patrickmoran

Premium cabins and suites are excluded from the free upgrade (i.e., cabins in a category are all the same). Hence prices for aft balconies can be different.

We just leave at home the ship's contact no. for home emergencies.

When in port, we send text messages at home for updates. Our T-mobile plan has free text messages outside the US.

Where do I find the ship's contact number?

Cro oners handles it pretty well. There is a line and several bartenders. I have not been there when the happy hour ends to see if there is a big scrum. LOL!

A couple of years ago we were able to get 2 small bottles of Korbel champagne. I don't remember if they had to open 1 of bottles at the bar.

We went in late October 2015. We went then because of lower cruise prices and free air through Viking. The gardens were open and very pretty though obviously past their prime. Make sure the gardens will be open. I thought they closed at the end of October. The fall colors along the river were nice. We had good weather though some cold days.

This is what I got:

 

VOYAGE REDEPLOYMENT

Please be advised that due to deployment changes, your voyage will now sail on Ruby Princess rather than Star Princess. Ruby Princess features the same signature Princess amenities as Star Princess, including the Sanctuary, Lotus Spa, Movies Under the Stars, International Cafe, and Crown Grill. In addition, Ruby Princess has SHARE by Curtis Stone, a fine-dining experience featuring ultra-premium meats, seafood and more! For more information on Ruby Princess, visit http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/ru-ruby-princess/.

You will be rebooked on the new voyage, and you will receive your new booking information no later than July 19, 2017. Your cruise fare and promotions have been protected, and your new booking will be in the same category type and located in the same area of the ship. Once you receive your new booking details, you can verify your cabin location using the deck plans available at http://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=RU. We look forward to welcoming you aboard Ruby Princess.

Interesting, our Ruby cruise in Jan 2019 in South America was changed to the Star.

You don't have to upgrade right away. You can wait to see if the Classic works for you. If you decide to upgrade, you only pay the upcharge for the days remaining in the cruise. I believe you can upgrade until the 4th day left in the cruise.

Twice we have booked a European cruise b2b with a TA. In both cases, it was better to book the segments separately. We got cheaper prices, more internet minutes, and more OBC from our stock ownership.

Even if you book as one cruise, you have to check whether that continues to make sense. Some deals come along and change the economics.

Watch for Princess to offer a deal to pay your gratuities It has been offered regularly over the last couple of years.

We had an inside cabin for the itinerary and was fine. On a port-intensive cruise the balcony isn't valuable. The sailing is not that scenic so not much to miss there. Whether the beverage package is worthwhile depends on you. If your drink budget is bigger than the cost of an upgrade then go for it. The cabin is 15 square feet bigger which does give a bit of sitting area (no couch unless you get a deluxe balcony).

Any option for bourbon or rum? Thanks

Drink prices on Princess are 20 to 30% cheaper than X. P's alcohol drink package is closer to X's premium than the classic. Most everything is covered.

I've not found European airline personnel more stringent or difficult than US counterparts. European airlines are likely to have a weight limit for carry on bags and they will weigh them and mark them OK. I've had bags over a bit and not had a problem getting them checked without moving stuff around.

How much was the all day Havana tour and how did you pay? Thanks

On the Regal and the Royal, the BOGO hours are 3pm and 11pm.

Each person can bring a bottle wine on at embarkation

To use alot of refundable OBC we had on our last cruise, I got cash out through the casino and saved $200 to pay for the FCCs when the bill comes due. A little more involved but effective.

Do you happen to remember what movies were playing on MUTS? We board the Regal on Sunday. Thanks.

Moonlight, LaLa Land, Magnificent Seven, Inferno, and Finding Dory are the ones I can remember. I know there were a couple other biggies and a couple more kid movies.

Just off the Regal. We had prebooked Princess excursions (2 each) and had lots of OBC. The cost of the excursions was deducted from the OBC the first nights. Our tix for the excursions were in our cabin when we boarded.

Just off the Regal. We were in Cabin L229, an extended balcony cabin. Good location since we generally hang on the Lido deck or Piazza (quick elevator ride). Only time the location is not good is right after muster drill - lots of stairs to climb.

