Cras108er

Thanks all. I have heard a couple primary complaints: motion of the ocean, vibration, distance from everything, and soot. Doesn't sound like any of these were concerns. Looks being n Dolphin deck means we don't get loungers on the rear viewing area, but it is easy enough that go up to Caribe or Baja.

One more question. Are Dolphin balconies the ones that are half coverd and half uncovered? I remember looking king down into some cabins lik that on my last cruise (from a standard balcony).

We cruised 17 days in B731. It's not a balcony but is an aft-facing Ocean View cabin. If you look at the picture Keith posted of the stern of Coral Princess you can see someone standing at the rail of the aft viewing deck. Our cabin window looked out onto that viewing deck.

 

In the day with only the sheer curtains closed I found it impossible to see into our cabin from outside. I tried several times and it was totally private but we could see out just fine. Pretty cool. At night if people were out there we did need to close the blackout curtains for privacy but we had that huge deck available about 12 steps from our cabin door. It was hardly used by passengers (except of course on Canal Day!) so it was like having a huge balcony almost all to ourselves. There were maybe 8 - 10 loungers at the most and they were generally empty. There was a giant lightning storm at sea one night and it was awesome to be right there looking out over the sea.

 

The motion of the ship wasn't an issue for us at all and we really enjoyed the location. One bonus of being all the way aft is that we did a lot of walking. We also used the stairs most of the time so, between the distance we walked back and forth getting places and the exercise on the stairs I gained exactly zero pounds on the 17 day cruise. :)

Thank you to both of you for the feedback. We actually ended up with 723 on the Dolphin deck, which is the cabin next to the end on Dolphin deck. I think it will allow us to experience the benefits of the corner deck, without having to deal with it being uncovered. We're going to the Canal during the early part of the rainy season, and also will have some shade to protect us from the heat.

We've never been so far aft. We tend to get cabins in the Lido deck, so being so fa from everything will take some getting used to. As with everything, there are pluses and minuses. Your posts help me see that the minuses should be (if nothing else) bearable. Thanks!

Any one have any experience staying in the aft cabins on the Coral Princess? I know they are a long way from everything, but are there any benefit to these? The Coral Princess does not have any rear facing cabins, but they do have a corner (uncovered) cabin at the very rear of each deck (port and starboard). The cabin(s) next to it is covered. Anyone have any experience that they would be willing to share?

Hi there. Looking for tips on the best mini suites on Dolphin Deck on the Coral Princess for a Panama Canal partial transit. Looking at D726, but have heard the balcony may not be covered. Will be traveling in April, so it should be pretty warm anyway. What might be the best options on that deck?

Also, concerned that it is so far aft, and therefore a long way from everything else on the ship.

Any tips are appreciated.

They will go into your cabin...get the stuff out of your safe, and leave it with the Port Authority. It's best NOT to miss the ship....always have a WATCH (not your freaking cell phone), and make sure it's set to the same time as the ship's clocks...clocks are at EVERY exit!

Why the not so subtle knock on cell phones. They tell time just like a watch. I am sure that the reason a person misses the ship doesn't typically have anything to do with their timing device. It usually has to do with alcohol, poor planning, and nonship sponsored excursions. Did I mention alcohol?

No one mentioned the one thing that you would expect to find in the cabin but won't: an alarm clock. I have a very compact, very light L.L. Bean travel alarm, which I highly recommend.

 

That's what they make smart phones for. :D

What no one has mentioned is that usually, both passengers in a cabin have to purchase the beverage package, which doubles the amount you must consume.

On the last cruise we were on, some friends purchased it, and gave us "free drinks" each night because eye could not consume their entire quota, and they weren't "tea to taller so."

Since you say that you do not drink to get drunk, my suspicion is that you probably don't drink enough to make it worth while. You would literally have to drink throughout the day, and into the evening/night to make it worth your money.

The only way we'd do it in the future is if we traveled with another couple and we'd "find a way" to split it.

Ever hear of rum runners? lol

btw, my experience is that most mixed drinks on the ship are pretty weak.

Okay, for those of you have had a suite before, was it worth it?

We've done an Oceanview before, and we've done a balcony. I think she are partial to a balcony. Thinking about whether it makes sense to do a suite (probably on Princess or Carnival). What are other Cruisers thoughts of a mini (or full) suite? Was it worth the extra money? All opinions wanted. Thx!

Hi all, can any-one please tell me if the balcony cabins on the Carnival Spirit have a kettle in them? :confused: Thank you

A Kettle, as in a tea kettle? Not sure what you're looking for, but when I was on the Spirit, I don't recall seeing anything that might resemble a "kettle."

Thanks to everyone for the replies. You have definitely given me some things to think about. I will continue to do my research (especially about the partial vs. full).

It sounds like right now, my only choices are HAL and Princess, so we'll probably stick with Princess, since that is where we have had our best experiences.

