essgee_ca

Thank you for your post. Unlike many of the people who have commented, I am new to Princess and have only cruised Royal Caribbean so far. I was looking for a fair comparison of the two and I think you have given it.

I have to say I was discouraged when you started listing all the things that were better on the RC ships. I thought "Oh no! Have I made a mistake?" I felt much better when you listed all the things you like more on the Princess ships.

I am looking forward to experiencing the differences myself in 10 short days!

I'd like to know this too. I don't want to do a whole rigamarole - just see and interact with the stingrays. Most excursions I've seen include beach tour and snorkeling... not interested in that.

I've booked the cruise and now I'm looking at booking air. I'm on the Caribbean Princess July 12th-19th. There are only 3 direct flights home. The earliest one is 12:10. Do you think that would give us enough time to disembark, go through customs and get a cab to the airport?

Thanks.

Taxis cost about $15 for the whole carload.

Thanks for the information. I thought I had read that somewhere, but couldn't find it again. Definitely cheaper than Princess' transfers. - More money to spend onboard! :)

This has probably been asked and answered somewhere on the old thread, but I didn't want to go through over 200 posts to find it. Sorry for being lazy.

My friend and I are planning on flying in (to FLL) the morning of our cruise that departs from Fort Lauderdale. Are there regular shuttles to the pier? Should we plan to take a taxi (what would be the cost?). Princess offers an airport transfer, but at $19 pp each way, I think we could find a better deal.

Thanks in advance.

Here is a video interview with Egon when he was in the first year of his journey. The title of the video is in German (I think) but the interview is in English.

Cheers to a most remarkable man. RIP

http://vimeo.com/54357204

Is it just me or is ironic that Egon, lover of music, sails on the Melody followed by the Musica? Or perhaps that is all part of his master plan! :)

S

I have noticed that Egon focuses a great deal on the physical appearance of people (both race and size) and it bothers me a tad bit. By prejudging because of this - he is limiting the size of his circle of friends. Earlier he mentioned that he sometimes felt like he was alone.

 

That makes me sad. Just wish he would open up and be more receptive to others. Maybe that way - he won't be so lonely.

I'm glad you mentioned this. It has bothered me too. There is more to people than their physical appearance and if he doesn't go beyond that, he may be missing out on some wonderful people.

Is it easy to grab a cab in Bayonne once the cruise is over, or is it better to reserve a car ahead of time?

Cabs can be arranged at the pier. Just follow the signs for taxis, cabs and limousines. The workers will help you arrange a cab ride. You can get a private cab, a shuttle van or limousine.

There is a new posting on his website: http://home.cablerocket.com/~egon/reportspoesia2.htm so I know he's fine. I suspect he hasn't had time to email his report to yellowbird yet and so she hasn't posted it. I'm sure it will be posted soon. In the meantime you can go to his website and read about his latest exploits! :)

Can't wait to sail out of Bayonne. This will be our first RCI sailing and having this option makes the trip great already.

 

We will be going for Christmas week and have been discouraged that reservations for everything seems to begin very late. Am I maniputlating the site correctly? Could I make reservations for even dining times with MTD if I called my "planner"? (We just booked online since we weren't eligible for any deals or discounts.)

 

The only list I found says reservations for everything (except to order something from gifts and gear) won't begin until November.

 

Seems very late. Other trips we've been on started much earlier, up to almost a year in advance.

 

Or, am I doing something wrong? Perhaps something unique to RCL or EOS. . .

 

Thanks.

It's the same thing for the NYE cruise, although I hadn't heard that it wouldn't open up until November! I figured the holidays are what is holding it up - also the late arrival in port. I think RCI has not found out what excursions will be available on those days yet. As for not opening other things like MTD, drink/soda packages etc, I have no idea why they are not selling them now.

....Also, Interior and Ocean View cabins do not have fridges but Steward will fill ice bucket two times a day.....

I have always cruised in interior cabins and there has always been a fridge - or more specifically a cooler disguising itself as a fridge (same as all other cabins as I understand it). I'm not sure where you're getting your information.

.... I am intimately familiar with both systems.:)

Yes, I see that! :D

SG

"...each pigeon generates approximately two pounds (12.6 ½ Kilos) of guano a month...."

I love your metric conversions! I'm surprised no one else mentioned them - but then again, I'm in a unique situation. I am old enough to remember the imperial system Canada used to use, and young enough to be comfortable with the metric system. The result is a pretty good comfort with both systems and the ability to fairly accurately convert back and forth.

Your metric conversions are just one of the things I really enjoyed about reading your thread. Thanks for making my Saturday morning an enjoyable one!

Now I am off to read your other reviews.

Just curious. I thought I read on here (or the old thread) that the Eco-Learning Station on Explorer of the Seas was no longer operational. I still see it on the deck plans. Is it still there or is there something else in its place?

I recently got addicted to Radio's "LIVE from" posts and wanted to read about his cruises on Explorer. I will be sailing on her this December. Although I have sailed on her before, it has been awhile and I was curious about what changes have happened.

The first LIVE thread about one of his cruises on Explorer talked about a substantial delay in Explorer's arrival time at port as well as her departure time. Does this happen often? I am concerned about flight times. I plan to fly home mid afternoon of the day the cruise returns. I'm giving myself lots of time, but the kind of delay Radio experienced would make me miss my flight. Would RCI compensate travellers for this?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

The signals are designed to not panic passengers.

Well... so much for not panicking the passengers - now we all know about it! :D

S.G.