eagletwo

Last December, we had the family suite located Port side on the Dolphin deck. This is the first cabin near the bow. During the cruise to the the ABC Islands, seas got up to about 7 feet and the winds from the south were blowing 15-20 knots. With the ship going 22 knots, we had so much wind coming over the balcony at night that the deck chairs did their own dance around the balcony at 3 am and we had the bring them inside the cabin. Every once in a while you could hear and feel the waves hitting the bow (low boom). But the ride up front was smooth. I make it sound bad, but it did not bother us at all.

We rented a car from Enterprise and used the bus from the airport to the Port and returned to the airport to pick up a car after the cruise. Very easy. Bus is run by the city/airport. The bus will stop at different ships at the port to drop off passengers. On the return, make sure you can prove to the driver that you have a car rental reservation or he/she will not let you board going back to the airport.

I don't know if we got the price due to my wife playing in the casino, but she booked the Dec. 9-17 cruise on the Crown Princess for $956.00 total for a mini suite in Emerald deck. Includes Platinum insurance, taxes and port fees. Seems the ship is now filling up and the low, low fares are gone.

Had a full suite in 2005 and last December. The canepes in 2005 were awful. Thank goodness we learned about the chocolate covered strawberries. 11 years later, we passed on the canepes. The Executive Chef for Princess should be embarrassed.

After reading these boards since 2005, I really have learned a great deal from members that have been there and done that. I to am tired about the same questions asked every week, month and year by members that are too lazy to do a little research.

I don't ever mean to stop someone from asking a question, but please, stop asking questions that can be Googled that will give you a link to Cruise Critic, which will answer 99% of the questions.

My wife and I were offered an up sell about 3-4 months before our December 2016 cruise. We were booked in E731, great mini suite we had in 2008. The deal was for a full suite at a cost of $499 per person. We declined. Two days before departure, my TA calls and says Princess wants our mini suite and our daughters cabin R731 if we all will take the family suite and they will refund in onboard credit the price of my girls cabin. $$$$ SOLD!

Having been in a full suite on our 2005 cruise, this was an awesome upgrade. Breakfast in Sabatini's was outstanding. My girls received dinner at a specialty restaurant as ours was already included in the mini suite. Free laundry! Let's just say Princess may have lost money on this perk. The ability to reserve a table in Anytime Dining with the same wait staff was nice. Full menu in our suite for room service. This was a fantastic perk. Had to remember how to order, first day we ordered way too much food for breakfast. Embarrassed.

Only downside was the family suite was on the front port side of the ship. When at full cruise speed, wind is too strong to enjoy the oversized balcony. Really need some type of wind deflection. But let me say this, if we ever get offered the same deal again, we all agree we would SAY YES!!!!!

When we sailed on her in December 2016, they were not heated. Water was a little cold even on 80 degree days.

Our Travel agent called us twice with an offer to upgrade. First time was three months before sailing. Change from our favorite mini E731 to a full suite for $499 pp. No thanks. On December 1st, 4:00 pm in the afternoon, TA calls my cell and says Princess wants our cabin and my girls cabin (R731). They offered a family suite plus $2100.00 onboard credit. Need answer now because Princess is going down a list and it's first come first serve. Hmm, 3, 2, 1....YES!

The only negative about the family suite is the balcony. The two available are forward, first cabins on Dolphin. When underway, wind can be over 30-40 knots, which makes the balcony hard to use and at night when the ship may pick up a little speed and the wind picks up, the balcony furniture starts to do their own wind dancing banging into the bulkhead. Suite perks made it all worth while.

I would take the upgrade again even without the onboard credit. Great cruise!!

Our mattres was great in the family suite. Rust? Yep, ship stays at sea. The crew was constantly chipping rust and repainting. Carpet worn? Yep, but it happens, will be replaced. Food, execellent. Crew, execellent for the most part. Two or three staff with attitude. Buffet, great. Crown Grill, food great, ate here twice. Second time, waiter was not up to par. Pub Lunch at Crown Grill, too many folks in line to make it worth our time.

