knbcruisers

I am usually comfortable with booking on my own. However I always consider how far the port is from the tour location/activities.  If it’s more than an hour I seriously consider the ship tour.  I also consider how rugged the terrain may be.  As an example in Costa Rica we did a ships tour to the rainforest park and I am glad we did.  At least an hour by bus each way, and the road to the park was one lane and rough.if the bus had broken down we would have been in trouble on an independent tour.   As a contrast in Cartagena, Columbia I booked a private drive/guide which was more expensive. It was much more worth the additional cost, as it was only our group of 4. We were never more than a 20 minute taxi ride from the ship. I heard complaints that evening from other cruisers that the ship tour was crowded, too short and they really didn’t see anything. Several felt it was a wasted stop, while it was one of my favorite stops on all of our trips and my group agreed.

This must be an error.  Club class is for suite passengers and those in the specific Club class mini suites.  It may resolve itself when you get on the ship. I’d let your booking document be the guide. 

7 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

Welcome friend!

I may drop a link on the Princess board...

Norris

I am so glad you linked to the Princess board otherwise I would not have found this thread!!!   I am interested The Celebrity experience as we have only cruised Princess.  This northern itinerary is on our list once we’ve seen Italy and Normandy.

My cruise 3/22/20 is listed on the flyer but not showing on the website.  I have found sometimes that the website is not fully loaded the  first day of a promo. I’d keep checking back later today. Princess is in west coast time.  I am hoping for a mini suite at  my current balcony price 😉....I can dream right?  We actually have excellent OBC so it will take a big drop on the balcony price to make it worthwhile.  

Yes the pier is one of the longer ones I have seen. There are pedi cabs there and believe they work for tips.  If you are taking an excursion you will then need to walk through the shopping area out to the buses/cabs.   Some tour operators do not pay the fee to be inside the port area, and those are picked up outside the gate which is another long walk.  There is a port map, I don’t have it but do a search on this forum and you should be able to find it.

The sugared donuts, tuna sandwich, mozzarella and tomato sandwich, and the quiches. We usually pick something up late night to take back to the room....like cookies and sandwiches.  Just ask the staff to cover with plastic wrap.   DH frequently wakes  up hungry In the middle of the night...😁 and it’s nice to have a fresh snack available right away. He likes a glass of milk too which I think you can get there. Cover it and put it in the fridge. 

You can use Island Tram independently.  There is a rep on the beach next to the walkway from the ship.  $25 for a 2 hour island tour, not a HOHO but with a few stops. The only downside is it’s a bit of a walk to the pick up the tram outside the main gate.  The driver/ guide was excellent.

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Does the 3FF include mini-suites where we get the cheapest M rate regardless of which mini-suite we book? If the answer is yes, can we have our TA refare our existing bookings to get the discount if the math works in our favor?

It should include mini-suites, and yes you can refare, just contact your TA.  Not sure if clubclass minis would be included, but the regular categories should be.  Of course Princess can change things at anytime!

Checking my cruise prices and EZAir prices is my coffee time in the morning and a mental health break during the day😊....you never know!!

I prefer the 3 for free. I find the included tips and booking the best cabin grade for the cheapest (within the category) to work out to the best per person/per day price.  That’s how I compare offers.  The Sip n Sail is good if you were going to purchase the package anyways.  I have never booked under the Landmark  sale because it doesn’t seem to be offered on the cruise we have or when I am actively searching for our next trip.   I drink mostly wine so I bring my own ,DH is the only  one who gets the $ worth from the package.

Rumor has it 3 for free is early September

4 minutes ago, puppymama1 said:

Thank you so much!  I was planning on going online at 9:00 am EST and looking at it... can I do a courtesy hold online or do I have to call them?   

Using the link above I was able to place the courtesy hold until 8/16. Try booking each leg separately also, you may have better luck

Thank you for that link. I was able to put a hold on the 2 cruises we’re are interested in.   I’ll call my TA tomorrow.   Same ship, Enchanted Princess, but I could only pick a cabin if booked each 7 day leg separately.  We are not sure if we want to do 7 day Barcelona-Rome plus 7 days on land, or 14 day Rome-Athens-Barcelona.

i was getting the same response that pricing was not available on the regular site, even though we are elite.     

