Tonsoffun44

Been a while since we did specialty dining without it being included - Can one person pay for the entire tables meals but split the drinks up by individual? 

Not recent but last January on Regal - charged for hot chocolate "no alcohol" at international Cafe (our debarkation station) when printed our final bill at the machine-line at reception desk was 50+ deep so decided it wasn't worth waiting to fix had a flight to catch. Called about the added cost the day after we got home- it was refunded and showed up in check we got 2weeks later - did onboard account in cash. 

Depends what you are looking for, what ship, which ports. Only sailed Princess once so far - they seem to be very against people with physical disabilities getting off at tender ports compared to other lines we've sailed with. Inside cabin on Regal E321 "accessible" the layout of the cabin when beds are separated is HORRIBLE for someone who uses a standard size manual chair and can't walk at all.  Only Great thing I can say is - can sit close to the stage in the main theater, unlike many lines older ships that have the handicapped seating in the back. 

How close can non participants get to watch people doing the Swimming with Dolphins at the port? 

Can't say Recent but picked ours up in Fort Lauderdale last January instead of getting them mailed. We were directly behind a group that had them mailed entering the terminal and 2 people behind them boarding the ship. So YES it made a HUGE difference.  BTW also didn't even have the app on my phone since it was so glitchy for me just gave up on it. 

Personally found the app worthless for checking things ahead of time more than a week or two before sailing. 

On 10/29/2023 at 6:24 PM, vampiress said:

interesting to me that people consider the mdr embarkation lunch heavy, i've always found it to be pretty light and small portions perhaps it is just what i pick, and i don't think i always pick the same thing.

Regardless of cruise line through out the entire cruise I find the portions on the light/small side

11 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I tend to check more than one source when researching deck plans.  Princess is notorious for having inaccurate website info.  Take a look here:

 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Sky-Princess

and

https://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/Sky-Princess-2154

Checked many sites including those you mentioned - both were WRONG for our Regal sailing last year - top site has a video for cabin we had on Regal E321 Emerald deck yet when we had the cabin it was set up like cabin one deck above. Dolphin D319 which also has a video how our cabin bathroom door actually was. Neither deck plan image has the door facing either way shown in the videos - hence why I'm asking.  Hope they designed the newer ship Sky with the door opening to an area with more access room.  

6 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Are you asking about a regular cabin, or a HC cabin? And is it a standard cabin on side entry?  

Handicapped cabin 

Anyone know if the deck plan is actually accurate for the bathroom door arrangement - sailed on another Princess ship (Regal) and bathroom door opened straight into the beds not cabin entry area as deck plan showed. Nowhere to keep standard size manual chair next to bed and still allow travel companion access to the bathroom.  Called their Handicapped department which apparently has no idea. 

Anyone know if the deck plan is actually accurate for the bathroom door arrangement - sailed on Regal and the bathroom door opened straight into the bed not cabin entry area as deck plan showed. Nowhere to keep standard size manual chair next to bed and still allow travel companion access to the bathroom.  Called their Handicapped department and literally told "we don't know" then they hung up. Guess it's better than last year calling with same question about Regal and being told - Cabin is exactly like the deck plan shown on website - NOPE it wasn't. 

Sailed last week - showed up at port at 10:30am - luggage people weren't that busy IMO. 3 taxis including ours for 5 porter people. 30seconds after the taxi driver had our bags out of the trunk they were in the large ship carts and the luggage porter people were gone - no chance to tip them. Oh well!! 

Upon return from cruise - guys in the terminal were rather pushy about wanting to help people that clearly didn't need/want it. Best was they never even said a word to travel companion who is in a wheelchair pushing his own chair + rolling luggage at the same time. 

21 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

We find that to be the case all the time on Italian night. We've learned to skip the DR & go to the buffet which has almost the same items plus many others to choose from. 

One night with 3 versions of Duck in MDR was just - WHY!!!  Saw so many go from MDR to buffet later that evening. 

OP Here - Split up the large group between Symphony/Allegro- so some non-group could also get in. Had our seating at 5pm.  First time on Princess and must say -Slowest service we've ever had on a ship. Seemed like the kitchen couldn't keep up with that many at once that early. 

OP - 4th night.   Happened to be same night we had Sabatinis- only night we could get for time we wanted. Apparently made the right decision - many at table said selections were not great. 

Guess it depends on taxi company (3 different companies) - airport to hotel- $22, hotel to port-$20, Port to FLL airport - $25.  Years ago I know it was $15 from airport to port -inflation/years later Expected increase to $20-25 so even if ripped off not too upset. Got us to/from and no more than a 10min wait. 
 

Many Hotel shuttles don't work when traveling with someone in a wheelchair that can't do steps. 

Got our answer from another site - thanks all 

Curious which night is typically Italian night theme menu in MDR - our Phone/app being weird so can't see menus - want to book specialty dining BEFORE WE BOARD but not book MDR Italian night and Sabatini's if it's the same night. 

8 hours ago, Z0nker said:

I’ve been on four cruise lines. They all let passengers flout the dress code. The guidelines are guidelines, not rules. 

Guidelines created by people thousands of miles away in the Corporate offices - NOT those who actually have to attempt enforcement of them face to face with passengers.

Been wondering about the cards being different prices myself - also the reversible jacket no choice in sizes??? 

Food is so bad - so how many died of starvation.  Something is bad - order something else... too salty drink more water. 

Curious if anyone has stayed here and knows roughly cost of taxi to port everglades?  Called Hotel and lady just said "under $30 - I think".  

Usually travel with someone in a manual wheelchair - elevators make for good entertainment sometimes. Once waited 20min to get one that wasn't packed. Friend (in chair) literally says "this is crazy I'm taking the stairs" and went over to the stairs turned backwards, grabbed railing with one hand and bumped IN CHAIR down 3 decks to MDR. The look on the people's faces still standing waiting for the elevator as well as crew/passengers as he came down the final stairs right outside the MDR was priceless.   (was NOT on a princess ship) Think it was Celebrity. 

Side note - He hates when someone else in a chair or scooter charges through the crowd or runs over someone then gives him the stink eye as if he did it or will do it too. Some aren't jerks like the person OP encountered.  

Wonder if the hotel express elevator hack still works on cruise elevators - hold down the button for the floor someone is going to + the closed door button at the same time until destination floor is reached. 

Haven't had a lost/left bag - did have it kept in security well after sail away - didn't get the notice of come to the "Naughty room" until went to the cabin to change before dinner and couldn't change (freaked out they lost the bag until noticed had a phone message). Pretty sure if it was that common we'd be seeing many posts about it on here. 

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

As it should be.... unless you enjoy dressing up, then do so.

 

Personally Don't enjoy it - considering what many want as "formal" to me is office/Funeral/wedding attire and we're on Vacation. Tricked into bringing suit/tie first few cruises and really stuck out very uncomfortably considering how informal the majority of the men in the room and our table were dressed. Glad they don't enforce it - easier to pack and clean when we get home before going back to work.   Might do Captain White Shirt for "Dress to Impress" and Blue version for "Formal". We'll see.