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We cruise with 3 in a cabin all the time with our now teenage son. The pictures above are accurate for a balcony cabin set up for 3 on the Emerald and Sapphire so I'm almost certain they are the same on the Ruby.  Princess cabins are smaller than Carnival cabins as they have no sofa or real sitting area.  3 people in a Princess cabin will be tighter than you have experienced on Carnival but it can be done.  

We have had room stewards that made the beds into a queen but we have also had them refuse and only allowed the twin set up because the upper was open.  We were told it was a safety hazzard.  We have also experienced a rollaway and would never do that again as the cabins are way too small.  

If you want a larger balcony try and pick a cabin on the Caribe deck.  These larger balconies are only half covered but having the extra size/space is great especially when you have 3 people in the cabin.  

8 hours ago, JoAnneNYI said:

So if I take advantage of this...what is the best way to handle trip insurance if want the pre existing waiver in which need to pay for said insurance within 14 days of deposit? Especially if I'm booking 2 years out. 

Look into Nationwide cruise insurance.  They offer a policy with pre existing condition waiver that you can actually purchase at the time of final payment. 

I have been looking into the technology of the medallion because I also have a Medtronic pacemaker.   I read that the medallion is very similar if not the same technology as the wristbands used at Disney.  After some research I personally feel the technology is safe and don't have a problem using it.  I would keep the medallion away from my pacemaker just to be safe, but then again I walk through metal detectors. 

As far as using your cell phone on the ship.  I haven't sent a Carelink from my cell on the ship but I call home using my cell as it's cheaper than using the cabin phone.  I can't remember the exact cost, but I remember it wasn't near as expensive as I thought it would be.  You can always contact your cell phone provider before you leave and get the per minute cost.  Also make sure you turn off your data so you don't get those extra charges added on while you are using your phone.  

I hope you have a wonderful cruise!  😊

Look at Nationwide Cruise Insurance they offer pre-existing coverage that you can purchase at the time of final payment.  They have 2 different policies and only 60 day look back period.  

We booked a private sailboat several years ago in Cabo.  We went to the Arch, swam to the beach near the Arch, then we went whale watching and at the end of the day they put up the sails and we went sailing around the bay.  They also had food and drinks on board for us.    Best day ever!!!

We used Cabo San Lucas Tours (by Johann and Sandra).

https://www.cabosanlucastours.net/Private-Group-Tours.htm

We took a Princess beach excursion in Manzanillo about 10 years ago.  Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the beach or resort we went too.   I can say I remember we had a great time and have booked a similar if not the same excursion for our upcoming cruise.   

We often do Princess excursions and have always had great experiences.  

My 13 year old loves Princess kids clubs, his first cruise was at age 3 1/2.  Once he figured out he could go and have fun he didn't want to leave and couldn't wait to go back.  He has come home with various stuffed animals, t-shirts and crafts from the kids club over the years.  

In our experiences the entire staff on Princess is wonderful with kids.  One year our room steward left chocolate chip cookies for him every evening and on another cruise there was a waiter that enjoyed talking to him and would always stop what he was doing to talk or say hi to him no matter where we were on the ship.  On our last Princess cruise we bought the photo package and he and the photographers had a lot fun posing for pictures.  He liked to "photo bomb" mom and dad and they played along with him.

I think you will be very pleased with how great Princess is with kids.  

Happy Cruising!!!

36 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

 

My rebooked flights never show up on the AA website in my FF profile until I add my FF# to the EZ Air profile for the flight. When you rebook, all of the previously entered info goes away. If you've done this and the flight still isn't visible in your airline profile, then follow Lew's advice and get on the phone with them just as soon as you can. 

Thanks everyone!!! 

I can see the flight on the airlines site/app I just don't have the option to pick my seats.  My TA verified my booking and sent me the confirmation so I know that we are booked.  I'll check a few things on the website and if nothing happens I'll give them a call.  

