SteelMagnolia9

It is called Captain's Circle party and is attended by Platinum and Elite Members.

On every cruise there is this party unless you are on the small 3 or 4 day cruises, then it isn't done.

There is something for repeaters at the lower levels too but don't know happens at those parties.

I’ve been to two of the lower level “parties”. There was music, some introductions of staff and everyone received a voucher for a free drink to be used anytime during the cruise on the way out. I liked receiving the voucher to use when I wanted vs. just passed drinks in the afternoon or morning.

Update: I recently cruised on the Grand Princess and this time the person conducting the trivia had no problem asking over the mic on my behalf. Apparently it just depends on the particular ship and/or staff!

How was the Anytime Dining for you on this cruise? Did you have a good experience?

Call the airlines and ask to speak to a representative in their disabilities department (or similar). They should be able to assist you in resolving the issue.

If you are traveling with a person who needs special assistance, this should be your first call.

I’ve had all positive experiences on Royal Caribbean.

I have two cruises booked in 2018 - one with Princess and one with Royal Caribbean.

Have a great time.

 

What's really interesting to me is that people even ask why someone is alone. I'm betting nobody ever asks why somebody is traveling with others, right? Perhaps the people asking are afraid of solitude themselves. Perhaps they've never met anyone who embraces the freedom that going solo can provide. Who knows? I only hope I don't get asked. My answers are complicated, both positive and negative. Probably most people have truths that are complicated.

 

Have you ever been asked why you are alone? Like, is that actually a thing on cruises? I can't think of any other context in which I would be asked why I am alone, and I'm a little nervous about it now. Thanks for sharing your experience -- I'm interested!

I’ve been asked (occasionally) on cruises if I’m traveling alone and why. If asked, it’s generally at dinner when I turn up solo and I take it as others just trying to make conversation, no more than, “where are you from”? “I enjoy solo travel” or “None of my friends or family were available to travel with me” moves the conversation forward. No one really wants (or needs) to hear anymore than that, particularly if you are seated with a group in open dining for just one evening. Don’t overthink it and just have a great time.

Have not sailed solo with NCL POA to Hawaii, but went solo to Hawaii on the Grand Princess in 2017 and had a wonderful time.

Last April (Hawaii cruise), I stayed comfortably in my hotel room until noon checkout, then taxied to the ship. No line for check-in, then was seated in an area where my group was called in approx. 20 mins. Easy and my status was Gold, no priority boarding.

I’ve had high tea at the Empress. It’s lovely. You definitely should obtain a reservation in advance or risk being turned away.

What was the itinerary? Embarkation port? I know this is a west coast cruise.

I’ve been solo on Royal Caribbean and only received the double points. I did receive an unexpected free upgrade for my upcoming May 2018 Princess cruise from a BF (forward) balcony to a BA (midship) balcony; however, the cruise wasn’t selling well at the time (it is a 10 day Caribbean cruise) and I do not believe my solo status was the reason I was upgraded. Just luck of the draw and the first time I have received an upgrade.

You probably never have to wait to be seated. They love flexible people who want to sit together. It makes things go faster for them.

And for the other cruisers, no one has to put up with me for more than one dinner. One and done.

In that case there are plenty of large tables & cruisers who are more than willing to talk all night about their adventures. :)

I usually opt for a large table in Anytime Dining. Travel, for me, includes the interesting people I meet along the way.

Not to sound snotty but I know everything that's being offered on the ship & don't care to have conversations about much else. After many trips on the same ship there's not much that you don't know get to know.

I don’t cruise much, but I am well traveled and I enjoy talking about travel as well as learning more from the experienced cruisers about the ship and upcoming ports that I’ve not been.

Save your money for your honeymoon and book a suite.

I know you don't want "woulda, coulda, shoulda" but always print out your Travel Summary. That's your documentation/confirmation that whatever your ordered or paid for is in the Princess system.

After reading your post, I printed out my Travel Summary to be sure everything to date was correct for my cruise. Yes, it was and thank you for the reminder.

Reading some of the comments on this thread, some are not very kind to the OP. Instead of being welcoming, unkind comments run people off the forum, leaving just the ‘regulars’ here to chat among themselves.

OP - Sorry this happened to you. On my first Princess cruise, I was supposed to receive a specialty dinner as part of a Princess promo when I booked. When I boarded, guest services said they had no record of it and would have to contact corporate. I checked back a couple of times and the response I received each time was they had not heard back from corporate. The 7 day cruise went by and I never did receive the specialty dinner. I wasn’t out any money since it was part of a Princess promo, but it was disappointing not to have received it. I hope you have a better experience next time.

Pick a cabin that is within your budget. No reason to come home with debt from your honeymoon.

What is planned for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?

I think some people just stay despite not having overall positive experiences because their status on a particular cruise lines loyalty program makes them feel like they are ‘somebody’ and not just ‘anybody’. We all read “I’m ______

(fill in loyalty level) and am unhappy with my recent experiences on ______ and want ______ (fill in cruiseline ) to change/do something about this cutback/etc. The feeling of being a ‘somebody’ and having a less than positive experience overrides trying a new experience and being ‘anybody’ for them.

I still like Royal’s product and have one cruise booked in October 2018 to Bermuda with them as well as one with Princess to the Caribbean in May with an itinerary I like. Royal offers a solid mid-market cruise that meets my price point. I’m not “loyal”, but I do look at their offerings along with some other cruise lines when I’m deciding on a cruise. I’m all about the destination, then I look at cruise lines in my price point. The cruise lines loyalty programs don’t factor into my decision making at all.

I received an email today regarding this with an opportunity to prepay the gratuities now at current rate.

I appreciate your update on St. Thomas. It is on the itinerary for my May cruise. Looking forward to more reviews on the impacted islands as progress is being made.

@all - I always buy the Princess water package. 12 bottles for $6.90 - required to be paid and reserved online in advance - waiting in my cabin when I arrive. Easy to grab a bottle from the frig to take on shore.

If buying water from a street vendor, make sure the bottle is properly sealed and is not ‘reused’ and filled with tap water.

And yes, as the final hours of this Christmas Day are winding down, and as I am trying to unwind, I wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Were the lines extremely long in the terminal as just about everyone off of the cruise ship would need to exchange currency.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

It was very fast and efficient as there are many currency exchanges in the same area of the terminal. The wait is minimal. If you are from the U.S., do get some CUC’s as some shops, etc. do not accept U.S. currency and you won’t be able to use a credit card.

I heard that the Cuban people love American baseball caps and I was thinking of bringing a few for our tour guides as gifts. Does anyone else no anything about this or have any suggestions?

I was in Cuba in July (with Royal Caribbean). Tip your guides in cash, preferably CUC’s. You can exchange currency in the cruise ship terminal. Cash is always welcome. Don’t assume your guide wants or needs hats, toiletries or other gifts. I had two guides while in Cuba, one was a retired Cuban airline pilot and the other a retired university history professor. Both extremely knowledgeable and professional and I can’t imagine giving either toiletries or a hat as a tip or gift. Cash is always appropriate and the perfect thank you for good service.

Several months ago (and before Hurricane Irma), Princess canceled Barbados and substituted St. Maarten on my 10 day Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise this coming May. Received a $50 goodwill credit for the change due to propulsion issues. I’m prepared that they could still make other changes before or after final payment or we don’t make a port while on the cruise.