Wishing on a star

NO.

I wish they were more clear about the last cancellation date on excursions. Doesn't it just say 'see the excursion form' onboard. Can I assume that almost any excursion can be cancelled on embarkation without penalty? I know certain outside excursion companies have their own requirements, like Helicopter Tours and that kind of thing. But can any usual Princess excursion be cancelled on embarkation day?

Yes! We don't want confusion for any newbies! They are very small. A taller person might have to turn the chair at an angle to have room put their legs out without hitting the glass. There are a lot of good cabin tour videos online!

There are many things that I like better on the Regal than I do these other newer ships. A complete mistake to close in the nice open retreat pool area, for one thing. I will book Regal again in a heartbeat. But, yes, if a real balcony is important, book early and get one of the mid-ship or aft balconies!

Yes, be aware that the balconies on Regal are just SMALL. Like only walk-out (Juliette) in depth. If the enjoyment of a larger balcony is important, go for mid-ship, or Aft wake-view. Other than that, I think you have a good idea of which areas which are above or below loud venues, etc... Study the deck plans on those wake-view or mid-ship bump-out balconies are larger. And, of course, you want to avoid those mid-ship balconies that are on higher decks below the Sea-walk. I love the Regal.

The thing is, even if it is possible to make an equal cabin change, if they don't notify until the very last minute, the chances of any 'desirable' location being available is very very slim! I am picky about location. So, bidding might not be the thing for me!

I wonder if, for sure, that once a bid/upgrade has been done, that they would not allow a move to an equal category cabin. I do not like the idea that they would take away the option of any equal/lateral move. Doesn't make sense or ring right to me. In most cases, an easy equal category move is no problem.

Hey, which ship are you sailing on?

I would def. ask for some kind of manager, to talk to them about the type of massage you want. I have seen where people asked about the massages, and they seemed to want to offer what was needed. I would try that, and then decide from there. I haven't had a massage onboard, but did stop by the 'sampler' once. it was a smaller young female with small 'pinchy' fingers. I passed and just didn't pursue a massage. Especially since avoiding that specific tight pressure/pinching to trigger points is imperative with triggered fibromyalgia.

I do believe that the little sofas are most, if not all, pull out. Again, that would limit access to the balcony sliding door.

I do not know, but would assume that, in any Deluxe balcony, the bed is over the little sofa love-seat, as to leave the bed unobstructed for the other two guests.

I am hoping to find out if they really do not respond to bids until last minute before departure.

I don't know if you would find out if your bid was accepted today, but if any mid-ship obstructed balconies are available, and you could get one of those. (simple equal-cabin move) then that would be GREAT for that price. I would still take an obstructed Deluxe over any interior, especially with 3 in the room.

Also, I don't know if this was mentioned. But, about the invitation to bid on a cruise that is showing not available. It is my guess that 'not available' does not mean Sold Out. I am thinking that Princess is limiting capacity on many cruises because of staffing shortcomings. In that case, a LOT of invitations to bid would go out, as they would try to improve the revenues on a partially filled sailing.

That was my question as well. So, you are committed once you make a bid, but they are not committed until 3 days before departure? My decision to bid would be made after looking at availability. Because, if the bid put me in a location that I didn't like, once I had that new cabin category, I could move to a cabin in that category in a better location if there were any available. We have booked an extended balcony mid-ship. (Many balcony and deluxe balcony are still available). I might not want to move to a larger cabin category with a tiny balcony. If this is true, they might not notify anyone until that last week, when there is a huge chance that the better locations are all taken.

If you can choose the imported water, then I would think that one could certainly bring bottles of water with them as they leave the cruise. Not so much with unused coffee drinks. To the poster here, I know you said that you are not a big coffee drinker, but wanted to remind everyone here that there are all the options for the more 'fancy' coffee drinks, lattes, cappuccino, iced mocha.... My husband quite enjoys these!

That would be great if more info came out. I would be interested in the deck plans. Even though I am not looking forward to sailing on the new ship at this point, as I think it will be another behemoth salt-box with yet even more cabins, and less public deck area. I would be happy (and VERY surprised) to see if this were not the case.

And, it seems that post restart, and returning to higher capacity, with the lack of staffing, MDR dining has been a challenge all the way around!!!

Yep, love those darned typos! : ) Back on topic. Yes, to that one poster, there are ways to have, for example, one TD dining room. And, Princess has tried and re-tried the dual TD and ATD thing. Again, that brought issues of it's own. At the end of the day, Princess sees that the level of demand is just not there once everyone is onboard. I wonder if those that wanted that one TD dining room, with set times and communal seating, would complain if that one dining room was the lower Aft dining room, and not of the atrium/piazza? Anytime dining doesn't work well if there is no nice waiting area, as the case in the lower Aft dining room. I think Princess is on the right track. And given some time to perfect the system, it will work out.

So, Princess could send an Offer To Bid... trying to generate interest in upgrades. You can click on that, and then go up to the amount you are wanting to bid. That first screen there seemed similar to an Upgrade Offer. But it is an Offer or Opportunity to Bid. Good info on how this will all work.

Interesting that all of those coveted Sky, Owners, Penthouse suites are available!

So, the dollar amounts listed would be a 'min. bid'?

Re-check those deck plans. E111 is not over the Theater. It is forward of the theater. I would be comfortable to assume that you will hear some noise over any venue that has entertainment with big speakers. Again, I would be checking for those non-obstructed mid-shop bump-out balconies and deluxe balconies with no huge obstruction, and larger balcony size. Except for maybe on the ships with Crooner's just below the Port side.

All I can say is, especially for warm weather cruises, if It doesn't have an open Retreat Pool area, and a version of the Sanctuary, I am out.

It is very clear that with the technology available, the new system works for the great percentage of guests. But, this is like the whole Chair Hog, Slob-vs-Snob, Smoking, and many other beating-a-dead-horse debates.... There are gonna be those who want it 'their' way, and will die on that hill.