rjrice1

yes you're right Palm Beach.. sorry

Palm Bay is only 1.5 hours from MCO, unfortunately, there is no airport in Palm Bay, there is in Palm Beach, which is 2.5 - 3 hours from MCO.

Several times I cruised the same day.. all flights arriving around 11 ish..

One time the flight was canceled.. (crap till the next day.. ...)

end up taking a taxi from MCO to palm bay.. (stupid counter guy told me it was only 1.5 hrs away.. nope 3 hrs away with 15 minute to catch the flight)

Long story short.. made the flight and the ship with heart palpation all the way.

Wrote long letter to the airline.. with info proving it was not weather (weather.com thank you) and it was engine trouble..

they did reimburse me for the taxi $500.00... (thank goodness I had the cash put away ...my ocd.. son calls in cdo)

and they reimburse 5 of us credit for the flight too.

Now we are going to try it again in Dec for same day with flight arriving at 11 for a 8pm sail away.

Thank you everyone

Going on the Jewel of the Sea.. love this class

Yes did get a large balcony.... deck 9

Champagne for sail away .. nice

Been on several cruises... no favorite one they all have their own special perks.. (an it is a cruise)

Well I just booked a 7 day cruise in Dec (not going to family member wedding,,, my vacation is #1!!.)

for my husband 35th birthday again... 490th bday.. or let's say 70ths.. man of my life.

Sailing out of San Juan several times so looking for something very special for "us" to do

Bday is the day we sail too..

thanks my CC friends.

I just booked this for hubby's 490 th bday (dog's life..) in Dec.

Dumb question is there a mini fridge in balcony's?

Not a deal breaker... but be nice

Just saw you cruised on the ship I am in Dec vs the wedding

How was it.. any tips??

do you know if the cabins have mini fridge.. not a deal breaker ..

I agree with your decision.

There's always the, "Oh, we already had a cruise booked. Have a wonderful day. We'll be thinking of you." decline.

So glad you all agree.

I am the only family member that lives "far away" and my vacation is for "me and my husband"

This wedding is not my type either... first the had an engagement party "$30,000 at a winery.. next save the date party...

none of which I attended. Even their own web site. (bride family has the money)

Too many people I will not know and don't care to know. (lol)

It's my nephew.

A family member is getting married this year.. A huge wedding... over 400 guest . Cost for 3 of us to fly, hotel, rental, vacation time and ect.

or

Do a 7 day southern cruise from San Juan (husband 490 yr bday (in dog yrs)...

Already decided.. and the there will be a few less guest at the wedding.. (will decline the invitation too)

:ship::ship::ship::ship::ship::ship:

It's been 9 whole long days since my last cruise... (a 10 day Panama Canal with Princess)

Just booked a 7 day southern out of San Juan for hubby's "490 th" bday

Then booked another one 2019 for Bermuda...

I will sometimes go one way with one air line and return on another

Also I used southwest to pay bills .. get points to fly.

Its called mobile passport

My son downloaded all of our passports

We still had to show them but the line was quick

Not for a cruise, but when flying into the USA now at many airports you do not need the blue form either.

 

 

You go though a line and end up at a terminal that asks questions. And the one about purchases is simply are you within the allowed $$ amount or not. No need to actually list the purchases and add them up.

Used to buy it when it was under 50

They can keep it

Did forget to mention my son down lload an app to go through customs. Cam only do this with 4 hrs of dismemberment. Had special line too

Still had to show passports but he glanced at them. Very easy process too

We couldn't switch either. Gave the 3 tiny bottles of champagne to random guest that we thought would enjoy it.

Yes just say no thank you

You will get the rights to all your pictures too for reprints

But there is no requirement to do that. Just say "no."

We took advantage of this recently

Had our own themes too

What i didn't like was they want you to book private black and white sittings for extra

After the last formal night no more photos

Will be able to answer any other questions tonight.

Working a hospice case and it's usually quiet.

Already booked another cruise (another line to Bermuda and looking for suggest for DH 70th birthday in Dec... )

When ask they said no!!

What's weird to is that not many people on devices either.

Also I never got those books with coupons or welcome back gift.

Curious of the answer.

Not sure about the Indian food in the buffet

Mutts showed

Only the Brave... very good movie based on a true story.

Orient on the Express

a few more too

Do you know a fat movies were played at the pool?

Is there tiramisu at the IC?

What were the evening shows?

Was there Indian food at the buffet?

 

Thanks

Ok now I will start on the dining rooms and food revenue.

We had Club dining. It was very nice and the service was great. If anyone has this dining room please ask for Yogi and Katrina.

Both sweet and kind. Worked their tails off too. Never had to wait for a table however we did eat around 6pm. (so that was one of the reasons we did not make any shows.)

With Club dining we had the same exact food with the exception one "special" unannounced item such as a lobster dish one night that was very good.. (the other lobster dish was not so yummy) greek salad (made to order) veal ravolli's and some special desserts) and they had blue table clothes. Not a huge difference to me.

