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Updated: June 2024. I found this excellent YouTube video and didn't know where else to post it. Summary: How to prepare yourself for Japan by cruise ship.

BUT...but...but, My very old Apple iMac does have the computer built in to the monitor. The keyboard is separate. And I don't have a CPU (box/brain/drive). AND... some apps will work with the ship's INTRAnet: Princess.com, What'sApp, and iMessage to other iPhone users. But as a general rule, if you want to get on to the INTERrnet, you will have to purchase a plan.

The Caribbean Princess will have a port stop in Cornwall. But it will be by water shuttle to Falmouth. https://www.whatsinport.com/Falmouth.htm#:~:text=Most have to be tendered,walk from the town center.

It all depends: How much luggage will the airlines allow? Computer counts as personal item. CPAP counts as (free) medical device. And over head bag. I did an Alaskan land tour way back when ... luggage wasn't an issue. One bag packed for land, One bag packed for ship. Then I had to buy shorts someplace on land because it was so hot and I had packed cold weather clothes. The train was freezing and I was glad to have my wool jacket. If I were to do it again, I would pack half and half to cover all weather. Without the luxury of free bags, you may have to stuff everything in to your carry on...or take the one suitcase with you on both land then cruise. If traveling with someone else, split the clothes between two suitcases. I hope you and the other are very friendly with each other. Most of the buses/train will have an overhead rack for your CPAP. Do not let out out of your sight.

@smilesntravels This may be too late for you....but are you open to other options? or request a move over about the same timing? The fares for Iceland/Greenland on July 26 are ridiculously low on an older ship with many insides, ocean views, and balcony cabins available. I do hope you are able to put everything together so that you can begin to pack and get excited about your voyage.

The aft dining room dead end is definitely the puzzle of the day/week. The reason you can't access the area from mid-ship is because the dining rooms are attached to the kitchen in between. If you had taken the kitchen tour after the culinary demonstration, it would have become crystal clear. That is the ONLY area accessible from walking Deck 7 (or above) or using the aft elevators. Midship elevators and forward elevators will take you all the way up from Deck 5 to the Lido Deck where the buffet, pool, Slice, Salty Dog Grill, Ice Cream place, and an assortment of bars. (At least you didn't get side swayed with the Grand Staircase to nowhere/crew area @Thrak) There are a few other areas that are above the Lido Deck that have stairs (and select elevators) to take you there. I have heard that the Sphere class ships now have everything turned around. But all of Princess' older fleet have basically the same design/layout. I have taken newbies on Princess and tell them from the start that they need to always keep in view the Piazza and Customer Service Desk when exploring the ship. Even my older sister didn't get lost after the first day. I am sorry that your found Princess not to your liking. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand...since I am not a fan of the larger Royal Class ships (Enchanted). I do hope you find a brand that you love. Cruising isn't for everyone, but for those who love it....it's GRAND.

@Cloudyrain Thank you for sharing your insights about your country's culture. Always nice to have an insider's view. I will have an ample supply of GBPs with me and will probably also use plastic after I exhaust my supply. So your advice (so not to offend your fellow citizens) is to round up if I find the service to be above average? I'm at a disadvantage since your GBP is worth "so much more" than my US $. I recently went to Japan and Canada where it was so much better for me. lol

I have done 15 days to Hawaii in an inside cabin. Location is everything. Also, you could ask for another desk chair (store in closet) if you feel that you needed more chairs. Princess did no favors in doing away with Ocean View cabins. It's either an inside or a regular balcony, neither of which have a sofa The deck below Lido aft is a nice location, although still pretty high up. Benefit is the door that opens out to the aft deck.

I haven't traveled to your side of the world in a very long time. If there was a bus load of passengers (mostly American), wouldn't a $5 "tip" be more welcomed than nothing at all? I am planning on taking with me GBPs so not an issue. I also come from Hawaii where giving is just part of the culture. Would a small (food) representation from the islands be welcomed?

Express Laundry: in by 9 AM, returned after dinner, same day. Steward needs to get it down to laundry before 9 AM and get it into the correct basket. I prefer to leave my bag of laundry on my bed the night before. I’ve been told that’s the best place to leave it (picked up when doing turn down service). I’ve been known to track down steward in the morning. Too early for me. He told me to leave it in the hall, outside my door. Will he see it? Pick it up? Nah….leave it on the bed (Plan A). Be sure to check Express Service. I write Total = $0. Some folks take a photo of items. So far,I haven’t lost anything. First night, I send out several items to be pressed only. I never send out laundry on packing day. Too risky. I send out the bulk of my items 3 or 4 nights before disembarkation. If needed, I send a smaller bag out timed to arrive the evening…before final packing. I tend to do longer than 7 day cruises. I was told (post pandemic) that everything is “laundered”. No more dry/chemical cleaning. Haven’t pushed the issue since. Haven’t tried to ask for cold water wash. Did ask for laundry room tokens on the Diamond, with a coy smile and CS asked me how many?

