capriccio

Adagio Lounge and some stuffed olives! :)

And the tiramisu martinis!

This may help regarding balcony coverage. From Princess site the balconies on Dolphin deck minis starboard appear to be 49 sq ft.

For Alaska - an aft Dolphin deck mini (D7XX series of cabins) because it is fully covered in case of rain.

Perhaps someone who books full suites has more information. Regardless, it'll be marked so that you are identified as being in a full suite.

 

Pam is correct - your card will be marked 'suite' and that will help identify you to the staff:

1. Embarkation - after you have received your card you are directed to a seating area (general, platinum, elite/suite). It helps the terminal staff determine where you are 'entitled' to sit.
   
2. Disembarkation - I presume the same is true about using the platinum/elite/suite disembarkation lounge.
   
3. Elite/suite passenger services line.
   
4. Platinum/elite/suite cocktail hour.
   
5. Thermal spa access (haven't used it since the change to marking it on the card but they used to have to look you up on a list, similar to how they handle Sabatinis).
   
6. I also can imagine them going away with tender tickets.
   

No, I know enough to know I didn't want one of those. We have a forward premium and I told the agent NO to any aft upgrades!! But I will continue to check my reservation to make sure it doesn't get changed!

Thanks

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Good! It really is a beautiful ship. We were on the Ruby Princess in February and I found myself missing many things from the Royal but we did appreciate having a wonderful balcony :D.

Extremely happy, I have been on the wait list for a suite (3rd) in line for our Royal Christmas cruise but thanks to the knowledgable cruisers here I have also been checking the Princess site daily. Last night it paid off and I saw they had released one with out going through their wait listed passengers. So I contacted our TA and grabbed it. Sorry for numbers one and two but extremely happy for me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

For your sake I hope it is not an Owners Suite (those are the ones facing aft). We were in D727 in December and while I would sail on the Royal again, I would never ever pay for an Owners Suite (see thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1956349) and if I was offered one as an upgrade I would reject it until they can assure me that the soot issue has been resolved and that the balcony (which is wonderful in D727) is usable.

Greetings

 

October in South Florida is still summer. Our first taste of cool weather usually occurs around the last week of October. We get a shot of "cool" air just before Halloween. Even then it is not cold, just a pleasant dip in humidity and cooler nights. Mosquitos are a year round pest here. Always take proper precautions especially out in swampy areas.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

I agree with Tom. We took our daughter and boyfried to the Everglades (Royal Palm) in late October one year and while the mosquitos weren't bad (we did use bug spray as a precaution), the wildlife at the time of year (still the rainy season) doesn't compare to the wildlife in the winter (the dry season when the birds, fish and alligators congregate near the watering holes). You'll just need to put a winter visit on your wish list :D - it really is a very special place!

I'm not sure how authentic Picollo is, but the food is excellent. The most amazing little Italian restaurant is Romantico on Atlantic Blvd in Pompano...They have a big wheel of hard cheese and they swirl fettucine inside to make a delicious alfredo-like pasta. We share it as a first course. They only have a few tables so you need a reservation. The Snapper Frangelico at Zuckerellos is yummy and they give you hot bread and garlic dip; their prices are very reasonable. I don't know how those German restaurants survive as they aren't busy.

If you love Italian - especially Sicilian - food try Mediterraneo Cafe and Grill in Pompano Beach (N. Federal Highway across from the city park). It is family run (dad is the chef, mom the sous chef, oldest son in charge of the wait staff, second son greeter and cashier), all the food is fresh (there isn't even a freezer on the premises), much of it made from scratch (bread, caponata, fettucine, desserts, etc.) and absolutely delicious from appetizers to pastas, specials and desserts. It's been open for about 15 months and reservations - especially on weekends in the high season - are recommended. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34571-d2213956-Reviews-Mediterraneo_Cafe_Grill-Pompano_Beach_Florida.html

Would that be the left side as you are facing the train engine? or the caboose?

Thanks!

 

Sue

Left side facing the engine when heading from Skagway up through the Pass. Being in the last car - which was reserved for Chilkoot on our trip - is the best because there is a viewing platform at the back and you can look back down the mountain.

Well, I have heeded the advice here and have now booked a B2B on Coral Princess -

Vancouver - Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park (scenic Cruising), College Fjord, Anchorage

 

Then Anchorage, Hubbard Glacier, (scenic Cruising) Glacier Bay National Park,

Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan Vancouver

 

In July 2015; Aft MiniSuite - D 726

 

It seems doing it this way offers the best of both "must do's" - Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

 

Lots of time to save up for this trip of a lifetime.

 

And will do a land/rail rockies tour first. Heaven!

