compozer

We have never gone but those shrimp look great - I guess we'll have to try it next time.

Those balconies are larger and fully covered. The balcony opening faces forward and a portion may be windy when the ship is underway. .

I don't understand. I just looked at the deck plans for the Sapphire and Star. Star doesn't show any balconies. But on the Sapphire - I'm confused - how does the opening face forward when the cabin is on the aft?

And can people at the pool walk to the back rail and look over at you?

I need to go check out these cabins before we leave the ship sometime - would love to do a B2B so we could walk around and look.

Yes, alll cabins have small refrigerators with two shelves. We had plenty of room for all of our supplies- water, soda, beer, wine and whatever

YES, I have read the policy -- but I am wanting to know WHERE the places are on Coral (or Island) -- Mike has always been quite respectful smoking on our balcony away from the wind -- not smoking when neighbors are out on their balc -- putting it out properly in an ashtray enclosed-cup he brings with him -- really curious if smoking would be allowed on aft public open deck where he could not bother anyone???

Wish everyone was like your Mike. I really appreciate people like him being so respectful and especially feel bad that smokers like him are inconvienced by this new policy.

People either love them or hate them. But you must try one at least once. It is very noisy and you almost have to yell at each other. Not much sun at all - you almost have to stand at the rail to get some. There is a rolling and some likeit to sleep but it bothers me and keeps me awake - just have to drink a little more.

Your story, while having a lot details, never mentions what was wrong with the jewelry. Or were you just angry because you bought it while you were drinking?

 

 

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In post #2 I said the large stone had a crack in it. I guess I didn't think I had to repeat that. I couldn't see it but my jeweler saw it. And the stone was what the necklace was all about.

I don't understand why people would buy an expensive piece of jewelry (or other item) so far from home. We have a local jeweler that we have used for years and we have never seen anything cheap enough away from home that tempts us.

I've even seen pieces while traveling that I describe to my jeweler that he then custom makes for me. And they are still cheaper than anywhere else.

One of my best friends owns a jewelry store so this purchase was so unlike us but here is how it went down. She was shocked when I told her about our purchase. "you did what?!!!!!!" And we had been on many cruises before this.

I had been taking care of both moms for several years. Both in assisted living - dh is an only child and my one brother lives far away so I took care of everything and went to vist both at least once a day. If any of you are caregivers, you know how exhausting and frustrating it is. Lets just say I did everything possible to make their last years very comfortable, etc. So my husband wanted to treat me to a relaxing cruise.

Every night before dinner, we had a glass of wine in the hot tub and there were two other couples that we talked with every night. In Jamacia we decided to just walk around town. I also had walked past when they were doing to shopping talk as they were discussing their gaurantee and thought that's it was a good deal but never figured I'd be buying anything. We came to a jewelry store and the two other coupes were inside so we went in. It was 90 plus with matching humidity and it felt good in the ac. Then they offered us beer. It was so cold and tasted wonderful. The guys were having a great time talking, drinking and joking around while the girls looked around and we also had a few more beers. The sales staff were really nice and kept bring more beers out.

I tried on a necklace and everyone thought it was beautiful ( large tanzinite in center) and then to my shock my husband says "would you like it?" Then he added "why don't you look for some earings to match it - you deserve something nice after what you have gone thru the past couple years" - his mother was really difficult to deal with".

So, I can't believe I said yes but I think the alcohol had a lot to do with it!!!! and that's probably why the store offers it to you.

After we got back to the ship and it sailed, I was very upset with myself for buying it but never said anything to my husband. So this is very very unike us.

I can't remember the name of the store - I have lots of errands today but will look it up later and post the name.

ANd yes I used my mastercard and did contact them BUT they said they couldn't help us since the purchase was made OUT Of the country - WHAT!!! I couldn't believe that and I did call back to confirm it.

SO, don't say you would never do something - The jewelry is in the safe and everytime I see that box, I get so upset with myself. My jeweler said you wouldn't believe all the people who bring in a purchase from some island and find out it's not worth what they paid or in the case of pearls - they aren't real. And the majority of time, they do nothing, don't want their spouse or anyone to know that they were taken.

