Daffydilly

We were on a 10-day FLL round-trip on Caribbean Princess this past January.

We opted for a tour to the new visitor center which included a very informative coach tour of the Canal Zone prior to its return from the U.S. to Panamanian control. Thoroughly enjoyable, as the guide was very knowledgeable, but the highlight to me was the ability to view up close, from the visitor center, the passage of a freighter through the New Locks! They’re of a different mechanism than the old locks, and it was exciting to see the precision with which the tugs positioned and guided this huge freighter through.

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Thrak,

That worries me. We are scheduled on the Island in 2019. At least I'll stop complaining about the Grand if the Island is that bad, right?! [emoji19”

 

We were on the Island from Vancouver to Anchorage in June: imho perfect size ship. Thoroughly enjoyable, although when seen from dock,

it really looked ridiculous from the rear, as in “what did they do to that ship”. But the overall experience was wonderful. We’re booked reluctantly (because I prefer the smaller Princess ships, with true Promenade decks) on Regal in October, so I’m glad to be reminded of the best of her features. Have a wonderful voyage on Island Princess!

My first cruise was on Home Lines Oceanic. What a beauty she was!-elegant, sleek contemporary-and we embarked in Manhattan for an 8-day cruise to Bermuda and Nassau. My first Princess cruise was Alaska, Inside Passage, in the mid-'90's.

Thanks so much for your review! We are on the same cruise, starting on Jan. 3rd, and are looking forward to it!

We, too, are looking forward to it!

We've been through the Canal 18 years ago on a Crystal ship, and the the Partial Transit during the inaugural year of Coral Princess. It becomes a very exciting journey if you read McCullough,s "The Path Between the Seas". And I'm interested in seeing the new locks as well.

As for Caribbean Princess, we had a wonderful voyage around Ireland and Scotland this past July, (a favorite, second only to the 17-day Adriatic and Mediterranean on Emerald Princess) and enjoyed 10 days in the Caribbean in early January.

I've always been able to find Bigelow's Earl Gray tea which is pretty good in Horizon Court on Princess ships but I bring my own tea bags anyway: they don't weigh anything and I'd be unhappy with Lipton.

My favorite was the 17-day round trip Adriatic and Mediterranean out of Southampton in 2014! The itinerary was splendid, as was the Emerald Princess, and there was a lovely Trivia competition, with great enthusiasm, going between male and female passengers - there were many sea days, which in my opinion is always a good thing

Yes to Key West and Yes to Bermuda too!

 

Don

You've read my mind!

I've been hoping that Princess ships out of Ft. Lauderdale would offer itineraries including

Key West or Bermuda, depending upon balance of itinerary. Each is beautiful and of

historic interest, and I don't think I'd ever feel "been there; done that" regarding either.

The trend is toward more casual. I want to pack in one suitcase , especially when flying and paying for each suitcase.

Airline baggage restrictions have always been rather stringent in Europe, so DH and I have it down to a science. He takes a lightweight tuxedo and 2 appropriate shirts. I find no shortage of lightweight elegant but simple tops and long skirts and trousers in the shops. I add a pair of sandals, and manage in one carryon and one suitcase. Ball gowns are not necessary. It really takes little effort ,and makes for a lovely atmosphere.

And during the day, I wish some of the men out there would take a bit more care with their appearance!!! Come on, guys: tank tops and baseball caps worn backwards are really quite unattractive and show a lack of self respect. Here's looking at you!

I think the Cunard clientele actually own their tuxes while the Princess clientele rent theirs....;)

We love QM2,and Princess equally, and frequent both. Incidentally, DH owns his own tuxedo as it packs more easily and I love how he looks in a tux!

Last year, we did a RT Southampton on Emerald Princess which was our most fun cruise ever. (Well, the itinerary was fabulous, too) There were some Australians, Europeans, and others, about 100 Canadians, and only about 90 Americans on board. The other 2,000+ were British!!! Very lively, very friendly - what a wonderful experience that was!!!

My suggestion to those who perceived a cold reception is to remember when initiating any conversation to precede with a pleasant "good morning" or "good afternoon".

Hi Guys/Gals.

I'm looking forward to a 14 night cruise in the Med with a few friends on the Emerald this September (leaving from Southampton).

Have any here been on this ship and can let me know what they thought of it please?

Also...The bay of Biscay...Is it really that rough?:eek:

We enjoyed a fabulous 17-day cruise of the Mediterranean and Adriatic on Emerald in June, and although we've cruised many times before (and adore QM2) this was the best cruise ever! The ports were magical, the social/entertainment staff excellent, the food very good, and even the Bay of Biscay was cooperative! As this cruise was round trip from Southampton, it was very convenient for us, and the fact that the passengers were overwhelmingly British (we aren't) added to the lively, fun experience. We now look forward to a transatlantic on Emerald next year.

HI

just to let you know the Royal will be in NYC (probably BROOKLYN)

for five Saturday's in a row...beginning the end of September anid

will be offering the BVE. It is 39.00 per person

Ann

Can someone please define "BVE". If it's a preview of the ship for non-passengers, it would be something I'd like to do! So how would I proceed?

We were on the same cruise as Touristbay. We had a great time! We did have anytime dining and had no trouble getting either a table to share or a table for two, but we usually eat early (around 6). If you eat early or late(after 8:30) we were told there usually wasn't a queue for dinner.

We did the Princess excursions had liked them all, with the exception of the Rome excursion. We did the connoisseur tour ( St. Peter's, Sistine chapel, trevi fountain and colliseum). We were deeply disappointed with the Trevi fountain part of the tour. The perimeter is surrounded by scaffolding and what looked like bullet proof glass. This restoration appeared to have been going on for quite some time. If we had known this, we would have chosen the tour similar to this but without trevi (the similar one was about $50 pp cheaper) I am contacting princess about this because I believe there is a misrepresentation in the tour description.

Other than that, we had a great time. We had a mini suite (the uncovered balcony didn't bother us a bit). We did the Crab shack one night and loved it. My husband and I both got the all inclusive drinks pkg. We figured we probably broke even on the cost, but the ease in ordering anything (and even trying new drinks) at any time was great!

We were also late disembarking but were told it had to do with the terminal personnel. It wasn't that bad though, we could get coffee,tea, etc. in the IC.

I am looking forward to our next Princess cruise.

I have been to see the Trevi fountain about 5 times from 1956 to 1993, and only once saw it without the scaffolding!!! This, of course, is always highly disappointing. But on that last visit, the marble gleamed white and was truly beautiful. My guess is that the marble requires frequent restoration.

Not an option for those like me with replacement heart valves. Without a blood thinning drug the valve is wide open to blood clotting. I made the decision early on after my op to investing in an inr testing device (Coaguchech XS) and now never have a lab test.

 

Failing that, on a cruise you have to use the medical centre with all the costs involved, and inr levels change very rapidly when on board in my experience. It's doubtful if insurance would cover that.

 

For the cost of a few days of cruising this has served me well for 13 years, and I have the added benefit of being in charge to some extent with my medical condition.

 

David.

CoaguChek system had given me a phone number to call in to report my test results when I was visiting in the UK (I live in the USA); possibly this could apply for most ports, too. Additionally, you could directly phone and speak with your own cardiologist, who is familiar with your condition and in a position to advise you directly. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much, Walter!

We're here on the East Side anxiously awaiting to board at the revised later time, and our friends on the West Side are all away so we couldn't ask anyone to look out a window for us!!! -- Daffydilly