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I remember your dilemma. Only YOU can answer this question. What do YOU want out of a cruise? I have been to Alaska many times. I lived on the East Coast for a few years. I have 2 cruises booked on the Caribbean Princess for this year. I am not a fan of the Royal Class ships. Let's throw out the obvious (no guilt): DH is willing to be the only parent for 12 days. He can do it! Great bonding time for him and the kids. Great time for you to relax. Kids are resilient. They will survive without you. How social are you? Will YOU survive a solo cruise without the support of the group? I can do solo cruises (and love them). Will YOU mix with the group? and still be able to find time for yourself? No brainer...Caribbean Princess dropped it's fare. No long travel to Alaska and back. Can you afford to do a family cruise to Alaska at some other date and time? Princess often has third and fourth passenger sales. Air fare for 4 could be expensive.

I was on the Golden with a partial eclipse late in the afternoon a very, very, very long time ago. It was not advertised as such. I and one other passenger was up on the Lido deck. I had my amateur "glasses". The other guy had a welder's glass. (Guess who was more prepared?). We tried to elicit interest, but only a few took a passing moment to look up at the sun. The crew will probably take advantage of the bow of the ship where their recreation area is. The Emerald will have more viewing areas than the Discovery. I'm guessing that there may be 25% - 50% who will actually view the eclipse in its entirety. Most will wander in and out. I also did one in San Diego. It was cloudy that day. Actually had to go into the auditorium to watch the eclipse unfold from the Observatory on Mauna Kea. Hoping you all have good weather. It should be a fun event.

Big difference between Maitre d’ (Director of Restaurant Operations) and Head Waiter (Assistant Manager). Assistant Managers are leads in restaurants.

Accessible Window Suites are the best! No need for an elevator for dinner. Down the hall. Use the forward elevators to access Princess Theater handicap seats and casino. Crown Grill is just outside the cabin. Sometimes suite breakfast is in there. Other times, it is in Sabatini’s…one deck up.

There is another thread with schedules but no prices. It will be released on 4/25 for Elite before opening to the general public. Yes, there will be different ship options.

If you are happy with the cabin location you currently have, you are taking a huge gamble. Are you willing to take a guarantee? My TA has canceled and tried to get back original cabin. Sometimes she was able to do that. Other times not. I didn't think you could re-fare/cancel if there were no cabins available. Depending which location you have the guarantee, you could be placed in the same or "better" cabin. What Princess considers better is not always what we want. For instance. You could book an obstructed (which ship? obstructed ocean view/obstructed balcony?), you could be given a "premium" ocean view at the front of the ship. If you booked an obstructed balcony on a Royal Class ship, they could assign a cabin on a higher deck...forward/aft. Lots of possible configurations. Would you be happy with whatever they assigned you for a lower price? Granted, IF...there are "better" staterooms with your same category identification DW), you might be able to ask to be moved to one.

Thanks for your thread. I heard this was changed on April 1 (after my stop). I wonder what will happen if you DON'T get the visa? We were all told by Korea that it was required to have a K-ETA electronic visa. Most everyone complied and paid the $8. It's here on the FAQs page. Q16. [Application Qualification] I want to travel to Jeju Island. Do I need to get a K-ETA? A Yes, Even if you want to visit Jeju Island, you must obtain K-ETA approval before boarding the plane or ship. I was sent an email answering my question. Kindly find the response to your question Question [Type of Question:K-ETA Questions about Application] I am arriving by Princess Cruises (Diamond Princess) to Jeju Island in March 2023. 1. Do I need to fill out/complete K-ETA? 2. I started the process but am stuck. I do not have a zip code, address, phone number for Princess Cruises. It asks for local address. We will be docked for the day. 3. Do I need a visa if I am a United States Citizen? Your FAQ #16 states: I want to travel to Jeju Island. Do I need a K-ETA? Answer: No, Those who wish to travel directly only to Jeju Island do not need to get a K-ETA. Please help. Thank you Response Dear Inquirer, Thank you for your interest in K-ETA. Regarding your inquiry as to whether you need to apply for K-ETA, please find the answer as below: 1. The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is a travel authorization that foreign nationals need to obtain in advance when they want to enter the Republic of Korea visa-free for tour, visiting relatives, participating in events or meetings, business, and/or other similar reasons (other than profit-making activities). If you intend to enter Korea visa-free including the Jeju island, you are required to obtain a K-ETA. 2. If you intend to depart on the same day you enter Korea and you are not staying in any accommodation, please enter the address and the contact number of the port of arrival. 3. If your purpose of stay does not fall under one of those purposes mentioned above, you are required to get a relevant visa, not K-ETA. For more information about the visas, please kindly contact the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Korea. On the official K-ETA website, the answer of the FAQ #16 states “Yes, Even if you want to visit Jeju island, you must obtain K-ETA before boarding the plane or ship”. Please go to the official K-ETA website (www.k-eta.go.kr) or mobile App (K-ETA) and check the updated information. The only official website operated by the government of the Republic of Korea is “www.k-eta.go.kr”. K-ETA Center has not delegated the service of the K-ETA application to any private agencies. Since 1 September 2021, the K-ETA application fee charged per person is 10,000 KRW (around 9~10 USD, additional fees not included). If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. Best Regards, K-ETA Center Do not reply to this message. This e-mail address cannot accept incoming mails. If you have any questions, please visit the official K-ETA website. If you did not make this request, please check by logging in the official K-ETA website. Copyright ⓒ 2021 Ministry of Justice. Republic of Korea. All Rights Reserved

Depending on where your suite is, using the forward elevators will probably not be useful. If you used forward elevators, you would need to get off at Deck 7...make your way to the middle of the ship, and ride the elevator to Deck 6. You will be in CC MRD on Deck 6. The best way to access that dining room would be the center or aft elevators.

