LaraTiara

You were so close in the auditorium during the performances! We were there. SRO!

Thank you for the fashion advice, much appreciated by us traveling ladies!

Enjoy the remainder of your cruise. We are reading with interest!

Just wondered if there were any updated/recent reviews? Can't wait until March :D

As a party of six, we took this excursion. Like our fellow passengers who have reviewed the day, we also enjoyed and recommend the trip. The captain has sea legends, since he and his wife have sailed the globe. The crew were chatty and terrific hosts. The reef to us was great, and we enjoyed the spectacular underwater sights.

As for timing back at port, we had plenty of time afterward to shop and even sip a margarita on the beach prior to re-boarding. And we all caught plenty of sunshine that day, so we sat in the shade at the restaurant there on Mahogany Bay beach. The restaurant was nearly empty.

Enjoy your cruise ⚓️

Yes indeed - happy new year to you in Bali Amelia. Hope you had a healthy day and enjoyed touring.

Sincere apologies for interrupting your onboard thread and querying about Sapphire attire. Just anticipation, excitement.

Back from the cruise and grateful for all the expert advice from CC members. Took several helpful items along (clothespins, shower curtain, post-it's) to keep the stateroom organization and communication at optimum. Along the course of the cruise, someone snatched up our stateroom door decor, but with all the kids on board, I was not shocked.

Ladies had a great time! They were rarely in the room, and the room was a mess that no one seemed to mind. I only walked past their doorway twice. Usually they came to our room for the view.

A few of them utilized the spa shower, and they were not the only regular pax turning up to clean up in the ladies locker room. That was a key to their success, to not HAVE to share the bathroom during prepping times.

Thank you all again for the advice. Happy new year and happy cruising in 2015!

After the ceremony, on Deck 7 at 7:00p near lifeboat 7. I noticed this after the photos came back.

Happy new year and congrats twolittlebirds on the vow renewal booking.

Just one photo at the moment to share. The photographer was terrific as well.

Was such a special and meaningful event to share our love and commitment after 25 years, with family present. I wish each of you ladies a special renewal in 2015!!

Can you kindly tell me a bit about the evening attire for women on Sapphire? I have been looking online for typical short/long Asian dresses. Is that typical dinner attire on board?

Thankfully they are the trend in the west at the moment, so I will get use out of them after the cruise too.

We will be in A742 Aloha deck. Is that near where you were?

Yes we were a bit more midship, in A338, and kids had an interior A336. You will like Port side. And a balcony room is a great way to experience cruising!

Another balcony tip.. We ordered the Champagne Balcony breakfast for the last sea day, and enjoyed that immensely. Of course you can bring your plates from International Cafe or the Horizon Court back to your room, but we get lazier as the cruise goes on.

The margaritas were flowing on land for us. In Cozumel, a number of CC members were at Nachi Cocum with all-you-can-drink. And in Roatan, the easy-access margarita beach bars are a nice stop before or after an excursion. We were plenty hydrated. 😀

Also enjoying the updates!

We welcome any advice as we board her in February.

We just returned from this same cruise last Sunday. You will enjoy it!! We enjoyed the crew and ports and had great weather also.

Sorry but the tequila is not on the list. We brought on wine, as well as pre-ordered 375 ml bottles as you mentioned (vodka, rum). We did visit the Wheelhouse Bar for Happy Hour 2-for-1 margaritas. 3-4pm daily. 😃

I'm not expert either, on excursions or otherwise, but am happy to share our version of experiences. We sailed this western itinerary twice and the first time we didn't book anything. We just wanted to check it all out without a rush in port. This time, we booked outside of Princess on private excursions, based upon what we wanted to do at each port.

The cruise line offers very good excursions. We have booked through Princess, on a Med cruise, and that was because we didn't want the ship leaving without us. That to me was important as a newbie.

This last cruise, we had two new-cruisers in our group. They have previously travelled extensively and both loved the experience at sea. Even though Emerald was at capacity, which yours may not be, it didn't feel too crowded in their opinion.

Thanks for posting! We were on board with you last week. The posting helps ease my mild case of PCD!! That's post-cruise depression, for those of you unfamiliar with this health issue.😷

The only cure seems to be another cruise ⚓️

Hello and happy new year ladies.

Will post pics, as soon as we are unpacked, and share a bit about the vow renewal we had last week.

It was a meaningful special ceremony and we were blessed to renew vows at 25 years.

Great thread!!

I'd have to say a WOW cruise includes

- Time with my family (especially hubby)

- Time without technology whilst at sea

- Visiting Bucket List ports

- The floating 5-Star hotel food and service all week long

- the anticipation of future cruises that WOW as cruising is such a simple way to sea the world!

