iamaqt2

I've found that the more informal sailaway meetups are more to my liking. Very little to arrange other than a meeting location and I get to put faces to names. Much more enjoyable to me than the CC hosted one.

I tried it a couple of times. Rather than an opportunity to meet fellow cruisers, it felt more like a geriatric meeting to me. I had nothing in common being at least 30 years younger than most of the other attendees. It's a waste of time to do on a 7 day cruise IMO. Way better ways to spend an hour of valuable vacation time.

Heck, sometimes the buffet has better dessert than the MDR. You're correct that the biggest issue is consistency.

Been back on Princess 3 times post Covid. And will definitely agree that food quality in the MDR has declined. Also Ruby Panama Canal in February buffet was awful and every time I ordered something from room service half the items weren't available. I see that Princess is trying to revamp their menus, so hopefully some nice new changes come out of it. Will be on Discovery over New Year's and looking forward to seeing what they'll do for Gala Dinner.

I guess they forgot about this part of their advertising.

Doubt anyone else will ever see the e-mail. So disappointing. I had a cruise I was going to book. But now I'll take a pass because trying to get work to approve vacay isn't worth the hassle. Princess offered Healthcare workers a discount that never panned out. They should be ashamed.

But recent reports on the improvement are now terrible. The chocolate pistachio dome and the Love Boat dream are abominations.

Thanks for clarifying.. yes, I meant the app. Fingers got ahead of my brain on that one.

Sounds like it's going to be the Ultimate Balcony Dinner. Thanks everyone!

Yep, we're right above you!! I've heard BSLM doesn't do the Al Fresco while sailing because of the wind, but maybe they do it while anchored? I can see this being the only time they would. And yes, it's super close!! Soooo excited!

It's gonna be an older crowd, but not completely old. The food is decent, not amazing. Specialty dining always gives better food. Entertainment ends at 10 pm.. otherwise it's the Disco or Casino. The Medallion is great for ordering food and drinks.

HI all, Gonna be boarding Discovery on the 28th for a Mexican Riviera 10 night cruise. We have a 2 day Overnight in Cabo, and are choosing to stay onboard as we've been and nothing appeals. Gonna do the Sanctuary by day, but are torn on how to do dinner. I'd like to try the Al Fresco dining option Bistro Sur la Mer offers, but we also have one of the amazing forward obstructed balcony cabins with the huge balcony on Lido deck and are also considering the Ultimate Balcony Dinner. How would you choose to dine Al Fresco?

I get off because I'm able bodied and capable of taking the stairs if necessary. I use the elevator because it's easy, not out of necessity. If others can do the same and choose not to, to let the disabled person on, I have no control over that. But my good karma bank will still be filling up.

It would just be a waste of time. You'll get great photographs of the Seattle skyline as you sail away. Also, the weather in Seattle in June can tend to be pretty damp/drizzly to down right rainy. You may want to factor this into any touring you plan to do. If you want to get a great view out on the water on the cheap you could always hop a ferry to one of the islands. Bainbridge Island is a short ride and a fun town to walk around.

It was a customizable digital avatar/buddy/companion that accompanies you around the ship. You had your choice of a fish, sea turtle, or seahorse. Then you could do different fins/scales/tails and color combinations and designs. It was just something fun to design and enjoy on the ship. https://www.princess.com/cruise-tips-vacation-ideas/video/onboard-experience/oceantagalong.html I noticed that Ocean Play and the Poker Run are also gone.

I'm missing my tagalong. It was really fun to customize and watch it compete at Games under the Stars.

The biggest and most glaring difference between Celebrity and Princess IMO is in the MDR. Celebrity has dedicated wine stewards who quickly learn your favorite wine and rarely leave your glass empty. And their servers aren't harried by this task. Princess expects your servers to take your wine or beverage order and bring it back all while trying to get food orders taken and delivered to multiple tables. It might be 20-30 minutes before that glass of wine shows up. I find the quality of food on Celebrity to also be slightly better. For the night owls Celebrity also offers more evening activities after 9 pm than Princess. My personal favorite is the Silent Disco. But Princess has better enrichment lectures and the 24 hour International Cafe.

I always book Lido deck forward.. one pro tip I've learned over the years.. during peak elevator use, go up to go down. As far as the crazy lady on the scooter goes, I've always given priority in the elevator to people with mobility devices. If the doors open and they're waiting, I'll exit to let them on. But this lady would certainly make me rethink this courtesy.

Yes. Booking one person and then adding another later does work. I've done it several times. The only thing I would caution is that if the ship fills up it may not be possible due to capacity limits.

The 200 is non-refundable AND non-transferrable. I tried to change my booking to a different sailing and asked if I could transfer my deposit. They said I would lose the deposit, so I'm staying on that sailing and booked a new sailing.

Thank you all for your excellent mathing skills and advice. I hate to have my friend buy a beverage package that will get little use, but the math really is sound here. Appreciate you all taking the time to lay it out.

Hi guys, hoping you can help. I currently have a solo cruise booked with Princess Plus. But I have a friend who wants to join me who drinks very little and is happy enough with the included cruise beverage offerings. But she also wants wi-fi. I want the beverage package because I do enjoy multiple adult beverages throughout the day. So, math wise, I'm hoping you can help me out. Am I better off to drop my Princess Plus so she doesn't have to pay for it and book a beverage package for myself and pay wifi and gratuities separately, and let her cover her gratuities and wi-fi? Or would it make more sense to price out her gratuities and wifi, and offer to cover the cost difference on the cost of her having to pay for Princess Plus? This would be a 7 night cruise.

Can't speak to the ships, but my hospital is seeing very high levels of RSV and Influenza A. Covid is making the rounds too. So community spread is high at the moment. Use your best judgment on precautions for yourself and enjoy your cruise.

How hard is it to rent a cabana on a port day? We're on the Discovery New Year's cruise and don't care to go into Cabo. Thought we'd make a day of it onboard.

Still waiting also. Princess sure flubbed this one.