alaskagirl2010

Thanks for the info

Anyone know how the beds are configured for 4 people? The site shows standard configuration with a double couch. I was wondering if anyone knew if any cabins had a pull down twin.

It's so true how often people on the same cruise can have different perceptions. I loved Apollo Duo and followed them around to their evening venues. However, they were much better suited for the Casino Bar than the Pacific Lounge. I thought the other duo paled in comparison.

I'll also have to speak up for Matt. My only regular activity was the Pop Choir which he directed. He is British; I found his humor typically dry. He is also younger than he looks. He treated everyone cordially and carefully looked out for the two mobility impaired ladies in the choir.

I was blown away by the entertainment that was booked on this ship. It was better than any other Princess ship I've been on. I especially liked Synergy and went to 3 of their 4 shows.

That being said, I enjoyed your review. Sorry we didn't meet as I've read more than 1/2 of your reading list including Salt. I spent most of my sea days on the Promenade deck reading my Kindle.

We probably passed in the hall as I was down the hall from you. Your hangers were apparently being stored in my cabin.

I read with interest the previous posts debating the merits of small ship vs large ship cruising.

Having just completed the 18 day transatlantic crossing on the Pacific Princess, I thought I'd add my 2 cents.

The Pacific Princess is lovely with warm friendly staff. It only takes a minute or so to walk quickly from one end to the other. If you are mobility impaired, its small size would be a plus. It has a slow pace and very few activities. There were educational lectures everyday.

The entertainment was superb. The Cabaret Lounge is small and intimate and you are up close and personal with the entertainers. The buffet was not a foray into an elbow jabbing feeding frenzy like the Horizon Court. It's dead as a doornail after 11 pm (like most ships)

So if those are your main considerations, you'll like it.

On the other hand, if you are prone to seasickness, at all, choose your itinerary carefully or avoid sailing a small ship all together. There is a great deal more movement even in relatively calm waters. I was surprised by how many passengers were sick for days on end. It wasn't even that rough compared to other waters (ahem - Tasman Sea - anyone?) The Pacific Lounge at the top was rocking madly due to its location and the ship size.

I love sitting up in Skywalkers watching the ocean.

If you prefer more pools, more active daytime activities besides carpet bowling and champagne ring toss, a larger ship is better. (I don't do trivia.) To be fair, there was a latinexercise class taught by one of the dancers.

If you like Vines, the International Cafe and anytime dining, then again choose a bigger ship.

I found that I missed the promenade deck for walking a lot. The jogging track on the Pacific is on the top deck and there was simply too much movement and exposure to weather for me to walk comfortably. It also takes 13 labs around for a mile.

I found I missed some features more than I expected that I would.

So I'm glad I sailed on the Pacific because now I know what my preferences are. I'd sail her again but only on a very short port intensive itinerary.

Yes, we've done in exactly the same circumstances. My cousin and I boarded, and then her DH and mine boarded after they returned the rental car. I think they each must have the credit card that's on the account with them when they check-in, but I don't remember for sure.

You won't need a credit card as long as each person is linked to a credit card on the cruise personalizer.

Yes. Make sure everyone has their own boarding pass AND passport.

Vegan too and it's harder. Seeing she eats eggs and cheese, she's not going to have any problem with the menu. I found that Princess seems to design the vegetarian selections for egg and cheese eaters. She can order the pasta dishes and if it comes with meat/fish, omit them.

Yes the pasta was fresh and egg free. It was often brought for everyone and everyone loved it. I'll be sure to make more suggestions next time.

I was also told that I could pre order lunch for the HC but we never knew what time we would be there and it was never a high priority for me.

On my next cruise I'm going to check into the possibility of a cheese less pizza. I could live with any non vegan elements in the dough.

[quote You can mark your personalizer, but your best bet is to talk to the maitre d' on embarkation day & he'll have someone help you with the 1st night's dinner and your headwaiter will be the one to assist you the rest of the cruise.

Have a great cruise and enjoy the food.

I actually found the MDR food rather bland. I did everything requested of me: I wrote Princess ahead of time notifying them of my vegan lifestyle, I met with the maitre d', I changed to traditional dining, and met nightly with the head waiter. But basically I had fresh pasta and tomato sauce most nights. I did order extra vegetable and they made lentil soup for me. My companions commented that they really didn't see how they had accommodated me. I happen to like spicy foods of every different kind of cuisine.

I found the HC much easier. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables. There was alway a vegan Indian dish and often a cold rice dish with tofu. Breaskfast was easy as the oatmeal is made without milk and soy milk is available upon request.

I also ordered fresh fruit in my cabin so a ready snack was available.

There is a website site called Happy Cow with a list of vegan friendly restaurants for may locations. I used that to research ahead for shore days.