! Ha!

thanks for the info! does sound like it is kind of hit and miss, so just prepare for the $15. I do not take to MDR just like for balcony etc, again many thanks!

Ok please don't hate me! I do read the forums etc but it has been almost 4 yrs since my last princess cruise. I was able to slap a "luggage"tag on a box of 7 bottles of wine from Total Wine in Ft lauderdale and it was delivered to my cabin, much like the water and soda-are those days completely gone? Any insights are of course appreciated. It does sound like those days are gone, but then again, I am not sure? Thanks in advance!