anteaters

I don't remember the exact time for early walk-off since I never do it, but I believe it was somewhere around 7:30. I didn't do any swimming, but there were definitely adults in the pool when the weather was warm enough (and even some in the covered pool when it wasn't). When I mention "different" shows, I'm referring to the fact that Grand doesn't feature the newer Stephen Schwartz shows like "Magic To Do" (which I haven't seen as of yet). There was one night when there was only a movie in the theater, but other than that there was something live every night. Yes, the theater was definitely crowded. I sailed solo so getting seats together wasn't an issue. However, on nights when there's more than one showtime I would definitely recommend going to the later show if you can -- Much less crowded. I did see line dancing listed in the Patters. I don't know of any activities or events that were "don't miss". As mentioned I enjoyed the "name that song" contests, but don't know whether or not that's up your alley.

Elyce, thanks so much for getting back to me! I'm not sure about the "name that song" contest but I have really enjoyed the pop choir in the past....and line dancing....two of my favorite ship activities along with sitting out on the balcony reading and taking walks outdoors looking for any flying fish, dolphins, or whales that might want to appear. Oh, I also really enjoy the Teas and I'm glad you mentioned the scones, a fun treat. Oh, one last question....Did you happen to hear anyone talking about the Princess excursion to Colima and the ruins in Manzanilla? Four of us are signed up for that....

I was on the Grand for the 10-day Mexican Riviera sailing that embarked on January 12th of this year. Since I asked a bunch of questions and was apprehensive about going from the Royal to the Grand as well as the roominess of my cabin, I thought I would report back and give a few observations.

 

The cabin was more comfortable than expected. Even though it wasn't nearly as roomy as my deluxe balcony on the Royal last year, it was laid out pretty well. I had more than enough closet space. The bed was fantastic -- Never had anything quite so comfortable on a cruise ship. The pillows initially were too soft and flat, but after asking my steward if he could find a firmer pillow he came through and after that my slumbers were great! I appreciated that the vanity/dresser was right next to the nightstand because my CPAP machine is a bit too wide for the nightstand (because the lamp is right in the middle of it), so I could just keep it right on the vanity with no problem. The shower was indeed small and I did get the floor pretty wet at times, but I dealt with it. Something that I considered a bonus was that there was plenty of room between the toilet and the sink so that I didn't have to sit "side-saddle". And the turquoise and white tile (along with the turquoise cubbyhole door) just made me laugh. The TV was, how shall I say, "primitive"! Hopefully that will be upgraded sometime in the near future.

 

For some reason the food didn't thrill me. As I mentioned on the "pizza thread", I thought it was horrible -- Both at Prego and Alfredo's. But I know that it's a subjective thing, so I'll just leave it at that. The lunchtime offerings at the Horizon were pretty uninspiring without much variation. Thank goodness for the Trident Grill and the DaVinci dining room! However, I am officially addicted to their French toast for breakfast. Most of the desserts looked better than they tasted. Dinner was okay -- Not thrilling, but edible. One standout -- The scones at tea. Oh my heavens -- So flaky and delicious!

 

Entertainment and activities were pretty good -- Lots of trivia and "name that song", which I both like. Pop Choir was fun and cheesy. The production shows were pretty good, although it seemed like the costume changes were the focal point. "Born To Dance" was very well-done. I think the Mainstage on the Grand lacks some of the high-tech features of the newer ships, which may or may not be the reason that they don't feature the same shows as some of the others.

 

The ship was pretty easy to navigate. The one shortcoming was that there weren't any lounge chairs in the shade -- Only tables and chairs. However, it was too cold to spend a lot of time at the pool decks on some of the sea days, so I guess it wasn't that big a deal.

 

Ports -- I did all Princess shore excursions. Let's just say that with a couple of variations, they all seemed to blend together. My fault, I suppose, for sticking to bus tours, but they all seemed to follow the same pattern -- See a church, take in some vistas, go to a shopping stop, etc. But I did want variation from the Caribbean, so that was accomplished.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation were pretty painless and well-run. The transfer back to the airport was pretty helpful although I thought it odd that they didn't ask for the actual tickets, so pretty much anyone could have probably taken one for free.

 

All in all, a pretty good experience. Let me know if you have specific questions or comments.

