DaDivaMom

We were in L227 on Regal, so while not directly under very close. The retreat area was very quite and the deck is "padded" with an astro turf material so it would deaden most sounds I would think.

We were on the second sailing if that helps.

Less than 45 days for us and we are quite excited to be on the second sailing :)

The ManHo and I are both ultra marathoners, we stay in marathon shape at all times. When we cruise we usually hit the fitness center and ask one of the trainers for their circuit loop. That's where they run on the ship. It may involve some stairs and multiple decks and going early in the morning or late at night to avoid crowds.

I did this with a combo of treadmill and mapped port runs because I had to log some 20 mile runs on some of our cruises :)

I think that the person did receive priority embarkation. Did they not check in at the FTTF line? Were they not let in the FTTF line behind Platinum and other VIP guests?

I don't think Carnival gives you an exact time for that? Perhaps they do. My understanding is simply that you will be given priority before other guests and that was delivered. Late ship not withstanding.

Also as far as the luggage, having JUST arrived on the ship, I believe they also allow a two hour window for that as well, so that time may also not be elapsed yet. We don't know. Even if a time is given for that and the ship does arrive late then common sense says luggage will not arrive right away. If you want to split hairs then go and demand a portion of your FTTF back!

As far as the dirty cabin, yes I would say something to either the steward or guest services. Whichever you prefer. There is no excuse for that. Having FTTF makes no difference in this situation.

I understand you not wanting to be with the smokers but be aware that other may not want to inhale you exhaled vapor. I don't. So color me with the other killjoy poster.

In your own cabin, in non confined areas I see no problem but if you were right next to me, I would have an issue. As Tapi has stated some products are safer than others and I have no idea what you are inhaling and what you are exhaling out of your lungs (it's the same as coughing in my face) so I'd just as soon not be exposed since there are clearly defined areas and you don't want to comply with those (I understand your reasoning) be aware of others and you should be fine.

Princess does state that if another guests complains the person with the the e cig will be asked to stop.

The main entrance is between those two stairways you see on the deck plan.

There is another entrance that gets little use from the spiral staircase you see actually located in the spa, there behind the ladie's locker and next to the thermal pool.

We are scheduled on the second voyage and it our first time on Princess as well. We are Platinum on two other cruise lines but looking forward to a new venture.

We will come back and offer our thoughts. :)

It doesn't matter if her husband requires his scooter for one hour or twenty four hours, if he requires it and needs the room then he/she has every right to book that room and enjoy it. There is no need to leave it available "just in case" someone else might need it.

One disability does not trump another. People may require the room for a variety of reasons, not involving space and if Princess allows them to book it, it is not up to us to judge that someone else deserves it more.

As a nurse and cancer patient I appreciate people have special needs but we can't expect that we can book at any time and our needs will be meet exactly. Sometimes they just aren't because someone else with a need got there first.

I had no issue.

A recent addition to the doctor's duties is that he/she now offers "spa" services as well such as teeth whitening, botox and other fillers which must be performed or supervised by a doctor. That consumes a bit of his/her time as well but like you said not a lot.

ManHo and I are ultra marathoners and have trained for many marathons and other races whilst cruising. Go to the gym and ask the trainer for their mileage route. I know when I was on the Legend someone gave me a two or three mile loop plan. It meant using a few sets of stairs but it was better than going in a .9 loop which screws with your camber and hips..

I got up early around 4:30 or 5 and did my route. Same thing on Freedom and Dream, which was easier due to deck 5.

I HATE dreadmills and will use my own pacing any chance I get :)

No longer offered per se on Carnival but have I done it since the official demise...yes topless on Serenity and not a word was said ;)

Also topless on Costa is permitted on any deck.

We often rent a car in St. Maartin. Traffic can be very bad in certain areas with lots of single lane roads and round abouts. As long as you allow time and are prepared for this you will be fine. Take your passports and credit cards and a day bag, just in case :D

Cava AnTigua is a locally made tequila that I purchased in Cozumel. I'm sorry I can't recall the store but we loved the blanco/silver. The almond is also a very smooth sipping but I purchased the cherry as a gift and it's awful.

We had a spa cabin on this sailing and LOVED it. We enjoyed the theo pool, the two extra steam rooms with aromatherapy and the dry sauna rooms with heated loungers. There is also a "quite" room with water, tea, coffee and and an amazing view that is great to go to get away and relax, read, whatever. We used these services almost everyday. Often the only people in these areas. There are also two private showers in this area with surround water and lights.

No alchemy bar that I saw but the "martini" bar area next to the tasting bar had bartenders that I think were being trained to open the alchemy bar when it's ready. They were suggesting very interesting combos and really wanted to try their skills.

Billy!!!!! It's Denise & Chris from breakfast on Belize day, the couple from Orlando :) LOL. I thought this was you but when I read that description, I knew it .

It had never really bothered me one way or the other and I really couldn't care UNTIL....we were sailing on Costa and sitting next to us in the dining room was a woman with a monkey puppet. The kind with the string. She only talked through the puppet and it was super annoying and she would get in your face with that thing. I had to tell her that it freaked me out. I have CLL and I don't want that germ infested thing any where near my face. I'm glad she thinks it's fun but respect my boundaries and move away....the more she drank the worse it became and she ALWAYS wanted you to pose with pictures with her and her monkey....

The stuffed animals, gnomes, blow up dolls/animals whatever cool beans just don't talk to me with them!;)

We have several but use Amex for our monthly bills. Yep I pay all our household bills including mortgage, elec etc with it and then pay the credit card balance the next week out of my account just to accumulate the points. So far it's worked for us!

I don't save any of that stuff...

I collect a piece of pottery and/or art from each place we visit. Do that for land vacations as well. I usually also get some local jewelery makes for great conversation when someone complements. Lastly I buy local liquor. Reminds me of my vacation each time I mix a drink.

Yes you can and yes we do every summer since Heathen #2 was 13. Only on one out of 4 cruises have we had to call engineering and they switched the TV for him. We bring our own AV cables though as they will not provide those.

Last year our son loaned the system to one of the musicians (drummer) and our asst steward while we were in port one day so they could play the newest Halo game........he was a big hit with the crew and they kept him in free sodas and he saw the crew quarters etc.

He's 16 so for us it's a money saver as the arcade would easily be a couple of 100 bucks a day.

Some people like to partcipate in shipboard activities our son does not and that is OK with us.

As an honest answer, SandGnat's reply prompted me to remember, we brought an entire suitcase of food to drop of in Roatan on our last cruise. Cake mixes, icing, canned veggies, pasta, beans.......took it off and on, no issues.

Of course you can bring it! Along with your magic bullet, your smuggled beer, some bungie cords and masking tape.

I mean you might need it, right?

I just added Spam to my packing list. Good tip!