GoneJohnson

I  have traveled both Princess and HAL and was told the same thing from both.  I am in a wheelchair and through Panamal Canel thought about getting myself a big big fancy sutie.... but was told all cabin doors were 22 inch unless marked handcapped.

Ask about door width whom your trveling.

I am 57 yrs old and was disabled at age 15 a quadriplegic of 42 years. I use an electric wheelchair 24/7. I'm not sure of your medical needs but suggest getting a policy that waives the pre existing condition. Most do this automatically if purchased within 7 days of booking a cruise. They vary.

As mentioned above if you'd need/want medijet services or just a good solid medical policy.

The tripinsurancestore and others also have policies that you can purchase policies that waive the pre existing condition up until final payment date.

All I'll say is I was on the Westerdam 21 days this March and only the PG and Canaletto restruant had a charge. I tried both and everything else from the MDR, Lido Restaurant, room service and more was included in the price...

So if we decide to order room service from the dining room menu, do we order the appetizer and dessert too?

Yes you do. Just finished a long 21 day Panama Canal and we ordered room service more than expected... got it all. We were tired some nights and just ordered in... same good food.

I'm going to take the chance that the seas are calm and my stateroom 5001 will not hit an $1,800 wave = cost to upgrade. I won't mind a wave here n there but do hope it's nothing constant. This will probably be my last cruise so I want it nice... but you never know...

I called and can upgrade to an aft Neptune. I really would love to even without the perks... but for spot on the boat and that deck. Never been in the aft but after reading, reading... I'd love to try it but not for 900/person. I had an aft booked in March 2015 on Celerbrity 16 day but had to cancel because of health... when booking again I saw HAL's awesome 21 day itineairy I just had to do it.

I'll enjoy the heck out of this cruise even with a wave or two...

Wheelchairs electric...

I've seen photos of both rooms had a long thread last spring... I might call and see if midship 8th floor is available.

I booked a suite and have been offered an upgrade. It would be location only as there are no handicapped Neptune's as I understand. I'm in a wheelchair and am booked right in front stateroom SY5001. There is/was a mid ship port side 8th deck handicapped SY Suite that might be a smoother ride, less wind and closer to the ship activities... it was booked last summer but that may have changed. I'll keep 5001 and try it out... I'll experience first hand the pro's and con's of it.

Tell me if I'm making a big mistake... I went through this about a year ago.

okay Thanks, thats what I first understood.

I was reading and found a discrepancy... I wanted to check an SY suite/stateroom does receive double nights to count towards mariner star stats right? or just Neptune suites?

Thanks,

And is on line now reading them. Let's see if we get a response on either thread.

None here yet,

I'm comming into Ft. Laderdale on 10th for a 12th depart...

I am about to do my 3rd a 21 day Panama Canal with HAL March 12th. My first two 7 nights, 10 nights were Princess out of LA USA

I'm in a wheelchair and much of going some where is getting in and out of transportation... the ship I get on and go... it just takes me along. The food, the people, the ship has much to offer if you look... I did not want to get off either of my first two. I do wish I had found this earlier in my life.

I grew up on the ocean of Washington states coast line and spent hours there. I have saltwater aquariums now.

It's relaxing... planning a trip is fun. I did not find this wonder in life a little late. Financially this will most likely be my last... or find/plan a Hawaii off the west coast. I'm in Montana airfare to Florida is expensive. I'll start planning find a poorly located interior room and enjoy the ship all day. I have or will have had 3 nice balcony rooms/suites... but to cruise... I'll sleep anywhere. I'll try to Find a last minute deal... but I hear hard to do with handicapped rooms.

Yes, it's fun.... a real vacation

I recall my first Sapphire Princess cruise and I knew there were 2 "paying" restaurants... but I did not dine at 3 or 4 others that looked fancier... I did not want to look funny or do something wrong. We found plenty to eat...

I made up for it the year after. So now I assume the other restaurants on HAL will be similar and have good food.

I've had my first Panama Canal booked, paid and counting down days about 28/29 left to March 12th a 21 day on Westerdam and HAL so all three will be firsts.

Real happy about the no charge MDR thats how it is every where I've read... maybe not enough.

Getting excited. Book it...

I have been on only two Princess crusies 17 days total. I found the noise people expect for "us novices" was not there. They are quiet no loud motors but I was forward much more. I've read hundreds of pages it's things like a restruant or bar or bar with music above you or below you... other ships services, busy hallways, loud people at night are all louder/worse than I ever thought the ship was.

Someone here will know that ship and maybe reccommend a better area or deck on that ship for noise.

Good luck, have fun

This thread is full of encouraging information. My husband moved to heaven in August. I did not want to be alone Valentine's Day. So I booked a cruise out of Galveston that day. It is not a single cruise, but the people who joined the online meet and mingle thread have been welcoming. I love just meeting people and learning about them. I think I will be just fine on board and on excursions. It is just a matter of stepping out and doing something new.

Yep,

I here you on how many days to cruise depending on distance going and coming. Being from California I would only do 7 days going to Mexico (no thankyou) a west coast cruise or Alaskan. That is it! 2 weeks is worth it for us to travel to and fro!

How about a cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, Polynesian islands

I booked my next HAL cruise I asked for a price that included everything HBC, taxes, fees, port charges, transfers anything/cost. That's how I got mine paidall up ... a little late for you now.

I was on the Sapphire Princess in 2014 and 2014 both to Mexico. I chose anytime dining both crusies and I don't recall any restrictions anywhere. There might be differences or things might of changed since Spring 2014. I am sure someone will know for sure and post back.

I found beer everywhere.

I am no expert 2 Princess cruises and a HAL 21 day Panama in 50 days... Excited

Everyone on the boards here say come in a day early... what if plane delays, or other... if you come in the day of cruise leave early.

Myself I need a wheelchair and the cruise companies provide "at cost" transportation. I am sure your cruise line willl pick you up and the airport and deliever you back if needed. - call them, it's little or no fee. A bus service. I saw it on both crusies with Princess. I hear other people talking about having the cruise company transfer you. You can call a taxi also - expenses will vary.

Yes, one 750ml bottle of wine per person after that it's an 18.00 dollar corkage fee per bottle.

I had my first cruise when I was 53 and I'll do probably my 3rd or last cruise in March the Panama Canal. I so wish I'd of discovered this life in my 20's or early 30's and would have gone more. I was having to much fun to think about being sea sick.

Look at about post 170 here... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=48608549#post48608549

Only two cruises on Princess but soon this March on HAL a 21 day Panama Canal cruise. I was looking and asking for the same... it's there buried. Just in last 2 or 3 days there was talk or new posts in new to HAL and the 21 day a March 12th cruise thread.

Copied from HAL Site

Signature Beverage Package*

For our guests 21 years of age or older, we offer the convenience and value of paying one price per day for beverages enjoyed during the course of their cruise. Choose from:

A variety of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails (including non-alcoholic) from our many lounges, bars and restaurants

After-dinner coffee drinks from the Explorer’s Lounge; made-to-order espresso drinks from the Explorations Café

Refreshing sodas and beverages poolside

I found out it's for drinks under 8 bucks USA. A 15 day limit. I never read or found if per person or cabin. Person I assume. On the 21 day it was about 1,100 bucks 54-55 dollars a day.

Enjoy yourself... :D