jcaz14

On 11/12/2022 at 9:28 AM, HBCcruiser said:

SCORE!! I just won $250 via Princess Prizes! I opened my door and won. Guess it’s time to shop!🥳😜

 

Congratulations! Forgive my ignorance, my first time on Princess in Dec. Is this random? Did you enter a drawing or raffle? Any tips for newbies is appreciated. 🙂

Just now, jcaz14 said:

Hi Daniel-

Thanks for your expertise! How does one request the distilled water? I have looked in the website and can't seem to see it!

Thanks in advance!

Well heck, just found it under check in/dietary restrictions.  Thanks again!

On 7/29/2022 at 12:34 PM, Daniel A said:

I would bring my own extension cord as there is a limited number available from the steward.  Also, in the cruise personalizer under the Check In button at the top, you should be able to see a link for Dietary Requests.  You can request distilled water at no charge and the steward should have it in place in your Cabin when you arrive.  If you forget to pre-order the distilled water, just ask your steward and it will be brought to your cabin.

Hi Daniel-

Thanks for your expertise! How does one request the distilled water? I have looked in the website and can't seem to see it!

Thanks in advance!

On 7/28/2022 at 3:18 PM, Mike45LC said:

You can grab the glass-bottom boat trip to the Arch (with a drive-by of Lover's Beach, Divorce Beach, the stinking sea lion colony and Medano Beach) from the dock as soon as you get off the tender.  No need for reservations or advance ticketing.  Hordes of locals selling these boat rides.

 

I don't find much else of interest in Cabo.  For drinkers, there is the Giggling Marlin and Cabo Wabo. Some people enjoy the "glass blowing factory" but to me, that is simply a blown glass store.

 

The standard Mexican tourist shops seem to be a bit more expensive in Cabo than in the other ports.  But we sometimes kill some time "shopping" in the stores around the Marina, in case something strikes our fancy.

 

I hope someone chimes in with boogie boarding and surf lesson tips.

 

Hi Mike. We are considering doing a boat ride to the arch and whatever other stuff comes with it. Any suggestions as to how to proceed into the 'hoards of locals' to arrange this? Are they all the same?

Having never been to either Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta, any suggestions for beach time there? Should we book a resort? If so, can we do it there or only before we embark? Are the public beaches crowded? Clean? Safe? We are sailing on Royal Princess in March. Obviously a Mexican Riviera Newbie, so any tips are appreciated! 

Go to Beach Place. It's a mall with shops, CVS, restaurants, bars, and restroom, across the street from the beach. This way you'll have access to whatever you need for the day. The trolley will only pass by about 2-3 miles of beach before turning up Sunrise Blvd.

Boom! Sharon, you're a rock star! That is so helpful. Thank you for the reply and info.

We will be in Fort Lauderdale for the first time next week. We plan to take the trolley from the hotel to the beach. With 23(ish) miles of beach, where should we go? We have a whole day prior to our cruise and want to spend it wisely. Is there anything else that we shouldn't miss in that area?

Thanks in advance!

You totally described me! From the anxiety, to the giddiness & excitement! I am sailing on Majesty in 11 days! YAY! Pretty darn stoked! This will be my first time on her, so I am loving your review and excited to read more.

Thanks for sharing!

We stayed at the Days Inn Cocoa Beach on Atlantic Ave last Fall. Nothing fancy, but we didn't need fancy!

We had a 2nd floor room with a balcony. There aren't elevators, but it was only one floor up, so no big deal. The room was fine: All we needed were 2 beds and a bathroom. No "WOWs", but it was clean and quiet.

On Saturday night and Sunday morning we walked to the beach. The hotel is right next to the pier. The kids played in the water and collected shells.

Breakfast was basic, but fine. Checkout was quick and easy. Price was reasonable. Staff was super nice!

The location was perfect. 1. Right by the Cocoa Beach Pier 2. A Circle K is on the way to the port to to get a soda and gas up before returning rental car . 3. Close to the rental car agencies. 4. Lots of fast food nearby for a quick bite. 5. Very close to Port Canaveral for a cruise departure.

As for the parking, we parked right in the lot beneath our room, no problems, but it was just for one night.

This was a great place to crash before a cruise, if the price was right, we'd stay again.

Jcaz - yours sounds like a classic upgrade possibility. Call your TA.

Thanks, Matt. Sure enough. Upgraded to oceanview! Boom!

If you are booked through a TA, will they go to bat for you? I have an inside cabin, and now an oceanview is cheaper.

I just wondered if others have seen any patterns. I agree it's just being diligent and periodically checking. It seems, though, that some rates drop when it's closer to departure. However, supply and demand is definitely a factor, and you don't want to assume anything and find out that there are no cars available or that the hotel is sold out, or that the prices have skyrocketed. I have learned that there are a lot of options and variances in prices, it's just doing the homework and taking the time to compare and check.

A couple months ago I booked a hotel and rental car post cruise. Today I checked and found a rate $20 cheaper (from Budget to Dollar) for the rental car and then $12 cheaper same hotel. So I cancelled Budget and the hotel then reserved Dollar and re-booked the hotel. Both were able to be cancelled without penalty. Obviously, it's not a huge amount, but it's not a nickel either. Is there a better time than others to book the hotel and or the rental car? I'm going to check weekly until my cruise at the end of September to see any price drops.

Hi Kristin-

We're doing about the same thing, but coming from AZ (on a red-eye... YUCK! But we have an extra hotel day to recover pre-cruise)

We're staying at Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port in FLL. They have a free shuttle from the airport. Then we'll take QLS, SAS, or MJS (haven't decided) to the Miami Port on Monday morning. I like the idea of the shuttle drivers who know where they are going to deal with the construction, tolls & traffic. Well worth $30 (for 2).

