Pythian

Hi!  Does anyone know if Capt Nash is the Capt of Enchanted Princess for it's Trans Atlantic 9 March 2023?  We've sailed with him a few times, and he's a super nice (qualified?) Capt.  Just hopeful,,,, anyone know for sure???  Thanks

We did it last year, mid-May, and the weather was awesome for the entire cruise. However, folks we met in Scotland said the rain was blowing sideways a week before. We even had a bright sunny day at Stonehenge the day we finished the cruise.

No matter what, you'll enjoy the cruise and the ports. Excellent choice.

"Smart Casual" - no shorts (except on departure day due to luggage availability). Nice Jeans are ok too. Flip flops and 'tank' shirts are frowned upon.

Congrats on the free cruise! Let us know where you are going (more specific) and what ship you are sailing on - then maybe we can suggest some do's and don'ts. In any case, you will have a great time, I'm sure - and, how could you not? It's a free cruise!!

Thanks for the heads-up! Looks like I need to get serious on my upcoming destinations. Wish they would bring back the sip&sail too.

This is new to me.... the afternoon tea used to be in the MDR and was free. This is fancy. How much is it and was the service good?

Thanks for posting the photos!

Look at both the cost and the location. Some suite locations are better than others.... but, you do get some perks too... and if the cruise is 7 days or longer, those might make a big difference too.

Bottom-line: Maybe so - worth checking out!

See attached form from Princess.

As noted from drpack - easy to do. Just make sure it is forwarded to Princess a few weeks before your cruise in order to give them time to apply it. Once done, it will be on his princess file for future cruises.

BTW, Officers only get a dd-214 when they retire or if they exit before retirement, so you might not get one for 20 to 30 years - unlike Enlisted who get one at the end of every enlistment.

It is for all veterans. One does not have to be retired military. All that is needed is that the veteran block on your DD214 has been checked. In order to earn veteran status, one has to serve 181 continual days in an active unit not in training. Therefore most National Guard and Reserve members who have only been on active duty for training are not veterans regardless of their time and even if they are retired.

Of course, it is possible that DoD has recently updated and changed the DD-214, but I'm a retired Col (2001) and my DD-214 does not have a 'veteran' block to check. I looked at my wife's and daughters (1982 & 2010 honorable discharges) and neither of theirs has a 'veteran' block either. It could be that is on a different 'member' copy than where it states 'type of Discharge'?

Just a quick note - AD and Honorably Discharged Vets / Retired get the OBC and it is combinable with any and all other OBC. But, make sure you send in the DD-214 with the block showing 'Honorably Discharged'.

It's normally the "Member 4" page that notes the type of discharge. It is my understanding that Princess also accepts a "General Discharge under Honorable conditions" discharge.

Yes - we do it all the time and leave the stuff for the crew to decorate their room(s). Doors are magnetic (as are the inside walls) - as noted, don't use tape! You can often hang something on the mail/name holder too. Also, you can place lights on the balcony - but make sure they are battery operated.

We've cruised a Spring TA on the Crown Aft Deck Baja (11). It was excellent. You could hear the wake, but it wasn't overpowering and you could always use the deck while underway. We normally always pick an Aft cabin specifically to be able to enjoy the balcony while underway (rain, wind or shine). Given a choice, I'll take deck 11. We might not know where we're going, but we always know where we've been.

Awesome.. Thanks! That not only made sense, but was easy.

Ok, I admit, I'm a newbie to RC. The link shows two Capt's, but one with a date. My issue (?) is the date is so old, so, I can't figure out who is 'currently' the Capt.

Majesty OTS - Capt Arild Hansen (started rotation 5-9-11)

Majesty OTS - Capt Per Kjonso

Maybe I'm reading too much into the list?

Dan

That's really helpful - as I've not seen a full listing before! However, it shows two Capt's. How do I tell which is the Master and which is the Staff Capt (or, is it showing both rotations of Master?)? Also, it doesn't seem to indicate who is currently in command. This is helpful, as I can write two letters - one each to the Capt's - and check in with the Pursers desk to make sure I drop off the right one. But, I I know how is current, it would be nice. Thanks!

