Ginnyjen

Thank you so much IECalCruiser...........I really appreciate your info re my cabin choice.

B744.....and the more I look at it, the better I like it. On our last cruise we had a mini-suite which had no cover and people above can look right down on you and I can look at the ones below us.....didn't like it. But we shall see......I'm just happy to be on a ship....wherever I am.

Thanks for the info. From my research, these cabins look a little different on the Grand than the other ships, not so enclosed. I'll give it a shot and report when we get back.

Booked cabin on the Grand Princess to Mexico out of San Francisco. It is all the way aft just before suites. My question is, it states "extended balcony", not sure what that is. Anyone have any info on this? I like that there will be little to no traffic, but I have no idea if I made a good decision or not. Help!!

Just completed our first cruise on Princess...........10 day round trip from SF to Mexico......We have cruised strictly on HAL for quite a while so we were looking forward to something new......It is a beautiful ship, many dining venues, great food and entertainment, very diverse crew. We really had a great time. But being a frequent HAL cruiser, we found the Veranda cabins to be very small, especially the bathrooms (tiny). To equal a veranda cabin on HAL you have to upgrade to a mini-suite. Also, when disembarking, you have to be out of your cabin by 8 am and wait in a public area for your number to be called. But I have to say, the ship had 2600 passengers and everything went very smoothly. The age range was 40 - 80, very few kids. All in all, very enjoyable, but when you're use to traveling in a certain way, its fun to try new things, but you always go back to what you're use to, which we like.

I really didn't mean to offend anyone, its just that we have cruised exclusively with HAL for many years (just short of 5 stars) and I was a little apprehensive to try another line, but I thought it would be a fun experience and interesting to hear if other "HAL Devotees" had done the same. Sorry if I upset anyone.

Thanks all............We leave the 14th and return the 24th.........I'll give full report when we get home......

Trying Princess for the first time...........have cruised exclusively with HAL (****), but this cruise leaves out of SF to Mexico for 10 days, which is our home, so we're giving it a shot. Big ship, 2600, which we are not use to, but will be fun to try something new...........which us luck!!

I'm new to the Princess Board as I have only cruised HAL, Oceania, and RCL. We are taking the 11/14 cruise to Mexico out of San Francisco, this will be my first Princess cruise and am really looking forward to the new experience.

As far as carts in the hallway, HAL & Oceania do not have them, but I really was surprised at how everyone jumped all over the OP. They are unsightly, but he was just giving his opinion, he didn't say his entire cruise was ruined because of them. Actually, this is the first time I've seen carts in the hallway on any line I've been on, but I doubt if it would affect me either way.

Sugar charlie..............the cabin was great as were the stewards, no plumbing or ac problems and the ship was very clean.......and yes, we were on the last cruise before the drydock. Please don't get me wrong, it was a very enjoyable cruise........but after cruising for so many years I really do notice the cutbacks, but the staff try their hardest to please and they truly do succeed.

Just my thoughts...........Being a 4 star mariner, I have been on many HAL ships, but I just have to say the Veendam was not one of my faves. I was on the 15 day Panama Canal trip in late March early April. The best part of the cruise were the dining staff, so welcoming and attentive, made it a pleasure every night. I was invited to dinner with the Hotel Manager which was very enjoyable. Never saw the Captain.....who on other cruises has always been visable. Usually, music is played in the Lido pool at lunch time by the Hal Cats, but they only had music a couple of days at the beginning of the cruise. The shows and activities were just ok, rarely saw the Cruise Director. I realize that HAL caters to a more senior crowd (which I am ), but something about this cruise was really lacking. We were planning to do a New England trip, but the Veendam is scheduled for that time. so we will pass. I can't put my finger on it, but something was just not right.

Thanks, we thought up to the last minute he would make it, but he would rather not feel good at home than on a ship for 15 days. Luckily, my best friend was going with us, so I'm still going to go. The on-board credit we got was due to the price going down on the cruise, and I read the e-mail I received from them and it is per cabin, not per person. Whew!

Leaving for a cruise tomorrow (Sunday), husband sick and won't make trip, will they adjust on-board credit given by HAL being that there is only one in cabin instead of two? And yes, we have insurance.

Thanks so much everyone for bringing me back to my senses..............

I know the cruise terminal in Ft. Lauderdale is close to the airport and we have a 2p flight home so we will have more than enough time, but I was wondering if we used Luggage Direct, and got off the ship first, would we make a 9:30a flight? I've never cut it this close before, but I was just wondering if I should try it.

Called TA this morning, she in turn called HAL and we got an additional shipboard credit..........thank you HAL

It was just last week that the price dropped and I got an OBC, that's why I was hesitant to call again. But its worth a shot, so I'll call Monday

The price went down on my cruise on the Veendam to the Panama Canal, so I called my TA and she in turn called HAL and we got an on-board credit. Well, guess what, it went down again..........should I call my TA again and see what she can do? The price difference is 1,000 for both of us.