What happens if the option to pick your seats doesn't show up on the airlines site? I rebooked my flights 2 times and both the original and 2nd booking I was able to go back in and pick my seats.  My departure flight actually stayed the same with each new booking but of course I had to rebook it and the last time I am now only able to pick seats for my return flight.  My departure flight doesn't show seats or give me the button to pick seats this time.

Seems strange because I was able to pick them for the first 2 bookings.  I'm hoping the choose/change seat button magically appears soon.  

Hi Arwen!  I would suggest you book a Deluxe Balcony or a Minisuite.  

My son was 3 1/2 on his first Princess cruise.  We booked a regular balcony cabin with an upper bunk because a minisuite was just too expensive for us at the time.  Our room steward provided us with a roll away bed instead of pulling down the upper bunk due to his age.  The roll away took up way too much space in the cabin so we chose to let him sleep in bed with us for the week.  Not ideal, but it was the best option for the size of the cabin. 

If you decide to book a regular balcony with the upper bed/bunk you could ask the steward to put the mattress from the upper bunk on the floor for your granddaughter to sleep on.  It might be tight as far as floor space but would probably be the easiest option.  Or one parent could sleep in the upper bunk and the other with the child in the regular bed, not ideal but just a thought. 

Also Princess has the best kids clubs!!!  Hopefully your granddaughter will be able to spend some time there.  My once 3 1/2 year old is now 13 and really looking forward to the teen club, although I'm not sure I'm ready for that.   

Happy cruising!!!

Are you going to Puerta Vallarta on your cruise? If so take a look at Wildlife Connection (they also have a FB page) and their Dolphins in the Wild tour.

They take small groups out in the bay in search of the pods of wild dolphins. The guides are very familiar with the different groups of dolphins and their feeding times, habits and which ones like to interact. Once they find them you get into the water and swim with them. It is an amazing experience!

We booked it on their website and just took a taxi to the marina. I believe I read that they now offer transportation to and from the cruise port.

Have a great cruise!

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We got the package for $99 for our March 2017 Regal cruise. My DH and I were in one cabin and my 12 yr old DS was in another cabin with our good friend. So I purchased the package under my DS name/cabin because I wanted pictures of just him and then some of the 3 of us as a family. Of course they insisted on taking pictures of just DH and I, which wouldn't be included in the package, so my son started "photo bombing" us so that they would be included in our package. By the end of the cruise the photographers knew DS by name, we brought home over 100 pictures and we ended up having tons of fun taking pictures.

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We were on the Regal in March 2017 and my then 11 year old son loved the kids club.

When he was younger I remember him getting a stuffed Princess teddy bear on one cruise and a stuffed turtle on another. He has painted tshirts, made necklaces, played video games, watched movies, gone to pajama parties and tons of other stuff. They do a great job on Princess entertaining the kids.

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Same thing has happened to me. I have a $50 OBC certificate and have no idea where it came from. I even checked my credit card to make sure I didn't accidentally purchase it. I am getting OBC from my TA which is a different amount than the certificate but maybe that what it is. I guess I will find out in 2 weeks.

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I use a TA and got the opportunity to bid on my upcoming cruise.

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My husband and I were unpacking, we were still in port and had our balcony door open to listen to the sounds going on. We had been in and out several times and had seen and older couple out enjoying their balcony just above us. A few minutes later we had a knock on the door and this gentleman was at our cabin door saying he dropped something on our balcony and asking if he could retrieve it. He seemed a little anxious so I said sure and allowed him to come in and followed him to the balcony. He quickly grabbed the object thanked me and left. As he left I stood there shocked as my husband asked me what he had dropped. All I could say was there were teeth were on our balcony!!! My DH couldn't stop laughing as I cannot stand anything involving teeth and I kept repeating there were teeth on our balcony! We never saw the couple on their balcony the rest of the cruise, I have a feeling his wife wouldn't allow him back out there, unless they were her teeth!!!

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We booked a private sailboat tour thru http://www.cabosanlucastours.net. It was one off our most memorable experiences we have had. We went to the beach, whale watching and sailing. We saw several whales including a mom and baby. They also had food and drinks available for us. It was an amazing experience and one we will definitely do again.

