Wishing on a star

rjack, how recently have you been able to do this?

I am NOT an expert, but will try to answer, as I have also looked into this. Yes, the balcony will be big enough. The C2 category cabana mini suites (the ones that are not directly on the open cabana deck) look to have a bigger balcony than the C1 category. (the ones that are actually ON the open cabana deck) Yes, they will bring a larger table, table cloth, flowers, etc. (at least this has always been) The balcony will be big enough, for sure. You will have the higher blue glass wall on all these cabins on deck 9. And, of course, if you are in a C1 category, there could be a few people out on that open cabana deck enjoying the evening, which could be fairly close as you have your UBD. I believe that these balconies on deck 9 are not covered. They will still be able to do the UBD in your 'cabana' or maybe even your stateroom, if the weather does not cooperate.

PG, we have. not had any luck lately having our TA or Princess let us get a Deluxe Balcony cabin assigned. It is a big problem... and Princess 'corporate' knows this. This is totally wrong and makes no sense, as a couple can book a mini-suite but not a deluxe balcony... Again... Princess knows this... They want it this way. One work-around that has been mentioned is to book for three... just add in a family member or close friend... and cancel them just before final payment. That could possibly work if all else fails.... Princess can always move your cabin... Everyone should check their booking regularly... But, it might help to have your cabin marked NO Upgrade. That way, once that third passenger is cancelled, Princess might be less likely to see that booking with two guests, and try to move you. If they moved you with an upgrade, to make use of your Deluxe Balcony.. that would be a mini-suite. But, that would be a gamble.

Thanks!!! I see you have mentioned 4 ladies, including your daughter... who has only cruised on an older ship. You 'LOVE' the big RCI ships.. and you are hoping for some 'WOW'.... I could be reading this wrong... But, something is telling me that, for THIS cruise... you might want to go with the new ship.... I would want to sail with my daughter on a new ship this time! I would also recommend the new SUN Princess... but only full week cruises.

Many people will stand by the Caribbean Princess, because they simply prefer to sail on the smaller ships. (and there are no newer ones at this mid price range). My personal opinion... I would not choose this older ship. What other Princess ships and itineraries are an option for your timeframe? The next question is which itinerary seems best? Which ports are you more interested? Itinerary is always a big factor. You are really comparing grapes to watermelons when comparing the Caribbean Princess to a huge RC mega-ship. March will be Spring Break... tons of kids... And, this is especially true on these shorter sailings!!! if you want to avoid most of that, on a girls-trip, then a cruise line that does not cater to active young families might be a factor. Princess will not be like Carnival or RCI, or Disney. (But it seems that people are seeing more and more kids onboard during these prime times) You have cruised these other cruise lines... so you might have some idea on which 'vibe' or type of cruise you want for your girls-trip. Priincess wil not be the more colorful active experience of Royal Caribbean. It will also not be the more subdued vibe of Holland America. Especially on a shorter sailing in March... there should be a good varieties of people and ages onboard.

Here is a photo taken from deck 8, those would appear to be balconies. If so, they are huge! I do notice that there is a lot of deck space below between the balconies and the sea/wake. I do wonder if Princess will have a problem with people who are not truly dependent on a wheelchair booking into these rooms. The lack of aft facing wake-view balconies on this ship ia a 'miss'!!!

Ohhhh no... I am so sorry! To anyone else seeing the title to this thread.. I don't see the video I am remembering. The Godfrey Tours website says : The meeting place for visitors coming in at West Indian Company Cruise Ship Terminal will be at gate #4 next to the Virgin Bar & Restaurant. The meeting place for visitors coming in at Crown Bay Cruise Ship Terminal is at the windmill located in front of your ship in the shopping mall. Walking distance from the ship is about 3 to 5 minutes. There is a free shuttle from your ship if you rather not walk. Of course, as mentioned, The West Indian Cruise Port is the Havensight Cruise Port. Godfrey is an indépendant tour operator, and does not do the ships tours offered thru your cruise line. So, they can not operate IN the cruise port. It is a short walk to where they are located with their vans and busses.

Ohhh, Karen, I was also replying to the original poster who did not know exactly what this tour company is, or where to meet them for pick-up / drop off. I am so sorry that this happened to you! I do understand that you know all the details, and that the timing problem was on their end. I hope you were able to still enjoy your day in Port!

