Wishing on a star

The OP might be talking about something a little different. But I will take a shot at this. It isn't quite the same as motion issues like motion sickness because of higher seas, which might be felt more on forward and higher decks. And can be caused by the rising and falling up and down motion. I have Vertigo. I don't have motion sickness usually. I think this is more connected to a visual thing. It is not like motion sickness linked to the inner ear, or what is sometimes referred to (very incorrectly) as fear of heights. When one is there at a window or cabin sliding door, when the ship is underway at a good speed, that feeling and visual of everything just whizzing by backwards can be an issue. It is hard to describe. But it is a unique and tricky neurological thing. This isn't set off by the balance system in the ears, but in the visual system. Here is an example... We had so much fun at a waterpark on one of the big family/group rafts that goes around and around the big 'bowl' before plunging 'down the drain'. Second time I did this, the raft was turned to where I ended up going down backwards the whole way. WHOA!!!! didn't want to it again after that..

Yes, Good Luck! Should be no problem with a switch. Enjoy cruising on Regal Princess!

C401 should be facing forward. C402 should also be facing forward. Cabins, in almost all cases, will alternate, back-to-back, with the electricity and bathroom/plumbing in the shared wall. There will not be electricity and plumbing thru a firewall (where you see the little doorways in the hallway) So, I think it would be 100% that C401 and C402 would have the bath, and bed, on the Aft wall, thus facing forward. : ) The deck plans that show the door hallway indentations should confirm this. Both should be great mid-ship and mid-deck cabins. They are not adjoining cabins, and should have no noise from C336 or C337. I don't know if this is true, but the only thing I have heard about having a cabin that is directly on a firewall is that there should be threshhold there in the hallway across the firedoor , and room service carts, like in the morning with all of the breakfast and coffee orders, might clank and rattle a bit as they roll over that, and maybe can be heard inside.

I am happy to help! I looked at the deck plans, and caculated, by counting back and forward from the fire-doors shown on the deck plans, and believed that this cabin has the bed facing backwards, not in the direction that the ship is sailing. Once you have your category and cabin assignment, you should be able to move to any AVAILABLE same-category Mini, with no problem. You will find an excellent video of this cabin, at sail, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Kua53dbmE&t=157s PS: yes, 'stock' photos and graphics will not be specific.

It is nice to see that sparkling Moscato. Wine experts would think we are just awful, but we like moderately priced white wines. We usually bring some onboard. Years ago, when DH asked for a sweet white, they brought Rex Goliath!!! Seriously... Uggghhhh! Probably as much for that glass of wine as that cheap stuff is on the shelf by the bottle. I think it is pretty much thought that the wines are not the reason to get the drink package. Maybe Premium, IF they will find some good ones onboard?

Thanks ScottCA! I have not cruised Carnival, but had posted above. You named many of the choices better than I could have. I hope this poster has had some time to weigh out the differences and make a good choice for their cruise!

Sandy, I do know that the sofa can be made into a bed without pulling it out. I have never done this, but when thinking about traveling with a third passenger, I had looked it up and found photos. I believe they remove extra cushions, and can place a mattress from a pull-down berth on the sofa. Also, I am not sure. Maybe you will get more first hand info here. But I think if you look for a mini suite for four (assuming you have three?) The fourth berth, which could be used by a third person, would pull down above the sofa. So, this would leave the sofa undisturbed. And, would not fully block the access to the balcony.

Hi! It sounds like you might not be familiar with the cabins on Princess. The standard balcony cabins (BA,BB,...) and the standard size balconies on this class of ship are pretty small. In, fact, the standard balconies are considered to be very small. The difference between a standard balcony cabin and a mini would be really considerable. You can look up cabin tours, online. The mid-ship cabins that are mid-ship on the bump-out will have a bigger/deeper balcony than standard. Also, 'Premium' balcony and deluxe balcony cabins will have a larger/deeper balcomy. I am thinking that you have not found a way to book a Deluxe Balcony for the two of you. I do think that can be done. Does it show Guarantee only when you search for two passengers? Do some Deluxe balconies show up if you search for three or four passengers. For us, a deluxe balcony meets our needs and expectations. We don't really feel that we need a suite, but the bit of extra room and seating in a deluxe balcony is great. We like to find the ones with bigger/deeper balconies. If you will be spending a lot of time enjoying relaxing in your cabin, room service, etc. Then a Mini might be the best cabin for you. It all comes down to your expectations and preferences!

