jnc411

Our TA promotion credit is not showing up either , but I will give them a call and ask for a email confirmation of the credit just to be sure. Thanks for this thread I thought I was the only one. :O

Cori

Yes, several people have had that problem. You'll need to call Princess and have them over ride the issue for you..

Yes I agree , I had the same problem twice, just called Princess they did an overide and fixed it for me.

Cori

I agree with the others , go with a mini and not a balcony, when we travel with our daughter who is still a young woman , we get a mini , the pull down bunks are not easy to get in and out of or are they as comfortable, whoever would get the pull down would be getting the short stick. Hope it works out for you ladies , enjoy your cruise.

Cori

Hi , we got the same blue envelope and same offers. We like the Hawaii cruises also and did not see any either.

Cori

Have a great time, we did the land tour last Sept. before our cruise and the whole experience was great. Wait till you see Denali lodge , it is huge, the restaurants are nice.. and be sure to try the Salmon Chowder , yummy. Enjoy..

Cori

Hi all: I just read through this entire thread, first thanks for all the important information. We will not be going to St Maartin until Oct. , on a cruise stop, so I am going to keep an eye on all the information . Right now , we will still go on the cruise , but wheather or not we get off the ship at that port , not sure. It would depend on the information I gather during the time before the cruise. We are senior citizens also and my husband has some health issues , so his well being is utmost concern for us. If we need to stay on the ship

( indoors) for this port then so be it. Perhaps they will have a better handle on the situation in a couple months. Going to keep checking CDC , etc. for updates. When we booked this cruise we were not aware of the issue , but regardless we are traveling with DEET and some long sleeve tops and light weight pants for sure. Thanks again for posting this information.

Cori

To the OP, thank goodness you were there, if the family of this injured person has not contacted you to thank you , they should. If you had not been there , this probably would have had a different ending.

Also , after reading this post . I am going to sign up for CPR training , always meant to do it , but never got around to it. Well now I am going to. And thank you OP for making all of us aware of the situation.

Cori

Thanks going to check it out.

Cori

Oh thanks , I love those bags, I am going to go check the two TJ Max stores near me tomorrow. Thanks for shareing

Cori

Hi , we did a week land tour last Sept in AK then boarded a Princess ship , I found I did not have time in Denali to do any laundry, I just waited until we got on the ship and found time then to do laundry , not on Glacier Bay day , but there was ample opportunity to do laundry. You can get tokens at the Pursers desk and can get detergent etc in the laundry area , or just pack a few laundry pods to take with. You will be fine. Have a wonderful trip AK is beautiful , you will love it. PS be sure to read the instructions on your land tour information regarding your luggage , and what luggage you can take with you on land tour and what luggage meets you at the ship.

Cori

To the OP, So sorry you had a unpleasant experience on the cruise, I do hope you find another cruise line that suits your needs, each person has different wants and needs for a cruise and that is fine . We have cruised with several lines and just have found Princess to be our choice. We have not experienced the things you mentioned, I do not expect 5 * dining I know it is a large ship with alot of people to feed, so I usually am happy with what is offered and there are many options for dinning . As for the sugar free deserts, my husband is a diabetic and he seems to enjoy them just fine. I really don't mind if we don't get towel animals , etc. and the crew has always been friendly toward us. I do hope you can convience your friend to try cruising again with you , it is a lovely way to spend a vacation. As other posters mentioned, perhaps Celebrity X , or Oceania, one of the lux. lines would be a better fit for you. Have a wonderful European cruise , enjoy.

Cori

Definitely not the ship to choose for your first Princess cruise. (IMHO). The Royal is a very beautiful ship. However if you like a walk around promenade, central staircase, decent elevators, an aft pool with some wonderful views, an easy access theater, a lounge where you can easily get in and out of chairs, quiet dinners in the Crown Grill/Sabatinis, an aft view cabin where you can actually use the balcony, or a larger than microscopic size balcony, stick with a Crown or Grand class ship.....:):):)

 

Bob

I mostly agree with Bob. I have read all the reviews , and it sounds like the Royal is a beautiful ship in decor, but I probably won't book a cruise on the Royal anytime soon,I just booked a different cruise on a Princess ship, even though I liked the itinerary on the Royal more, the cons just outweighed the pros for us personally. My husband is a big man , 6'6" tall and most things , balconys (we always use our balcony alot), cabin size , Princess theater seating , etc. are all smaller on the Royal ,which makes it less enjoyable for him and no promanade deck which we always enjoy walking, no center stair case, fewer pools, the cooler and not fridge in the cabin, just some things are missing for us. But I also understand that some people really like the Royal, and that is a good thing.

