CatsareCool

I am very fortunate to have cruised many times - mostly Princess - but we decided to step out of our comfort zone and will be sailing on the Constellation Dec 23-Jan 2. Really excited, I've heard so many positive things. But I'd like to know some of your secret tips. What to ignore or what not to be missed. 

Do they have body lotion in the stateroom? Refrigerators? Thank you for all your valuable insights. 

I hope to be sailing to Hawaii in February. On my past Hawaii cruises, one of my favorite things is the Hawaiian Enrichment Program and the Hawaiian Ambassadors, especially the hula and ukulele lessons, lei making etc. The couple of cruises I've been on recently they have discouraged and have not any scheduled activities that would require guests to congregate in one area. (no captain's party, games in the atrium etc.)  Will they still have the different activities that they used to offer on a Hawaii cruise?

I am so anxious and excited to get on a ship again that I might even consider drinking ship champagne!

Thank you all for letting me know about the Majestic and the new things and the old familiar things. I must be patient until October. It will be well worth the wait

When the Majestic Princess set sail in 2017 it had been designed for the Asian market and their preferred tastes and interests. But now the Majestic is set to sail in the US market, so have they made changes to come more in line with what us spoiled (😉) Americans want? I want my pizza and burgers on Lido deck! I want to sit at a bar in the evening! There doesn't seem to be an updated deck plan anywhere that I can find.

My DH and I were scheduled to be on the Sapphire in SE Asia. We were apprehensive but decided we would let Princess decide if we would go or not. We were cancelled. Got a full refund and with the Goodwill Credit, we booked a 7 day Mexico on the Royal for next week. And it wasn't going to be costing us anything. Hurray!  As things started to unfold (and unfold and unfold and unfold) we were once again determined to go but let Princess decide if we were going or not. They decided it was in our best interest to stay home and they are certainly right. This 'bug' thing is super serious and we all need to work to bring it under control and combat it. We have 2 cruises planned for next year so with our new credit maybe we'll fit something in in the fall. 

Yeah, Princess! We stand behind you and will remain loyal to you.

Although Princess may have put the refund through to your credit card, the bank that your credit card is linked with can take a few extra days to process also.

What is the approximate distance from the cruise terminal in Mazatlán to the cliff divers. I'll be walking. Do they dive pretty much from noon to sunset?

Thanks for the info!

I will be on the Sapphire Princess in March 2020 when it will make a stop in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. I was thinking of just getting off the ship (tender port) and seeing what could be available from the port. Maybe a ride in the Tuk Tuk? Are they available at the pier and more importantly, are they safe? Is there any shopping around there?

I will be on the Sapphire Princess in March in SE Asia. I will have a small amount of currency of the local countries, but what if I go spending crazy and need some more!? Do they have cash machines onboard that will give you the local currency? Will they do it at the Guest Services? 

Although I have been fortunate to have been on a few dozen cruises, I haven't sailed with RCI since the days of the Nordic Prince and the company was still RCCL. That will be changing next week when my hubby and I board the EMPRESS OF THE SEAS for the non Cuba cruise. Cruising has changed so much in the last few years so I have a few RCI/Empress questions that I know y'all can answer, especially concerning the staterooms. We are in an interior.

What amenities are in the bathroom? Bar of soap? Do they have 'real' bottles of shampoo and conditioner or the dispenser that's in the shower and has the shampoo/conditioner all in one? Is there hand lotion? Is there a safe in the room? How about a refrigerator? Can you get fresh ice everyday? Can I get a bathrobe?

We can just wing most everything but for some reasons these seem to be my most 'pressing' questions. Looking forward to check out RCI once again and to be on the high seas. 

Thank you for you responses, I can always count on cruise critic!

Like y'all, I booked this cruise because I really wanted to go to Cuba. I am extremely disappointed, but the only thing within my power right now would be to cancel. With the 50% off we just might stick with it since the cruise was to start on our anniversary. Plus it is always great to be on a cruise. It's the October 17th sailing and I want to be optimistic that things will be different by then and we still might get to Cuba. A gal can hope can't she?

Thank you for all your input about these ports. We're leaving in a couple days and now have a plan for these 3 ports. Just get off the ship, walk to the towns for a bit, then come back to enjoy some beach time and of course a couple beers to refresh us. You can always get great and informative answers from CC!

