skyline

:)We'll be on the Island for her Nov 1 FLL to San Pedro cruise. I'm really enjoying the patters from your trip:). Have read thru day 5 - Panama Canal. Looking forward to reading the rest of them during the next few days.

Maybe it could be added for a day when the ship repositions from New England to FLL? I'd love a new port on the east coast cruises.

:)Love "cruising" from home - want this posting on page 1

:)Another vote for Embassy Suites. It is close to the port and airport. Shopping center within walking distance has every thing you forgot to pack plus Total Wine. We travel as a triple but only two chairs on the mini-suite patio - no problem- pick up a "soccer game folding chair" at one of the drug/variety stores. Across the street is Waxy O'Connor's - a wonderful Irish type pub. Embassy suites also has a great Manager's evening reception and a super breakfast buffet. Can take their low cost shuttle to the ship or a cab. We'll be there before our Canal cruise November 1st - 237 days away but who's counting? Happy cruising

Poor Island Princess was mutilated during her last drydock. All viewing areas at the stern were converted to more cabins and a large lounge met the same fate. Total result: a couple hundred more passengers, less public space and no walk around the ship deck. Coral escaped Island's fate and also has an International Café.

:)Two of my favorite things about Dolphin deck mini-suites are watching the pilot boat dude boarding and leaving the cruise ship; and looking up at the stars in the large dark sky while at sea. Our next cruise is on the Island and I'm sure I'll miss the large open balconies on Dolphin Grand Class. Happy cruising.

Really enjoy your taking us along. Have been reading for years and its time for an overdue note of appreciation.

Planning a full canal transit from FLL to LA on the Island next Nov. We are a trio of seniors and most cruising the last 10 - 15 years has been on Princess ships with 3000+ pax. Have many ????? about "small ship" sailing in general, and the Island in particular. 1. Cabin: Considering D503. Is starboard a good choice for a westbound cruise? We love being on the balcony as much as we can. Are D503 beds on the left or right wall as you enter the cabin - use of med equip makes left side preferable. What is in the central area where inside cabins usually are? Crew cabins or crew work areas? 2. Evening Cocktails: Where is the Suite/Elite/Plat evening get together? Can you have any of the drinks on any day or just the particular "drink of the day" available at a reduced rate? 3. Dining: How does the Bayou Cafe compare to the Crown Grill? Are pub lunches on all sea days? Where and when is the Crab Shack? Unlimited refills or charge for seconds? Thanks for any and all information, suggestions and/or advice. We know to join the roll call; not stay in the cabin for the canal transit; and we prefer independent tours. Thanks again, Skyline

:)Thanks to all who replied - was a long day and I really appreciated several good laughs. Smooth seas to all!

Need a "Like Button" to agree with all the previous comments. Princess just feels right.

Chicken with thyme jus is wonderful when you want a simple meal of "comfort food". Sometimes I just get tired of "restaurant meals".

Embarkation day lunch is one of my favorite meals - BUT - the dining room open for lunch will shut its doors at 1:30 (or a few minutes earlier). We always try to check in by 11:00/11:30 and hope to be on board by 12:30. The avocado/bay shrimp appetizer and banana ice cream are wonderful. Many love the salmon, but I love the sliced tenderloin with veggies. Have a great cruise.

We were able to book 3 in a mini-suite, Island Princess westbound canal cruise a few weeks ago for fall 2016.

We've had embarkation day lunch in the MDR for 7, 10, 12. 14. & 15 day cruises. It's one of our favorite dining room meals. Some yummies make their only (in my experience) menu appearance on first sail day - avocado/shrimp salad and banana ice cream. Also love the tenderloin with veggies. I know I can order them 24 hrs. in advance during the cruise, but they are embarkation day specials for me. Happy cruising.

We were in C429 - a starboard cabin under he Seawalk and had no problems. The balcony was wonderfully large and we would book it again in a heartbeat.

Has anyone used EZ Check? We loved it in FLL.

Kinkacruiser - We are also interested in a private tour in Cartagena for our 11/16 cruise. Do you have any other information about the tour you took? Thanks, Roseanne

Where is the Suite/Elite/Plat 5:00 - 7:00 evening cocktail party held on the Island? Thanks.

:confused:Has anyone been able to bring on a 3 liter box of wine (equivalent of 4 750 ml bottles) and had it allowed after paying a $60.00 corkage fee? Really prefer the taste of this wine for casual drinking in the cabin. I guess if boxes are totally forbidden (even with corkage fee) its time to say "Hello Yellowtail". We're sailing on the Royal on Saturday. Thanks for your help.

:confused:We booked a private tour with Lawrence of Antigua back in November 2013 for this fall. During the last several months, I haven't heard anything about them on the boards. Are they still in business? Has anyone used them lately? Any suggestions if we must get other plans? Thanks for your help.

:confused:Time to replace my Seiko watch. I got it in Aruba (a dozen or so years ago) to replace the one I got in St. Thomas (about 25 years ago). Haven't been in the Caribbean for a long time. This fall we'll be on a cruise that stops at both islands. Has anyone any advice as to which island would be the better place to shop? (Will check local prices before the cruise.) Thanks for your ideas:).

:)Super! Happy Sabatini breakfasts.

:)We were on the original Royal Princess for an Alaskan cruise during her inaugural season - think it was 1985. Our boys were little and they loved being "real sailors". We were on a 10 day cruise from San Francisco. On the 2nd or 3rd day as we were nearing either Victoria or Vancouver, our cabin attendant told us there might be a work stoppage and the cruise would end if they all walked off. Never found out exactly what happened, but that evening we met our new steward and the cruise continued. Its many Princess cruises later, and in October, I'll be on another Royal Princess.

:)Thanks for taking us along on the TA. Great news about keeping your cabin. Looking forward to "cruising" the Baltics.

:confused:We'll be on the Crown 10/25/14 - 11/04/14 for a repositioning cruise from NYC to Fort Lauderdale. Foreign ports are Antigua and Aruba. Will be flying home FLL to Philadelphia on US Airways. Does anyone know if we can use EZ-Air? Who do I call for more information? Thanks for your help - Happy Cruising.