mtnesterz

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.

We've been on sailings where the CD Staff is good about putting them out, then cruises none to be seen. On the Grand about a year ago, they were hit and miss. You could ask on the current thread where the AC is out on the ship, but unless you're embarking soon, would still open to question. Depends on the staff. I bring a book because the staff puts out puzzles without knowing level. One Sudoku may be child's play, the next diabolical.

How would they know if they need to turn cash tips in, since they do not know who is in the auto tip and who opted out? And if they did know, who and how would police turning in cash tips as a policy? I am not disagreeing with you, in fact I like what you wrote. But I cannot offer anything to prove my opinion. By your standard, you should rightly document what you are saying. There is a lot of heresay about this. What can you offer?

Interesting reading because of your wording, which didn't specify any one disease or manifestation. So what we're reading is people's present level of concern for disease which is on their mind at the moment. Posters all chose vector caused disease with contact transmission mostly. Norovirus would be an example. Some mention of airborne, Covid, flu, colds. You ask what is in our control. So responding to that question, not vector caused, controllable, are those physical and psychological diseases resulting from overconsumption of alcohol, overconsumption of foods, salt and sugar, gambling beyond gaming just for fun.

I think it will become worse on the Sun and Star with all those sphere shaped glass panels reflecting sound back into the Piazza. One more reason we'll never sail that class ship.

You'll probably need this: https://salessupport.princess.com/route_sector_change_request

We were on the Emerald this past August. Would not sail the Emerald again for being too crowded and the Caribbean would be worse space wise. Mostly though, it was not being maintained. Just too many things didn't work. Not age of the ship, just keeping up with things. The Enchanted would not have the obstructed ocean view cabin you want, but then, neither did the Discovery you were on, which you say you enjoyed. Agree, you've got a tough choice to make.

What if you were on excursion in Japan or Singapore or other country where tipping is not the custom, if not officially frowned upon, would you still follow Princess' recommendations? I suggest you travel internationally. When you do, you see how crazy (your word) the American tipping thing is. It's a gratuity, not a service charge. Large, small or none, it's your choice.