Wishing on a star

Ooooops... Here is the link:

There have been a lot of comments on this! Maybe the experts will chime in. Isn't this a Club Class Mini. Whether you would want the Club Class benefits might also be a factor. There are videos of this cabin on YouTube. Here is an extensive video of this cabin on the Sky Princess. (sister ship) I think it can depend on weather. Wind and conditions. Some say the balcony was okay for slow scenic viewing like Glacier Bay. But, some say they didn't feel like they could use the balcony. I too would love the bow of the ship. But, an AFT balcony. (which might have to be a Deluxe Balcony or a Suite) would be a better bet for more comfortable relaxing and viewing.

We are the kind who look over everything, fairly often. You never know what could happen. Even with a good TA, or a huge or big-box, my husband is one, based on habit from his work, checks EVERYTHING! Many people seem to be reporting non-responsive AWOL Princess Planners. So, I wouldn't count on my Princess Planner to be on top of everything either.

We had a Plaza deck, Ocean View, one of the cabins that was added during a refit. We loved that, especially since these cabins were newer at the time. Huge window. Anyhow, we had thought and heard that everyone would be up on the open decks, and the Promenade would be less crowded. True. But, then realized that the view from that lower Promenade deck was limited being closer to the water. Think, view from a hillside compared to view from the top of a ridge. Higher was most definitely better for photo/viewing. When viewing glaciers from the lower level, the expanse of the Alaskan mountains will be less. I would do the Caribe, more extended balcony. Hope for some dryer weather to make the balcony more useable and enjoyable. Even if it half covered, cold rainy weather can be a factor. But, for the big viewing days, be sure to check out the viewpoint from the highest decks.

Loving the foodie photos, and living vicariously thru your cruise! "Some random dude....' Somehow that cracked me up!!! And, "uber tasty"!!! I think it was a Dark and Stormy we tried at the resort on Seven Mile Beach that we went to on one cruise. Not my ususal, but it was great! I will have to try more of these. Is it just me, or are these maybe the new 'tweaked' menus that I think some have posted about? This has been mentioned in a couple of threads a few weeks/months ago. Thanks again for your great posts!

Hahaha! I see what you did there!

Hey, I am okay if other adults have a Premium package and sit there with some gargantuan canival concoction, licking on a giant pin-wheel lollipop!!!! To each their own. Why judge. I won't be 'watching' and opining, however. No way would I ever want that thing!

The computer does 'do the work'. In that situation, they didn't have a medallion to work off of, sot they then input the info that they did have, and based on that, the computer charged. Maybe they should have been on the ball enough to see that the extra child passengers did have the package. But, based on what was entered, the computer did what it does. I don't know how they will work the seating. I don't have a lot of experience, but the way I have seen goes like this. There is a center front 'premium', or whatever they call it, area. While everyone can enter the theater, they cannot take those reserved seats unless they show that they have the reservation. Staff is usually there to handle and direct. Everyone enters first come first served. But, this means the reserved guests can enter at the last minute, knowing that they have a premium seat wating. While other late-comers have to take the seats up in the back, or be turned away.

I think you are right! But, some will.

I am imagining that the driver saw four people, assuming all adults, and came up with some way to charge about $10.00 per person, or the standard fee for the run for one party, for each couple. Not uncommon!

Don't company 'analyst' always shoot for the moon!!!!

Yes, I too have wondered just how much seating will be set aside for this 'reserved seating'. Somebody asked this back at the beginning of this. I don't know, but I would be surprised if over 20% of passengers were Premium Package. Only certain passengers would benefit from paying this higher cost. Also, there are multiple shows, At least two per night on at least one night. Right. And not every Premium passenger will reserve for every show. To me, I am assuming that reservations are required. That this isn't just a big Premium seating area, but actually, as it says, 'Reserved' seating. I would imagine that Princess would block off the number of rows to cover those who had actually reserved seats for that show. There might be a few extra seats in the mix, and there might be a few no-shows. (don't know why that many would reserve and then not make it. A few I am sure...) I don't know why Princess would automatically block off seats for all (just an estimate to throw out) 500 Premium passengers for all shows. I don't know how much impact this would have on availability of other seating. We aren't ones to want to crowd in stage-front anyhow.

Thanks! And, I see a mistake in my post, as it should say "harder to rig the system if they use a card". And Voyager is right... I explained all of this to my husband. And, the driver did not seem to be from this country, and barely spoke English. I had said, you don't have to leave the country!

They have now announced upcoming changes, as one person mentioned above. They are increasing the cost of the Plus and Premier packages (as well as small increases in crew appreciation/tips, etc.) If you don't have a Package that includes the perk of having the medallion mailed to you, then there will be a $10.00 fee to request delivery. To me, the whole 'Medallion Class' is all about the automated convenience. Not having to wait in lines, etc. So, I am one who liked that it was sent to me, and I could just walk on the ship. The lines might not be that long or time consuming. But, that is one less line to deal with!

