Live Grand Jan 16 to Feb 13

[montgomeryfamily]

Vickie, thanks for the information. Sounds like you are having a great time except for the beds. But appreciate the forwarning--we are definitely going to bring a bed topper to add to the bed toppers we have already requested from Princess.

 

We have a couple more questions about the theme parties. Did the 80s party also combine with the 70s disco party (almost Village People, etc.). Was there a 50s party/Sock Hop on this sailing or the last sailing?

 

Also, since you have recently been ashore to all of these islands, could you give some advice in regard to the wheelchair accessibility of any of the areas you have been. One of our party is confined to a wheelchair. He can transfer to a taxi, but cannot walk up steps in a small bus. So the Princess excursions are out. Also, beach excursions won't work unless the sand is very hard because can't roll the wheelchair on the beach. So are any of the downtown areas accessible if we go downtown? Is that St Thomas Pirate Ship ferry which goes to downtown wheelchair accessible? I think I've been to Alto de Chevron years ago, but am not sure--the place I'm thinking about had cobblestone/brick type walkways--these are terrible rides for wheelchairs. Am I remembering this area correctly or is it smooth concrete? We appreciate any advice that you can give in regard to potential shore activities.

[obendus]

We can't wait to sail in March but are somewhat concerned with the issue of the "bad bed" issues that many have had. I have a really bad back (bulging L4/L5) and it doesn't take much to set it off. If the beds are so bad, Princess needs to take action and fix the problem instead of relying on the egg crates to try and solve the issues. Have any of you tried sleeping on top of the fluffy douvet covers or do they have those on the Grand?

 

They do have the 'fluffy duvet' covers, but the mattresses are too firm.

This is definately something you will want to address before your cruise.

[Cosmic Rays]

The beds are firm but not that bad!! I tried two on the cruise and I slept like a baby - but then I would wouldn't I, being with 'quiet' Gwenda!!!!!!!!!!!

[obendus]

Vickie, where do you dock in St. Thomas? Thanks so much.

 

 

Let me grab this question Vickie.

OK, the truth is there's no straight forward way to determine this now.

Our January 16th sailing had the Grand scheduled for WICO, but we docked at Crown Bay. Today, the Grand is clearly docked at Havensight (WICO), and was scheduled to berth there.

The best answer I can provide is to check with passenger services when you board the ship, because the schedule provided by 'vinow' isn't accurate all of the time.

[obendus]

Note:

The Pirates! Harbor Tour & Shopping

Tour ID : STT-605 worked well for us, as we were able to seamlessly hop between Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie, and Havensight.

Others on this cruise encountered delays due to the watercraft being full, and had to wait.

I did notice many open aired 'taxi's' mired in the gridlock of Charlotte Amalie, and the journey between these stops had a flat rate of $10 pp for the day.

This is a nice alternatative to using land based cabs.

[yyzatcqq]

Any chance either of you could let me know on the "British Pub Lunch" ala Ruby Princess Wheelhouse bar? If it's not there yet do they know when it's being added?

[chamima]

The beds are firm but not that bad!! I tried two on the cruise and I slept like a baby - but then I would wouldn't I, being with 'quiet' Gwenda!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We have also always slept well.

Colin - We will somehow get you on that "quiet Gwenda" stuff!:D

Just kidding, we really miss you guys!

[Toto2Kansas]

We can't wait to sail in March but are somewhat concerned with the issue of the "bad bed" issues that many have had. I have a really bad back (bulging L4/L5) and it doesn't take much to set it off. If the beds are so bad, Princess needs to take action and fix the problem instead of relying on the egg crates to try and solve the issues. Have any of you tried sleeping on top of the fluffy douvet covers or do they have those on the Grand?

 

As Vickie reported earlier, it seems she started out with two egg crate mattress toppers and is now up to four. This all depends on what you are used to sleeping on and what is comfortable for you.

