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Love cabins right near the laundry room, and I've had a cabin directly across from it, too. No noise to speak of at night, which is the only time it would have bothered me. You can get door-slammers right next door no matter where your cabin is, so I wouldn't worry about it. And most of the laundry rooms have double doors, so noise from inside doesn't really penetrate into the passageway and certainly not through your cabin door across the hall (I mean, unless a machine blows up or something, but that hardly ever happens).

My bad; I just assumed because when I was last on Regal, that was where it was. I wonder why they'd change it around; seems inefficient.

It's not a separate dining room but the starboard side of the Concerto Dining Room on Deck 6 is set aside for Reserve Class. You'll enter from the starboard set of doors, not the portside doors. And yes, breakfast in Sabatini's is for full suite guests. Enjoy.

There was a duck sitting in the Christmas tree at Crooner's on the Ruby this past December. You had to have been sitting at the table in the corner by the tree to even see it. I left it there -- I think it was there for two nights before it disappeared. He made a fine drinking companion -- quiet, bought his own drinks, didn't bug me to dance -- so I was sorry he flew the coop. That was the only duck I've ever run across.

Suggestions From a High-Maintenance Traveler: Shampoo/Conditioner: I buy 5-oz tubes of Nexxus Therappe Shampoo/Humectress Conditioner (available at Target). That has lasted me for trips up to 4 weeks. It's not my preferred brand (I'm an Aveda girl) but it treats my hair well with the ship's soft water. Styling: I use Aveda Invati Thickening Foam and have to take it with me; there's no comparison to anything else! Hairspray: Buy in port city My preferred hair spray, Ellnet, is readily available in Europe, along with plenty of high-end stying products. I wouldn't hesitate to just leave them out and purchase them upon arrival. Plus, I purchase sunscreen and hand lotion also upon arrival. Moisturizer: Lancome (or your preferred brand) free gifts! They almost always include moisturizer in a perfect size for travel, sometimes eye cream, too. The secret is buy something and get the free gift every time the promo is offered; that way, I have a stock of little pots of cream ready to go. Foundation: I ask at the make-up counter (when I'm buying the aforementioned free-gift eligible purchase) for a couple of the tiny little plastic bottles they put foundation samples in. I fill 'em up at home and take 2-3 with me, depending upon the length of the trip. Toothpaste: This is a problem I have. I run out on every trip, and have a lovely collection of toothpaste containers from random ports around the world. So my advice here is don't be like me: bring more than you think you need! But I never have any trouble finding Crest or its equivalent in some far-flung region.

Total Solar Eclipse. I'm guessing, but reasonably certain I'm right.

I was in Crooner's most nights. The piano man was Paul Holmes, and he was pretty good. One thing I enjoyed about him was his repertoire was quite large. So many of them seem to repeat the same songs every night but for the most part, he didn't. That said, if I heard Sweet Caroline one more time, I would have jumped overboard and swum for home. The drinks were very good -- the bartender was excellent. My go-to is the London Lemonade, which he made perfectly, and the Chairman of the Boards I had were also excellent. In short, Crooner's was an A+ experience this cruise.

I sailed on her pre-pandemic (so I can't comment on covid likelihood) a 13-day New England/Canada cruise. We had perfect weather, so indoor crowding wasn't a thing I noticed since I was out sunning every sea day. Enjoyed the itinerary immensely and, although I expected a crowded ship, didn't really think it was that bad. I will admit the food was not the best, but that's down more to whomever is the executive chef onboard than a ship-specific thing. I didn't starve, and my tablemates and I just enjoyed making fun of some of the weirder offerings. The one downside to her, in my opinion, is that the aft pool is in shade due to Skywalker's. But there are three other pools. I'd sail on her again without hesitation if it were an itinerary I wanted to do.

Thank you, Carol. I appreciate both the thought and your perspicacity. My waiter was very displeased I think he thought extra tips/mention on the survey were at stake because I didn't want to chat. On the last night, he said something about not getting to know me. Dude, I'm not there to be your bestie - just keep my wine glass full and deliver my food and I'll take care of you. Sigh.

Hi, Norris and Carol. You may not have seen me around the ship but I saw y'all almost every night -- I was seated just a few tables away in Reserve Collection/Club Snob/whatever it's called. I apologize for not being sociable; it was a cruise just for me to spend quality time with my Kindle and a poolside deck chair, after a particularly stressful semester. This was my first time in Reserve Collection and I'm a fan -- the service seemed better, a more relaxed/quiet atmosphere with fewer waiters rushing around with trays piled high, the good wine glasses... Overall, I thought the food was good to very good on this cruise. Absolutely the best Gingerbread Souffle ever! It’s such a shame it only appears on Christmas, but this one was worth waiting 364 days for. I should have ordered a second one . . .

1. The service from the crew; almost uniformly excellent - professional, friendly but not smarmy. 2. On the Crown, Emerald, and Ruby, the bar Adagio and its adjacent outdoor seating area. A nearly undiscovered part of the ship, almost always quiet and peaceful, and with a gorgeous wake view. Plus a drink only available there: the Citrus Bellini.

I didn't see the thread referenced above, so in blissful ignorance, I submitted my OBC request yesterday by email to the usual sbpcl@princesscruises email and got the usual automated reply that it would be handled in due course. So I don't think one is required to use the new system. One day, of course, the sbpcl email may not work but until then . . .