I find this thread to be very very funny, for a number of reasons. First of all many of us had pursuits in life (motor homes, children,demanding jobs,seeing the USA,etc.) with no plans to ever cruise. Also the cost of a cruise and the travel to get to a port excluded many of us from cruising. I could go on and on, but the facts of life are that many do not have the time or frankly the inclination to cruise, until later in life. My wife and I have been retired now for many years. We find cruising and exploring other countries wonderful experiences. Can't afford more than one a year, but take one each year. Have enjoyed Alaska, Hawaii, Caribean, and other places many times. Oh, almost forgot...I am one of those "old folks". Soon to be 82 and proud of it. (If you want a totally old, sound asleep group of folks try HAL) We find the folks cruising on Princess overall to be a great group regardless of age.

Here, here!!

We are middle-aged and married 25 years next spring. Our older-generation relatives are all seasoned-cruisers.

For years we "did it the hard way" - booked land vacations abroad. We finally took a cruise, at the recommendation of family, and are hooked. What a simple way to explore in style!

I admit, I thought cruising was for my grandparents and parents. But I like it and for now, that's how we are traveling. My husband travels constantly and getting him on the ship and away from work/technology is the best way for him to truly unwind (No one mentions this invaluable perk!!).

As for the OP and her age question, it does depend on time of year. On our first cruise, we were on a Christmas cruise on Crown. We inquired of staff during the week, and they had just had a TA. They said the shorter cruises were for younger families, and the older crowd is on anything longer than a 7-day. We can only take 7-Day cruises at this point, but that would be my perspective.

But also, I wanted to mention on this thread that my siblings in-laws were with their beloved Grandpa last year on a cruise, and he became quite ill. And when they were all transported home, he had said he was glad to be cruising with his family members then. He did not recover and passed away shortly thereafter. His desire to "seize the day" lasted til his last day on earth.

I don't think, in fairness to the OP, that the older generation should take offense to her original post. The fact that you all are healthy and able to travel is a blessing many do not get to enjoy. She's asking about the cruise line and people her age.

Well done, Graham to allow your wife time to plan ahead. Thanks for sharing and the Baltics sound wonderful!

Time is nearing for our vow renewal and I am about to cave and let the daughters in on the "secret", so I can do some dress shopping with them. The dress I would have been fine to wear for the renewal is already one I wore on a cruise, but we have it photographed and framed already.

So I came back to CC to keep from spilling the beans and am hoping that some of the previous suggestions here in this thread will keep me tight-lipped!

Just a little update on this topic: The ladies all have randomly texted or asked me the countdown to our cruise. It's probably inspiring them along as they are all deep into their respective semester studies. No mention of sharing a cabin! Just about meals and excursions ;)

Lovely photos - thank you for sharing! Such a meaningful recommitment. You can see the joy between you!!

A happy anniversary indeed! 31-derful years. Thank you for sharing your vow renewal luv2c00k!

If you have a photo you would like to share, we would love to see it.

All great suggestions! Many of these I have not even thought of for privacy and sleep cycles.

Three of them have lived in dorms as well as lived in Africa and Eastern Europe for charity work. They really are down to earth and know how to live with others in tight quarters. And, compared to international hostels where bunkmates (strangers) are sneaking guys (also strangers) in, cruising is a posh dream!

Doesn't the Skywalkers stay open til 2am? The 2 girls were closing it down 2 years ago.. I'm sure they will be good and "tired" when they find their beds...

We discussed stateroom upgrade versus excursions/Sabatini's and they preferred to splurge on the latter.

They can always visit our balcony across the hall.

They're only paying their own on board Credit Card expenses, and they all said YES to going away! They love travel, and they love the 5-Star travel even more!

Great advice Beach Spring. Yes I mentioned to the cousin about those larger spa showers (I just added her into the stateroom this week).

Thanks so much everyone. Will keep passing tips along to the ladies!

I agree, though, there will be plenty of diversions for them outside the cabin!

Booked our 3 collegians and my 26 year old cousin in the same interior room. All female.

Has anyone done this? Any helpful pre-cruise suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance.

TGIF ladies! Any updates to share?

I'm excited. This past week, I have booked my younger cousin (like a "second sister", as in Russian) to join us. She is only 6 years older than our own eldest daughter. She is a first time-cruiser and is a sentimental Tigger of a personality.

Our kids don't know yet about the vow renewal. I have wanted to do it as a surprise. When I shared with her the vow renewal, she responded so sweetly.

Now I have realized that CC is the only place where I have shared our plans. Did anyone else keep their renewal to themselves?

Please share your vow renewal at sea!

There is a similarly titled thread and I'm sure others would love to hear about your experience!

This site has packing tips as well -

http://www.onebag.com