SteelMagnolia9

Thank-you both for the feedback. I would only use it for email, return flight checkin and possibly FB,

I just disembarked the Serenade on Saturday and I found the internet very fast with no issues. Yet I did read the posts of others, who stated it was slow. That was not my experience. I'm wondering if cabin location could be a factor?

I am currently onboard on the last day of a 5 day N.E./Canada cruise. The ship is in good repair and I've received beautiful service by the staff. I would not hesitate to book this ship again for another destination.

No more double points for solos on Royal Caribbean...I sailed the Serenade of the Seas back this past March on an 11 night sailing and did not get the double points.

Email Crown & Anchor. I was on the Empress of the Seas in July to Cuba and they did not credit me double points. I sent C&A an email and it was corrected. Royal Caribbean still gives double points for solos and triple points for a Junior Suite or higher.

But to say you are going on a cruise to help the Caribbean out is nonsense. That money is going in Princess' pocket. This is your vacation and you need to know where you are going. I would never leave my vacation up to the whim of the cruise company. Paul

I agree with you. Monies directed to relief organizations are what is needed most for the islands. Princess may dock at some of the islands impacted by Irma because they are able to do so, but being able to visit the island during the recovery period is another matter. Going to an island that has been recently devastated by a hurricane is not a great situation. There are health and sanitation issues and other complexities that may not be obvious. If I had a cruise booked to the Eastern Caribbean this winter, I would defer to next year and go elsewhere.

It's going to be at least a year before some of the islands are really ready for visitors and I would also include the Florida Keys.

I don't have a cruise booked in the winter season, but have a 10 day Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise booked for May 2018. Before Hurricane Irma, there was an itinerary change from Barbados to St. Marten due to propulsion issues with the Caribbean Princess. Would not be surprised to see one or more itinerary changes. With the propulsion issues along with the devastation on some of the islands, it may be a "No" for me. I'll wait until final payment in Feb. to decide.

In the meantime, I'm doing my own post hurricane cleanup at my home in Florida. Still many in my county are without power and some are struggling with flooded homes and structural damage. It's ugly enough here and I can only imagine the recovery necessary on some of the islands and in the Keys.

I've been following this and the response has been based on preserving its bottom line and not the safety and well-being of the passengers. I am appalled that it would want and even expect anyone with a booking to fly or drive into this area or lose their fare. I have a fully paid cruise in Oct. to NE/Canada, but based upon this corporate response in the face of a state/federal disaster, I will not consider this cruise line when selecting a future cruise.

So, I'm asking, since most of us know what's going on with this ship, we are mostly experienced travlers, why aren't we changing our cruises to others, especially those 9 months away? There's plenty of time to get your money put towards another cruise without loosing a cent If we all would stop booking this ship, they would get the message and get her fixed? If you haven't made final payment, why stay on her?

1. I booked the cruise under the $1.00 deposit promo, so no financial committment up front.

2. I live within driving distance of the port (2 1/2 hours) and don't have to book air or pre-hotel.

3. I'm booked in May 2018 and that is an open time on my schedule to travel.

4. I booked the itinerary for the ports, not just to take a cruise. I still like the itinerary, even with one change in port, as I have not been to four of the six ports on this cruise. I'll be continuing to monitor the situation with the CB up until final payment in February. If there is another port change or times are shortened in ports, I will cancel this cruise.

5. Only planning on one cruise in 2018. Have not researched other available cruises in May 2018 to date.

Hello, I will be travelling solo next summer on the Golden Princess.

 

I don't want to eat dinners alone and I chose the "anytime dining option"

Do any of you know if I can request to sit with a singles table? Or do I have to choose the "set time" dining option?

 

Thanks

I was solo on the Grand Princess (15 nights) in April to Hawaii and had anytime dining. When I went to the dining room, I was always asked by the hostess if I would like to share a table and was seated at a table for 8 with others. I preferred this to traditional dining as I wanted the flexibility to dine at different times based upon the days activities. I enjoyed dining with and chatting with different people each evening. There are no 'singles' tables, although there were two solo travelers luncheons offered on my cruise (I went to one). I was very comfortable on Princess as a solo and have booked another cruise for 2018.

I just checked my personalizer and the credit is not there. The email stated it would be applied to the onboard folio, so perhaps it will be on the onboard statement as a credit.

I received an email this evening that my MAY 1, 2018 cruise itinerary had been changed from Barbados to St. Maarten for the same issues. Receiving a $50 refundable obc as a goodwill gesture according to the email.

I signed on to this shore excursion during my past April/May 2017 cruise. It was an outstanding and beautiful tour. It was docent led and the docent traveled with us from and back to the dock. We were a group of approximately 20 in a comfortable mini-bus. The walking is easy, but would be too much if one has mobility issues as there are some steps and the walking is mainly on unpaved paths. There was no issue with bugs at the time I was there ( I did bring insect repellent with me). There is an included light lunch at a gazebo. Loved, loved, loved everything about this excursion and would give it 5 stars (out of 5).

