Wishing on a star

Shanna, if they system will allow you to 'bid', on these categories... Then you can put in your bid. You can bid the lowest, or try bidding higher to increase your odds.... The thing is, the number of available cabins in each of these categories will probably be what increases your odds, and determines which of your bids could be accepted. I believe that the 'system' might look at how much you paid, increased by the amount of your bid, and then determines by the actual total fare/revenue that they will get for that category of cabin, as it determines which bids to accept. If you booked thru Princess, and they have your email and everything is working, you could get an email about your bid. If you booked thru a TA, it might be possible that this would go to your TA, and you might not be notified right away. Many report that they check their cruise booking online, and see the change in their cabin, even before that notification comes thru. I understand that, if your bid is accepted, and they assign the new cabin, then you are pretty much locked in.. Especially if the cruise is sold out, I doubt that there would be any other available cabins in your new category to move another one. Example: they assign you a Balcony cabin that is far forward, over a loud venue, etc... You might not be able to move to any other Balcony.

If you are not big on shows, and 'partying', but like to be where the 'vibe' is, and enjoy being at sea, then you should be very happy! The Piazza that Princess has is the perfect offering. Depending on who the band and entertainers are onboard, the Piazza could be LOUD on some nights, and more laid back. (but not a snooze-fest) on other nights. We have seen everything from 'Rock' band shows to 'middle of the road' bands who do numbers like "Isn't she wonderful" (Stevie Wonder) and "Hello" (Lionel Ritchie) The piano entertainer at Crooners will alternate with the band/entertainer on the main level of the Piazza throughout the evening. Things to note, and enjoy - The international Cafe. breakfasts sandwiches snacks all day... This is where you will get your nice specialty coffees. Gigi's/Alfredos - Def. use your Plus Package to get the BEST pizza. (this. used to be free/included) Enchanted has The Catch by Rudi, right? This would be one of the specialty (uncharge) restaurants that you might want to try. The adult pool area... The main pool area will be louder, busy, with the huge MUTS screen playing concerts/videos/movies. (unfortunately, they enclosed the adult retreat pool with cabins, so most seating is on the deck overlooking.) Princess will have a lot of the same things as CCL - the casino, game shows, etc... ENJOY!!!

Is your cruise on March 7th? That means that bidding has already been open for quite some time. I am not sure how that would affect your chances at getting a better cabin. The website is showing that March 7th on Enchanted is 'sold out'. Are you seeing the ability, invitations to bid, for these better categories? I don't know what kind of personal recommendations we can make. But, for me... 10 days/nights in a small inside cabin... I wouldn't want to do that. Do you have you days onshore planned? Are you booking excursions?

Not saying that I think this is good, at all... But, trying to figure out why such silence... Apparently, cruise bookings are at all time highs... Financially, cruise lines are trying to bring up their bottom line and stay afloat. Given these two things.. maybe the cost of creating all of these adds and PR, and putting them out there, is something that they do not feel is necessary. All I know is, I don't care about slick corporate PR.. in a few weeks, I am hoping that we have plenty of good cruiser feedback and videos!!!

If you book online, directly thru the Princess website.. maybe you could go thru CHAT? We keep hearing about mixed results, with a few cases where people thought they had the NO UPGRADE, and then somehow the cabin gets moved???? With the new bidding system in place, any real upgrade seems to be very very rare. This reminds me... I need to have my current bookings marked NO UPGRADE... if this can still be done. We really want the cabin that we have booked for next year. It is showing RESERVE now, is I am glad we went ahead and put a deposit on it. ( PS.. sorry about getting that cabin number wrong, as I know she had mentioned 720. )

It does look like this cruise is very heavily sold! I do not know if you have a deposit/hold on E704, but right now the website is ONLY showing GTY for many areas and categories. I have never sailed above the Vista Lounge. Maybe not too bad, and does eventually close down??? There is one possible advantage to being above that AFT deck just below. Easy to run down there and get set up with those loungers, if that is the vibe you might like. There might be a slight possibility of moving to a better location? I would def. keep my eyes open to see if anything, by chance, were to become available.

I do not know anything about day passes at these resorts. But, as nobody else has tried to answer, I will try to help. But, are your two options Divi Little Bay and Sonesta Maho beach? If you want to be on a calmer beach with little ones, then it would be Divi Little Bay. Maho, as you might know, is the one where the airport runway is, and the jets come and go right over head. When cruises are in port, this beach can get packed. The surf can be higher, with a steeper drop-off for little ones. Sonesta Maho is a bigger resort, with more resort options, and I believe they have a kids program. I know that Divi has had day passes for their beach and facilities. One might have to rent a room at the resort, if there is not a min. number of nights, in order to have the all-inclusive options included.

Thanks for the link! I got a chance to check it out during daylight, and there is quite a bit of the sargassum. On the other SXM webcam there, is that showing Simpson Bay Beach??? It is a far off view, but it looks like that is clear. Dinghy's beach club is there. I haven't seen any photos or cams of Orient Bay, but the other current post here is saying very little Sargassum at Orient Bay. It might be wise to try to follow the situation at different beaches before we go. Which, is not foolproof, because we know it can change quickly!