Staterooms do supply the fluffy duvet covers, hopefully they will help to make the beds more of what you are used to. ;)

[chamima]

We can't wait to sail in March but are somewhat concerned with the issue of the "bad bed" issues that many have had. I have a really bad back (bulging L4/L5) and it doesn't take much to set it off. If the beds are so bad, Princess needs to take action and fix the problem instead of relying on the egg crates to try and solve the issues. Have any of you tried sleeping on top of the fluffy douvet covers or do they have those on the Grand?

 

I also have a bad back (L3/4 bulging,L4/5 ruptured and L5/S1bulging) but again, we have never had a problem. However, after all this discussion I'm ready to order the egg crates for my next cruise!

[chamima]

I also have a bad back (L3/4 bulging,L4/5 ruptured and L5/S1bulging) but again, we have never had a problem. However, after all this discussion I'm ready to order the egg crates for my next cruise!

 

I certainly don't mean to suggest that the beds aren't bad (even horrible) for some people. I just meant to maybe reserve judgement until it's you that it bothers. (This has been an ongoing discussion for all of the years I've been on Cruise Critic, along with the taste of the coffee)

However, it wouldn't hurt to fax Princess (which I really may do, what is the appropriate fax number?) and ask for the egg crate to be put on before you arrive.

 

Did a search and found a number - fax number. It is 661-284-4885

Also found this

Special services Princess Cruises 1-661-753-0182 You need to give them booking number date of cruise and cabin number.I also gave them departure port.

[phabric]

With the slot machines, do you put your S&S card in and you have to make an account or does coins come out if you win?

[cruzzers]

Thanks for the information Toto and Karen. I am sure we will be just fine. We are so looking forward to the warm Caribbean sun and we are usually so tired by the time we hit the sack, we fall right to sleep. We can ask for an extra sheet and sleep on top of the duvet if need be.

[Jeepers385]

Let me grab this question Vickie.

OK, the truth is there's no straight forward way to determine this now.

Our January 16th sailing had the Grand scheduled for WICO, but we docked at Crown Bay. Today, the Grand is clearly docked at Havensight (WICO), and was scheduled to berth there.

The best answer I can provide is to check with passenger services when you board the ship, because the schedule provided by 'vinow' isn't accurate all of the time.

 

Thank you so much for the info.

[ILOVEMEXICO]

Vicki - Just wondering if there is anywhere on board that we can find out what the meals are in the dining room each evening. We want to book the Ultimate Balcony Dining one night and as it's recommended that we book as soon as possible once we board, we would prefer to book an evening when the main entrees aren't our most favorites.

 

Thanks and we have enjoyed cruising with you :)

[MGnut]

We can't wait to sail in March but are somewhat concerned with the issue of the "bad bed" issues that many have had. I have a really bad back (bulging L4/L5) and it doesn't take much to set it off. If the beds are so bad, Princess needs to take action and fix the problem instead of relying on the egg crates to try and solve the issues. Have any of you tried sleeping on top of the fluffy douvet covers or do they have those on the Grand?

 

I know that Toto had problems with their bed on the Grand in January, but ours on the same cruise was OK with just one mattress topper on it. I didn't check to see if it was the old type or the new type, so I can't comment on that. I guess what I'm saying is that it may depend on which stateroom you get, and when the mattresses were last replaced. We were about midships on the Dolpin deck in a mini-suite - if it makes a difference. Anybody know if you can buy a memory foam topper in Barcelona? Thirty days on a concrete bed doesn't sound like fun! Does the Ruby have hard beds too?

 

The idea of an extra duvet to use as a topper is a good one. May have to see if that can be done.

[cruzzers]

I know that Toto had problems with their bed on the Grand in January, but ours on the same cruise was OK with just one mattress topper on it. I didn't check to see if it was the old type or the new type, so I can't comment on that. I guess what I'm saying is that it may depend on which stateroom you get, and when the mattresses were last replaced. We were about midships on the Dolpin deck in a mini-suite - if it makes a difference. Anybody know if you can buy a memory foam topper in Barcelona? Thirty days on a concrete bed doesn't sound like fun! Does the Ruby have hard beds too?

