Jezabel2924

Last year we made our final payment on January 29 for both the cruise and insurance.  On January 27 my Husband had a Doctor's appointment that resulted weeks later in a decision in late February to do major back surgery the first week in April--not even close to the "day surgery procedure" we were expecting.  We had to postpone our April cruise until August.  We thought because of the Dr note and the fact that there were many tests in February before a decision was made that we were good.  Our claim was denied as they considered it a pre existing condition since his first appointment was two days before the final payment.  We still received a partial refund and the rest in cruise credit which we applied to our next cruise.  This year we waited until it had been 60 days after any and all appointments and paid for the insurance when we were clear of anything that could be deemed pre existing.

We were on the two day tour with TJ last summer and can not recommend them highly enough!  The meals both days were very good--a chicken dish one day and beef stroganoff the other. (there were accomodations for anyone who needed another meal available)  Our guide was able to navigate us around the lines and through the venues thoroughly.  We also did an evening tour to a restaurant and Nevsky Prospekt.  We had a small group with two other couples.  Great way to see downtown at night.   Lots of walking everywhere but so worth it.

I had booked the first leg for our trip and was going to use points for the second....then changed my mind and decided to use EZair.  I could not enter the second leg so our TA had to call Princess.

I always check EZair and compare pricing and options.  For our upcoming cruise from Dover we booked EZair into London non-stop for $300 each and used points for the return flight.  

Here is what we had on the Pacific Princess for the embarkation lunch on May 12th.

We just had 7 gift cards--that's what we tell the kids to give us for Christmas and I take advantage of the AX offers--applied last week to our cruise just before final payment.  I faxed the numbers and the pin numbers to our TA and it was taken care of.

Very common and yes, we had it happen once.  You will be fine.

13 hours ago, zumbagold said:

My carrier for my iPhone is ATT.. They offer a phone plan for $60 for land use while on our Baltic cruise (under 30 days) . It includes Russia. Has anyone used this plan or do you have suggestions. Unlimited texts, 1 GB and 35 cents per minute for calls are offered. Thank you for any input!

I used this plan last year for the Regal Princess Baltic Cruise and will do so again this year for an 18 day cruise.   The $10 a day plan does not include Russia, which is why I selected it.  It worked beautifully and I basically had my regular service every day in port.  I kept the roaming data off and downloaded only when I had wifi.  We did the $10 a day plan for my Husband.  He checked email with wifi and checked for any messages a couple of times.  I used my phone as our "local number" for contact from tour operators.  Enjoy your cruise!

The Travel Agencies have a "window of opportunity" of about 3 weeks to offer the books with a deposit.  Princess generally will provide this to the agencies several times a year--I think it's 3 but I could be wrong.  They usually try to coordinate the offerings  with their Travel nights or a special Princess event so it is not offered at the same time of the year at all agencies.  The Big Box company that we have used just had the booking event last month when we booked and we did receive the coupon books for our next cruise.  I just checked and it is not being offered for bookings right now on the Big Box site.  If you use a traditional TA I would ask to be notified when their event will be coming up, if this is something you would like.  The traditional TA that we previously used always had this for their big travel show in November.

3 hours ago, MishelleMcc said:

Been wondering but too timid to ask... until now...  I have read many comments about how frustrating it is that there are not hand-held shower heads on some Princess ships...  (We have a Balcony cabin on Grand Princess in December)  Has anyone ever requested a hand held shower head in advance of a cruise?  I know they have them in Accessible cabins so wonder if they carry a supply they could resource.  Has anyone ever brought their own?  https://www.lowes.com/pd/danco-versa-spray-white-1-spray-handheld-shower/3435526?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-rpe-_-google-_-lia-_-208-_-faucetrepair-_-3435526-_-0&kpid&store_code=1785&k_clickID=go_1793722707_69617672392_346785651483_pla-378238830212_c_9033248&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dnmBRACEiwAmMYGOcYLAPFz_WvZitQ55UYfb2VMq_10ykR2fA6NaaR5nE-kPd-XsHLHwBoCJb4QAvD_BwE

 

Thank you!

I brought one once but it would not fit over the tub faucet.  😞

I think that with a child you would be better served by a Private Tour for your family through TJ, Alla, SPB or any of the major tour companies.  The Hermitage is diffcult to navigate with a small group (we had 12) let alone 45 people.  I also think you would have an easier time navigating the last 3 hours with a Private Guide, as well.  Check into what they offer as it might give you the freedom you are looking for.

Yes, we had a full suite and it had two sliders, one of which was near the bed.

