flip side of fifty

For the first time, we are staying the night before the cruise in a hotel as part of a "Princess Hotel and Transfer Package". I understand that the luggage will be picked up from our hotel room and delivered to the ship. My question is the boarding process. As part of a group, are we ushered to a particular area? Is there any time saved in the boarding process by doing this? Or, once we disembark the transfer bus are we on our own (as if we had driven to the port)? We are doing it all the same, I was just interested. If it matters we will be leaving from Houston.

Also, has anyone experienced boarding under the new "Ebola" threat and has that extended the boarding process?

If you like Whiskey

Whiskey Old Fashion:)

Thank you - I will show the one card -

I am so thankful for this forum.

My widowed mother (82 years old) is Platinum, I am still Ruby. She will want to go to this event (she has had a 2 finger Jack Daniels Every night for the last 50+ years), but would want me to join her. Would that be a problem? Is this definitely a No - go for a Ruby?

I am still excited and getting ready for my 33 next year

You know something is Good when someone gets excited after 32 cruises!

Me too - But I have a LONG way to go to get to 33! It'll be great getting there. :)

We are flying into IAH from Boston and I am not looking forward to the logistics of this cruise. We are flying in the night before, staying at the airport Marriott and taking Princess transportation to the port. Our problem is the return. I wish I had known about the fog issues but I booked my airfare well in advance to the first cruises out of this port. I would have stayed over in Houston and flown home to Boston the following day. Now if I miss my 1:30 flight (time recommended by cruise line) I will have to rebook my airfare and find a place to stay. I am so unsure of this that I am booking a hotel room now that I can cancel on that day. I am also going to familiarize myself with lots of different options for flying home. This is too much work for a vacation that is supposed to be relaxing. Next year's Caribbean cruise is already booked for Fort Lauderdale.

I am booked to do the exact same thing in November. Stay at the Houston International Airport Marriott through Princess and taking Princess transportation to the ship. How did this work out for you? I was also wondering what time the transportation bus leaves the hotel for the ship.

I have not done it, but have been on Princess cruises when the next segment was offered to those on board at fire sale prices.

 

I could not take advantage of the offer because was already away from home for a period of time or because of self-booked airline reservations.

Because of the circumstances - I could take advantage - if available - Thank you for this information! I will definitely check on this!

I am driving a rental car from San Antonio to Houston with my 81 year old mother the day before we leave on the Emerald. Because my choices were so limited at the Houston port to return my car (limited locations and weekend times) I decided to drive to Houston International Airport, turn my rental car in at their 24 hour operation, stay at the Marriott (which I guess is attached to the Airport) and take advantage of the cruise line's hotel and transfer option. I thought it was a reasonable price - and once I get her checked into the hotel I am hoping that it will be "smooth sailing" from then on. :D

We will be returning the same way.

Obviously by this thread, it's possible, but has anyone had any experience of extending their cruise by staying on the ship and booking for the next cruise? There must be cabins available - of course - just wondered if anyone has done this and if so, did they pay a higher amount because it was last minute, good price because one sold is better than one empty, or the same price they would have regardless?

Thanks

Don't have any FCC

I guess, since it is "possible", we will wait and see what happens. Who knows, if a cabin is available, maybe they will let it go for a good price.

Thanks for the comments!!:)

Has anyone booked a same ship, 7 day B2B while currently on a 7 day cruise? I will be on a Nov 30 cruise and the next date (Dec 7) is running specials, so it is definitely not sold out. My cabin mate of 82 yrs, first wanted to go on a 7 day B2B, then maybe ... :confused:, now "why don't we just go on the first 7 day then add on the second if we like it". We would be driving to the port so that would not be a problem, but I would guess that getting that close to the departure date there would be few balcony cabins available to "pick up" at the last minute. Any comments?

And, Thank you for your time.

Also, in case it applies, there is no parking fee for disabled American Veterans who present appropriate documentation.

