SteelMagnolia9

I booked a May 2018 cruise this morning with a $1.00 deposit that was also a Red, White and Blue sale cruise. The $1.00 deposit is great, but....and this got past me...there is a $100/pp cancellation fee in the cancellation schedule if you cancel after booking today on a Red, White and Blue sale cruise. I'm not sure how this got past me, likely in my enthusiasm to only book with a $1.00 deposit...just an FYI for those booking today under the $1.00 deposit promo.

I saw another post about the 100.00, but if you've only paid 1.00, where are they going to get the other 99.00 from?

I assume should I call and cancel, they will require me to pay the $99 at that time based on the cancellation schedule.

Eastern Caribbean Voyager (10 days) - Caribbean Princess - May 2018

I booked this morning for May 2018 under the Red, White and Blue sale for a $1.00 deposit. Unfortunately, I realized too late that there is a $100 cancellation fee (per person) after booking if you book and put down a $1.00 deposit under the Red, White and Blue sale...so although it's only $1.00 deposit, it is $100/pp if you cancel after booking....I totally missed this one...It is a bit tricky on the part of Princess, but the booking is on me....it got by me in my enthusiasm to book earlier than I usually would for only $1.00...

Advantage Princess....

I did not pay close enough attention and booked a red white and blue.. and yes I see a cancellation fee...really bummed as the fare is quite high..my bad...but also a tricky on their part. dang

I also booked a cruise this morning for May 2018 under the Red, White and Blue sale for a $1.00 deposit. Unfortunately, I realized too late, as you did, that there is a $100 cancellation fee after booking if you book under the Red, White and Blue sale...so although it's only $1.00 deposit, it is $100 if you cancel after booking....I totally missed this one...I agree it is a bit tricky on the part of Princess, but the booking is on me....it got by me in my enthusiasm to book earlier than I usually would...advantage Princess....

So you say, "The title of this thread had Elvis in it. What is that about?"

 

There was an Elvis sighting on board. He picked our cruise for a comeback tour, starting with his audition for the Voice of the Ocean. Here, he waives to fans as he strolls through the Piazza.

 

 

But more on the Voice, later in the report.

 

 

 

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I saw Elvis in the Michelangelo Dining Room two evenings. I couldn't decide if he looked like Elvis or a 70's Johnny Cash. Maybe the blonde thought you were Mark Harmon?

I'm considering the Eastern Caribbean Voyager cruise in either May or September 2018, just not going to book it now or anytime with a required non-refundable deposit. I've been on a Princess cruise in 2015, 2016 and just recently in 2017. No flying expense involved for me on this one and I've really enjoyed the overall experience on the previous cruises. Several new ports for me as well.

How was the food quality? And did you eat at other venues (buffet, etc.)? I'm not worried about the "solo" aspects of dining, but I am concerned about quality.

 

And what did you do in the Hawaiian ports? Did you do excursions? Or just go it on your own?

 

Thanks! :-)

Dining: The food in the MDR was good. The Norman Love Chocolate Journeys desserts were to die for...

Horizon Court (buffet) was average. I had dinner there two evenings and a few breakfasts - nothing special.

I did not eat in the two specialty restaurants, Crown Grill (steakhouse) and Sabatini's (Italian). There is a $29.00 charge for these restaurants. Crab Shack was offered at least once during the cruise for $29.00 and I believe it was held at one end of the Horizon Court. It was seafood and I did not participate.

Prego serves pizza by the slice-very yummy- and is outside on Lido Deck. Alfredo's on Deck 5 also serves pizza with table service. I did not try the pizza there. No charge for Prego or Alfredo's.

International Café on Deck 5 served sandwiches, salads and pastries. It was delicious and I stopped by occasionally for a light lunch or snack. Open 24 hours and no charge.

Once each week, there was a British Pub Lunch in the Crown Grill. I did not attend. The bangers and mash sounded good the first week, but one can only eat so much! No charge.

Afternoon Tea was served daily 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. I went to one tea service during the cruise and loved it.

Trident Grill - Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, fries, etc. outside on the Lido deck. Never made it there.

Shore Excursions: I went on shore excursions in each port in Hawaii. They were all excellent. If you plan to go to the USS Arizona, book it before you arrive onboard. All of the excursions with a visit to the USS Arizona were sold out in advance and were not available onboard (I had booked in advance). Most of the shore excursions did sell out on this cruise.

Aloha! I returned this week from a 15 day cruise to Hawaii on the Grand Princess from San Francisco. This cruise was exceptional. It was my first time to Hawaii and one of the loveliest cruises I have been on. The service was outstanding. The ship, although older, had a comfortable feel. My cabin was on Caribe Deck (Deck 10), one of the cabins with a larger balcony. I had reserved Anytime Dining which allowed me to go to the Michelangelo Dining Room at anytime between 5-9 p.m. The hostess at the dining room always asked if I was willing to share a table and each night I went to the dining room, I was seated at a shared table for 8. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with different tablemates each evening.

There was a solo travelers event with a member of the cruise director's staff the first evening at 6:00 p.m.; however, I did not attend as I wanted to take photos during the sail away going under the Golden Gate bridge. There were two solo travelers luncheons held during the cruise, one the first week which I attended and another the second week which I did not attend.

There were many Hawaiian-themed activities on board, destination lectures and Hawaiian Ambassadors, a husband and wife (Brian and Rowena) who led most of the Hawaiian fun aboard the ship.

