Sandy R

We also took Smile Tours and recommend them highly.

We had twin beds... DH's mattress was fine, mine sagged in the middle which was clearly visible. I asked for a new mattress but I was told they didn't have any available. Used a topper which made it better.

We were on the Crown a few weeks ago, in a mini-suite, and we had twin beds. My nightstand was beside the desk. One night, the ocean was rough and the nightstand on my side, started to squeak. I tried to move the nightstand to stop the squeaking it but it was quite firmly attached to the desk. Hope this helps.

On our Crown sailing to Hawaii October 5... I ordered the dinner size fettuccini and was told it no longer came with the parmesan basket. Then I asked for cooked shrimp with the fettuccini and was told the kitchen couldn't give me cooked shrimp. I ordered the dinner size fettuccini with 2 shrimp appetizers without sauce. Very frustrating to have to eat cold shrimp over "no longer available parmesan basket" fettuccini. I appears Princess food quality is changing. Even the buffet offerings seemed to me to be less tasty on this cruise.

Sorry, I think I haven't been clear enough... I know the queen mattresses will be the upgraded kind and that the beds will be able to be made into 2 twins. My concern is whether the twin mattresses will be the new upgraded mattresses. The Princess agent I spoke with went off-line for a few minutes to find out the answer but couldn't... only said twin mattresses "must" be the new kind.

Just returned from the Crown and my mini-suite twin mattress sagged in the middle. I'm not going to spend the extra $$ until I know if they'll have new twin mattresses, too.

Actually the lower bed frames come in 2 frames that can be separated. I want to know if the new upper mattresses will come in queen size and twin size. A mock booking won't tell me that. The Princess agent said their "must"be twin mattresses, too. That doesn't give me much confidence. I may have to wait until December to find out for sure.

We always have bed made into 2 twins. Before I book a Club Class mini, anyone know if new mattresses come in twin size. Called Princess who told me yes but I trust CC board members more.

I love in SoCal and got it. Deleted it. Would never give any promo offer my email address. No doubt it's legit but think of all the emails you're going to get from companies Sara Lee will be giving your email to!

This may be a silly question' date=' but why was placing things in totes easier than placing them back in the suitcases?[/quote']

 

I just threw like things in the totes and filled them about 1/2 way, so it was easier putting things away in the new cabin. Having to open a piece of luggage and re-pack things, would have been way harder.

When we had to move cabins, the steward came with a trolley and provided us with lots of the blue Princess totes. I emptied our loose things, cosmetics, our liquor set up, etc. into the blue totes. I also emptied the drawers into the totes. The steward took everything that was on hangers and our empty luggage. Having those totes made a big difference. If you're not provided with them, ask the steward for them.

Cabins for 3 people means there is a bed that comes down from the ceiling for the 3rd person. I've seen travel cribs in mini-suites but I don't know about having them in other types of cabins. You should call Princess and ask.

I use a TA and always "add" the ship insurance when booking a cruise. TA never charges the insurance until final payment. We sail Princess so I don't know what other ship lines do.

We also have early TD. This will be the first time in many years that we haven't opted for Anytime dining. I figure information is key to having a good TD experience. If we are going to be late because of a tour, we'll let the Head Waiter or Maitre 'd know the night before and request a table at a later time slot. If that won't work, we'll eat elsewhere. If we'll be going to a specialty restaurant, we plan to also let the Head Waiter or Maitre'd know the night before, so another party can sit at our table. If you can't know you're going to be late until the day of, then see the Head Waiter or Maitre'd know when the TD opens that evening. One of the nice things we like about Princess is they have alternate dinner venues.

On our upcoming cruise, booked awhile ago, we decided to do traditional dining. We usually do Anytime Dining but wanted to try Traditional again because of the Club Class dining coming in December.

Our TA requested a table for 2. On the Princess site under our booking it says "6pm dining confirmed". I would hate to think they would ignore our "confirmed" 6pm dining? I think I'll make a copy of our "confirmation" on the Princess website... it might come in handy!

We always book mini-suites and have always had a rubber tub mat. It's stored under the vanity. I would ask the steward for a second rubber mat. Two mats will cover the floor of the tub. I'm in my 70's with no mobility issues but I still hold onto the towel bar to get out of the tub and I make sure the cloth bath mat is where I step out. If you're concerned about your DH, be there to help him out of the tub.

We always bring a power strip that we plug into the desk outlet.

We did the SkyTrain a few years ago. They do take credit cards and it was easy with luggage and we were in are early 70's. The stop you get off will be downhill walking to Canada Place. I don't leave anything to chance so did a search and found photos and detailed descriptions of the process from the airport to Canada Place.

After a certain age, 3rd party travel insurance is prohibitively expensive... which is why a few years ago, we switched to Princess coverage. Lately, we have been sailing fairly close to home, Coastal, Hawaii, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. We might be rethinking Mexico now. Also, my condition is going to be relatively stable so Princess coverage will still be a good option.

Thanks to all who have posted. It is quite clear now, how we will proceed with our cruise bookings. You guys are the best!!!

Once someone has been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder that can be controlled with medication, is Princess Platinum Protection Insurance still available to purchase when booking a cruise. And, if we need to cancel in the future because of that disorder, will Princess insurance cover us.

There up now and not better than the promos I already have.

NewCruzer... I hear your dismay. I, too, would not like a steward to handle our clothes or move our things around.

We've been on dozens of Princess cruises and have never had a problem with a steward. Communication is key! If the steward is doing a good job, let him know. Everyone likes a complement. If there's something you want him to do differently, politely let him know. The stewards work hard to please but if you feel they've overstepped their bounds, speak to them rather than going to the Purser's Office. Treating the steward with dignity and respect, goes a long way.

We sailed on Sitmar at least twice a year with our young kids. Since 4 of us were in one cabin, it was fun knowing which cabins were a little bigger or laid out slightly better.

No balconies or picture windows in those days... but occasionally we had a cabin where the porthole opened. Remember the blow-dry rooms and how social they were. Will never forget the appetizer tray that came around before the entree. Still have 16 low ball glasses with Sitmar etched on one side and a ship on the other side.

When Sitmar was purchased by Princess I called and told them we had every boarding picture from every cruise we ever sailed with Sitmar and wanted to know where to send the copies. The agent said that wouldn't be necessary and gave us credit for all our cruises.

I discovered in December before our cruise, that half of the Krystal grounds were sold off to Hilton. Millennium Massage that used to be at the Krystal Hotel has now moved downtown to a shop. We really wanted a massage within a hotel so we could use the pool afterwards.

I tried to make massage reservations at the Hilton Spa but they only spoke Spanish and I barely speak the language. I called the Hilton lobby for help but was told massage reservations could only be made by their Spa personnel. Very frustrating.

Happy birthday. I didn't get any birthday wishes from Princess and my birthday is in April, too.