Cruzn ELM

We are booked on the British Passage, April 20th, from Ft Lauderdale.

The excursions were recently posted. The odd thing is you are unable to

Reserve them now. It states reserve on board, or wish list. We've done close to 20 Princess cruises and have never seen this. Wondering if we will have to wait until boarding to reserve. There are a couple tours we aren't comfortable doing on our own. A Berlin and a Paris due to distance from port.

I am also on this cruise and I spoke with Princess today. There are four different versions of this TA cruise with varying beginning and ending ports plus a fifth BI only cruise. Each stands alone as far as booking and excursions are concerned. I was told that no excursions can be booked for a cruise until all excursions for that specific itinerary are made available and, as yet, not all of the vendor contracts for the BI ports have been finalized. Therefore only those passengers on the two cruises disembarking in Southampton, including those who booked as two separate B2B cruises (technically disembarking in Southampton), can currently book excursions. Although it could be that these excursions will not be available for booking until it is within 120 days of the BI only cruise (Jan 9), I was told to check my personalizer frequently.

Terribly confusing but I hope this helped.

Here's the website for Liberation Day:

 

http://www.visitguernsey.com/event/liberation-day-0

Yes, I had checked that out, but note the stated agenda is for the 2015 70th Anniversary celebration which may have been beyond what is normally done to celebrate this event.

We will be in Guernsey on Liberation Day. From those of you in the know, should we stay in town and enjoy the opportunity to share in the festivities in hopes that we will return one day, or try to see as much as reasonably possible outside of town on this visit?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Can anyone tell me the difference (other than the obvious) between these rooms and an ordinary Caribe balcony? Are they just bigger or does the interior have a different configuration?

Thanks

Our cruise originates in Houston and stops in Ft Lauderdale for additional passengers. Is there anything to do during layover time within a reasonable distance of the pier? Any place to pick up supplies we chose not to fly to Houston with (lotions, cabin goodies etc. for a 30 day cruise)? Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

Knowing that the CA coastal waters can be somewhat rough, when is the best time for calmer waters for a SF/Ensanada RT cruise?

I am sailing on Sunday 4/12 on the Star.

 

Just wondering how the recent embarks and debarks have been going? Should I just bring carryon luggage?

 

And have they solved any of the issues with the return debark procedures and collecting luggage? It was a mess last September when we sailed.

I did a b2b Mar 14 and 21 ending last Sun, Apr 5. Everything went smoothly with both embarkations and the disembarkation.

1. Is Catalina Island worth going to while in Long Beach and, if so, what do you recommend doing there?

2. What is the best way to get to the San Diego Zoo and how long does it take to get there from the port?

Thanks for any help

 

FYI...From what information I have been told Princess will charge you if you want anything special like a microphone.

 

Tom:)

Yes, they charge $10 but it really is necessary if you have a large group, especially if you are in Skywalkers where the group is quite spread out.

I always deliver reminders to the rooms the day before. Last 2 times we had 145 and 175 cc members in attendance. If you are preparing name tags it's helpful to show both cc username and given name. If your group will be large, request a microphone.

Taking on this responsibility is rewarded by meeting a lot of great people - ENJOY.

Mark, sorry to see this come to an end. Since you left me behind :( I've enjoyed traveling along with you this way. I would love to do this cruise again, just say when and I'll go with you.

Aunt Judy

(Tell your mother she has mail)

MTJSR

How big was the snake that caught the alligator? Hope you got some pictures.

No "upgraded" toiletries because of your mothers elite status?

Have a great canal day tomorrow. Remember to move all around the ship, including to the atrium while going through the locks and to the aft while the locks are closing. Anxious to hear all about it.

There is a "secret" door forward on Caribe deck (10) that lets you out to a great place for viewing while going under The Bridge of the Americas. You go through two doors to get outside. Another great book, which is easier to read, is Your Day in the Panama Canal by Richard Detrich. The paper back edition is 243 pages.

This is a really great cruise - enjoy.

Thanks for the update. Have a wonderful day in Manzanillo today. I'm anxious to hear how it has changed since I was there 41 years ago (that's for your mother to determine since she was also there about that time).

Tell your Mom to check her emails, I sent her info on our Birkenhead relatives (for those of you who don't know that's England).

Don't worry, she will stop whining about the wine soon enough and resume ordering. The rest of you folks don't need to be concerned about the future of your Panama Canal cruises :D

Tom, I'd read on here before that one could not do the BVE on a cruise that you were sailing on. As you obviously did, is this something new or was the previous poster incorrect?

You can board early WITH your BVE friends and join them for lunch in the dinning room. You will not however be entitled to the glass of wine or soda included in the BVE package. You can do the BVE without knowing someone taking that cruise but, as this other person indicated, I don't think you can do the BVE without non cruisers as many would be willing to pay this price to board early. Note, you must enter the boarding area with your BVE people, you will not be able to proceed without them (had that happen once in San Pedro).

The CRuiseLLs have posted that they had no problems boarding but didn't say what time that was. I have asked MTJSR to ask others on board to determine what it was like between noon and 1:30. Watch his "live from", which he intends to post daily, for an answer.

Mark, there is still a lot of discussion on the two port forums re lines and seating prior to embarkation. One other cruiser has posted that they didn't encounter any problems but didn't say what time they boarded. Please ask around to find out what it was like from about noon to 1:30.

Just had a wonderful afternoon on board the Island Princess for the BVE. The new pier is great and everything seemed to be moving smoothly. No long lines, no disgruntled passengers. Watch for the live from that my nephew will be posting. He will let you know if he hears anything to the contrary.

Update - decided to stay 2 nights at Hotel Granvia, will tour Osaka first day, Kyoto the next, both with Goway Tours and will be on our own until we fly out at 9pm on the third day. Thanks for all the help.

Considering Sapphire Princess repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Osaka, departing Apr 3 2014. Would be doing this more for the cruise than the sight seeing so when, after 26 days, we arrive in Osaka at 4 a.m. on Apr 29. we are thinking of only staying one night then heading back to CA (I know many think we should stay and see as much as possible but would rather do that on a separate land tour (really good cruise rates)). To those who have been there, what hotel and what sights would you recommend on this limited basis?

(the answer to the obvious next question is airplane rates are considerably cheaper on the 30th than the 29th)

Appreciate any help you can provide.

Hmmm - We're beginning to have second thoughts! We'll be sailing with just half of our family on a Christmas cruise and thought it would be fun to have the others join us on embarkation day, but now I'm beginning to wonder if that's a really great idea. Hoping it would be a happy time, but maybe that would only be for those of us actually sailing!

I was with MTJSR. In the total scope of the big picture, the confusion was a minor inconvenience. By all means proceed with your plans to have the rest of the family come aboard. And JWSj, I at least had a lump in my throat if not a tear in my eye, thank goodness I too have some booked cruises to look forward to.