luv2gonow

The artists are there year-round, although perhaps there are fewer in the "off-season" months. (But I would not really consider April off-season.)

 

I've been there in just about every month but January and I usually walk through Piazza Navona at least once.

Thanks so much I think then I will stay in Rome near there.

Any hotels close to there you are familiar with?

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

We are staying one night pre-cruise,looking at early April on a Saturday.

Last summer I remember there were many artists selling paintings all through

The square. Are the Artists there year round?

I have regretted not buying a painting. I will stay near Navona for the one night before cruise. IF..... Artists are there for April and easy taxi to from our area.

If not I will stay near port.

Thanks

Kerri

Quick question some good info here.

Piazza Navona is this near Spanish steps and pantheon?

I think I was there last summer.... Very large square.... Had many artist selling their paintings in the square. I have regretted not buying one since then. We will be on the Majestic Princess on April.

Are the artist out year round or is this a summer thing?

I was going to stay near the port for the one night .... But if I can go back

To buy a painting that would be awesome!

Thanks

Kerri

Thanks for posting.

I will be visiting Toulon in April. I am happy to hear about the stops as well.

It is a scary unstable time and it does comfort me to know that abroad they are vigilant. Honestly Jfk terrible IMO on security Europe seems more vigilant. Little things I have forgotten in carryon were missed jfk but caught in Europe . I probably will just take shore excursion to winery.

I think I might actually do all shore excursions through ship this time around:(

Kerri

Trying to figure out best option.

I am booked sip n sail

How much onboard credit to they give for balcony rooms?

How much are gratuities?

This is for 7 day cruise on the new Majestic.

I think price is $50 cheaper...seems might be better to switch....especially 2nd person in my 2nd room is a minor.

How much is beverage package to buy?

Thanks

Kerri

I love Disney but unfortunately, I have never been on a Disney cruise. They're process are just too ridiculous for a middle class family. Apparently, they don't want the middle class on their ships. :(

Disney's prices are getting ridiculous. I cruise often and for me it is not worth it to cruise Disney all the time. Even if I could I like to try new things.

I have sailed the Wonder and more recently the Fantasy. Was it an awesome cruise yes.... But so are all my cruises.

If possible take your kids out of school they have some ok prices off season. Forget about summer any any school breaks when they are at peak price.

I usually get 2 rooms but on Disney we get one to offset price jump.

Kerri

I do not know about other lines. This is true of the Sapphire. It was also on Charter to the Chinese government. There are other princess ships that do the Far East open to everyone.

Thanks. Do you think that they will change policies?

Like allow smoking on ship.... If so I would imagine after its charter they would need a serious cleaning of ship.

Kerri

You can't book and won't see them. It is strictly a charter through the Chinese government. I believe it it a 2 year agreement.

Wow has this happened before. When they said built for Chinese market I didn't

Realize you had to be Chinese( live in China) to book them.

Are there other cruise lines that do this. I am booked on 4/9 majestic wasn't planning on going to China but I didn't realize I couldn't.

Kerri

Thanks everyone. I'm just gonna have to pray there will be something.

Definately nervous about no grill for her to go to but she won't starve!

There is always bread!

Hopefully at least room service will have fries and a burger.

At least she eats steak and they have a pasta station so she can have pasta and butter.

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I booked the 4/9 Majestic sailing out of Rome.

I know it is geared to Chinese market.

Will they still have the same crappy American hamburger, hotdogs and chicken fingers at the buffet? My daughter is the worst eater. I am looking forward to trying lots of new foods but my daughter will not.

Also are the balcony rooms and beds same size as on sister ships?

Thanks

Kerri

Thanks everyone. Some interesting answers.

Just off the Ruby, we were in stateroom 611 - there was no 613! Number 609 on one side and 615 on the other.

 

I wonder if the ships that have been refitted for the Oriental market have renumbered the decks to omit deck #4 as that number is unlucky in the Orient...

you made me look and yes there is a deck 4 lowest one.

I recommend talking to a professional about your irrational fears. I'm not kidding. Maybe it'll make life easier for you.

Sheesh. I don't have irrational fears. Well I do but this isn't one of them:cool:

It was meant as a curious post if anyone ever thought about that cruise.

