Wishing on a star

Thanks so much for your help here! Looks like we will take an organized third party tour... If we can't extend our time on JVD.

Ohhhh sorry!!!! Yes, wrong island forum!

My searching shows that there are no food or other amenities at Linquist Beach, but it is a State managed area, with a maintained bathroomsand shower facility. That is a big 'plus' for me, as long as bringing drinks/snacks will be enough.

Thanks!!! This is one time that we will have a larger balcony, as well as the perfect situation with an evening in port at sunset and after dark. That is the big reason we are considering this kind of thing.

To me it looks like the balcony will be similar in depth???? We will start getting feedback and videos in a few weeks! Yes, it is always good to check deck plans... In almost, ALMOST, every case, the word 'premium' will be a larger balcony... (not interior) but a larger deeper exterior balcony. ( or premium deluxe balcony ) The size/depth of the balcony on AFT wake-view cabins on most ships can vary (which the SUN does not really have these aft balconies)... They can be deeper on some decks than others.... however, these can be 'premium' even if they are not larger, because of the AFT wake-view. We have gone round and round, with a lot of confused information on this. Which is not good for those who are newbies or are just not familiar. But, it really is very simple.

You might check when you first board. I understand some ships will not sell out every spot beforehand. We did our ship's excursion to spend time on Trunk Bay. These are very convenient, but usually leave only a very short time at the destination.

This is months out, but we have a cruise booked where we know we might consider having supper on our balcony. We plan on checking out some of the Sun Princess specialty dining, and might not want to splurge to book Balcony Dinner. We will have Plus, not Premium package. Can anybody give me some quick info: What are the current Room Service Menus like? What would the fee be for Room Service Delivery? Thanks for any info!

Perhaps there is a misunderstanding? And, perhaps you are seeing what others sometimes see, and that is, well, not so good customer service with some Princess reps. When did you make the booking? And, are you past final payment? The PROMO has been that, for many categories, one can get a cabin that is the highest sub-category. So, one would get a better SUB category, but not a higher full category, such as OV to Balcony. So, this would look like this... GTY balcony which is MID-AFT, is the same price as the ones that are AFT. This is shown in the pricing online. If you are to pull up your cruise online, and act like you are making a booking and selecting cabin, is this how the pricing shows? How does this compare the pricing you were given on your booking?

Sprite... I do not know if anybody can say that they have seen Princess checking for age at the Retreat area. I am sure both of your teens would be fine to spend some time coming and going. My thoughts would be this... might they find that they would become restless and bored after a while anyhow? Also, with the limited loungers on busy days, I would hate to see loungers taken up, when there is not a person using them most of the time.

Those are not really 'cabana's on these newer royal class ships. Just frames or 'pergolas'. On other threads it is mentioned that they could not have the covers or drapes as it would be way way to windy up there on that deck. Many people like adult pools that are shallow, that they can stand in while they have their drinks in hand. I am NOT one of those, but as I am, well, vertically challenged, (okay... 'short'!). The shallower pools are good enough for me to take a dip and cool off. It is the deep ones where one is almost limited to the stairs or pool edge!!!

It has been a while, but last time we were on Regal, which we LOVE, we were on Deck 8, one of those that are sold as obstructed, but no real obstruction. The bed was our ONE complaint. It was insufferable. I know that they were changing out the beds on all ships, Regal was last, starting with suites, minus, and upper decks. I will SWEAR that the beds in these lower cabins had NEVER been changed out. You all remember the horrid mattresses, prior to the Princess Bed... Add a few years on to those... I actually sent feedback to several top management emails about that bed. I had even asked beforehand, to be sure, that all beds had finally been replaced. They had said yes. I SURE HOPE THEY DOUBLE CHECKED AND HAVE NEW BEDS IN EVERY SINGLE CABIN!!!!

Yes, Premium refers to that larger extended balcony. (cabin should be standard) And, yes, this balcony will be enormous. My only consideration would be the wind, in that location. In one of these that is forward facing, I am thinking like sticking your hand our the car window when driving down the road. You can go online to cruise deck plans, look up the P&O Iona... You should be able to see there that some of these have videos posted... click to view them on YouTube. Slightly different interior cabin, of course... but very very similar balcony. Here is a video...

I am no expert, but most flight bookings might have 'changes' with a FEE. I would hate to book this kind of international travel with a totally locked-in ticket, and no insurance.

Kiwi... I am sure that your plans were not big on spending time in Rome, in the winter... And, your flight 'changes' will be to. get you home. Perhaps there are some silver linings there, somewhere in these clouds.. I can see that a big 'strike' could have an impact. Perhaps Princess was expecting to take delivery? The ship is probably all but ready... But, close can be heartbreaking.

Assuming a 3:30 all-aboard... Would it be a risk to plan for the 2:00p.m. Ferry back from JVD, and pre-planned taxi/transport waiting to drive us back to Port? ( Sebastian's Transport )

For anyone who is considering doing the excursion on-your-own (because port times do not work, or because the other excursions offer such limited time on JVD.) These seem to be options to get to West End, and the link to the JVD Ferry. This transportation/taxi service seems reputable and recommended. Sebastian's Transport service. https://www.transportbvi.com Link to the ferry... https://newhorizonferry.com This video shows what seems to be a nice, large, ferry that makes the run to JVD But, does not indicate New Horizon Ferry service?

Yes, on the deck plans, when you pull them up, look for the place, on the left side center, where it says, show connecting cabins. This should show when you are looking at any deck that has staterooms on it. Of course, finding a suitable pair available, the way Princess has lost their mind with their evil and over-controlling system that only shows 'certain' rooms available. (and often these are every-other-room in a section... so connecting does not even show possible....) That is an additional problem all together.

Just, for those of us who might not be sure... I believe that there are three kinds of 'additional charge' restaurants' now, Casual - like Alfredos Specialty - like Crown Grill, Sabatini's Experience - like 360'. I think Love might be an Experience venue. Special Chef's Table, Wine Pairing, etc. must be 'Experience' Can we assume that The Catch and Butcher's Block are 'specialty'??? Therefore, they would be included for those who have this as a perk.

Have you been to St. John? There should be a ships excursion (if not sold out) a catamaran, with all included, that goes over to Honeymoon Beach.

I am not an expert... I will say that, since they are YOUR money, pre-paid... (not a 'non-refundable, this sailing only Promo) my guess is that they are refundable. But, I think that these will ONLY be credited back to the gift card. Which might be a hassle. If possible, you might want to use these in a way where there will not be any need for a refund.

If they are like Yellowjackets, they do not make nest, like wasps nests in trees... They are like their ant 'cousins' and their nest are burrows/holes in the ground. And, they know, from miles around, where the sweet drinks are!!!! And it isn't too hard to find those holes nearby. They are probably not around right now, because if they are like Yellowjackets, they swarm when it gets late Summer/Fall. Maybe even in Bahamas??? And, yes, when they swarm, they are bad!!!! We have had a couple of Yellowjacket nests here, and DH and DS took bottles, with a little something like wasp killer, or gasoline or kerosine, and dumped it right into the opening, and leaving the bottle to block the opening. That takes care of the problem, one easy step.

I still do not think Music Walk would get me to choose HAL over Princess. And, I wonder if it is true that the actual play-lists are that tightly controlled? The new Ascent does look amazing!!! And they do have that wonderful looking adult area. Checked out a comparable 10 day itinerary to one on the Enchanted, well over $1000. more. ( Leaning towards Enchanted with that being the kicker )

Speaking of the Sanctuary, it looks like that higher deck, with Park 19 and the jogging track could actually overlook down over the Sanctuary... I do not see that as a good thing. Will be waiting in line for the doors to open, get cleared, and rush to see I we can reserve loungers, just the same... But, no way can this be as great as the Sanctuary on the first Royal Class ships. Especially since the wake-view is Signature ONLY. Looking at the bright side... being located where it is, it might not get closed down so often due to wind!

Something tells me that the double-high blue glass has to be there for some real logistic reason. Perhaps it is only because that whole exposed open deck area would not really be useable when windy at all, or underway at any higher speed??? When you look at these photos, it is amazing. how wide and 'open' that deck is. Maybe some people would appreciate the more enclosed/protected space? When one is on the pool decks, or the Sanctuary, etc.. (except for the very AFT) there are always wind barriers to navigate and higher glass.

Wow, that seems to be a problem more specific to that cruise and ED/CD... The PTB onboard should have addressed that!!! Some of the best music we have seen on Princess has NOT been the onboard scheduled entertainers. But when the ships staff, those who play instruments and sing, get together and put on a show one night. The first time we saw this take place was on the Regal, pre-pandemic. They hyped up the show, they were gonna have ROCK music in the Piazza, and they were gonna play it loud, as god intended. OMG, it was great!!!!! Another time, it was a similar occurrence. They were setting up in the Piazza that afternoon, and doing 20 second clips of songs to make sure everything was good to go... It was like "More!!! More!!!...