ginal

They are a shore excursion starting in Oct. on Royal Caribbean.  "Operation Tropical Mindfall".  Can't wait to try it!!

We just came off this cruise on Aug. 26th.  There was a rockslide in Skagway right where the Princess ship docks, so you probably will tender.  It is like 5 minutes on the water.   I did not see anyone with wheelchairs on the tender.  

I did not take this cruise as a Premier, but I thought my impressions might help.  This cruise was only 1/2 full with about 2/3's of the ship crew.  Everywhere was easy to find a chair or no waiting at any restaurant. BUT...the casino was small and smokey on one side.  It was impossible to find a slot machine and table seats were in short supply.  Most payoff play was at the maximum of $4-8 dollars a pull on the slots.  

This is a lovely ship that we all enjoyed, and I would love to sail on her again.  The food was delicious, and the ship was spotless.  We felt like the service in some places was lacking due to Princess Plus.  That said, it was easy to go up to the bar and get drinks, cokes, bottled water.  The medallion made this easy.  

We all liked the ease of the Medallion, opening doors, getting drinks, getting off and on the ship.  

I received a full refund to my CC a couple of weeks ago.  All $7055.  Just an FYI.  I did make a few calls.  

Just thought I would jump in. 

I got the cost of cruise and all my port fees ect.  refunded to my credit card this week.  All $7055 of it!!!  I did the paperwork March 13th.  My cruise was May 4th.   I got 25% FFC online.  I did choose Option 1 at first, then resend papers for Option 2 and called.  I was contacted to be sure what I wanted and I said Option 2.

To say the least, I am ecstatic.  I had a Carnival cruise, a Princess Cruise, and a Disney vacation that have all been cancelled.  American Airlines, Carnival, ect. have refunded.  I now only have a few small things left to get refunded.

Refunded to credit card within 6 weeks  of original sail date.  

1. Our port fees and taxes came back 1st.

2.  Spa money next

3.  Internet and water last.

Everything else we had rolled into new cruise.   So we are thrilled with Carnival...every dime accounted for.  

Just by these boards, Carnival is doing a GREAT job compared to Princess.  I can't find a post yet where someone has been refunded.  

I am an intense planner.  We pick the cruise for the Ports.  When we first began cruising 25 yrs ago, we used the ship's excursions, but now I book almost all with outside vendors.  Mainly because I can get off the ship and to my destination before the hordes of excursions drop off  people.  I like it to be quiet and take pictures without strangers in the background.  I like to find out of the way places to visit and that takes planning and drivers.  We have snorkeled with seahorses, climbed to top of Mayan ruins with no one but the guide, hit Cozumel's beaches and been the only ones for 2 hours. I will say a time or two it has been a little scary.  So do be careful.  

Now that said:  The Caribbean is cheap to have individual drivers and cars, but some islands are too scary to be on an individual tour.   Europe you have to find small group excursions, because everything is expensive there, but never have we been worried.  

-I had a May 6th cruise which I canceled with Option 1 right when it came out.  

-I called a couple of weeks ago and asked to be changed to Option 2.  She said they would make note of change, so maybe?

-My credits for Option 1.   100% plus 50% FFC showed up 3 days ago online.

-Got a call from a Princess Vacation Planner 2 days ago.  She was checking to see if I still wanted to change to Option 2.  I said yes.  She did explain the chart posted above to me.  Princess is not refunding money for Option 1.  Putting it in a holding account against your deposit, taxes, port fees ect.  

-She said 60 days to refund.  She would call me back in 45 to update me.  

In Cozumel, walk out of the cruise port and the taxis are right there.  The head guy will ask you where you are going.  Very easy. 

We usually spend most of the day at Chankanaab Park then head back to port and do a little browsing OR if shoppers, do the park for a few hours then taxi to downtown Cozumel and shop in old town.

  I recommend Chankanaab state park.  The snorkeling is great and they have other activities.  Just google it.  Do not buy this excursion from the ship.  
Be the first ones to leave the ship-head to taxis-be first one at Chankanaab to get loungers.  They have snorkel gear and vests there.  Nice showers and toilets.  Beautiful sand.  Swim with dolphins, ziplines, manatees, massages.  You can pay for whatever you want or set price.  Etc. Etc.  

