Arizona Laura

Sailed on Star Princess to Hawaii last yr and this fall doing several west coastal cruises on Crown and Golden Princess. I feel the food is better than RCL however the entertainment is better on RCL. Have been able to get some good prices on Princess mini-suites. That is a plus for me. If I like the itinerary and the price I won’t just sail RCL.

Laura

Samba Grill was too much meat. The sides are much better at Chops.

Went there once to try and we will not be going back. I don’t like the meats one by one being brought out.

Also the atmosphere at Chops is more appropriate I think for a special occasion.

Happy Anniversary..

Laura

Hi Laura..... The Korean Bell has been renovated and restored, and is so vibrant now with it's beautiful colors. I would add to the restaurant list, in my humble and personal opinion (sorry Mike), Neil's (Italian). It's definitely pricier than Raffaello's, but I think the food is better.

The walk along the waterfront has a new park..."the Harbor Cut". It's between the fire station and the Maritime Museum. When the trees mature, it will be real pretty.

PS... the big yellow hand will be renovated before October, too!)

Thanks Cyd.

That would be cool to watch for you with a friendly send-off.

We enjoyed going up to Angel Gate Park. Although there was one steep hill we had to drive up.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendation.

Mike..thanks for your suggestions too.

Laura

We have been to San Pedro several times already for cruises.

Has their been any changes to Angel Gate Park?

Have their been any waterfront changes? Any new restaurants open?

We always come 2 days before a cruise since we drive to the port.

Will be there again in October and November..

Thanks..

Laura

There are 2 of us and we would book a JS anytime now we can. We are in our early to mid 60s and just so much easier showering and space wise in the entire cabin. Sometimes the price has been too outrageous. For our Oct 2015 cruise we just booked no JS were available.

The double points is a plus.

Laura

A ship model..

Has saved me a little money going on the Mariner two times.

Laura

Wow, it was nice seeing the 2nd half of the cruise! I will definitely go back and see Aruba and Curacao someday. Next cruise is only one new port for me and that is Fallmouth. I guess that makes 14 days we have sailed together and it was indeed fun. I hope we have more someday. I'll look forward to hearing about that canal crossing, that is on the distant bucket list for me. I'll also look forward to hearing your comparison of Oasis to Allure. I'm sure someday we will end up one of the 3 Oasis class ships again . Gina is adamant that Allure is her favorite. Me, I need to revisit Freedom again after 7 years to decide for sure then having 2 cruise on each. On a day where I had to will my body, against its wishes to go into work, I'm having trouble seeing beyond my next cruise 325 days.

 

 

Many thanks to you and Steve, Lisa and Steve, Laura and Gene, Norine and Gene, and not to forget Sue and Audie for the fun the last two years.

Thanks Bill..

Cruising is so hard on me and with Gene being sick on Day 1 then I catching what he had and running a fever and being sick still after getting home we missed out on a lot during the cruise. Did not get to talk to you and Gina very much. Am sorry about that.

Ginny..thanks for the review and pics. I missed out on a lot and always seem to do that but reading your reviews and seeing your pics is appreciated.

Thanks to Sheila and Jerry who hung out so much with Gene and I when we were no fun. I am so glad after so many years I was able to get them to start going to Az Cruiser functions and cruise with some of our group. They are a great addition.

I agree about trying to find some diversion to getting home besides San Juan to Miami and Miami to Phoenix. That is why Gene won’t cruise to San Juan through the Panama Canal next yr. Just so long and cramped.

Laura

On our last B2B in May on the Jewel we did not eat at a specialty restaurant. First time ever not doing so.

We got hooked on the carved meats in the WJ most nights and they most always had 2 great veggies..the mixed fruit salad was awesome too along with a cheese roll and I was in heaven. Not overeating but could have what I wanted-when I wanted. They also had personalized pizzas one night that were good.

I am not saying we will not go to a specialty restaurant again for I am sure we will go to Chops again but we did not miss it on the Jewel. Ok... I did miss the Red Velvet Cake!!!

When we go with DD and son-in-law on the Freedom with 4 grandkids next June will let the 2 adults go to Chops for a special night and we will take the grandkids to WJ most likely.

