Starshine95123

Stairs for me 99% of the time. Hubby can go up 1-2 flights of stairs, but going downstairs is very hard for him. Much safer for him (and others) for him to use the elevator. We just meet at the elevator bank. Sometimes I'm waiting for him, sometimes he's waiting for me lol. Works for us. 

I agree that going upstairs is harder than going down!

The adult only pools in the aft area (near Horizon Court) and forward area (1 deck below the Sanctuary and by the spa) have steps. The 2 main family pools midship are ladders only. 

Sorry, I don't know prices of the Sanctuary. 

Cruise Raider, you type faster than me lol. Thanks for answering my question about buying an FCD while on the BVE. I hope it work out for the original poster.

Can you purchase an FCD if you're doing the Bon Voyage Experience (BVE)? I thought you could, but don't remember if that's true or not. Hopefully, someone else will know for sure. If so, that could solve your problem if the other couple is close to a port that offers it.

No, it doesn't include bottled water. You can order water for a reasonable price BEFORE your cruise. It was about $7 for 12 bottles. Onboard it's about $2 per bottle. Look in your personalizer to order. You can also bring your own (water/soda) when you board if you prefer. I always bring my hubby a few cans of soda for variety. He usually just drinks the lemonade or iced tea.

I bought my soda and more package in early June 2018. Like I said in my earlier post, I asked while onboard the Grand Princess to Alaska and it was included. As usual, different ships have different rules. Don't buy the package and expect the milkshakes since it is no longer on the list. (Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla were available on my cruise)

Just ask once onboard. You might get lucky!

Milkshakes no longer included in Soda & More package.

:(

 

Ask about this when you get onboard, you might be surprised. I was able to get milkshakes on the Grand Princess ( 6/25/18-7/5/18) with the soda and more package. I asked about the milkshakes and was told it was included.

They might have taken it out of the description because the newer ships don't make them. Hope you get them included in your package.

I've been in the last inside (A744). The only noise I ever heard was them putting out the loungers, tables and chairs early in the morning. This lasted maybe 5-10 minutes. I was usually awake by then. Hubby said he never heard it. Your cabin looks like it might be under the very back of Horizon Court so you won't get the noise I heard. It looks like they should be quiet cabins. I'll be in A745 in a few weeks. The noise I heard early in the morning obviously didn't bother me too much lol.

Yay! I've been waiting and looking forward to cruising with you and G again. Here's wishing both of you good health and smooth sailing.

We stayed in A744 on the Grand Princess last year. Loved the location, very convenient to Horizen Court, adult pool, and a bar. The only (very slight) negative for us; every morning, about 6, they set up some table and chairs. I can't remember if there were lounge chairs too, I think so. You can hear them dragging them into position. This only lasted about 5 minutes because the area isn't that large. I'm usually up then anyway, but it might disturb some people if they like to sleep later. I'm going on the Grand again in September and chose A736, two cabins forward from A744. Cabins further than that hold more than 2 people and I didn't want to deal with shoulder/head injuries from the bunks lol. I'll see if A736 eliminates the early morning noise. I can't be sure just looking at the deck plans. No big deal though, the convenience of the area is worth a few minutes of noise. Hope this helps you.

Great, thanks so I assume when you go out that door you are right at the pool and pool bar? That's what I am hoping anyway! LOL

Yes, out the door and up 6-7 steps, and you're at the pool. I think the bar and HC was up another very short flight of steps. Up another staircase is a nice covered area with couches/chairs. (Smoking is on the port side) Up another flight of stairs is a hot tub. Easy access to all. I loved being aft!

I would mention that the price for the AIBP is per day.

We were in A744 last January. This is an inside stateroom. It was a great location, easy access to the adult pool, buffet, bar etc. It was usually a very quiet area. The only noise we heard was from the pool loungers being dragged across the deck every morning and evening during setup or takedown. This only lasted a few minutes. I think it was around 6:30 every morning. It was a very minor inconvenience, and we had no problem falling back to sleep. While I would try to move a few staterooms forward if possible, we would have no problem booking this stateroom again.

Hope this helps.

WinksCruises, was escargot served any night?

 

snow bunny

Not WinksCruises, but yes it was, on the second formal night. Yummy!

Beautiful scarf Pam! I need to learn how to crochet.

We usually bring a battery operated candle. I've even used a battery operated tea light as a night light in the bathroom.

Sounds like the staff still haven't been told how it's supposed to work. We had a friend join us for the BVE last October. They wouldn't let us board with her. She took the ship tour and waited for us to join her so we could have lunch. By the time we boarded the dining room was closed so we ate in the buffet. (My hubby told a Princess employee our BVE guest was waiting for us and he let us on right away.) Princess refunded all BVE guests that day because the ship was late getting in and guests wouldn't be onboard very long. It was also the first day a ship could plug in at the port. They were having a celebration so I thought that may have just added to the confusion with the BVE. Now I'm not so sure, it sounds like they're still confused. :eek: My friend is willing to try it again in September though. :D We'll just speak up earlier so we can have lunch in the dining room this time.

Very entertaining, looking forward to the next installment.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your review. Thanks for taking the time to write about your cruise.

Just finished reading it and can hardly wait for the next installment. Hope all you "snifflers" are feeling better soon.