RunnerGirl26.2

I always pack my REI Flash ultralight pack. You can roll it up for packing or turn it inside out and use as a stuff sack. Comfortable to wear and big enough for layers, rain jacket, camera, etc. It has webbing along the back to hang things, like sunscreen, on the outside. Inside pockets help organize small items and there is a pocket if you want to add hydration system. Much more comfortable than one of those string backpacks.

It is 1100 cubic inches (18 liters) and weighs 12 ounces.

Does Princess provide towels (beach breaks, cave tubing, snorkeling, etc...) when it's a Princess excursion? --or do we need to pack them?

I think I saw bins for wet/dirty towels as you re-board from excursions. If not, there are bins for dirty towels near the pool and racks with clean towels. Your steward will leave clean towels on the shelf of the closet as needed too.

A nice perk is as you approach the gangplank to re-board there are usually Princess crew with damp washcloths so you can wipe your face and hands a get a bit refreshed from the heat of the day.

I agree with the magnet tip. For excursion tickets; to hold lanyard; also caps and hats for storage in the cabin or in the closet area.

I always travel with a set of four bags from Ikea ("Dimpa" I think it is called). They have these plastic removable inserts that hold them open. The two big ones go in the closet for dirty clothes. One onto the shelves to hold small items. The last smallest one onto the desk to hold all the papers you get-newsletters, coupon books, etc. They fold flat and live in the interior pocket of my luggage.

We brought flowers onto our last cruise and use one of the moldable/flat vases. On the last day most still looked nice so we brought them to our female junior waiter.

Our friends are staying on board for the shortened trip. She said they could get off or stay on. Why would you get off? Is now a free vacation.

Thanks PlanB. We board on the 29th. You said the "monkey tour"? Was that a Bodden tour? We have reserved the Zip and Dip with him. Any thoughts if it was Bodden tour?

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My go to dish if nothing else is appealing-the fettuccine alfredo with the broiled chicken in parmesan bowl.

The Royal Princess and Island Princess are due to get underway in about 30 minutes. You can watch the progress via the web cams. Cam 2 is the docked ships and Cam 1 is them leaving the port. It fun to watch everyone waving goodbye. Here is a link to the Cams.

http://ftlauderdalewebcam.com/

FYI-If you have an ad blocker running you cannot see the live stream. Just had to block it from running on the FLL webcam page to see the video stream.

Looks like she is sailing now.

And if you forget your code, tell you room steward and someone will be there to open it for you. Don't ask me how I know LOL

We know that too ;) The screen does show you what you just punched in, after you turn the dial I believe. DH hit the wrong pattern one night...

Applied for daughter 2 passport on 1/30; arrived around 2/20. 3 weeks.

We did Emerald Deck on Island,Coral`s sister. Aft of the lifeboats. Fully covered and extra deep. We were in E704. Emerald Deck is also at the top of the atrium stairs and one deck above the promenade so very convenient location.

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From the text under the map:

Day 2: Mon, 03/31/14 Island Of Cozumel, Mexico

Day 3: Tue, 04/01/14 Island Of Roatan, Honduras

Day 4: Wed, 04/02/14 Belize City, Belize

Has anyone ever seen a discrepancy in the itinerary order on the Princess website?

 

What I mean by this is the map shows the ship going to Roatan, then Belize, then Cozumel. This order matches what I am seeing on several different TA websites.

 

But the table that is right below this map on the Princess website shows Cozumel, then Belize, then Roatan.

This is from our "Travel Summary" document page 4:

ITINERARY CHANGE

Princess Cruises has just announced Caribbean Princess will now sail roundtrip from Houston, Texas and not Galveston, Texas as originally scheduled. The ship will be berthed at the Houston Bayport Cruise Terminal, which is located at 4700 Cruise Road, Pasadena-Seabrook, Texas 77586. Additionally, Caribbean Princess will now call to Cozumel on day 2 of your cruise and will arrive into Roatan at 9:00 am on day 3. The updated itinerary will be available shortly.

You can send a Bon Voyage gift of liquor to yourself or order from room service once aboard. Either way you have to call room service. We just call to order when on board.

Here is the case I have: CaseCrown Ridge Stand By Case at Amazon. I got the grasshopper green color. If you get it, take it out of the package to air out before you use it. Has a chemical type smell at first. I put in a link but it went to a different case.

I have the old Kindle 2 with the e-ink screen for most of my reading. Easy to read in full sun. May get a Paperwhite for the backlight as prices are dropping it seems. I have a Kindle Fire (WiFi) to use for magazines, email, etc. Bring it when traveling instead of laptop.

Hi all. Just an FYI. Our daughter just received her first time passport--two and a half weeks. (She submitted application around January 21 or 22. Received February 6)

I got a case for my Fire on Amazon. I don't like the ones with the elastic corner holders either. The one I purchased: The kindle slips into a leather like case that protects it well, but you still have access to the buttons, speakers, etc. This then velcro's into a book type cover that doubles as a stand. I can look up the name if you would like.

We will be doing our 1st. Princess cruise on this ship 3-29.

 

Doug

That is the one we are on too Doug.

I am still fairly new to Princess, but sailed on CB last January. She has a slightly different deck plan than other similar type Princess ships. Things to note CB/Princess:

--Cabins are ready when you board.

--Cafe Caribe (attached to Horizon Court buffet) has a special theme menu each day at lunch.

--The main dining room is a bit awkward to get to. Look at the deck plans, you have to go aft on one deck, then down to the dining room

--Princess has self service laundry so you can pack lighter if you don't mind doing a bit of laundry one day.

--Promenade deck is narrow so no nice teak loungers, just chairs.

--Great pizza

I am from Louisiana and we lived in New Orleans a few years. Parades are not just in the French Quarter. Metarie, Mid city area, west bank, and uptown also have parades. Routes are usually the same from year to year. Take a look at http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/

I would stay more uptown or garden district. You could also look for a condo to rent and you could save money on meals. If you go to a lot of parades I would plan to ship a box of your "throws" home.

Parades start two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Floats repeat from parade to parade too. For example, Endymion rolls on a Saturday, but the same floats are in a parade in Metarie on Sunday or Monday.

We are cruising out of the Bayport terminal. Flying into IAH on Friday pre cruise. Flying back home out of Hobby. Not planning to rent a car. Four travelers. Staying one night pre-cruise and one night post-cruise.

Pre-cruise: Debating on staying near IAH for ease of access to any last minute shopping; wine purchase; etc. (early morning flight;airport shuttle then car service to terminal on Saturday) Or stay near port (car service from IAH to hotel most likely). From what I have read, there are few amenities near the terminal.

Post-cruise: Morning flight out of Hobby, so probably better/easier to pick something near the airport with a shuttle. Not sure about transportation to hotel post cruise.

So if anyone has thoughts or suggestions, I would appreciate them very much. I like to get things planned.