Likes2cruise

Thanks for the helpful advice.  We have sailed from Port Everglades several times.  We were able to use Princess package with Embassy Suites.  Will start looking now for other options.  Really disappointed that Princess has not responded to this situation.

And that may be the problem.  Need hotel for October 30th.  TA says lots of availability at other hotels.  The problem seems to be with Princess packages.

I have used Princess pre-cruise hotel packages in the past and have never had any trouble booking in advance.  This year is a different story.  My TA keeps telling me the "portal" is not open for booking the hotel package in Fort Lauderdale for an October 2024 cruise.  Is anyone else having the same problem?  Any idea for the delay in ability to reserve a hotel room????

Just checked into the Hilton Marina for our pre-cruise night.  For the price, it's not as nice as the Embassy Suites that Princess used in the past. 

Appreciate all the advice.  I have always used FLL, but flights after this cruise just weren't working out.  My TA suggested using MIA.  It will be a Sunday with a 12:50 flight.  I was told that Princess does transfers for flights after 1:00.  Will look into Uber.  Any other past experiences with MIA would be helpful.

Have you ever taken a taxi from Porti Everglades to the Miami airport?  Solo traveler has a flight that leaves 15 minutes too early to use Princess transfer.  

I'm still confused.  With the new Premier upgrade, is it still necessary to have a coffee card?  Or is that included in the new package???  Will probably exchange my minibar anyway as I have done in the past.

With Premier Package,  you can have four devices.  I don't want to bring a laptop.  Can one of those four devices be a unit in the  Internet Cafe???  Also IC would be needed for printing.

Can anyone clarify specialty coffees included in the packages?  Does using the Plus package or upgrading to the new Premier package eliminate the need for a separate coffee card?  

And sad to say -- but I will most likely cave and just upgrade to the Premier package.  Have decided to look at this like dealing with the cable company.  I pay for a package deal with a lot of channels I don't ever watch.  But without the package, I wouldn't be able to get the channels I DO watch.  Some days, you just can't win!

I agree with you all.  We had the introductory ($99) price on our Alaska cruise in 2017.  Then again in March 2019 (price up to $199) and in December 2019 when the price was $250 per cabin.  We still considered it quite the bargain because three of us went home with probably 50 prints each plus the digital files for 150 photos.  Not that all the photos were great -- but each one was a memory.   It's just disappointing that Princess has made the unlimited package available only for those paying the new Premium fare.

I can see that I'm not the only one who liked the All-Inclusive photo package.  If I'm like most people, I didn't really need all the actual prints, but getting the digital files for ALL the photos taken was wonderful!  My complaint now is that the All-Inclusive package is available ONLY for those who book the Premium fare.  The photo packages offered to the non-Premium passengers offer so much less for so much more money.  

No, not purchase photos separately -- purchase the ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE separately if you're not using the new Premium class fare.  All-Inclusive package was a photo option on cruises starting in 2017.

Really disappointed to see that the All-Inclusive photo packages are no longer available to "regular" cruisers.  In order to get this package, you must book under the new Premium rates.  This seems to be the only component that cannot be purchased separately if you choose one of the other fare packages.  We have had the All-Inclusive package on our last three cruises -- really enjoyed interacting with the photographers -- just a fun thing to do.  We never needed the actual prints, but having the digital files was a real plus -- even at $250 per cabin.  When Princess first announced this new category, their Terms and Conditions said that you would be able to purchase the photo package separately for $125.  Now, they've changed that to say it's only available with the Premium fare.  I enjoy the mocktails more than the alcoholic drinks, so moving up to the new Premium fare seemed like a waste of my money when I could get the photo deal on its own.  Since we had already booked with the Plus fare, it would have been $500 more just to get the one component we wanted.  Why, Princess, why????  After 17 cruises with Princess, I am saddened by this "restricted" component.

Did this tour on December 22. 2019.  Had a wonderful time!  All the descriptions given previously are very accurate.  We never went hungry or thirsty!  Don't hesitate to do the mud bath -- great experience.  Basically a very large hot tub filled with mud.  Be warned -- it is DEEP -- well, deep for me because I'm barely five foot tall -- so I was up to my chin!  A really great tour and a reasonable price.

Had a wonderful time on a recent Zip Line Excursion in Antigua.  It was all I expected and more!  Definitely a work-out for this 70+ woman, but nothing I couldn't handle.  Well -- maybe the final trek up the stairs at the end -- whew!!  Had to stop for a breather.  I love that they took a video and some still photos on one of the long zips.  Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Does anyone have the current Mocktails menu? 

1999 on the original Regal Princess 

10-day Panama Canal rt Ft. Lauderdale

Still a fan of the "smaller" ships like the Crown Princess

Certainly agree with all the "monster" comments. The plain white was such a classy look. Are you hearing us, Princess????

Really enjoyed reading your report. I have a trip planned for next May, and your report -- and especially all the photos--make me even more anxious for next May to arrive! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing!

You will notice some noise when the anchor is raised/lowered

Does anyone have a link to a video of the "Thriller" dance done on SOS on October 6 -- on the Sept 25th Fall Foliage cruise?

Thanks. I'll definitely be looking for that "somewhere" place!

The reason I've asked: We're looking at shore excursions that start at 12:30, so we're not really able to do lunch at noon and still be on time for our excursions. Some of the info I've seen on the Royal Caribbean site indicates that the Windjammer buffet closes from 10:30 until noon, and the other daytime venue does not open until noon. I was hoping someone could confirm or dispute this info. Would really like to have a little something to eat around 11:30 before leaving the ship for the afternoon.