golfb4cruzing

We were on the Conquest last April and went to MDR for Prime Rib. By the time I trimmed away all the garbage, I was left with no Prime. The MDR is highly over rated.

Another reason to stay with Princess.

Dress Code?? What Dress Code??

It doesn't have any big leaks

From what we hear, they are important behind the scenes. Scheduling staff and sending fruit baskets. If neither was seen, no one would know about them. Now the folks with overly inflated self opinions believe they are planets orbiting their worlds.

We take an extra suitcase, fill it with drinks and send it through. Then we use that piece of luggage for our dirty laundry items. We carry on our alcoholic beverages though.

Yup, that's the Carnival way. Totally makes no sense. But make a game out of it. Count how many drunks hit the deck before it's over. We once counted 5.

We recently were on the Coral and pretty much anything went for the ladies. Saw some ladies with shorts on get waved on in. The guys however, got turned away with shorts on two dinner seatings that I saw. I had packed two nice dress shirts with ties sans jacket. This was not allowed on Elegant night because of the short sleeves. I was slightly miffed but many other options to dine. Most nights the service was too slow for my liking anyways. You see all kinds of mix and match suits at dinner. clearly whatever fit and tacky at best. But since it was a jacket, come on in. Of course the wife would object but I would put together the craziest outfit I could, including two different shoes, and get admitted for dinner. I just find it all illogical.

We just did the partial last month and our excursion drove by the new locks. A whole lot of concrete, very sterile looking. Massive ship was coming through as we drove by. To me if you have done the old, not much difference except to say you have done the new.

We just got back from doing the Partial, albeit another cruise line. However, we booked an excursion which was partially a boat ride around Gatun Lake and then back to the Canal and at the observation building. Gatun Lake is a large waste of time unless you feel the need for a boat ride. We saw 2 birds and zero monkeys. Some passengers went on a boat trip to monkey island and had a great time with monkeys coming right on the boat.

I could have spent hours at the observation building watching as the ships made the transit through. Just fascinating the ability to pull the ships through. After that we were taken by bus over to Limon to catch the ship. Zero control and udder chaos. Hopefully they have it under control now but just a mess.I would do the Canal again tomorrow.

The Destiny (now Sunshine) was our worst. The Conquest was a millisecond behind it.

Was Gopher on the TV too? We've never had the flu.

We've sailed both and have never paid triple for our Princess trips. Depends on what you are looking for on a cruise. To me both lines are very different. 100% Princess.

We were on Carnival in April and just off Princess two weeks ago. There is no comparison of the two in my eyes. Can't wait for our next cruise. We cruise to relax and come back refreshed and feel like we were on vacation. Not constant announcements and gimmicks. I highly suggest seeing the Panama Canal in your lifetime. Amazing what they did back then.

Just follow the line for the Plats. Isn't everyone, it seems. We were not this past trip and were still in our cabin by noon. Princess has it down to a science. But now we are Plat for next trip, so let's see the difference.

We just got back from the partial on the Coral and had a port side balcony. We also went down on Deck 11 through the forward door onto the viewing area as we approached into the first chamber. Amazing. We then bounced around and then did the Gatun Lake - Canal Tour. The Lake portion was unimpressive (another boat ride) but the upclose Canal portion was one of a kind.

We did discuss a little with shop onboard. Several issues are with the practice of Princess funneling passengers into Diamonds International. I'm no youngster and understand buyer beware but Princess should not have their "Shopping Expert" push towards that business. I have learned alot since getting back home.

1. EAFY is no help once off the ship. It's in the hands of Princess and 4 to 6 weeks is standard to fix items. Princess has yet to return my phone call.

2. Philip Stein , in the Caribbean, is alot of display models and are known for end of life batteries. (according to P Stein HQ) Deal with P Stein, in Miami, directly. Diamond International does not respond to their emails and the US Customer Service is poor.

3. Diamond International is tell you anything for the sale. I didn't think it would happen with higher end products but clearly once a used car salesman, always the same. I have had to deal directly with Bremont, in London, for satisfaction. FYI, they are excellent to deal with.

So learn from my mistakes. Panama Canal is amazing, Princess is still better than the rest and we are now Platinum.

Texas Todd, on the Coral, probably is from Texas and has byproduct on the bottoms of those boots.

Could someone share the email for Princess' email to shoot them a letter concerning some less than stellar sales tactics by their onboard staff? I've left a message for some woman named Charlotte with their boutiques but no return call as of yet. So far everyone is happy to take your money but deaf when issues pop up. I'm sure nothing with get rectified but at least I'll feel good after a righteous rant.

Thanks for the help

We are just off her last week. We booked a balcony in order to reach out and touch the wall going through the Canal. I didn't do my homework because the Caribe balconies jut out and therefore ours wasn't close. Still had a blast. Found the forward doors opening out to viewing area on Deck 11. Great place to be going into the Canal. Fabulous trip.

We just got back from the Oct 29 sailing. Great ship but we never got used to the layout. It's backwards and my brain couldn't adjust. Hardly any smokers, so the area around the Casino was pretty good. We could relax at the IC without being overcome. Love that princess is so organized.

My two cents, the Emerald Museum and Jewelry making class is a total waste. It's just a money grab. You get to make 4 pieces but only one is free. The rest are yours for $30 a pop. Very underhanded.

We spent alot of time in the Lotus Pool. Has to be spectacular in Alaska.

I have two. Walking into the Atrium on the first day and sailaway from our balcony. Then we are officially on vacation.

We are leaving on the Coral this Saturday. The wife requires Diet Dew to function and therefore a 12 pack comes with us. Also we always bring a case of Deer Park. Water is iffy on the ships and I prefer my Deer Park. I put them in a rolling suitcase and place a cabin tag on it. Hand over to a porter and it's delivered to our cabin. It's emptied and repurposed for used laundry items for the return trip home. Works like a charm. Soda card is okay unless the small glasses won't work. Too much time waiting in line for refills.

We are on the same cruise and called Princess about MUTS. The lady said that they do not publish in advance and it will be in the Patters when we get onboard. Kind of a copout but it was just my need for info, that's all.

After 2 hours, you should have thrown in the towel and flew back to SC. That would have really shown them who's boss. They probably had a cabin ready for you and everything. :D Next time ask for a warm metal chair.

Well now my curiosity is peaked. I have to investigate this coming weekend. These number seems high going into bathroom and shower.