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We did private tours except in Tasmania as we were too late to book one there. It was just fine-went to see Tasmania Devils. We pre booked all of the private tours before we went. We also did the Celebrity Queenstown overnight Excursion. Was absolutely Fabulous-- there were 4 buses (most they ever attempted) --we happened to have the best guide & driver! Vicky & John)per Feedback from others on different buses. It is a grueling 2 days! leave ship very early in the am in middle of Milford sound- then finally to sleep about 1am up early next morning to continue on to Dunedin but well planned, excellent food & accommodations! rejoin ship there just before sailing. upon return to our rooms-- bottle of Champagne with a note plus the officers out to meet us & welcome up back! I do understand the price has increased by about $200 pp since we booked spring of 17 for out 2/5/18 cruise. As I had been to NZ twice before--I felt my traveling companions needed to see more of NZ. Was fun to see changes since '94 & '96--lots more wineries plus Lord of Rings attractions. Do check out Trip Advisor plus look up New Zealand day tours on the internet & email different companies then ask people to join you via your Roll call

On the Solstice in February, We had a medical emergency after we left Tasmania--we were 1st day at sea called for blood donors- then next day late afternoon -2 helicopters came to the ship landed & took patient in one of them & then wife in the other --flew them to Dunedin --we then proceeded into the Sounds the next morning . We were very lucky as I had heard that many times because of the weather the ship will not sail into the sound --4 buses of us disembarked & did the Queenstown overnight excursion-was wonderful. Seemed every port someone was being evacuated off the ship for medical reasons. The cruise before us missed 2 ports because of the Cyclone & came back a day early to Sydney. YOu can't do anything about the weather nor Medical emergencies--next time do a land tour of NZ. I have been 3 times to NZ love it! I would go back & do another land tour.

Our Travel AGent obtained ours for us--It is just a piece of paper & there was no charge which was great. We supplied them with a copy of our passports --had within no time at all.

I have lots of Effy jewelry--never have purchased it on any of the ships. I usually opt for their sterling collections or gold/sterling. I buy it at Carson's in the Chicago area--department store-- they have it on clearance or on sale--70% off clearance plus additional off or sometimes 50% or 60% off sale & more with coupons also then more off plus other coupons. I purchased a $1600 ring (this one was with diamonds) for $325. I am not impressed with the prices on board as I have seen the same pieces at Carson's at a lower price then on sale plus coupons. So guess if you really like it --bargain plus price before you go at a local store that carries Effy --as Macys plus Carson's does.

Almost all of them have panels that can be opened. A few cannot be opened. Which room are you looking at?

Looking at mid ship deck 7, 8 or 9 for 14 night 2/18 Australia New Zealand cruise. Been reading sounds like port side best but not sure we care about the angled balconies just want to be able to have access between 2 cabins via balconies.

Thanks

Do they open or are they like the Summit that do not open? I could not find the answer on any forum

We had 4 sky suites in a row for a trip to Bermuda in early June & had the PPG. We each tipped our butler plus Cabin steward, Asst & Luminae staff additionally. I went to Guest relations desk & they supplied me with a printed breakdown of the tips each receives therefore it made it easier to determine the extra. I also asked for envelopes to put the cash in with their names instead of just adding to the Shipboard account. Makes it more personal to hand it to the person. I do know that some passengers do not additionally tip even though they are demanding & unpleasant plus have the tips removed. We did utilize our butler for many requests-nothing ever a problem. Each cabin did their own tipping-I think the butler tips ranged from $10 each pp to $25 pp not per cabin for the week. Tipping is a very personal thing so whatever you are comfortable with will be just fine. I do not know if our Butler was surprised, shocked or unhappy but he seemed very very pleased. Now it will be very difficult to not have a suite on future sailings!

on the June 5th summit. problem more with the parents of the children we were very lucky as very few children. parents spoon feeding the children in the hot tubs, children with diapers in hot tub. children snorkeling in the adult only pool kids treating the hottubs as a splash pool. of course the chair hogs, we came out at 7:40ish got our chairs I came back within about 20 minutes sign on our chairs about limit for time to be gone I removed then signs & sat. 2 chairs next to us already had "stuff" on them almost 2 hours later still no one had arrived---- I asked pool attendant to remove items explaining length of time etc-went to check with his supervisor came back quickly & removed the items. About 45 minutes passed here they came looking around -- friend advised pool attendant. I was very happy the attendant removed the items plus liked the signage. gave feedback to Celebrity about children--special insert to Celebrity News about Hottubs & children plus Chair hogs.

