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I really miss the Bengal Bar and the swim-up pool bar from the old Royal Princess. 

There are some premium ocean view cabins near the front of the ship. They include a sofa and have more square footage than a standard ocean view. Unless you need a bathtub, or reserve class dining, I would look into booking one of those cabins.

It’s usually not a problem to ask for a different omelet than what is offered on the menu. My husband likes salsa on his and they can get that too.

As for the drinks, I have given up worrying about it unless we get charged extra. It’s just not worth it. I know other people’s drinks are charged to us and some of ours are charged to others. Once at the bar, my husband overheard someone give his cabin number to the bartender. Unbelievable!

33 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

same. I think it was Typhoid Mary in the theater on the last night who coughed the entire performance long right behind us.

That is exactly what happened to us, but it was the man behind us in Princess Live. We got up and left, but it was too late. 

Covid was alive and well on the Royal Princess in March. My mom and sister both caught it. My husband caught a cold and I got a sinus infection. At least it wasn’t Noro.

4 hours ago, lorri111 said:

Thanks for that! Too rich for me!

In USD, it converts to about $37 and $43. 

Loved reading your review! Thanks so much for posting. It sounds like you had a fabulous cruise.

1 hour ago, phabric said:

 

EzAir price does not include luggage fees.

On international flights, we have never paid for the first checked bag. I’m thinking this is only on domestic flights?

Our cruise is in September and we can’t make reservations yet either. Just have to be patient I guess.

We used EZ Air last month to fly round trip from SFO to Auckland. You can deviate the flight to add extra days on at the beginning, or end, of your cruise. You pick from the flights offered, so you have complete control there.
 

We will use EZ Air again in September. We have one way flights, on Air Canada, from Sacramento to Barcelona. The cost was $550, per person. I haven’t been able to find anything cheaper.

Since the implementation of the medallion, I’ve probably been on twenty cruises. Every single cruise had at least one erroneous charge and most had multiple. I check my bill daily. I only complain if my account gets charged a dollar amount. I have no idea show many free drinks others may have charged to my room. 

Actually this is an ongoing problem. On the Royal last October, even though both of us had Princess Plus, we were constantly getting charged for other passenger’s drinks. The worst was an entire case of water, sent to a cabin that wasn’t even our cabin. Unfortunately, I missed a charge of $13 on disembarkation day. We ended up just paying it. My time to fight the charge is more valuable. 

Last month on the Royal Princess, Crooner’s had sugarcoated peanuts available. You may also bring your own favorites.

Yes, that’s preferable. I just hate paying for the hotel in Fort Lauderdale. We will be “living on the edge” and flying into Long Beach the same day the ship leaves.

5 minutes ago, memoak said:

I can’t find that one Jan 2025. I only see FLL to LA one day after we leave on the Coral

Sorry, it’s May of 2024. I booked it on a  “drop and go” last week. Lol, when I said “mine too”, I meant January would be my favorite time to go also.

39 minutes ago, memoak said:

Leaving from FLL?

We’re on the Island, LA to FLL. 

33 minutes ago, memoak said:

Our next canal trip is early January one of my favorite time of year and on the Coral

Mine too! I was trying to find something that left from California, in May. Our choices were hot (Panama) or cold (Alaska). I picked 🥵. I’ll be spending a lot of time in the pool.

What time of year are you going? April and May are really hot and humid. Even with a partially covered balcony, l found it too hot to sit outside for more than a few minutes. We’re leaving next month on a Panama Canal cruise and opted for an aft ocean view cabin. Unless you prefer a balcony cabin, it’s not necessary. The best views are from the decks.

1 hour ago, CruiseCrabs said:

But… but… fascinators are day wear. Rock a tiara!

Good point!

I really want to attend. We bring formal clothes, so no worries there. I think it’s pricey, but I will go at least once. Since we’ll be in England, might even wear my fascinator. 

My husband and I did 32 days in an inside cabin. Try and book a room near the Hollywood Conservatory. You can sit there and read with nice ocean views.

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Since the 18% has been baked into the menu price.  Soooo, Princess should be figuring the difference between the AUD value of max drink price in the AUD Plus plan.

The Plus plan drinks go up to $22 AUD. I was ordering espresso martinis for $22.50, and just paying 50 cents extra. No problem getting double pours in Vines either. The bartender, Michelle, remembered us from the Ruby last year. We even got to take the fancy glasses to dinner with us, as long as we brought them back, lol.

I’m just off the Royal Princess. When the ships sail “down under”, using Australian currency, there’s no added gratuity. You will just pay the price difference. 

Having sailed on the Island both before, and after, her major changes, I still like her. I would highly recommend booking one of the newer cabins on the aft end. She has one of the nicest Crooner’s bar and I like the coffee bar at the bow of the ship. It’s still possible to do laps on the Promenade deck if one just uses the exit doors on the aft end.

 The ship’s real shortcomings are the small casino, no International Cafe, a small, windowless gym, and no pool in the Sanctuary. If these issues are deal breakers for you, you won’t like the ship. Otherwise, you’ll be fine.

On the Royal Princess, there was a totem pole carving demonstration in the piazza. Libby Riddles gave a presentation about dog sled racing. On Glacier Bay day, the park rangers board the ship and give commentary.