Cruise is what you make of it. We had a wonderful time. Second time on Caribbean Princess, booked our third curise on her for 2018.

As someone who is in the private air charter industry, I would have to say no. When I enter the passenger information into the US Customs website eAPIS, the passport and Visa information will go in along with any work permit. Customs will flag any expired documents.

I stayed at the Embassy Suites on 17th St. December 2-3, 2016. The ES is my "go to" hotel in Ft. Lauderdale because of its location and the fact that it's a Hilton property and I can use points for my stay.

 

The reason I'm posting this is there were a lot of negative comments about this hotel prior to my recent stay - dirty, dingy, moldy, bed bug ridden, stale snacks at manager's reception, poor breakfast, etc.

 

The ES in Ft. Lauderdale is definitely one of their older hotels, and I will be the first to say the rooms could use freshening and updating, but older doesn't translate into dirty. The lobby and atrium were remodeled a few years ago and I'm sure the guest rooms will be addressed in the next couple of years.

 

Yes, there was some mildew (not the same as mold) in the bathroom, but I live in a hot, humid climate and know that bathroom mildew is an ongoing issue, more so if you're near the water. No bed bugs (I checked the corners of the mattress and sheets) and clean overall. The snacks were fresh, and I watched as the attendants brought out new bags of chips, opened them there on the spot, and emptied them into the bowls. The popcorn was hot and fresh. Ditto for the breakfast in the morning. Front desk staff friendly and helpful.

 

Roz

I was at this hotel with family at the same time for our December 3rd cruise. We had used points for the stay and had worried about the reviews. You are right, hotel is older but we found it to be clean, staff was always pleasant, room was clean and the beds were comfortable. We could see the cruise ships from the 8th floor balconey. I would stay here again.

We used EZcheck on the Caribbean Princess December 11 out of FLL. $25.00 per bag plus the Delta Airline fee of $25.00. Worth the price IMHO.

The Pier number may change at any time depending on how many ships are in port. If you go by taxi, Uber, shuttle or bus, they will know which Pier to drop off.

We were contacted by our TA two days before our cruise leaving on December 3rd, Princess wanted our cabins, E731 and R731. We were offered D106/D102, family suite plus $2100 on board credit. Wow! We took the deal. Great cruise! This suite is on the port side up front. Balcony gets very windy at sea. If Princess ever offered us this same deal, we would take this family suite in a New minute.

We arrived on December 3rd at Pier 21 for the Caribbean Princess around 10:30 am. As we were in a suite, we had priority boarding. The port is controlled chaos. If I had been in a private car/rental car, I would have been lost. Priority boarding is way overrated.

We arrived December 2nd into FLL and rented a car. Stayed at the Embassy Suites. Dropped the car back at FLL, shuttle to the port. Next time, I would ask/pay for late check out and arrive at the pier around 1:30 pm. Why? We got to wait in line and got into the terminal around 11:15 am. Boarded the ship at 11:45 am. Too much hassle and aggravation. I may have missed having lunch in one of the MDR's, but we enjoyed the buffet at 12:30 pm. Just my humble option.

We just returned to Port Everglades on the Caribbean Princess. Rented a car from National and used the free shuttle to the airport. Shuttles are run by the City/airport and the bus will pick you up in front of the Pier where you come out of the building once you clear Customs. These buses will have a lighted sign high above the windshield showing National/Alamo car rental. Make sure you have a copy of your car rental reservation with you. The driver will check before you board to make sure you have a reservation. Keeps folks without a reservation filling up the bus and getting a free ride to the airport.

It is a very hectic time at the Pier, controlled chaos. Passengers lining up to get into the passenger center, passengers mingling about waiting to be picked up. Have patience.

