Thunderbird19

I really like that Princess allows guests to do their own laundry rather than having to send it out to be done at quite high prices like NCL does. Husband and I have worked on really streamlining what we bring to avoid bringing excess clothes and huge pieces of luggage. We tend to take longer cruises so doing laundry as needed is great. It makes the trip more enjoyable to travel lighter, have a smart mix & match wardrobe and have less clothes to sort through in the cabin! While I know some people enjoy the dress up aspect and formal nights, i'm amazed to see so many ladies cruising with several different purses and numerous pairs of shoes.

Thanks everyone. I feel totally prepared for visiting Princess Cays now! I did look up excursions for that day and, besides actual excursions, they have MANY things available for rent (floaties, umbrellas, kayaks, inflatables, etc. - even basic pool noodles for $4.99 if I remember right).

Thanks everyone (wasps!)

On prior Princess cruises have never had Princess Cay as a port stop, but doing a quick cruise in June and booking Standard package (no Princess Plus or Premium package added). I understand the stop is a "captive audience" situation and a place for Princess to make some $ by charging for water toys, umbrellas, floats, etc.), but could use input from any helpful cruisers who've been there before on these questions : 1. Is it best to try to get on the first tenders over? 2. We will bring our own snorkel gear. Is there good snorkeling from the beach or do you suggest one of the excursions? 3. So there is free lunch/food provided on the island - is this buffet style and available all day or only for a set time period so it gets crowded/long lines? 4. If someone has just the Standard package what free beverages are available throughout the day? 5. If a bar drink or soda is purchased can it just be charged to the room? 6. Are there big coolers of water available to refill personal water bottles? 7. Do beverage servers visit people on the beach in chairs & loungers or does everyone need to visit a bar for drinks? 8. Any reason to bring cash to Princess Cays? 9. Can you bring big bath towel from your room to Princess Cays? (some comments talked about towel shortage on the Cay) 10. Thinking of probably renting umbrella or shade shell to be assured of having shade - important to rent before sailing because they run out? 11. Bring: swim suit, cover up, sunglasses, water shoes, sun screen, snorkel gear, water bottle, personal stuff. Any other must brings? 12. Happy to just relax on the island and snorkel, but is any of excursions truly a "must do"? THANKS VERY MUCH!

I've read through lots of this thread for info (understand the stop is a "captive audience" situation and a place for Princess to make some $ by charging for water toys, etc.), but could use input from any helpful cruisers who've been there before on these questions : 1. Is it best to try to get on the first tenders over? 2. We will bring our own snorkel gear. Is there good snorkeling from the beach or do you suggest one of the excursions? 3. So there is free lunch/food provided on the island - is this buffet style and available all day or only for a set time period so it gets crowded/long lines? 4. If someone has just the Standard package (no Princess Plus or Premium) what free beverages are available throughout the day? 5. If an alcoholic drink or soda is purchased can it just be charged to the room? 6. Are there big coolers of water available to refill personal water bottles? 7. Do beverage servers visit people on the beach in chairs & loungers or does everyone need to visit a bar for drinks? 8. Any reason to bring cash to Princess Cays? 9. Can you bring big bath towel from your room to Princess Cays? (some comments talked about towel shortage on the Cay) 10. Thinking of probably renting umbrella or shade shell to be assured of having shade - important to rent before sailing because they run out? 11. Bring: swim suit, cover up, sunglasses, water shoes, sun screen, snorkel gear, water bottle, personal stuff. Any other must brings? 12. Happy to just relax on the island and snorkel, but is any of excursions truly a "must do"? THANKS VERY MUCH!

Is the Sanctuary empty and not used in very cold weather? Caribbbean Princess is cruising Norway in Sept & October and unless one is really bundled up it doesn’t seem like that lovely space would be worth renting. Or do they make it free in cold weather?

Thanks for mentioning this group. Just booked them for Southampton to London this October. We are staying in London a couple extra days post cruise and they had a nice day tour picking up in the morning at the cruise ship and going through Cotswolds and ending up at Heathrow or London very late in the afternoon. Perfect ! We ( and our luggage) were going to just take the train into London that morning on our own, but it’s nice to have this Cotswold trip ( 3 stops in quaint villages) and not have to deal with luggage!

If you bought through Costco and used your Costco credit card then you get the Costco 2% travel purchase back ( not sure if it’s on total purchase price as well as any excursions, etc. also bought or if it is just on the cruise cabin fare)

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/airports/heathrow/southampton-to-heathrow London friends recommend the National Express bus service as super easy, frequent, inexpensive and convienient (as Jimmy mentioned above)

Mine was unwrapped. And they stuck the handle/stick of the lollipop into the ice cream 😑

That would be a caloric catastrophe for me!!!