When I was on the Regal last Christmas, my cabin stewardess ran into me heading to the laundry a couple times and insisted on giving me tokens on both occasions. I tried to dissuade her; I didn't want her to get in trouble and I was perfectly prepared to swipe my card for tokens, but she was adamant I take them. Maybe on that ship, the key is to ask the steward rather than at the desk.

Board as soon as boarding commences If cabins available, head there to drop off carry-on, watch safety video, and see if luggage has arrived (ha!) Lunch - usually buffet. If you're one of the first onboard, the buffet isn't too crowded and I wait all year for that salad bar! Back to cabin to see if luggage delivered yet. Curses - no sign of it! Muster station Head to prom deck and enjoy my favourite show: the loading of supplies. Tear myself away from prom deck and check at cabin again for luggage -- WHY is mine always the last to be delivered?? Head up to sailaway party, unable to relax as we pull away from the dock and I still have no clear confirmation my suitcase is joining us. Return to cabin after party -- hurray! Bag in cabin. Greet it with hugs and kisses, then unpack it and hope not to see it again any time soon. Vacation has now officially begun.

I see the veggie burger is free. Totally disagree with that. They should pay us to eat that thing.

If you want to spend your pre-cruise time in Manhattan, then I'd stay in Manhattan. You only have to make one trek to Brooklyn, to get the ship, instead of many back-and-forth treks into and out of Manhattan. I usually stay at the Waldorf, or the Omni Berkshire, near 5th Ave/St. Patricks/Rockefeller Centre. If you're looking for moderate pricing, I've stayed in two Courtyards in Manhattan over the past couple of years and been pleasantly surprised with both (traveling with family; otherwise, wouldn't have been my choices). One is in the theatre district, very close to Times Square (Courtyard Manhattan Central Park on 54th and Broadway). Lots of good restaurants around and the draw for us on that trip was walking distance to the three theatres where we had tickets. The other was in the Garment District, off 8th Ave, a few blocks from Macy's at Herald Square (Courtyard Manhattan Times Square West on W 37th). The car service from there to the Brooklyn port was quick and not expensive. I prefer LGA.

I wouldn't say the iced tea tastes awful. It is, however, often extremely strong. So, nowadays, I usually just order an Arnold Palmer, but back when we had access to the drink stations ourselves, I'd dilute it by pouring 60% tea/40% water and it was fine. Never seen Twinings, but definitely have seen Bigelow flavored teas and "regular" Lipton.

You can use pods. I've always found the best time to avoid crowds in the laundry is to do it late in the afternoon -- usually a good half if not more of the ship is already getting ready for dinner/beginning cocktail hour, so 4-5pm is quiet time in the launderettes.

My favourite drink is the London Lemonade martini. It's no longer on the menu, but so far (fingers crossed), I've had good luck finding bartenders who remember it and will make it for me. I love it because it's tart, not sweet like the Lemon Drop. And of course, like all proper martinis, it is based on gin and not vodka! My second fave is just a classic gimlet (again, gin not vodka) or the Chairman of the Board.

Showers are small but unless you're way over 6 ft (in height or diameter), you'll probably be fine. If you're super worried, you could always book a minisuite, which has a tub/shower combo so is obviously larger. But I've never minded the showers that much. It's part of the experience of being aboard a ship versus a hotel. There are other venues: Club Fusion aft has game shows, bingo, occasional musical acts. Explorer's Lounge has musical acts and other stuff, and Crooner's has a pianist. The Wheelhouse has live music and a nice little dance floor. Then there's Skywalkers, the disco, perched high on Deck 17 with amazing views. I believe the Sanctuary is $40 per day. The Lotus Spa pool, which is actually a deck down from the Sanctuary, is free and adult-only. I've sailed on the Crown twice and enjoyed it immensely both times. She may not be all new and shiny but there is a lot to like. There's a proper promenade deck, the bar Adagio aft on Deck 16 is one of my favorite public spaces on any Princess ship, and to me, she just has a relaxing vibe. I'm sure you'll end up having a good time.

I think they did. Do we really know who was in that Goofy costume?

Bring back Traditional Dining. I can be pretty sanguine about most of the rest of the stuff we all complain about, but I don't know how many more Princess cruises I can take with the utter chaos that is this new "system." Having to wait in line for more than 45 minutes WITH a standing reservation is simply not something I wish to repeat on future cruises, not to mention I dearly miss the opportunity to develop camaraderie over the cruise with my assigned tablemates. I'd rather sail less on pricier but old-school Cunard than more often on Princess.

I like to hang on the promenade deck and supervise the stores being loaded onto the ship. Often, there's a dog to watch, sniffing the various pallets. It's simple fun but it entertains me. Plus, it avoids the crowds and first-day madhouse of the interior of the ship.

Disagree. On the Regal for 16 days and yet on day 16, while the bartender knew my drink order by heart, he still asked for my cabin number Every. Single. Time. As did the barista at the IC. Even the lady in the shop when I bought something -- placed my medallion on the little gizmo, yet she still asked my cabin number. I don't like having to give out my cabin number for any of a whole host of reasons, and no matter how quietly you try to say it, inevitably the crew will repeat it back at volume. Sigh. I think the irritation here isn't because we're prima donnas but because they have this fancy new system that works less efficiently than the old cruise card did. You showed the card, or they swiped it, and done. Now, it's one giant leap backward.

Leslie Caron.