Hi -- this is my first time sailing with Royal Caribbean. We've cruised about 25 times with Princess, but we just wanted to switch it up. Living near Port Canaveral -- well, time to try her out! This is really 2 questions:

1) I normally always write a 1 page letter to the Captain (my dad was a Capt in the US Merchant Marines and USN). Does anyone know the current Capt of the Majesty of the Seas? We're cruising over the 4th of July.

2) Since I'm a newbie to RC, could you let me know what I need to "know", need to 'see' and need to 'do'? It's only a 4 day, and I know she is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) ships, but,,,,, it's like only 20 minutes drive away. Any thought will be much appreciated!

Thanks!!! Dan (From FL Brevard's Space Coast) -- I promise to check back in!

It is the best, for sure. Up to $250 per vet (2 to a cabin). My DW is a vet and I'm retired, so on the TA's we get $500 OBC (less on the shorter cruises, of course). And, unlike other cruise lines, Princess provides this OBC on every cruise you take - you only have to enroll once and they take care of it after that. Thanks Princess!!!

Hi - Princess will place the specialty dining certificate in your room - and lately has been assigning a restaurant and time for dinner. You can change both restaurant and time once on-board if you want. There is no 'mandated' tip at the end of dinner, but, if the service was really good then I normally give the head waiter (or the best server) a tip (to keep or share as they desire).

Have a great cruise and enjoy your specialty restaurant treat!

We're just back from the May cruise (too) and the Dublin bus was free. Also, it lets you off about 1 block from the Hop-on Hop-off bus. The Belfast bus had a slight charge (I believe) but was well worth the cost. It too lets you off almost right at the Hop-on Hop-off stop. Both were very easy. Enjoy your cruise!

Not a picture of a Princess Ship :-)

Sure looks like the Star to me... even still has Skywalkers.

Just 2 this year.

10 day RT to Panama Canal (Island)

14 day TA from Rome to Ft Lauderdale (Royal)

We're past do for another!

Just my opinion, but if you are only sailing from the Atlantic to get to the Pacific (or vice-versa), then the new locks will be great. Panama is hot and wet, so enjoy your day inside near the buffet or taking a nap in your cabin. If you are sailing specific to see the Panama Canal and want to experience the wonder and awe that comes with sailing through the canal, then the original locks are what you will want to take.

Twice on coral, this was not opened.n

However, once on coral, the entire forward area of the bow

(around the crew pool) was opened to passengers.

 

For time-lapse, what I have seen people do is stake out a

spot very early -- like 5:30.

I've done the partial 3 times (twice on the Coral, once on the Island) and the full transit once on the Coral. I have heard if it were too windy, they won't open the viewing access doors, but they were all open on our four.

I totally agree with pablo222 that you need to get there EARLY to get a good spot, and plan to rotate in and out with a friend so you don't loose your spot if you need the facilities or coffee!

In any case, you will have a GREAT cruise. I took video from my Baja 207 balcony on my first partial transit and it came out really nice - but the forward viewing areas would be much better, especially for time-lapse.

Sure - easy done. There is a door at the end of Baja deck (up front past the 200 series cabins that states "do not enter". It will be locked normally, but the crew will unlock it early morning before you enter the channel for the locks. Just go on through and a short corridor to another door. Open it and you will be on the viewing platform above the bridge. There is a rail to attach your camera. Best viewing on the ship! So, get there early to make sure you have a good spot for yourself and the camera. Have a GREAT time!!!!

oddly or not (?) a year ago we purchased the package (not via a suite) and never got to enjoy the 'heated' or otherwise beds. They were always full.... for 10 days.,.... We did use the 'water' beds on the lower tier, and they were heated. And, of course the pool was awesome. But, never once got to enjoy the 'stone' beds heated or not. We have been on the Royal once since that and did not purchase the package - as it's way to expensive, especially if you don't even get to nap on the stone beds. This was one of our 'luxury' purchases over about 20 Princess cruises - but we will not be partaking in the future - too expensive and .... what? Cold stone beds......? nope.