My Caribe Deck Balcony was a BIG mistake

[RMM34667]

I have read so many time on here that once you do a balcony you can't go back. I was not swayed by that argument as I have done balconies and still went back happily to my inside.

 

I have mostly cruised insides on Princess, but have cruised balconies on Carnival. But that was when you could smoke on the balcony. I resisted the urge to upgrade on Princess figuring I didn't want to pay for a balcony I could not smoke on.

 

This recent cruise (11/1 - 11/10) on the Caribbean Princess I decided to upgrade for my Mom. She is 80 now and likes to spend more time in the cabin than I do. I wanted her to have a nice place to hang out.

 

We talked this morning - neither of us want to cruise unless we can do THIS balcony.

 

We read, we ate and we entertained on our awesome balcony..

 

We watched the sunset..

 

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We watched the angry seas the night we left Grand Turk. It was appropriate as we learned that night our life long friend (and travel companion) had lost her brother while we sailed..

 

 

 

I'd like to say we had a great 9 days on the Caribbean Princess, but it included such sorrow that I can't. Not only did my sister's best friend for the last 40 or so years lose her brother, but there was another tragedy in my home town. Childhood friends lost their teenage son in terrible random violence.

 

But between those horrible events we did enjoy the Caribbean Princess. I thought the food was great. We did have a few nights where the service did not equal the food we were served. But we were together enjoying great meals.

 

We did a Bungalow in Princess Cays. All my concerns were unfounded. There were facilities quite near by and the beach was right at our feet. It wasn't a beautiful beach, but we enjoyed floating around in our water chairs. The Bungalow was a perfect home base and allowed us to really enjoy the day. BUT.. Princess really needs to work on their return tendering process. There HAS to be a better way than having people line up a mile long to get back on the ship!!

 

Internet was HORRIBLE.. I'm not one of those real seasoned cruisers, but I've done my share of cruises. This had to be the worst internet I've experienced. I usually use all my minutes - and then work on my mother's allotment. This time I was actually able to connect about three times in 9 days. Before our families resorted to calling Princess they tried to get in touch with us through email and facebook. But since I was never able to really connect I did not receive the message that Karen's brother had passed. By the time she learned it was 3 days later. THAT SUCKED.

 

However I will give kudos to Princess. When they informed my friend she needed to call home they stated that the call would be free of charge, and if she needed to make additional calls they would work with her on those. She called home and learned the devastating news. She had to make multiple calls to talk to additional family members. Princess removed the charges for ALL the calls made. Thank you Princess.

 

Casino - I'm not really impressed with the casino host Eva on the CB. She never once introduced herself to me - and I spend LOTS. On the Emerald Roberto introduced himself on day 1 - before I spent a dime on his ship. But Ivan was great - every night he found me to buy me a drink and chat up the day. I did the slot tournament and came out #3 in the qualifying rounds. But I tanked big time in the final!

 

I really did enjoy the Caribbean Princess - despite the tragedies. The night I learned of my other sister's (by a different mother) loss I thought I would never consider cruising again - my uncle died while I was on the Royal last year. But tonight I can't wait to find my next cruise.

 

But it will be in a Caribe Deck balcony!

[JuneauWhatIMean]

Wow, my sincerest condolences on all the tragedies you've endured. But I'm glad you enjoyed your Caribe balcony and that it brought you joy. You certainly deserve it. :)

[crochetcruise]

I have read so many time on here that once you do a balcony you can't go back. I was not swayed by that argument as I have done balconies and still went back happily to my inside.

 

I have mostly cruised insides on Princess, but have cruised balconies on Carnival. But that was when you could smoke on the balcony. I resisted the urge to upgrade on Princess figuring I didn't want to pay for a balcony I could not smoke on.

 

This recent cruise (11/1 - 11/10) on the Caribbean Princess I decided to upgrade for my Mom. She is 80 now and likes to spend more time in the cabin than I do. I wanted her to have a nice place to hang out.

 

We talked this morning - neither of us want to cruise unless we can do THIS balcony.

 

We read, we ate and we entertained on our awesome balcony..

 

We watched the sunset..

 

[/img]

 

We watched the angry seas the night we left Grand Turk. It was appropriate as we learned that night our life long friend (and travel companion) had lost her brother while we sailed..

 

 

 

I'd like to say we had a great 9 days on the Caribbean Princess, but it included such sorrow that I can't. Not only did my sister's best friend for the last 40 or so years lose her brother, but there was another tragedy in my home town. Childhood friends lost their teenage son in terrible random violence.

