Richjoxyz

I hope it does a full transit!  We get on in Fort Lauderdale and get off in San Francisco.  I hope were not going all the way around!

Is there any way to know if the same problem existed on the other side of the ship?  We leave soon and will be in C431, almost directly across form your cabin.

Looks like norovirus to me.

I like club soda with lime.  I purchased the soda package assuming I can use it for club soda.  Is this correct?  I hope so or I'll be drinking a lot of coke!

Hi MercerIslandGirl...yes, we are on the same cruise!  Getting very close.  Time to pack!

I recommend a full-body massage in Thailand!

I sent in a Princess Military form with proof of service and received $100 OBC and free gratuities for our 10 night cruise next month.  Thank you Princess. 

Thank you for the informative feedback.  We are thoroughly enjoying our anticipation of walking onto this ship!  Your comments help guide us as we review deck plans and watch ship tours.  Our cruise is a short 10 night Southern Caribbean, with 2 nights at Lago Mar Beach Resort pre-cruise.  Thanks for adding to our pre-cruise fun! 

I live in the East Bay (south of Oakland) and today looks much better than the last couple days.  I can see blue sky instead of the orange haze we have had. 

We just booked Cabin C431 on the Crown for December.  We've sailed the Regal and the Grand.  For folks that like the Crown, please tell us what is nice about the Crown.  Please feel free to add comments about our cabin selection.  How is the Crown different from the Grand?

We just booked a 17 night Panama Canal Cruise with HAL on a casino discount.  $399 p/p (inside cabin not including taxes)

We had the same exact noise on two different princess ships.  Maintenance came in and pounded shims under the walls to try to tighten everything up.  It did not help.  The noise came and went based on speed, seas, etc.  Some nights we slept ok, other nights were frustrating. 

Our flight was a red eye and I don't sleep much on the plane, so first night, almost no sleep. Second night, could not get to sleep until 6 am (had to get up at 9!) Third night, got to sleep about 4 AM, maybe 5AM!. Next night, about 2 AM to 3 AM, after that I was getting back to normal, about midnight or one. Remember, it stays light until 10:30 or 11. Midnight feels like 9 or 10 PM. The sun came up at 3:30 or 4. Make sure to bring a sleep mask, or close line clips to pin the curtains closed to keep the room dark.

Very good question. We just returned from our Baltic cruise that departed from Amsterdam. We flew in 3 days early and bought the I Amsterdam card. I underestimated the jet lag issue. I could not get to sleep until 6 am for two nights! (6 AM is 9 PM for us Californians.) I had made reservations at museums for 11 am. Let me tell you, when I was laying there at 6 AM still waiting to go to sleep, I did not look forward to getting up three hours later to get ready for my museum trip.

We did manage to make use of our card, and barely made a little profit by using it, but next time I am going to take it easy and let my body sleep.

It took me 4 to 6 days to get back on a normal sleep schedule. My wife can sleep any time, any place, no problem for her. I thought I was going to go crazy from no sleep for a couple days.

This would be a simple decision for me. They are both great ships, I would not be disappointed to cruise on either one of them. I would use itinerary and price to make my decision. If Adventure is lower price with an extra day I would go for it. The ABC islands are one of the best itineraries in the Caribbean in my opinion.

You can not go wrong with either choice.

We used Google maps with walking directions to walk around all our Baltic ports. Was a total life saver. We walked all over the place with live GPS tracking our every step. was awesome. I set up an international plan with my phone service so I had data the whole time.

Absolutely just stay in Copenhagen. Was our favorite port in Baltics. So much to see and do. If only for a couple days i would just stay there.

We just cruised the Baltic recently, with a return flight at similar time as you. We carried our luggage off and it was one of the easiest debarkation ever. We were off very early..7;00 maybe 7:30. Cabs are right there when you exit the port. We jumped in one and made it to the airport within 20 to 30 minutes. No traffic on a weekend morning. no problemo

I suggest not worrying about the extra 10 bucks. This was easy peasy. After a 12 night cruise, and spending all kinds of cash left and right, saving 10 or 20 bucks was not worth the headache of trying to deal with complications.

Fazer Cafe and Chocolate Shop in Helsinki. It's about two blocks from where the shuttle dropped us off. THE BEST CHOCOLATE I HAVE EVER EATEN! We bought a couple bars (large bars!) for $2.80 each to eat back in the cabin. Loved it. When we got home we tried to find more. It is not sold in USA. Amazon will ship it for $10 per bar. This is my MUST GO TO place for any future Helsinki trip. The cafe is great. It is right downtown close to all the attractions.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189934-d1010845-Reviews-Karl_Fazer_Cafe-Helsinki_Uusimaa.html

There is always a clock at the gangway when you leave the ship, take a glance and make sure that time matches your wrist watch

 

 

Agreed, I always check time with Security when we leave the ship, and make sure my watch (not phone, unless you turn off the auto time function) is set to the same time. I confirm all aboard time too. This may seem like overkill, but I have been complacent in the past and have had to ask my wife "what time is all aboard...what time is it now?"

We wait until about half way through the cruise and then start asking for discounts. We have received anywhere from 25% to 50% off. Pick an evening that has a sea day the next day. After all the wine, you may be tired!

I'm glad we leave soon on our cruise from Amsterdam. We'll get to have the experience! If later, cruises leave from Rotterdam, we'll get to see that city too! Regarding revenues, tourists and tourist money will have plenty of choice.

Just for the record, we will be spending a pretty penny in an expensive hotel for three nights on DAM square, including two I Amsterdam cards, restaurants, bars, etc. If the local economy doesn't welcome cruise tourist cash, I would like to know that.

If I were a business owner, or an employee of a business owner, I would not like a plan that reduces my customer base. however, if Rotterdam is so close, it may increase revenue. People will fly to Amsterdam, stay in Amsterdam, and then take transportation to Rotterdam on cruise day.

Hi Goodtime! We will be in cabin 8102 on the May 28th Sailing. It's the last cabin next to the elevators in the Centrum (deck 8). I am kind of curious how late the music plays in the Centrum and if it's noisy around our cabin. If you are really bored one night and feel like walking around, please go to our cabin and see how loud it is! (If there is a party in the Centrum, I should be at the party, not in my cabin!)

Have a great cruise! We are enjoying your live review.

Thanks for the advice. Based upon all options described, we pulled the trigger on $1,000 Euros from Bank of America. Our rate was $126.90 per Hundred. Looks like we'll have to have an overpriced meal with overpriced wine to use up some of the cash! Talk about money burning a hole in your pocket.

I estimate the following expenses (all estimates are for 2 people):

Cab to hotel $60 Euros

Two normal priced dinners and one high priced dinner $300

Two lunches $100

Beers $50

Hookers $0 Dollars (wife said no)

Museums $100

Souvenirs $100

Cab to Ship $35

Day trip in Tallinn $100

Day trip in Helsinki $100

Cab to airport $60

I will give the ATMs a go, and see if my "no international fee" credit card works too.

Should be fun! Thanks for the help.

Thanks! That's a large difference!

Just did the math, Bank of America will charge me 5.5%.