Hi! We'll be boarding in less than two weeks and I'm taking you up on your offer to ask questions. Do you happen to know what the earliest time was that people taking their own luggage were actually able to disembark? Were any of the pools warm enough that adults were actually swimming/making use of the pools? You mentioned that the shows were different on the Grand--Was there a live show of some kind in the theatre every night? And was the theatre crowded--did you have to go early for seats together? Was there line dancing on sea days? Were there any "Don't miss this" activities/events that you can think of? Thanks for any answers you might have.

Hi! If anyone has had children/teens (my granddaughters will be 12 and 15 years old) on the Grand Princess in the last few months, can you tell me anything about the program including but not limited to how much your child(ren) used/enjoyed it, what kinds of activities, anything? And pool question, were the pools warm enough for adult enjoyment? I'm pretty sure there is an indoor pool on the Grand. We'll be going next month. Thanks!

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. In regards to your question, you should be able to all benefit from priority boarding including the separate lounge area. This will probably be a nice perk for your family members, especially the girls. We were told as we embarked that one Elite plus 3 others joining was what was allowed, however since my parents were older and celebrating a milestone anniversary, they were allowed to join us totaling 5 people. You will get an extra 10% off in shops so its up to you if you want to purchase with your card. There is the lounge from 5-7 pm where you could enjoy special appetizers and drinks (discounted). They can accompany you. You will also be invited to a Captain's cocktail event, you bring the invitation but I don't think they will not deny your family members from joining you ( I even brought my inlaws in the past after I asked). You can trade some of your mini bar items to suit your preferences or that of your family members. If they are sharing a cabin with you just include their items in your laundry bag and have their formal items pressed in any case. There are no laundry inspectors so I would not worry about a little sharing of your well earned perks. I hope this cruise leaves you and your family members with warm and wonderful memories.

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed reply!

anteaters, I am sorry for your loss, I too lost my husband near the end of our TA this past Sept. I planned a cruise with our daughter for next year. Take care

 

Gay

Thank you Gay (and others) for your replies. This coming cruise is very bittersweet for me at this point. Just a year ago in January my husband and I were enjoying a 14 day S. American Princess cruise, him with some stomach issues, but us having no idea that he would be found to be in stage 4 pancreatic cancer within a few weeks. We were lucky to get that last cruise together which like all our cruises, we loved, and I'm amazed that he had the energy to do some of our long excursions if not his usual appetite for food. I just want this first cruise to be as good as it can be for my family and that's why I asked my question.

Hi! Since my husband passed away six months ago (also an elite), this will be my first cruise without him and traveling with my daughter and two teen granddaughters instead (I booked two side-by-side balconies.) Since I'm the only elite and this is the other three's first time on Princess, are there still any elite advantages that will work besides getting one mini-bar set up in my cabin? Can I share my one bag of laundry per day with them? I don't imagine that we would all be given the early tender privilege? I really can't remember what other "fun" things that we enjoyed with elite status but I know we appreciated them. Thanks!

I'm a grandmother going with my daughter and my two granddaughters 12 and 15 on Princess in mid to late February. We had thought about snorkeling at least once but my impression (correct/incorrect?) has been that the temperature of the ocean at these ports would be pretty cold without wet suits to be able to enjoy snorkeling. Can anyone advise me? Also, I've read that Cabo is great for whale watching excursions at that time of year. Any advice besides the Princess excursions where it is either the zodiac (I think too rough for me) or a ship that holds a couple hundred people (sounds crowded)? Oh, and from reading another thread, my impression is that we can go out at these four ports on our own with only U.S. money and don't need to get pesos? Is this true even for using taxis or buses? Thanks!

Sorry about the death of your husband.

 

Attached is the application form which includes the procedure to request your Shareholder Benefit. It's not required to use the form but it helps the Princess Booking Support section receive complete requests to quickly issue our credit.

This was so helpful. Thanks!

Thanks to all of you who took the time and trouble to help. I will make a copy of all the important information/forms that you have provided so that I can do as needed for my next and future cruises. I do appreciate you!!!!!

Hi! My husband, who always took care of this, passed away and I will be doing my next cruise with my daughter and two granddaughters. I would like to make use of our Carnival stockholders credit but have no idea how to approach it. I asked a Princess rep for information and she couldn't help at all. I'd appreciate any detailed information of what I need, how I would get it, and to whom to send it. Thanks!

