Kay S

So Rick Steves...🙂

I have watched that muster video I don't know how many times. It's a great improvement over the old method of gathering in one area with life jackets and trying to hear the crew official over the room noise. Of course, you miss out on the fun of watching people get the jackets on wrong or--my favorite part--"hold your nose and walk, don't jump" overboard. 🙂

If it works, great. We never got the staff to agree to this. It depends on who is in charge in which dining room on which ship. If Princess is serious in restoring traditional fixed dining, it will be less of an issue. It's possible in fixed dining to get a table for two if that's important.

But it could be two birds, one stone! 🤣

That's the point--each line is different. Good on you for finding that out.

You can make a nice little meal from the IC. Sandwiches, soup, salads, quiche, desserts.

Main seating for me every time. I hate that long line downstairs, waiting for a table.

I have been to Paris many times. (We have family in France.) A short drive around the city won't be very fun. If it takes you over an hour to get there and back, you won't have time for anything but maybe a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. Notre Dame was still not open when I was there last June, but when it does open, you can count on long queues. There is no way to see the Louvre in such a short time. Even if just to see Mona Lisa, it would take over an hour to clear security, find your way to the painting and then join the queue. France is famous for its strikes, and museums as well as transportation can shut down with little notice. I would advise against trying to do Paris on your short schedule.

Which ship? For what it's worth, I never smelled smoke in any Princess dining room (over 30 cruises.)

I love a good ruin! Thanks for the photos.

My question, too. Wouldn't that cause some security concerns?

That would be me. I'm waiting to see if they are serious about TD before I book Princess again.

I'm encouraged that they are doing some classical music on some ships, but I wish it were a more consistent thing.

Okay. Been gone awhile. Do Elite benefits still include priority dining reservations? I don't want to book and then find out I can't do TD since that is the only reason I would consider another Princess cruise.

Your photos are great. So enjoying following your journey. Have you had many tendering ports?

Nope. Not small ships. Not small pancakes. 🙂 I'm not much of a pastry/cakes person.

Good luck with either of those things. Policing people (done by passengers and not cruise officials) is a thankless job and not likely to change anyone's behavior. Non-washers will continue to not wash, and chair hogs will continue to hog. Maybe it makes you feel better to publicly correct them, but still...good luck.

Hmm..traditional dining. I might come back. Or not.

Do not get this retired English teacher started on "they/them." 😝

I have not heard that before. I was under the impression the dress code was less formal than other lines.

We haven't tried the smallest ships yet. I'll be looking for a good itinerary. I may be in a minority, but I can easily do without the Grand Dutch Cafe.

The wannabe police come in all flavors, drink policy, dress codes, deck chairs, service dogs, etc. You'll always find someone who needs to control other people's behavior. How did anyone know it was vodka? Did you taste it?

Sometimes I guess it's a miss. I've eaten at Dive-In multiple times and been happy with it. I must admit, though, I never ordered a bratwurst.

I love this thread. We are using our tiles as coasters. Good conversation starters when we have guests.

I see my crab cakes are there, so I will be too.