 

Now to research the ports - twice to three of them. :)

You will have a wonderful time! You've reserved a great cabin too.

While you're doing your research (check out the Alaska board here on cruise critic) here are some of the best excursions we've done:

• Ketchikan - on our first cruise we took a Princess excursions on a float plane to the Misty Fjords, landed on the water and transferred to a boat for the ride back to Ketchikan. I was more than a little nervous but it was so beautiful I would do it again.
  
• Juneau - Harv and Marv's whale watching which also drops you off at Mendenhall Glacier
  
• Skagway - Chilkoot Charters trip on the White Pass Railroad up to Fraser, transfer to a small van to go to Emerald Lake and then back to Skagway in a the van.
  
• Vancouver - a beautiful city with lots and lots to do. Start with the HOHO bus and make sure you visit Stanley Park and Gastown. Check out the Canada board too for additional info on Vancouver.
  

 

I hope the dispenser combo shampoo/conditioner that Princess is putting on its ships isn't the same as what they have on Carnival (budget line = budget shampoo). That stuff is so useless that I might as well have washed my hair with sea water.

I think the new shampoo/conditioner - whether you are in a full suite or elite (where it is in a small container) or in another type cabin (where it is in the dispensers) is horrible. My hair was like a rat's nest and it was difficult to even get a brush through it. On the other hand, my husband whose hair is short and not as thick as it used to be :D didn't mind it. We first experienced it in a full suite on the Royal in December and then in a mini on the Ruby in February. Luckily in December my DH had brought a small bottle of conditioner (not quite sure why but thank goodness he did) which I appropriated and in February I brought my own shampoo and conditioner.

Oh thanks for the suggestions so far! I will look into these!

 

Any suggestions on what to do with our luggage?

If you are on a Princess tour they will handle your luggage.

If you want to 'do it yourself' and your airline participates in Princess' EZ Check you won't even need to worry about your luggage. If not, store your luggage at the Bags to Go (in each airport terminal; see http://www.bagstogo.net) and taxi around town or rent a car (putting luggage in the trunk for the day) for the day. Check out http://www.sunny.org - Fort Lauderdale's tourism website - for ideas on attractions, restaurants, and transportation.

We went to Nachi Cocum two years ago after a busy port schedule and had a great time.

 

Booked direct on their website www.cozumelnachicocom.com.

 

Took a taxi from the port and happened to find others going so shared. They only allow entry to 100 per day so I'd book ahead especially if there are several ships in.

 

There's a bar, small pool and facilities. We simply lay under a palapa and had food and drink served as and when. No loud music and very relaxing.

We did the same this past February. I don't remember the taxi fare but it is well noted at the taxi stand. The drinks and food were plentiful!

I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall posts saying the laundries were closed while in Alaskan waters. You may want to post your question on the Alaska port of call section.

I think it depends on the ship and the cleanliness of the discharged water (it has to meet certain US, Canadian and Alaskan standards). When we were on the Coral in 2012 it was open every day I think. My brother, sister in-law, sister and brother in-law all traveled with carryons only and made good use of the self service laundry :D.

We just did it on the Emerald in March, and it couldn't have been simpler. You'll have to bring your passport, your first cruise card, and your second one. We waited for a short time as a group in one of the lounges, then followed a Princess rep off the ship. A quick walk and we were at an agent, who checked our passports, and we were then led to an area to wait. They had to bring the ship to zero (make sure everyone is off), and that didn't take more than 15 minutes or so. We then reboarded as a group, before the new passengers. Took about 1/2 hour.

 

Of course your mileage may vary! ;)

Whether it is quick or not depends on how many folks are doing the B2B. On our February B2B on the Ruby Princess over 800 passengers were doing the B2B. The process was long and annoying - no one can return to the ship until the last passengers are off - they needed to be hunted down - and the 'turn around area' had seating for only 1/2 of the passengers. Everyone else had to stand in line after clearing immigration. We met in the MDR around 9:30 and it was well after 11 before we were back on the ship.

I recommend finding out how many passengers are doing the B2B. If it is a large number, that would be the perfect morning to go into Fort Lauderdale on your own or take one of the ship's tours (we live north of Fort Lauderdale so we weren't interested in doing that).

Hello. I will be sailing this summer on the Caribbean Princess out of Fort Lauderdale. Decided to take Amtrak from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale (tired of flying). Was wondering if anyone has ever done this, and what their experience was? I will be traveling in one of their roomettes. Also, could anyone comment on the ease, accessibility, etc. of getting a taxi from Fort Lauderdale station to the cruise port hotels. Thank you very much.