Did you deal with On Board Media? I had a terrible experience with them ( thru Royal Caribbean) - got screwed on a $6000 jewelry purchase. I took it to my jeweler when I got home and she said it had a crack in the large stone. I called OBM and they said either send it to New York to be repaired or send it back to Jamacia. I was so upset I didn't want it anymore. She said I needed to pay a 10% restocking fee , which I was ok with. That's the amount that the cruise director gets as a kickback - do you notice that the stores always ask what ship you are on!!!!!

I sent it back to the jewelry store and they refused it. I get a call from UPS saying it was sitting at customs and if I want to see it again, I needed to send them postage ($80) to have it returned. I called OBM and she said "There is nothing I can do, I didn't tell you to send it to the store".

I've never worn it and that was 10 years ago. I will never purchase anything again on any island.

Ok thanks. I need to visit one of those corner cabins. Everyone talks about them. Yes, I also love the aft - I could sit there all day just looking out at the water. Enjoy your cruise.

We just booked B749 for an April '13 sailing. This will be our first Princess aft cabin, although we have them so much on RCI and NCL. We had to choose between an Emerald deck mini-suite and the corner aft on Baja deck and chose the aft cabin.:D I wish the search feature was working as I would love to see if there are pictures of it on this thread. Don't have time to go all the way back right now.

Is B749 a mini?

I hate the fact that I cannot take the cabin steward, my waiter and assistant waiter, my bartender, and the chef home with me. I found them on the ship, I liked them and I want to keep them. They would really like my house!:D

MeToo but they probably would not like Wisconsin winters - they would vote to go with you instead.

We always pack our clothes in several of those giant sized zip lock bags. That way, if the airlines go through your luggage, it doesn't get too badly messed up. Also, at the end of the cruise you can use one for damp or dirty clothes. We also bring a bungy cord and have used it to secure a case of water/soda to our rolling carry on bag when embarking and have used it on the balcony as well.

I have been doing that for over ten years. We use to bareboat sail and would fly into some small islands and they went thru everything in your suitcase. It was so nice to have an organized suitcase when they finished. Some of those people never looked very friendly and wouldn't say a word to you so it was so nice that they didn't have to dig everything out.

Some people had such a mess afterwards. I remember one lady had he box of tampax fall on the floor.

and I always bring tons of empty ziplock bags - I use them for everything.

Negatives

A LOT of vibration when in port. Not sure why, or what causes it, but it was bad. To the point where I couldn't take a nap one afternoon because the window on the wall was shaking violently.

We felt like we missed out on the sunsets and sunrises most days because of a lack of view.

We also felt like we missed some of the view on port days.

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I totally agree about the vibration. And the noice level underway is so high that you have to shout. Especially hard to hear much with guests. You also can not hear anyone knock at the door while on the balcony.

And I forgot but I was so so disappointed that we did not get to see one sunrise or sunset. I love to watch the sunsets while enjoying a glass of wine - BUT none.

And we only had one good view while in port - Aruba. The views were terrible. Dominic Republic was the worst - the filthy water - must have been their trash dumping area and the little shore was totally sickening to view - we stayed inside that day. I always take a picture from shore of my DH on the balcony but was not able toany any port - always facing some restricted area or water.

But the views were great as we left each island - still didn't make up for NO sunsets.

Lonedaddy,

Not sure if the door opens but it drove us nuts - it was constantly banging - we finally stuffed some cardboard in it.

I don't know how you can tell that Elite cruisers who book insides are the ones who claim to deserve suite perks...we are one example of inside cruisers who really don't need flowers and champagne and breakfast at Sabatinis

For a number of days on our last cruise we were hanging out with a group of people who were Elite (all were in insides) and every time we got together the subject of the perks came up and they constantly complained that they didn't feel Princess was giving them enough perks.

And they also talked about why they liked the insides - they don't spend any more time than necessary in the cabin and would rather travel more. And I certainly understand that. Some people are just real negative and think they deserve more than they are getting - I guess we just ran into a bunch of them the last couple cruises.

