LewesBeach

I was on the star in May as well, and we most definitely had lunch in the dining room. It was not advertised but we walked in and got seated approx noon. They did close the doors promptly at 1:30.

We stayed at PI Waterloo in Oct and loved it. Great location for the train station, river walk, HOHO bus, LondonEye, other attractions. And the restaurant/bar in the basement is excellent!!! Comfy beds, clean modern bath. We were in a rear room - no view but it was quiet. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. There were some coffee shops, a restaurant & drug store down the street. We'll be back.

Here's us a website showing you the layout of these 2 ships. Personally I like the 6 bumped out Caribe cabins C622, 624, 626 & C637, 639, 641 - as they are bumped out, partially covered and have the larger balconies. I believe they are the only ones on the ship like this.

http://www.islandpanama.org/meet-the-ship/covered-balcony-guide/

Just want to add to the discussion regarding Top Ten Tours. We used them twice in 3 years of stopping in Lisbon for the day on our Trans-Atlantic Cruises. Their drivers are incredibly knowledgable and very well educated locals who know their history and also know how to get around traffic! The cars are clean and well-kept. We had some memorable times in Sintra, Cascais and Lisbon because they are very flexible in showing you what you want to see, or they will recommend things. We especially loved the seaside town of Cascais in the Fall and had some wonderful authentic Portuguese food at a sidewalk cafe. We highly recommend Top Ten Tours to anyone visiting the Lisbon area. (They also do airport transfers which is convenient if you are not arriving by ship.) website: http://www.toptentours.eu

Still, 99¢ too much… I hope you leave feedback in the AppStore.

The idea is to find an inexpensive way to text other passengers on board while you're at sea. People talk about how they love to "disconnect" from everything and everyone when they're cruising, but I wouldn't mind being able to stay in contact with the people I'm traveling with, using something a little more efficient than playing phone tag or leaving notes on each other's doors. Can't wait to try out Princess's app when it's rolled out fleet-wide.

Right! I'm all for disconnecting - but we would like to be able to contact each other and our friends on board for coordinating activities, etc. I too can't wait to try the new princess app.

Berni

Thanks to those who confirmed that Ripple does not work on Princess Ships. I do have What's App and that works great, but I usually go ashore to a bar or hot spot to use it. I don't waste Internet minutes texting onboard.

Berni

$4.99 now? :eek: The introductory price of $.99 already seemed too high to me, given that there were so few reports of it actually working onboard. Has anyone actually been able to use it successfully on any Princess ships?

 

As I noted on another recent thread, there has been no communication from the developers of the app for two months now. No software updates, no announcements on their FB page or Twitter, nothing. This is a very bad sign, given that the app is only about two and a half months old :rolleyes: My advice is: Don't bother.

I was wondering too if anyone actually used it successfully. I know Princess will roll this out next year on all their ships, so I guess I'll save my money. Thx for the responses.

Berni

I recently learned the Ripple App which enables onboard communication via texting, has been blocked from Carnival ships. As it costs 4.99, I am wondering if anyone has found that it is still working on Princess ships before I buy it. Thank you

Berni

Any obstructed view cabins will be described and sold as such on the princess web site. If it does not say "obstructed", it isn't.

Was this a midship, or forward facing balcony? If forward, did you have a lot of motion (sickness?)

We were in E411 midship on Emerald deck, with an extended angled balcony, so we had very little motion. And although we were under the Skywalk, we were as far below it as you can get, so no one could see in, and we heard no noise from the pool area. It was an "obstructed" cabin, but only by lifeboats below the deck levels, so you could not see straight down to the water. You did have a clear unobstructed view straight out to the horizon. I personally would book this cabin again, I thought it was good value for the money. Anyone who has not seen the regular balconies on this ship can't imagine how small they are - 4 ft wide. It may not matter to some people, but if you want to spend much time there you may be disappointed.

Berni

We had a Deluxe Balcony cabin with the extended balcony for the 16 day Royal Maiden Trans Atlantic, & it was plenty of room for us. It has a loveseat as opposed to a full sofa, but it was fine for watching TV and loved the bigger balcony.

When transiting the canal from FLL to LA, you will actually be traveling northwest to southeast. therefors, most of the day the sun will be on the port side of the ship, and the ship itself will shade the balconies on the starboard side (except at midday). EM

Thanks, this makes sense, and I'm gad I have a cabin on the starboard side. I did a partial transit several years ago and am less interested in the workings of the canal than I am in staying out of the sun.