We are definitely looking forward to this trip.

We're looking to do a Panama Canal cruise in March. Any tips from experienced cruisers?

I see HAL and Princess cruises listed. Our one experience with HAL was an Alaska cruise, and in terms of "experience" it was our least favorite (of course the destination was awesome). Just a little too sedate for us. Was that just because it was an Alaska cruise, or should we expect the same thing for PC? We got the impression that HAL tends to have a significantly older clientele than other lines. Recommendations?

Suggestions about doing a full or partial? We're leaning toward doing a partial.

What about the new locks that were just opened. I understand there may be additional options for larger ships. Any suggestions there?

I'm also interested in any other tips people may have. Thanks!

We have done Hawaii too, in the February 2014 - out of SF. We found the seas to be rough along the California coast, both coming and going. The seas got calm er once we got out into the Pacific. It was also chilly the first few days, but warmed up by about day 3 or 4... same on the way back.

I agree, there isn't much to see in Ensenada, but after having been on board for four days straight, it was nice to get off and stretch our legs.

You really have to enjoy sea days, which we do. I think the islands are almost anti climactic, since you are at sea 9 of the fourteen days.

* FCD's are for the holder of the FCD.

*$100 deposit amount, which is the amount paid for the FCD, rather than the normal amount.

* FCD's Expire two years after purchase and are fully refundable. They can be extended to book another cruise, but you have to call.

* OBC is based on the length of the cruise and your cabin category as follows:

Future Cruise Length Per Person Shipboard Credit*

17 + Days $125 Inside, $125 Outside, $150 Balcony, $150 Suite

11 - 16 Days $75 Inside, $75 Outside, $100 Balcony, $100 Suite

7 - 10 Days $25 Inside, $25 Outside, $50 Balcony, $50 Suite

3 - 6 Days $15 Inside, $15 Outside, $25 Balcony, $25 Suite

 

Special deposit requirements exist for world cruises.

Thanks all! The higher OBC for longer cruises (and balconies sounds much more attractive, and is probably why I bought it). Otherwise, it didn't seem to make much sense. Now if they would just add a dose of extra memory to the deal, it would be golden. :)

Last time we were on Princess, I vaguely remember buying a FCC. I just looked at my MY Princess Account and see a credit of $100, plus another $65 ($50 military credit and $15 onboard credit). I don't recall what the benefit of the FCC. I know there was some incentive to buy while you are on board. Can someone refresh my memory. If all you're doing is putting down a deposit that you can use later, it doesn't seem like much of an incentive. Thanks in advance!

Wow...I would never, ever let my wife pack for me.

Love my wife, but if she packs for me, I can count on half the clothes being ones I haven't worn in years (for a reason) and half of my essentials missing. Thanks, but i'll pack for myself. Makes it better for both of us. :)

Like many others here have said, there comes a point when your fun meter pegs. It's not that you don't like the cruise or the ship, it's just that your ready to get back to "real life." For ue this happens around day 11 or 12.

That's for all of your help! I am just curious, why does the central elevator not go past deck 7? What is there?

The stairs lead to a crew only access on deck 8. Not sure why. As someone else said, the elevators operate all the way to Lido.

BTW, the Grand also has a covered Reef pool. One pool is covered, the other is not.

Hi J-D. When I looked at the Grand deck plans on the princess site, they show a central staircase next to the central elevators. Were you referring to something else?

The central staircase only goes to Deck 7. You either have to use the forward or aft staircases from there, or take the elevator. It takes some getting used to.

I don't cruise for ships. My first criteria is itinerary, my second is length, and my third is price. You can only control so many variables. Having said that, I have cruised both the Star and the Grand. I think the ships are pretty similar. The Grand shows it's age more, but I'd take an extra cruise day on any serviceable ship any day.

I bring a surge protector with said outlets. I leave it on my desk and have never had a problem.

Just got off the Grand today. There are Starbucks near each cruise port. You also will have 4G access from the ship at each port. The only downside is there are lots of sea days. Four going over, and essentially six (Encenada is a foreign port and will not have wifi access) returning. You will. Of have access, unless you pay for it on the ship.

I've brought quarters before, but have since found out there is a change machine in the laundry that takes "real money." It will take any denomination of bill up to a $20. As others have said, you can also get change in the casino or at the reception desk.

Thanks for the bonus info. I was not aware you could cash your balance out. That's good to know. Now maybe I won't be an alcoholic by the end of the cruise. :D

We were fortunate to accumulate a generous amount of OB. On our current cruise. We know that we cannot carry over a balance. So here is the question. Can we use some of the remaining balance for a FCC? We already plan to use some to cover our tips. Do we need to go on a spending spree before we disembark? Thanks.

We're on the Grand now. We had our first formal night on the 2nd sea day. The second formal night is day 9 and the last formal night is day 13. Interestingly, this is a Valentines cruise and Valentines Day is not a formal night