We really loved the Bermuda cruise but was happy did not go later in June as I am sure the issues with children are much more frequent.

we realize this is "new" shore excursion from St Maarten--has anyone completed this excursion? Our concern is how far we would have to walk to board the vessel? we looked on the Internet & saw a picture of the Pride of st Bart's which looks about the size of a tender-----therefore how smooth would the 45 minute ride be --- do realize depending on the wind & waves

Any suggestions comments etc would be appreciated about St Bart's

I did look under ports of call couple of posts but nothing really helpful thanks

only one time did we have a problem 3 cabins together- there was a small pipe that probably was added after the ship was completed or something between 2 of the balcony doors. Well no problem-they just removed the door & took it away. Obviously they had done it before as it did not take them but maybe 15 minutes to do. So we had our 3 Caribe deck cabins all open was great!!! Usually it states on the ship Deck plans if they will not open. Have a great time!

Do not worry at all about the laundry --was across the hall once -was just fine -remember they are closed from 10pm ish till 8am or so. only problem was that the door started to make noise-called them-guess they oiled it within no time. Not an issue! Enjoy!

We will embark on the Star 2/7/15-we will be coming early & will rent a car at the Airport (Oakland) for several days & want to return it close to Port. Drop 2 of the group off with luggage then return the car. We took a cruise in 06 from SF & returned Car on Fisherman's Wharf-500 Beach. With the new Cruise terminal-is there a better location to return the car-Avis has one on Fisherman's Wharf-Beach st or another location is 5 Embacadero Center? From what I read on the Post about the new Cruise terminal - it is by At&T Park. So which is closer-we would cab it as opposed to walking, anyway unless one would be next door. Guess I coudl have google Mapped the new cruise terminal-not sure of the address. Thanks!

If I were you just book Aqualina from airport to where you have to go. Reason --- might take longer but very large & suitcases are under cover. Very comfortable. We did take Aqualina line from near our hotel (Le Isolie) to port. Very easy on & off plus easy getting the suitcases on & off. (they help)-- From Airport--We booked the smaller one for I think $35 Each--more of a large speed boat would hold probably 12 people. Was more expensive but thought get us there quicker-the 4 of us were the last stop-think it took almost an hour -Sunday morning). Not easy on & off as bobbing in water & small craft. We each had 1 suitcase plus a carryon--thank goodness we had guys with us in excellent physical condition-as needed to take the suitcases from small boat-narrow pier to land (driver helped us get off plus handed the suitcases to the guys)--plus raining -suitcases in the open getting wet the whole way to Venice from Airport-luckily nothing really got wet inside. We were wet! but hey - 1 room was ready we dryed off-went for a lovely lunch! So you might think private is great but sometimes not. Even in good weather -do not think it would be worth it to pay the extra. If not in good condition & can not navaigate a huge step on & off -don't try it!

We did a private tour with Romein limo (I think-did not set it up) there were 4 of us (October-)--absolutely wonderful to have our own driver. He knew about all the road conditions- -drivers in touch about Road conditions. We were to go to Sorrento but could not as a horrible accident -road was closed-remember not like here in the states-just take another one-no other way to go!. All the tours that had gone to Sorrento had to take a boat back to meet the ship--guess not too uncommon for road to close because of the accidents. We left the ship early & was to go to Ravello first - On our way to Ravello (was right around the next bend) -another accident so turned around went to Amalfi, then to Postiano then came back went thru Ravello since missed it in the morning. All worked beautifully. Yes, expensive but may on your Roll call you can join a couple or see if you can start one. Get your tour first, though. Not sure how long before we booked the tour. He was an excellent driver & very knowledgable-we did not have to pay upfront but had to pay in Euros upon completion of the tour. Took us to a fabulous restruant up on a hill overlooking Positano. -not included but we did the all one price menu-was wonderful!! lots of tastes of everything.

just a thought put in a claim with your credit card & I would contact the Texas Toll Company again & ask to speak to a supervisor or a manager to have the charge waived. Plus have them remove all charges for the EZ Tag. Good Luck. We can use our Illinois EZ pass all the way to the East Coast plus i believe in some other States. Explains where we can use it on the Webste plus in IL we get a discount for having the EZpass -instead of paying $1.50 we only pay 75cents. Plus there are signs posted on how to pay if unmanned locations right at the tollbooths.