I've been in touch with the Comfort Suites manager & she is very helpful. Rates are very reasonable.

Good luck & have fun!

We have only cruised a few times and have only been in inside cabins. Ignorance is bliss? Maybe. But we have loved every minute and don't have a problem with the interior rooms. We cruised with the whole family (Dad, Mom, 3 kids) in a basic interior room. One of our best family vacations ever. We spent a lot of time together in tight quarters, but we go on vacation to spend time together, not to avoid each other. We laughed a lot and made some great memories.

Whatever your preference, if you go with a good attitude, it's bound to be successful. Enjoy!

Hey tidygirl-

You sound like a great mom. Stay strong! Remember he has his agency and just like you taught him when he was 5, there are consequences (good and bad) to your choices.

Good luck! Your job is to keep it together and have an awesome time despite his decision! 30 years is certainly something to celebrate!

For whatever it's worth- I've booked Budget for our next cruise out of Miami. I had questions similar to yours and just emailed them through their website. Within a day or two, someone replied.

Good luck!

jcaz14

 

If you don't mind me asking, what rental car agency did you use? How easy and timely was your drop off? Do the shuttles to the port really run every 20-30 minutes?

 

Did you use a rental car upon your return to the port as well? How does that work?

Hi Nadersmom-

We used Avis. The drop off was so simple. Avis is just up Atlantic Ave from the hotel. First, we stopped for gas and beverages at Circle K, then Avis is just across the street. We waited for a shuttle for about 10 minutes and we were on our way. We considered having my husband drop the kids, luggage and me at the port then go back to drop off the car, but we wanted to stay together and it was perfect. I loved the excitement of the first view of the ship! I was glad to just take pictures and not have to be the co-pilot. The driver dropped us right off at Freedom of the Seas. Piece of cake. We were on the ship by noon.

Now, when we returned to port, it wasn't as great. Not bad, just not as great. Where the shuttle picks you up is at the far end of the shuttle area, so you have to walk a bit. This time, we waited for 30-40 minutes. We wondered if anyone was ever going to come. Finally! PS: there's nowhere to sit. When we got to Avis lot, we waited again. We had reserved a full size car, but they didn't have any, so it was our choice of a SUV or a mini van. Both upgrades, but not necessarily what we wanted. My husband chose the SUV, but it was a land yacht that ate a lot of gas. All in all, it worked out fine, but I'm glad we weren't in a hurry.

Would I recommend them? Sure, but bring some patience. We got a good deal, so I'd use them again.

Hope that helps!

It really depends on what you're looking for. We stayed at the Days Inn Cocoa Beach on Atlantic Ave. Nothing fancy, but we didn't need fancy! If you have a rental car, this is a great option!

We had a 2nd floor room with a balcony. There aren't elevators, but it was only one floor up, so no big deal. The room was fine: All we needed were 2 beds and a bathroom. Nothing fancy, but it was clean and quiet.

On Saturday night and Sunday morning we walked to the beach. The hotel is right next to the pier. The kids played in the water and collected shells.

Breakfast was basic, but fine. Checkout was quick and easy. Price was reasonable. Staff was super nice!

The location was perfect. 1. Right by the pier 2. A Circle K is on the way to the port to to get a soda and gas up before returning rental car . 3. Close to the rental car agencies. 4. Lots of fast food nearby for a quick bite. 5. Very close to Port Canaveral for a cruise departure.

This was a great place to crash before a cruise.

Thanks Capriccio- Sounds perfect! That is so helpful!

Yep, I read that October is not the best time to visit, but it's when we're there, so we'll give it a shot & hope for the best. If I see one alligator, it's more than I've ever seen! I see plenty of roadrunners & coyotes- go figure, not many gators in AZ.

I just looked up Robert Is Here. Love the story! Unfortunately, it looks like they are closed in October. BUMMER! The key-lime milk shake sounds fantastic! Good to know for the future, though. Thanks again for your response!

Thanks to both of you!

Would you recommend one viewing area over the other? I have been to the website and both sound just like what we're looking for.

Concerning the tolls: we are renting from Budget. I went to the Sunpass website, sounds like it would just be in the car, then they just take a pic of the license plate and bill Budget. Sounds easy enough.

Thanks again!

We will be getting off our cruise the first week of October at Port of Miami. We will be renting a car and are planning to see "The Everglades" as we have never been to South Florida and have 1 1/2 days before our flight leaves from FLL. We'll be staying one night in Miami.

Locals and experts unite...... I need your assistance.

I have read Tripadvisor, and searched CC, but wondered what my CC friends specifically suggest. A lot of the options seem pretty "tourist trapish." It's just my hubby and me- 40 somethings- and nothing too spendy- dang budget!

Lastly, I'm from the West and not used to toll roads. In that neck of the woods, what can I expect? When we were in Orlando area and I just kept plenty of singles and quarters on hand.

Thanks!!

Yay! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! Enjoy, you deserve it!

My hubby and I are sailing on Majesty in September to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Please post a review and tell us all about it!

Have an amazing cruise!

After having the strawberry bisque as an appetizer, my husband requested it for dessert. Of course, Chester brought it with a smile! YUM!

Absolutely! We brought 2 "tubes" that I bought for $4 at the end of last summer. It was perfect! I figured it was cheaper to bring them, then just trash them at the end. We ended up having room and so we deflated and brought home. I'm using them at Coco Cay next time.

Labadee is a blast! Have fun!