I was advised to take my passport everytime I left the ship. Some places they were just scanned upon leaving/returning the ship. Embarkation: Regular procedure Day 2 Sea Day: Day 3 Kagoshima: Japanese Departure Immigration (leaving Japan for Jeju). Everyone regardless if you were going ashore or not. Day 4 Jeju: Korea Arrival Immigration. Korean Face to Face immigration inspection in the terminal. If not going ashore, not required. Day 5 Nagasaki: First re-entry port (after foreign country), a mandatory Immigration inspection in the terminal. ALL guests. Sometime between embarkation and Nagasaki, needed to go online to Japan digital website and reporcess immigration form. Instructions will be given to you. Day 6 Aburatsu/Miyazaki: No Immigrations Day 7 Matsuyama: Passport required to leave/return to ship Day 8 Kochi: Passport required to leave/return to ship Day 9 Sea Day: Disembarkation: Immigrations and Customs at the terminal. Gather bags then check see officials. There were porters with carts to help you with your luggage. Several lines. Organized chaos. Most ports had one for handicap in a wheelchair. Some included passengers with canes. Some processing took an hour. Others were a little quicker. Princess was actually very efficient with notifications and how to handouts. Kudos to the Japanese. There were so many volunteers and staff to guide you. I was even impressed that they had them on the corner when I got off the tram. Person was directing passengers to Kochi Castle, or provide general information. Once I asked some young people where to find a Daiso. She walked me a couple of blocks to a street corner map. I ended up going across the street to ask in a police office.

Unfortunately, Princess' ships were built before the development of charging blocks. That is my biggest problem. The outlets are too close together. On block covers up the other spare outlet. I just ordered an Anker cube https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Extender-Charging-Delivery-Esstential/dp/B09PGXWNWG/ref=asc_df_B09PGXWNWG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598227559155&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4996866752097324413&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032811&hvtargid=pla-1659038129756&psc=1 to replace my IKEA power cord (not a surge protector). Life doesn't get easier when Apple replaced the USB-A with a USB-C charging cord. I just have too many devices (toys).

@chubbypiggy A couple of things to keep in mind: European outlets are 240 V Most US devices are 120 V Adapter will change the plug, but not convert the voltage. Most Apple products and some medical devices are dual voltage. I have never used an adapter to plug in my Apple products (not that brave). I do use the outlet behind the bed with an adapter that will plug in the European lamp plug and my US CPAP machine. Is your power bar dual voltage? If not, you could just plug it in to the regular outlet on the desk without the need for an adapter.

Thank you so much for doing this. I had good intentions of doing a review. But sort of got sidetracked. I was on the previous voyage (March 24) and know you had different ports. My cousin was on your cruise. I do not want to hijack your thread. But ... if there is anything I can help you with, please ask.

Very doubtful. That would be $80 and Princess would be losing money in the exchange.

There is a HUGE difference between a Club Class (reserve) mini-xx suite xx and a full suite. (Reserve) Mini-suite. Glorified balcony with a sofa (which you already have) and dining in the Club Class MRD. I do like this perk. I think you also get some wine splits. And maybe some priority boarding (ship/tender). Mini-suite is mis-named. Full Suite. Mimosa breakfast at a specialty restaurant every day. Order anything within reason (no lobster). Concierge lounge on Royal Class ships. Larger cabin, Complimentary mini-bar. Same day laundry if in by 9 AM, Club Class dining, plus Reserve class perks (champagne instead of wine). Elite line at customer service desk.

Then add it to your home page and it will show up as Ocean Concierge. Better than Journey View. I still carry a folded up Patter with me. (old school)

There is nothing in your cabin stating what is included in your beverage package. Too many variables. Plus/Premier : before or after increase in price. Best to take a hard copy of what you ordered. Definitely wifi and crew appreciation is in each package.

True statement....if... But thanks for pointing out my lack of reading comprehension. :0 But I still think that is cutting it close.

I am a "play it safe" passenger. Serving 4 is different than serving 2. Your table may/may not be ready at 7 PM. (and/or may not be ready at 6:30) If the ship is full, you may need to get your seats at the theater 30 minutes before curtain. There are so many variables. I would prefer to wait at 6:30 than at 7. I enjoy a leisurely meal.

I was recently on the Diamond Princess out of Japan. The first show was never full. There were 2 "attendants" standing off to the side. They removed the covers a few minutes before curtain time. Absolutely no one showed up while the blue covers were on. When they were removed, a handful of passengers sat in those seats. It could be that there were fewer Premier packages sold. It could be that it was a port intensive cruise. It could be that there were about half new cruisers. It could have been just the location of the seats. It could have been that this was a late crowd (I didn't check out 9 PM show). The Princess Theater was never full for any of the earlier shows. Photo was taken around 6:55 for a 7 PM show. It could very well be different on an Alaskan Cruise. The Diamond was sailing at about 85% capacity.

Good way to be locked out of your casino account.

And this is another situation that an air tag would be most beneficial. Love this technology. Place it in a very inconspicuous location. If you don't have an iphone, they do make this technology for Android phones. Can't vouch for efficiency.

My TA "gifted" me OBC for a cruise. It showed up under credits or payments. I could see it. Didn't try to use it before the cruise. Agree with @Thrak, my Princess Plus "shows up as" gift from my TA...I know better/I paid for it.

Self Laundry was not free on Diamond Princess.

Shouldn't have any problems. Are you working with a TA? There may be a name change fee (last one was $50). Unfortunately, air fares can not be changed only cruise fare. Hope her mother has insurance.

Will you have one of those smaller scooters that will fit through the suite’s narrow door? Or have an accessible suite?