Hi! I just booked a cruise for my daughter, granddaughters (15 and 12), and me (68 grandmother) for mid-late February, 2018. There will only be four port days, the other six sea days, so I want to make the most out of our days in port (Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.) None of us like snorkeling in 70 degree water so I think snorkeling is out. Princess excursions for four get expensive and are usually only for a few hours of the day besides although I'm fine with one or two splurges. I don't know if the water is warm enough for a splurge like Puerto Vallarto's Las Caletas tour to be worth it or not--maybe there's still enough to do without swimming/snorkeling there on that excursion. But if you can give me any ideas for those ports that would take up several hours at least and be enjoyable, either ship excursions/non-ship excursions/on-our-own that are very safe feeling, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Did you do any Princess excursions? If so, could you mention which ones if any stood out as particularly good or bad? Thanks!

There would not be a problem getting a taxi from the beach. They are usually sitting there waiting for passengers.

Thanks for checking in and replying!

We are frequent visitors to Huatulco (10 consecutive years) and would not recommend the beach by the dock. There will many, many cabs and there are two beaches very close to the dock.

 

One is La Playa Entegra - this beach is calm, clean with many restaurants and snorkeling from the shore. The other is La Playa Maguey which also is in a calm bay with many restaurants. Our absolute favorite though is La Playa Entegra.

 

You can drop your towel on the beach and not worry about leaving some things while you swim. PLEASE use the same judgement you would at any location and don't leave anything of great value unattended. I'm sure some friendly beach goer will be happy to keep an eye on your things if you ask.

 

Both of these beaches would be less than a $5.00 (US) $50 Peso ride from the dock. They are both cleaner, less crowded and will be a better experience than the beach at the dock.

 

Enjoy your visit.

 

Debi

Thanks for your advice. But once at La Playa Entrega, would it be easy to get a taxi to return to the ship?

We stopped at the beach beside the cruise terminal last year in Dec. on our way back from a river rafting excursion. My husband wore the backpack and the 2 kids and I went in the water. It was mid - later day so it wasn't crazy busy. I would not have left anything valuable in my bag on the beach! There was a constant stream of people trying to sell stuff.

 

We didn't rent a chair, I don't even think we had a drink. We did go on the banana ride and laughed because it was a rip off (did it for the kids), and my husband did leave the backpack for that part (my swim shorts had a zip spot so I was able to put our id's in it safely). the back pack had sunscreen and water shoes, not exactly a score!

 

Beach was nice sand, not super wavey. We didn't go very deep because of the kids. There were lots of resturants to sit at if so inclinded. Oh and it was a free beach. Hope that answers your questions.

Thanks! Yes, it does.

Hi! We like the sound of the beach that has been described as right next to the dock. It appears that you pay from $20-40 for beach chairs or possibly get them free if you buy your food/drinks there. My question is, can you just plop your towels on the sand, spend the time you want in the water, and then come back out maybe sitting on the towels for a few minutes to dry off with everything being safe (i.e. possessions, sand fleas that I read about somewhere)? We basically go to the beach just to swim and walk around and never just lay down on loungers very long if at all. Thanks!

Hi! We like the sound of the beach that has been described as right next to the dock. It appears that you pay from $20-40 for beach chairs or possibly get them free if you buy your food/drinks there. My question is, can you just plop your towels on the sand, spend the time you want in the water, and then come back out maybe sitting on the towels for a few minutes to dry off with everything being safe (i.e. possessions, sand fleas that I read about somewhere)? We basically go to the beach just to swim and walk around and never just lay down on loungers very long if at all. Thanks!

We had Princess book us into the Scandic for three nights before our Baltic cruise in June. We could have found cheaper hotels on our own which I read about here on CC but the convenience with the transfers and the end result were wonderful. When we got off the plane, a Princess rep was right there to send us and one other couple to our hotel by taxi. Our room had a full view of the gorgeous lake and we walked around the lake the very afternoon we arrived plus again each day that followed. One of our goals was Tivoli Gardens (it gets mixed reviews from people) and it was in easy walking distance of our hotel. We bought the Copenhagen Pass and used it three times at Tivoli, so we could enjoy the park during both daytime and evening hours, had a couple of fun meals there including a giant cone ice cream, and felt safe walking back to the hotel in the evening. Our room was fine in size--actually I can't remember much about it except that we liked it! The included breakfast buffet was wonderful--so many options and everything we tried was excellent--they kind of had two areas side by side so you could select from either. It was also handy having a Princess contact right there at the hotel for when we wanted advice. On cruise embarkation day, we had asked for and gotten the first transfer time meeting at 11:30 for 11:45 transport to the ship. We put our luggage outside our room before 8:00 as requested so that we could have breakfast and enjoy more time walking around the city--wow! Did we put in the miles during those three days! There were a lot of other Princess people there too using the transfer to the ship and everything went completely on schedule. I hope that I have given you a good picture of the Princess Scandic package. We were so glad that we made use of it in Copenhagen and the price was not harsh at all.