We have enjoyed Club Class three times and would book again if it was available and within our budget.  Last year we did the 11 day Baltic on the Regal and had Club Class.  The waitstaff was amazing.  The Head Waiter made some fabulous shrimp entrees, pastas and appetizers each night.  We had a surf n turf dish available as an extra one night that was the best steak I have had on any ship -- even in the Grill.  We had the same waiters for breakfast, as well.  Breakfast was so peacefull and so good!  (Although, we've had the Sabatini's Breakfast before and nothing beats that!)  We are on the Pacific this summer and the mini suites were out of our price range but I'm sure the dining will be great on this ship.  When we travel with our friends we would not get Club Class as they prefer to travel in an inside cabin and we would want to eat with them in the MDR.  But when we are alone we like a two top that can get us in and out of the dining room quickly for the evening events!  Enjoy your cruise!

1 hour ago, denmarks said:

Is the Chef's Table still available and what is the current cost? Does it still include photos and a cookbook?

We did it on the Regal last summer and it was an amazing dinner!  It included the autographed cookbook and a photo with the Chef and Maitre D.  It is a lot of food so don't eat much during the day!

We did the Regal Princess last summer and it was a fabulous trip.  The ship is wonderful with so much to do.  

4 hours ago, bostonphil said:

I have credit cards with chips but no pin numbers. Did you need a pin to use your credit cards?

We were not asked for a pin anywhere.  They would print out a receipt that we signed.

1 hour ago, IrishLassie said:

Can you change your cabin, & how many times, without an extra charge, in the same category?  The reason I ask is that our agent put us in a different cabin on a different deck then what we were suppose to be in.  I think she just typed wrong!  (she's on vacation right now).  We had 2 cabins together with our friends & they got their's right but ours is wrong.  I did get it changed to the same deck, but now I see there are 2 together up one deck, so not sure if I can change again!  Little upset about this screw up!  We're all celebrating our 40th. anniversaries together so that's why we wanted to be nx to each other.  (sorry for rambling on!! LOL)

You should have no issue changing cabins if the one you want is still available.  We just did the exact same thing earlier this week.  Our friends were placed in the cabin to the right of us and the cabin to the left of us had a much larger balcony--same price.  They were moved over with no issue and no charge.

Make sure to check the carry on weight restrictions for your airline.  We were on one last year with a 15 pound restriction. 

https://www.tripsavvy.com/carrry-on-bags-size-weight-limits-1861874

We did this cruise last year.  We used a card with no transaction fees for everything from hot dog carts in Copenhagen to taxis with  no issues.  I took some Danish Kroner for tips and small purchases in Copenhagen (about $200) as we were there for 5 days and used the last of it at the farmers market buying Danish cheese to take home.  We took some Euros and brought back about 200 which we will use this year.  In Russia our Tour Company advised that any tips could be in Rubles, Dollars or Euros.  We had no need for cash in Russia except for the toilets.  Our Guide was prepared for everyone who did not have Rubles or Euro coins the one time that this was needed.  Enjoy your trip!

We have done 4 cruises north and 2 south.  We have only experienced one cruise with water that I would call rough.  We have gone in May,. September and November.

My Husband bought a black Russian hat --and we bought a stick pin medallion for the front--at one of the stops our guide took us to.  He was offered hats made in  a variety of furs from mink ($600)  to rabbit ($60).  We went on tour with TJ Tours and I believe this was a gift shop that they stop at regularly.  We stopped at one gift store each day for 20-30 minutes of shopping and both were excellant large stores with a great selection.  There are large selections of nesting dolls in the cruise ship terminal gift areas at the port.  There were some hats, but not the quality that we saw at the gift store.  Enjoy your trip.

We have booked Eddie Manning for this transfer/tour from Dover in August.  We found another couple on our Roll Call to share the cost.  We are both leaving from Heathrow the next day and staying at airport hotels so it was perfect.

https://www.limo.co.uk/dover-canterbury-leeds-castle-heathrow-sightseeing.htm

Does the Sterling Steak House open on the first night or the second?  Thanks!

29 minutes ago, sms714 said:

Going on a Baltic cruise do I need to bring currency of the different nations to use for bathroom breaks or can I use dollar bills? Also do the taxis in Copenhagen take American money? Thanks

We were on this cruise last year and found that a good credit card with no transaction fees worked for us--even at a Danish hot dog stand on the street.  We used cards for Danish Taxis.  I secured Danish Kroner (we were there for 5 days) and Euros before hand. ( I purchased about $450 total in currency and came back with 200 in Euros and 0 DKK) A lot depends on what your touring plans are.  If you have tours with a company either direct or through the ship you will need less cash, IMHO.  If you are doing HOHO buses and other DYI trips you may need more.  We had direct tours in each port--some included lunch and some did not.  Cards were accepted in all venues. The guides were able to assist with coins for the restrooms, if needed, or took us to locations with free facilities.  None  took USD but in Russia they did take Euros in some places.   It's good that you are doing research ahead of time as buying currency and reselling can be an unecessary expense.  Enjoy your trip.

Another vote for the Marzipan shop in Old Tallinn.  We brought back a mixed gift box.  There is also a caramel shop in Porvoo, Finland that is very good and a passenger even brought a small suitcase to take home caramels!