Torfamm

4 hours ago, memoak said:

Because Take 5 is also the casino bar on many Royal class ships 

I think the casino servers already access that bar from a door in the casino, they don't have to enter Take 5 to fill drink orders. At least not on the Enchanted.

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

There are slot machines on the Royal in the Take 5 Bar area .. far too small and not a good variety of machines there but that always where you could find us gambling,   
as you didn’t even get a whiff of smoke in there.  
There was still a large area where for the Take Five Lounge area for those that lent there for visiting or to watch sporting events on their TVs.  It wasn’t noisy, either.   

I haven't been on the Royal but Take 5 is a venue for live jazz music in my experience.

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Because that would ruin the lounge/band area of Take 5. If they made the whole thing an enclosed smoking area, then non-smokers couldn't enjoy the lounge and the live music in there.

I think the number of people enjoying drinks and jazz in that space is already going to very limited by the addition of slot machines. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid it will just be the worst of both worlds.

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

Because that would ruin the lounge/band area of Take 5. If they made the whole thing an enclosed smoking area, then non-smokers couldn't enjoy the lounge and the live music in there.

I have a feeling that the space won't be anywhere near as appealing once it has slot machines.  We'll see if it's "ruined" but I am pretty sad about the change to one of my favorite spots on the ship

1 minute ago, Lady Arwen said:

Please report back when you get home.  Have a fabulous time!  Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Thanks! We're traveling with my younger son, his wife and our grandson.  We are really looking forward to having a week with them.

1 hour ago, In Toronto said:

Does anyone know if you can plug in a nightlight in the bathroom?  The plug that states For Shavers Only.  Would it use the same power as a shaver?

 

Thanks

Some work, some don't. I use a rechargable night light like one of these

https://www.amazon.com/Approved-Magnetic-Nightlight-Stateroom-Ceilings/dp/B0CL2LB2MS/ref=asc_df_B0CL2LB2MS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693698194697&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12593021671884269701&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1019457&hvtargid=pla-2246505526553&psc=1&mcid=85d652ce3f73315aa4af6f922775a0fe&gad_source=1

1 hour ago, Lady Arwen said:

Our sailing is August 24th on Enchanted, too.  Are we on the same cruise?  I hope you’re right about the changes on Take 5.  It would be wonderful!  However, that seems quite soon for them to get that done, but you never know, right.

We board the Enchanted on Saturday. I'll be interested to see what I learn.

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I guess the best we can hope for for our August Enchanted sailing is that the proposed changes to Take 5 occur and half of that space becomes an enclosed non-smoking casino.

What I don't understand is why the don't make it an enclosed slot room for smokers if the plan is to make it casino space. That way it might limit the smoke spilling out into the piazza.

We had booked Extend Your Stay In Singapore earlier this year and were really frustrated to have it cancelled during our cruise leaving me scrambling for an alternative since we had a late flight out. I wouldn’t book it again. We did end up finding a day room that worked out fine.

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

I totally believe this!  Hardcore gamblers are immune to cigarette smoke.  They’re either smokers themselves or they don’t even notice it anymore.  Folks like myself, who enjoy the casino on occasion and do it only for fun, are the ones who suffer.  The Princess casinos would still be full until the wee hours without smoking.  They’re just afraid to take the leap.

I avoid evenings because of the smoke. For slot players, early mornings on sea days are the best opportunity to avoid the smoke. It’s tougher for those who like table games. They get more active as the night goes on. Going early is a matter of timing

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Exactly the same here in Canada.  I can’t remember the last time I saw someone smoking.  We’re basically a non smoking country except on your own property.  

I get pretty frequent Waves surveys from the Ocean Players Club and they always ask about the smoking policy. There is no doubt that this issue is on their minds

7 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

he only way you should possibly lose your card is if you were impaired because you had too much to drink

Or you had to leave it somewhere while you swam or worked out, or it just fell out of your pocket. The wearable aspect of the medallion is a real convenience.

14 hours ago, BamaVol said:

How interesting!  Do they look like a passenger medallion?  What color(s) are they?  What’s printed on them?  I will be onboard Enchanted in 6 days.  I will be looking closely.