You've got other cruise lines leaving from Baltimore. ;)

We're now in FL and I miss those opportunities to sail to Bermuda as we have no ships at all doing round trips.

Great place. :cool:

I also live in Florida and have been looking for a Bermuda cruise. Carnival is offering two round trip cruises from Florida in 2018-March 2018 from Jacksonville and October 2018 from Ft. Lauderdale. I am considering the October 2018 cruise and going on Carnival.

I don't plan on purchasing or wearing any 'accessories' to display the medallion.

I have been on three river/coastal cruises with American Cruise Lines: Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis) - 2014, Columbia & Snake Rivers - 2015 and Historic South and Golden Isles - 2016. I have absolutely loved each one and I am booked to leave on Sept. 2nd on the Upper Mississippi on the paddle wheel America. I think it's an unique way to see parts of the US and I love the small coastal ships and the paddle wheel boats as well as the intineraries.

Beginning with my first cruise, I have booked each subsequent cruise onboard as they offer a 15% discount and waiver of port fees if you book while onboard.

I'd be happy to answer any questions, either generally or my experience on the itineraries.

I went with family on RCI Empress of the Seas from Tampa, Fl to Havana & Key West earlier this month and had a wonderful trip. It's a small ship and perfect for the itinerary.

I've started looking at a Bermuda cruise and discovered Princess doesn't sail there, although many others do.

I collect pins from places I've traveled and display them in a beautiful case in my home office.

OP here again. FYI: Just got a response from RC to use a different browser, or use a laptop instead of cell phone or tablet. I am using an Apple laptop and I have tried Mozilla, Google Chrome, and Firefox. Nothing works, And now there are several other threads of people having the same issues. I hope RC is reading these boards. This is unacceptable - especially for people trying to check in for cruises coming up soon!

It's abysmal. My cruise (that I previously had the same issue as you) is July 1st. I tried last night and this morning to log on to their website and repeatedly get a "Sorry, something went wrong" message. I book and manage my own travel and I appreciate how frustrating it is not to be able to easily access a reservation or cruise planner. Unlikely I will consider booking with RC in 2018 unless they resolve their technology issues with their website.

My May 2018 cruise that I booked during the $1.00 deposit promo does not qualify - the cruises that do are June 2018 and onward.

I am the OP. Still can't get into my reservation - for 2 months now. Every time I call, I get a different answer. This is going to be my last RC cruise if this is how they handle problems.

I had the same issue and it is an RC IT issue. Call and speak to IT. They opened a ticket for my reservation and I had the issue resolved in 2-3 days. Like you, I initially received a big runaround, various excuses, and poor customer service.

I haven't been on an extended cruise - but would suggest you engage a professional Home Watch service to pick up your mail. No chance of a neighbor having an emergency, "forgetting" or other issue.

I am going to jump in on Kauai-was on this same cruise-and recommend the "Jewels of Hawaii" shore excursion. It is docent guided through the Allerton and McBryde Gardens which are part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. There is also a stop at Spouting Horn, a blowhole. It was a 5 star excursion (my opinion) with a group of 23 from the ship.

Thanks for your post. This is valuable information for us because we are currently booked on that December 22 cruise for a 14-day Holiday Southern Caribbean cruise. The stated itinerary was Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Martinique & St Maarten. Since HALs website no longer lists this as a cruise I contacted our TA. HAL advises our TA that the ship has been “redeployed”. It is now a 12 day cruise going to Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Havana, Cienfuegos, Montego Bay and Grand Cayman. This is not even close to what we signed up for and the new port of calls have little interest for us. We also already purchased non-refundable air fare for the original dates. Our original booking also included a generous amount of OBC that we’re losing. Our TA is now trying to line up another Holiday Cruise for us. We obviously have a lot of negotiating to do with HAL over this.

Take a look at Princess Caribbean Connoisseuer holiday cruise that also departs Dec. 22nd.

I believe the OP of this thread is actually asking about those booking the 1 day only sale on 5/22 with $1 deposit2. We snagged a 2019 Alaska for a total of $2 which is totally refundable.

If you booked under the Red, White & Blue sale going on, it is actually $100 deposit and states quite clearly that the deposit is NOT refundable. Sorry you read it wrong, hopefully you can make the cruise and not have to cancel.

I did book the cruise under the Red, White and Blue sale for a $1.00 deposit on May 22nd. There was an IT 'glitch' which several others experienced showing a $100 cancellation fee. I called Princess and the issue was resolved. I am happily booked with the $1.00 deposit and am looking forward to the cruise.

Just booked yesterday during Princess $1.00 deposit promo Eastern Caribbean Voyager (10 days), May 1, 2018 on the Caribbean Princess.

I called Princess later this afternoon and was informed my issue was an IT 'glitch'. It was resolved and I am looking forward to my newly booked cruise in 2018.