jrobinso

9 hours ago, phabric said:

I am on Ruby Sept 29-Oct 15, 2024 return San Francisco. Yesterday, I received an email from Princess with itinerary changes, Lahaina (Maui) changed to Kahului 8am-7pm.  The other ports were switched around.

 

I had an excursion booked for Lahaina (Maui) and it was refunded,  New excursions will be posted within the next few weeks for Kahului.   The other ports excursions were carried over to the switched ports dates.

We are on Grand Princess to Hawaii out of LA. Our sail dates are the same as yours, Sept 29- Oct 15th. Our cruise is still showing a stop in Lahaina, which we know is incorrect. Still no email from Princess. Would you share your updated itinerary? I looked at the website HawaiiPortCall and it shows a very different itinerary for Grand than the one Princess is currently showing for our cruise.
 

Thank you.

4 hours ago, NavyVeteran said:

The Caribbean Princess and the Grand Princess have completely different layouts. The Cigar Lounge is at the same location on both ships - with doors that are closed most of the time. However, the casinos are in completely different locations. On the Grand Princess, the Casino is on the Fiesta Deck adjacent to the window suites. On the Caribbean Princess, the Grand Casino is on the Promenade Deck one deck higher. The Crown Grill and Shore Excursions Desk are on the Fiesta Deck adjacent to the window suites. On the Caribbean, there are three doors to the window suite hallway - one at each end and one in the middle. On the Grand, there are only two doors - one at each end only - so you don't have the direct connection with the casino.

I've sailed several times in window suites on the Grand Princess and never had a problem with smoke from the casino in the suite or in the adjacent hallway. I have three future cruises booked on the Grand, and I'm not worried.

Thank you. 

Is there a problem with strong smoke smell with these cabins? They are located next to the casino. We have stayed in window suites on the Golden Princess, but they were not next to the casino. I know there is a hidden hallway with a door. I am hoping that is enough of a barrier to keep most of the smoke out of the staterooms.

Thanks so much.

jan

Yes, they sing and bring you cake. I hadn’t mentioned my birthday on my cruise personalizer, but some how they knew.We ordered as many sides as we wanted. 

Just off Emerald Saturday. Planks and Steamers alternate nights they are offered.We made reservations in person on Monday for Planks on Friday. I know you didn’t ask, but we were not impressed with Planks and will not eat there again. Brisket very fatty, Mac and cheese flavorless, small portions of beans and colelsaw, chocolate dessert was so sweet we could only eat 2 bites. Maybe steamers is better. Salty Dog Gastropub was in part of the Wheelhouse bar and appeared to open every night.

Same email for Emerald cruise Oct 7-14th.

Just booked the same cruise several days ago. We booked a mini suite and chose our own stateroom, but selection was very limited. My guess is that guarantee staterooms (mini suites) are the only ones available now. I was also able to book with a refundable deposit.

Thank you so much for taking me along on your cruise.  Your review was full of great information .

Thank you for the Live post. Love all of the photos! I will be following you. Can’t wait for our  March 2024 Hawaii cruise.

17 hours ago, caribill said:

a) A few days before turnaround day, go meet your new cabin steward and request that your new cabin be prepared as early as he can do it.

 

b) Pack everything but your hanging clothes. As others pointed out, your cabin steward will take care of having your luggage and hanging clothes moved to the new cabin.

 

c) Move what is in the safe to your new cabin any time after the new cabin has been vacated by the previous guests. If your new cabin is fully ready, you can either wait for the cabin steward to move your luggage and hanging clothes or do it yourself.

 

d) You can leave the ship to explore on your own once disembarkation starts or take a ship's tour on turnaround day if you wish. If you leave the ship, take your passport with you to go through immigration. You can return to the ship once boarding has started for new passengers.

 

e) If you choose to remain on board, you will be given a time to meet with all other B2B passengers still on board to be taken as a group through immigration. You will be let back onto the ship as soon as the passenger count has been zeroed.

 

f) Your medallion will be good for both segments. At some point on turnaround day it will stop access to your old cabin and allow accedd to your new one. (I do not know the timing on that switch.)

 

g) Verify during the first segment at customer service that their computer system knows you are on a B2B and that your onboard accou7nt will roll over to the 2nd segment.

Great information. Thank you!

28 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Here's another option:  Get yourself on a Waitlist for a Window Suite.  It's still "early" and something may show up between now and final payment.  

I honestly didn’t know that was an option! Excellent idea. Thank you.

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I booked a b2b Hawaii/Mexico in the same cabin on the very first day reservations were open.  How flexible are you?  Can you move your dates?  Hawaii/Mexico or Mexico/Hawaii?

 

As others have mentioned, don't forget the treasures from your safe.  Steward/crew will not touch anything from drawers/toiletries.  On previous cruises, I was able to move from one cabin to the next after breakfast before transit passengers were to report for leaving the ship.

