Thunderbird19

Yep. Being “woke” is not a bad thing , more about an awareness level when the word was used years ago. Sadly, the word has been twisted and used by extremists in recent years to be pejorative and a negative thing… far from the original intent. Word meaning typically shouldn’t dramatically change, that’s why we have dictionaries 😂

From friends that have done both, there is a big difference between Viking River cruises and Viking Ocean cruises. I don’t frequent casinos but would like to try a Viking Ocean cruise when we feel like splurging a bit. We typically don’t book Haven level or even Suite level on Princess so our cruises stay affordable. But recently I checked for longer cruises, and a lovely basic Viking room was comparable to paying Haven plus package on Princess so will be trying that in 2025-26.

For Haven prices, seriously consider trying a Viking cruise. I have friends that love the amenities, staff, food, included excursions, and rooms on Viking as well as the fact that their prices pretty much include all the things and more that other cruise lines charge you for as add ons.

1. Try being flexible on return flight date ( stay extra days in England and enjoy!), flight times and airline. 2. Book with airline points if you have them. The points needed change regularly. 3. Try flying into other major airports in your area instead of your preferred one.(like to NYC then fly or train down to Virginia) 4. Book a refundable fare -so you can get your $ back- and keep watching regularly for lower airfares on different airlines, especially around the 6 month out mark. For an April 2025 flight, you are seeing high prices now and airlines will probably be adding some new flights between now and then so you’ll have more options.

“We are Elite, so miss the benefits that were removed/scaled down.” Yes, Sea Hag, I totally agree. In the frequent member benefits department, Princess is REALLY deficient! Elite free laundry is nice and discount for WiFi ( only for those who purchase it because they don’t have Plus or other package) is nice, but the other things are really not worth a lot. Very surprised at how meager the Elite level benefit is, Certainly not enough to make me only stick to mainly Princess when cruising to rack up those points. The company seems to realize their member benefits aren’t that valuable….the recent promotion of “add Plus package for July - Dec 2024 sailings and get double credit” points to that. Sad that they are scaling down benefits rather than maintaining/ adding things of real value.

Even if Windsor Castle itself is closed for tours on Wednesday, does anyone know if the public has access to any of the grounds? Would be nice to be able to stroll along The Long Walk!

Yes, thanks. I had just learned about them earlier this year and am indeed using them for what looks like a nice long Cotswolds tour ( they pick us up in Southampton on morning we arrive) and they will drop us off near Heathrow. I had picked a hotel closer to the airport than London center because had wanted to visit Windsor and that area since we were only staying two more nights.

Check out Hurtigruten cruise line. They do Norway cruises right and respectfully! They currently have zero emission ships.

For cruises in potentially colder climates (say Iceland or Norway in Sept-Nov) it doesn't sound like reserving the Sanctuary would make much sense. Is it mostly used in warmer and sunny cruises?

Try contacting Scuba Caribe. We used them when staying in the very southeast corner of the island and did dives from the west coast of the island. I believe the La Romana location that cruise ships dock is also on the south side but a ways west of there, so driving (approx 30-40 minutes? not sure) would be involved unless Scuba Caribe has an office closer to where you'll be.

Ugh, just learned that the two weekdays we will be in the area and wanted to see Windsor Castle are the same two days that the castle is closed to tours. Can anyone advise what else there is to see close by in the area? We won’t have a car so are dependent on public transportation and walking. Worth walking around the small town of Windsor? Thanks.

Hope this helps to make edits: When I was trying to make reservations on July 1 and 2 there were both shared and private tables available in both the Island (5 and 7:30 pm seatings) and Palm (20 minute interval seatings) dining rooms. As time went on and people made reservations you could see less availability of both table types and time slots. So, for example, if you try to make a reservation now you may not see any private tables available early in the evening but that’s because they are already all taken not because they were not reservable.

Ouch! I would have not gotten behind that family and returned during off hours when the laundry room tends to not be busy! (Mornings and late at night tend to be empty) We've been trying to pack much lighter recently so I still really appreciate that Princess has reasonable do-it-yourself laundries available in case I need them. On NCL your only option is sending items out which gets costly (and doing undies in your sink!).

Regarding the "specialty dessert" included in the Plus package, exactly where do you get the cake slices? I don't recall seeing them anywhere and can't tell where your great photos were taken from.

Perhaps you are at a higher level (or booked a suite or whatever gives those more elite benefits?) so you have access to Coral Dining Room? You could always call Princess to verify your reservations to be sure, but if they are on your app I think you are fine. .

Yes, both Island and Palm let you choose private or shared table after you choose your time slot. I noticed today when I did a mock booking to try and change a time slot that only shared table appeared as an option for the new time, so all private tables must have already been booked at that time.

Regarding Caribbean Princess, earlier this week I made dining reservations for a Fall 2024 cruise. Hope this helps you with your list: Island Dining Room - able to book dinners at either 5 or 7:30 pm, so it's traditional Palm Dining Room - able to book dinners starting at 5 pm in 20 increments Coral - consistently states "no time slots " available, so thinking this room is designated for the Reserve Dining guests (and may also take other walk--ins on a space available basis?)

Thanks for this explanation. Makes me realize I wouldn’t be too disappointed to NOT participate!

I believe Costco credit card also has no forgein transaction fee.

Sailing on the Caribbean Princess later this Fall. I understand that making (or trying to depending on technology, hah!) dinner reservations via the app will open up on July 1st. Will making advance reservations for afternoon tea also be on the app or do you need to hit until you are on the ship to do that? Thanks.

Don’t bother with buying a travel CPAP. Just bring your regular one. It will fit on nightstand. Also travel with a few feet of duct tape wrapped around a bottle or pencil that you can peel off little bits of and use if needed to hold cord or tubing in place (never had it damage furniture or walls). I travel with an AirSense 11. It has a nice compact travel case that I also tuck other carryon/ must have items into.

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!