fishfire

12 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

At Sabatini’s for breakfast. Slept great last night. I just love the rocking of a ship! Puts me right to sleep. Ready to start the day!

I love Sabatini's breakfast! I'm sooo jealous!  Thank you for this Live feed.  I'm so enjoying all of your posts. 

21 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

Got here early which was good. It’s going to get hectic due to lack of space. Moved through the TSA fast. Now waiting to be able to check in. I have not seen a suite lounge like on NCL. Disappointing in that regard.


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I was surprised to see the priority lounge picture you showed for NCL.  Princess just has a section of chairs roped off with a priority waiting sign.  In LA the seats weren't quite as close together, and were arranged in a square so everyone had lots of legroom. When in Seattle the chairs were in a section right by the entrance to the ship and there was coffee, water and snacks. 

On 3/28/2019 at 5:03 PM, HBCcruiser said:

 One week+ and counting until spring break vacation and our Royal Princess cruise to the Mexican Rivera begins. To be honest, this is actually Part II of a comparison thread between the NCL Star and the Royal Princess. Both ships sail out of San Pedro to the Mexican Rivera. The NCL cruise was over Christmas December 2018. That LIVE thread and review can be found here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2614275-live-comparison-ncl-star-12-21-18-vs-royal-princess-4-06-19/

 

I am doing this because first, I thought it’d be fun, and second, people have the choice to cruise NCL and Princess out of San Pedro so might want a perspective on both lines. Of course, this is only one person’s perspective so there’s that!

 

I am not going to go too much into the who I am.. background thing – that was covered in the first thread. I will be traveling with my mom this time, though, not my DH and DDs. That is a good thing. She is easy to travel with and we like the same things.

 

So - Who’s ready for some FUN? 

HBCcruiser,

Bon Voyage!  Have a great cruise.  Thank you for the comparison posts.  I am traditionally loyal to Princess,  but have booked a NCL for New Years 2020 with a group of friends. I will be reading them both in detail now that I have found this thread.  I board the next week on the 13th.  I'm very interested to know if ship time and local time match at the ports.  I did this cruise a few years ago on the Ruby, but it was earlier in the school year and they did not always match. Can you please let me know if that is the case on any port days?

I’m a teacher and must cruise during times when families travel. I usually cruise Princess and find it is a more “adult” experience, but still has lots to do around the ship. I’m trying Norwegian for the first time next year because I’m joining friends.

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I get terribly seasick and love to cruise. I have to use a multi step approach. I get the patches from my doctor and I always book a balcony. When the patch doesn’t do enough to help, I add the wrist bands. I also sit up out on the balcony and look at the horizon. Laying down is what you want to do, but it will make it worse. I actually find black licorice works even better than ginger or green apples. I can get “seasick” watching television and as long as I prepare I am fine. Also stay away from the pool if the patch is not being completely effective. Watching the moving water from all the people in it can tip you over the edge. Don’t worry, I’ve learned this over many, many sea days (or tender ports). Last time I cruised my friend got seasick one day and I was fine. Watch the alcohol intake, it can also cause the seasickness. The patch increases your tolerance for alcohol (you will not feel as drunk as you are), and that can lead to alcohol poisoning, which is why you are not supposed to drink while on the patch.

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The car rental prices in Mexico are very inexpensive, but the insurance is not. Liability insurance is mandated by law for rentals. The insurance was twice as much as the car rental fee.

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I was just at Xcaret a couple of weeks ago. They have three underground rivers. I recommend the river Maya, since you will probably only have time for one. Save time by wearing your swimsuit (changing room lines are long). You put all your belongings in a locked bag ( more secure than the lockers) when you pick up your life vest. I wouldn’t bother with the mask and snorkel, these are man made cenotes (still fun though).

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It is good to have a backup plan in case you don’t make the first Ferry. The Ruins in Tulum are very different. It is the ruins of the original city of Tulum. Closer than Chichen Itsa is Coba, the temple in Coba is larger, and you may climb it. We spent about 2 hours there and some of our group climbed the temple. You will still spend most of the day in travel, but it is nowhere near as crowded and there was no line to get in (saving about 20 or 30 minutes).

Just something to think about.

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Going to Xcaret for only a few hours is like going to Disneyland for only a few hours. I was just there a couple of weeks ago from opening until closing and feel like I saw only a fraction of the park.

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Basic question. Is a mini suite on Princess actually considered to be a "suite" with amenities as outlined in this thread -- a complimentary dinner, etc.? Thank you. I've booked a mini suite on a short coastal cruise -- just to try it and surprise my DH. Your input is appreciated.

A mini does not get the perks of a full suite. The cabin is larger and you get a bathtub (important to me).