Try this... you might find that the issue is how Princess totally controls and mismanages the cabin availability. The system holds these cabins for parties of 3 or more. Act like you are booking for 3 guests... and see what availability comes up! If I am guessing correctly, even TAs have not been able to access these cabins. So, the one work-around might be to book with a third person... then you can always go back and cancel them. PS: If you get a cabin that you like... make double sure that it is marked NO UPGRADE. And check back often to make sure that your cabin has not been changed, and is till showing NO UPGRADE. Good Luck!

Where are you seeing these links??? If you might share. I understand that it is the Eastern facing beaches. (Orient Bay Beach) which will really get the Sargassum. And, the South Florida University web-site is showing the this years bloom is slow to move from the Atlantic into the Caribbean. Winds are now from the east again, so that could begin to change. https://optics.marine.usf.edu/projects/SaWS.html

Well, this is a 'family friendly' chat board... so... I threw in a good 'BLOODY' though!!! Hahahaha!!!

Okay, did a quick search, and found this on Gangwaze. Not sure if rates have been adjusted or gone up a bit. Rates are posted for all to see. they list specifically to many destinations and beach clubs. And, will depend on exactly how far, and how many passengers. Starting rate seems to be for up to 4 passengers. An example.. From Port Maya Port, where Princess docks, to Nachi Cocum, for 6, is $34.00. $17.00 for up to 4. Paradise beach is $15.00 for up to 4... $31.00 for six. Other beach clubs are closer.

Six should not be a problem... Many van taxi's I wish I remembered where I recently saw the rates!!!

Transportation should be included... But, that puts you on that limited timetable. Taxis to any of the beach clubs should be available and reasonably priced. Many of these beach clubs you can book ahead online. How many ships will there be that day??? (check on cruise mapper website) We would be traveling without kids, and have no need for inflatable waterpark stuff, etc.. So, I am interested in booking Nachi Cocum if we get to Cozumel in the near future. The do have a pool, medium/small but looks nice, for their limited number of daily guests. Reviews seem good on the food. (which is good but not all-you-can-eat - you order your choices)

Looks like high winds tomorrow... No tender, no Princess Cays. Some might not be too disappointed, but I would be... as my favorite bungalow would await! I do hope you have a great cruise!

Wow... sounds like a security issue, and Princess and the authorities are probably doing the right thing. I hope boarding begins soon!!!! We have a cruise planned, to board Enchanted at FLL.

Okay, admitted I am NO 'pate' expert.... so I searched images. Something as simply as a scoop or small bowl might help! The title to this is Best French Country Pate......

You might look for other threads with titles that indicate 'first time Princess' etc... I am not the biggest expert.. but I will try to give you a little info, and hopefully others will add or correct info. Just trying to help out, as you have not sailed Princess before. Yes, there are things that you can, and should, book in advance. You can pull up your booking online... But, you should really download the App. Dining is available to be booked (your preferred dining venue and dining time). Specialty dining, those with an additional uncharge should be available. Pay at time of booking. But, this is now only showing for the first few sailings of the SUN. Shore excursions, if you wish to book Princess Excursions can be available. Some might book up, and you could go ahead and reserve. Also, pay when booking. Theater - I do not think that there are any theater or entertainment events that one has to make any reservations. The Sanctuary can not be booked before you board. And, those who have priority boarding, and those who are continuing on from the prior sailing can have this all booked up. The current protocol is to board as early as you possibly can, and rush up to the Sanctuary if you hope to find available loungers. About the packages... For many, if not most, the PLUS package can be the way to go. If you enjoy your coffee drinks, bottled waters, soda, juice, etc... Plush throw in the Gratuities and WIFI and two visits to what are called the 'Casual' additional dining venues. (Alfredos is very popular, you should try!). One almost breaks even pretty quickly. Just a few alcoholic drinks along the way, and PLUS can be a good option.

"What!!! What is this!!! Are you serving me cat food here??? " "Throw this out the back door for the bloody cats!!!" (plated crashes to the ground)

Did the kitchen run out of small serving dishes for that 'pate'!!!! Even if the taste was okay (good), that is a pass for me as well. Was that supposed to be a starter???

As you might see, there is another current thread about this. It seems the only totally flexible options seem to be a charter... OR I have found that, for my sailing, shore excursions group offers two departure times. I can't quite get them to give all the details. But, they have a departure early, like our cruise ship, and another departure at 9:15. (or maybe it is 9:30) I did contact them, and the vendor says that the excursion is longer than 4 hours. That it should be closer to 4 hours on the island. Good Luck!!!

You go girl !!!!!!!! Yes... OJ... it's all good!!! (maybe a little early for me.. but GOOD!!!)

I actually don't make a point to go and look at photos. But, when the opportunity comes up, I am surprised about how much it means to see those' times' and remember all of the good things!!!! I used to put together photo-books, the whole time we went on trips with DS when he was growing up.... Have some beautiful and amazing phtobooks!!! But, now, not so much... Everything is archived on computer backup. I will not spend my time at the Champagne event... But I can see how the whole thing.. 'champagne on a cruise' can be one of those photo op memories!!!

Have you seen videos? If you would be interested, you can go to cruise deck plans website, pull up the ships that have this layout, and it will show a YouTube symbol for those cabins that have a video posted. Personally, I would love to be there near the adult pool... but after being in a cabin on those uppermost decks during a cruise with high winds and surf... I book lower decks.

It seems that Dining reservations have only opened up for the first sailings. With the new Three Tier system, and the new venues onboard, I think that maybe getting the dining reservations system sorted out has been a work in progress???