Catchum

We normally sail inside on NCL always ask for bathrobes and a coffee maker always get them.

We have upgraded from an inside to a balcony - UK booking - you simply call Princess and pay the difference in price as of today. IMHO If he is paying for the cruise It would be up to him to decide which option to take - If you are paying it is your decision.

We were on the crown in April and once we found the juice be we used it a lot - only available until 1pm on port days and 2pm sea days I think. The sign is only there when it is open otherwise you would not know, and it can be a long wait as they juice the fruit whilst you wait - If you want one before an early excursion get it the day before in a to go cup - the sort they have for iced coffee and keep it in the fridge in your cabin.

We are on this itinerary and also have an inside marked no upgrade. I'm not giving up my mid ship deck 8 for a balcony by the anchor. Honestly this is quite port intensive and I wouldn't worry about not having a window. If there is a wonderful view from the ship snap a picture from the promenade deck and enjoy the savings you have made.

From the UK - Two days ago I was under the sunshade and slapping on factor 50 - today I have long woolly socks and a jumper. Also the difference in temperature between Cornwall and Scotland can be significant. You may be pleased you packed shorts - but also bring something wind proof. In the UK layers are the way forward and a back pack to carry the layers you don't need.

We have rather different feelings. DH is a Vietnam vet and has no desire to visit another place where so many young men lost their lives. As a brit I remember the horrendous loss of both world wars every time I travel through a tiny community and see the names on the war memorial, every villiage has one. We are surrounded by defenses (pillboxes) erected when invasion seemed inevitable. I am profoundly grateful for the US support in WW II but won't be taking the excursion.

We were invited into the lounge by elite cruisers on our last cruise and had no problems - we just said XXX invited us and went to join them. We were asked for our cabin number when we ordered a drink. I was a bit underwhelmed TBH and preferred the tapas at Vines.

My DH says he doesn't need technology as he has me, I put the app on his phone which he then leaves in the safe. Your dad will be fine I mainly use the app to look at the dinner menu and that isn't 100% accurate. Servers are plentiful to order drinks from.

Won't be looking at NCL for a Europe cruise at the moment. Looks like they don't have the cash flow to pay operating costs. Maybe next is "we weren't given enough notice to pay the fuel bill." (Stirring the pot)

Nothing wrong with looking like a tourist - you are on holiday, if it is warm Brits will break out the shorts and BBQ (any excuse will do when you don't have reliable weather). Maybe you will see fewer shorts in cities like Dublin or Edinburgh than at seaside towns. Don't rely on it being warm from a Florida perspective it might be in the 80s or the 60s on the same day. Though the last time we were in Orlando we had to break out the woolly hats and gloves it was freezing.

Not a port thing an NCL thing - there is a report on the Princess Forum of a ship leaving Southampton April 30, 2023, - May 8, 2023. It starts with a description of the wine ordered with lunch whist in port. No mention of problems on any of the UK centered forums (Fred and P&O UK)

I second the duct tape for the light sensor by the bathroom. Pool towel - or a flip flop works for the ones by the bed, the bed side light strips in our cabin on the crown fell off so you could turn them to face the wall. There is an additional outlet behind the TV. Hard to reach but I left a charger plugged in with a long enough cord to hang down in front of the TV so I could get at it easily. There are two sockets by the desk but they are so close together that I could only use one at a time. Fortunately we are not big electronic users.

I'm 58 days out and just picked ours - I know it doesn't matter but the QR code appears when I have picked my time and I like that big green QR code. 1. Go to Personal information & Documents in the app 2. Scroll down to Suggested information and choose Arrivals 3.Pick your cruise (if you have more than one booked) 4. Pick your time and confirm.

We always choose to travel to Southern Europe out of season. Think April / May and October / November. Partly because it is no so hot (and those stone cites bake in the summer) but because the crowds are so much less of a problem. In the height of summer you see much less because you spend so much more time in ques.

On our April Cruise the Juice bar prices were $8 for most and $12 for a couple made with coconut milk. I think we got as much value out of the juice bar as we did the coffees. Be warned take a book when you place an order as it can be a long wait especially for the veg based ones. My favorite was a mix of the Booster and the Rejuvenator over ice. A great way to start the day.

First don't carry all your cash in one place - have some in your wallet and some tucked safely away in an inside pocket or such like. If you want lunch are we talking street tacos or is a Michelin Star more your sort of thing? Same with souvenirs - fridge magnet or one of a kind artwork? Only you can tell what you are likely to need. A quick google will show you the cost of a meal in various levels of restaurant or check menus on Trip Advisor

If you are on a longer voyage you usually get two bags per person - this is not advertised but if you go to the cruise next desk on embarkation day to book your wine tasting etc then they will tell you - our last sailing 14 days in December we had two bags each. Never yet failed to get everything we needed washing into the bag.

Well I'm 50+ and a size 6 but I'm going to give one a go - though will be adding wet wipes to my packing list. Or will eat it in the shower.

I never worry if the outside of my wine bottle is clean. Remove bottle pour into glass discard icecream. Is the shot counted against your beverage package? We never get to our 15 drinks max and these would be great for the drive home

The pictures I have seen of what you get have the candy still in the wrapper - if this is the case order your two a day remove wrapped candy to pass on to kids, remove shots to enjoy later and walk away from the rest - or better still just ask for the wrapped candy and shot without the rest - honestly the only way I could safely eat one of those would naked standing in the shower.

Thank you for the information

I have princess plus for a cruise in two weeks. Looked at the app and saw under packages I can enrol for prizes onboard any ideas what this means?

Loving the Hawaii / Alaskan combination - DH lived most of his life in Salcha - we will be onboard on the 17th and seem to have similar food preferences to you - will certainly be ordering the steamed veg. Also your idea of ordering an extra starter as desert is total genius - I often choose a selection of starters for my meal but never for desert. If I am consuming sugar it better damn well be fermented.

Having done two inaugural cruises I would not avoid them or specifically choose them. Not everything will work perfectly and there may be on going work but that is also the case on cruises before and after a refit. Europe in February - absolutely we have just done a December Spain and Portugal Cruise and the weather was wonderful except one wet and windy day. Have also visited Italy in January and enjoyed eating outside in the sunshine. No crowds, no lines no baking in the sun. We spent Christmas in Florida and it was warmer in Europe than Daytona Beach!

US Dollars in the UK can be changed at Banks, Travel agents etc. BUT at a significant loss - especially for small amounts. Just like your bank charges you for buying pounds. Withdraw what you need from an ATM at the airport in local currency - yes it will cost a bit but in general travellers can afford the exchange fee much more comfortably than your driver.