Full disclosure... I have not sailed Carnival. But, I think it all comes down to some of the details. I might consider a new Carnival ship. They do look VERY nice! And, they have a lot more to offer in food venues, vibe, etc. A lot might be your preferences. What are you hoping for in a cruise. What are your favorite things about being on a cruise and a cruise ship. Which destinations/ports do you prefer. For me, just myself, I would have to say I would never sail Carnival if it were a shorter itinerary, and older ship, or if it were during a time when a lot of young adults and families sail. Think middle of summer, spring break, holidays. I think the demographics would make that decision for me. As always, that is personal preference. (Edited to change this... I now see that you have sailed Royal Princess. So, that is a sister ship, and very very similar to Regal. Regal has the Aft pool.) Personally, I really love Regal. And these are the factors that explain why. 1. Central Piazza hub. International Cafe and Coffee bar, Entertainment, etc. 2. The adult retreat pool area, which on Regal has not been enclosed by cabins like it has on newer ships. 3. The Sanctuary 4. The vibe, which decidedly is not really what I would think of on a Carnival 'fun ship' party cruise. What Carnival might have that would be different or better??? The casual dining venues and offerings. A more 'fun' active vibe. Standard balcony cabins, and the actual standard balcony size on Regal are small. That would be another thing to look at and compare, which cabin you would be getting on the ships. Start a paper with a plus and con side for each cruise. Sleep on it. And the one that fits best might become an easier choice!

Perfect! Great minds think alike! (I will decline to mention that my husband has sometimes been MY 'packhorse' Hahahaha!)

Lizabu, what size is that little Princess Cruises bag. So perfect for cruising! (unless it is bigger than needed for cellphone)

Some are Club Class, and some are not. If this poster is booking for next year, and sees one of these Minisuites that they like, and that is club class or not, I would suggest that they book that cabin while available. The number of these with larger balconies is limited!

Yes, mid-ship, with the angled balconies. If you don't absolutely have to have the mini, then look at Premium Deluxe Balconies. You will find these on the Aft wake-view cabins. And, on Deck 9. On the mid-ship mini suites, be aware that you might not want to be on a higher deck, with the overhand and the Sea Walk just above you. On the Aft wake-view cabins, note that the balconies on some decks are larger than the balconies on other decks. As always, be aware of what is just above or below the cabin. Happy Planning!

Often, the system will not let two passengers choose one of those deluxe balcony cabins. It might just say GUARANTEE. You can see which of these are actually available by putting three, and maybe even 4, passengers in the stateroom when you pull up the sailing. I have heard of people booking the GTY and then calling Princess or their TA to get a cabin assignment. I have also heard of people booking with a third 'extra' passenger, and then later cancel that person. I don't have any details, but that is what seems to be going on. Good Luck! Also, note, just to be sure you are aware, not all Aft Wake View cabins are equal. Some, on some ships, some decks might have bigger, deeper Aft balconies than on other decks. And, as always, look at what might be above or below.

If it is the Christmas holiday cruise, is it already almost sold out? That could be an issue. Those cabins might be getting heavily booked. If you do different searches with different number of passengers in the room, and still none show up for you to choose from, then I wouldn't know anything you could do. Some TAs are better at knowing how to go into their system and get the cabins and rates and perks. And, some are not. If you do see cabins that are showing for more guests than you are booking for, people have talked about making the booking with a so-called extra passenger, and then just cancelling that passenger. I have also heard of people calling and having their TA or Princess Planner go ahead and assign their GTY booking to a cabin. I would assume that if you book a BA or DA or MA, which are usually those mid-ship locations, you would get, AT LEAST that assignment. But, remember, they can also assign, for example, a good BA guarantee to a non-prime location deluxe balcony. At least I think it might work that way. It is true that Princess has been choosing which cabins to offer to different number of passengers. And, I have seen several times where no deluxe balcony cabins will show up. Only GTY. This can happen even when almost all of them are still actually available on the sailing. Not when the number available are limited. but all of them seem to be marked for larger parties. Don't know if Princess has their system this way on purpose, if there is a problem or glitch, or what.

