hehny

Just got off Royal in Port Everglades...crowds were so huge that they did not allow non plat/elite guests to board with traveling companions. at one point, it was so congested that only elites and suites were taken through priority. there were some very irate plat members but it didn't seem to matter.

The ultimate ship tour is done by lottery...you are notified the day before (if I recall) if you are excepted. Suites get priority but they are unlikely to take all 4 of you. We traveled in one suite and our daughters in another but only the adults were chosen. On our tour, over half the ticket holders were from suites so it is definitely an advantage.

They are pretty strict about who gets suite amenities...you have to be booked in the suite to qualify. Linking the bookings won't matter. So if you and your husband split rooms, only those on the manifest for a suite get the amenities, even if you change cabins on board. If your kids share cabin, they won't be able to eat breakfast with you in Sabatinis. You could always join them in the MDR but breakfast is the BEST suite perk Princess offers.

I booked a midship suite--- never again. I literally watched my bag move across the bed, the vibrations were so bad. I had heard the rumors about Eurodam, but have never had a problem with seasickness or rough waves and figured it wouldn't be a problem. But I love napping on my cruises and unless we were stopped in port, it was bumpy and hard to sleep. That was my last trip on Eurodam.

They were on in the summer. If the blinds were open, it reminded me of Las Vegas. Some posters have complained, so if you are sensitive I wouldn't book these cabins. Most posters said they had to keep the blinds shut all night.

For five minutes, you should be OK. I've booked EZ check with a 5-minute difference. It'll probably depend on the number of applications and who is processing them.

 

I always bring an extra printout of my air e-ticket so everything can be stapled together. I note/circle anything I want to bring to their attention and I always make sure I hand it in ASAP and don't wait.

It's not princess that makes the ultimate decision, it's the airlines.

Ditto for the other outside spots..we just kept moving around.

With the advent of the internet, I don't think the deals you once got are as extraordinary. Know your market before you go-- Dh is a watch collector and didn't see any huge deals (in some cases, like where more tourists tended to congregate, the price was higher!!!)

I was there over a year ago and unless things have changed, wouldn't go on foot. I didn't think it was pedestrian friendly. I love walking but didn't feel it was safe. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Just MHO.

Bring ID. Passports preferably. Too many stories on Cc about bve being turned away for lack of documentation.

It must have been very disappointing not to get in the Sanctuary. However, I have a hard time believing they pre booked until someone can actually verify this happened. There are many posters attesting to the popularity of the Sanctuary: high demand and low supply means there are no guarantees. I know plenty of people, elites and suites, who tried to prebook and were told no.

In my experience, the retreat cabanas are usually available.

The sanctuary cabanas are first come, first serve and tend to sell out quickly. My advice--- as soon as you board go up to the sanctuary. If you have preferred boarding and arrive early, you should be okay. There are only a limited number and it is just the luck of the draw.

I was on the second sailing in a suite and the concierge thought they could reserve it. Turns out demand was so high they tried to be equitable and I was told to go up to the sanctuary IP. Got there around 1 and sea days were booked as were loungers. I was able to book for a port day by 2:00.

From reading the boards, most people are aware of the need to go book on boarding. I would expect a line. Try to board early.

I've found Cunard is great with wait lists for room categories. I got taken off twice to get what I wanted after a late (4 weeks) booking.

We had a family of four and checked in on the first day at the same time. That way everyone got to know us. There were times when one person other than the booking cabin went down. It was not a problem. I should add in addition to the cabins, you got two loungers immediately outside.

Most people have learned to book as soon as they are on board. If you don't have early embarkation privileges, you are likely to be disappointed. Just prepare yourself!

As far as I know there is no pre booking, not even the concierge for suites.

If you want to book for half a day, and want the second half of the day, would you go up at 8ish and book the afternoon? Or wait till the afternoon session starts around 1ish??

 

I'm finding it hard to not want to go book "just in case", but we are not "sit on loungers" type of people, and may want to try it once or twice during the cruise - so just want to try to understand how it all works. :D

It's first come first serve, and booking begins on embarkation day.. If its something you think you will want, you need to book early. I wouldnt recommend going day of because you will likely be disappointed. Most book for the entire cruise.

But in all honesty, if you are not 'lounger types' I don't see the appeal. There is no pool in the sanctuary.. It's service and ambiance.

You may want to have a tour once inboard before you decide.

Good luck!

Sailed the Royal in July and booked a cabana for the day. We were never asked to leave at lunchtime, maybe this just applies to loungers? Seems odd that you would have to pay a premium and then asked to leave?

Anyway, they sell out fast--- loungers went first, especially during sea days. We got on at 12 and the only thing left were cabanas in port for a med cruise. Made the mistake of thinking since we were in a suite, concierge could reserve. Had to go up IP- first come first serve. By the time we got up around 2, huge line and many disappointed folks. So if you really want to get in, go early!

It's lovely, though, and would highly recommend!

The earlier you get there, the better chance you have on picking a cabana. Try to schedule any shore excursions in the first run, when we went they were running over half an hour late by9:00. This could interfere with plans of joint excursions. Also, they sold out of the clamshells before the cruise began so reserve as early as possible. Similarly, there aren't that many cabanas and they also go quickly.

This was my first time traveling the eurodam. I thought I would just offer my own report on the vibrations having come off the march 31st sailing. I had already booked the cruise by the time I discovered the Hal board on cruise critic so I wasn't aware of the issues.

The vibrations are quite apparent, particularly since the seas were so calm. I was situated on deck 7, midship and it was quite strong. I left a bag on my bed and watched it move. Think an electrical toothbrush. The tv and pictures kept shuttering. I felt it on all decks. we did have an isolated storm one night and I thought deck 11 was going to erupt.

I love the rolling nature of the seas and this spoiled it. I also found it hard to relax with my body constantly shaking. I am not prone to sea sickness so that is not the issue.

Obviously, everyone has a different tolerance. But I had read posts that decried the vibes and just wanted to offer my take. It is definitely noticeable and I would not recommend this particular ship in part because of this issue.