Received this morning:

 

We are pleased to advise that Pacific Princess has arrived at the wet dock in Genoa and repair work has begun. We anticipate that all necessary work will be completed on schedule and your voyage will depart from Civitavecchia as planned on Friday, October 28, 2016.

 

Please be sure to have a valid email address and phone number entered in your Cruise Personalizer at http://www.princess.com. Updates may also be posted to http://www.princess.com/notices.

 

We very much look forward to welcoming you aboard Pacific Princess.

Yes! Great news! Thanks!

Why don't you call Princess once again. Sometimes when you get a different agent, that new agent either has different information or is better able to get something accomplished for you. It's worth a try!

We were on the Pacific Princess that encountered the problem. We had enjoyed the ship and the food was the best cruise food I've ever had.

They did treat us right by putting us up in Nice and then bus trip to Barcelona and a hotel there. It was a hassle getting packed quickly and we didn't have use of water that day in Nice. They are refunding half our cruise face and giving us future cruise credit. Mainly what we missed was a half day in Barcelona.

Those of us waiting to board the Pacific over the next 2 1/2 weeks really appreciate the information that you kind people are writing for us! We can only wait and hope for good news to come before we make our flights only to find there is no cruise as some unlucky people did for this current non-cruise.

We're on the 12-day cruise beginning on Nov. 9th, with two non-refundable overnights already booked in Venice pre-cruise, so I sure hope our cruise happens. A lot of people like us are going to be waiting for the decisions that will be made. Hopefully Princess decides that the ship is not too old and small to be worth fixing. Thanks to the person who began this strand and to others who can provide new information.

I really appreciate all the comments that I have received so far. I still haven't made up my mind and my husband is content with whatever I decide. We are doing a private tour in Dubrovnik for several hours so we'll get to do a lot of driving around there so I'm still thinking that maybe just our exploring Kotor on our own (even now probably without climbing up the mountain which is sounding a bit too harsh) might be nice enough....But I'll keep contemplating. Again, thanks so much for your insights.

Check with Mladin , the owner of MTours Montenegro - very reasonable tours and very good - he can take you to Perast to the Lady of the Lake and Island of the Dead and scenic drive- really nice guy and well worth the reasonable price. He will schedule as long or as short as you like.

eclue:rolleyes:

I get the impression that going up to the Lady of the Lake has a series of about 25 hairpin curves....Is that the only part of the MTour that would have those narrow curvy mountain roads?

We will be there in November as part of our 12-day port intensive cruise and are trying to do a mixture of Princess excursions, private excursions, and on-our-own ports. Kotor will be on my husband's 72nd birthday and I really want it to be a nice day. It sounds like a beautiful port both for the old city and the surroundings. At the moment, our plan is to get up early so we can enjoy the hour and a half or so cruising into the bay because I have read that the views are wonderful then. It also appears that it is an easy port to do on our own, getting off the ship and walking into the old city easily and fast. So, the plan (I am the researcher) is to spend several hours just wandering the interesting streets, maybe getting a little lost as we see the sights, before collapsing back at the ship. My questions in particular are: (1) If you have done the long mountain walk up to the fortress that is supposed to take about 90 minutes both ways, although long, is there a rail or anything to hold onto at all or at least good-size/safe feeling steps or is it a walk up for the brave who don't fear falling/slipping off the side of the mountain (that's not me)? (2) Will we still see plenty of the beauty around us by mostly doing the old city walk or should be do a bus or boat excursion as well as our planned on-our-own walking around time? (3) Being off season in November, if we don't do an arranged tour, do you know if there would still be people around offering either the bus/taxi/boat tours if we decided once there we'd like more or would there be little possibility of that in November? (4) There's a well known cathedral mentioned--is that something we would come to with our walking and be able to do on our own? I would appreciate your thoughts to make my husband's birthday be relaxed but also interesting.