But it will be interesting to see if the Regal has changes becasue of some of these issues, am following the Regal thread on these boards.

Cori

I use a weightless crossbody bag by Bagellini.

Yep, I do the same, and Bagellini bags come in differnt sizes as well. Love them

Cori

The bathrobe one is my favorite , I have a brother in law and yikes even my sister want to ware the bathrobe to the pool and at resorts to the pool :0. PLease no....

I just can't do that, sorry ..... In fact I don't even request the robes for our cabin when we cruise.

Cori

I just read through this thread and arn't there alot of nice people on the boards , everyone really trying to help a fellow cruiser, Just great.

I am glad you found a pair of pants that will work for your husband. I know the challanges you have with fitting and keeping your husband comfortable as well. I would say for sure take a lite sweater or jacket with for evenings , it can be cool inside the ship , even in Panama, it can be so hot outside and cool inside, we have done this cruise 3 times , and yes there are times we needed a light wrap. Be sure you have all his medications labeled well, and he will probably need to rest each day for a bit. Does he require a wheel chair ?

I have a friend who rented one just for the cruise, so her husband didn't tire from the walking on a large ship. I have traveled with my husband when he was not feeling well after chemotherapy and rest was important each day. So glad you are able to go on this cruise. hope you both have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute. God Bless...

Cori

We did the Everglades & Flamingo Park tour and it was great. We had a fantastic, informative tour guide who was very entertaining. The drive out was a little long, but the tour guide spent the time giving us all sorts of historical information that was surprisingly interesting.

Yes , that is a nice excursion . Have done that one twice.

Cori

I agree with Pia: When we travel with our daughter, we feel three adults need a mini suite , the whole upper bunk thing doesn't work for us. And the little extra space it affords it nice as well. Plus you still have a balconly.

Cori

To the OP, thank you for such a good informational post. I did not know some of these things, and it is helpful to know. Some of the comment regarding just put the tip amount added to the cost of the cruise up front are worth considering depending on how it would affect the total amount the crew would receive. And I never book a cruise without first adding the amount the tips would be to the cost of the cruise ( and insurance for that matter). Then I consider that the price of the cruise. If that is what I am willing to pay , fine, I then book the cruise, If I think that is more than I am willing to pay then I don't book the cruise. I just consider it part of the price of the cruise from the get go. I have never taken the auto tips off and don't intend to in the future. As in all things I guess it is different strokes for different folks. We have worked very hard for whatever we have and I can see that the crew on the ships also works very hard as well. I believe in the " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" rule. So we leave the tips on....

Cori

Thanks , nice to know about the OBC back, was not aware of that.

Cori

The ship can't get to a Zero Count while you're still aboard. As Kamloops mentioned above, you will have to disembark as part of the Turn Around group. Lots of folks also take this opportunity to go back into Fort Lauderdale to restock, sight see, or return aboard ship as the first boarding group to snag a spot at The Sanctuary or enjoy some peace and quiet (maybe be the first at lunch in the MDR) before the new passengers begin embarkation.

Thanks to both responses, figured that was right, just nice to know. Not sure what we will do, we have been on all the excursions in FL before, probably go restock on a couple things. Anyway thanks.

Cori

Hi , have never traveled solo before , but have been seated at a large table with solo travelers at our table in anytime dining , it was fine, everyone just visited together. Hope you have a great cruise. If you want that type of situation then just request a large table.

Cori

Question: Our cruise is sold as a 14 day, but it returns to FL mid cruise then goes out again and I saw on the Princess site that it is also sold as 7day trips, sooooo, do you think we will also have to disembark in FL as well even though we booked a 14 day . Really am sure it is fine either way , just wondered what you guys think. We are easy going so we will be fine with either option. If the ship has to go Zero whenever it goes into port at FL then we probably will have to disembark , right. Thanks all.

Cori

I decant my Argan oil into an empty eyedrop bottle. Doesn't leak and easier to control. Had a bad experience with a puny bottle of it leaking thru a double ziplock bag.

I also always take my Argon oil along, have to have that with me.

Cori

Not looking to watch this season....it is just not fun (to me)

anymore.

Hi Lois, I don't think I will be watching this year either, just not interested anymore. If I could just see the dresses, then turn it off I would be good. :)

Cori

Hi , we have done the Canal full transit 3 times , and I vote for the 2 day canal experience, we really enjoyed our time in Panama City.

Cori