Hopefully Princess learned their lesson with the Curtis Stone thing, and has a limited contract with this so-called 'celebrity' brand. Are they not seeing this as competition for their Gelato? Even the name SMIZE doesn't sit well with me. Where did that come from?

Thanks everyone! I have another question about Crown Grill. About the seafood. If you order the lobster tail, as the entree on the seafood menu, do you get one or two? Has the Sea Bass been available? I think I am seeing that it hasn't been available lately. At least on some ships. My husband has wanted to try the beef chop. I think it is like a prime rib steak??? And, that would definitely be enough for the two of us to share!

To the post just above that quoted me. Ummmmm..... all-righty then. No further comment.

And, if we are talking about enticing families onboard, let's look at the very limited kid's menu. I hear that they do not even offer the spaghetti and meatballs any more?

I will also tell you how this is backfiring and keeping adult couples OFF of Princess. In an effort to appeal to families, they are actually NOT allowing guests traveling as a party of two to choose a cabin when booking Deluxe Balcony cabins, an ENTIRE category onboard. A category which includes cabins that are desirable because they are mid-ship, Aft/wakeview facing, etc. Now THAT is a problem. That is something I would take issue with.

ALL cruise lines are well aware that underaged passengers do not spend money in the bars and in the Casino or Spa. Many still cater to, and market to, families. This doesn't need to become an argument, or to start personal attacks. ALL cruise lines do not allow anyone underage to sail without an adult. Many kids sail in the same cabin with their parents. That is a win/win, as long as the parents are onboard. Lines are thrilled with any increase in number of passengers, of any persuasion. Any passenger is a passenger. (Unless you are a line like Virgin) It is a very simple numbers game. The more guests onboard the better. If parents/grandparents feel more comfortable bringing kids onboard to sail on Princess, maybe the parents will also end up paying for alcoholic beverages, visiting the spa, or the casino. This brings us to a big issue with Princess. With staffing and supply chain issues, by most all accounts, if any ship is sailing near capacity, there are real problems and service issues. If Princess wants to keep their ships full by getting parents to bring the kids along, then they should be prepared to service a FULL SHIP and all of the kids onboard. I, personally, based on what I am hearing, do not believe that this is true, at all. And, Princess doesn't seem to want to acknowledge this issue.

Ohhh, okay! I do know that there are some threads with this kind of contact info. Also, if you were to find Kim online, maybe she could give you a recommendation? Good Luck.

MichiganF made some insightful comments. I think that the sentence mentioned here is a basic generality, not a TOTAL assumption. No need to mis-read. Many families will, and do, choose Carnival and RCI over Princess in the Caribbean. So, I would think that those comments were a fair statement. I have sailed the Caribbean on Princess, and the number of kids onboard seems very very low. Single digits maybe. Yes, there are more now, during Summer. But, guess what. Princess isn't big on sailing the Caribbean during the summer. I don't think Spring Breakers are lining up to book Princess. I just don't see that. And, yes, many families have kids who are easier pleased, laid back, and maybe overwhelmed. There are cruise lines for everyone.

Is this on a current booking? If so, did you make the booking recently? Based on the total lack of Customer Service with Princess right now... I might suggest that you do a quick search for this persons name (which should not actually be mentioned here on CC, so if possible you might want to click the three little dots on the upper right which will show you if editing your post is possible) In a search, type in that name followed by travel agent, and see if you might find the TA that you have liked working with. Nothing beats a good TA, whether they happen to be with Princess or not.

Jane, yes, I can see what you are saying about the so called 'bad connotations' of cruising. But, you know what, I do not, ever, make my decisions based on 'ideology'. If I wanted to fly to Europe and see one specific area, then that is what I would do. If I wanted to see more places and sights in Europe and enjoy being at sea and everything that cruising has to offer, then that is what I would do. If people are going to fly to Europe on an airplane, stay at hotels or home/villa rentals, use transportation to get to sights and places that are not walkable, eat at restaurants, etc... Then..... well.... Each generation is going to have their own incentives and desires. Right now, TONS and TONS and TONS of people are choosing to cruise. Could that change, for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe. But, right now, the demand for cruising does not reflect that. More ships, ports, sailings, every year.