From someone that has not cruised on Princess for several years, not a shareholder or Military Vet (dependent - yes, but not a Vet), I have no sources of OBC other than what would be listed as an incentive for a particular cruise or cabin selection. I am looking at booking soon so I have logged onto the Princess website frequently in the last 2 weeks, but I am not seeing much in the way of OBC listed for many cruises for the 4th quarter. I am hoping that Princess will reevaluate in the next couple of weeks and put some out there - believe me - I'd use it!;)

I wonder if, with the new policy to use it or lose it, maybe greater OBC enticements may be given...:D

I know that Princess is very good at their strategy in filling cabins - by flash sales, and I realize that very few cruises are not fully booked. However, has anyone ever had any luck contacting a Princess Travel Consultant, making an offer to take a b2b or even a b2b2b cruise and received a lower rate than advertised on line? I am not talking about a 2 for 1, just a reduced rate for the second 7 day portion, or suggesting paying the rate offered and receiving OBC in a greater amount than listed on their website?

For over a month I have been looking at a cruise that is now 2 months out. This cruise has had very little activity in booked rooms during this period. The cruises before and after are not that bad - but they are still holding a lot of empty cabins too. Just thought I would ask the pros here before I went and embarrass myself.:o:o

Thank you for your assistance.

 

We actually did a BVE on our own a while back as we had run out of FCC and you can only purchase those while onboard. We paid for the BVE for both of us, had our lunch (with wine), wandered around the ship, and bought more FCC. Of course we booked another cruise well within the time frame needed and the full $39 cost was applied to each of our accounts as OBC so it was free other than the drive to and from SF.

Could someone explain the value of FCC? I definitely don't understand it's value given that a seasoned cruiser pays to go on board to purchase. I will be going on another cruise in a couple of months, then next year I am planning on an Alaska cruise. If I understood the value I could purchase FCC for that Alaska trip. Thanks!

More than 2 months ago I was ready to book a B2B cruise with a TA, but a medical situation with my fellow cruiser led me to not make the purchase. Now that the situation has resolved itself I have decided to take a "wait and monitor" approach to the purchase. Every few days I have monitored the unsold cabins on the Princess site. One day last week I was very surprised when I logged on only to find All the mini suites sold out. There had been a good number of unsold cabins, then - sold. I believed the site and just thought I had missed a "Flash Sale" of some sort. The following day, the same unsold cabins were back as unsold. I guess a large amount of people could have held all the cabins, but it seems a little funny. I have also seen frequent rate changes and OBC changes.

After reading this thread, regarding the comments about "Final Payment Date", just when is this? With a cruise start date that is exactly 11 weeks out, as of today, I am wondering if I should start a daily "Princess Check In" regarding rates. My plan was to check with the Princess web site and then contact my TA to see if he could beat it.

Thank you for all your comments!

The mini suite does sounds like the way to go, the only positive for the Aft is that the Mini bathtub may be difficult for her and it was commented that there is less wind in the back.

I have one more question - if only to settle this. If anyone knows - for the cruises I am looking at, Now, the only Aft cabins available state: "BALC PARTLY OBSTRUCTDUE TO SUPPORT BEAM".

How bad is this?

And, thank you again for your help!!!

I have only stayed in a balcony on Princess, never a mini suite or Premium Balcony. I am planning on traveling with my 82 mother on a B2B, 7 day cruise. She had a Mini Suite once with Dad years ago and loved it. It has been years since she has been on a cruise so I would like to make this return nice for her. Although I am sure that a Suite would be nice :D ..... there is no way I can afford one!

We would be taking the Emerald Princess. The location for the Mini Suite is Mid-Aft, Dolphin; and for the Premium Balcony it would be Aft, Baja - very back end of the ship (~ D 752, 753). In my latest calculation the difference between the Premium Balcony and the Mini Suite is about $100 pp - for the B2B (Mini is higher of course) with the same OBC.

