ldubs

I think this is likely true as I read it a lot, but it just doesn't make sense to me. For those who prefer control over their booking what difference does it make if it is done with a TA or on a TA's site versus the cruise line? Control is the same as far as I can tell. I suspect folks fall into this thinking because they have not found a TA that provides value. I also dont think most of the other half who prefer a TA do so because of advice, guidance, etc. I suspect more, like you and I, it is about the deals available.

Yup, that is why all those cabins with no windows or balconies are always vacant. 🙂 The ship comes into play for me because I enjoy the shipboard experience. No matter which cabin it is a pretty luxurious experience. I don't stay in hovels and I don't stay in luxury hotels. Somewhere in between and then there will be much happiness.

Good point. Something I might find interesting, but not something I personally would likely use when booking a cruise.

The convenience of paying up front is understandable. We are on vacation and know we will be spending, so have yet to be shocked over a bill. I do remember those old days when the bills were delivered over the last night. Can't say I actually heard gasps, but I bet there were a lot of them. These days it is easy to check the folio, if a concern.

In close to 50 cruises we have missed 3 ports. I can't say for sure how many ports in total we have visited, but 3 will be a pretty low percent (maybe 1%??). All were weather related. Two in the Med and one in the Caribbean. We missed Livorno because of a gale. For Portofino it was too rough for tender operations. For the Caribbean, I don't remember the missed port. Whatever it was we went to Cozumel instead to avoid a storm.

I'm all at sea. What is an MTCL?

Must be the only ones who get it right are the walk-ins with no reservations. haha.

I've done the comparison calculations for the packages for sure. I'm pretty sure if I was any kind of drinker I would opt for the package. I was referring to once on board. Probably misunderstood.

I cannot say with certainty for the promo you mention without actually checking both cabin categories on both web sites. But yes, I would expect so for two passengers. For 4 in a cabin I honestly don't know. What I can say is when we compare for the cabins we want, we get a lower fare through our TA. We have booked outside and balcony cabins (and one mini suite) with this TA.

IDK, I understand and agree with the justification the OP is sharing. What I don't fully understand is why, if I don't have a package, I must keep a tally of expenditures to avoid overspending. I purchase what I want. No tally necessary. To be sure, we would check the folio from time to time for errors.

A few cruises ago a couple with "reserve class" mistakenly got in the regular MDR line for folks with reservations. They informed the folks they cut in front of they were reserve class so didn't have to wait in line. I felt kind of sorry for them when they were told by the staff they were in the wrong line.

Courtesy OBC: While I think it very common for many, it would be unusual for us to receive an OBC from our TA. We always receive a considerably lower cruise fare from our TA. Price Adjustments: Our TA does not automatically track price reductions on our behalf for the same cabin category. We track them and if they happen we notify the TA so the change can be made. Our TA has provided us with cabin upgrade opportunities. Something often listed as a "con" is staying in control of the booking. Unless I am missing something, other than talking to a TA instead of Princess, there is no real difference, IMO.

Before I used to wrap the lanyard around my wrist ending in a kind of half hitch. It was kind of clumsy which is probably why Mrs Ldubs bought a wrist band for me from one of the onboard Princess shops. I typically have to add links to a standard watch band to make it fit. The large wrist band fit fine. I've had it for two cruises now.

Thanks. I actually misread your post.

Some excellent responses already. Malta (Valetta) you can walk to the old town. Avoid the steep hill by taking the elevator up. I'm sure folks will be able to point it out to you.

Many of us, if not most, book based on itinerary. I am glad to see you clarified the intent of your comment in a later post. Still, one might argue the risk will vary greatly depending on the port, time of year, and part of the world.

We do multi-day road trips with our close family & friends. We did that for a cruise embarking in Quebec City. I think we were three nights on the road. But it was only pre-cruise. For me the return drive should have an itinerary of things to stop, do, and see to make it fun for the group. Otherwise if just travel home, then I would feel the same as you.

If the concern is about making a flight, the disembarkation excursion details it should have a special notice similar to this one: "Special Notes: This tour is available to passengers disembarking in Southampton with flights departing Heathrow after 5:45pm."

Folks - OP is in Arizona. Cruise is out of Louisiana.

To avoid getting kicked off the ship, best remove clothes before jumping into the pool.

Seems a visa clearinghouse website is very doable and would benefit everyone. Just need to find someone to sponsor it. As it is now, one can search visa requirements for citizens of a given country and get a list. Problem is the lists don't always provide details on the process required. I knew I needed a visa for China and Brazil. That was the easy part. Both had cumbersome processes full of red tape traps.

From reading then forums I think a lot of people will be happy with the return of a traditional dining option. Overall, I think it is a pretty good change.

I guess everyone who travels is foolish because things can happen with any kind of travel.

We have done a one way van rental for travel to our cruise terminal. In fact our group was too large for one van so we rented two. More recently we had a one-way van rental for a land trip. However, we did not take the rental vans back. We flew home from a different disembark port. For large group cruises, we have done car caravans with our personal vehicles from SF Bay Area to Los Angeles to catch a cruise. If you have trouble finding a one-way van rental, you might have more luck selecting an airport drop off location. Meaning instead of dropping off, say in New Orleans, drop it at MSY then shuttle to the port. Might be just in my mind, but seems rental companies might offer that option more than a drop off with less traffic. If you cannot get the two separate one-way rentals (one going and one returning) it might still be good to do a rental. Even if you keep the rental van for the duration of the cruise, the additional parking would be slightly offset by the eliminating any one-way drop fee, and might still be less than several airfares. Don't know for sure. Just a thought.

When we have a family/friend group cruise, people will generally share their excursion interests. Folks are welcome to join or not.