Treasure Hunter

Come between 9:30 and ten. The line will be moving quickly by then and you will be on the ship, done with checking in for muster drill, by 11:30. You can have a great lunch in O’Sheehans instead of the buffet.

Plan your excursions to include plenty of beach time. Also a luau. Sitting up close ( you pay extra). We took the full day excursion to the Polynesian Culture center and had a great time. Lots of funny shows. I would think your bookings would include at least two free specialty dinners. Yes, kids love Teppenaki.come into Hawaii at least one day early to lessen jet lag. If you can do whale watching, especially on a zodiac they will find it really exciting ( unless the little one frightens easily. There are often sea turtles to see too.

Thanks for the photo! Reminds me why I love the Sanctuary on Princess. You buy ( reserve) your lounge and it’s yours for the week.

that is truly a terrible balcony. What were they thinking. I’m going to try because my husband doesn’t care if he sits outside and I do. I can’t face chair hogs in the retreat.

Can you request a lounge for the small balcony? I have heard that shade ( our preference) is dog eat dog in the retreat. Sailing first time in Edge Royal suite.

If you are in the Haven you get American Diner embarkation lunch free ( you don’t have to use your platinum coupon or free specialty meals.) Because the Haven restaurant is crowded for lunch. But you will still be charged for the ice cream soda. Take everything to go. If you must try it.

Also you can use your points and play them like cash. At the end of my last cruise I had over $100 in free play.

But once on the ship it was worth it! The food, service, entertainment and casino ( I hit a jackpot!) are all wonderful. You will have a great time. Don’t eat at the American Diner. It’s outside, freezing and the food is feh. O’Sheehans is great for a change from the dining room.

You are so right. It was exhausting.

Eat at John’s on (east ) 12 th street ( best Italian in the city) then walk over to Veniero’s Pastry for coffee and dessert. Both places have been there since the 1890’s

Just got off the Breakaway. It’s very comfortable in the Haven staterooms, cool to chilly in the restaurant and humid near the enclosed pool. Do not go to the American Diner. It is totally outside and freezing and you can get a much better burger in the Haven restaurant. We got off September 25 and it was cold in Canada. Few people brought appropriate outerwear and there was a lot of grumbling and Bar Harbour Maine sweatshirts. You need a hooded rain resistant lined jacket.

There are numerous hotels available in Manhattan in the $400-500 range. Intercontinental Mid Town East, Best Western Herald Square, several on the Lower East Side. Not cheap but good locations.

Its very exciting to be in New York Marathon weekend. We used to do it all the time and go to a show ( which the marathoners are not doing! and book a restaurant for dinner. You can stand on the Avenue and cheer them on. I say go for it.

We just did the NE/Canada cruise a week ago. We had the 9-9:30 slot and even though we were Haven and had all paperwork ArriveCAN and Negative test they were not ready for us. We were yelled at for blocking the doorway. We stood in line for 40 minutes jammed together. Once they opened up, it moved quickly. We were on the ship, done with muster and in the Haven restaurant at 11:30. You will be lucky to come a little bit later.

We just got off the breakaway in Haven suite 16714 ( two bed). We slept in the main bedroom. I found the bed too soft and lumpy. We took the getaway last winter and will do it in February with our daughter ( in the living room) and two little kids in the tiny ( and I mean tiny) second bedroom. The second bathroom is fine and there is enough storage. Six people would be terrible. Try to book the grandparents in any room that has Haven access. I believe the fifteenth floor is cheaper because you need to climb a staircase.

We took Princess in May to Norway from Southhamption and it was cold. I wouldn’t got earlier. If you are cruise that time of year go to the Med. Sicily is breathtaking and flowers everywhere.

Dramamine works great. Just buy the non drowsy type or you’ll sleep thru the cruise. Last week on NCL they had it in guest services. Wrist bands work for some people. The patches are great but I believe you need a doctor’s prescription and you are non supposed to drink alcohol while wearing it.. I bring a pharmacy with me. That’s why we can’t travel with carry-ons. One trip I had so much, a doctor we were traveling with said he could do open heart surgery on the sidewalk with what I had.

I thought proctored tests were not accepted In Greece

In the courtyard we’re peanuts, peanut m&m, gummy bears, sliced cake, cookies. We asked our butler for cut up vegetables and dip ( very good), sliced cheese and crackers, sliced fruit ( we also had a fruit bowl. I also asked for shrimp but was told there was a charge so we just had the shrimp cocktail at dinner every night. We also got canapés ( awful) and chocolate covered strawberries ( hate). The casino sent several plates of assorted chocolates.

As far as I can tell, there is reserve seating for Haven until 10 minutes before showtime. Everyone else books as soon as they board. Just off the Breakaway and there were seats available for all shows. Six was listed as sold out but there were seats open for the stand by line.

I also want to give high praise to the captain and his crew for keeping us safe. We didn’t even have one night of bad seas.

Casino was open

Yes we are sailing within sight of the cape shoreline. Seas are very calm. Bright sun. Made the finals of the slot tournament. Came in second. Having a great time. One of the comedians (Dean) spent two years on SNL and is a real professional. Very funny, do not miss. Do not have high expectations for the St John tour it is a very modest sleepy town bur our tour guide Ron Fowlie was terrific. Dry sense of humor ( dressed in 18th century costume and was very enjoyable. And helpful point out where to buy a sandwich and where the many rest rooms would be located. My husband spent three years in Boston in law school and is not a fan so we didn’t feel we had to go out of our way to see the town. . PS I’m not complaining about a missed port ( Captain made a safety call) but the immigration and customs poorly run nonsense. We once went through this in Norfolk Virginia ( before coming back to New York and it was done so much better. But if they didn’t expect us ( one day notice) i guess I have to cut them some slack,

Yes we are sailing within sight of the cape shoreline. Seas are very calm. Bright sun. Made the finals of the slot tournament. Came in second. Having a great time. One of the comedians (Dean) spent two years on SNL and is a real professional. Very funny, do not miss. Do not have high expectations for the St John tour it is a very modest sleepy town bur our tour guide Ron Fowlie was terrific. Dry sense of humor ( dressed in 18th century costume and was very enjoyable. And helpful point out where to buy a sandwich and where the many rest rooms would be located. My husband spent three years in Boston in law school and is not a fan so we didn’t feel we had to go out of our way to see the town. .

Just bought a Kate Spade wallet as a present. It used up my $200 non refundable credit