Stevesan
-
Posts
9,651 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Stevesan
-
-
I should have mentioned: Fins.
You don't need long fins for snorkeling. You aren't "power" snorkeling. The long fins require unnecessary energy and luggage space.
Of course it's best to buy at a local scuba shop, but not absolutely necessary.
There are some good shorties on the web. Example:
http://www.isnorkel.com/product/4573/US-Divers-Shredder-II-fin
-
-
The "Elite" and "suite" minibar can be exchanged for two coffee cards.
Includes the whiskey, water, and soda.
As previously said, call room service for the change.
-
-
My last two experiences I was at FLL between 8:30 and 9:00AM.
That was with early walk off.
However, sometime stuff happens!!
An earlier cruise while at Princess Cays one of the ship's life boats got hung up in a davit. We were a couple hours late arriving at Fort Lauderdale.
-
I guess I don't understand why someone would do anytime dining if they want the same table at the same time every night. I am quite curious about this. Is it the times of the traditional dining that are a problem?
We did anytime dining once (and on NCL not Princess) and it wasn't for us. It was so much work! I don't want to spend my cruising time pondering where and when to eat and then wait in line for the privilege. We also found it lonely. My husband is a great conversationalist, but we missed the comraderie of meeting our table mates and discussing what happened that day. We have met so many wonderful people this way. I also like having the same wait staff every night who know what I like.
I am glad Princess offers the option of anytime and traditional. The way I see it, the more who want anytime the better as it leaves room for me in traditional. And conversely I am not taking up a table in anytime that someone else wants. We all win!
It's very possible that fixed dining isn't available. There are two AT dining rooms and only one FT.
-
Oops! No post
-
I agree and when I see it becoming a problem on the ships we have been on I have no problem writing up the Maitre D' and deleting part of the tip. :cool:
Tips are allocated equally to all eligible recipients. There's no provision for targeting a specific crew member.
At any rate, I seriously doubt the Maitre 'D shares in the auto tips.
-
We were on the crown last year doing anytime dining. We loved our location and wait staff so when we left the first evening asked the maitre'd if e could sit there the following night, yes was the reply and by the 4 th night our "table" was ready for us every night... You give them respect and they will accommodate your wishes
$espect has priority!:p
-
HAL always has at least one crew show in the main theater. They are often better than the hired professionals.
-
You may be thinking of what is in the mini-fridge for passengers without the mini-bar setup.
The setup includes 8 airline size bottles of spirits, 2 beers, 6 or 8 cans of soda, 2 small bottles of water, 2 bottles sparkling water.
The "mini bar" includes exactly what you describe in the frig along with the whiskey bottles..
They are taken as part the "mini bar".
I made the point because others may think, as I did the first time, that the soda and water bottles are excluded. They're not.
-
No. After boarding, call the DINE line.
Princess ships are inconsistent when it comes to accepting reservations. It's up to the Maitre d' and some do, some don't, some allow reservations before 6 and after 8pm, some for any time during the evening, etc. Some allow you to reserve the same table at the same time for the whole cruise, some for just that night. And every combination of these. :(
That was the case with Caribbean Princess last month.
I say: good on him!!!
-
My most recent cruise there were three fixed dining times:
5:30 - seating in one of the two "Any Time" dining rooms, both centrally located.
5:45 - seating in the "Fixed time" dining room (it's usually in the aft area of the ship)
8:00 - seating same as 5:45
These are rather "standard" times.
-
Not a big deal, but understand that "mini bar" includes everything in the frig: the cans of soda and both water bottles.
-
At the International Café and some lounges:
Brewed coffee is $1.25/cup, most specialty coffees are $2.50-$2.75 for a regular size, espresso $1.75.
$33.35, including gratuity, buys a coffee card with fifteen punchouts for specialty coffees, and unlimited brewed coffee at the cafes and lounges that have brewed coffee.
You can also use it in the dining rooms for specialty coffees. The server is directed to take two punch outs for double shot orders, some do, some don't.
Since the coffee card is for a discrete quantity it's not time limited. If there are punch outs remaining at the end of the cruise the card will carry over to the next cruise.
The unlimited brewed coffee does not carry over.
__________________
If you are accustomed to good quality coffee, you definitely will want a coffee card. The vile concoction in the Horizon Court (buffet) is syrup based. Room service is also syrup based.
Not that syrup-based coffee is always a bad thing. My hometown source, http://www.javacoffee.com/, informs me there are different grades for syrup coffee, just as with ground coffee.
