Pythian

Changes on the Island too - especially the aft cabins. A lot of extra cabins have been added. Hope that doesn't impact the dining room(s).

I was recently cruising on the Regal, Deck 14 Riviera, Aft, and it was nice and quiet - there is still another full deck above 14. It's a big ship!

No, you don't need a passport or birth certificate to go to Roatan, but you will need a passport to get back to the USA. As to if you can board the ship with just a birth certificate - hummmmm... well,,,,,, maybe, but, you should really have a passport - as you never know what night happen on-board and at ports, so you might find yourself 'somewhere' re-entering the US via an airplane or ??? after missing the ship. Happens. So --- Passport = Good, and No Passport = Risk.

Yup! Standard policy in many countries - to have at least six months on your passport. Sorry! Not something that cruiselines have any control over.

I worked at U.S. Embassy Singapore for 3 years and I can attest that quite a few people attempted to enter and/or transit Singapore with valid passports - but with less than 6 months remaining - and many (many) were placed back on the plane and returned to the US or the country they had just left. Technically, the passport is still valid, but politically, many countries will not allow you to enter if your stay exceeds the 6 month validity of the passport.

Wine lists are different from ship to ship, and also different from dining room to dining facility. On the Regal 2 weeks ago, I could get a nice Cotes de Rhone at the main dining room, but could not get a Beaujolais. However, at the Horizon Court, I could get the Beaujolais, and it was about $10 less per bottle than the Cotes de Rhone from the dining room (which was the same price at Total Wine). Also, they no longer had the wine card which we got in Dec on the Coral – which was a really good deal – and I suppose that is why they deleted the option.

Thanks for all your commentary so far! It's great! I'm looking forward to each day. Sorry to hear about the pixels on MUTS as I’m hoping to see a couple movies there – but, I’ll just sit back further and pretend it’s just my eyes. How’s the water temp and weather down south?

Dan

Keep the ship clean - we'll be arriving on the 1st right after you finish. I've been on the Coral 2 other times and really loved her - so, I'm really looking forward to hearing how she looks and anything about the crew/staff. Thanks in advance for posting!

did you notice if the laundry rooms on coral still use quarters or have they gone to tokens like some other ships

Same question here - departing on 1 Dec 14 and don't want to take quarters unless I need to. Thanks!

Great review on Columbia tour too!

Dan

You know, this is an excellent post. It is a mystery that has some reasonable answers, but, without the facts, it might be just one of those deep secret processes.

As for the change in open cabins pre to post 75 day sailing, some are often held by re-sellers and then released right before full payment, and some are pulled in by groups once the “pre” sale ends. Others become “open” or taken due to Princess upgrades (free or reduced price).

Just my hunch on how or why. Bottom line? Princess does not want to sail with a single cabin open, so they work really hard to move people up to higher level cabins (if they can) and/or place open cabins on the block for last minute purchase – as do some larger groups and TA’s.

I pick the cabin I want, early if possible – and feel good about having it without an ‘upgrade’. But, I’m always open to an upgrade to leave my “nice’ cabin for a discounter!

I too thought the beds on the Royal were great. I'm 6'2" and the bed was plenty long for me. Very comfortable - no issues. Also, I've been on the 'old' Royal (small ship) and never thought once about complaining about the bed - so, that can't be it. Anyway, enjoy your cruise and New Years on-board celebrations! Go to bed as late or as early as you desire and don’t think twice about sleeping well.

Mini suites are on the Dolphin and Emerald decks. The ones on the Emerald Deck of Category ME. A lot of folks prefer these because the balconies are covered. The mini suites on the Dolphin Deck have exposed balconies. They range from Category ME at the front of the ship, MB and MA toward the middle of the ship, and MD at the back of the ship.

Be aware though, that although ME might be 'lower category', they are a bit higher than Dolphin, and are also half covered. Dolphin balconies are uncovered and are so low that in mid-level seas, they tend to get covered in salt and spray. I'll stand pat on a good balcony on a higher deck vice getting a mini on Dolphin.

I would take the aft balcony.

We took an aft balcony on the Royal, Caribe 742. I almost always take the aft, since I really like the views and larger balcony. Also, if you are sailing, and it is raining, you can still use the balcony since the ship keeps the rain off (mostly, usually). And, the soot problem (on our TA to Northern Europe) was not bad at all. BUT, and the big BUT, we had no idea that the aft premium balcony on Caribe was shorter than all others (on the aft) and they were completely uncovered. Should I cruise on the Royal again, I will not take a Caribe aft balcony premium cabin. If I can't get on Baja, I'll take a mini instead.

dan

Does the self service laundry room take quarters or do you swipe your card on the machines?

It depends on the ship - the Royal did not take quarters. I took a couple rolls, and brought them back with me. The Royal only took tokens that you purchased using your cruise card. Actually, I was going to ask if the Coral still took quarters or if it had been changed over to the tokens - so, maybe someone might know from here? I'm guessing the Regal is the same with tokens, and I'd also suppose that the others will be changed over during one of the programmed dry docks.

Anyone know? dr

I had neither noticed or tried it till today. I (as I'd expect almost all) just go to the ship and enter the roll call through the normal link - which, is actually easier. However, I do like that the 'new' link tells you haw many members are on the roll call, and I'd suppose if one was not used to the current links, it would prompt folks not to load duplicate roll calls when they couldn't fine the original already posted the forum.

Nothing too odd about the new link - just helpful info if you have not navigated the forums.

