leck57

I am Platinum and I certainly wouldn't outlay money to get there as there are very few decent benefits. You say they are cruises you want to do so you have nothing to lose but don't expect the sun to shine any brighter because you are Platinum.

Pleased to see the improvements. We are on Sky for 21 days from 13 July and your first post concerned me a little.

I would have thought that the mini suites we've booked had the same sized closet as the balcony cabins we have had. I don't recall any difference but perhaps I'm mistaken.

We just go for a Deluxe Balcony which also has a sofa. Like you we really like the sofa. We have booked mini suites but unless the price is close we don't think the extra cost is generally worth it. The larger bathroom is nice in a mini suite but we are not fans of the bathtub.

Hmmm. Your second post and hopefully your last.

If you are on a Connoisseur Tour and you are on the train at meal time, then the meal is covered i.e you don't need to use a previous voucher.

You are really getting your knickers in a twist over this - here and all over FB as well. I agree with you, however I had the "real" juice bar a few months ago on Coral Princess and they were also terrible. The photos show tall glasses with fruit etc but on Coral the juice was served in the same pathetically small glasses that the usual buffet juices are served in. I would be most unhappy if I had paid for them (I had Plus). I don't think the staff had a clue about what they were supposed to be doing.

Geez Malcolm I don't think you looked too hard. A Google "Sky Princess Deck Plan" brings up the link but as a convict favour to our English masters I have copied the link below. Cheers. https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=YP

We are only humble Platinum but we can book MDR from the time of paying the deposit.

We are on Sky from 13 July and just checked my booking, and you are right, the port details are not there. In fact there is a link to the same site I copied in above. Our past cruises from Southampton we have caught a taxi from our hotel and I just mention the ship and they know what terminal. I think 90% of their jobs are from hotels to one of the 4 cruise ports. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

It is often listed on your travel summary or on the Personaliser first page. However it is the QEII terminal. Refer link below: https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

@Rudy888 sums up perfectly what our guide did on our Connoisseur tour. She was always around at the lodges as well and seemed to work quite hard. She did all the narration on the bus. There was no problem tipping her as we thought she was great.

It was "up to 20%"in our country and most prices didn't move or were just back to the prices before they recently increased. A typical nothing to see here sale.

You certainly will not regret having a balcony for an Alaskan cruise.

Personally I don't think a little bit aft is any different to a little bit forward. Movement would be the same. As for deck levels, I think the main thing is to have cabins above and below you so you avoid things like the pool deck noise, theatre noise etc. I've had cabins near the lifts, stairs and laundries and never had a problem.

Yep, you can bet that rather than try and assist either in breaking it up or tending the injured, some people would have had their phones out quick smart to video the whole thing.

Hi. You are on the same cruise as us. It shouldn't matter where we dock if you are on a ship excursion as Princess will make the necessary arrangements. We are docking at Oceankaj - that may be Ocean Quay but I'm not sure. If Princess have the excursion listed then I assume it's happening. The 20 tickets remaining means there are at least that number available. They never have a figure higher than that but if you see the number go below that (which many excursions on our cruise have) then you know that there are not many places left. I notice the excursion you are interested in leaves at 12pm which is the same starting time as the excursion we have booked. As we dock a bit out of town I doubt we have time to get off the ship earlier and then get back for the excursion which is a shame as we'll be stuck on the ship until the excursion. The ship is due to depart at 5pm yet both our excursions are showing to return at 4.30pm which is cutting it fine. I expect the time of both excursions will change.

What we always do and I think the best way to Southampton. Just booked a first class ticket for July about midday and it was only £16.

Sorry, I didn't really check for this cruise. I have checked for previous cruises that had different bookable segments and found the prices for the shorter legs added up to the same price for the full cruise.

My TA has told me the same thing and they are very experienced.

The average temp in July is 21 so you'd be unlucky to strike what I'd call a hot day. That side I mentioned says there is a small road train you can get in to town so perhaps that's an option for you.

Have a look at What's in Port Kristiansand and you'll see a printable map with a walking tour. It seems an easy walk in to town.

As most people on here are saying, it is the short legs showing as available and not the longer combined cruise legs. Recently found that myself. Could get a specific cabin for the Norway 7 day segment or the Baltics 14 day segment but couldn't for the 21 day combined, yet the same cabin was showing as available on the shorter legs.

Mini suite with balcony every time for me. During our Alaskan cruise I spent a lot of time on the balcony, but for me having a balcony is a non negotiable.

Agree with all of that. In Corals case the balcony category to have a deluxe option with sofa, rather than going to a mini suite just get a sofa