Wishing on a star

Princess needs to realize that this is a HUGE problem. From things like have been mentioned here, to AWOL cruise planners, etc.. etc.. etc... Things like the lack of cabin choice because of ridiculous 'blocking'. On and on and on.

Sorry to hear about the airlines and luggage problems!!! Interesting how food reviews can vary so much. Our last time on Regal seems similar to yours. Most food was very good. Steak and dining experience at Crown Grill, not so much. I do think that there is now a different Executive Chef onboard.

Looks like a lot of turnover on that executive board. Captain is longer Paulo, and looks like a new/different Executive Chef. That might explain the recent bad food review. Dining back in Jan seemed pretty good! (except for lack of edible steak!)

Okay, I found this https://thenassauguardian.com/disneys-eleuthera-cruise-port-to-open-summer-of-2024/ Disney Cruise Line will open its new cruise port at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera. Does not sound like any big joint venture. The article states that this is Disney's cruise port. And, "Disney Cruise Line will open its new cruise port at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera in the summer of next year, the cruise line said in a press statement released yesterday. That statement explained that, as promised, citizens and residents of The Bahamas will have access to the Lighthouse Point property, though for “non-commercial purposes”.

Thanks! That would be quite a little transfer from the ship over to their Disney Island. But, if that was the only place building was easily possble, then that could be what they are doing. If Disney is the only one behind this, then you could probably bet that their ships are the only ones that will able to use it. However, if this is kind a joint venture with the Bahama Islands, Disney, and Princess in there as well, then perhaps there will be docking for more than one ship at a time? I don't follow a lot of the corporate stuff, but I don't think anyone has hinted at Princess doing anything big at Princess Cays. We can only hope that Disney's new facilities will help Princess to see the reality from their supposed 'family' cruise perspective, and improve Princess Cayes, a lot. Not necessarily theme-park, but overall improvements to the beach, entertainment, and dining. That kind of thing. Needs it bad!!!

Yes, thanks! Also, I did try to send you a contact about the available cabins. Still haven't gotten any reassurance from my TA that they have really tried to get the area we want! You may contact me, too.

Wet down the bottom of the curtain before you get in. This will make it heavier, hang straighter, and not instantly cling like dry cloth to wet skin. ; )

Where exactly is this pier/dock? How large does this pier/dock seem to be. A dock that is large enough to be a cruise ship pier would be a huge project. The water would have to be deep enough. The Disney area is not on the Western side of the island where Princess Cayes is. It should be over on the Western side. It looks to be huge, and amazing, but of course very Disney. Unfortunately, I think everyone would have to agree that, even though most of us aren't looking for a full 'theme park' private island/beach experience. Princess is, like, the worst.

Mncrusin, When you say Leonardo, are you referring to an individual, or a tour company. I assume that you had a good driver, but not a licensed guide to tour the sites like the Vatican and the Colosseum. If this is an individual tour driver, do you have contact info? These are two different things. Tour drivers are tour drivers, and Licensed Guides, (like roman guy and city wonders) are guides within the sites.

Be aware of cancellation policies. I believe some (roman guy) have a credit or reschedule only (no cash refund). The Tour Guy/Roman Guy and City Wonders are both well established companies. If you see tours on one of the third party sellers, but know the tour company, you might want to check to see if it is better to skip any middleman and book directly with the tour provider. I would also consider booking both (or all) tours thru the same company, just to keep things simpler and more centralized. We are considering a Vatican tour with City Wonders.

Thanks so much for posting! Would it be okay if I tried to contact you?

When you say big-box, I wonder if you are talking about places known as big-box. Or generic for any major travel cruise company. I am not currently a member of the one big box that I am thinking of. edited: no... just got a hold of them and they do not show these cabins either.

That is very interesting! Would be good information for any future bookings!

I do not know which 'big box' agency shows, or has access to, more cabins. It is possible that their agents are trained to do the legwork required to contact Princess and get the cabin that is requested. I know of two big agencies that do not show these cabins that are blocked by Princess. Most recent example is the big Vacations travel and cruise agency. Princess really has a problem with this. And, we could be like the one poster above who mentions that Princess can, and will, lose loyal passengers over this. Know that Princess will block cabins for several different reasons. The fact that they have blocked ALL deluxe balconies for parties of three or more, even on partially sold cruises, shows just how bad, and totally senseless, this can be. Another reason that they block cabins is to set aside cabins for back to back cruisers. If the cabin you want is also a leg of a voyage that is back to back, check for the single leg, or the two or more legs that you are not booking. Good chance the cabin you want is shown there. We want a midship balcony on a Med cruise more than a year out. Guess what, tons of cabins left, but it wont show us one lower than deck 14. This is just another of the Princess customer service and business practice issues that are real problems right now.