On my upcoming Coral cruise we are stopping at 3 ports I'm not familiar with, Puerto Chiapas, Manzanillo (actually have been there but went to Colima) and Huatalco. None of the shore excursions looked appealing or interesting to us so we will just wing it and hopefully go into town (although I've heard there is nothing in Chiapas). Are the towns within walking distance from the ship? Does the ship offer any transfers into town? Are there taxis? And is it even worth going into the towns?

Did you do a ship tour or one on your own?

It was brought to my attention that effective 'immediately' Princess will no longer require you to fill out the Health Questionnaire before check in and embarking. Look at all the time we will now save with not not having to stop that extra 20 seconds to fill it out. :D And how much money will the company save on not having to spend money on ink and paper and printing and those fabulous little golf pencils that never seemed to be usable because of the lead all being worn down. ;) Maybe they also figured out that some folks lied, if you should be answering yes to one of the questions you check no anyway because you don't want to risk being denied boarding. Don't have a cruise for a few more months but possibly someone has experienced this new event.

Like the poster said, you are 'suppose to stop' at the 'alcohol check in table' when you return to the ship in a port, but if you forget you forget. Short term memory loss! I have never ever seen it taken from you at security since the alcohol tables are usually by the elevators and they can't really see security.

I would never consider my husband and myself a problem drinker. At home we rarely 'bend our elbow' but on a cruise we enjoy a few cocktails, and our bar of choice is always Crooners. True, it is not always packed, we've noticed that is wasn't during the day, but just before each traditional dining time it would be, when that dining time came up it would empty out and then pick up again before the next traditional dining time, just to empty out once again when that dining time arrived. And in the evening it would always be full when it came to night time martinis and entertainment. I would truly miss it and frankly would give second thoughts to a ship that did not have a Crooners. It would have to be one fantastic, never done itinerary. I thought bars were money makers for the cruise line. Maybe with all the AIBP and such they don't make as much money on alcohol any more? I doubt that. Or with less bars you have to work harder to find a bar to use the drink package benefits? In my opinion, Princess Live is an uncomfortable venue, but if what you want to participate in is held there that is where you go.

There will be personnel all along the way to direct them where they will be needing to go, they will not let them take an indirect turn or get lost or get on the wrong ship. (Holland America is also at the same pier)

As long as I'm on the ship as it's leaving the pier I'm good. I am elite so board as one of the first, if I'm at the pier, but would never pay extra anyway, I think it is silly. And if my cabin isn't ready, I still go by, drop off my carry on and am on my way. Have never had an issue with being told no or been stopped.

My 'friend' just returned from her 6th one night Vancouver to Seattle cruise. She is now Elite. She always traveled single and a couple of times in a full suite. Bully for her but it still erks me because I did it the old fashion way, number of cruises/days. However, I have been able to enjoy a true cruise experience while she has not. So who's the real winner here?

Last week on the Ruby (January 27th) the captain was Paolo Arrigo. He was an out and about meet and mingle captain. Very personable, witty and funny. And extremely good looking!!!!!

I'm not sure what it's intended purpose is for. I spray it in my sneakers after wearing them all day in ports. Those poor old shoes are not the best smelling at the end of the day, so I put a bit it to help contain the odor.

On the 29 day Emerald cruise, we were expecting the laundry delay and planned accordingly before we even left home. How many t-shirts/socks/undies will we really need to take and not run out. Always got our laundry back within the 3 day time frame. But sometimes it has to do with the cabin stewart (love you stewart!) if they check to see if your laundry is completed. With 950 elite onboard, (which isn't necessarily unusual for a long cruise) along with other laundry that needs to be completed (napkins, tablecloths, towels etc. and crew's also) the laundry is cranked up running in full gear. I appreciate having my laundry done for me and because of our preplanning never had an issue or ran out of the must need items.

We gave Share a try on the Emerald's 29 day cruise. Although the food was pretty good and the presentation nice and attentive service, we wouldn't go again. We thought the $39 fee was not worth it. But we were glad that we tried it so we could form our own opinion.

Wonderful! So glad to see that Princess is going back and building a small ship again! And she's a beauty! She will make the Pacific Princess look like a behemoth.