Caribensun

Ithaca Gal, Thank you for responding, we can’t wait!  Glad you enjoyed the cabana and had a nice cruise and thanks for taking good care of it.  Who were your attendant(s), how many, for tip purposes.  Thank you, Sandipalms

Hello, we have an upcoming long cruise on Oosterdam.  We have reserved a “family #5 ” cabana, would anyone be able to  tell me if the curtains are in good repair and if at least 2 loungers inside.   I really like the retreat area on Eurodam.  

Thank you, Sandipalms

Bostonjetset, I appreciate your taking time to respond.  

We have never not seen the police with guns in back of trucks when in Mexican ports.  Just my opinion, they make me feel safer when I see them.  

Thanks for the level 4 alert.   Love spending port days onboard Princess ships.

Sandipalms

Nice review.  Do you remember names of the restaurants in Mazatlan and PV you were at?   Did you walk all the way back to the ship from the restaurant in PV?

Aporeciate your taking time to do a photos as well, love Ruby. 

Sandipalms

Having sailed in all classes (grand too) suites, Princess is a pain for us. I do more than I should have to fr a suite, I take the list from brochure of what suites get.

Other cruise lines do cater better to suites. I have not yet sailed on the newer ships, maybe the suite service is better.

As far as suites, Grand Suite always worth it for the room, again service will not be any different than any of the other suites, at least never was for us.

Personally I prefer the window suite room as a lot more storage and the bigger bathroom with one door, unless a grand suite. I get a lounge chair with great service in the sanctuary and haven't missed the balcony.

We book for the room first and hope service will be good.

Happy sailings and maybe try another cruise line, you will see the differences. Sandipalms

Highly recommend and always use "Already There" town car service. They are excellent. I have used them from/to airport and train station to and from the pier for several years.

Sandipalms

Be cautious around CP. walked up street to shops and not a good area, we were followed back to hotel, we made it in safely, daylight around 3pm. Felt safe walking to Mexican restaurant a block from hotel. We had a good stay, rooms nice at CP. usually stay at Hyatt Long Beach, my preference.

Booked 2 guarantees 7 months out for a 7 day Mexico cruise & received same category for both.

One was given the afternoon before sailing, the other 3 days after booking.

Good luck!

Agree with your post and Captain Scott is the best Captain I have sailed with in over 40 cruises.

Loved his afternoon trivia he gave us and so personable.

Wish we could sail with him on every voyage!

Sandipalms

My opininion on HAL and Princess, only travelled in SS on Eurodam & NS on Oosterdam & Westerdam, Elite on Princess mainly in Full Suites, but have stayed in all rooms.HAL wins;

for best non-smoking now on ships where non-smoking Casinos are.

Non smoking promenade deck, can walk without smelling smoke from smokers.

All rooms & balconies now non smoking.

Cabanas, worth the cost for entire cruise.

Rooms, SS = to a Princess mini, double sinks in bath, seperate tub & shower & large closet space.

NS = to Princess Full Suite. double sinks in bath, better balcony furniture & everything else. Only lack is 2 seperate areas with 2 tv's, rather be in a HAL room over Princess.

for balcony and below, personally I like Princess layout better and closet space.

Jigsaw puzzle area can use 24 hrs.

Covered pool.

Pickleball court.

Tholassapy pool, loved Eurodam had a dry sauna.

Only one area for smoking!!!

Large spaces and dueling piano bar.

Taco bar at lunch & sushi.

Great build your own salad bar.

Prefer HAL Hawaii itinerary with overnight in Honolulu and covered pool over Princess.

Princess- food & entertainment.

24 hr good food.

Movies under the stars.

Gym.

Better outdoor deck space for lounging.

Better shore excursions to & pricing to me.

Thermal suite.

Both lines excel in service.

Sandipalms

:cool:WCB, So nice of you to take your time to do a "live".

Thanks for sharing Your amazing experience in Glacier Bay, the calving had to be spectacular.

Is there a puzzle set up, I presume in Crows Nest?.

Looking forward to seeing you Mon. at m&g.

It's nice to know you are taking good care of the ship.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and hoping you have calm seas back to Seattle.

Mahalo & Aloha, Sandipalms

If your ship has cabanas, you could purchase a cabana.Cabanas have nice perks too! Looking forward to my first one soon.

Sandipalms:cool:

Aft Grand Suites on older ships; seperate dining room with round table for 6 and a table for 4 on balcony.

Grand Princess (2) Grand Suites, table pulls out and down from wall in Living Room is eating height, 4 people is very tight and a eating table height for 4 on balcony (a little tight).

Older ships; Vista through Penthouse Suites (no experience with Regal or Royal Princess) round table on balcony for 4, some Riveria deck balconies have 2 chairs due to space limitations.

