Caribensun

Much prefer Sabatinis for breakfast as opposed to HAL Pinnacle Grill, bar setup in room, unlimited laundry, free Specialty restaurant first night, free use of Thermal Suite. I know we really pay for it in our cruise fare.

Having paid for GS's & suites on Princess ships for years and stayed in Neptune Suite and viewed Pinnacle suite; I would much prefer to pay for HAL PS & suites. However Princess has better suite perks, but for room and balcony much prefer HAL.

HAL makes suite life easy and anytime dining is anytime dining and always a menu in room, never have to ask. Pinnacle suite you get real lounge chair on balcony.

Love the bathroom, makeup area and balcony furniture in Neptune suites.

**HAL's PS feels more like home and Princess GS's feel more like a hotel suite (my opinion).

If spending more time on balcony and dining in room a lot PS would be worth it to me. I am perfectly happy in a Neptune Suite.

Hope this helps as only you can decide what you want.

Have a great cruise.. Sandipalms

The flower is an orchid in the Neptune Suite placed in front of the window.

Princess also has an orchid now as well instead of bouquet for their suites.

You can purchase bouquets onboard or prior to sailing. You can even buy flowers and take onboard, ask Steward for a vase or pack one.

Sandipalms

Cruised HAL reluctantly for first time due to smokers on balcony and we did get lucky! Only one evening in Alaska we could not use the balcony. Their were only 3 smokers I ever saw on the back deck smoking section. The smoking areas on the ships are set up well so as to not bother non-smokers.

I did mention on my survey that being allowed to smoke on balconies will keep us from booking and it's too bad because I really did like HAL better than the other lines.

Glad we have this forum.

Sandipalms

Love your photos and information, thank you for doing this.

Your photos of Glacier Bay make it look more impressive than when we saw it in May.

Is your cabin entry door and or walls magnetic? We found Westerdam wasn't.

Glad you had an aft cabin and agree with your interpretation of HAL vs Celebrity and other lines.

Sandipalms

Both are good ships for different reasons. I prefer Star to Hawaii for the covered pool and fewer passengers, however in a Full Suite prefer breakfast in Sabatini's as better view. Dh prefers the uncovered pools and MUTS seating layout.

Good Luck with your choice!!!

Sandipalms

April Ruby cruise, this was our first time without them. We wrote in and got nothing delivered so for 15 days didn't put out card. Used to have a chocolate truffle too and it also is gone.

I know not related, but any (2) Elites in Suite notice only 2 bar setup now? The third was usually just more soda/water for us.

Seadeck2

thanks for making me smile today. Looks like you had so much fun. Did you have any rain and how was humidity? Did this many years ago in Dec and had great weather. Great job, gives me hope to try and do a video one day...

Hope you figure out how it tracks viewers.

Sandipalms

Thanks for the photo and postings. Glad you are having good weather and a good cruise.

So glad Karen wore her sweater to formal night, she had to be the best dressed that formal night. my regret was not doing the puffins and whale tour in Sitka. Need to go back and do it. I loved that sweater store, got a nice scarf.

Where did you find the Yummy Chummies? It's always better to come back with something than nothing, there's nothing like seeing a happy tail.

My opinion Princess wins handily with buffet, moves faster, better selections and better hours for all meals. Appreciate International Cafe food and food 24hrs.

FullSuite/ Neptune Suite, I give this to HAL. Love the 2 sinks, only one door going into the bathroom the location and curtain with makeup area. Loved the balcony and Neptune Lounge, the balcony furniture and the beams are barely noticeable on the aft suites and huge wrap around balcony. Did miss the curtain between bed and sitting area. Neptune suites fully covered on sides of ship, this was nice.

Sabatini's breakfast is faster And better service, but same food.

Anytime dining, both are good and preferred HAL menus. Preferred all HAL desserts, better chocolate too!

Having stayed in mini suite, but only saw Signature Suite, I would prefer a Signature suite as it has 2 sinks and is a smaller version of Neptune Suite.

Internet package was reasonably priced on HAL. We noticed photos were a lot more expensive than Princess.

Did not like the punch Bingo or the rules on HAL. Shows good on both.

Liked the ship spaces on HAL and Culinary Center. HAL has a better DVD library and everyone has access to it as DVD players in all rooms.

Thermal Suite Princess wins easily, did not like layout of HAL's or the hydro pool-my opinion only.

I prefer HAL, but would take either depending on price. I did notice inside cabins on HAL way better!