We were suppose to do the E. Carib in early January but got a move over offer that was too good to pass up. We originally booked an obstructed balcony cabin at a good price with $150 OBC each. Before final payment, we were upgraded to an obstructed extended balcony. On the Wednesday before our cruise, I got the EMAIL - move over for $850 OBC each plus the origianl $150 OBC plus upgrade within your cabin category if available. The new OBC is refundable which means if not spent we get the unspent balance. SWEET!. We walked off with nearly $1000 in cash from Princess. We got most of it through the casino, either using a slot machine or the blackjack table. Very easy, no problems. This morning, we went to Guest Services to get the remaining $15.89. If your outstanding balance is less than $25, GS will cash you out.

Did not eat in the MDR. Except dinner 1st night, all of our meals were at the buffet. We like the food at the buffet on the Regal and Royal. Lots of choices, tasty, and quick. MDR menus just are very interesting anymore. Seems they have downgraded the meat selections. Most soups and apps were available at the buffet. We ate at Sabatinis and enjoyed it. It was the 1st time there for us. Service was good as was the food.

We did not get off the ship at Princess Cays or Montego Bay. Enjoyed the uncrowded ship. In GC, we did the Dolphin Encounter/Turtle Farm. It was OK. Fortunately, it was P's money ($90pp). Took 5 hours for 30 minutes with the turtles and 30 minutes with the dolphins. We were delayed tendering because of the seas - added an hour. In C, we did the snorkel, sail and beach excursion. Fury was the provider. Enjoyed that, maybe because all of the margaritas! Decent snorkeling. We snorkeled near the ship which was sheltered. It was windy and wavey elsewhere. Smooth sailing to the beach. Enjoyed water toys and drinks for 1+ hours. Smooth sailing back with sun setting.

Easy debarkation. Used mobile passport and skipped a long line. Off by 9:30 am and on the road from parking lot by 10:30. Home at noon.

Enjoyed the cruise. Had good service though bar service can be slow.

On the western carib leg, which nights were formal? Thanks

Both Royal and Regal had/having a dry dock a little earlier than normal. Primarily due to warranty issues on the ships. In addition, the Royal had the center stairwell finished for passenger use. We were on its 1st sailing after the dry dock. It took them an extra week before opening the stairwell for use. Adds to the convenience of the ship. Regal will get its center stairwell finished for passenger use in its dry dock.

On our Bordeaux cruise, there was a date before the cruise after which you could not cancel optional tours booked. The website will have those particulars for your cruise.

This Fall we did 2 weeks on the Silhouette followed by 2 weeks on Princess Royal. We had balcony cabins on both ships. We previously have sailed on the Regal and the Royal plus the Reflection.

Personally I prefer S class ships. The regular balcony cabins on P's ships are smaller than X's, no sofa. On the R or R, you have to book a deluxe balcony cabin to get a small sofa. Also, the balconies on the R or R are smaller than X's. There are a few cabins that have decent size balconies.

I enjoy the Retreat pool and find the sail cloth shading gives some protection from the Caribbean sun. There is no enclosed pool on the R or R.

I liked the food in X's MDR more than P's. I liked the buffet on R or R more than X's. Specialty restaurants on P are less expensive though fewer types.

Drink prices are lower on P but harder to get a drink package included in cruise fare. Prices for add on are comparable though P has only 1 alcoholic drink package and includes more than X's classic pkg. Nothing comparable to Martini Bar or World Bar on P ships

Entertainment seemed comparable.

Itinerary and price trump everything.

We did Viking's cruise in late November. The WOW for me was the city of Bordeaux where we had alot of time. Lots to see, do and taste. The cruising was OK but the tides dictate the boat's schedule. We ended up with a bus trip to Cadillac instead of cruising. We went for seeing and tasting Bordeaux wines/wineries and were not disappointed.

I like the pool layout on the Crown-class ships over the Regal/Royal layout. The buffet layout and food on these ships were not as good as R/R. Wheelhouse bar is bigger and better on CC ships. IMHO