Did notice a few changes since my last Princess Cruise that I did miss.

The sail away seafood ... has been long gone.

Prime rib was only offer one time and that was the first night.. (we missed it due to the Crown Grill .... came with the suite)

baked potatoes only when you asked for it..

If you want a banana split it is on the kids menu and they will make it for you when ever you want.

On the alternate menu there was a few things.. so in all fairness I think Princess had better food vs other cruise lines

International Cafe no longer had that great chicken salad.. sub it with tuna (not nearly as good)

Give this to Princess too.. Other cruise line don't offer a nice selections of snacks 24/7 and for no charge too.

No longer passes out those out of the oven chocolate chip cookies with cold milk. (miss that too.. and doesn't even cost anything extra)

Tea time was nice ..

Lido buffet had a lot of changes.. the area was smaller; nobody watching to make sure guest clean their hands (yet we are all adults and know we should do this )

Now this is were Princess did not score as high as other lines.. on sea days on other lines there are more selections to chose from.

and not so crowed either..

Room service we did not try as we.

Entertainment: Movies under the stars was very good with new release ones too. They do go around with small bags of popcorn and set up the chairs padding and pillows..

I mentioned the shows and wish Princess could modify this to make it better ...

For activities .. there isn't any by the pool.. (some like it and some don't ) other ships keep the guest busy doing the day some outside activities for those sun worship.

They do offer bible study every morning for those who are interested and do supply the bibles as well.

The library had several good books as well..

Internet was slow as most ships. You were better to get off the ship. We have very good wifi and other service with our cell phones so we did take advantage of this even on the ship while in port.. (free is good)

With a ten day cruise not too many children.. however we did see a few and they never opened up the "kiddie"until the end of the cruise..

And some of the older adults do need positive coaching in behavior or good medicine

As for the ocean suite it was very nice and huge. The steward was just ok... we had free laundry and did take advantage of it too along with the dry cleaning..(had the boys 2 tux's done) it took several days to get our clothes back. Asked several times and was told it be back later. Even though it was same day or next day service.

Several times we had to wait for towels in the evening too. Our room shown evidence of (pumpkin seeds under the sofa) from previous guest... but those are minor stuff and I did disinfect stuff such as knobs; remote control and other items that I felt should be done.. (guess the nurse in me and did not want to be a carrier to my pt's either)

A few minor issues with the bathroom but not his fault and fixed promptly without entering our cabin.

As for the noise due to the propel... it was very loud lasted for 2 days off and on too. Thought somebody above us was banging and moving chairs.. but of course that was not the case. and as for the propel problems shortening our island times..

hate to say this but was told my a head crew member (officer) they could of done it.

One cruise they couldn't go to the private island due to the weather... however he captain (prior to this one) took them to Jamaica..

This sums up my review and I thank you in advance for taking the time to read it..

Any questions I will try to answer .

happy cruising regardless what line you take..

be kind to your other guest.. never know who you are entertaining--it may be an angel from "heaven" or that evil man below..

Have a very blessed day..

Cayman Islands we have been there several times.. and since it was a tender and last tender was at 2pm. we decided just to get off and walk around for a minute. Also I think it's over priced too. (was going to buy cigarettes for somebody but it was pricey there.. weird this was the first cruise we went on with no Durfey's duty free stores.. ) missed that.

If one wants to go to the many beaches take a taxi outside the pier. Much cheaper and yes it is cheaper too.

In Costa Rica we were supposed to do a tour with "Your Lucky Tours" however when we got off the ship we did not see any signs for us. Being Sunday a lot of the local shops were close.

We met several taxi drivers some very pushy but one his plate number 267 was nice. Gave us a tour of the island..

saw the banana plantation; beach; rain forest and did see monkeys jumping from tree to tree. Very educational and loads of fun.

It lasted about 2 hours of so. Changed us $15.00 per person. He dropped us off at the local market only a ten minute walk from the pier, (if you get off the ship; go through the gates take a left and go three blocks on the corner) but ask for directions cause I get my lefts and rights mixed up.

We end up buying 5 bags of Costa Rica coffee, vanilla, cocoa, diet pepsi, spices and few other items. Very very reasonable too.

Spent under $35.00.. (In the pier the coffee was $10.00 min per bag store was $2.00)

Unloaded our stuff and after lunch we went through the pier shops and bought a few trinkets that were handmade..)

When we got back on to the ship we were hot, hungry and tired. As we were heading towards our cabins the maitre'd saw us. Informed her we weren't too tired to get dress up to eat. She said "no" come as you are. We are not turning anyone away due to the late ship and etc. So grateful too.. made us a special treat too.

Thank you for the kind words. Just love doing hospice... (was supposed to be an extra part time job that lead into full time on top of my "real" job dementia..

Thank you for your great review ! I'm really enjoying reading about your cruise. :)

Thank you for all the wonderful work you do on behalf of your hospice patients and their families. - EBC