Honestly I never would have noticed, but when I tried to book my room noticed no deck 13 and it got me thinking.

Granted some weird coincidental things happened after I booked.

But I am not going to stress at all and will have a great time. It was meant as a "fuN ish" post about silly superstitions and if anyone thought about it.

Have a nice day

Kerri

Just like the 13th floor, skip the number. This is actually your 14th cruise!

LOL! I like your thinking :D

Kerri

Glad to hear everyones good stories.

I never thought about it either till I was looking at deck plans and noticed no deck 13. Then for some reason I counted my cruises and realized it was 13.

Coiincidently strange things happened since I booked.

But obviously not gonna stop me cause exactly I have to cruise to make it to 14:D

So hopefully this will be my best cruise ever aboard a brand new ship and I will be a Princess convert because it was so awesome:cool:

Thanks everyone

Kerri

Hi,

I just booked the Majestic Princess April 9th sailing.

I just realized this will be my 13th cruise. :eek:

Didn't think anything about it till I was booking my room and I noticed no 13th floor. So I just counted up my cruises and sure enough this will be 13. First Princess cruise though.

Now Day after I booked my air to Rome for this cruise Earthquake in Italy.

Also my mom who is paying for this cruise had an incident with her tenant

(domestic incident) and the board wants them out:eek:

I know all a coincidence but it made me think.

For all you veteran cruisers.

Did you even think about cruise 13.....and if so was it uneventful?

Thanks

Kerri

Video looks awesome.

I am booked on the April 9th cruise I was lucky it coincided with my daughters school break she doesn't even have to miss 1 day:D

Although I am a little nervous in hindsight.

I booked a new ship, hope delivered onetime and kinks worked out.

And I just realized this will be my 13th cruise. And day after I booked my airfare to Rome there was an earthquake.:o

Kerri

Thanks everyone I will be purchasing insurance.

But getting a little superstitious

OK.... I just realized this will be my 13th cruise!!! And one day after i book airfare to Rome they have an earthquake:eek: Next day my moms tenant needs to be kicked out because of a domestic disturbance. (She is banker of trip) So she is nervous now.

Hi,

 

In 2013, I was on the inaugural sailing (the first cruise with paying passengers) of the Royal Princess from Southampton to Barcelona. Of course, this was the first official cruise of a new class of ship. The ship sailed as scheduled. There were a few minor problems, but the cruise was fine. It was fun cruising aboard a brand new ship.

 

Also, I booked the inaugural sailing of the Regal Princess for 2014. Because the ship was completed early, Princess actually added two sailings prior to my cruise. Thus, my cruise turned out to be the ship's third cruise. Princess provided me with the option of changing to the new earlier inaugural sailing, but I stayed with my original booking because I preferred the itinerary. This cruise was fine.

 

Because the Majestic Princess is the third ship in this class, it is less likely there will be a delay.

 

Chuck

yes hopefully they know this ship well and get it out without any kinks!!

You appear to be aware that you are on the second voyage. The Maiden Voyage is a 5 Day cruise departing on April 4th. We are booked on the 4/16 and 4/23 cruises and looking forward to experiencing a new ship. This is the fourth Royal class ship (if you include P&O's Britannia) and the schedule should be pretty well known. Two years ago we were on the Regal about four months after launch.

 

As I remember [emoji848], there were problems with a major component on the Royal (I don't remember what now [emoji33]) but fortunately that component had already been delivered for the Regal and that part was replaced to keep on schedule.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes I'm hoping the inaugural sail gets any kinks worked out.

Thanks Kerri

Great attitude. I was supposed to sail carnival vista but due to crazy high airfare during school break and Zika we decided to book the majestic sailing out of Rome.

Of course now I'm nervous about a ship delivered on time with its kinks worked out:o

I'm not worried about me with Zika but I do have a 14 yr old daughter and a little worried about future so much unknown.

But hey stay out of the woods and smell of bug spray not so bad I'm sure it will be fine!

Happy sailing :-)

Kerri

Thanks everyone.... I will be praying for on time delivery and kinks worked out with inaugural sail.

I have never purchase travel insurance and we have been extremely lucky....