This is a recent thread about taking Amtrak from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale that might have some useful info:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1998270&highlight=amtrak+to+fll

...or maybe there's another hotel that's really nice that's right near Embassy that has much more to offer for less money?

 

Embassy for Oct 31st was around 329.00? I think Hilton was like 269.00.

That weekend is the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show - rooms will be expensive and hotels will sell out so you are smart to be making a decision now.

Hello. I am going to be cruising this summer on the Caribbean Princess out of Fort Lauderdale. I am actually taking Amtrak from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale (tired of flying, and want to try this). Has anyone ever done this route? Any comments. I booked what they call a roomette. Also, if you have gone to Fort Lauderdale this way, can you comment on the ease and accessibility of taxi service from the station to the cruise port area? Thank you.

You should ask this question on the Florida Departures Board here on cruise critic: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495. I seem to remember a recent thread (do a search) on this topic.

We scan the photo page along with the facing page. We then reprint those two pages on photo paper, shrunk down so when folded in half it's the size of a credit card or driver's license. It is always in our wallet and is useful as a backup ID.

We do too. While in Prague in 2009 (not on a cruise) we were warned by friends at the US Embassy to never carry our passport because passport stealing was endemic. When we went to the castle we could see how easy it would be. If you bought the audio tour they took your passport (or in our case, our copy) and just put them on a shelf above and behind the counter -- within easy reach of everyone working the counter or even by someone on the other side reaching over.

Whenever the Patter says to bring official government ID (and doesn't specify a passport) we take our driver's licenses - easy to carry, easy to replace and losing it wouldn't create havoc on an overseas trip.

When we emailed Customer Relations we received an email return the next day saying someone would get back to us with the next 10 days. On the 10th day we received a phone call and a resolution.

We had the same experience with the email and received a call within a week. It took about another 3 weeks until everything was fully resolved (could see the sizeable credit on 'my Princess') but I found customer service very easy to work with.

I double checked the Itinerary, Santorini is the 1st port. the second week we visit Epheseus and sicily

Go for it!

Where is it stopping in Sicily? It doesn't show up very often on cruises but there are some absolutely lovely and historically significant areas (we lived in Italy for 5 years and my husband still has relatives in Sicily).

This is good to know. I wasn't even going to print my second boarding pass but now will.

Could you tell us where you boarded, which port?

We boarded in Fort Lauderdale.

We are looking at the Med cruises for 2015, one of the ones we saw was a 14 day itinerary which includes 7 days going to Greek Isles: includes Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Athens. Do you think this is enough time to see them adequately ??? Its been a dream to see these islands. :)

I lived in Greece for 3 years so that colors my response. Everyone should see Athens at least once in their lifetime.

Are you interested in history? If so the stop at Rhodes is fascinating; I presume the stop in Crete is Heraklion and again that is an extremely historical spot (Knossos); and Mykonos I can take or leave (my daughter loves it but that's because it was the site of her senior class trip :p).

What this cruise is missing is the one island that I think everyone would recommend: Santorini. It is absolutely beautiful in addition to be historical. It would be a shame to go on dream cruise and miss Santorini, especially if you are unsure if you will ever get another opportunity.

And to throw in one more port (not on an island) to consider: if you are cruising the eastern Med, you really don't want to miss Ephesus, Turkey!

I'd like to look at comparables from other lines. Please name the lines you see as comparable to Princess Suites and the specific ships. Thanks.

I'd like that info too because when I compare the premium lines to Princess for the same size cabin (i.e., mini-suite size to mini-suite or full suite to full suite) and even throwing in a bottle of wine a day ($50) and a couple of cocktails I can't get the prices close enough to even consider (maybe I'm just cheap :D).

So I am going on a B2B next week on the Ruby and plan on bring on 4 bottles of wine. Wife and I get 2 free and we will pay the fee on the second two. The cruise was booked as a 9 day but it could have been a 4 and a 5.

 

My question is can we leave the ship, and bring back more wine and will we be entitled to 2 more free bottles or will everything I bring back be subject to the fee? Princess customer service says I will only be checked in once so I cannot bring on more wine.

 

Thanks for the assistance.

I don't know the answer about the 'in transit' day but I do know that if you try to bring on 4 bottles upon embarkation you will be charged corkage for 2 of them. My DH and I were on a Ruby B2B that was also sold as a 9 day cruise in February. For us it was a true B2B booked as 2 separate cruises. We brought 4 bottles on at embarkation and had to show our first and second cruises boarding passes and give them 2 bottles for delivery to our cabin on the last night of the first cruise. Other people on the '9 day cruise' were only being allowed to take on board the standard bottle per person without incurring the corkage charge.