oatbagg1

since our 12 day cruise has 10 port days are the bars, shops & casino closed for the whole time we're in port? I know this is true on Caribbean cruises, it is the same in Europe? Doesn't Princess lose a LOT of money?

our flights have been changed several times and we were notified by email. Thanks for the reality check to check our seat assignments. We made them so long ago, everything was fine except we had no return seats booked back to our local airport. No big problem. Again, I appreciate the heads up.:o

we did get an email from Princess saying they board by deck, which would put us at 3pm.

if we show up earlier, is that a problem? We've always embarked by noon before.

for Kirkwall/British Isles--Strict or lax? Can we come earlier than the assigned time. Ours would be Aloha Deck 3PM

thanks! you are so right. Worrying about things not worth worrying about. :p

Then I would certainly hope that the comments you made to those 2 gentlemen were repeated, along with their reaction to your comments were (or will be) passed along either via the after-cruise survey or a polite letter to the company. If their reaction is reported to the company frequently enough, they may certainly find themselves in another job and/or with another company much sooner than they expected.

 

Tom

we experienced this lack of concern on our LAST (very last)HAL cruise. No one cared and no one did a thing. A few letters of complaint is not going to change cutbacks already in place food-wise. I miss the days when the dining rooms your only choice. :(

wewe

i'm curious how the food in the DR is and which pay restaurants we should definaltely try. On the May 25-June6 Kirkwall

See Posts 198 and 199.

Taxi to Southampton Station and then train to Waterloo.

thanks! will do.

Would an American who was on this cruise post what you had to go through on your return to Southampton please? Were you held up for any period by UK Immigration and/or Customs?

Thanks

i would be interested in knowing this as well. Also, what would be the best way back to London after disembarkation?

That freaking nasty, evil, vile, contemptible, (etc.) word Cancer. GAH! If there is something in the world that I absolutely despise that is it. Glad you have whooped it's butt and are now getting out to see the world. There's nothing quite like realizing you might miss out on the rest of forever to make one take notice of what is out there to be experienced.

 

I'm happy you are going for it and wish you all the very best in the future. Do it NOW. Don't wait.

i am another cancer survivor and i welcome you and admire your itinerary. Gave me ideas for ours. I am really looking forward to Orkney Islands, hope we are able to go there. I have been traveling twice a year since my diagnosis and i am so happy to travel while my health is good. God bless you. Maria

"operational reasons" could possibly mean PORT goings ons and not anything to do with the ship. Likely there is a congestion issue is my guess. This has happened to me in the past.

thank you

i have received 2 emails from Princess saying our port time in Cork and Edinburgh have been shortened due to : "operational reasons". Is the ship even out of dry dock? How can they predict this so soon?

CP is Sea Princess.

Are you asking about the Caribbean Princess?

It would be CB.

 

Dry docks are regularly scheduled every 3 years or so.

Hull painting, engine/propeller maintenance, electronic upgrades, carpeting, furnishings etc

Will not be a total makeover.

yes, you are right. Iam talking about Caribbean Princess. Sorry all for the confusion.

I read somewhere that the Caribbean Princess is due for refurbishing this March? We sail on her in May. Anyone else see that?

No one wants to make you "feel bad." Many posters are shocked! shocked! when only after the fact they realize that their coverage is not what they assumed. Your contracts for the cruise and for your air are limited to the details of "terms and conditions." Ignore them at your peril and then "feel bad" later for neglecting them. And the information about BA (and some other airlines) seat assignment policy is simply factual. Welcome to the real world.

got our flights, seats, cruise and London hotel. I'm not going to worry.

Have you actually read the terms and conditions of the "ship insurance"?

 

You may be shocked to find out that the "get you to the ship" is not what you think.

 

Go past the marketing hype to the actual T&C fine print.

 

As for seat assignments (as that seems to be your issue), BA and many other carriers do not allow for advanced seat assignments or they will impose a fee for that service.

sorry i posted. As if there isn't enough negativity on CC boards, i don't need somebody posting **** that makes me feel bad. I hope you're not on my cruise.

Why are you using EZ Air?

 

Many other options. Perhaps you might want to visit the Cruise Air forum here at Cruise Critic if you have specific questions we can answer.

We went thru Princess because they guarantee you a refund (up to 45 days in advance of sailing) Competitive pricing from where we leave, any problems they get you to the ship and covered with ship insurance. Being our 1st overseas cruise, we felt a bit overwhelmed.

Typically airlines do not open book until about 320 days out. Good luck

 

 

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Our sailing is in 138 days. Plenty of time to book seats. EZ Air is not so easy.

how early can you book plane seats for European flights? Our cruise sails from Southampton in May.

It seems many of the people who enthuse about the ship really like the decor and still had some issues with crowding etc.

Taste in furnishing and art is entirely personal and we did not really like that style. It reminded us of a casino with all the glitz.

 

 

we too sailed 12/4-12/14 southern caribbean. I agree with Dr Cocktail on all points. I wrote up a review but CC said i needed to write about all 10 days---too much work. We're done with HAL too.

Happy holidays everyone, thinking about booking Koningsdam for a family vacation. We are looking to book verandah cabins and would like them together. When booking cabins in the past I have always made sure there were cabins above me and below me to insure quiet.

 

I have noticed the aft verandah cabins on deck 4 look larger, my worry is noise, anyone sailed in these cabins and can give me info on your experience?

 

 

I originally booked a verandah on Deck 4 for our Southern Carib cruise but changed to Deck 7. smaller verandah. One day I walked down to Deck 4 to see where we would have been and I noticed it was VERY smoky on that floor. People can smoke on the verandahs. My husband smoked a cigar every night, but on Deck 7 we never saw any neighbors out on their verandah.

We were on the Koningsdam for our 5th cruise Dec 4-14 and were actually disappointed because the stability was TOO good. We like it rocky for fun. Must've just been a rough run for you.

we were on 12/4-12/14 Southern Caribbean on deck 7 and there were times it felt like we were hitting objects in the water. All the way forward is our favorite place to be. but it felt very jolty. The exercise room was always rocky.

We cruised 12/4-12/14 on Ms K. I spoke to several ship employees who said their contracts were ending at Christmas. The Spa girls are 9 month contracts, the Spa director & medis are 7-month contracts and room stewards are 10-month. Our room steward said he will take time off then go to work on a different ship. The nail tech said she was departing home to Serbia and then wants to work on private yachts. I wonder how this turnover (as Ms K is new) affects the cruises coming up. any thoughts? PS They still work 14-hr days.

I guess if you wanted to see something above you it would be obstructed, but how often do you do that?

yep, there it is!!!