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flcruiser3

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Posts posted by flcruiser3

    Motel in San Francisco

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Check out the Hyatt Regency. It is right at the foot of Market street on the Embarcadero and a short cab ride to Pier 27. Prices are not terrible (for San Francisco) One side of the hotel have balconies that look out to the bay and the Bay Bridge. Near good restaurants. If you are new to the city try the Carnelian room. 52nd floor of the bank of America building. A little pricey but has the best view in the city. Have fun. Good travels

     

     

     

    I believe the Carnelian room closed a few years ago.

     

     

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    Question on dining

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Hello everyone;

     

     

     

    I am looking for some insight into dining with Princess

     

     

     

    My wife and I have done a few cruises, but almost all with NCL. We were attracted to the 'freestyle' idea, the ability to eat when we want, alone.

     

     

     

    We were not enticed by the idea of having to eat at a set time and with strangers. We like to enjoy our time together when on a cruise and not have to sit with others.

     

     

     

    We recently did a Disney cruise, the first time we broke out of the NCL mode, and though the set dining times were annoying, we got used to them.

     

     

     

    The key thing was that the line made note of our desire to sit alone and on each meal we were able to do so.

     

     

     

    I can't seem to find anything on the Princess website saying if they will do the same. It mentions the set dining times but nothing about privacy options.

     

     

     

    Can anyone comment?

     

     

     

    Do you have to eat with others, or can they seat a couple privately?

     

     

     

    Thanks in advance

     

     

     

    On Princess you can request a table for two at set time dining or anytime dining. Anytime dining allows you to show up to a specified main dining room whenever you want. Depending on table availability you may be seated at your table for two immediately or you may be given a beeper and have a short (5-20min) wait. You can make reservations for anytime dining as well. You can also make reservations for 2 at any if the specialty restaurants.

     

     

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    Walking from ship?

    in Barbados

    Posted

    Does anyone know if there is much to do within walking distance from the ship? Also, would it be possible to walk to any shops, restaurants, or attractions pushing a teenager in a wheelchair?

    Thanks in advance!

     

     

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    Princess Insurance or Company suggested by TA?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    We have always ended up using private insurance (several different companies) because it offered the same or better coverage at a lower price. Another thing to consider is if you are adding some days on land not affiliated with the cruise, I don't think their insurance will cover it. For example, we had horrible airline delays and a freak injury at the start of a 4 day stay in Venice before a Grand Mediterranean cruise. Our private insurance reimbursed us for the hotel night we missed, an opera that we missed an an expensive wedding vow renewal package that we missed. Fortunately, we were able to make the cruise and ended up having a wonderful time!

    Dessert?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Bummer! I guess we will just have to play it by ear then. Since we are traveling with our disabled son who doesnt eat anything at all it would kind of be a pain for him to make him go back out to eat a 2nd time just for us to have dessert. :(

     

     

    I too have a disabled son. I found that if you speak to the head waiter on the first evening of the cruise, they will go out of their way to honor your request. If you tell them that your son can only tolerate sitting still in the dining room for so long and that you would like to have the dining room selections of desert in your cabin, I think that they would either have it sent to your cabin or package it for you to take with you.

    What's changed on Emerald Princess...

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    I was on the second cruise after dry dock. Wheelhouse bar still has Pub Lunch on sea days and happy hours, but added The Salty Dog at dinner time. We did not try it, partially because of up charge, but mostly bc most of the seating is now high pub tables. My son is in a wheelchair so that does not work for us.

    If you are a cruise shopper the fine jewelry shop has now become exclusive an EFFY shop.

    I think most of the ship looked in very good shape, but they did not give it a complete facelift.

    New Princess cruiser

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Princess seems to have better itineraries than NCL.

     

     

    Great point; I too think Princess has better itineraries, especially abroad. I like the fact their Mediterranean cruises seem to always include a port outside of the EU so that we can avoid the VAT taxes while onboard.

    New Princess cruiser

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    I am the poster than mentioned that I preferred the flow on princess ships. Yes, I was talking about the traffic flow. The public areas seem less crowded and there are less "bottle necks" where crowds of people make you slow down or stop when walking on the ship. This is especially important to me when I travel with my son who is in a wheelchair.

    New Princess cruiser

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted · Edited by flcruiser3

    I have sailed on the Epic twice (once in Haven and once in handicapped mini suite). We have sailed on Ruby, Emerald (3x) and Royal in regular or handicapped mini suites. I did love the Haven pool and dining room, but other than that I prefer Princess. I really enjoyed the food and service at LeBistro and The Haven dining room, but other than that I think princess has better food and service. I think in general Princess ships flows better and feel less crowded than NCL. I really like the beautiful Piazzas and the International Cafes on Princess ships. Cabin stewards on both lines have been very good in my experience. NCL has a few good shows but they repeat all week. Princess has shorter shows, but new every day. The nightclub with entertainment on princess are smaller and more intimate which we like. (However, you sometimes might not be able to get a seat at a popular venue like the piano bar Crooners.) Unfortunately, we have not done a full suite on Princess, but I know they have some nice perks. I think you will enjoy Princess!

    Vow Renewal questions....

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    My dh and I renewed our vows on the Royal in 1/15. I felt that it was a classy and special event. I received a bouquet and my husband a boutonniere. The ceremony was video taped and still photos were taken. The captain did a nice job with the ceremony and posed for photos with us and our family after the ceremony. The photographer then took us to the piazza to take take more photos. I think you will be pleased.

    Does Princess have Dr. Pepper?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Has any one been able to find Diet caffeine free Dr. Pepper? I can't find it anymore.

     

     

    I am pretty sure that my Publix in Central Florida has caffeine free diet Dr. Pepper in 12 packs. So if you are sailing out of FLL, you can check a Publix down there before you board.

    Special Diet Requests

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    I also have a handicapped son with a gtube. He eats puréed food between the consistency of baby food and mashed potatoes. He has been on 2 princess cruises and will be going on his third in a month. We always notify Princess ahead if time and meet with the maitre d upon arrival. The head waiter would come to out anytime dining table each evening with the next night's menus and ask what he would like prepared for the next night. The service has always been outstanding.

     

    This is princesses reply to our notification this year:

    "Once onboard, it is very important that your client contacts the Maitre d’

    Hotel to discuss the special dietary needs and any special preparation of

    the meals. It will be at your client’s discretion to order meals allowable.

    Your client’s request for pureed meals can be accommodated in the main

    dining rooms only. The buffet may offer some pureed food items but this is

    not guaranteed.

    On selected port days when the main dining rooms are closed for lunch,

    every effort will be made to accommodate your client’s needs in the buffet

    restaurant. We ask that your client speaks with the Maitre d’ Hotel the

    evening prior to discuss the meal requirements and any special preparation

    for the following day. When arriving at the buffet, please instruct your

    client to request to speak to a Supervisor, who will coordinate any special

    preparations directly with the chef."

     

    *Note:If we notified the head waiter ahead of time we have had them deliver puréed food to the specialty restaurants such as Sabatini's for our son.

     

    I hope this helps!

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