I've a friend that swears by the "Chairman of the Board" martini - but I tend to just like good gin and a couple olives. You will find lots of martini choices at Crooners and/or 'The Martini Bar' depending on the ship (we all still call it Crooners!). If you have a menu from the past, just bring it with you - the bar staff will figure it out.

Has anyone recently sailed on the Royal with an aft balcony ? Is the soot issue now resolved?

We had a aft balcony on the Royal during her TA from Ft L to Copenhagen. I suppose it depends on which way the wind is blowing and how fast the ship is sailing concerning the soot. We had one day with a noticeable amount and two days with a trace amount. The other 12 were clean. The cabin steward cleaned the balcony well on the days it needed it. No real issue. My only issue on the Royal aft balcony cabins was that we were on Caribe and didn't know that we would not have any overhang / cover on the balcony. All the other decks on the Royal aft did (and other princess ships) and the Caribe balcony was about 4 foot smaller than on the other decks.

We always take the aft when it is available - but probably not on the Royal Caribe deck (probably one of the others though!). You might not know where you are heading, but you always know where you've been. Great views!

I loved the old 700 passenger Royal the best – and for ports, I’ll go with my oddest and quite interesting – Devils Island in French Guiana.

Princess has been charging for $10 for mic's for many years – no change in Princess policy here. I generally don't ask for one, but have noted that if the CD shows up, s/he will normally bring one for free. Normally they are not needed anyway - even for very large turn-outs of 200 or more, most CC folks are considerate and listen when others are speaking - especially when invited Officers / Staff are speaking.

We had Suite C-750 and it was great. Nice balcony - no noise from anything except the wake. Highly recommended.

What Im saying is that some pax will find the most mundane things to bitch about no matter what ship or line. Okay, sometimes I get annoyed but then realise heh i'm on vacation and those unfortunates back home are still working!:) Then I'll find a bar and have a beer or 2. (Oh no the prices might have increased:rolleyes: how do I smuggle booze onboard? Tongue firmly in cheek:D)

 

I'm with Avcruz....any cruise over no cruise!

 

Enjoy your 50 plus cruise.

 

Paul

This just made me smile.... thanks Paul. Yes, cruising is not the same as it was 15 years ago - but the ships are more 'entertaining' and the price is actually much less (given inflation and all). Still an excellent way to relax and have fun. I'm still working (yikes!), so it is great to put the computer and cell phone to sleep and just relax and enjoy life for a week or two. But, I suppose I'm just young and inexperienced. I like the Princess ships and have sailed on them about 18 times or so - and will continue to do so (lack of dessert choices and all - although I've not had that issue.....).

I’ve never heard of a Thermal Suite “pass”, but, you can purchase access to the Thermal Suite at the Spa desk – once you have boarded the ship. There are limited numbers of passengers who will be able to purchase the Suite – maybe 50 (not including full suite passengers). You can get free access if you are booked into a full suite (not a mini-suite). Cost differs based on the ship and the length of cruise. Generally about $80 to $150 per person. We’ve purchased the Thermal Suite on about half of our Princess cruises, but did not on the Trans Atlantic on the Royal as it was $200 per person (a bit steep!). The Thermal Suite is open daily from about 9 am to 10 pm, and you can use it as often as you desire. It is very comfortable, and will put you right to sleep (thermal beds) or you can use the multi-head showers and multiple saunas.

I’ve seen people sneak down there for free, but usually the spa staff is pretty good about maintaining the limited numbers of folks authorized and monitoring the people in the Thermal Suite.

Thanks for the great info Astro Flyer - Seems like a good deal if you have a bottle of wine at dinner - which, really doesn't go very far for 2 or more people. It's a good cost savings. My backup question - which I think I know the answer to - is the card good for another cruise if you don't use all your punches? i.e.: kinda like the coffee card. I'm thinking probably not - but, if someone knows for sure........

Thanks! My next cruise is over 10 days, so that should work. Do you purchase the wine package (card?) on-board or before you board?

A very related topic – when I was on the Royal in May, there were a lot of folks who had ‘wine cards’. They could show the card and get a bottle of wine (for a punch on the card, like the coffee cards). Can anyone explain these? I understand there are 3 categories of differing wines – but I don’t know the constraints nor did I figure out where you got a card (pre-book, pre-board, post-board, where on-board?). It seemed like a good idea, since we normally get a bottle of wine for dinner. Appreciate anyone who can describe the mechanics of this card and whether they can be purchased on all Princess ships, or only a few ‘test’ ships to date.

One of the biggest issues, IMHO, with the Royal Princess and lack of stairs is that the mid-ship elevators aren't banked. In other words, if you push the elevator button, it's just for the two elevators nearest you. People then push the button on the other side and the panorama elevators. Then, they get on the first elevator to arrive. The next elevator stops to an empty lobby. :(

Exactly… Exactly. I did get a laugh from the OP’s note about the guy using the elevator after working out – but, I understand the need for many to use the elevators. My DW has a bad knew (multiple surgeries from an old USAF (veteran) injury. I use the stairs for Muster drill, and I make sure she uses the elevator. But, one or two decks? Really? Rule of thumb should be 1 up or 2 down, use the stairs.

As noted ---- the non-ganged elevators end up causing them to stop at every deck – even when those pressing the buttons have been long gone. And, some folks press both the up and down buttons – which even causes more issues. Especially in the center ship elevators.

Talk about a local vice express… yikes! We use the elevators fore and aft, but hardly never in the center.