The entertainment was excellent. I went to more than half of the production shows and really enjoyed the Princess singers and dancers. There was a variety of entertainment going on in the evening in the different venues. Lots of choices of activities to do onboard (or you could do nothing at all). The best part of the cruise, of course, for me, was visiting Hawaii!

I had such a good experience that I purchased a Future Cruise Deposit while onboard and plan to sail again with Princess in 2018. I just have to decide where...

Leaving Sunday on the Grand Princess to Hawaii for 15 nights. Flying out to San Francisco tomorrow!

This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four. - Mark Twain

Princess provides solos two cruise credits for each cruise.

I cancelled this morning my March 3, 2018 cruise on the N. Amsterdam, 7 Day Tropical Caribbean/O Magazine cruise.

Thank you for originally posting this.

I'm looking at this trip for Spring 2018. Please post a review when you get back. Took a 3wk/5 island Amex land trip to Hawaii yrs ago. Was wonderful & have always hoped to go back. I think the Grand has recently been refurbed. I went on it about 5 yrs ago. Was a lovely ship & had a great time.

I definitely will. I leave the last week in April for 15 days, so look for my review mid-May (Solo on the Grand Princess to Hawaii).

I'm looking at this trip for Spring 2018. Please post a review when you get back. Took a 3wk/5 island Amex land trip to Hawaii yrs ago. Was wonderful & have always hoped to go back. I think the Grand has recently been refurbed. I went on it about 5 yrs ago. Was a lovely ship & had a great time.

I definitely will. I leave the last week in April for 15 days, so look for my review mid-May.

She is putting out feelers about running for the Presidency.

I read about this yesterday and I am booked on an O Magazine cruise in March 2018. I am now considering cancelling my booking. I was looking at this cruise as relaxing and spa-like with some unique offerings (speakers, special guests, food, etc.), but if she is going to be a political candidate (for any party), I'm no longer interested.

Not to worry. Those listed activities have always been onboard options on HAL ships. Not new or special offerings, just part of the usual offerings. Some through the Fitness Center, the Library or the culinary demonstration studio. Onboard religious services of various denominations again have long been a HAL signature, so I assume guided meditation would fit right into that category too. Welcome to HAL.

Thank you for the welcome. I'm not completely new to HAL. I was on the maiden voyage of the Nieuw Amsterdam in July 2010 and I'll be returning to the Nieuw Amsterdam (and HAL) in March 2018 for the O cruise. Just a coincidence that it is the same ship...I'm very much looking forward to it.

And I think many would want the opportunity to be immersed in things such as meditation, tai chi, healthy cooking, book club activities and such.

It appeals to me and I am booked on one of the O Magazine cruises. I'm very much looking forward to the special offerings onboard during the cruise.

I'm not trolling, I swear! How is she polarizing? I seriously never knew people didn't like her

I am also surprised that most of the posts are negative. She is a successful business woman and philanthropist who has given millions for college scholarships and other charitable causes. She was born in poverty, went to college and worked for her success, nothing inherited or handed to her.

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The first night I went to the dining room I lined up at 5:20, got to the door and was handed a pager, I asked but apparently no table had room to add 1 person. It turned out on this cruise people lined up at 4:30 every night for 5:30 dining!Sent from my iPad using Forums

Oh, my! Lining up at 4:30 p.m. for dinner?! Too early for me! I'd enjoy sharing a table with others at dinner for conversation, but I'll plan that I'll probably be at a table for two most evenings. Thank you for the information.

I have also recently disembarked Princess as a solo. Anytime dining was not a good experience. Once a table for 2, once a nice table of 8, and then seated by myself in the middle of the dining room at a table for 8. The waiter didn't want to serve me and said I should move. I finally got the maitre d attention and asked to be moved- to a table for 2. After that buffet 3 nights and specialty one night.

 

Next time, even if assigned dining is full (as it was on this trip), I will go to maitre D immediately upon boarding and ask for assigned dining.

 

It really was not a pleasant experience most of the time

 

 

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Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm on a 15 day Princess cruise to Hawaii in April and have Anytime Dining. Were you asked when you arrived at the dining room if you were willing to share a table?

N Amsterdam - March 3, 2018 - 7 day Tropical Caribbean - O Magazine's Adventure of Your Life cruise

Yes, they are doing it to generate revenue. Previously, HAL had "Dancing With The Stars" and in addition to dance competitions onboard, they had themed cruises where the ABC dance pros and celebrities were onboard.

New cruisers couldn't care less about libraries, promenades and movie theatres. All cruise companies need to focus on getting the non cruisers onboard. I will guarantee you libraries aren't going to do that.

You are right. I read on one of the travel magazine websites that the April issue of O Magazine will feature Holland America on the cover and inside.

Meditation? Who needs a class in that?!?!? I'm entirely missing the point of this tie in. :confused:

I attend meditation classes most Saturdays when I am at home. It helps me destress from my week and unclutter my mind. People with chronic illnesses, facing a major surgery and recovery as well as treatment (one example would be chemo) can experience benefits from meditation. It can help lower one's blood pressure. The tie in would be to other healthful offerings to choose from (i.e. exercise, healthy cooking/eating).

I booked the O-Adventure of Your Life cruise departing on March 3, 2018 (7days) on the Nieuw Amsterdam yesterday evening. It definitely appeals to me and I am looking forward to the unique offerings on this cruise.