Essiesmom

Wind Star wasn’t the only one with lock gate troubles today. Her sister, Star Legend got stuck for a time in Pedro Miguel…

Finally moving from middle to third lock:

Finally open…

Actually, the left gate is stuck closed. Stuck for at least 40 minutes now…

Very small ships, as access to the Great Lakes limits size. EM

Another suggestion...post on the MSC board as MSC general, and Seaside CLASS in particular. Seaside is currently sailing cruises in the Caribbean that do not call at any US ports, so probably mostly non-US guests. Most CC members are North America based, those from Europe and other areas are a minority. Seascape is the ship currently sailing from US/Miami, and Meraviglia from Port Canaveral. EM

I can't answer for Seaside, as I never saw or looked for such a thing, nor do I remember seeing any service animals. But when on Divina there is a partial promenade deck below the lifeboats. It did not officially go all around the bow, but there was a crew only door through the bow, it wasn't locked or blocked off, and I went through there doing laps and there was a large tray there, like a very large litter box, don't remember what the substance was, but I don't believe it was grass or fake grass. EM

I booked a super cheap cruise on Ecstasy out of Jax, a 1A inside for a solo, knowing that the ship would be swapped for Spirit and that Spirit did not have 1A cabins, so whatever I was assigned would be an upgrade. After the swap got into the system, I was assigned one of the 4K insides with a splendid view of a lifeboat, same square footage and layout as a balcony. It was what I had hoped for. I think the total I paid solo for four days was $218. An upgrade offer appeared in my booking for a balcony for $100. I declined because I hardly use a balcony. EM

I am also finding I am unwelcome as a solo cruiser. I was trying to book a cruise today…well, yesterday now, and if I tried booking as a couple, there was lots of availability. But as a solo, nothing was available. I even talked with one line that has a few solo cabins, and as they were all booked, they wouldn’t book anything else. EM

I would be interested in what is happening with her now. She was to leave Costa Rica on January 28 to arrive in FLL on February 9, transiting the Panama Canal on February 2. Instead she transited the canal on January 30 with destination Miami on February 4. It appears from Marine Traffic that she may have called at Grand Cayman yesterday, February 2. Any ideas? EM

I believe this was discussed here yesterday…. Correction…. It was Wednesday and thread is on page 3. EM

I would bet if you show up at 1230 there won’t be much of a line. EM

Caribbean Princess is CB. CP was previous Sea Princess. It is a Princess designation, not a Cruise Critic abbreviation. EM

If you go to cruisedeckplans.com, choose your cruise line, ship, and then click on the deck above your cabin you will see a lot of tiny camera icons. Those are pictures of that area submitted by members of that site. They also have a drag deck feature so you can see what is above and below your cabin. The website also has many cabin pictures but you have to be a paying member (very small fee) to see all but the HC cabin pics. EM

HAL and Celebrity always had them. EM

Have you looked on the Ports of Call boards for your ports, and on the RollCall for your sailing? Folks there might have suggestions. There is also a board for Scuba and Snorkeling under Special Interest cruising. EM

I am understanding the 8 suitcases…. EM

You are welcome. EM

Yes, but the OP stated that the TA said she was able to get two cabins ‘next to each other’. EM

I’m confused because the two cabin numbers you listed are not next to each other. Did you perhaps mean 9095/9097, and not 9095/9079? 9095/9097 are both HC cabins with a Pullman. Pullman beds are exactly the same size as the main bed is when separated into twins. EM

Not sure what you mean about being enclosed? The area above your cabin is a walkway from the bar area, glass along the sides, and tables by the windows. Suspect you will hear scraping of tables and chairs, people will be coming out from the buffet to sit and eat. Don’t know about hearing announcements. Suggest you ask on the Princess board. EM

I would think if you want an excursion outside NYC, it would need to be independent. If I were to visit Phila. or Washington I would take the train, in particular AMTRAK Acela. Whether you chose to stay overnight in those places would depend on what you wanted to see. EM

For more options, is it the Florida Departures board, under North American Homeports. EM

By 1300 she is heading back through Gatun Locks to Colon

Play by play, Eurodam partial transit today, Feb. 1 2023 0630 just inside breakwater in Limon Bay: 0700 just off Cristobal 0730 Just entering channel to Gatun Locks Datestamp 0732 you can see her having just passed the Atlantic bridge, far upper right Approach to Gatun seen from Agua Clara cam The canal people usually leave an open lock between vessels, so Eurodam had to wait for the cargo ship to move into the third lock before she could move into the first. Here she is just entering the first lock: It is 0841 and she is all the way up in the first lock and gate is open into the second: It is 0902 and the gates are opening for her to move into the third lock. Those lucky folks on Portside balconies will lose their views of the lovely Camilla, the EUKOR RO/RO: In the third lock by 0915 Up and moving out of the locks by 0925 This is as far as she goes into Gatun Lake/the canal. It's 1140 and it looks like she is picking up her tenders