What ship, and how far out??? Many people on the Sun are seeing that they are not able to make these dining reservations until closer to their sailing. Not sure, but the system might simply be showing no availability. Also, Princess is just announcing significant changes to the dining system, fleet wide. The system could not be operational, and because of that, showing no availability. Also, as mentioned, there should be availability that is open once you board. Might not be the best times... But. I can not understand those who do not see any need for deduction or refund of the difference of what was paid for Premium, over Plus (or the averaged value of the upcharge for two Specialty Dining restaurants) if these simply are NOT available. If one chooses not to use both of these visits, because of their own personal preferences, then that is a totally different issue. But to say that any company should not refund for goods or services that were purchased and then not available, due to the companies own policies/misjudgements, etc... A refund is warranted. Selling something and then not delivering, and then offering no refund.. that would actually be fraud. If an airline or a concert venue or hotel is overbooked, and cannot accommodate everyone, then they have to take steps to make the situation right. The SUN Princess, unfortunately, was a poor example of this with the number of non-specialty venues that were simply not open, at all. Including the Theater, Park 19, etc.

Wow, that is too bad... I do not know how they could change the schedule that much, on a time sensitive cruise-port excursion???? Without going and doing a search, I will mention this. One might be able to find a video, on YouTube, how to find, get to, Godfrey's Tours. I remember seeing something like this that showed where and how to walk over.

Thank you for posting the pic of that sign!!! Can anybody tell me how long is the usual Island Tour, which shows at the bottom of that sign? Assuming that this is to hire your own taxi, not join a group with a larger vehicle. We are planning (conditions permitting) to spend a little time at Lindquist (Smiths) Bay Beach. Would be happy to do this 'Island Tour', if we could head for Lindquist, but also make a quick stop at overlook(s), etc.

1. Scanning your medallion, to be sure that everything is recorded to the correct person, normal. 2. Asking your room number to verify. (especially if the medallion system and their displays might sometimes be wonky???). normal. 3. Lack of good drink/wine service in the dining rooms... (I will add 'sadly' to this one...) normal. The bars are staffed but are busy and bartenders are spread too thin. Many know to stop by the bar on the way to the dining room and get a pre-dinner drink, and/or two so that they can bring one into the dining room. And, yes, that advice to order two, while you have the service there... yes, take advantage of that opportunity. Yes, the Sun princess is a new ship, with a new dining system and dining venues... Yes, staffing can sometimes be an issue. (have seen this on land, too!) There can be delays... but with some tips and a bit of an adjustment in expectations - we do hope that you enjoy your cruise... Remember to enjoy being on the beautiful ship, being at sea, seeing the destinations... Yes, there are thorns... but do not forget to stop and smell the beautiful roses!

Here is a video of A430.. which is the same as your cabin, with the 4 bunnks The closet and bath are behind the bedroom area, instead of at the entry.

have never stayed in a cabin like this, but will try to help. I haven't heard of noise... there is the small blank-space between the cabin in the elevators. But again, I haven't heard of noise being an issue. How many are traveling? it seems that this cabin can accommodate 4 guests, so the dreaded two fold-out bunks will be hanging on the wall. They are cumbersome to navigate, take up space, etc. I would not want these if it were just two. Not at all. The PLUSSES to this cabin. It is a 'sideways' layout cabin, so there is a little more space. By all accounts, it feels a bit bigger. This is partially because the little entryway with the open closet and the bath is not there. So, that brings what could be considered a small negative. The door is right on the hallway and opens directly into the open bedroom. Doesn't feel as private, maybe, with no buffer between your bedroom and the hallway. It is mid-ship and near the elevators. SCORE. Less walking, Less motion.. great location. Hope this helps!

I remember that on one of the these threads about the Sun Princess, somebody had posted a picture, from inside the Atrium, where you could see the balcony of that first cabin on deck 9, right there, with little privacy. So I thought I would forward this. Here, somebody has posted a video of 9358, which on the starboard side is 9361. This shows what it is like being on that balcony, right next to the Atrium. I also notice that the door out to the balcony seems to be a single swing-out door, and not a slider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksNsN2dOYWg

I remember that on one of the these threads about the Sun Princess, somebody had posted a picture, from inside the Atrium, where you could see the balcony of that first cabin on deck 9, right there, with little privacy. So I thought I would forward this. Here, somebody has posted a video of 9358, which on the starboard side is 9361. This shows what it is like being on that balcony, right next to the Atrium. I also notice that the door out to the balcony seems to be a single swing-out door, and not a slider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksNsN2dOYWg

Of course I have no inside information, but I am hearing and thinking that Santorini really just overshot when allowing too many ships to arrive on some days. I think they had tried a policy where it was restricted to 8000 passengers per day. But, there is no way they are going by that now. Anyhow, with the tendering and the lift, and all of the other limitations, I think it is Santorini, who has originally allowed the Sun (the latest to schedule ports) to schedule these stops... and now they are seeing that it just is not logistically possible. There is simply no way that they can move that many thousand people on and off the Island, the roads, the sites, etc. It seems that only certain dates are being canceled. I wonder if a look at the Port Schedule would give some good info and answers.