Would be good if a current cruiser asked staff and reported back. Last year when I was onboard, I was told premium desserts were those ice cream big mug extravaganzas. We tried one (threw away all the hard candy toppers - which seems wasteful - and I bet most people do) from the ice cream place near the pool.

The premium desserts we saw were at the ice cream counter next to the pizza counter on the pool deck. The desserts are visually fun and worth having one just to take a picture. But lots of what creates the look is the add in lollipops and hard candy treats they stick in them (which we didn’t eat). The “ice cream” itself and flavored toppings were OK but I can’t imagine having one a day, much less the allowed daily amount of two. I think Princess includes them on the packages just to have an item to list as included and to beef up the package offerings while knowing full well most guests will never really use the benefit.

Thanks. I will be on the look out! Was wondering/hoping if there was a loose schedule (i.e. new itineraries released every February!) which would of course make things easier.

How do people know when a cruise line is releasing information about new cruises? 🫣

Spethstation - enjoyed your fun, detailed review. Can you comment about fitness center amenities? Was sauna or steam room available? Did you ever use fitness center showers instead of going back to your cabi and it’s tiny shower? When you were deciding if the basic drink package was worth it, how many drinks a day was your break even point? Did you purchase a soda or coffee package? Seems like paying out of pocket for 3 or 4 drinks a day would almost equal the basic drink package fee.

Thank you all - good information! I do intend to use the fitness center and if lockers, showers, sauna, & steam rooms are available that is great.

Will be sailing on the Caribbean Princess for the first time later this year and am trying to decide if paying the extra $ to be able to get into that spa area would be worth it. From what I can determine, it is not a large thermal spa area like I have seen on other ships. Only 5 or 6 heated tiles lounge chairs in an area without windows. But there are sauna and steam rooms for both men and women and I don't think they can be accessed by passengers unless you have paid for spa access or are getting a spa service. Not sure if there is a heated jacuzzi area to use. Can anyone that has recent experience with this area on the ship comment? Thanks, in advance!

Absolutely, he is a great and experienced guy, promoted within the past year I believe. His staff seems to really like him as well and he genuinely is proud of all staff members on the ship.

We enjoyed the Enrichment talks done by Leo Rossi. The Rock Opera show is great.

Captain Castellano of the Emerald Princess did a MAGNIFICENT job of working with the bay pilot and getting the ship out of the berth, into the bay and heading out to sea under the bridge on the night of July 4 th immediately after the 9:30 pm San Francisco Bay fireworks show. The bay was filled with smaller boats watching the show and it took the Emerald blowing the horn MANY times and inching forward for them to move. It was fascinating to be out on deck to watch the fireworks and our eventual departure through the bay. Castellano is a knowledgeable captain and a professional, congenial person. Well done, Captain!

Interested in trying the Sanctuary. Do you make reservations ahead of time or can you just visit the day off? What was the price and is it for full day, halfway or hourly? Thanks.

Magnolia Blossom, thanks for taking the time to respond and sharing info!!

My question has probably been addressed in this thread, but have spent some time reading old posts and not found it so thought I would ask for clarification: Have not redeemed NCL credit card points before. Understand that a generally double meta is best use of points, sometimes single (OV to ball) depending on price categories. Also makes sense that point redemption for cabin upgrade has most value on longer cruises! 1. Does point redemption need to be done at the time the reservation is first made, or can I make a reservation for a couple years out (points don't expire until 2027) and then call in to request a meta upgrade a few months later? 2. If points are redeemed for an inside to Balc cabin and then costs go down considerably, can reservation be changed from inside to OV cabin and then have less pints redeemed to move to Balc cabin. 3. If redeeming points for stateroom upgrade is it best to do it far, far in advance or does it work also for last minute cruises (those sailing within 2 or 4 months)? 4. On a cruise taken earlier this year and booked a couple years ago, I had NCL do repricing 3 times which resulted in substantial savings. If initial booking is done using point redemption for a stateroom upgrade, if there are future price reductions can guest still call win and have this applied? 5. If plans change and cruise needs to be cancelled before final payment is due, would points used for cabin upgrade be reinstated to my account? Thanks!!!!

Agree about Jayleen’s. We went on a morning tour with her in Aug 2022 - saw lots of “blows” ( big one followed by a small one, so mamma and baby, some tails, no breaching, a huge sea lion colony.