I’d suggest checking the Alaska board. There is a lot of detailed info there on all of the tour options.  You may be better off booking independently.   Key question is how much time do you have that day? We were able to do two separate excursions in Juneau: 3 hour whale watch on the MV Scania which was excellent (max 9 people just google it) then the flight tour tour to Taku lodge.  I do remember when I was researching that a lot of the whale watch trips had the option of being dropped off at Mendenhall instead of the port. You’d then just have to take the bus back from Mendenhall (lots of details about this on the Alaska board). You’d be on your schedule that way instead of tied to a group.  In my opinion large group tours  are not the way to go in Alaska.

Thanks that is good to know, we are on a 7 day in March, I wish it was available . Much easier than finding time to buy 6-10 bottles in SF and then get it to the ship. We drive to FLL so I have my wine packed days ahead of time 😁

1 hour ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

   People laugh at me for saying have a map.  But, it helps a bunch when the freeway is a parking lot and you want to get off and find surface streets.  A GPS screen just doesn't allow you to do that.  

THIS!! I agree totally. My dad taught me how to read a map and it’s one of the best life skills I have.      

Excellent advice, especially having back up routes identified.  Thank you 

We don’t always eat in the MDR, so I take my wine with me to Buffett or to the lounge prior to dining.  In theory could I buy several or all of the bottles at one time to be sent to my room so I’d have them available? 

Try posting this on the West Coast Departures forum, you may have better results. Also check long term parking at the airport. Most airports can accommodate over sized vehicles in some of their parking areas.  You could then taxi, Uber to the port, or take ship transfer.

You are awesome thank you!!! DH is Big USC football fan since he was a little kid. So a look at the Heismans and the old stadium will be enough to make him happy.  We have a friend on the athletic staff at UCLA so hoping to meet up with him plus see all the sports related stuff.   The rest of the day is bonus time.. I like your advice to stop in Santa Monica, then make our way back to the ship. 

BruinSteve,

You are such a great resource on these boards. Looking for some input on a slightly different scenario.  We have one long port day, 8 am to 9 pm on a Wednesday.  I did reserve a rental car in San Pedro.    Our 2 must sees are UCLA and USC. Any suggestions you have as to what else we could fit in? Which to do first? Other good things to do near these campuses? 

Any help is appreciated.

I would love to hear feedback on this Cruisetour.  It seems very pricey? From other reviews and blogs it seems I could do something similar for less on my own?

We really enjoyed this excursion. It did lot require any vaccine . I would just concentrate on proper mosquito repelling practices if you are concerned. Not sure when you are traveling. We went in March which is the dry season so less mosquito 🦟 activity. I don’t remember any serious bug issues.

Booking early or during a promo frequently gets the best pricing which for many people is a key factor. Securing the price while you decide if the trip is viable is important info to have up front, especially if traveling with family or friends.. A lot more at stake here than a pool chair.  I suspect that the majority of people work things out and cancel what they won’t use as soon as they know.  

This is a ridiculous statement.  Many people must plan big vacations (land or cruise) way ahead for any number of reasons...work schedules, coordinating with travel partners etc.  There is nothing wrong with having some options while you work out the variables. Since you don’t have to pay the balance until 75 days out Princess is fine with it.  I can’t see how this leads to onboard cutbacks or higher prices.  Abuse of this might lead to more non-refundable deposits, but I think most people are reasonable and will cancel trips once they know it won’t work.

We had C317 which is starboard and the big 9x9 balcony which is half covered. Excellent location easy to the buffet and forward locations and to the mid ship area.  Loved the Panama Canal trip, more than I expected🙂.

There is a beach that you can see from the ship. Our ATV tour stopped there for the lunch break and we had some swim time.  I’d get a taxi and ask them to take you there, as I don’t think it’s walkable.    Google maps shows it as “Playa Maimon”.  It is visible from the ship to the right as you face the port.   It was a nice basic beach but not  really any facilities, although there is a tree line with shade.  We saw some families there, it was shallow without much wave action.  Wear water shoes as it is a bit rocky at the edge.