This blocking and lack of any acceptable amount of cabin choices has become a very real problem with Princess. A huge problem. : (

On our last cruise, the beef 'filet' medallions and the prime rib were better than the steaks we got at Crown Grill. And, actually, so was the service.

By the time you pay for all of the transportation needed, to get to Rome, to the sites, spending time in line ( even with pre-purchased tickets ) There are many tour companies that offer "Rome excursion from cruise" tours. With the number of people in your party, you might be able to get a small group rate, less than private tours. You would essentially have a private tour driver, the whole way. Just as an example. I have no experience. But a commonly recommended tour service offers this. Rome in Limo shore excursion from ship to Rome ROME HIGHLIGHTS Mini van for up to 6 EU 600.00 NOTE: this does not include the entrance tickets to the Vatican or Colosseum. You would purchase these in advance. Either direclty, or thru a tour guide that is also a reseller. A licensed tour driver is different than a licensed tour guide at the sites. That is why you might be able to pre-purchase your tickets thru a tour guide service.

Of course the boat ferry/taxi that goes over to Oia is an option. But, no guarantee how long one would have to wait for it to fill up and depart. Couldn't know that in advance!

emckeeve, let us know how it all works out! We are specifically looking at a cruise at the beginning of May, which shows that we should be the only ship in port. But, considering priority tendering, which we might not have, and the large size of the ship, it does seem that it could easily take two hours! I am leaning towards making sure we book early to get a ships excursion that might leave the ship early. Excursions can sell out.

We are planning to arrange a private tour. I am sure that there are many good tour operators out there. PK tours gets a lot of great reviews. It might be a good idea to have a tour that can be responsive to your limitations and the things that you would like to see and do.

Yes, check out the mid-ship cabins. They can have angled larger balconies. We have been in the ones that are not really obstructed, on deck 8, and they can be a bit cheaper. Note: the system might not show you that any are available, if they are 'blocked' for three or more guests (deluxe balconies), booking both legs of a back-to-back sailing, sold as one voyage. It can take some creative searching, but if you see that some are available, then you could try to book one. Some have had luck requesting cabins, some have not.

I am with this poster. I have been wondering the same thing. If anyone has heard of a shared transfer that leaves Rome early, that would be great. We like to board the ship as early as possible and get settled in. My thoughts are, perhaps, finding another couple on the cruise roll call on CruiseCritic that might want to share the more expensive cost of a private transfer. Which could be arranged to leave Rome earlier. I just wonder how close our hotels in Rome might have to be. Gator, I am not sure what cruise line you will be on, and when they might begin boarding. We are looking at Princess, and all cruises we have been on have opened the terminal early, and began boarding priority guests between 10:30 - 11:00. I am thinking it would be about the same at Civitavecchia.

Why do we choose Princess? Well, with some of the cutbacks, and very real customer service issues, that is a good question. Here are our reasons. 1. The classic vibe. While music and activities are going onboard, Princess does not operate mini-cities or amusement parks at sea. 2. The Piazza. We really like a resort or cruise with a main central area to provide some kind of community and focus. Nope, the mini-city (big mall) concept of a strip or promenade is just not that. 3. Yes, the food on our last sailing was mostly good! Even though we have had sailings where the head executive in charge was maybe not the best, the food wasn't the best. Our last sailing the food was good. NOTE: just do not count on a good steak on Princess. We have had good Prime Rib and what they call Beef Medallions. Just not steak. 4. The adult Retreat Pool area and the Sanctuary. We enjoy those. The sanctuary is an extra cost and is a bit more exclusive, we really enjoy that. They are changing this up on the new ship. The Sanctuary does not have prime real estate with a 360' view. As those who book the Reserved, or whatever they call it, class, have access to that area. Aft facing instead of forward. However, there will be a major public forward facing area now, on the Sun, that is open to all guests. That is a big plus. 5. Itineraries. This might not always be the case. But often Princess will have good itineraries with good time in port. Some lines have port times that are short. In Alaska, which has been menioned, Princess cruises Glacier Bay. Which is limited access, and not all lines have a lot of itineraries there.

Glad to see that this is making more international headlines. Thanks for posting this here. This place has been warned against many times on sites like this. Too bad so many tourists just don't know. The locals and authorities DO know. But, alas....

Where did you look up the info on other ships in Port that day? They should have the arrivals spaced out. If you do not get there until 2:00 you might be the last one to arrive?