Laura

Ginny..you know how my memory is so I am appreciating your review with details so much and the pics are great.

Laura

I had a little problem with Inga, but it may have been the language barrier. She did know her job, but perhaps she was just trying to save me money. We ended up getting a great deal with the BOGOHO as our next cruise on Freedom was about 2/3 the price of the Jewel one, but I went with her and told her Freedom 4/26/15 Cabin 9342. She kept giving me other room numbers. Finally I asked her is slow clear speech, "Is 9342 available?" It was an now its mine. I didn't want to get another room and have Lisa come along and take it! :p

I had a difficult time understanding her as well. When she gave us our revised papers back for our Freedom cruise with DD, her DH and grandchildren for next June 2015 she said I put you in a JS for you saved money and you deserve it. It is on the hump. Gene and I just looked at each other and said ok. We got a good deal on it with extra OBC. She was extremely busy and said she had just stopped at our cabin on the way up and missed us. She is a pretty take charge lady. 2/3 of what she said I did not understand and trusted her to get it right though. I just double checked the cabin numbers and prices when we got back to our cabin for she had people waiting for her all the time. We really liked her. I got a JS..who am I to complain?

Laura

Ginny-I don’t think anyone will go anywhere.

Your review is superb.

Laura

Great start to your review Ginny.

Puerto Rico Shuttle was wonderful.. I agree that we would use them in a heartbeat.

Laura

I do not think they want you using your own extension cords.

 

I brought a battery operated fan and set it on the table next to the bed and it worked fine for 2 weeks when I needed one. Never had to change the batteries.

 

Laura

Forgot to mention the extension cord RCL gave me was a very heavy duty one.

I do not think they want you using your own extension cords.

I brought a battery operated fan and set it on the table next to the bed and it worked fine for 2 weeks when I needed one. Never had to change the batteries.

Laura

Great review Lisa...

Laura

Enjoyed our Princess cruise to Hawaii last Oct. Love the pizza and the Trident Grill. The buffet was not as good as the WJ I thought however I did think the food in the MDR was a little better than RCL. Got a good price on a mini-suite.

Going on Princess for a 7 day Pacific Coastal this fall for 1129.00 pp for a mini-suite. We are happy. Got a little OBC too. I most likely will never cruise in a Jr Suite on RCL..just overall too expensive. RCL is pricing their Pacific Coastal cruises for fall 2015 off the charts. We got in right when the cruises opened or we would not be sailing on the Jewel Oct 2015.

I am not going to be loyal to anyone for name only. I probably won’t cruise on Carnival or NCL but I have no issue cruising with Princess.

I did have trouble learning what elevators to take where.

Laura

I am so excited for you and your father. You are going to make some wonderful memories. Safe travels.

Laura

Will be on the Jewel in May as well. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Laura

We always bring snacks and are usually so full with the meals we land up leaving them behind in our cabin to make more room for other items.

Laura

Very sad news indeed.

Thinking of the families and friends of these men.

Laura

Thanks for the review and the great pics. What a great deal with the hotel.

I will be on her in May with Sunny AZ Girl- Ginny and AZ Karaoke Girl-Lisa. So excited.

Laura

Love your ideas. What a great friend. What a nice way to start out a cruise.

BTW..No Tylenol for hangovers..use to take in my younger years when we tended to drink a little too much sometimes. Now because of the liver it is advised to avoid with alcohol.

Have fun on your cruises.

Laura

Have a great cruise.

I probably would unintentionally fall asleep though if I had to wait for 8 hrs during the night hours.

That's only bad if you are taking the last fries! :eek:

I personally would thank that person so I could get some fresh fries!!!:cool:

Laura

Two times with RCL I had to cancel my cruise due to medical reasons within a week of the cruise. I received a refund check for everything minus the cost of the travel insurance. Certainly worth it to me.

There was no drawn out process. I made a dr appt and brought in the paper work and the doctor filled it out right then and there. I had all the dates with me that the form required to provide the dr with. I filled my paper work portion out and mailed the forms in. Within 2 weeks I had the check each time.

I would never not book insurance when I book the cruise.

Laura