I am an Emerald Club member (free) and really liked the Emerald Aisle pick up. You get to by pass the rental counter, go directly to the garage and pick out your car. We booked a mid-size car and were able to choose any vehicle in the Executive line, same price. Picked out a Chevy Equinox (SUV) which had plenty of room for the four of us and a LARGE amount of luggage. All you have to do is show your drivers license at the guard gate, wait two minutes and they give you your rental papers.

Returning the car is just as easy. Airport signs are marked very well. Slow down and follow the left turn into the garage. If you don't want to pay $3+ dollars per gallon to have National fill the gas tank, get gas well before you get close to the airport. Not many gas stations to use near by. Price for the day was under $50 with taxes and fees. Shuttle bus will take you to your airline terminal.

Wow! Every passenger has their own experience. We just returned from the Caribbean Princess, December 3-11. We only experienced a couple of staff having a "bad" day. Did this ruin our cruise? Yep, right along with a few carpet stains, some rust on a few decks, furniture getting a little frayed, and so help me, I had to ask for a drink in the buffet area.

We had cabin D106/D102. Family suite on the Port side. Thursday before we left, TA called and asked if we would give up E731 and R731 for the upgrade to the family suite plus $$$$. Done! Suite perks were great, room was great. Out of 8 days, we could use the balcony maybe 4-5 days. Rest of the time, wind was a little strong, 30-50 mph. Two nights were really interesting with winds so strong the deck furniture danced more than the entertainment.

Buffet, good. Island Dining room, very good with Caesar and Jun waiting on us the entire week. Crown Grill, good, wait staff a little too high on themselves, food, good. Breakfast at Sabatinis, awesome as was the staff.

Most bar staff, outstanding and we all had the drink package. Worst part of this cruise.........I had to pay $40 for lunch yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale after 8 days of eating with no bill.

Looking forward to our next cruise. It really is what you make of it. Want to have a bad time? Find fault in the little things. Relax, have a drink, and another, and one more for all the folks back home in the cold and snow.

Yep, on the edge waiting for the next installment. 2 days and 18 hours until we sail.

We leave this Saturday on the Caribbean Princess and have booked E731 for the second time. No noise from Club Fusion. Really love the extra room on the balcony. Very quiet area this far aft.

My cab ride from airport to Port Area was the flat rate of $25. Cab was nasty. Used UrberX to return to airport and ride was $9.00. Clean car and a nice ride for two with two suit cases.

The Sip n Sale we booked had one night specialty dining if you booked a mini-suite or a full suite. I have read that you can change the night and time you want to dine by calling the Dine Line or go directly to the venue you want to dine at the day you board to make a reservation.

I had my TA call Princess about the same thing. He got a "no" from Princess. As others have stated, Princess is operated as a independent company.

During our Alaska cruise in 2005, we were in a full suite and used the free service. Had underwear come back gray and a sweater that was a size 12 come back a size 2.

I would return it to the 17th Street location....they have a comp shuttle that will take you to PE...no need to do anything other than tell them at the counter you need the shuttle when (as) you return the car.

This is a big help! Thank you!!

From the Princess website:

"Documents for guests under the age of 18

Several countries require special documentation for children traveling with only one parent or with neither parent; these requirements are subject to change without notice. Many foreign countries require any single parent or guardian to bring a permission slip for the minor to travel abroad. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess the proper documents for all of the countries that you will visit. Please verify requirements with the consulates of the countries visited prior to your cruise."

I work for a company that operates small jets for private charter. We do a lot of trips outside of the USA. Last month, we took a family to the Bahamas and they had a 14 year old non-family member go with them. Our local US Customs office wanted the following:

Current US Passport. Notarized Document giving permission for the 14 year old to travel with this family out of the USA and which country would be visited. Copies of drivers license of both parents.

I would also get a Notarized Document authorizing medical treatment abroad and ask the parents for a copy of any medical insurance cards and check to see if the child is covered on the policy while out of the country.

Make copies of these documents to take with you. Some countries will want to keep a set. Always keep the originals for clearing US Customs back into the US.