ldubs

Same for me at UC Davis (early 70's).

In Princess' own words, there are recommendations for evenings and dinners. They do specify what is prohibited in the MDR. But that aside, I understand someone new would, rightly so, want to follow those recommendations.

Funny you say this is not the correct forum, then talk at length. You seem to draw some very strange conclusions from my comment. As you say, back to the topic. I understood the earlier comments to imply the semester system was outdated. I think that is inaccurate. Thanks for clarifying that your real objection is based on someone calling a semester 14 instead of 15 weeks.

I was referring to your "maybe forty years ago" response to someone else's comment about breaks happening between semesters. I think it is still the case that most colleges use the semester system (not the 4-1-4 calendar) and that there is a break between them. Though, to be sure, spring break is normally happening during the spring semester, just like Thanksgiving break happens during the fall semester. I won't comment on CA State University system being at the forefront of anything, but will note most campuses are still on the semester system for the 22-23 academic calendar.

I think you mean paying for an upgraded restnt is needed to achieve the same level as a Celebrity or Princess main dining room? If so, I'm glad I have not been on NCL.

Oh, I think there are a lot of people who do want that exactly. And it is not limited to dress suggestions.

How is a "suggestion" enforced? I think a problem with these dress code question threads is people respond with what they want as opposed to what is. Additionally, when a lot of folks talk about formal, they are really mean something a lot less. Dark pants and a "sparkly" top look nice, but are not really formal. In general, of Carnival, RCI, Celebrity, & Princess, more folks will be dressed up on Princess. That is what I observe. Even with itinerary variations, I think that would still hold true.

Huh? Colleges no longer use semesters?

Celebrity replaced formal night with chic night. The recommended dress standard is very casual including designer jeans. Yet there are still folks decked out with tuxes & gowns on chic night. They are doing it because they want to. I guess I'm saying all of this to show that those who want to dress casually and those who want to wear the fancy duds can coexist peacefully.

I have never been asked to agree to abide by any dress "recommendation" on any cruise. I think what a customer must agree to are rules covering what is required or not allowed vs what is recommended. Kind of like mask required vs mask recommended. Anyway, compared to Carnival you will find that more folks on Princess are in the spirit of the dressing up.

One would think so.

I think you are dead bang on. A lot of things we used to freely do changed after 9-11.

Yep. Jennifer Beals could pull it off. If I tried there would be a mass exit.

I've heard of that, but it was before my time. Anyway, I think there is enough other stuff going on that I won't miss balloons. I haven't even noticed the change with straws. They still have the throw away plastic water bottles. I wonder if the ship redeems them for the 5 cent CRV.

I am comfortable with them, but not so much on a 737. Our SFO to LHR nonstop is around 10.5 hours. SFO to CDG is about 11 hours.

Agree. This question comes up a lot and it seems a lot of confusion could be avoided if Princess provided some information. Maybe in the FAQs.

Oh no, now wearing a tie is going to ruin someone's evening! 😁 I have not packed a tie for a cruise in a long time, so I'm with you on this one. BTW, How do you feel about wearing a jacket without a shirt?

Don't they put them outside cabin doors to celebrate b-days, anniversaries, etc. I used to enjoy the balloons being tossed around the theater. Thing of the past I guess.

I think your original comments may have erroneously led us to think you wanted to drop the gratuities in order to make a long cruise more affordable. When we go on a cruise, we know we are expected to pay the daily grats. When comparing cruise fares, we add the taxes, fees and daily gratuities to the published fare for a total cost. I am from a tipping culture and to be honest will admit I am getting kind of tired of all the add-ons. But, other than not liking the approach, which I fully understand, it is the way things are done and cultural differences really should not come into play.

Plenty of people will blame America for what you experienced. BTW, it is interesting that tipping at restnts in London is an expectation. Regarding cruise ship grats, whether one agrees or not, what is important is that it is currently the expected norm and folks should oblige.

On our 10 day Princess Cruise this past October, we had a wifi discount because of our status. We paid $75 for three devices for the entire cruise. I'm sorry I can't remember the package pricing or the discount involved. I do remember the normal discounted multi-device deal was $100 for 4 devices. We managed somehow to do a little better than that.

We all roll our eyes at these dress code threads, but you bring up a very valid reason for them. I would be comfortable dressing more casually but I've experienced Princess and know what to expect. For someone new to the line, this is a very helpful thread -- as long as the arguments are avoided. In my experience there are still a fair number of folks on Princess who dress formally. Bring the tux if that is what you like. Likewise, you will be fine if you wear something less formal.

We do a lot of family/friend group cruises. It is very common for someone to order an additional entree to be shared by the table. Sad to think this can no longer be done on Carnival. On "lobster night", I typically order the lobster and the entree I actually want. I do that because Mrs Ldubs is embarrassed to order two lobster tails. I suppose under this new rule, I will order the lobster. When it arrives I will quickly scoop it onto Mrs Ldub's plate. Then I can "legally" order my entree. Problem solved! Haha

All of my experience with Princess and Celebrity (my favorite) is itineraries other than the Caribbean. Compared to my recent RCI Caribbean cruise and Carnival Mexican Riviera cruises, I would say they are a lot less "energetic". However, I would expect that for Caribbean itineraries, the atmosphere on both would be more vibrant, lively, or however you say it. As far as dining, I think it is pretty comparable. I've not been on NCL, so can't comment.

Most of our flights are international. It has been quite a while since we have been on a cross country domestic flight. We did a nonstop from SF to Miami recently on a 737. Those are OK for short regional flights. Longer flights, not so much. I'm glad I bought the extra legroom seats.