When we travel we like to spend time on our balcony. I guess it started 20 years ago when there was so much smoking that I couldn't stand being in any of the public areas.

We didn't get any on our last two cruises either. The canvas ones that come in the suites are much smaller and don't hold much - I'd rather have the supermarket tote. It's great advertising for Princess.

I would like to see priority seating at the shows.

Also... my turn to complain! Although I am elite, I only have 16 cruises but 215 days. By the time I get the big, big (sorry for the sarcasm) $25 perk for 21 cruises, I will have almost 300 days. There are people getting this extra with only 150 days! (actually, 21 one day cruises would qualify. What's wrong with this picture?) I think it should apply to days cruised.

OK, I feel better now!!

I agree.

Don't take this wrong but on the last two cruises, I have talked to more Elite people who only book inside cabins. Look at the name tags on the cabin doors. They say they do this so they can cruise more. More power to them. But it seems like those are the people that think they deserve all of the suite perks. On our upcoming Christmas cruise, I'm paying over three times as much for my cabin as the inside people are and yet some (NOT ALL) want what I have. And then they usually get price drops yet suites never go down in price.

I know many Elite people book the higher end cabins but, as in life, there are always a few people that think they deserve more. And life would be very boring if we all had the same interests and beliefs.

We cruise on many differnt lines so I'm not Elite yet but I think the perks that Princess offers are really great - especially the internet and laundry.

I love the extra on board credit we now get after 20 sailings, amazing how my honey wants to now get to 31 sailings so we can move up to $50.... so that perk is working, we are booking more with Princess.

 

I would love to see some things:

 

- the nice plush robes for our cabins

- choice of pillows (like suites get)

- ordering off the dining room menu to our room

- guaranteed reservation times for specialty restaurants (that could be difficult)

- free gifts, like coffee card, drink coupons, spa certificates, sancturary pass, specialty resatuarant pass (of course maybe one of these each time you cruise)

- priority to upgrades

- dvd player in cabin with choice of movies (like suites)

 

Sounds like a full suite. Everyone wants what is on the other side of the fence.

There is a link in the Cruise Personalizer that you can request egg crate, pillows and you do not have to be in a suite to get robes, slippers maybe.

 

I requested extra pillows for my mom and a feather pillow for myself as well as robes.

Th.ey have two types of robes. Everyone gets waffle robes but suites get the plush ones and slippers

BUT you can pencil in omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc and it will be delivered.

!

Don't count on it!! Many people have reported that they did not send them when they wrote them in.

I'm looking for a map of the area around San Pedro that shows the cruise terminal, hotels and restaurants, etc.

Others have posted ones for Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, etc and even one in Alaska and the are veery helpful for first timers to a city. Thanks for any help with this.

I guess I was refering to the pool area beneath i thought that was part of it. no one was in the sanctuary that I saw during my cruise and I never saw much sun up there

understand.

I guess I just don't see the need to spend the money on it. There are plenty of chairs (other than pool areas) all over the ship that are quiet. Usually one side is sunny and the other side in the shade. I think people with insides, who are Elite and get on the ship early, are usually the ones that book the entire cruise and use it the most. Even with the cost, it makes for a cheap cruise.

Just got back yesterday most of the sanctuary is free except the very top and there was never sun there! save your money! you will find plenty of chairs the higher up you go

What do you mean by the very top? The Sanctuary is bne level.

My old cookbook has a copyright of 2006 and we just received aother one at the Chef's dinner in November. That copyright is 2009. They have the same pages, pictures and recipes. Rather upsetting.

Chef's dinner - it really bugs me that a couple only gets one cookbook but two unmarried people in a cabin get two. They really should discount the second person.

We have booked two aft cabins next to each other. Do the walls between the balconies open?

(on the Crown Princess!)

We did this on Holland America and it was great!

On the Grand, there was a door between our aft balcony and the balcony next door (ours was a suite and the one next door was a balcony cabin). The darn thing made so much noise that we stuffed some cardboard into it.

Aren't the BB's on the Crown real small rooms? We looked in at an AFT BB the last day on the Grand and it seemed very small. Are all BB the same size?