CleoPat

Your port was Catania, not Messina? When I went we took a half day afternoon tour of Taormina so we were able to walk from the ship into the town of Messina with time to see the Clock at noon. Had a nice walking tour with time on our own in Taormina.

I sailed on Legend 13 nights Italy/Croatia, so I am really enjoying your report. I also made a lot of friends on Roll Call before the cruise and also got a lot of info from Trip Advisor! I plan ahead just like you -- only I made a looseleaf binder with tabs for each day. Packed just the pages and threw them out each day just like you:) I also put down what I will wear each day so I don't overpack:o I've gotten myself a Nook now, so I put all my lists on that along with guidebooks so I don't have so much weight... Can't wait to read more.

Oh my, I always take a steamer with me:eek: Don't understand why a curling iron is allowed but not a steamer:confused:

I can see the point that both sides are taking about- preservation of something vs. economic gain of tourism. Especially in Key West.

 

But Vencie is interesting- since cruise ships are built there. So it's ok to build them, and it's ok that millions of tourists visit there via train and flying. But the thousands from ships that could have been built there is not ok. hmmm have to think about that one.

 

I can see the impact of cruise ship tourists in Key West- not that many people go out there. But can't really see the impact in Venice- there are SOOO very many tourists there that a few thousand day trippers from a ship would not make much of a difference.

I've been to Venice a few times and believe me I stay clear of St. Mark's Square/Rialto areas when the cruise ships are in port. You can DEFINITELY notice the difference in the number of tourists!

Thanks so much for such a detailed review:) I especially like the food photos. This will be my first Princess cruise and now I'm looking forward to the food:D

The main pool looked to be pretty croweded. Did the adults only pool get crowded like that too?

I'll be on CB in April and also am wondering what do do on Curacao in the evening?

Can't wait for more. I'll be cruising Princess for the first time in April on this same ship and itinerary:D

Park Cafe is open. :)

 

I believe the venues on the promenade are closed in order to keep congestion to a minimum.

Thanks Michele! Our cabin in on Deck 8 midship so we plan on going to there most days for breakfast and the last day is the most important to avoid crowds.....

Leaving for the port shortly.....:D

"I didn’t realize that Café Promenade. And Starbucks would not be open today. . .Oh my goodness. . .what is one to do. I walked up to the CL on Deck 11 to get my java, and hopped up to the Windjammer on Deck 16."

I wonder if this means that Park Cafe is closed also on departure day. I was planning on getting my coffee there.....

:)

Or, our intrepid Radio is bright eyed and bushy tailed and already out taking pictures!

Or he's having internet probloems:eek:

Good Morning, Radio!!

Hmmmm, seems like Radio is "sleep in" this morning. Must have had a late night;)

Radio - Just wanted to add our thanks for your great posts on your cruise, and The Allure. We're on The Jewel to Cozumel in December, and now thanks to your posts have two choices for our day pass, Nachi Cocom and El Sid.

 

We try, like you, to study the ship we'll be sailing on, and read the reviews and posts carefully. Your great posts (and some pretty fantastic pics too:D) have given us a true sense of what to expect when we board The Allure tomorrow.

 

Again, thanks - fair winds and following seas.

 

John/Rick

:p

Hi John/Rick. I'm up early today too. ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!! Reading Radio's LIVE report I feel like I've already been on the ship. I think I'll know my way around her:p

Radio, just to let you know I am now packing for my Allure cruise and am getting more and more excited by reading your LIVE review. I can't wait until Sunday, but I'm sure you can..........

While I can't vouch for the Allure... On the Navigator it was listed as "The Planning Event"

I had gotten a copy of the Compass for the Eastern/Allure and saw MOB Dance Class listed a couple of times during the week at the Aqua Theater. Then the main event I believe took place on the Promenade on the last day....

Hi Radio! Enjoying your review! One question (I'm in the middle of packing for MY Allure cruise). Do they still supply washcloths in the cabin bathroom or do I have to bring my own. I thought I read somewhere that they were not supplying them anymore:confused: Thanks!