My kids in early 30's have been 3 times in last 5 years.  They love this beach.  Same prices a s previous poster.  

This is one of my favorites and size doesn't matter.  Cozumel.  Chankanaab Park.  google: Cozumel Parks

1.Get off ship and go to taxi stand right at end of port.  They will take you right to the Park.  It is like $15-$20 a van full, not per person.

2. Inside is a GREAT snorkeling area.  Sturdy steps to get into the water (the water is not shallow).  Beautiful, plentiful fish.  Free loungers.  If you give your drivers license they will give you a free life vest.  You need to bring own gear unless you want to rent some. ( I just went on Amazon and bought our own OR go and get at sporting goods store.). 

3.  They have nice restrooms and shower areas.  I bring clothes and change before heading back, so I can shop at port on way to ship and not be all sandy. 

4.  If you like massages they are much cheaper than the ship.

5..  They have fake Mayan ruins and all of kinds of walk thru things.  Dolphins, Ziplines, etc.  Just go on their website. 

6.  Lockers for rent cheap.

I consulted 2 different ones for a tour of the East side of Island.  5 hrs at $85 an hour for 2.  No thanks.

I just checked my VIFP offers right on the carnival website. After I put in my # several $25 came up and I could book them just like wiskt said. They range from now to Nov. pretty much.

I rented a car by myself, drove to a few lighthouses, took pics, hunted for sea glass, then headed to Kennebunkport. The drive was scenic. I just used my iphone for directions. Be sure have some little $ for tolls. There is a main shopping area in Kennebunkport, so allow plenty of time. I used Enterprise Car Rental. There is a shuttle OR you can taxi there and they will take it off the rental cost. That way you can start ahead of everyone else and have about an hour more time. When you return they will shuttle you to the boat or drop you off in Old Portland if you need to shop more. Tom's Port Guides are a great help when planning do it yourself excursions.

Just my observations on the Sunshine. (I have cruised 4 cruise lines, have done over 12 cruises from 5-26 days, family, friends, or couples-so I try to just state the facts.)

1. Ship is easy to navigate.

2. All staff was friendly and helpful.

3. Getting on and off ship at ports was easy, though walk was long at some of them.

4. 2 comedians were the best I have ever heard, 2 were just downright mean to the audience.

5. The one production show we watched was NOT a Latin show, but a very BAD burlesque show. We were a little taken back by the content of the show. Did not go back after this one.

6. More food than we could possibly eat. As normal on a cruise: some food we fell in love with, some was okay, seldom didn't like what was served.

7. We had anytime dining and learned we could ask for our same waiter every night. We had to wait 15 minutes some nights for one of his tables to open up-but it was worth it. Thanks, Jose! They did do some dances and singing some nights.

8. We ate a Guys Burgers, always a hit. The Wok, no sweet sauce, so this was a little bland or too spicy for us. Pizza late at night was good.

9. Cruise director, Emma, was not where we ever were. She seemed to stay close to the Atrium and 'on show' doing karaoke on the bar most of the time.

10. We had an ocean suite 7163. Perfect location, close to main set of elevators. Could walk down 7 hall to whatever set of elevators that took you where you wanted to go. Two closets , 2 sets of drawers, large vanity area, bathroom is little funky layout. Nice balcony to watch the Statue of Liberty going and coming into port.

11. Okay, the worst thing about this Cruise is that it was foggy everyday. The Captain said it stayed foggy on the NE coast. Yuck.

12. Second worst thing was that there were very few activities on the ship. One of the activities listed was "lounging on the Lido Deck". Not sure lounging is an activity. Lots of sells in the shops, art auctions, and spa times, They did have some of the usual, but we just felt it was lacking. Some nights after supper it was no show, and horrible comedian as your two choices.

13. Watching the tug boats push us into our berth at NYC port was neat. We were on right side of ship if faced forward. I think it is starboard.

