Westsail32

I like this one.  It telescopes up to 9.25" and it has a carrying case you can hook to your lanyard when you're not using it.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085T8LJLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

How much is the Cunard single supplement?  150%, 175%, 200% ?  

27 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I've also looked at the deck plans. What deck do you think is a promenade deck? It doesn't look to me like there is one, except for the short sections like on the Royal class ships.

Looking at Deck 7 it looked like there was a long deck space on each side.  It didn’t run the length but depending on the lifeboat locations I’m hopeful.  On the Royals it’s really narrow and unusable.  I’m hopeful.

All the discussion about ship within a ship and big spenders getting premium services.  I guess I’ll have to wait and see.  I’ve only been cruising since 2013 so my experience is limited.  I’ve never booked a suite or even a mini-suite, usually travel alone, and prefer ocean view cabins on deck 8 so I’m close to Crooners.  On a seven day cruise I’ll eat in a specialty restaurant probably four times.  I never go to the buffet, and always use the MDR when possible or hit up Alfredo’s for lunch.  I don’t spend a lot on ship otherwise so I’m not a huge money maker for them.

I don’t see a huge difference coming in the things I like to do on ship.  Going to shows, enjoying the bars, walking outside, unwinding, not much is going to change because of “Reserve” or “Signature”.  Club Class didn’t cause me any problems when it was introduced either.  I believe their special breakfast is in the steakhouse or something?  So they just repurposed a location that wasn’t being used by anyone for breakfast.  In the MDR I’ve noticed they have their own area but I’m not sure the food is any different.  A couple times last cruise I ended up being seated there and everything was the same.  

Overall with the financial hit the cruise lines took with Covid I’m not surprised we’re not seeing some things like blue bags and other goodies now.   It’s kind of that way everywhere.  If someone wants to overpay for a suite with “reserve” in the name they’re free too.  I think even if I had the money I wouldn’t.  When I think of it the one thing I really miss is the sea day pub-lunch.  I love the fish and chips with a Guinness!  I guess that cutback ticked me off a little.  So Princess, if your reading this, hint, hint!

I have a bucket list with a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 on it (round trip).  I’ll be staying in a lowly Britannia class cabin.  No Princess Grill or Queens Grill for me.  I’d love to try it but I can’t afford it.   I guess if this was Titanic I’d be down in Steerage.   LOL

On 9/17/2022 at 1:56 PM, Fairsky84 said:

I suspect it will function like the large LED pieces in the atriums of other Carnival or NCL ships. It will display different images, themes, ect. Here's Carnival Horizon...

Have a few drinks then stumble into that….   Talk about sensory overload!  LOL

I thought the web reveal was pretty boring.  They could’ve had more pictures and focusing on highlights would’ve been good.  I just spent an hour on the website today going thru the deck plans, cabin stuff, etc, and I found it pretty decent.  Some things I’m happy to see.

1.  It looks like there is a Promenade again that you can utilize to enjoy the outdoors.

2.  Sofas in the interior and oceanview cabins.

3.  Bigger showers (a huge win).

It will be a few years before I travel East again, so it’ll be years before I can travel on one of these new ships.  Still, except for the small balcony, it seems they’ve made some corrections for the Royal class shortcomings.

7 minutes ago, fpsphil said:

I think Padgett's racecar broke down on the way to the unveil... Hence the 20 minute delay

He was probably delayed looking for budget cuts....  

12 hours ago, MissP22 said:

The ship is the only reason why we are still cruising. 

I agree MissP22.  I've done a lot of travelling and was in the Navy in the 80s.  I've "seen the world".  Now I don't even go ashore I just stay on the ship.   Except for a bucket list trip on the QM2 someday (round trip trans-atlantic) I'll be staying on US soil.  

20 hours ago, scottca075 said:

You can get the Capitol Grille. It's called Seabourn and it is owned by Carnival Corp. Silversea and Regent are also Capitol Grille.

 

A friend of mine just returned from a Baltic cruise on Seabourn.  I don't have the $$$ for it but he said they had a lot of fun.  I get their mailers but they're out of my price range.  

23 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

 

The innovations of the Disney Wish are amazing too and I can't wait to see what they have in store for 9-10 days at sea on their new transpacific cruises.

 

How is the Disney line for single adults travelling alone?  I just want a good cruise experience and I'm a big Disney fan so I'm thinking of it.  I don't really mind the kids either and I know they have some adult only areas. 

4 minutes ago, redroses said:

On rooms e105-109, the obstructed windows looks out to the promenade per pictures on Google.  I assume the windows would be tinted?  or else folks walking by can stare in.

I've done laps on the Ruby (my favorite Princess ship).  I recall being able to see in the windows when walking around the ship but the last time I was on the Ruby was 2016 so it may've changed.

I sure don’t miss it.  Several years ago we had two elderly travelers fall down while standing in the hall for the drill.  Not everyone gets a seat and 80+ year olds standing for an hour isn’t good,  I felt really bad for them.

Just a warning.  I’ve requested it in the past and half the times it wasn’t there.  However, the room steward did get it for me when I talked to him.  He/she was also able to deliver an extension cord for the CPap.  
 