P.S. One of the people on our Roll Call was wondering if you can wear shorts to the M&M and the "rules" say no. LOL!! I posted your photo to prove that they could wear shorts.....:p

This was the passageway between Casino Royal, and the Studio B entrance. . .

 

The 3D movie was Journey to the Center of the Earth ! Very cool. . .

 

More pics later after the Ice Show !

 

Radio

;);)

.

Wow! I would LOVE to see that movie in 3D! Any chance they play the same movies week after week? Do you know if the Headliner you saw will be there next week? Thanks again!!

Radio, which hallway was this photo?

Also, did you make your reservations in advance for Chicago? If so, what time did you go to line up and did you get good seats?

Also, which 3D movie did you see?

Enjoying your LIVE review:D I'll be getting on her when you get off;)

Radio,

 

Did you Pre-Order the ashtray?

 

I pre-ordered on on the Freedom but I didn't get it!

Pre-order an ashtray? Never heard of that! I always just ask for one when I get to my cabin and the steward brings it ASAP;) How do you pre-order one:confused:

My family and I are so excited to see your posts during the upcoming week. We will be on the Allure the day you get back to Port Everglades. Have a great week and look forward to your awesome posts and pictures.

Crusinben: Come on over to the Roll Call. Did you sign up for M&M?

You last report was fabulous so I'm really looking forward to reading this one too as I'll be sailing on Allure next week:) Eastern, but I want to hear all about the shows and food. Will you be eating in the main dining room or only at speciality restaurants?

We asked for one extra lobster tail with our meal and the waiter brought us a whole meal again, 3 plates on our small table, it was a little embarrassing. We didnt want the whole meal just the lobster tail, he said that was how it comes :rolleyes:

This happened to me once. But not on other cruises. It's either the head chef's rule or the waiter made it up.

I also order the "surf and turf" :) My waiter didn't understand it, so I had to tell him that I wanted the steak AND the lobster tail, but to just bring the tail, not the whole plate of food. Was done correctly.

On my Alaska cruise, I told the waiter that I would want more than one tail and he just kept bringing them out as soon as I finished one. We were sitting fairly close to the kitchen, so he probably had them lined up by the doorway and kept watching me. As soon as I put my fork down, he would slip the new plate of tail in front of me. It was a riot. I had to tell him: STOP:eek: Lots of laughs all around.

trucruising- If 9256 is available and the cost is doable for you, grab it for that second week. Your current room steward will help you move, so that is not a big deal. He/she will take all that is hanging in the closet on a hotel-style carry all with a hanger bar.

I always wondered how they do that for B2Bs. I thought maybe you had to pack everything, get off the ship with everyone else and start all over again:o

DW and I did a B2B in Jan 2010. You will very much appreciate having a place on the ship which is cooler than lying out in a sub-tropical climate especially if you have come back from a sun-filled day on one of the islands.

 

And as the above poster mentioned there is plenty of sun area where it is warmer in there. I saw lots of people sitting in regular clothes watching the islands and water in perfect comfort. I think you should enjoy being in there and having a drink and some crepes. Not everyone wants to sit and bake by the main pool.

 

I did find the Solarium pool need a little more "get in over the waist" adjustment time than the main pool. Your best bet is to just walk in and go for it.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Well, being that we live in South Florida, we are used to the heat and really warm water, so don't want the cold! Especially my mom who gets cold very easily. And I am one who wants to sit and bake by the pool:D

We stayed in that cabin on the Serenade last June, our first aft and we loved it, even more so than a jr suite on the side of the ship. We liked the room and the Serenade so much that we're sailing on her again in a 7th floor aft cabin this coming June. Cant help with photos but you'll LOVE the huge balcony. The room's really no different than any other D1 Balcony room but be prepared for a heck of a long walk to the elevators, its worth every step.

 

Barb, I agree with your thoughts on the solarium! It would be absolutely perfect if the pool water wasnt so cold and they opened the roof. With the ice cold air condtioning and the ice cold pool I expected to see penguins.

I was thinking of going on Serenade but I didn't know that the solarium is air conditioned:mad: