Wishing on a star

IMHO, for a 10 day cruise that cost this amount of money... It would be worth it to be able to choose my cabin, and to have a refundable deposit. I know what it is like to have to work within a budget!!! Wish we could cruise more often... But, I would give good consideration to booking at least a 'choose your cabin' and refundable deposit. Somebody mentioned above that the sideways (forward to aft) cabins are a different layout than the ones that are the standard (port to starboard) layout. There might be some good videos out there. But, they do have the door that opens directly into the main bed area, instead of the little entry hall with the bath and closet.

If you could get an obstructed view, midship on Deck 8, they are not obstructed directly, just the deck area below. We have saved by choosing those.

Okay, it sounds like you are seeing a unique offer??? As you can see, with Princess, things can change fairly quickly lately!!! And it can be confusing. It sounds like you are working your way thru this, and can make a good 'informed' decision. Other markets can also be handled differently than the US... Just make sure you cover all of this with your TA so there are no surprises. It sounds like you might be locked in with the deposit and the assigned cabin. I do hope you get to enjoy cruising!

Yes, there are categories, 'I' for interior. and then the sub-categories.. I do not see why you couldn't do a switch to another available cabin of the EXACT same category and subcategory that shows available. But, the reality might be that very few, or none at all, will show as available. It really is a roll of the dice. If you have never cruised and would be just so excited to be on this Christmas Cruise, I would encourage you to go for it !!! But, know that these holiday cruises are usually at full capacity. So, you could be in that interior cabin that the system assigns. With no options. I think that is a great itinerary, especially if you have not been to these places before. I would love to be on that itinerary, and take an excursion from Tortola over to Jost Van Dyke.

It seems that there is no more 'HOLD" online. Can you place a hold if you call (or your TA calls) ?

Actually, cruise deck plan website is a good site to check out photos.

Check videos on Youtube!

Believe it or not, we have not seen all of these shows! We will be on the SUN next... so all new productions onboard. If we board Enchanted next year, then I would get to see Rock Opera... Which of the three are you experts favorite?

All ships, EXCEPT the Majestic (designed for the asian market) will have pizza on the Lido! We also just MUST visit Alfredo's when we cruise.

No, I very highly doubt.... A private island like this is a controlled cruise port. Unless Bahamas law means that anyone can walk the 'shoreline', even there. I don't know if Disney would have negotiated permission to secure the shoreline there. Disney Cruise guest, of course, can leave and see what they wish... just as we can leave Princess Cay. But, nobody without cruise guest, staff, ID can probably come back in. I have never left Princess Cays and re-entered. But I believe you would have to show your cruise medallion and ID? One could go over there, to a beach access, as close as possible, and start walking. They could possibly have fencing, rock barrier, that makes it more impassable??? I just don't see 'crashing' the Disney Private Beach.

I don't know if there is a link, or if somebody here is industrious enough to keep a list. Thanks!

We especially enjoyed our last visit to Princess Cay. rented our favorite Bungalow. Maybe not the most spectacular private island... But NOTHNG beats that sunshine, palm trees... Even the servers there at lunch were getting into the Island Spirit, and jamming to their Island beats.

The new shows on the Sun will probably rely on the new staging technology. So, I am just wondering if anyone has heard of new shows or changes on the other ships. Enchanted in particular.

I have to agree with the comments about the staff... based on our last cruise, which was last year. There were a few Princess 'fails'.... But, this was the best and most upbeat and friendly staff !!! We actually had 'Hot Rod' as our room Steward... Jooey at the bar at Crooners was great. Our 'regular' table that we went to in the MDR, the waiter was not overly jovial, but was just 'Spot On' when it came to providing service, and keeping up a good pace with the evening meal. I have to say that my favorite things about Princess are the Piazza concept.. And, the Sanctuary. Food... be aware that it can be hit or miss... Our last cruise, we were pleasantly surprised!! Most everything was good!!! In fact, our experience at Crown Grill specialty steakhouse was our least favorite.

Almost all of them!!! We especially enjoyed the unique drinks at Good Spirits. Wondering how we can special order something with vanilla vodka, pineapple juice.. for something similar to a Vanilla Sky at other bars! When there is a bit of nice background live music at Wheelhouse... Yes, great. Depends on the time, the vibe, and ones preference!

The Majestic was originally for the Asian cruise market. Even though it is not sailing there, the noodle bar is so popular that they have kept this onboard in that space. I WONDER, since the Majestic does not have the pool deck pizza, do they keep an ongoing selection available at the buffet? NOTE: to others who might not be familiar, the other difference between the Majestic and other ships is that there is no Sanctuary. This forward space is a covered, enclosed open area.

I just pulled up video and looked at these... they are like small open pergolas... I thought, is there some way that one could cover the top... But then realized why they are not true cabanas... the wind up there!

January can be 'iffy'.... We started our cruise in warm weather. Then, overnight, the rains that preceded a huge cold front came... Rains ended mid-day.. gorgeous and sunny... but water was rough and not clear... Not 'cold', but I like it warmer. Sunny and just gorgeous!!! hated to have to leave a couple hours after the sun finally came out! You just never know!!!! Sailing back, the temp dropped and dropped, and there were gale force winds from the North. I have to say, the ship handled that well!!!! But, yes, it became cold. Same thing on a trip a few years ago to the Cancun area in Jan... Started warm.. then RAiN and RAIN, and cooler temps. Watch the weather down there as this frigid front comes thru next week. Sub-zero, temperatures in the North... Single digits over night here in the Southeast. It is these 'clipper' polar vortex that might affect the weather that far into the Bahamas. Fine if there is no cold front. But, not so good if one of the January deep freezes gets that far.

Are you considering another cruise, with Princess Cay??? I hope somebody that has been more recently can answer! We have not been in the Fall (Sept, Oct, Nov...). Our last visit was in the winter, and there were no wasps. Could it be some kind of Yellowjacket??? (I do not know about tropical bees!!!) Anyhow, what you describe sounds like what we could see here with Yellowjackets. They com out and swarm in late summer and thru the Fall. They come out of nests that are like ants, holes in the ground. (not flying distances out of wasps nests in trees) If one can find where they are coming from they are easy to get rid of.

That is what I am thinking as well.... Same menu, at least for the most part... But the 'experience', dress code, average time for a full dinner service....

DHP.. Yes, there is on large three level MDR. But, do not think it is that simple... HERE: from the main page for the Sun Princess on the Princess website. A. DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE. FOR EACH LEVEL Horizons Dining Room We know you love great food, so we’ve elevated our dining – three decks high. When it came to our main dining room, we dreamed big...or should we say "tall"? Three stories, an elegant design, multicourse meals guests rave about and a different experience for each level.

What do you 'experts' think will be going on with the SUN in the few days after she arrives to the US at FLL? I am wondering if there will be some VIP thing of some sort, so that there could be Back 2 Back guests onboard?

I haven't followed this topic on the dining that closely, so I might have missed some info... Princess is promoting this new three story dining area as having different style/experience. Right? So, could I be correct in thinking that handling reservations with these options is the main factor that is holding up dining reservations on the Sun Princess? It does not look like these dining reservations will get working before those on the first cruise/cruises. I am very interested to hear about dining in this new three story huge dining room!

Esprit... 'Certainty' is definitely the exact opposite of the reasons why most would be eager to book an inaugural. Just sayin.... We are all here just discussing the differences and new offerings. Some we might love and be excited about, and some, not so much. Different strokes!

Thank you dudes... I have heard all of this, about the ' pop-ups ' the Catch by Rudi and the Butchers Block. I hope these are offered and are very good!!! I am hoping that this Inaugural Cruise works out well, and that you are so nice to post!!! Ombud.... I am looking forward to the deeper balconies on Deck 10 ! Those standard balconies are small! I also notice that there is a change of the deck chairs on the new ship. Not those blue, high back, sling chairs we always see. They are lower back, more like a regular chair with a separate seat and back... Each one with a foot rest.