CruiserBruce

Its not so much about number of pax, but space per pax. There is a formula out there somewhere that calculates this. Someone else will provide it, but I think it compares cubic feet per passenger, or something like that.

Or a longer cruise, or a better cabin. No matter, as always, comparing air fares to cruise fares is a totally false equivalency.

You get up to 1 day credit, per day, for every $300 spending, and they round pretty generously. So, if the HIA was your only purchase you would get at least one day, probably 2.

Flights can be changed at any time, by any airline, for a huge number of possible reasons, some of which the airlines have no control over. Not really any news here.

Gotcha. We use gasoline for B fires in a pan with fire extinguishers. One of the key points is how little dry chem it takes to extinguish a fire.

Still use diesel? Usually natural gas is used because it burns cleaner.

You want to be in the Polaris Lounge, which you are eligible for as a Business Class passenger. Much nicer than the United Club, which you would also be eligible for. Yes, you can stay all day.

If you look around the board there is a huge thread on Rome in Limo. Great company, great service. Highly recommended. Booking for next month? You are quite late in the booking game.

The side of the ship doesn't matter. Scenery is all around you.

@Mary229, it looks like the fire pics are taken in a fire training building. Too "clean" a burn (looks like flashover training going on)...in other words, not enough smoke.

Described very well here, just takes a little looking:

Obviously HAL failed because they didn't know what wines might interest EVERYONE at the tasting...

And I have seen people reacting to emergent situations in all walks of life (35 years in emergency services)....and it ain't pretty.

As the wine tasting is for 4 star Mariners, not sure why somebody who is one star would be invited. Its for eligible people, not per cabin.

How much you tip is up to you...tipping is totally personal, and optional. We have always tipped at the end of our cruise, and at the end of each cruise in a B2B situation.

Kayaking is offered in a number of ports.

The balance due date is usually 75 or 90 days in advance of sailing, although your travel agent may process earlier then that. We did the $1 deposit for a booking for next March 30 when it was offered 6 or so months ago. Our final payment is being processed Dec 17, 2023, by our TA. 100 days out.

As discussed here frequently, it will be cool...probably in the 50s the first day or two, then warm as you approach Hawaii. Pool temps is a cruise line policy and procedure. I would ask on the Princess board about their pool heating policies. Before you ask, it can be a bit rough the first day or two departing the West Coast, and the last day or two returning.

Definition is important here. Not everyone on board with fit in a "lifeboat". But when you add the inflatable rafts, there should be excess capacity...30 or 40% excess capacity.

Space would be a key element. Most people only experience the "tender" side of the operation, when capacity is much less than it will be if an evacuation (100 for tender, 150 for lifeboat, typically, for HAL's lifeboat/tenders), and don't know what it will really be like in lifeboat operations. There are a couple of YouTube videos explaining the real situation in lifeboat operations. But to your point, I am reasonably sure the lifeboats are designed with some excess weight capacity. Physical space requirements are a different issue.

True. There have been many posts here reporting on the change to charging only the amount above the plan cost, plus tip.

Take a look around the board. Every port is discussed in detail. "Must see" is what interests you, not what we say it is.

Agree, yes and yes, but that doesn't need to affect how you dress.

Mostly. Depends on demand for fixed and open. High demand in one can force use of both decks for that type of dining. For example, we had open seating, but due to high demand, we ended up eating on Deck 3 many nights.

I guess one needs to carefully read the tour description to see if it says anything like "time on your own". That might allow you cafe time. Otherwise, to feed you, they will simply take you to a restaurant to feed you as a group.