SeaManInLA

Okay, great. I'll be planning to arrive at the Pier at 11AM...it says on the documents that we should not arrive before then. So, I'm not sure if I'll be in an early enough boarding group to even get passes. But, we shall see.

**Also... where are the passes purchased? Front desk? At Vibe Beach Club itself?**

Okay, great. Yeah, I thought it might be similar to the Sanctuary on Princess...but the "Gets sold out fast" aspect of Vibe sort of threw me, since, I always thought you could pretty much always walk up to the Sanctuary and pay to enter for the day...at least it always LOOKED empty. It seems odd that there's nowhere to take a COOL dip in Vibe. I see it has a Hot Tub...but, when in tropical heat (for the few days we are IN it) I would think a way to cool off would be a must for something that calls itself a "Beach Club".

Although...maybe that's not a Hot Tub, but a "Plunge Pool"...hmmmm.

I know this may be a dumb question...but...since I see that Vibe is next to the Haven (although one floor up), are Vibe Pass-holders allowed to use the Haven pool?

The photos of the area appear to have umbrellas for shade. The person I'm going with likes to lay outside, but in the shade. Are those umbrellas more "in the brochure" than in "real life"? :-)

Thanks...the person who posted about "Vibe" had a group of 20.

I'm just going with one other person, I'm assuming "non-groups" can buy passes...if we get on early, say 11AM (leaving from NYC on Sunday) would we walk straight to the front desk to buy the Vibe pass...or do we go to Vibe itself to buy the pass? Also, is it still $99 for the week?

Someone posted the following in a review:

"Arriving early allowed all 20 of us to get access to Vibe. Let me tell you, this is worth every penny! "

I am admittedly a new Pax on NCL (A Frequent Princess Cruiser here), so I have only been able to glean that "Vibe" is a "Private Access" pool area.

But, here's my question...it seems as though this person was saying that if one checked in early they were able to purchase a pass to this area.

Is there a certain number of passes they sell to this area? Is THAT why they had the ability to purchase early? Or is there a discount for buying it on that first day? Also...since I depart this Sunday...I'm wondering if I have the ability to buy this pass on the NCL website ahead of time.

Thanks for any info...and forgive my "newbie-ness". I know a ton about Princess, but this NCL stuff is a mystery to me. :-)

11226 has the bed closer to the hallway. You can tell from the deck layout depending on where the little "bumpout" is in the drawing.

Oh, great, thanks. I wasn't sure how accurate the deckplans were.

I booked a guarantee Mini and ended up getting assigned 11226 which is Midship, and appears to be a great room.

But, is there a way to know if this is one of the rooms that has the bed closer to the Balcony or closer to the Hallway?

It's not like it will change much...but, I'm going with someone very detail oriented...also, I'm curious if this is something that's somehow able to be gleaned before making a rez...as I think I'd prefer the seating area closer to the balcony.

Thanks.

Thanks Pam & Thrak...

This "unlimited cocktails" business is tricky. I don't want it to be too cheap...or too easy. Even though I'd like it to be BOTH for me, personally. But...making it too attractive or accessible could change the entire experience of being on a Princess cruise.

I say good for them, keeping it available...but pricey.

:-)

Since I'll have an Elite mini-bar setup in my room when I arrive, I will DEFINITELY be fine the first day and night of my cruise (LOL), so...if I wanted to start the unlimited cocktail plan on the second or third night of the cruise, is that allowed?

And I swear, I'm not trying to be especially cheap...I just know that my first night on a cruise is usually cocktails on the balcony, which are provided...thanks to Princess' generosity.

Thank you SeaManInLA and PunkiC for your feedback. I've never had a Princess balcony before (I just got off the Caribbean Princess two weeks ago with an obstructed oceanview and will NEVER do that again!) I like the idea of being able to walk to the aft pool, I like being able to just walk one deck up the Lido, and I like being mid-ship, so I guess it's all good. What's not to like? Thank you for the reassurance. I think we're on the same sailing, SeaManInLa, so maybe we'll run into each other.

Sounds good. Have a great cruise!

I also booked a Guaranteed BF and was upgraded to a BB on Aloha Deck Midship right near the Panoramic lifts (A419). In theory this sounds good, but is it? Is it noisy by the elevator? Is it noisy being underneath the Lido deck? It's only for 3 nights/2 days and I'm definitely good with this, but does anyone have an opinion?

It's funny you should ask...because I had just called Princess and they allowed me to switch my cabin to another BB on Aloha, also on the starboard side, just a few doors down from yours.

No, there will be no noise issues. I've stayed in this area before, perfect IMHO, because you can walk down the hall and exit at the Aft pool, or use the mid elevator or stairs very easily. We lucked out!

What they do is a complete mystery to mortals. :) I think you got a good cabin. Baja deck is not too far up and not too far down. ;)

I agree...I'm happy with it. I just saw that they've given midship Caribe balconies a "Premium Balcony" categorization due to the size of the balconies. This may have happened a while ago since I've been mostly doing Minis. Too bad. That was always a nice treat you didn't used to have to pay extra for, that loyal passengers in-the-know could enjoy.

I was just moved from a Guaranteed BF to a BB on Baja deck, halfway between the front and midship elevators.

I'm good with that.

I wonder if they ever do upgrades after the initial assignment, or if once you're in a cabin you're locked for good.

Is this available for both Apple iPhones AND Androids?

Or is it a mobile website exclusively...which will serve both (and more) platforms?

Interesting. I have always assumed our "average onboard charge account per cruise" would be a figure a cruise line would take into account with past cruisers. And, yes...the "impressing a Newbie" theory sounds right as well.

And, yes, $200 more per person would be more than I'd be willing to on such a short cruise.

I would like to see where my balcony will be first.

How long before departure are they usually assigned? I'm usually a "covered mini on Emerald" guy, so I've never done a guarantee before.

I'm 15 days away from a departure on the Golden, and while I understand that upgrades are rare, it actually seems possible this time--and I'm curious if anyone agrees.

I booked this a few days ago, and chose a balcony guarantee simply because the rate was super low, and there was a $200 onboard credit, which makes it nearly a free cruise. So, frankly, I'd be happy with most any balcony...I wouldn't be thrilled about the ones On Emerald near the stepped-up portion of the Promenade, but I'd survive.

But, here's the thing...almost ALL the full suites are still available, and lots and lots of minis are too.

Since this will be nearing my 30th Princess cruise (usually sailing in Minisuites), it seems like they might be smart to get someone like me "used to" the idea of staying in a full suite, if it's just going to go empty.

You know how American Airlines (and most all of the big airlines) almost never take off with an empty seat in First Class. They like it to be full, so they find people the most worthy (by loyalty program or some random reason)and they upgrade them.

Does Princess usually depart with all its suites filled, even on less-filled journeys?

Thanks for any insight.

Four: Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Ruby

Oh wow. I didn't realize that. I've never been on those. I assumed it was on only the "Caribbean".

Does the Caribe really help with traffic flow in HC?

I think Pam's right...more than enough seating space. And the Cafe Caribe is only on one ship, maybe two, isn't it Shredie? I'm not sure that concept is going anywhere.

Guess I was just hoping the reported issues with Horizon Court would be fixed.

I was just on the Golden. Not sure what issues had been reported at Horizon Court. All looked great to me...and appeared to be recently updated.