I’d recommend bringing a multiple plug adapter along too as outlets are rare.   I like this plug from Amazon.  It also has a USB-C plug which many of the new things use (like my iPad and Samsung phone.
 

https://www.amazon.com/EyGde-Extender-Protector-Rotating-Charging/dp/B09NLKVTQ4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=14RTXCN156HQ5&keywords=Outlet+multi+plug+usb+usb-c&qid=1663117023&sprefix=outlet+multi+plug+usb+usb-c%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFHUFdDRVgwN0pRNE0mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxNzM1MTJBWjk0SzlQRVdRRDYmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDA0NTQxODNQSjJVWUVXVjg4RUImd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

I’m booked on a ten-day soon and now that I’m Elite I have the laundry service (I had it last cruise too but still did my own).  I may actually utilize it this cruise but had some questions.  I know you bag it and leave it in the cabin.  Otherwise I’m clueless.

1.  Once you send it how long does it take to get it back?

2.  How does it come back?  (Folded, in a bag, on hangers?)

3.  How has your experience been with it?  
 

4.  Have they ever lost or damaged anything?

5.  If you send a dress shirt do they iron it too?

Thank you!

I’ve always said NO.  One time I was given an upgrade and despite being a better class the location was awful.  I always try to stay on deck 8, usually an ocean view midship or mid-ship aft, so I’m one flight from Crooners (my favorite bar).  I can do a couple flights of stairs.  I was upgraded to a balcony… on deck 12… way forward.  It was awful.  I had to take the elevator constantly and the hike forward was the pits.  No upgrades for me!

They really need to go back to having a Promenade deck outdoors.  Even if you can’t do laps like the Grand class there really needs to be something.  The lack of outdoor experiences on the Royal class have made me decide to completely avoid them (after three cruises).

I had a Diamond cruise out of SD cancelled this year (second cancel thus year).  I’m booked on Sapphire in a few weeks.  I’m wondering if they’re keeping blocks of cabins unavailable for Covid quarantine?  I looked at a few December cruises and noticed some blocks completely unavailable while there was plenty of availability elsewhere.

I’ve only been cruising since 2013.  I like the DMW concept but this upcoming cruise in a few weeks I chose a set time and a private table (due to covid).  I’ll do several specialty nights on the ten day too (two cancelled cruises credits, military credit, shareholder credit).  I’m going to see how it goes.  I’ve noticed a bit of a decline in quality since my first cruise (2013 Catalina 4-day on Golden).  I’ve had some great cruises too (Ruby) and 2-3 a year is my norm now.  I don’t really care about the prizes and other gimmicks.  
 

Overall the customer service on ship has been very good, the staff attentive, I’ve enjoyed it.  I realize times change things and I have to adapt.  There are a lot of things from the old days I miss in real life. Like the songs “I Wanna Go Back” from Eddie Money or “Twenty Years Ago” from Kenny Rogers, I miss them.  But they’re gone.  It’s sad but it’s the way it is.  Unless I want to spend more money than I have on a cruise it is what it is.  
 

On my bucket list is a round trip Queen Mary 2 crossing.  Someday.  A real traditional experience.  

On 8/22/2022 at 5:52 AM, Musky Ike said:

Admit that I had to google Malbec. I guess I am not "civilized" 

My old boss used to drink it.  Got her a bottle for her birthday one year.  Never tried it myself I'm about as civilized as White Zinfandel with hamburgers!  LOL  

I like those little kiosks by guest services where you can print out your charges daily.  It's part of my regular routine now.  I always get the drink package but I have noticed other mistakes crop up from time to time.  One time I had two specialty restaurant charges on the same evening!  It pays to check.

I'm a bit nervous about cruising in the post-covid era (we're not post yet).  I did take a cruise on Majestic last year and masks were required.  I felt pretty safe, the ship was only about 50% capacity, and everything went fine.  A few weeks ago I flew to Minnesota to see relatives.  No one at the airport was masked and even on the plane there were only a few of us.  I worked in healthcare before I retired and saw what Covid did (and is doing).  I have friends still working who tell me the horror stories.  It's not a "myth" as some believe.

I've had my shots and two boosters now.  When the new Pfizer vaccine comes out for the Omicron variant I'll be getting that one too.  I plan on being masked on my cruise this month for the most part, definitely while "commuting" around the ship in public spaces, and while waiting in lines. I'm sure I'll be one of the rare ones though.  I'm OK with that.  I picked a solo table for dining already and will try to avoid the crowds. 

22 hours ago, villauk said:

 

I know where you are coming from. We’ve just returned from Enchanted Princess and I felt there was nowhere up top to sit in a lounge and look out at the sea. It was our first time on a Royal Class ship and even though we liked the Piazza area, it was very congested in the evenings as everyone,

I've had three or four Royal class cruises and I definitely prefer the older ships.  I miss the Promenade and being able to walk around the ship (laps).  I was in the Navy in the 80s and being at sea is what I enjoy the most.  The Royal ships are just too enclosed for me.  Unless I have absolutely no choice I'll be sticking with the older ships.  

Where exactly do you bid for an upgrade?  I’m in cruise personalized and I don’t see anything?

It’s been a couple years but the Ruby is my favorite Princess ship.  I hope you have a good time.

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

The mini-bar is traded using Room Service.  Call them up as soon as you can and tell them what you want swapped.

Grwat thank you!