Berni

While I can't say this with 100% certainty, I believe none of the Dolphin mini suites have covered balconies, only the handful of Emerald ones.

At least that is the case with other ships.

I have looked at the princess site and there is another mini suite D616 available. I suppose I could ring back about this but don't know if that's got any shade.How can I find out which cabins have a bit of shade?

See post #2 of this thread

Which way are you going through the canal?

 

If you are going from LA to Florida, then odd numbers (starboard side) are best.

 

If you are going from Florida to LA, then even numbers (port side) are best.

 

If you are doing a partial, then it doesn't make any difference.

 

Trust me. Done it three times now and booked to do it a fourth time at Christmas 2015.

I am doing a full transit FL to LA. When you say "best", do you mean for view or for shade? I didn't think most of D deck minis had any shade.

Thx!

Berni

I contemplated only getting 1 drink package for two people, as my boyfriend and I will spend most of the time together. I didn't think Princess would object to one person buying two drinks under the same package?

We have cruised and bought the AI package. It is "per person". Getting one package for 2 people is not the intent of the program, and yes, I believe Princess will object to you doing this. There have been many posts indicating that when you go to the bar, you can order 1 drink per card with the AI sticker.

I can say that on the last full day of cruising before pulling into port, the Internet speed is incredibly slow during the day due to everyone trying to check in, print boarding passes, & checking email. People who bought those last minutes specials spent 10-15 minutes trying to log on and get connected, then waiting for sites to load. Log on late nite or early morning for better speed.

No. I don't believe there is an "extra" OBC for booking while onboard. It's the same as purchasing an FCC which is essentially what they are doing when booking while onboard. They get the same $100 deposit and the same OBC as when purchasing an FCC for use later.

17 + Days $125 Inside, $125 Outside, $150 Balcony, $150 Suite

11 - 16 Days $75 Inside, $75 Outside, $100 Balcony, $100 Suite

7 - 10 Days $25 Inside, $25 Outside, $50 Balcony, $50 Suite

3 - 6 Days $15 Inside, $15 Outside, $25 Balcony, $25 Suite

I just talked to the OP on the other thread. She was on the Caribbean Princess in August. Her quote:

"We just booked while we were on board in August and did indeed get additional credit, over and above the FCC for booking on board. I would not mention it if it had not been the case for me personally."

News to me, but I'm going to try it next cruise!!

Berni

We just booked while we were on board in August and did indeed get additional credit, over and above the FCC for booking on board. I would not mention it if it had not been the case for me personally.

Wow! That's great to know. I will def check it out on my Emerald TA coming up in October. Thx!

Berni

To those mentioning the sofa: don't Deluxe Balconies have sofas?

The Royal and Regal Deluxe Balcony rooms have a 2 cushion loveseat, it's not a full length sofa. These are the only 2 ships where Deluxe Balconies have this additional amenity.

Berni

I would go with the mini suite. She had one before and a smaller balcony room may disappoint - even though it is lovely at the back of the ship. Mini = more space, sofa, larger bathroom, & closer to most amenities.

There is usually an additional OBC for booking on board, not a large one, maybe about $50 pp depending upon the cruise.

Buy your FCCs on board, and that's how u get the OBC - but it's the same amount whether you book on board, or 6 months later online. I have never heard of anyone getting additional OBC just for booking their next cruise while still on board. FYI: We were on the Star in May to Alaska and it was exceptional - food, service, condition of ship.

Berni

I am Elite and do understand about the FCCs. What the poster was implying was that you got EXTRA on board credit if you booked your next trip while STILL on board. As opposed to buying the FCCs & booking at a future date. This I have never heard of, and wondered if anyone had experience with this. THX!

Berni

I was in A507 on the Star in May & loved the extra space. Bathroom is the same size but way more room to walk around than a reg interior room. The bed was not next to the door - on 1 side was a nightstand and interior wall. On the other side was a nightstand and the desk/dresser/mirror combo. You could see onto the bed however when you opened up the door. No more noise than any other room I've ever had. I would book again in a heartbeat.

Someone posted on another thread:

"There is usually an additional OBC for booking on board, not a large one, maybe about $50 pp depending upon the cruise"

I have never heard of this, anyone else? Has it always been the case or is it something new?

Berni

Thank you all for your suggestions. Will probably book The Star Princess. We will be onboard The Regal in November. Is it advantageous to book this future Alaskan cruise while we are onboard or is it the same if I just booked it online? I know on Celebrity there is usually a perk or two if you book a future cruise while onboard.

 

 

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There are no extra perks for booking while on board. Buy your FCCs on board and you can book at any time.