 

The idea of an extra duvet to use as a topper is a good one. May have to see if that can be done.

 

We were on the Ruby in Dec and the beds were somewhat hard but being newer, they were in good shape and we had no problems.

[nycgirl12345]

How much is the mother/daughter massage? There is a Y-generation spa paper located in Remix and / or Lotus Spa. It would help me so much i you could tell me. Have an awesome time on the cruise.:)

[vickie_bernie]

Beds are hit and miss we have heard different comments about new mattresses and they are great, this room we had was a bit bad, but even after four toppers we are still managing - some nights are bad some are okay. It is hit or miss.

 

Sorry I have not seen any pub lunches on board that is only on the Ruby and it's sister ships I believe.

 

Sorry I didn't not attend the 50/60 80s nights so i can't respond to your questions.

 

The question re the dinner themes, once you come on board the table outside of Sabatinis takes reservations for the specialty restaurants and they have all the themes.

 

couples massage is $249 and the single's massage is $119 for 50 minutes.

 

re the casino questions, you can use your s7s card and then you have to put the winning on the card. Yesterday I put $20 in and when I won I had to put the money back on the card, not sure if you could of taken it in coins, as a matter of fact I haven't heard coins fall - but hubby here is saying that you can.

 

We did dock at Havensight yesterday and trust me even the staff on board don't know where we are going to dock until last minute. We found out the night prior at the evening show when the CD announced it. We were disappointed because we wanted to go to Water Island or Emerald beach but chose not to because of the distance. We ended up walking to town early and getting the perfume and then back on board and a relaxing day in the Sanctuary.

 

today we are in La Romana and we are doing the tour to Santo domingo with the ship, our only ship sponsored tour.

 

In St. Kitts the weather didn't cooperate and everyone in our group decided they didn't want to go to the beach because it was overcast. So we took a city tour and it was $20 pp and it was nice but we had seen it all before. And the day was hot and humid but overcast, caution, wear sunscreen as the sun is still very strong. Also we didn't buy anything as we found the prices rather high.

[mississauga]

Sounds like the Caribbean has not been co-operative weather-wise in Jan/Feb. The Lives and reviews have all indicated rain and overcast on many of the islands. Is this typical weather at this time of year?

 

Glad it has not affected your enjoyment of the cruises, though. As your long b2b is coming to an end soon, enjoy and savour the last few days!:D

[GSDsky]

Co-worker just came back from the DR and had 4 solid days of rain out of 7. Hit & miss for sure. Watching the cam of the emerald I say the seas may be a bit rough.

Now to the bedding issue. When on the Grand in Januray we asked stewart for egg crate once we first met and it was there is a flash. No complaints from me and we where on Aloha Deck. No mind you I find that the occassional Coor's Light may have contributed to the nice sleeps.;)

[cruzzers]

Co-worker just came back from the DR and had 4 solid days of rain out of 7. Hit & miss for sure. Watching the cam of the emerald I say the seas may be a bit rough.

Now to the bedding issue. When on the Grand in Januray we asked stewart for egg crate once we first met and it was there is a flash. No complaints from me and we where on Aloha Deck. No mind you I find that the occassional Coor's Light may have contributed to the nice sleeps.;)

 

A good plan...We will make a note to stock up on the Coors Light (my favorite even though we are from the land of Bud) LOL!

[Toto2Kansas]

There's the bed answer! If you get drunk as a skunk every night, you won't care what the mattress is like when you pass out! :D:D:D

 

Nope, won't work for me, as I would feel even worse in the morning! :(

[GSDsky]

Not me? :confused:

Well only once in 14 so not bad.;)

[Toto2Kansas]

Not me? :confused:

Well only once in 14 so not bad.;)

 

 

HUH???????? You have got to be kidding! :eek:

[Carolyn R]

I just returned from 14 days sailing the Caribbean and had no rain except for a few light passing showers here and there.