I use wanted to say...if you are interested in Mt. Washington-drive it yourself...oh my gosh what an experience. That would be on the bucket list if I had not done it by accident. The views were great, but the drive and stopping on the way up and down was incredible. Did this with my mom on a land vacation and we just decided to do...it is amazing, scary, awe inspiring, did I mention scary..... I got my certificate that says I drove it!

I think Carnival is running a $15 shuttle(there and back) to Faneuil Hall. I would do that or cab and base from Faneuil Hall. Walk to Old North Church, Paul Revere, Mike's, pizza at Regina's is really good if you like Italian or eat lunch at Faneuil Hall or grab a lobster roll somewhere. I am partial to Faneuil Hall since you can try different things there (clam chowder in a bread bowl-yummm). My son loves Regina's. Then go the other direction on the freedom trail and see the Old State House, Boston Massacre site, Granary Burial Ground, one of the churches.

Then walk the other way on the trail to the State House, Trinity Church, and old cemetery,

To 1st poster: not sure how mobile and fit you are so answering is a little tough. I am planning this for a group of four and we range in mobility and fitness, so it's making it a little hard to do.

BUT if you can walk pretty easy this is all doable on foot: I would not miss, Old North Church, Mike's Pastry(or a pastry shop in little Italy area), Faneuil Hall for lunch ( oh my gosh the choices of what to eat......), Quincy Market for shopping, an old cemetery(there are several that have famous old dead people), some of the freedom trail (just so you can walk the red bricks), The State House has a nice museum in it. Personally, I like the Ducks,(sculpture) and Swan Boats at the Boston Public Green-but time probably won't permit.

Hope this helps.

If you want to venture a little further from the main area and you like unusual type stuff....I do this every time I go to Boston and it just got better. Take the subway to Harvard Museum of Natural History(it is a walk from the sub station to the museum). They have an exhibit of glass flowers that were used by botany students that has just been redone. They are so realistic you just can't believe they are made from glass. And now they have added glass sea creature exhibit. I haven't seen this one yet. You can walk around Harvard a little while you are there.

Don't do Salem, esp. with a little one, nothing there but small store area and a good museum. The Boston Aquarium is really nice, so is the Boston's Children's Museum-depending on age of child. Must see the Old North Church and get a pastry at Mike's. Faneuil Hall is a great place get lunch and let kids move around for a bit. Not sure of child's age but the USS Constitution is cool.

I did an extensive review of the Celebrity Xpedition in 2013 by ginal. Great ship...all inclusive bar....food different every night. Lots of stairs..no elevator. Pick deck on the eating or lounge floor for your room. 90 people on the boat. Only saw that many at supper. Everything very well organized for different ages and capabilities. The few young kinds (4) were bored at lot. This is not a kid cruise. It is all about nature and seeing the flora and fauna.

I did this last summer with my mom (75), hubby and I (mid 50's) and a 28ish nephew. Very different type of vacation. Very quite. Nothing and I mean nothing after supper. BUTTTT fantastic wildlife and excursions during the day. I posted a LONG-DETAILED report. Under Message Boards it is Xpedition July 2013. Under Reviews-Celebrity Xpedition-Galapagos X July 19-29, 2013.

We chose July and got to see the Blue footed boobies and frigates mating. What a sight. Be sure to read everyones reviews you can find and write down what excursions have what. I did the short excursions on everything almost and saw the most fantastic wildlife. Some of pictures are WOW!

I just looked at my paperwork and it $54 a person like the previous poster said. Just call Princess they can tell you. It is different for every port.

The sideways rooms then yes they make into king. We saw one on the Liberty last year and tried to book one this year...but they said you could get bumped (even if you choose that cabin) if someone came thru with a real need.

We had cabin 9288 on the Liberty last year and booked the same cabin on the Victory this summer. From now on the Lido deck will be my 1st choice even if I have to pay a few extra $$. No lines at the elevators -EVER!! Could look down into the atrium if they were having performances. The elevators took you straight to the shopping and casino area. We did the movie screen on deck most nights instead of the shows and loved it being steps from our room--(private bathroom-or husband's rum supply)--- The bartender is only steps from your room. My husband gets up early---really early--he would just go sit on the Lido deck and drink coffee...and when I woke up I was steps away. We loved it....