So true!!!! We like to go on about paying more the 'the package'... But when you look at the costs on other lines!!! 😮

Glad to hear that the Buffet looks great! Might have to do with the Executive Chef and staff onboard. I think that there are a lot of new staff on some of the older ships, with the SUN Princess sailing now. Sounds like a common complaint with a staff shortage of bartenders and servers. If this is true, then I wish Princess would make some headway with bringing in and keeping employees! I don't know why, but why do I always seem to notice poor reviews of the Emerald???

Yes, Like those old commercials.... "BECAUSE I'M WORTH IT..."

I look at it in a similar way!!! I want to relax and enjoy!!! If it comes out anywhere near 'even' then we are good to go. You mentioned booking the Premier Plan... It sounds like you are not an indulgent or tip top shelf drinker. Many wine drinkers who want decent wines get Premier for that reason. Our next cruises are booked with the Plus package. We enjoy indulging in a few drinks, specialty coffees... and Alfredo's... When they added an upcharge to Alfredo's - that is when it came down to booking with the Plus Package. I would like to do one or two specialty dining. Maybe try the Catch. But, unless we do that 2-3-4 times, then I don't think we need Premier. I am looking forward to enjoying every minute, and not worrying about paying upfront. That is part of the draw of cruising. Makes it like an all-inclusive resort. No driving out after dark to get food, or pulling out that credit card.... again and again.

Yes, the three dining rooms all serve the same menu and have the same type of service. You might find that if you want to make your way down the aft elevators to that lower aft dining room, it will be less crowded. We have see where everyone lined up for the two dining rooms that are off the Piazza, and they were offering an available table in the lower aft dining room to anyone who wanted to decide to make their way down there. There is not a noodle bar on the ship. That is only on the Majestic, which was designed for the Asian market. There is not a Planks and Steamers BBQ onboard. There will be a Main Dining Room open for breakfast, and for lunch on Sea Days. I am not sure if O'Malley's is open for lunch or not??? Alfredo's/Gigi's should be open for lunch. Check the Enchanted Ship on the Princess website. Click ONBOARD OUR SHIPS. Also you can check out ship-tours on Youtube, You will see what is offered on the pool deck. 1. Salty Dog for burgers, dogs, etc. 2. Slice, for poolside pizza by the slice, 3. The Mix. In the Piazza they have included dining, and casual dining 1. The international cafe, which is also the coffee bar. They offer good cafe style pick-up items from breakfast, thru lunch, and into the evening. This is like the Buffett - included for everyone. Specialty coffee drinks are Ala carte if you do not have a package. The casual dining, which is an upcharge if you do not have a package 1. Alfredo's/Gigi's. popular, good pizza 2. O'Malley's Irish Pub 3. Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar 4. Gelato The Specialty dining restaurants 1. Crown Grill Steakhouse 2. Sabatini's Italian 3. The Catch by Rudi Other special dining experiences. The Chef's Table - a culinary fine dining experience. Limited number.. I believe you should try to book right away when boarding. Ultimate Balcony dining - Either the Ultimate Dinner or Breakfast

I would be afraid of any confusion or misinformation. Things could have changed, and Princess is known for not being consistent. Did you book thru a TA, thru Princess, a Princess Planner? Have you contacted anyone? Will the system online allow you to change passenger information? If your Husband is the primary passenger on the booking, I would be afraid that this could not be changed????

Ohhhh, I wanted to add... to the OP, LuckyBee... We are all. here because we truly enjoy the Princess product, once onboard! That is why we find ways to deal with this one issue. Yes, it is almost sad that this situation is how every new cruiser is introduced to Princess Cruises. See if you can use these tips to work around the customer service issues, and you should really enjoy your cruise!

When I saw the title.. Two people walk into a bar... I was thinking that this was a set-up for one of those corny jokes!!! The thin with All 'all drinks on one medallion/account' is solved, without having to have the staff apply to two accounts every time, by just alternate accounts. I think that would work for many couples, friends. I know that I we are together most of the time. Of course, we would never be maxed out, even when using only one medallion!!!