msw.delafield

There is a similar space between the center forward facing cabins on these ships.

We inquired during a previous cruise - our question at the time was about the space at the front.

Was explained that the forward white space is a tight stairway access that crew can climb up from the bridge deck to quickly/directly access the navigational equipment mounted atop the bridge at the front of the ship. There is a small array of 

I would also expect that space could additionally be used for running any infrastructure (venting, cabling, pipes, etc.).

While our inquiry was specific to the space at the front of the ship - is possible the rear 'white space' is for something of this nature.

MSW

Appears that all discussion of B2B in this thread is focused on US sailings.

We have a B2B out of Southampton, UK departing this August 2021.

Anyone here have knowledge if the 'nothing over 7-days' rule also applies to Europe sailings?

I have already attempted searching the forum for keywords 'B2B' and 'Europe'.

This thread is the most popular and current result.

(Yes, I do realize that I could simply call Princess for this answer, am just intentionally trying to avoid and postpone that enjoyable task - 😱)

Yes - March 8th

No - March 15th

Waiting for the refund/FCC's on the cancelled March 15th voyage before booking any future cruise.

Unfortunately, while patiently waiting these past six weeks, we have had three different Onboard Credit offers from my CC account expire.

Finding available lodging is an issue.

We were in Fort Lauderdale Saturday, at Hilton Marina overnight, planning to board Regal on Sunday 3/8.

Woke at about 5am on Sunday and noted the absence of the Regal at Pier-2.

Once aware of the cancellation, we tried to quickly sort-out our short term options.

In checking with front desk at 6am Sunday, we were informed there were 'no rooms available' for Sunday night.

Calls to other nearby hotels resulted in the same lack of available lodging for Sunday night.

Calling the provided Princess assistance phone numbers just resulted in being placed into queue "on hold".

Instead, we called Delta Airlines directly and they helped change our EZ-Air March 22nd return flights.

Kudos to Princess for offering this revised cancellation policy to future guests.

But, I think it’s a serious oversight to not include those committed to sailing over this weekend (3/6 thru 3/8) in the OBC benefit.

I can appreciate why this revised cancellation policy has the 72-hour caveat, benefiting customers sailing on the 9^th and after.

If anything, it’s those that have departures this weekend that truly deserve the OBC recognition as they were not able to consider the revised cancellation policy.

For what it's worth, this from CNBC article online today.

Sample Notification Letter attached

“We take privacy and security of personal information very seriously, and we are offering affected individuals free credit monitoring and identity theft detection services,” Carnival said in sample consumer notification letter submitted to the California attorney general.

Exhibit B - Sample Consumer Notification US-2 (Submitted).pdf

Regularly stay in these forward cabins on Lido/Marina deck, balcony has never been 'locked'.

2 hours ago, BIG TIME CRUISER said:

Don't they occasionally have the real ice cream in the buffet area like the Regal and Royal?

Yes, real ice cream in the pastry shop section of Horizon Bistro buffet section on royal class.

It seems to be a fresh made homemade ice cream, seems only to be vanilla from my experience.

Is something you need to ask the server for it as it's usually kept in freezer below the counter.

Doesn't seem that many are aware of this.

Am bringing Amazon Fire tablet on this next trip, plan to use that as my primary connected unit on unlimited plan.

Alexa is currently always available on this tablet whenever/wherever it has a wifi connection.

Not that access to Alexa is needed or honestly desired during the trip, but just anticipating she will be coming along.

Will re post during/after this trip and share what actually happens.

Thank you!!

Well worth the time calling Princess to check, was able to refare my two March 2020 bookings on Regal for a total savings of about $800.

Didn't affect/change any of the perks or inclusions, it also did not disrupt the attached EZair flights.

Saltworks, founded in 2001, was the company that introduced these specific salts around 2006 using the name Artisan Salt Company.

Was immensely popular and this company has grown phenomenally over the past 15 years.

As Pablo222 points out, the containers we see onboard Princess are likely no longer available .

These same salts are marketed widely now and available at many gourmet or premium grocery stores (and on Amazon).
 

Parent company is Saltworks  --  https://seasalt.com/

Product can also be found at --  http://www.artisansalt.com/

Article attached that focuses on the growth spurt the couple that started this went through.

SaltWorks 2007 article.pdf

I had read alittle about the Excellence Class, something of this variant might be a logical progression for Princess.

Powered by LNG and a full promenade where two features that caught my attention.

AIDAnova and P&O Iona might easiest to query for more specifics.

IONA Deckplan.pdf

Interested to see if the Discovery has a similar deck plan to the current P&O Iona build.

MS Iona has a 'true' promenade on deck eight, in addition to being an alternately (LNG) fueled ship.

I don't see any information shared that Princess Discovery has either of these characteristics.

Use the $400 you don't spend to treat yourselves to a week in the Sanctuary....

We did a Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale cruise w/full Panama transit in 2009 on the Coral. We were in cabin A309 which was referred to as a ‘bump-out’ cabin.

We chose the ‘bump-out’ cabin to obtain the least obstructed views from the balcony.

(Realistically, while going through the Panama locks, we opted to be out ‘on deck’ watching the event from either the promenade deck or up top for a full 360-view.)