With all the travel statistically we are due for a mishap I guess so I will definately Be purchasing insurance.

Why would there be a risk if you book both air/cruise through Princess?

 

If they don't sail you get your money back.

I didn't purchase through EZ because time and price was better on my own.

There was a big markup for economy comfort.

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I discovered the 4/9 sailing coincided with my daughters school vacation.

We were going to Caribbean but with Zika and crazy airfare (Europe few hundred more), decided to extend scope of travel options.

I also discovered this was a brand new ship, so I might have jumped the gun when I booked.

I booked airfare right away because I saw economy comfort selling out and I figured being Easter it might get busy and prices go higher.

So here is the scary part.

HOW OFTEN DO SHIPS NOT SAIL THEIR INAUGURAL SAILING??

There is only a 1 week buffer. And I usually like all the kinks worked out so lil nervous about that now.

Lastly....is the mediterean very rough in April. It was like glass last July, but I'm thinking that trek to Gibraltor might be rough?

Any insights my fellow cruisers?

Thanks

Kerri

We've all just discovered a previously unknown strike against taking a ship's excursion. Whether that means paying for the guests' water themselves and settling afterwards or some other system, no one dealing with Alla, Best Guides, SPB, TJ, White Nights would ever go thirsty with a small group, private tour.

 

Luv2gonow, did you ask someone on on your bus if you could borrow some rubles?

No I probably should have. Honestly I don't know why the tour bus didn't have cooler where luggage goes. Even if they charged. Ridiculous actually.

Kerri

We always book air/hotel on our own. Not regretted prices we got.

If you've been to Rome, there are also nice attractions in Civitavecchea:

http://www.10best.com/destinations/italy/rome/attractions/attractions-near-cruise-port/

Thanks for the link. I think we will stay close to port. Love new places:-)

Although I was secretly hoping to get back to piazza navona? I think that's it they sold a lot of artwork in square and always wished I bought one. But it was summer and this will be early April so not sure if they will even be out.

Also too bad won't be able to enjoy beaches near port.

Kerri

Who did you ask about economy seats and what airline?

 

We never buy hotels through Princess. Much cheaper to book both hotel/limo on your own. IMO

 

Rome in Limo is a good company to book a transfer through.

Its about an hour drive from Rome airport to the Port of Civitavecchia

 

Because we get the free insurance upgrade for our past passenger status we but Princess ins.

 

Princess drinks are very reasonable and the $10 covers just about all.

If you get to know your bartenders it helps when ordering extra strong drinks etc.

If your drink ends up going over the $10 with an extra shot for example you are supposed to pay for the entire drink not the difference. So it pays to get to know your bar staff. ;)

I asked the lady who I booked at Princess how much air was.

She gave me a price of about $1250 for coach which was same price as delta.

And economy comfort is $200 more and price she gave was like $1750.

So I booked on my own I liked times better anyway.

Yes I will get to know my bartenders:-)

Thanks

Kerri

Thanks so much everyone for all of the great information!!

I decided to book on my own because I wanted economy comfort and times and price were better on my own.

As for hotel. I have been to Rome and I was happy to stay again however...

I am staying 1 night. Does it make sense to stay closer to the port?

Are there nice towns near port to stay?

Thanks

Kerri

Hi,

I am considering the European cruise on the new Majestic sailing from Rome to Barcelona.

I looked at airfare and coach prices seemed comparable to booking on my own. But when I asked about Economy Comfort seats....Instead of the normal $100 approx it went up $500.

Also 1 night hotel package with transfers seemed much more than doing a private transfer?

This would be my 1st princess cruise. Is Princess insurance worth it or is 3rd party better as well.

Also FREE BEVERAGE PACKAGE. says $10 or less for drinks. NCL is 15 but they were pretty lenient about me getting a double.

Is Princess very strict about that or can I pay extra for a stronger drink?

Thanks

Kerri

Get some rubles for small stuff. We did the 2 day ship tour and I didn't have any rubles. I could not buy water anywhere because everyone took rubles.

Only complaint about the tour.

Next day I told guide please tell me where to buy water with euros.

Honesty tour bus should have handed out water... 2 full days.

Kerri