West Coast Gal

You got lots of good responses, but you may be interested in this article that Cruise Critic posted this week:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1646&et_cid=1695427&et_rid=16744943&et_referrer=June%202008%20Boards%20Mailing

 

Tom

Nice! that was great

WOW! Great Great Stories, As much as I enjoy Cruise Critic, I have been enjoying this thread more than I can remember enjoying a thread in the last year!

DH can get a touch of motion sickness and I am thinking because of a couple of nights almost rolling out of bed on a couple of cruises is what is prompting his question. He can wear the wrist bands and be fine, but he doesn't sleep all that well :)!

We are planning for a future world cruise . . my husband is concerned that the small ship will not be as stable as the larger ships with the stabilizers . . . who out there has been on the small ships and how does it fair in rougher waters?

Three weeks from now I'll be on CB and I could try one. But it might spoil my Sabatini breakfast. We'll see. I like a mid morning cappacino, so maybe if there are any left???

I'm wondering if Sabatini's would have one waiting for you if you asked?????:rolleyes:

You could call Princess Customer Relations and see what they could find out for you . . . maybe at least they would be able to tell you what would be the offerings that are the same every night [ eg: sirloin steak, salmon etc]

Princess website main page, scroll to the bottom, additional information-downloads.

Colo Cruiser, thanks for the information . . In fact, your elite badge was the first one I noticed on a different thread, so it was quite a coincidence that you are the one that told me about how to find it!

Since you are sailing as Elite in a suite, you should receive two mini bar setups. When we were on the CB two weeks ago, everything except the Perrier was there when we got to our cabin. The Perrier was delivered a couple of days later.

I was wondering about two set ups

I switch all of my items for cans of Sprite Zero. :)

Very nice to know they have Sprite Zero! How did you get your Princess Elite badge on your signature?

Elite Mini-Bar Question: What will my mini-bar consist of?

Answer: Elite members will get a one-time complimentary mini-bar set-up (1 per Elite stateroom) which consists of two (2) miniature bottles each of Cognac, Gin, Vodka and Scotch Whisky, two (2) 12 ounce cans of beer, two (2) 12 ounce cans/bottles of tonic water, two (2) 12 ounce cans of Coca Cola, two (2) 12 ounce cans of Sprite, two (2) 0.5 liter bottles of water, two (2) 11 ounce bottles of Perrier. The contents of the mini-bar are subject to change.

 

Question: What if I have a specific request for how I’d like my mini-bar stocked?

Answer: Your mini-bar will consist of a selection of liquors, soft drinks, beer, still and sparkling water. Once on board, you may contact Room Service to change your mini-bar selection. Certain restrictions apply.

 

Question: Can I exchange the items in my Elite mini-bar for wine?

Answer: You may exchange all of your mini-bar items for one bottle of wine. You can choose one of the following:

Chardonnay Kendall-Jackson

Sauvignon Blanc Nobilo

Cabernet Sauvignon Kendall-Jackson

Pinot Noir Robert Mondavi.

Unwooded Chardonnay, Kendall Jackson (Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess - when based in Australia)

Wyndhams, Bin 444 Cabernet Sauvignon (Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess - when based in Australia)

Brown Brothers, Shiraz (Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess - when based in Australia)

 

Question: Can I exchange the items in my Elite mini-bar for full bottles of liquor?

Answer: No. Miniature bottles of liquor (50 ml) may be exchanged on a one-for-one basis with other miniature bottles.

 

Question: Can I exchange the non-alcoholic items in my Elite mini-bar for alcohol?

Answer: No. Non-alcoholic beverages may be exchanged on a one-for-one basis with other non-alcoholic varieties.

 

Question: What if I don't want any alcohol in my Elite mini-bar?

Answer: If you do not wish to have any alcohol in your mini-bar we will be happy to exchange your mini-bar for one of the following:

Alcoholic beverages may be exchanged for non-alcoholic beverages on a one-for-one basis

Full mini-bar may be exchanged for two (2) Coffee Cards

All water mini-bar setup will consist of eight (8) 1.5 liter bottles of water

Awesome Answer! Thank you

We have booked a suite for the first time, and it has been several years since we have cruised on Princess as Elite.

Does the mini bar set up include soda or is it only liquor?

If you search "window suites" at the top, "search this forum". There are pages and pages of WS threads.

 

Here is one.....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1754955&highlight=window+suites

This is a really good thread thank you for the suggestion, we have never booked so late, there were only 3 cabins left on the ship.

There are a couple of videos on You Tube. We have The you tube was very interesting and we are on the Grand Aug 31st.

We just booked a Window Suite on the Grand Princess so I am wondering if anyone out there has stayed in one of these suites off the casino and what they thought about them, and how good the windows are for viewing?