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If booking one of these cabins is the Exclusive Elite Lounge available to us and if so what is in there? would that include free drinks?

 

 

 

Is this up to date as to what is included.

 

 

 

Here's the list of suite amenities:

 

 

 

Expedited Embarkation Process-

 

Preferred Anytime Dining Reservations --

 

Personal Shore Excursion Reservations --

 

Complimentary Laundry and Dry Cleaning -- w

 

Canapes --

 

Exclusive Elite Lounge --

 

Dedicated Purser's Line --

 

Breakfast in Sabbatini's -- t

 

Luxury mattress, duvets, pillows, robes, slippers, towels, etc. --

 

DVD player and library --

 

Lotus Thermal Suite --

 

Flower Arrangement, Corsage and Boutonniere on Formal Night --

 

Complimentary Mini-Bar --

I love the elite longe, you don’t get free drinks, but there is a list of drinks that are discounted ($5 or$6). Each drink is assigned each night and paired with an appetizer, but you can get any of the drinks on any night for the discounted price. There are also always raw vegetables. I rarely eat in the buffet and veggies seem to be rationed on the dinner plates, so the elite lounge is where I get my daily veggies. It has never been crowded on the 7 cruises I’ve frequented the lounge. The wait staff there is usually exceptional.

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Children of any age are usually full fare, meaning the same price for 3rd person (which is less than you and your wife). Sometimes there are sales for third or fourth passengers or specifically children. I've never sailed Cunard though, so not sure about the sales they offer.

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I was in Cartagena on Christmas Day on our Panama Canal cruise a number of years ago. It was one of my favorite excursions. We saw the most amazing Folklorico show.

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Thank you, I really enjoyed learning more about Estonia. I'm looking forward to my visit there.

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You log into the cruise personalizer on the princess website. You log in with your name and booking number. You can book excursions, specialty dining, and pay for your cruise, gratuities and anything else you want in advance. You don't have to wait until you board. There is no wrong way, or specific order you need to do these things. Cruise critic is a great place to get information. Research the ports on the ports of call threads. The planning is half the fun. Enjoy yourself!

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I only tip at the start of the cruise if I make a special request, like can you make sure I have ________ everyday of the cruise. If I make a request that is over and above I will tip prior. I then tip after to reward excellence, if deserved (so far all but once).

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I was very sick after I got home from the first five cruises even though I frequently washed my hands and used airborne. I then stopped eating at buffets and carried my own hand sanitizer to use after using handrails. The last two cruises I have been fine both during and after.

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I also take several medications and worried about proper documentation. I don't take the prescription bottles, but I do take a piece of paper with the sticker that comes with the information about the mess from the pharmacy. Each sticker is about the size of a return address label.

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This was a great question. I'm really enjoying (and cringing) reading the craziness.

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Thank you so much for posting the patters. I'm going on this cruise in April with a friend who has never been on a cruise before. Everyday she thinks of another question to ask. Now I'll be able to answer some with more specific information.

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I've never sailed on the Sun Princess, but I have contracted Noro virus on 3 different cruises. I took steps to ensure I don't get it again. I carry my own sanitizer to use after holding handrails (I have balance issues and need the rails). I also quit eating at the buffet except when it first opens because it is impossible to monitor all passenger behavior. I haven't had it since taking these steps. It is important for people who are sick to seek treatment and keep to themselves while contagious.

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I'm loving your blog. Your pictures are amazing! Now I need to tab this cruise in my catalog.

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I suggest you try places like Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, and Ross. They often have things from last season or from over the entire last year. You may be able to find what you need and get a bargain at the same time.

The Coral is my favorite ship. I love the library and the game room. I've done 3 inland passage cruise tours and one round trip from Seattle. My favorite excursion of all my trips was when I stayed at The Kenai Lodge. It was out of Soldoltna. I took a floatplane to a lake and then fished for Salmon, while watching the bears fish where the creek enter the lake. On the flight back they flew low over glaciers. A number of groups do this tour and the bass boats take turns being closest to shore.

I agree with everyone who says 2 nights in Denali. The Natural History Tour will only show the wildlife you can see at your local city park (birds and rabbits). In my experience time moves differently in Alaska. Because of the constant daylight and the wonderful scenery the long tour doesn't feel as long. I hate being on busses, but I could have stayed on twice as long. My favorite Princess Lodge is the one outside of Talkeetna. The state park ranger will lead free nature walks. I also did a horseback riding excursion there. My favorite activity though was going into Talkeetna and hanging out with the locals. Such friendly people who love sharing with Tourists.

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Thank you so much for this review. I have a friend that has only cruised RCCL, I have cruised Carnival and am Platinum on Princess. She wants me to do a DCL with her. Maybe I will after reading your review.

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