mtnesterz

I was correct about the information on the website and with what you provided. I did not receive the brochure so I don't know what the brochure says and I suspect this is the difference. I don't know why you are bringing up the Coral. I mentioned the Crown. The Princess website lists world cruises and segments in '25 during January, March, May, June and July. The Crown and Island are listed. So, if you don't like the Island, you have a choice. Or you can wait a year, sail another line or stay home. But you do have choices.

To the original question, according to the Princess website, both Island and Crown are doing World Cruise itineraries in '25. Don't like the Island, you have options.

While someone here may have the answer, your answer would more likely be found if posted on the Ports of Call, Alaska board. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/33-alaska/

To confirm your suspicion, they do shove the two twin beds together and re-sheet them for a queen, then move the end tables to the sides. So to answer your question, were do you want the end tables? Because the mattress will be the same. Queen sized and King sized are different dimensions in different countries, but it's plenty big. We've had both fresh and new, which is pretty good, also dips and lumpy with the so called Princess Luxury Bed. YMMV. Good or bad, it's a foam mattress and sleeps hot. Ask the steward for a blanket instead of the duvet.

If this is all you need, then check your phone plan. With our T-Mobile, we have included international service and on port days, check our messages and if necessary, make calls. Given today's technology, unless someone owns a business and needs to stay in touch constantly, Princess's WiFi prices are absurd. Don't forget to go to airplane mode when re-boarding!

Yes.

1. Show times vary as you mention. Seems like 7:00 and 8:00, but someone will post a Cruise Events Planner and correct me, I'm sure. The shows are 45 minutes long. If you dine early, go straight to the theater because seats fill up. 2. We just use the standard lanyard that comes with the Medallion. It is a very soft, non-irritating material. 3. Yes, you can do early walk off with your own luggage. We do. 4. We are Elite and do not know of any Elite only dining room. There is a Platinium/Elite/Suite lounge before dinner. Maybe that is what you are thinking of. 5 There is a thread about pool temp currently. Funny, I've never been in the pool on a cruise. It could be heated. They sure have enough power to heat them.

Sorry for your loss. Norwegian has single rooms for solo travellers. Oceania offers a deal for solo travellers, but I don't know what it is. There are two widows cruising together on our upcoming, on Princess. How they met I don't know, but I've heard there are websites where people can find travel partners. You might enjoy reading this article. https://travel.usnews.com/features/the-top-cruise-lines-for-solo-travelers

I used to enjoy your posts here on the Princess board and wondered which line you were sailing with now.

I gather you won big time in Vegas. Congratulations! The WiFi cost is either $20 or $24/day. Whichever, but to clarify, it is per device, not per person. You could check your email then log off, and your wife could log on with her device. It's one at a time. In our case, we have T-Mobile and just check our email in ports, free international calls and digitally disconnect while onboard. We don't need WiFi and don't drink alcohol so we don't buy the packages.

Here is another thread. Mentions in post #3 two cruises paid in full with cards.

My guess is supply and demand based on school and college breaks. But since you weren't specific about dates, it will have to be just that, a guess. Pricing by demand. Also, by your wording we're left to think you're on the same ship, the Sapphire. Why would the ships age make a difference in price, if it's the same ship both sailings?

Why don't you tell us what your concern is? I've seen your posts, so you have cruised previously and know the drill. Something is causing you anxiety about boarding, which is very straightforward and I am not seeing it.

Neither. You remind me of our first cruise to Alaska, wanting the ship to be right. It's Alaska. You may find yourself too awestruck by nature at every turn to care. Enjoy your introduction to Alaska. I would prefer you were on a smaller ship, the Coral Princess, but I'm happy for you that you are going.

Well stated by @skynight. Adding you can scroll down to the bottom of this page for a look at the dining options. https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/ships/ip-island-princess

Wherever you are on the ship, you can use your Medallion on the wall panels or Medallion App to find directions to where you want to go. If you are asking for reason of mobility limitation, you could request assistance. That glass switchback boarding ramp in San Pedro could be a challenge for those with limitations.

You are asked not to on those forward facing ones. The slider door doesn't automatically lock, (at least on Regal) but you would be getting the full force of 16 or 17 knots ship speed plus any prevailing winds in your face. Very unpleasant. You're also requested to keep your drapes drawn at night for light reasons.

A passenger can contact the "Dine Line" onboard and get a set table, and server, for each night. Having experienced old and new, I'd suggest to the OP booking dining time and dining room preference, web based, (or the App, if you feel lucky.) By doing things that way, you switch tables, then if you find a server you really like, you can request that range of tables covered by that server each night. Especially post Covid, the level of experience and how personable and attentive wait staff has varied widely.

We were on the Emerald in August. Access to the area has been changed and while the facilities might physically still be there, you must now pay for use, whereas before, it was included in fare.

Following in case this is something new. Haven't printed, used, seen or been asked to present a boarding pass for a Princess cruise for years.

There was a rumor about the Grand transferring to P&O AU. Looking at the Princess schedule though, the Grand is scheduled well into '26. Curiously, the Diamond is off the schedule after August of '25.

The word Sambal translates closely meaning a relish, which different varieties might have citrus, shrimp paste and other ground ingredients. The West by comparison is very limited in chili based sauces. Chili garlic sauce is just that. Sriracha is a style of sauce of sauce originating in Thailand. Funny, you commented on people not knowing different steak cuts. Someone from SE Asia might have said the same about your knowledge of condiments. Enjoying your posts. Hope you're having fun!

There were shuttles our last visit from the ship to the end of the dock. They looked like an extended golf cart. From the end of the pier to town is still quite a walk if someone is mobility challenged. A shuttle from the dock to town? I don't know.

If you can take the spicyness of these dishes, then if they serve Beef Rendang, try it. It is fantastic. As good as I've had in Singapore.

At my age, most family and friends have passed. So to me, those few left are a treasure beyond money. To eshew your family over a small amount of money extended to a stranger, "years ago," disrupted their vacation and still unable to let things go, "to this day," is sad to read. I'm not criticising you, but I'd like to encourage you to find it in yourself to reconcile if possible, because time marches on.