Torfamm

The new locks are much larger. At this time Princess has two ships small enough to use the original locks. Besides the fact that they are fascinating from an historical perspective, I’d also consider that it may not always be true that mass market cruise lines will have ships that are small enough for the original locks. I’d try to see them while you can.

As long as it can be can cancelled, I wouldn’t worry about booking a third party excursion. The only thing we had booked was clamshells on the beach in Roatan which is really straightforward. I wonder if they may still be waiting for confirmations from other vendors on the more typical ship excursions

Have you checked your travel summary in the cruise personalizer on the website? Mine shows the excursions moved to the new date.

I have to say I was surprised at how much light comes into inside cabins through the door. I’d always pictured them as cavelike. Not that it bothered me, I just expected it to be pitch black.

I couldn’t agree more. $60 is a huge bargain, especially for those who want internet access. I’m ahead after 2 glasses of wine even with half price wifi.

Perhaps it is partly about who can afford the packages? I guessing that at well over $100 a day it could limit how many packages are purchased. At an extra $19 a day for unlimited drinks, I suppose I can see attracting a lot of big drinkers, bachelor/bachelorette parties and spring breakers. I do think the limit is about the very low price and avoiding sharing of packages though, not controlling behavior.

I think it all comes down to packing. If you can check luggage at no charge, packing inflatable pool floats makes great sense. If you pay to check bags and/or try to travel with one carry-on it’s trickier. We end up offering to bring a lot of things when we travel with the kids and grandkids. I’m more than willing to fill a suitcase with diapers and beach toys.

Bringing it onboard is one question. Using it in the pool is another. They do have life jackets available at the pools if that would be an option for you.

They are very common at Princess Cays. I don’t know that they’d be allowed in the pools on the ship though.

I can’t speak to MSC or NCL but drink packages are MUCH more expensive on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean than the extra $19 per day above crew appreciation and internet that passengers pay to have an included drink package when they book a Plus fare on Princess

I remember trying not to laugh as a car insurance representative explained quite seriously that I would be fully covered if someone threw acid on my car but not if it were struck by a meteorite.

It’s also a good reminder that carrying your donor card can make you eligible to help in an emergency. Not all blood donors would be aware of that.

I find Sapphire and Caribbean to be almost identical. I might pick the Sapphire over the Caribbean for the covered pool. Here are some theads with comparisons of these ships. They might help you decide based on what matters to you. Covered pool? Crown Grill? Alfredo’s Pizza? Promenade deck? Window suites? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2975634-planning-for-alaska-2025-caribbean-princess-vs-sapphire-princess/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2983681-coral-sapphire-or-caribbean-princess-in-alaska/

I think it’s worth a try. We booked one for the first time on a cruise where that was the only option left if we wanted to go to Greenland. It was fine even though it’s an itinerary where the scenery was important to me. The icebergs waited for me until I got outside 😉

I haven’t seen anyone eat two mains but I’ve had waiters offer two when I’ve been undecided. Ordering multiple starters is absolutely not an issue. Having an appetizer, soup, and salad or at least two of them is pretty common.

The nightlight issue is crazy. Why a blindingly bright automatic overhead light outside the bathroom seemed like a good idea is beyond me. A simple nightlight in the bathroom would be much more helpful

Apparently not.

The issue is that future bookings can’t be managed onboard a ship in the app. It was also true in the old app and I have no idea why that is.I certainly don’t know if the web based version would be different, but again, my point is that it’s a stupid hurdle to put in front of passengers. I am more likely to pay for cell service than go find a computer to try a web based version of an app.

What’s “better” will be different for everyone. If you aren’t interested in the Canal itself or the ports maybe the questions are about what does matter to you. Do you prefer the feeling of a smaller ship or larger? Do you care about viewing spaces? Do you hate heat? The buffet on the Coral is at the front of the ship provides an air conditioned view forward in the Canal. Do you care about specialty restaurants or bars? There is no Vines on Coral as an example.

I’ve done the Deadliest Catch excursion and it’s lots of fun. It’s easy to book directly and I imagine much cheaper that way than booking it as a shore excursion through Princess if that is how you did it. It couldn’t be easier since it leaves right from where the cruise ship docks https://alaskacrabtour.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtqmwBhBVEiwAL-WAYTXVWQUCBVh6AQ80UD1PFykqrGuEzv6sFiujnpeW1eb9LDIeW4HlnxoC3H0QAvD_BwE

I’ve also had really good luck requesting a quiet table in a back corner of the MDR. Having a quiet table in a corner by the window is a very different experience than sitting along the main aisle near the entrance to the dining room.

Are they all the same itinerary? Have you visited all of the ports before? Do you want to see the new locks this time? My guess is the Coral does the historic locks.

I can’t get the web-based version of the app to open. The link isn’t live when I log into the cruise personalizer. It just seems weird that managing future cruises isn’t an option if you are onboard. Of course, I also find it strange that you can see the spa menu and book services pre-cruise but it isn’t possible to do so in the app while I’m actually on a cruise. If it can be done for shore excursions.

My point isn’t that I can’t afford international cell service or paid wi-fi, or try to find free wi-fi that I’m willing to use to upload credit card information, it’s that I think it’s ridiculous to have to work that hard to check in or make dinner reservations for a cruise. I don’t understand why the app blocks access to future cruises when you are on a cruise.

Yes, if you use cell service or connect to something other than the ship’s wi-fi you can manage future bookings. It’s just a nuisance (and expense) that seems unnecessary