Regardless of grade, the taste of syrup based is always going to be somewhat inferior to an equivalent grade of ground. Based on flavor, Princess must use the lowest grade (cheapest) available.
Not all ships have the Int'l Cafe. They do, however, have a Coffee Bar for regular and specialty coffees.
-
If you are concerned at all about motion sickness, purchase Bonine from any drug store. It is very effective preventing motion sickness. My wife takes one each morning just as a preventative measure and we always book Caribe, mid-ship.
My wife was susceptible to sea sickness. Unfortunately, sea sick pills made her drowsy. That's a common problem with sea sick meds.
Ginger capsules came to the rescue. The only side effect was ginger breath. She'd start them a couple days before the cruise.
You will find them in most health food stores. Check your local Walgreen, too.
-
We did a 4 nightwear on the crown last year in Europe. The menu was rubbish! Ordinary steak one night and chicken. May be different in the states I would think
Those two were the only entrées on the menus?
-
The Renaissance Hotel is a good choice. It's nearby Port Everglades, and as previously mentioned, a short walk to restaurants and a drug store.
A shuttle runs between the hotel and the cruise docks.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllbr-renaissance-fort-lauderdale-hotel/
-
My wife was adamant about buying a new (read larger diamond) ring while at St Thomas. Bought a very nice ring at Diamonds International.
When we got home I took the ring to an independent appraiser, Fred Cuellar. He valued it several hundred less then we paid.
I called Diamonds International home office in NYC. Send them a copy of the sales receipt and appraisal. Much to my surprise. they reimbursed the difference.
BTW:- I recommend his book "How To Buy A Diamond" before buying.
-
PROGRESSIVE CRUISE CHECK-IN INFORMATION
Embarkation for your cruise is from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm. As many of our guests are enthusiastic to join the ship, you may experience delays and longer lines when trying to board before your scheduled time. For those passengers with flexibility, the closer you arrive to your scheduled time, the shorter your wait is likely to be. All those who arrive by 3:00 pm will be accommodated and will not miss the ship. Passengers with a Preferred Boarding Pass, Transfer, and/or part of a group may check-in anytime during embarkation. Once onboard enjoy a meal at the Horizon Court, which remains open throughout the day to serve you. We look forward to welcoming you onboard.
12:00pm - Lido Deck - Cabins on these decks begin with L 12:30pm - Caribe & Riviera Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with C & R 1:00pm - Baja & Plaza Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with B & P 1:30pm - Dolphin & Emerald Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with D & E 2:00pm - Aloha Deck - Cabins on this deck begin with A
-
PROGRESSIVE CRUISE CHECK-IN INFORMATION
Embarkation for your cruise is from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm. As many of our guests are enthusiastic to join the ship, you may experience delays and longer lines when trying to board before your scheduled time. For those passengers with flexibility, the closer you arrive to your scheduled time, the shorter your wait is likely to be. All those who arrive by 3:00 pm will be accommodated and will not miss the ship. Passengers with a Preferred Boarding Pass, Transfer, and/or part of a group may check-in anytime during embarkation. Once onboard enjoy a meal at the Horizon Court, which remains open throughout the day to serve you. We look forward to welcoming you onboard.
12:00pm - Lido Deck - Cabins on these decks begin with L 12:30pm - Caribe & Riviera Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with C & R 1:00pm - Baja & Plaza Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with B & P 1:30pm - Dolphin & Emerald Decks - Cabins on these decks begin with D & E 2:00pm - Aloha Deck - Cabins on this deck begin with A
-
Carribbean Princess in January suffered thru a series of noro cruises.
Princess sent a series of e-mails on turn around day updating her status until she was ready for boarding.
-
Another vote for the canal tour. Excellent narration and killer hot dogs.:D
-
We just checked with Cozumel Water Sports and they canceled all their dolphin tours. When you get to the dolphin swim page they show a popup that they no longer "approve" these activities. That made us think twice indeed :cool:. Should that be a good or a bad sign?
Good for the dolphins. Bad for you.
An exception is Anthony's Key resort at Roatan. The dolphins there aren't penned in. They have an open channel to the sea.
The carribean during spring break?
in Princess Cruises
Posted
I sailed Princess ships during spring break two consecutive years along with 500+ minors on board, sailing out of Galveston Texas.
The great majority were Texas born and bred, so they were naturally well behaved. Your mileage may vary.:D