Sandipalms

This was my first time to Sitka and was looking forward to the tender ride.

I waited in line for around 35 minutes, I got off at 9am to take the bus into town. The drivers were informative, easy place to catch the bus back. at the Visitor Center (bus drop off/pick up) were restrooms. I did not miss tendering, as it can take just as long even with priority tendering.

Very nice photos Thesecondsister!

Sandipalms

Princess buffet is the best of all lines we have been on for food, ambiance, service, setup and speediness getting through. Try Holland and you will see Princess excels here!!! We could starve on other lines buffets.

Like Grand Princess, but too many problems with ship, Ruby and other ships no complaints.

Who wouldn't love being able to cruise to Hawaii, at least on Princess you will not go hungry.

Happy cruising.

Seadeck2

Nice to meet you Both (The Second Sister). Love your blog and photos!

Sitka- Did you hear about the bear that was shot the eve before arriving in the woods (totem area & a tour was here), but the bear was wandering around injured? Well, I made it out of the woods and walked alone. Heard about this from traveling partner who was informed on her bus ride into Sitka, the bus I was on did not mention it. We had the best week ever and crew were the best!!

Hope you are enjoying being home and your dog loves you again. What did you get your dog? Sandipalms

Brian and Rowena are the best Hawaiian duo in my opinion. Just had them last 2 weeks, you are so fortunate to sail with them!!! Aloha!

Sandipalms

Do not recommend JoJo limo as not member of NLA. Could be a bad post.

seadeck2

Check out the Hop on Hop Off bus in Hilo. It goes to the falls and other places and you catch it right outside the gates at the port-short walk. You can ride all day for one small fee.

Hi Bugnuker,

Scroll down from where you clicked on "Princess Cruises" to get into this forum.

You will see Roll Calls, click on Princes Cruises, Ruby Princess and then look for sail date of April 4, it is usually in the top 1/4th of the page.

Nice to live so close to the port. If Heli tour in Kauai then you will have an amazing ride and spectacular photos.

Watch a show in Princess Thesatre and or the comedian onboard.

Take time to explore the ship after boarding, then relax on all the sea dsys.

Remember to get food to take back and eat on balcony or save for later (cookies). Order milk and juice from room service and store in fridge, the glasses are covered with wrap.

Seadeck2

Hello Bugnuker,

Please join our Roll Call and we leave LA on April 4th, don't miss the ship!

On our roll call we activities going and some shore excursions. Several people on roll call have done this cruise many times so ask for assistance on the roll call, everyone would be willing to help. As for your cabin, you will love it!

Personally, Helicopter tour in Kauai would be my first choice.

First formal night is a champagne waterfall and introduction to Capt & Officers.

Don't miss Crown Grill or Sabatini's, we have a group or groups going.

Look forward to seeing you post on our roll call!

Congrats again on your wedding!

Seadeck2

Princess policy for many years that we know of has always been book as one cruise and you get one credit, one set of minutes, etc. book as 2 seperate cruises and you get double everything.

We have always booked seperate and stayed in suites.

Would rather pay a little more and have more benefits.

Our TA always advises us on what we get and if can seperate the cruises.

dont blame Princess, your TA should have known.

Seadeck2

I don't have an opinion just wanted to say congrats and best wishes for a wonderful honeymoon! Either way can't think of a better way to honeymoon than 26 days with Princess! Hope you will keep us posted.

Seadeck2

I recommend " Alreadt There Town Car" cheaper than a cab and excellent service. Have used them several times to go from Seatac to Pier 91.

Seadeck2

Hello,

Klr6773 please let us know how you did the train when you return (getting to and from the ship). Think NCL docks downtown near Pikes Market. We usually drive, have flown, but taken Princess which docks further down in the port area. They do have reasonable parking there, but they don't transfer you to NCL.

We leave early between 7 & 8am, have time to stop at Walmart etc on the way (in case forgot anything) & we do miss traffic and take our time driving. We prefer to drive as flying is about the same time by the time you go through the airport and no checked luggage. We want to take the train, so can't wait to hear from you. We use "Northwest Limo Service" to go to airport and they are reasonable and excellent service, they can get you to the train too.

Have a wonderful cruise. Seadeck2

Not ever shown, if you want to see it cruise at a different time or maybe try to see if you can pick it up on your computer (weather and service) dependent.

Enjoy the race!

Seadeck2

A751 has a great balcony, enjoy!

Seadeck2