 

But between those horrible events we did enjoy the Caribbean Princess. I thought the food was great. We did have a few nights where the service did not equal the food we were served. But we were together enjoying great meals.

 

We did a Bungalow in Princess Cays. All my concerns were unfounded. There were facilities quite near by and the beach was right at our feet. It wasn't a beautiful beach, but we enjoyed floating around in our water chairs. The Bungalow was a perfect home base and allowed us to really enjoy the day. BUT.. Princess really needs to work on their return tendering process. There HAS to be a better way than having people line up a mile long to get back on the ship!!

 

Internet was HORRIBLE.. I'm not one of those real seasoned cruisers, but I've done my share of cruises. This had to be the worst internet I've experienced. I usually use all my minutes - and then work on my mother's allotment. This time I was actually able to connect about three times in 9 days. Before our families resorted to calling Princess they tried to get in touch with us through email and facebook. But since I was never able to really connect I did not receive the message that Karen's brother had passed. By the time she learned it was 3 days later. THAT SUCKED.

 

However I will give kudos to Princess. When they informed my friend she needed to call home they stated that the call would be free of charge, and if she needed to make additional calls they would work with her on those. She called home and learned the devastating news. She had to make multiple calls to talk to additional family members. Princess removed the charges for ALL the calls made. Thank you Princess.

 

Casino - I'm not really impressed with the casino host Eva on the CB. She never once introduced herself to me - and I spend LOTS. On the Emerald Roberto introduced himself on day 1 - before I spent a dime on his ship. But Ivan was great - every night he found me to buy me a drink and chat up the day. I did the slot tournament and came out #3 in the qualifying rounds. But I tanked big time in the final!

 

I really did enjoy the Caribbean Princess - despite the tragedies. The night I learned of my other sister's (by a different mother) loss I thought I would never consider cruising again - my uncle died while I was on the Royal last year. But tonight I can't wait to find my next cruise.

 

But it will be in a Caribe Deck balcony!

 

Deepest condolences to you and all your family at the losses you have suffered.

 

On a personal note, I am considering a Premium Balcony on Caribe Deck on the Golden Princess for my 1st Tester Cruise. Your information confirms my gut feeling-thank you for taking the time and trouble to share in the middle of your own concerns.

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[paul929207]

I also am sorry for your loss.

 

We are also spoiled and will always get a balcony

[elliair]

We won't book just any balcony, we'll only book a Caribe balcony. We love the extra space and enjoy every moment we can. Coffee in the morning, wine and cheese at night, nothing could be better! Glad you and your Mom enjoyed it.

[Grammyluvs]

So sorry for for all your losses. You are so right....once you try the larger Caribe balconies, it is hard to go back. We tried going back to a regular balcony and said “No, we were too spoiled. I spend a lot of time on the balcony and love the shade/sun options. Which is my biggest complaint about the new Royal and Regal. Why, oh why did they mess up a good thing.

[sunsetbeachgal]

May your lovely photos and memories provide some peace in the midst of your loss...thank you for sharing.

[kajee75]

So sorry to hear your sad news. We were in a Caribe deck balcony for the 4 day Ft Lauderdale to Cozumel cruise and I have to say that I did love the extra space and the fact that the balcony is half covered but you are still able to sit in the sun if you like. I think in the future I will always choose Caribe.

[Whimsy]

I'm so sorry for your losses during the cruise. It happened to friends of ours on a cruise with us a few years back, a close friend of theirs was killed in an auto accident. Princess did the same for them, allowed them to call home. It was a very sad cruise for them and I don't think they will cruise again but I have to give credit to Princess for what they did for them.

[RMM34667]

Thank you all for the kind words.

 

Here is Mom at the Sanctuary - she is always stylish! Sanctuary didn't work well for her. No elevator? and when she needed to use the ladies room it's back down the stairs.

 

 

Rebecca & Karen

 

 

It was great being in the Atrium when my Brother stepped on board for leg #2.

 

 

And you can't go to Cozumel without stopping at Fat Tuesday's

 

[land lover]

Glad to see you had a wonderful time despite "life." Keep your great attitude and sail in a balcony whenever possible. Mom dose look stylish!

Edited November 12, 2014 by land lover

[Fluke67]

So sorry about your loss, but glad you splurged with your mom. I did the same thing with my 82 yr old mom on the same cruise (first leg of yours-we were in c704) who had never stayed in a balcony cabin. You never know when tragedy will strike and gotta make the most of the time we have here with our loved ones.