If you review the deck plans, you will find both Balcony and Mini-Suite cabins that ‘bump out’ on Aloha, Baja and Caribe decks.

An example of what I mean by ‘bump-out’ using Baja deck on the Island would be balcony cabins B309/B310, or B622/B637.

These cabins protrude out from the adjacent cabins on one side, providing a better angle for viewing forward or aft down the side of the ship.

Conversely, if you look at cabins B311/B312, you’ll see them somewhat recessed.

Views from these recessed balconies would be more limited because they are set back into the deck more and obstructed to one side buy the projection of the ‘bump-out’ cabin next door.

I’ve attached a picture (Posted by user cr8tiv1) to give you perspective on what I’m trying to describe.

Ideally, getting a ‘bump-out’ on Aloha deck would be best. An Aloha deck ‘bump-out’ would be best to minimize the obstruction from the larger balconies on Dolphin deck (when looking directly down from the balcony).

I hope this explanation hasn’t been too confusing.

If you do a forum search for ‘bump-out’ – you’ll find numerous threads on the topic.

In our experience, you would have access to use your reserved loungers on embarkation day.

Is a fine way to avoid the chaos of boarding passengers milling about the ship.

Likely you will have reduced staff attentiveness that first afternoon, as staff is focused on hosting fellow passengers that are touring Sanctuary or scheduling loungers.

This simply means that you may need to get your own water refills, beverages (bar just outside entrance) and any food you might want.

(But, we’ve also experienced a few occasions when Sanctuary staff was providing full services on embarkation day.)

Keep in mind, there will be a fair amount of people touring through the area embarkation day, diminishing the tranquility of the space to a degree.

And of course, you’re interrupted by the mid-afternoon Muster requirement as well.

We have also used our Sanctuary loungers on disembarkation day (turn-around days for us during B2B trips) but again, service slightly reduced as they are focused on the next new batch of passengers.

Each of our Sanctuary experience over the years clearly demonstrates the ‘consistent inconsistencies’ you will encounter with Princess.

The different Sanctuary managers have their own manner and approach, so minor variations on how each operated the Sanctuary should be expected during Sanctuary bookings on various ships over time.

Check out Scott Singer Cruises on YouTube.

He is currently posting segments from his June cruise on Royal in the Med.

They booked L101 and he did a pretty good job of filming the room & balcony in Episode#5

My input is from personal experience at the International Cafe.

Have watched baristas refill the 'cream' containers with UHT Cream product (look it up).

This product is shelf stable, needs no refrigeration - although it certainly can be chilled if desired.

I expect it's available throughout the ship wherever you might choose to request cream.

In my opinion, is no different than cream we're accustomed to here in the US.

If anything, I thought it was even richer that what I use here.

Mike

Never had a single issue w/taking nail clippers along.

There are two areas of CB Sanctuary that are fully open to sun.

About 10 loungers in each.

Just inside the entrance gate, and opposite on other side.

See attached pic

Morning Sun&Sea,

We were not able to get into the M107/108 cabins to determine if these are identical to the L107/108 configurations.

Cabin doors are closed during embarkation and we did walk-off disembarkation morning before these cabins were vacated.

You might give a shout-out to Clampram (Emily) as they were staying in M108 and may have feedback/pictures.

A ship officer explained that the white space on Marina deck (next to M107) is a short hall and access stairs to the ships bridge below.

This is used by ships officers/crew to quickly access equipment mounted on the bow of Marina deck on the roof of the bridge.

We encountered a bridge officer performing an inspection of this space, he said inspections are done once per shift.

He indicated they come up from Deck 14 via the stairs and use the small corridor located between M101/102 to access the equipment.

(my bad for not asking whit this 'equipment' is that is covered in blue tarp)

sun&sea -

As Colo mentions, the balcony is accessible.

If underway, the wind along the side of the balcony can be gusty at times.

Then again, depending on speed, direction of travel and wind direction it can be very calm.

We did notice that sitting out on the very forward facing part of the balcony we were shielded from the wind.

The angled face of the balcony tends to direct the wind upwards.

Generally, arriving or departing a port, it was very pleasant out on the balcony.

Unsure if there is a cabin size/layout difference between decks.

Is possible, simply because the angle of the ship structure would favor the Marina deck cabin by an additional foot or two.

No clue what that white space is next to M107.

The online deck plan drawings are only approximations, not to exact scale.

We board Royal on Saturday, staying in M102.

I'll see if I can sneak into one of the Marina cabins, probably M108.

Sneak picture or two and see how it compared in size/layout to our L108 cabin from last year?

The Room Stewart should be able to explain the white space.

If this would work for you, I could follow up again here when we return on Wednesday 12/21.

Check out the review we posted after our Royal cruise last December.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=522096

The balcony is ridiculously huge.

It felt bigger than a standard mini, but the corner configuration may have created that illusion.

If your goal is a mini-suite, these cabins are certainly worth considering.

This image is from Emerald, likely similar.

Platform opening is only a couple/few feet above the waterline.

Is understandable that if this had become unsecured in some way it could be of concern.

On several past Port Everglades departures, we have dropped luggage off to porters on embarkation day as early as 9am.

Is possible they are on station earlier, but no knowledge of exact start time.

Just FWIW from our experience.