grok

I've been keeping track of this since I will be there December myself. While true several cruise stops in Corinto and San Juan Del Sur were canceled earlier this year, they have since restarted this past month. the stops seem to have been trouble free since. However, if you have your heart set visiting Managua up north, the princess sponsored excursions there remain canceled so far though  I haven't heard anything bad  there recently.

The economy has suffered severely. Both sides are in no mood to make things difficult for tourists. Every time a ship arrives now, a hundred or so media tweets immediately go out emphasizing how safe/nice everything is. Annoyingly repetitive and obvious who is in total control of the media there.

My Parents are Elite/Platinum. My siblings and I are not(3rd cruise level).

However, my parents are now at the age that they could use a little help from us to get around and to take care of matters. Will they be allowed to to take us to Elite/Platinum indulgences or are they on their own?

ok pengy!

We just got off the Caribbean Princess which was similar to other Princess ships we have been on. We had an aft cabin on Deck 10 so the Deck 7 area was the most convenient for us. However, it was sandwiched between the rail and the wall with wall mounted ashtrays and narrow because the rail was "pushed" in to accommodate some tanks that housed things (not flammable (lol). The problem was that walkers had to go through that area and, shall we say, some were not real polite about their disdain of smokers. I'm sorry it was designed that way, I would have much preferred a wider area with chairs but you have to play with the cards you were dealt with. I heard the last couple of days that there was another area up on Deck 16 aft but never looked for it. The only other places were an area on Deck 16 over the burger bar, the casino when it was open except on formal nights had a small area near the cashier or Churchill's. I heard there you didn't have to take your cigarettes there, it was so full of cigarette, cigar, pipe smoke you could just get by inhaling (lol). I never went there. Another problem with Deck 7 was the wind would blow the wig hat off your head and opening the door needed some real heft. Sometimes the door was blocked off because of the wind or during the Captain's party when people were lined up there to get in but stayed closed throughout the two parties. Towards the end of the cruise, some people on Deck 7 would go down to where the chairs were and "sneak" a smoke if the chairs were not occupied close by. Actually better for the walkers because the deck was much wider and, if you cupped your smoke when they went by, it really made it less of a problem to them.

*THE* one positive out of the Island Princess rebuild and adding of the additional cabins in the AFT is a *smoker's* one.. In the smoker's spot in the rear/right spot on the seventh deck you know longer have to feel *guilty* about your smoke getting the face/lungs of those trying to maintain their health by a daily run/walk around the ship without stopping.

they have to turn around or run though the other side via doors without getting near you....

:halo::halo::halo:

Just reading about obc for veterans. I have the dd214 in hand but sail in 2 days. Is it likely that i can take a copy onboard with me and get the credit? Suggestions?

Thanks, Terry

 

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Just scan the application and dd-214 and send right away via email as a pdf if possible.. we got processed within hours on a weekday. a personal note wouldn't hurt either.

I think the time limits are just to discourage them getting swamped at the last minute.

Taking a photocopy onboard wouldn't hurt either just in case. I've read several reports of the vet obc being credited that way. just a bit of a hastle for the staff, that's all.

What ever you do they may not tell you it's been OKed. just keep checking the online princess cruise personalizer for the credit being applied.

From my research and experience on other princess liners.... other lines seem to do something similar...

I *believe* it will be starboard/aft(right/rear) on the promenade(7th) deck. there might NOT be a *obvious* sign advertising it.

There WILL be clear and obvious signs on the OTHER side saying it is strictly forbidden there..

What you SHOULD see is a one or two small holes in a detachable(by key to empty) stainless steel panel on the wall farthest back and away from any entrances. this is for you to dispose of your cigarette butts instead of tossing them overboard. the purpose will be obvious when you see it. ash/nicotine stained...

People will vape there too..

You will probably see a crew member smoke there from time to time. i don't think there is another convenient place for them to smoke...

There will be NO seats nearby. i don't think it's meant for us smokers to get comfortable and congregate for long periods..

Somebody PLEASE correct me if I am wrong...

;p

My father is a veteran who's original DD-214 was destroyed along with 18 million others in a famous fire in 1973 at the NPRC, I sent Princess a copy of the official government letter and document stating that that his records had been reconstituted well enough for him to receive his veteran's benefits by the government.

Princess approved within hours and he got his $250 OBC. Keep in mind we did this 2 months before the cruise starts. Who knows if they stretched the rules in his case...

Your mileage may vary... ;p