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As suggested check Nationwide. They offer cancel for any reason (add-on) and pre-existing condition coverage. I like that the pre-existing condition has a look back of only 60 days, many other policies are 90 or 120 days when purchased at time of final payment. We have found the cost to be comparable to the insurance we used to purchase at the time of booking.

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Many companies will offer the "pre-existing condition exclusion waiver WITH a lookback" at various times.

 

CSA offers a policy, as noted by cargo13, and that offers coverage that includes any pre-existing conditions where there is NO "look back" condition to deal with.

Much better for many people, and it certainly makes any claims easier for everyone, as there is no reason for the insurer to scour through old medical records/histories.

It must be purchased within 24 hours of "final payment" (defined specifically).

 

This is similar to Travel Insured's policy that must be purchased within 21 days, and other vendors offer this within 10-14 days.

We've always purchased from Travel Insured, because we sometimes need the CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason), and if one waits for final payment with CSA, the CFAR coverage add-on is much more expensive with CSA.

Otherwise, the prices are similar. We've used CSA once, but didn't have a claim, so we can't comment on that especially critical aspect.

Travel Insured paid promptly and with no nonsense, which is what matters...

That's good to know that CSA offers a no look back pre-existing coverage. Many people will find that a huge advantage.

We have always used Allianz and have had to file a claim and they settled it quickly and easily. It was actually a cancel for any reason claim. And you are correct, that is what's important, quick and easy claim settlement. I am hoping that I won't have to report back to you all that Nationwide also provides quick and easy claim settlement, because that would mean I have encountered some difficulties on my upcoming cruise that caused me to file a claim.

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CSA Travel Protection also has pre existing conditions coverages included at final payment.

 

Dont see anything extraordinary with Nationwide's coverages.

Didn't say anything was extraordinary, just said it was good if not better than our usual insurance. Since we can purchase at final payment and only have a 60 day pre-existing look back period it makes it good or better for us.

People buy insurance for lots of reasons so there are many companies and plans to choose from.

I personally have not heard a lot about CSA as we usually use another company. I happened to stumble upon Nationwide when I was researching travel insurance and know they are a reputable company and they fit our needs.

Happy Cruising!

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I purchased the Nationwide Cruise insurance for the first time for my upcoming cruise. I liked that I could purchase it at the time of final payment and still get pre-existing medical coverage. I looked over the policy and compared it to what we usually purchase it looked good if not better.

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We left our DS on the ship when he was about 6 years old. He knew he was going to kids club for the day and that we were going off the ship. He had a fun day, probably more fun than he would have shopping and site seeing with us. Of course he loves going to kids club, can't drag him away sometimes. Yes it's a family vacation but that doesn't mean you have to spend every second together, let your kids have their own fun too.

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IMO. wait until you're on board and see what time you get for traditional dining. You can easily switch to anytime at any point during your cruise.

Thanks. I think that's a good idea. Maybe we will get lucky. I'll just keep watching the waitlist numbers go up and down and back up again for the next 2 weeks. Lol.

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The menu posted looks like the one I remember. My DS was 3 when we took him on his first cruise, he's now 11. He loved the spaghetti and meatballs. He ordered it almost every night. The fruit is good as is the alphabet soup. His absolute favorite thing on the kids menu are the cruise chip chocolate chip cookies, we often took them back to the cabin for a late night snack. (mom and dad will never admit to eating them after he went to sleep) The strawberry soup on the adult menu is also a favorite of his. No worries you will find plenty for him to eat.

Happy Cruising!!!

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You have nothing to worry about. My DS is 11 and going on his 5th cruise. He has been on both Princess x3 and Carnival x1 and he prefers Princess. He is not a foodie, but isn't a picky eater and loves to try stuff off the "adult" menus. Strawberry soup is his favorite at sea, on land he loves calamari. He also enjoys the kids program on Princess. I think your DS will be very happy on Princess. BTW...he is so handsome all dressed up.

Happy Cruising!!!

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