brentlym

I used to. Don't any more. Too many people slammed me for "bragging" so it wasn't worth the nasty comments. I thought I was just keeping track for myself and anyone who had a question. :(

People that actually had the audacity to accuse you, of all people, of bragging were simply jealous. It's such an ugly emotion. :D

I'd *highly* recommend a covered balcony (or at least a partially covered one). One thing you can be assured of on this cruise is that it will be hot and it will most definitely be humid…..but oh so beautiful and fun. The Coral balconies can be tricky to choose but with a little research, you can snag one. The link to the website provided above by Colo_Cruiser is super helpful in deciding which is best. http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/p...ies/index.html

This is my first Princess cruise since the early 90's. Will I be disappointed in the Sapphire Princess because of the changes/work going on because of the move to the Asian market? It is only a 4 day cruise. Interest to hear from those of you who have cruised recently.

While Pam's report from the past 10 days on the Sapphire did cause a little concern, I'm definitely going into it with eyes wide open. Hoping for the best and not worry about the small stuff. After all, we're going to be on a ship. :D

Thanks for posting this, Brent! It should answer ALL questions about on which ships and explains the Alcohol Package very well! :)

 

LuLu

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Agreed LuLu. Took a while for the final word, but glad the mystery as been solved.

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Here's the answer as of this afternoon.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5769

Don't mean to embarrass you, but I, too, am a fan and daily reader of the blog. It's always an escape from my daily routine to have a few "cruise moments" while reading about your time on the Emerald this Winter. Thanks for sharing, and here's to many more Barefoot Bubbly toasts! :D

As it's already been said, there's no rhyme, reason, or known method that Princess uses for upgrades. The only time I've been upgraded is on short repositioning cruises…guarantee oceanview to balcony. Frankly, I don't believe that any of us will ever know how this works, and they don't really want us to know.

Thanks! Hope our cabin is clean!

 

 

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So sorry. Didn't mean to make you think it wouldn't be clean. :eek: It will be spotless when you arrive. The cabin was just well used and needed a bit of a facelift. It was minor and certainly didn't detract from the cruise.

The Golden is in very good shape considering her age. All Princess ships, to me, have that familiar look and feel, so I think we tend (at least I do) to notice the minor details. It's a bit trivial, but the cabin could have used a bit of a deep cleaning and freshening up, but that's the only negative thing I noticed. Enjoy your cruise!

More recent posts say it is available, confused!

It's available. See Day 120 Pescado Amarillo's blog.

http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.ca

I'd also recommend Riviera forward cabins where there are Lido deck cabins above and Aloha cabins below. It was super quiet there. It's always a noise gamble with a public area above or below your cabin.

I am on the Sapphire now and:

 

The Calypso Cove is only temporarily in the Chapel, the new 'Limelight Boutique' is opening in two days where Calypso was.

 

They are installing modems on the TVs to make them interactive - mine was done and I was enjoying it, but today the TV shows just a blue screen and 'network connection error' - obviously more work to be done.

I know this is a bit off topic, but can't seem to find someone who knows. Since you're on the Sapphire….is it a 4 day cruise and are they offering the drink package??

Colo_Cruiser…

Did they offer the drink package on the 4/5 day cruises on Sapphire? I haven't heard if it's just 7 days or if they were offering it on the shorter ones as well.

We are planning a Panama Canal cruise for 2015 on the Island Princess. Last year when we started our research, I found a link to covered and non-covered balconies on the Coral/Island but now I can't locate it---anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

Thanks

Here ya go!

http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/

Considering I'll be Elite by end of the year, I'd really like to leave it alone. I've spent a considerable amount of my paycheck and vacation time being loyal to Princess….mainly because I love it and they treat me so well. I'm always amazed that I'm remembered by crew members from previous cruises….one bartender even remembered me from 3 cruises ago and what I always ordered. I was honored and a little embarrassed at the same time. :D

This is the best by far! Why is it not on TV?

My guess is that it's just too long for a regular commercial spot.

I did Northbound LA to Vancouver in May and Southbound Vancouver to San Francisco in Sept (both 2013). The Sept cruise was quite rough and tossed us around pretty good…enough to cause a thunderous crash of food and dishes into the floor in the Horizon Court. Both of those times of year were quite chilly out too. You'll need a hoodie for sure!

While the 2 they show on TV are rather sedate, and the one with the couple ordering wine resembles an add for another product altogether :D, this is the one that I like the most, and it's not seen on TV. It really does pretty much sum up my love affair with Princess.

Unfortunately, it's true. See this blog from "Vickie" who is onboard.

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca

Packing for our Ruby trip next week & have a question.

I understand that shampoo & conditioner are now in pump dispensers.

Was wondering if they still provide the body lotion even if a dispenser.

Did love the mild scent of the Lotus Spa products!

Thanks!

Yes, your cabin will have a tube of the new white Lotus Spa lotion. I like it too, so I asked the steward for more and he cheerfully brought it.

I don't think there is a hide a bed anywhere in the world thats comfortable. :eek:

Only the kids seem to be immune usually.

Amen to that! LOL

I was the unlucky one that spent 14 nights on a hide-a-bed in a Island Princess mini-suite last March. The mattresses on them are horrific even with 3 egg crates, and I'm lucky my mother had brought Soma and Lortab. I ended up in urgent care upon arrival back in Dallas. If you can stay in a mini with the pulldown from the ceiling, I'd *highly* recommend it. The person sleeping in it will thank you, as they have a real mattress and are considerably more comfortable. I can promise you…I will never, ever repeat the hide-a-bed experience again. :(

That's true. We all do what we *really* want to do. However, I will always encourage someone to try the new ships.

As for Emerald/Ruby....I'm currently booked on the 4/19 Caribbean from Houston. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

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Honestly, she's worth the rebook, having been on the Royal this past November. Do whatever you can to experience the ship, if thats possible. You won't regret it. The ship is just beautiful. Princess has done an amazing job with the new build.

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Sailed on Ruby 1/23-27….the ship was in fantastic shape. But honestly, the crew was simply amazing, and made all the difference. Things just seemed to work like a well-oiled machine and they did a stunning job. Maybe since the Commodore is onboard…don't know….but it was a fantastic short cruise. Get onboard! :D