Widespreadpanic

Always respectful of drivers!  But I love your saying 😁. Somewhere else I read there is a minimum charge for taxis at the port. That being said I always tip generously. My daughters work service jobs that depend on tips and we have had discussions about gratuities. 

Thanks. 

Thank you for the info. I had no luck searching for it. 

We have side to side different cruiselines booked in February. Looking for the best/easiest way to get from Princess dock to Celebrity’s dock. Is there a port shuttle? Uber?  We’re parking at the cruise ship Park & Go - has anyone used their shuttle to go from dock to dock without going back to the lot?  TIA

Where do I find the port and shopping talks?

On Princess, they offer shopping talks in the Princess theater, at least once during a 7-day cruise, and there will be a printed Port Guide delivered each evening to your cabin pertinent to the next-day's port. Princess also shows a tape of the shopping show on their on-board TV channel.

@Mimmers - I believe your cabin should be ready when you board, or shortly thereafter, but if it's not, I've never had a problem leaving my bag on a lounger while I'm in the pool (toss a blanket over it if that makes you more comfortable), or pack a bag that can be locked with a small dial lock. A friend of mine said when she is on a beach, she carries a small chain and lock and attaches it to whatever is handy - tree, picnic table, etc. - while she swims. Needless to say, try to keep anything expensive/electronic somewhere safe. Hope you enjoy your cruise!

We were told (by a employee of the ship) there were 1200 children on the Car. Princess the second week of Jan. 2011, and 600 the following week, so the first three weeks of Jan. seem heavy with children. Do you think it matters whether the cruise originates in a US port or, say, San Juan? We, too, are looking for the least number of kids but are limited to two of the first three weeks in Jan.

5. Everyone keeps saying to bring tons of money. I'm looking at the cruise as a quick long weekend getaway and am NOT looking to spend a ton of money, as I'm not really considering it a big vacation. I just want to relax, read, work out, and eat whatever food is provided at the buffet. Probably won't be drinking much and I definitely don't intend to shop. Is the cost really going to be that much more than just the price of the cruise? I was picking a cruise just as an alternative to booking an all inclusive resort, but was planning to just use it as a traveling hotel...

Wow, thanks so much jjschmitt and GlendaleCruiser! Lots of great info and I am so excited :)

Just another thought or two - take advantage of the more formal dining room at least once during your cruise. You can be seated with others and get to know more people.

Also, if you plan to use it, be sure you are familiar with any internet service onboard. You don't want to be plugged into a wireless system for an hour that has outrageous charges per minute. That is, unless you can afford it :D.

Love your enthusiasm!

DandP, thank you SO MUCH for the virtual tour and pictures of the Chef's Table experience. You had me drooling with your descriptions of the food and drink, and it sounds like they put on a great show.

1. You don't need over the door shoe hanger... There were more than enough rooms in the closet for 4 people in 1 room with 4 separate suitcases...

2. You do not need to bring towels as they give you tons of new towels as well as towels to take off the boat.

3. You do not need flashlight

4. You DO NEED water bottles, buy them when you're not on ship (their water taste funky)

5. You DO NEED MORE FREAKING MONEY than you thought...

6. You DO NEED TO RESEARCH EXcursions before boarding, unless you're willing to pay more booking through the ship

7. You really only need 3 pairs of shoes/sandals: 1 Flip Flops, 2 Comfortable Walking Shoes, 3 Dress Shoes....I took my water shoes but never got to use them even tho we had 5 port stops

8. You DO NOT NEED to bring 1 outfit for Each Day...I ended up only wearing 3 set of outfits I took, on an 8 day cruise.

9. DO NOT PANIC if your ship is scheduled back at 8 am and your flight is at 10 am. We ended up getting off the ship right at 6:30 am, even had time for breakfast bla bla bla and stipp make it it fort lauderdale airport before 8 am.

10. Women: BRING YOUR LADY THINGS !!!!!

I'm glad you had plenty of time to make your 10:00 flight, but I would never book before 11. Our disembarkation was delayed an hour once, and that was all it took...

My BF now leaves the power strip in his briefcase - plug it in once and you're good to go. I also thought duct tape was odd, until the outside zipper on a suitcase broke & it sure came in handy. My "always pack" list contains Birks/flip flops, an easy-to-wear outfit I can just pull on if I need to, and a sun visor (I have a hat too but just can't figure out how to keep it on in the breeze without a hat pin). Depending on the temp., I might wet a washcloth or hand towel & put it in a ziploc to cool off with.

I have found it is just as easy to use shampoo to clean your underware or other things in the bathroom sinks so you might save some space in you luggage this way. I will be taking some of my own soap to use for big laundry as my cruise is 28 days long and I can only pack under 50 lbs in one suitcase or pay for second bag (I might as well use the laundry service on board ship. and pack less)

Purex now makes sheets for laundry. Just toss one in washer, when the clothes go into the dryer, the sheet goes in for static control. Great idea for travel!