They are blue as I recall. 

On 6/8/2024 at 10:52 AM, karatemom2 said:

Personally I love the medallion. Cards were a pain - I rarely am wearing something with pockets so DH ended up carrying it around for me most of the time. Medallion is always with me on my wrist bracelet - don’t have to worry about it. It’s convenient and easy. And we often travel as extended family with our adult kids - we love being able to easily find each other - no more the days of the dry erase board we used to use for messages in the cabin. I pretty much realize that in our modern age we are being filmed, monitored, and tracked as humans and consumers daily so it is what it is. If it makes my vacation easier and more convenient then I’m happy. 

I agree, the wristbands are really convenient, I especially like knowing the medallion can be with me swimming or exercising. Losing my key card because I had to leave it somewhere always is a concern, especially on shore. I miss the medallion when we cruise other lines.

On 6/7/2024 at 11:58 AM, SCX22 said:

 

 

Not quite sure why you'd not be in a state to answer an audible ring or vibration from your phone on a ship.  Too many drinks?

Lots of reasons- in a fitness class or running, getting a massage, swimming, sitting at a blackjack table, taking a nap. We use the app all the time to find each other or see if the other has finished what they were doing and moved on. It’s one of my favorite features.

What do the document requirements on your booking or travel summary say? Princess generally requires passports be valid for 6 months after the end of the trip.

2 hours ago, PGca said:

 

whose rule regarding 6 month passport validity after planned departure applies - Princess or national government immigration / visit rules (which does not have a 

 

Does anyone have a definitive source of information which i can quote and print for embarkation staff (website, Princess procedures, etc) rather than conjecture ? 

The starboard side should have the best views in Antarctica. 

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:

I forgot to add:  One of the ladies at the salon summers in France frequently.  She's 73.  She said when it's hot in the summer over there, she just wears a dress and "goes commando" to help with the "air conditioning" 😸

I suppose that might work if you aren't climbing too many flights of stairs!

If you’ll have no access to internet or cell phone service, you can find the numbers for individual ships here. 

https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/onboard-experience#keep-in-touch

58 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

It’s never like any other port day, no matter where you are.  It’s true that in in some places B2B passengers, don’t all have to get off and then back on again, but breakfast ends early. The buffet has no late risers option.  There’s no Elite breakfast.  Aqua spa cafe is closed.  Often the solarium pool is closed.  The elevators are jammed with people toting luggage.  Constant announcements create an ambiance that is not conducive to sleeping in.

I didn’t notice any of that on our last B2B but it certainly may have been your experience. They can change a lot of that though if they want to offer longer cruises that can be booked by linking shorter segments. There’s no requirement to close any areas or not offer services.

The number of people staying on B2B definitely can vary, depending on the itinerary. In Europe for example, I’ve seen many, many people staying aboard for multiple segments on ships where differing segments can be purchased a week at a time. It can be a great way to customize an itinerary.

2 hours ago, Liao said:

That was my experience in Miami last year.  We all (40ish) met in a conference room, handed envelope with new seapass, off the ship, flashed passport and right back on ship total time was 45 minutes.

In Europe none of that is required. A turnaround day can be like any other port day unless you are changing cabins. We did a B2B2B2B and never had to get up early or clear customs. They don’t require that all passengers leave the ship the way the US does.

As I recall, there was no requirement to leave the ship in Hong Kong earlier this year either, although we did get off to go sightseeing for the day. 

Just shared this suggestion with a friend visiting Turkey. It’s extremely affordable, very cool, and covers knees and shoulders. 

https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-cool-t-shirt-dress

I have recommended this dress to lots of friends for hot weather sightseeing that requires covering knees and shoulders. They are cool even in the hottest weather, very inexpensive, and wash beautifully.

https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-cool-t-shirt-dress

6 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

The problem with the back to back theory is that you basically lose half a day waiting to disembark and then waiting to embark again.  No chance to sleep in.  No Elite breakfast.  Fighting with new passengers for elevators as they embark.  Its just not fun.

That isn’t true in all ports. In many places, it’s just like any port day for B2B passengers. 

I’m with you! Galapagos for sure