 

Just saw your most recent post.  Yes, I am also in a Window Suite.  This may be trickier since they sell out fast.

 

When I saw the Window Suite was available on the Hawaii cruise I booked it immediately . No suites at all available for the Mexico cruise. Wish I had thought about doing a B2B sooner.. Thanks for the reminder to take all valuables/toiletries.

6 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

8 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

If you have to switch cabins, the Room Steward will help you move with a luggage cart.  You'll have to wait until the cabin you are moving to has been vacated and cleaned.  It is usually an easy task.

 

A thought, have you considered moving the Hawaii cabin to one that is available on your first cruise?

Good idea, but we are in a Window Suite for our Hawaii cruise and I hate to give that up.

 

Thank you for the information.

Currently booked on a Hawaii cruise out of LA on 2/13/22. Thinking about booking the 10 day Mexico before the Hawaii cruise and doing a B2B. Unfortunately our cabin for our Hawaii cruise is not available. How does this work? I’m specifically wondering about our luggage and belongings going from one cabin to the other. 
 

jan

On 6/6/2021 at 6:52 PM, cruzin4us said:

I'm specifically looking for a balcony stateroom on the Island Princess.   I love an aft facing or a larger than normal size balcony.  Some ships have those hidden gems and those which to avoid at all costs.  (I know not near elevators, above the theater, etc).  

 

I have been on Island Princess for several cruises before the retrofit. If you are looking for a large balcony book a mid ship balcony on caribe deck. Large balcony and it is half covered.

thanks for the info. seems way too easy, i wont complain.

 

with self disembark did you have to line up super early? on NCL it was a nightmare

We chose a 7:00 walk off time (6:45 am was also offered). We did have to wait several minutes to get an elevator, but we were in the casino by 6:40. There were only a handful of other passengers in the casino. At 6:45 passengers started disembarking. Even though we had chosen a 7:00 time, we were allowed to go with the 6:45 group. This was our first time, so I have nothing to compare it with, but it was super easy. We will be doing “walk off” in the future.

Just disembarked at Red Hook on Saturday. Parking is $25 per day. Small uncovered lot next to the ship. We arrived about 10:30 and were on board before noon. We parked first and then took our luggage to the waiting porters . We chose to “walk off” to disembark. Easiest thing ever! No lines to find your luggage and absolutely no line at customs. We were in our car and driving out of the lot by 7am. Pay for your parking before you take your luggage to the car. There is an attendant in the lot that will help you.

Looking forward to your "live" thread. We board in 2 weeks and it will be our first Canada/New England Cruise. It will also be our first cruise on Regal.

ABC stores have a very good selection of Mac nut flavors, they also carry other fun "trinkets" to take home as gifts. Remember that Macadamia nuts can be heavy, so if you are flying make sure you don't overpack your checked luggage. If your cruise is stopping in Hilo check out Big Island candies. Yummy samples at the factory and a nice selection of cookies/candies to take home. Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread cookies are also a nice packaged gift to take home .

On day 3 are you planning to hike Diamond Head and then drive around the island? I guess it is technically possible, but it will be a long day and you may get into some heavy traffic. Keep in mind that Dole Plantation is a big gift shop with some pineapple plants. Now I have to say we always stop there, it it is a quick stop to buy a few souvenirs and get a dole whip. We also always stop at the Byodo-in Temple. Beautiful spot to take photos . It is so peaceful. If you find yourself up near the Polynesian Cultural center (going toward north shore) not too far down the road (15 mins?) you will find the white Giovanni's shrimp truck. Be sure and stop...it may be crowded, but super yummy.

Since this is your first visit to Hawaii I would recommend staying on Oahu (Waikiki) for a week, like you planned. Lots to see and do on the island of Oahu. Then instead of heading to Maui take a cruise on POA. This will give you a good overview of the other islands. Personally, Maui is not my favorite island. All of the islands have a little something different to offer and taking flights inter island can be expensive and time consuming.

When I do a land vacation to Hawaii now I usually just go to Oahu (son and granddaughter live there). But, it is nice to occasionally take the Princess cruise out of LA and quickly visit the other islands.

What a great review. Planning our 2nd Hawaii cruise 10/18 . After reading your review I wish we were going sooner.

Your friends may have been on a difference excursion. We did one several years ago where you visited with some of the pups and went on a short "sledding" trip through the forest. If your excursion is on a glacier there will be ice and snow. Have fun.

No umbrellas in the suites on Golden. We were in a Window Suite on ther 7/21 Alaska cruise.

Going to Bar Harbor for the first time on Regal in October. Thank you BruceMuzz for the information.

If Bar Harbor is like most tender ports passengers with Princess organized excursions will be "staged" at the theater and then escorted off the ship on the first tenders (depending on excursion start time). If you are Elite you should be able to get a priority boarding ticket for the tenders.