WAMarathoner

The Parrots in the Piazza sound like fun -- unless there's an upcharge. Not really keen on the "Caribbean parties" -- in the past, these have been excuses for exceptionally loud music, heavy on drums, that very few people seem to be enjoying. Probably would've been smarter to highlight some of the classical compositions from Caribbean countries. The special talks seem interesting.

Not entirely certain this is a good turn of events for Princess.

(Especially for a person willing to pay an extra $10 for a 2nd entree at the 'Crown Grill') My advice on the 'Salty Dog'(when dining for two) is to pay three coverage charges.

I hadn't known about the second entree at Crown. Do you just ask for another portion? It's our favorite specialty restaurant, but dh is never full enough.

We're going to pass on Salty Dog - thanks for the review.

You can rent a jeep on Cozumel. From Avis, I think. It's at the end of the pier. $100 for the day; split with another couple. On the back of the rental agreement was a coupon to their major tourist beach with free catamarans, clamshells, boogie boards, etc. It brought the cost to about what we would have paid just for the beach club.

If anyone has issues with sitting with certain other people, (age, ethnicity, living situations, etc) they are the ones that should be requesting a private table, or shouldn't be cruising in the first place.

I disagree with that. They're paying for their cruise, too. We have asked to be moved when tablemates didn't suit us. Last time it was for excessive PDA. The couple was probably on their honeymoon, but it was pretty overt and belonged in their stateroom. They should've been given a table for two.

If someone doesn't want to sit with us for whatever reason, they shouldn't have to. I don't have a problem with that, or with asking to be seated with people that will enhance our cruise rather than detract from it.

The suggestion to bring a friend is probably the best one. A 21-year old alone is either going to be cramping your style or bored. With a buddy, it will be more of an adventure. Definitely worth the extra cost.

I took my then-21 year old with me on a Princess Caribbean cruise. The ports were great and she had a fantastic time. On the ship, she mostly relaxed. But she is a (self-proclaimed) nerd who makes her own entertainment. If yours is more the active type, might benefit from a friend.

FloridaLover, I think you have Princess confused with HAL "Newly Wed or Nearly Dead." Princess cruisers tend to be active 50+ers.

Make sure you book with a cruise line-branded credit card for even greater savings.

Sounds like fun!

Back in the days when they only had fixed dining we were at our table for 8 the first night when one of the other men says please bow your heads for grace! We were moved the next night! As we're two other couples. Unreal.

Why is that "unreal" when <80% of Americans consider themselves Christian? If it had been a Shinto, Hindu, Muslim or Flying Spaghetti Monster adherent, I simply would've remained silent for a moment. It's about respect. Would that one minute of your life have affected your cruise all that much? THAT is what's unreal to me. I'm sure he was as glad you moved as you were to move.

Our experience has been that active 50+ cruisers travel on Princess. The difference between it and others was that people on other lines asked, "Are you going on an excursion today?" while people on Princess ask, "What excursion are you doing today?" Events seem well attended, but passengers are not dependent on ship-directed activities to have a great time. Carnival was too loud for us; RCCL didn't give us time to breathe ;-); our last Celebrity cruise seemed to be more concerned with catering to the large GLBT group rather than the passengers as a whole.

Not to be a broken record, but the Bremerton Fairfield (Marriott) has secured indoor parking. Rooms are about $125/night including taxes and I think additional parking days were $12 (not sure). Then take the ferry (2 blocks away) to Seattle and catch a cab to the pier.

The Fairfield in Bremerton (two blocks from the ferry) is $243 total for those two nights including taxes. Seattle taxes are outrageous to pay for all their social programs. Bremerton is a comfortable ferry ride from Seattle, safe, nice, interesting, with reasonably priced restaurants.

The Fairfield in Bremerton is very nice -- and INEXPENSIVE (>$150/night including parking). You also don't get gouged for the city resort tax, and you don't have to deal with the Seattle homeless panhandlers. It's two blocks from the ferry terminal to Seattle. Catch a cab from there to the cruise port (too far to walk). If you're going to leave your car, it's secured parking and Bremerton is relatively safe. Ferry is a nice quiet and relaxing end of the day ride out of the hustle and bustle of Seattle.

[never m]

Read on a review that their main meat in the dining room is pork. Can you confirm that? (Blecch)