Keep in mind that "one/1" order for tea service will feed 4 people (might be a little stretch of the imagination). Just order more hot water, tea bags, tea cups, and serving plates. You will get plates of sandwiches, cookies, scones, desserts/cakes, pastries. We are not talking one piece per plate. Each plate will have 3-5 items. I've had a tea party for 7 in my suite. It was fun. Also did it as an elite in an inside cabin for 4 (that was cozy).

Yes, @ecs66, I was affirming your comment. Couldn't have said it any better.

It would help others if OP gave a few more details. Caribbean voyages would not be my first choice on any cruise ship. What were you expecting that you didn't research about first?

Initially, when cruising restarted, during the first few months smoking was not allowed in the casino. It was wonderful. “Old News” The current, updated policy is printed on their web site, but has not been in enforced. I will be inquiring on my next cruise. I invite all to do the same. Now back to regular programming. The Grand/Gem class ships will have a “Meet the Officers” cocktail hour on the champagne pour night for suite passengers only. Nice nibbles, free drinks, and intimate gathering. Flowers are a hit and miss. Got them a couple of time. Got them late into the cruise. Didn’t get them at all. I was told they were thinking about plastic orchids. I was told they were an allergen. Who knows.

@NavyVeteran is correct. Round trip Seattle to Seattle. PVSA Closed loop with NEAR foreign port (Victoria). You can’t embark in one US city and disembark at another US city without first stopping at a DISTANT foreign port. If doing a one way to/from Vancouver, then PVSA does not apply. Get on/off at any US city. The key is that your Alaskan voyage can’t embark/disembark at two different US ports. That is why repositioning short cruises go through Vancouver before starting/ending the Alaskan season LA to Vancouver, SF to Vancouver, Seattle to Vancouver. That is why b2b repositioning cruises don’t work. Been there, tried that. An exception might be that Princess will absorb the PVSA penalty instead of passing it on to the passenger, if using EZ Air. Most domestic flights (except for Southwest and holders of airline credit cards) will charge for baggage. Most international flights will allow at least one bag free. The exception being US city to Canada. Treated as domestic flight. (US to Japan:1 bag free on Japan Airlines/US to Montreal:charged per bag on Delta, Business Class US to LHR:2 bags plus 70 lbs per).

Thanks for the large font. What is a "first side suite". Are you in a mini-suite or aft suite? I love the Caribbean Princess. Enjoy your cruise. I am looking forward to hearing your comments.

Princess has offered "tours" that are "on your own". They are providing you transportation to and from point of interest. When Princess docked at Kahului, they would offer and, in my opinion, expensive bus ride to Lahaina. In Japan, they offered a shuttle to the nearest town for anywhere between $20 - $30, round trip. In Boston, they offered HOHO buses that would pick you up at the cruise terminal. More expensive than picking up a HOHO in the city. Many of their excursions are mere transportation.

Good thing you were confined to your quarters....at the other end of the hallway. And you had someone else wheel DW from here to there. You are so law abiding.

@NavyVeteran...lucky you. I was "advised" by the nurse that I "should" not imbibe. And I had the Plus bundle. Different cruise, maybe different nurse, same Medical Center? hmmmmm.

I guess I did not making myself clear: Grand/GEM class ships: Grand Princess and Caribbean Princess have Window Suites on Deck 6 midship forward. Royal class ships: Sky Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess have Window Suites on higher decks/way forward.

I have it printed out and am bringing it on my next cruise ! Not that I don't trust Princess........... I also have printed out that Princess' smoking policy includes a few nights (usually formal) where smoking in the casino is prohibited. cough cough But my next cruise is with Princess Plus.

I need to retract my $5 charge while in a suite. I was left a voice mail (therefore AI translation has spelling errors). Sorry you have to open the PDF to see the explanation of waivers. Concierge Services.pdf

Totally agree 😉

Correct, I would stay away from the Window Suites on the Royal class ships that have them. I don’t remember which ones since I’ve avoided these ships. They are too forward and too high.

Glad you don’t want them. More for others. Are you referring to WS on the Grand/Caribbean? Definitely would stay away from them on the Royal class ships. Just curious. Why?