davy jones

Our NYC check in time is 12:00. Our bus is scheduled to arrive at 11:30. Will we have to wait until noon to go through security and the check in process?

It's not just Carnival. In my experience, all cruise ship shops are overpriced. The possible exceptions are liquor and smokes (and I do not smoke)

I would like to find out about the Alaska laundry restriction. We are on a 14 day with a day in Whittier to debark and embark land tour passengers. Our plan is to do laundry early on that day.

How crowded is it with 2 ships.

Thanks for the info. I was using Chrome on a PC. I will download the app to a chrome book and give it a go. DW will take the chrome book on the cruise anyway.

Many cruise line apps let you see the menus when onboard on your device or the stateroom TV. I don't know how far in advance of sailing that they can bee seen on the app.

Web based version?? When I try the web, it tells me to use the app to check in. Please tell more!

That seems to be an issue on most large cruise lines.

I fully agree with the logic that the OP uses, with one small addition or caveat. The lingering question is "How much am I willing to pay to feel spoiled?" Again, that comes down to personal habits and preferences. Some are willing to pay a large amount for suite accommodations with limited access areas, etc. On the other hand, on OV cabin is fine and we will "splurge" on a balcony depending on the itinerary and cost. For us, the Plus package is marginal at best from a cost standpoint. Obviously, tips are required and we usually get an internet package to communicate with home. That covers a little over half the cost of Plus. After that, we can "splurge" on an extra drink, fancy coffee, or fancy dessert.

Happened to me too (on work computer). I called AARP. It might have something to do with pop up blockers. I went onto home computer and it worked fine.

They stand next to each order and each orders a drink. If you don't hand over the medallion, how are you sure at the time that the correct medallion is charged?

Doesn't the Skyway Bridge limit the size of the ships sailing from Tampa?

Thanks. I was thinking about getting a waterproof air tag holder, but it probably isn't necessary.

1. Is the Princess medallion waterproof? (If I put it in a zippered pocket in my swim trunks, will it survive a dip in the ocean?) 2. Is the Princess medallion reusable? (Can it be reused on your next Princess cruise?)

There is some truth to that. Princess is using the medallion system to expedite check ins.

We are sailing Grand in both directions this summer and considering excursion options. Could you share your excursion decisions? Since there will be two stops at each port, we will do an excursion day and an explore the port day.

I was able to book an excursion using the Princess OBC. I also have OBC from TA that is not accessible at this time.

Does Princess allow you to book excursions online using OBC?

In general, lower decks are less prone to motion than higher decks. I believe that the cabin size is similar to a standard balcony. You could get some noise from night time parties on deck 6.

Thanks. This is good to know.

We have booked our first B2B to Alaska. We included Princess Plus. Do the fitness classes and casual meal included in Princess Plus reset for the second leg?

Refresh my memory. Is that the one who sings Sinatra tunes?

On smaller ships with one MDR, they sing and dance at the fixed dining times (usually dessert). That may not align very well with the time that you arrived and may result in slower service.

We like to go to dinner around 6:30 to 7:00 PM, so we prefer MTD. That said, our next cruise is a larger family cruise so we booked early seating because of the larger party with children.

Per US law, any ship that leaves a US port and stops at a non US port must go through the immigration process upon arrival in a US port. It is similar to the process on debarkation day. All passengers must leave the ship and clear immigration. They can not reboard until all passengers have cleared immigration. The problems occur because some passengers ignore the requirement and stay onboard until they are tracked down to go through immigration, leaving thousands of passengers to wait in the terminal until they finally arrive. I have experienced this in Miami on MSC and Royal. The MSC experience, while chaotic was far better than the clueless Royal process, where the passengers could not begin to reboard until almost 2 PM. You can get taxis into Miami and there could be shore excursions available. Your best bet on these days is to disembark, go into town and do your thing until after lunch and return to the ship.