An unusual category of suites is on several of the Princess ships. They are called Window Suites and have all the amenities of full suites except that there is no balcony.

 

Regent seven Seas call all their cabins suites because of the size and some of those have no balconies.

We just booked one of the Princess Window Suites and I was wondering how it worked out for people. In the picture it almost looked like the window had some sort of slats over the windows?

Several years ago Princess offered a luncheon for $30 in which you could bring your noncruising relatives on board for lunch in the MDR and touring the ship . . . anyone know if they still offer this deal, we are on Princess Aug 31st and would love to bring the adult kids on board for lunch.

I have stayed at the Blue Horizon many times, it is really nice and the price is right AND it is at one end of Robson Street, which has many many shops and restaurants. Robson St is one of the 3 must dos in Vancouver

I miss the "Social Hostess" on Princess, miss caviar as an appetizer in the main dining room and miss the sommelier and the Late night Real London Pub night and high tea everyday.

So sad to see her gone, my first cruise was on the Pacific Princess, The Love Boat. I was twenty something and the room was so small they could not put the beds together, they had to stay in an L shape. We pulled the mattresses off each night and slept together on the floor!:) n There was only a main dining room but we had an officer and his wife sharing our table every night!

Princess is our favorite of the ones that we have been on. Though it isn't as great as it was say 7 years ago, the service seems more crisp, MDR food seems better than most other lines, enjoy the itineraries better, lots of choices of things to do on the ship, Best steakhouse on the seas . . on the con side the buffet and the nickel and dime with too much paperwork showing up in your cabin.

HAL - more sedate [in factor borderline boring] didn't go back

Celebrity, close second for us, just a little slower - but Qsine is a specialty restaurant you shouldn't miss.

Went on Carnival because we had the 20somethings with us

Thanks for your help. Our plans right now are for May next year. The ships sails on the 13th and we will come in either the 11th or 12th so not a lot of time to see Seattle but a little. We usually try and get a hotel that offers airport transporation and located somewhere between the airport and the cruiseport to keep the cost down to go to the cruiseport. Will look at Cedarbrook.

If you are coming in a day or two early, I would suggest that you stay closer to downtown where the action is. I would suggest using ABC Transportation, town cars and they are cheaper than the cabs in town 206 242 0102 - suggest the Hyatt Place Downtown, Homewood Suites or the Hampton Inn - all have a breakfast that is included in your stay

Depends on what time you are flying in and if you have time to sight see in Seattle. I would not stay at SeaTac Hilton or another hotel by the airport if you want to see any of Seattle. The area around the airport is just hotels and airport parking areas and is not safe after dark. [Except for Cedarbrook which is Awesome and has a free shuttle from the airport] There are plenty of taxi's around. Though we always use ABC Transportation town cars which are cheaper than the taxis and nicer. If you tell me more about your plans for coming in, I can make some more suggestions for you, if you would like.

Go to the cabin, then tour the ship and go "WOW" alot and ususally get a little lost and are just fine with that!:) But I am thinking might have to try that mimosa first idea!!!

Riding in the elevator up to the top of the Space Needle is $18 for adults, though if you make a reservation at the restaurant, you ride for free. It is a rotating restaurant, and makes one rotation an hour. Sat & Sun they serve brunch. You will want to make your reservation prior to coming to Seattle, pretty popular. http://www.spaceneedle.com/ After you eat, you can walk upstairs to the observation deck to use the complimentary Swarovski Telescopes.

If I remember correctly, the fort is up high and you must climb up a "ramp" type walk and stairs. The humidity is high and so are the temperatures. No shade that I can remember anywhere on that part of the excursion. If like me, you do not handle the heat/humidity well there was not a place to "bail out to coolness of AC". Go as early in day as you can.

 

Yes, Cartagenea Columbia was one of the places I got red in the face and sweat poured down and all tried to take me to hospital but I survived well once I cooled down. Wish I didn't become a spectacle of hottness -- and not in the "hottie" sort of way:o Still well worth going but be prepared with hat, water, and plan for getting out of sun. The torture museum was where I overheated. Too many folks in too small a space and I almost fainted -- so just a warning.

 

I believe the folks who say that you should do this stop in a group. Several government groups (that various people I know work for) give this advice. I try very hard NOT to become an international incident. There is not many things your government can do for you if things go wrong in this area and the local government is not completely in control either. You do not know all the problems that Americans have gotten into in Cartagenea. Anyway go in safety and have a great cruise.

This was a very good description, thank you so much. Besides the hat I think that I will bring an umbrella for an extra source of shade . . . I am a humidity/heat wimp, so I needed your advice!

The ship excursion sites says the Fort is a strenuous activity, and we are wondering from those that have been there, exactly what that means? Will be there in the beginning of October!