Do not worry--Here is our story---We sat from Saturday am till Tuesday afternoon 3ish to hear about our offer. TA received an email late on Friday -told we could go from Minis to suites for $300. What was wonderful I could go to Princess website & see many Suites still available -needed 2 next to each other. TA called & Left message to Princess person on Saturday am-to verify offer still available. Then called Monday AM but Voice mail said it was Friday & not to leave a duplicate messsage, checked later on Monday still VM said it is Friday so we assumed Princess rep sick or did not come in on Monday. So Tuesday am TA called -now VM said it is Tuesday. TA asked for that Department & Got thru the Upgrade Fairy department- only the person assigned to our ship could help her. He was in for the day- We still had options to be able to get our cabins together-kept checking webiste. When he did call TA-offered us the huge Owners suites in the back of the ship (on different decks) but we wanted to be next to each other. Worked fine--loved the Suites -hated the narrow balconies on the Royal. So bottom line check Princess website-check to see what is available in the upgrade & ask for it! We asked for certain cabins-got them not a problem-our old Minis disappeared & showed booked within 2 minutes. So good luck! hope this makes you feel better!

Hopefully you did get one that is larger some are 72 sq ft some are 54 sq ft plus think one more a little smaller. Not sure--- go to Royal Deck plan & roll over the cabin number or click on it & it tells you. Have fun!

Pam-- thanks for the picture plus the information. I had been told that people do not linger on the Seawalk-fun once. I know all wil lbe fine!

We booked 2 side by side extended Starboard Marina Deck balconies on the Royal (had to change our date -so all that was left Minis with larger balconies) Anyway, 1. Does the Skywalk completely block any sun at all?

2. From pictures -it looks like you are looking at the bottom of the Skywalk-correct? 3. I have been told people can look directly into your cabin & of course the balcony-Correct? 4. Any other thoughts? on the Marina Deck-can not move to Portside -as none left there. Did see thek posting last week with the pictures but that was Portside plus have read the reviews & did find one on M411. I have been checking for other Mini's to open up on other decks but none so far plus the price has really risen! Thanks! We figure just a week & will enjoy our time on the new Royal.

There are some mid ship larger balconies on the Royal. Use the interactive ship Deck plan if you are just planning the cruise--works on all the ships--shows size of cabins plus balcony size plus if the Cabin does not connect with the ones on either side. If you know the specific cruise you want --input the type of cabin category & you can see the cabins that are available to book & again shows the information on that particular cabin. You click on the cabin--info is therer I love this tool! Really helps when planning your cruise. Enjoy!

If you look at a ship's deck plan you are not under the Horizon Court but think under the bar. A friend checked out what is above M425 & M423 for us--as everything else was sold out --anyway & we wanted the extended balconies- there are chairs & tables that will be moved above us. but what the heck only a week! Enjoy! Will keep checking to see if anything else opens up that could happen as there is time but want 2 cabins together!

Did find St Thomas' ship's schedule--we will be at Crown Bay. Still wondering if it is worth it to go over to St John to shop? Or just relax & do our shopping in St T with the other 18,934 passengers in port!

On the Royal Princess, St Thomas 2/26-8AM to 6PM Thinking might be fun go to St John via Red Hook transport. Understand need to take a Taxi to & from the Ship. We are not beach people but thought the shopping might be interesting & different from St Thomas. Been so many times to St Thomas wanted to mix it up a little then return around 1 PM to St Thomas. What thoughts do people have regarding shopping on St John? Plus reading on this Thread sounds like there would not be any single taxi's right at the port that would take 4 people if we wanted to go right away to Red Hook instead of waiting for the large open air ones to fill. Plus where do I find which location we will be docking in St Thomas. Only once did we dock in the last several years at the new one but have been at the origianl Haven-- that last several times which I find more convenient.

Yes, jimmyvwine--we have 2 Mini Cabins next to each other both with angled balconies-- on Caribe deck -- so we did get both larger cabins plus larger balconies. My main point was about the interactive ship diagram that gives in great detail the cabin sizes including the balcony sizes for all ships--I think it is outstanding & great help-no matter the ship. Had not read anything on CC about the disco lights but no biggy--looking forward to good weather! As it is snowing in Chicagoland again--glad we have a new snowblower~!~!!

I love the interactive ship deck plans for all the ships on the Princess website. It tells the cabin size plus balcony size for each cabin. That helped us make our decisions very easy for the Royal. So check it out! We decided to upgrade to Mini suites on our Voyage on the Royal. We knew we would not be happy with a regular cabin -it being smaller plus the balcony not as large. We usually book Caribe Deck Balcony cabins on the other ships-large balconies & plus nice size cabins.