[RMM34667]

So sorry about your loss, but glad you splurged with your mom. I did the same thing with my 82 yr old mom on the same cruise (first leg of yours-we were in c704) who had never stayed in a balcony cabin. You never know when tragedy will strike and gotta make the most of the time we have here with our loved ones.

 

Wow We were neighbors! We were in C706. I really really do apologize for the slamming door. Our door never shut correctly from the outside unless you pulled it hard. I came back one night at 1am to find the door open and had to be sure it was shut from then on.

 

I agree - this could be our last cruise - except now I have my heart set on a January cruise that stops in St. Thomas (another sad story). Looking at the Ruby and the Regal - but as someone mentioned the Regal doesn't have the great Caribe deck balconies. So Ruby is my preference!

[RMM34667]

Guess I will share my other sad story.... It really is Princess Cruise related!

 

My parents cruised a lot back in the early 80's.. My sister (Rebecca) sailed with them a few times. Sitmar was there favorite cruise line. One cruise they stopped in St. Thomas. Rebecca and Karen LOVED the island. They both quit their jobs at a Boston news station and moved to St. Thomas when they were told someone was starting up a new station in St. Thomas. Didn't happen. Hugo did but they worked through that after losing everything. Karen met her husband when he came to replace the telephone wires. She left.

 

Other sister (my twin Robin) went down to visit sometime in the early 90s. Met, fell in love and married a local. Had a beautiful baby girl. My niece is now in her early 20s.

 

Hurricane Marilyn happened Rebecca left - wasn't doing that again.

 

My sister got sick - real sick - and depended on the Medical care of a 3rd world nation. Would not come home as she loved her Island Life!

 

Last year on the Royal we did the B2B. First 5 day and following 7 day. Learned my uncle died on turn around day. I asked my Mom if she wanted to go home but she said no she wanted to see Robin. We continued on and visited St. Thomas. Every other visit to St. Thomas she would meet us at Magen's Bay. This time we had to go to her house way up on the hills. I though my sister looked terrible but Mom thought she was doing OK.

 

view from her front door

 

 

My shirt is dirty because I was cleaning her house - she couldn't.

 

 

We visited and had to leave to get back on the ship. I honestly didn't think I would see her again. A few weeks later we got a call from the St. Thomas hospital saying they did not think she would make it through the weekend. (it was the Friday after Thanksgiving) they said she had a blood infection and her body could not fight it off. She did make it through the weekend but was not responding well. We flew down early December. She responded so well they talked about letting us bring her back to the states for treatment - well not really treatment but for hospice care - they don't really have that down there.. We left December 18th and began making arrangements.

 

After we left things went down hill again. She died January 6th 2014. There was no service and she was cremated. My Mom has had no closure. I'd like to be able to bring her back and have some sort of Memorial service - maybe at Megan's Bay. She was married at Megan's Bay.

 

 

Her ashes were spread at Megan's Bay. My niece is named Megan because she loved it there so much.

 

I don't know if I can pull this off. But that is what I am aiming for. We could fly down and try to do something. But I don't really like St. Thomas anymore. Once you get past the palm trees and up into those hills it's ALOT different. I just want ONE DAY there!

[crochetcruise]

Thank you all for the kind words.

 

Here is Mom at the Sanctuary - she is always stylish! Sanctuary didn't work well for her. No elevator? and when she needed to use the ladies room it's back down the stairs.

 

 

Rebecca & Karen

 

 

It was great being in the Atrium when my Brother stepped on board for leg #2.

 

 

And you can't go to Cozumel without stopping at Fat Tuesday's

 

 

The information about the Sanctuary access and Ladies room access is duly noted, EXACTLY the sort of information I'm likely to need. I've noted it's the Caribbean Princess, don't consider the Sanctuary there due to access challenges.

 

Thank you for your generosity in sharing details of your cruising. While most people see things from an able-bodied point of view, amazingly often, someone will comment, as you did, about an observed problem.

 

With the Caribbean being 1 of the ships to have a Mini-Suite with a Handicapped Accessible bathroom, I take particular keen interest in anyone who is cruising on the Caribbean, Diamond, Golden, Grand, Sapphire and Star, stockpiling information for future use.

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[dorisis]

Balconies are nice but the furniture on them is NOT COMFORTABLE!!!

[Maksim]

Balconies are nice but the furniture on them is NOT COMFORTABLE!!!

We are going on a 15-day Hawaii in December and it will be our first time on Caribe balcony. Do they have additional furniture that is not included in the regular balcony since there is more space? For example, are there more chairs, larger table, lounge?

 

Sorry to hear the sad stories related to this post. My condolences.