Neither one of us have ever been at the rear before and she has problems with wind hitting her face (it's medical), so don't know if the wind is greater or less at the Aft location. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome!

Thank you in advance for your feedback. :)

Due to severe nausea when flying or as a passenger in a car, my husband has never joined me on a cruise - but says he will next year for Alaska. I have been researching in order to plan for this momentous occasion. In another thread I was wisely advised about rough waters in the Gulf of Alaska portion of the 7 day (North or South cruise). I was unaware of this, believing if I choose the inward passage from Vancouver I would "miss" the rough open waters. Another comment mentioned feeling "dizzy" for 4 days after sailing through this portion! Just what I would need if we continued with the land portion :( - my husband would be miserable and so would I.

By the time we cruise I will be at Platinum level for Princess (and why I think this should be part of my evaluation I don't know, but it has been). I also have really been impressed with what I thought was a great sea-land option provided by Princess and it's lodges. I have never considered Holland America, but yesterday I went to a Travel Show here in Las Vegas and HAL gave an Alaska - Land presentation. In this presentation was an option where the cruise leaves out of Vancouver, sails 3 days only (staying inside the passage only to Skagway), then a land portion going into Denali and the Yukon is available.

If there are any comments or recommendations - I am all ears!

Thank you in advance for your time.:)

My husband has never been on a cruise and gets dramatic motion sickness in a car and plane. He has agreed to go to Alaska with me next year, inland passage.

My question is this: would a slow traveled itinerary like the 4 day LA - Catalina Island be a good "test" of his cruise motion sickness meds without a great deal of costs (we live in Las Vegas) - or - would going out into the International Waters provide for just as turbulent example as any other and might deter him from trying the Alaska cruise?

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

I was on a Pacific Coastal cruise last year and was doing great until we ran into some 15-20 foot swells. It hit me so fast that I made an early night of it! I could barely read the directions for the wrist bands, popped Bonine, and got some fresh ginger (which was a first for me) and climbed into bed! I continued with the bands and Bonine throughout the cruise with great results. I'm one of those where fresh air helps as well.

 

This year I did more research and plan to be more proactive rather than reactive. Quite a few posters have mentioned how much rougher the Seattle route is than the Vancouver route. (We chose Seattle so DD can knock 2 states off her Bucket List!) I'll start with the Bonine and bands right away. I also purchased some Queasy Beads to wear on the formal nights. I bought them online and they're available in quite a few color combinations. I'll find out shortly if they work as well as the other bands.

Please let me know when you get back !!

Thanks!

Due to severe nausea when flying or as a passenger in a car, my husband has never joined me on a cruise - but says he will next year for Alaska. In planning for this momentous occasion I would like to ask for all the assistance I can from those who have been there. We are planning a cruise and lodge stay (Princess).

I have done some research: leaving from Vancouver seems better than Seattle, and we would certainly do the inside passage. He will have anti-nausea meds and ginger, and it seems as though the water can be rough in September so we would plan on probably June. But:

I have had friends say an inside room is better, and some say being able to see out and to have fresh air is better....Some people say the band is better and some say patch. Would it be better to sail northbound or southbound (or does it not matter).

Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for the information - It is very much appreciated!:)

Looking at taking a b2b 7 day Western Caribbean cruise with my mother out of the Houston Port. Our plan is to fly into Houston Hobby the day before the cruise and stay near the airport (it does not look like there is anything at the Houston Port). Then the morning of the cruise take transfers down to the ship.

Questions:

Has anyone stayed in a hotel near the Houston Port and recommends a hotel?

Has anyone stayed in a hotel near Houston Hobby prior to taking the cruise and then taken transfers down to the ship - any problems with this?

On the return of the first leg, I could get off the ship and purchase another bottle of wine - but is there anything around there?

Anyone recently purchased a bottle of wine on the last day of the first 7 day, and had it available for use in the stateroom during the second leg of the trip.

Have not done a b2b before - but with these two added trips I will reach a new level and I am planning on taking an Alaska next.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.:)