I would want to see the itineraries, time in ports, and details! That might be just as important as the ship. I haven't seen the program yet, but am wondering if I can assume these Voyage of the Glacier itineraries are about the same as they are next year. I would want to see all the ships and their detailed itineraries.

I don't know if a minivan for four plus luggage is higher. But. Yes, the broken meter, or 'only take cash', thing are all to common. My husband didn't know, on our last cruise pre-covid. I was not specific enough to go over this with him, so when we get to the airport, it was "$25.00 cash". I think it is harder for the drivers to rig the system if they don't use a card. Driver got a very very generous tip!!!! He did get us to the airport and right up to the correct gate in very quick efficient time. But....

I believe that the Balcony cabinsextra berths will all come down from the ceiling. Great photos posted! The Inside cabins, however, will have those bunks mounted on the wall(s). Which, of course, is not ideal. If there is only one couple, should be able to have the standard Queen bed, and won't really notice the berths that aren't pulled down.

Are the only available Minisuites with that category, all there in that area above the theater? I don't know the answer, but I would imagine that the most noise comes from the front, stage area? Also, I have heard that the opening that goes up above the center of the stage, where curtains and props are above the stage can carry the noise. I remember hearing about the inside cabins above this on deck 10 could hear the theater.

True!!! Too far forward for me, with all the extra walking. Did that once, with a last minute booking, ended up forward on Marina Ohhh Myyy!!! Wouldn't plan on wearing nice shoes/heels to dinner. But Jean (if it is Jean posting) seems to interested in a forward facing cabin, which a lot of people like!

if you are talking upgrade to a full suite, from a mini, then for me that might be a bigger factor than which deck. If you would be going from a forward Mini to a Forward facing Suite, then, of course, you would be forward either way. Which ship will you be on? Which decks have these forward suites. And, which suites that in that upgrade category are currently showing as available?

WillTravel, I am glad you posted. That angled balcony there does make other balconies very visible! And, I haven't seen that mentioned much. Thanks! This reminds me that the angled balconies on Lido, L301 AND L302 also makes the nearby balconies visible. While this shop does not have the tiered design which makes certain decks overlooked by others, there are these exceptions. Hope this helps this poster. DON, I would say "Hopefully something naughty!!!". But, doesn't have to any reason other than somebody isn't comfortable with the idea of numerous other strangers could always be there, overlooking.

The Royal does not have the stacked, tiered design with dolphin deck, with the larger balconies on Caribe, that extend further than the balconies above. On Royal, none are extended, uncovered, and visible. Of course, on those other ships, the Caribe deck has extended balconies where they are deeper than others, so they are partially covered with the end of the balcony extended out, uncovered, and visible. The one issue might be balconies that are on the mid-ship bumpout under the sea-walk. Especially those on the starboard side. Those balconies on the upper decks do not have any privacy. Aft wake-view balconies will be different, I am thinking that some of them are only partially covered and visible from above. But I am not familiar with the details.

I am not an expert. But, with no clear answers here, I will try to help. I believe that the Ocean View cabins on Emerald deck are laid out like standard balcony cabins. The bed is on the side wall. With the curtains and a window where the balcony door would be. As shown above. On Plaza deck, they can be the smaller Inside cabin layout, with the window above the bed on the back 'outside' wall. I know there have been exceptions to this. I do not know if there are exceptions to this. I have seen some cabins with the balcony cabin layout on Plaza deck on other ships. But, I do not know if there are these exceptions on Plaza deck on the Crown/Emerald/Ruby. You can search online for cabin photos and cabin tours to see what comes up.

In a mini, the sofa is there at the balcony and the sliding door. (not to mention that in standard balconies, which are very small, the bed is just inches away from the sliding door.) I would not ever want to put the pillows at the bottom of the bed, because they would certainly fall land hit the floor almost immediately. Couldn't imagine wanting to sleep on a pillow that had been on the high traffic area of a cruise ship cabin!!!! Just seeing the sticky mucky stains that should have been cleaned with a good carpet cleaning steam machine. I believe it is quite safe to say that this poster has cruised before (multiple lines) and is very aware and has their reasons for choosing the cabin that works for them. moomsh, I hope you were able to make the cabin change!

I have heard that lost and found is not good at going out of their way to find and notify the passenger. At some point it goes off the ship into a huge mountain of stuff. If it isn't something like that passport where the owner has already advised staff immediately, before the ship embarks that evening, that they need it back, I don't know what the odds are. Might be interesting to hear from posters here who have had luck thru Princess lost and found services.