On older ships; Owners Suites (no experience with Royal or Regal Princess)

A large round table for 4 and balcony has a round table for 4.

Have had many nice dinners with 4 people at table on aft deck Suites.

All tables mentioned are eating height.

Hope this helps. My opinion only, anyone please correct me if my information is incorrect.

Sandipalms

Friends just off Ovation said Flow Rider busy, never got to use.

Sandipalms

Someone just off Ovation in Junior Suite said sofa bed awful even with two toppers. They did fine in a HAL Neptune Sofa bed without a mattress topper

Sandipalms

If Elite level and book a full suite, other than the cabin space not a real reason to book one anymore. I feel like more and more other than space and balcony furniture (loungers that rarely recline anymore) in full suite nothing special about booking one. We are moving to lux lines because of it. If cruising Princess, I would rather pay for the club class mini, save money and get same treatment and dining amenity as suites, there is always the Sanctuary for the "special" feeling and lounger.

Changes are never ending. Just my opinion.

Sandipalms

If Elite level and book a full suite, other than the cabin space not a real reason to book one anymore. I feel like more and more other than space and balcony furniture (loungers that rarely recline anymore) in full suite nothing special about booking one. We are moving to lux lines because of it. If cruising Princess, I would rather pay for the club class mini, save money and get same treatment and dining amenity as suites, there is always the Sanctuary for the "special" feeling and lounger.

Changes are never ending. Just my opinion.

Sandipalms

Mina, recently had a conversation with someone who had to use it, they also had Princess Protection Insurance as well. Cruise to Hawaii, weather landed them late, missed ship, Princess flew them to first port, ship had to skip port, flew passengers to last port ship had to miss that port. Passengers put up in 5 star accommodations, all meals, cars/taxis paid and discount on a future cruise. Passengers said Princess handled so well they never travel without PP or EZ air. This couple could cruise a lux line or any line but prefer Princess after their experience.

Hope this helps.

Sandipalms

Vista va Owners Suite:

Same amenities as others have said.

Room differences:

Owners Suite has a desk, round table for 4, shelves next to sink in bathroom, longer and narrower balcony. But same balcony furniture as Vista Suite. Both have a beam on balcoby. As others have said, living room is larger in OS.

VS; no desk in room (enrty), no shelves next to or under sink, Smaller, but deeper square balcony. Try to google photos or YouTube videos of the rooms on the ship you will be on.

You should be happy with either for 4 days, enjoy!!

Sandipalms

There were 104 teens onboard over 400 kids glad you didn't notice, all very well behaved. This was Califorina and Washingtons spring break.

Food was some of the best we have had. Cookies were hard to get, especially choco chip. Anytime dining was the worst we have ever experienced on any cruise! Due to exceptional long wait times 1 hr + and could never get a reservation in any time dining when we called before 8:15pm. People were lining up at the 5:15pm dining time outside the dining room at 4pm and same for the dining room that opened at 7:15pm. We did not like "Magic To Do" at all, weird and bad production and show in my opinion, was a disappointment as love all of Princess other shows and the Princess dancers singers were awesome. Staff were wonderful. I never saw a "marked " hot tub, pools were warm, great movies were shown and all rerun on tv, even the new Star Wars movie. Trident Grill is on Holland America. A lot of us have onboard suffered sinus infections. Loved the itinerary. This was a great 7 day cruise. There were 2 Captain Circle parties and most travelled if I remember correctly was over 1300 or 1400 days, 3rd most was over 800.

Wherever you cruise embrace and enjoy the experience.

Great info and thanks for taking time to share Eyegirl.

Sandipalms

You store your clubs in your room, you clean your clubs and shoes not your cabin steward. Recommend carrying them on yourself at embarkation and debarkation as well as off/on in ports.

Recommend cleaning shoes and clubs at course if possible so don't bring back on ship or room. sandipalms

Thanks for posting Bill!

Sandipalms

Hello SadieN, HSN shopping network carries Samantha Brown luggage. She has a doctor style tote that has a slip through pocket on the back that fits over luggage handle like a glove and is stable on the luggage and holds a lot. There is still lots of luggage handle left with tote on to hang another bag(s) on.

Samantha Brown also has a small travel purse in several colors and textures that is RFID protected and has a phone pocket, comes with 2 remove able straps, one fits over shoulder or wristlet, the other is adjustable over shoulder or cross body.

Hope this was of help. Sandipalms

I have started to not spend alot on luggage anymore and want luggage I can recognize and can get roughed up a bit and is roomy, so try Samantha Brown. Has a vRey roomy Doctor type bag with pocket to go over luggage and a nice under seater too. Luggage has held up well so far. I don't want to deal with repairs on my expensive luggage even though have insurance, warranty. For some reason my luggage always seems to get picked on. Sandipalms