rocker57

I just called and I was quoted an exchange of 1.24, so I think I may wait and call again see if I get a different quote.

So this may be a bit devious, but we always take some US cash with us to purchase small items on any stops, extra gratuity etc. So can you buy some OBC, then the first day on the ship, go "play the slots" for what ever you want then cash out and get the cash? It certainly beats the bank rate.

I am just about to call Princess and add some more onto our cruise, I was going to do it in a couple of weeks, but thought I better get in at the 10% before they change it!

Thanks Rob, much appreciated

I put $1000 yesterday for our OBC, it is not showing in my personalizer. Will it show up there, and if so, does it take a few days before showing?

I did ask when I purchased it yesterday to send me an email confirming it, but even though she said she did it, I haven't received it, so I am going to call again. No surprise, it does already show on my online banking, they make sure that goes quickly. If it shows up in the personalizer, then I wouldn't worry about it so much, but I like to have all my paperwork with me when it involves money :)

This is why I love to read CC before a cruise. I called Princess, put $1000 OBC and it is going to cost me $1100 Canadian. When I use an exchange site, $1100 Canadian would give me $921.49, so that is an almost $80 savings. So I want to thank everyone that posted this information :D

Actually, when I do an exchange from 1000 US $ - Canadian $ it would of cost me $1,196, so that is a saving of $96, even better!

This is why I love to read CC before a cruise. I called Princess, put $1000 OBC and it is going to cost me $1100 Canadian. When I use an exchange site, $1100 Canadian would give me $921.49, so that is an almost $80 savings. So I want to thank everyone that posted this information :D

I am confused with the exchange rate. My credit card on file says it is not billed in US$, as I heard the banks will give you a better exchange rate. So when I go online, pricing for excursions are in US dollars. So if I call princess and want to pay ahead of time for my excursions, soda card and tips, they will bill it to my card through the Princess Vancouver site at the 10% or even better at par? Or is there something else I should do

I was just checking my personalizer, and to prepay my tips would be $92.40 for each of us. We are staying in a mini suite 7 days, so I calculate that to be $84 US, so that seems to be calculated to 1.10%. So if I am reading this right, rather than to pay my excursions, I should just call up princess and put it in as OBC to get the better exchange rate? If that is the case, then you are best to put more down as OBC to save on the exchange. I hope this makes sense

Is there a decent spa near or not too far from the cruise terminal? I am doing the city tour in the morning, so have time in the afternoon. I will be on my own as my husband is doing the fishing charter, so I am just a bit leery of going off on my own. Thanks!

Just looking at some excursions, and some have weight restrictions, such as zip lines, zodiac boats etc. How do they know, do they weigh you, or do they just take your word that you are under the limit? I can understand why there are limits, but just want to know how. Thanks!

I booked online, so there is no button to say no upgrade. I am still waiting, because for some reason it takes 3 business days. I called on Wednesday, so it didn't start till Thursday so by tomorrow it should show up. When I check the cruise, it says that cabin is sold, so it better be for us. I told the customer service rep yesterday, that if she wanted to put us in the owners suite, I would be okay with that:p

Just received email for our upcoming cruise, that princess was upgrading us from our E731 to D423 on Crown. I phoned up right away to decline, and she said you prefer to stay in the back. I said yes, it is a bigger and covered balcony. One of the reason I picked this cruise. I did tell her if she wanted to put us in a penthouse suite, I didn't see a problem, she didn't bite:)

Was on the Oct. 20th sailing. We had no problems, ship left on time, arrived and left the ports on time. The only thing I noticed, was I did not think our waiter was too friendly. But then, we were 3 women at a table for 8, with no one else. One night, they sat two other women with us. They said they were anytime dining, and they wanted traditional, but told their was no room, but we seemed to see a lot of empty spots, so I suspect that a lot who booked traditional did not show up, which I would think would of affected our servers tips, but we still enjoyed it

On our carnival cruise last year, I had a pair of costume earrings. One of them broke, so I just threw them away in the garbage. When I went back to the room later, there were those earrings, quite nicely pulled out from the garbage, and put on the desk. I then wrapped them up in paper before throwing them away again. Just goes to show, that it is not worth it for the crew to steal anything, even if found in the garbage:rolleyes:

The last nite was the british invasion, really enjoyed it, and the other show was Stardust - a collection of songs from the 30's & 40's. Brian Austin (?) is one of the singers in the show, and he did his own show in the Vista Lounge, Michael Buble & Frank Sinatra, has a very nice voice

Just got off the 4 day cruise. We stayed in a mini E728, which is the last balcony. Although we could feel the thrusters, it was not a problem. We were right above Vista theatre, a couple of notes, could hear a bit of music, but easily tuned out.

The terrace pool pew as very warm, like a bathtub, not too sure why, but not refreshing, the middle pools were better

We dined at the early traditional, which was good. I do wish there was a 7pm seating, but that is me. Three seemed to be a lot of fish on the menu, which I don't like, and never found anything that made me say, wow, I really want that. Bit there was one night for dessert, the chocolate journey that was to die for, could of had a meal of that. When they roll that out, make sure you leave room!

Boarding probably did not start nail closer to 1 pm, but sailed away on time. We had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat.

well I am disappointed by those photos. I've read that this ship has rust on it, and I don't see any rust. I was promised rust, so what is this they are trying to pull, more nickle and dimeing? When I get on her this coming Monday, I will be looking :D

Anyways, nice photos, just gets me more stoked!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Your photos are great. I'm leaving for the Golden in two weeks, and this just gets me ramped up. Thanks for taking the time for the review and photos

I have booked the best western, it looks very nice. Reading reviews on Trip A and other sites rank the hotel higher than the Crowne. I have read the area may be a bit sketchy, but I don't plan on taking a stroll at nite.

I ended up booking execucar. We thought it would be a good way to end the trip. Thanks everyone for your input!

Thanks for posting your review, we will be on this trip in less than 3 weeks

I personally think a cruise invokes a certain elegance. On most cruises, there is a formal night or more. It is in the cruise information, it is not a secret. If one does not feel like dressing up, don't, but go to another venue

After a cruise, are there quite a few transport at the pier, or would it be best to arrange ahead of time? Super shuttle or Primetime is cheaper than Princess, so can one get on board once you disembark? Just trying to figure out the best way. Thanks again for your assistance :)

I have booked it for our cruise next month. All the reviews I read were mostly good. The place looks clean, rooms look fairly large, pool area looks nice. I booked it with air mile points, so the cost was minimal. I have read the area is sketchy, but I think most areas there look a bit sketchy, that is what cabs are for :D

the other thing to look at is perhaps your credit card. The type of credit card I have, gives me cancellation insurance, medical insurance if I booked the vacation with my credit card. And since I collect points, I do everything with my credit card. Through my husbands work, also has out of country medical, so between the two, I don't worry about it. And I work in insurance - but property insurance :)

I faxed in my order, but in 2 weeks they never processed it. I finally just called them and put the order in over the phone. Received confirmation within minutes. The customer service rep. told me that they are not allowed to write down Visa number, it gets typed into the computer right away. That makes me feel more secure as I know there isn't a slip of paper around with my number on it.