paluni

The ship is beautiful, but no quiet, basically. Loud music on the walking track, loud music in the Piazza, humongously loud music in the shows, music at the retreat pool. You can't retreat from the music. No peace and quiet. Princess' motto: Escape Completely. But I add, "but not from the music." I probably wouldn't go again on that ship because of that. Just no silence anywhere for those who like that experience.

We went L.A. to Ft. Lauderdale through the canal in November 2013. It was just great and the ship was great. We had a mini-suite which was great, since our daughter had an inside cabin and we had the nice balcony and room for us all when she came to our cabin. We had dolphin deck which was great - you can look straight down to the action in the locks. We had room service on the transit and it seemed to come in 5 minutes. So relaxing to sit on the balcony, listen to the TV commentary, and watch the scenery. I am sad to hear they will change the ship. I thought it was great and I hope it isn't worse after changing it. Maybe it will still be OK.

It would help to know the ages of your children and the family members. One thing, at Disney you have to "do" a lot. On a cruise, a lot of that is taken care of, they "do" it for you. You don't have to go far, it's all on a "plate" right near you. Especially a lot of food on a plate! You don't even have to take out your money usually. I was just in the Caribbean, and really liked that warm weather. Coming from Ohio, you probably would crave tropical weather in April. I hope the weather is nice in Orlando if you go there. I think your experiences have been draining, and Disney could also make for some draining, whereas a cruise could be somewhat restorative. You might be feeling that in your gut. Good luck with your decision. One thing, imagine right now you have made the final decision. See how you feel if the final decision is one or the other. That might tell you something. But of course there are other people to consider too.

Our cabin was B250. We could look straight down, a lifeboat did not block the view straight down. It was also near the front stairs. Rarely heard the bass of the band, but wasn't a problem. It was a good cabin for this ship. The sitting space and balcony are cramped, but it was tolerable.

I just got off the Regal Princess New Year's Eve cruise. This was the dressiest crowd I had seen in a long time. My husband wore a tux, but what was really noticeable was a very fancy level of ladies' dressing. Even the smart casual nights had lots of outfits that could have been for formal night! I think it was because it was a festive season, but also a large number of what seemed to be South Americans on board. Wow, did they dress! I started looking in my clothes I had brought to put together more dressy evening outfits on all the nights. It was quite fun and I enjoyed a lot seeing this unusually dressy crowd. It was great. This was a happy party crowd on this cruise, with many ages. Lots of young girls and little girls dressed to the nines too!

I thought the Caribbean would be more casual, but it was actually more dressy and formal. At least on this cruise. But people were relaxed and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I just got off the Regal Princess New Year's Eve cruise. This was the dressiest crowd I had seen in a long time. My husband wore a tux, but what was really noticeable was a very fancy level of ladies' dressing. Even the smart casual nights had lots of outfits that could have been for formal night! I think it was because it was a festive season, but also a large number of what seemed to be South Americans on board. Wow, did they dress! I started looking in my clothes I had brought to put together more dressy evening outfits on all the nights. It was quite fun and I enjoyed a lot seeing this unusually dressy crowd. It was great. This was a happy party crowd on this cruise, with many ages. Lots of young girls and little girls dressed to the nines too!

Well, that's kind of like a taxi. But it's cheaper and more reliable. I have not used either. San Francisco taxis are notoriously bad service. Check google for ways to get from X to Y place. They give great directions. Maybe the bus is good.

On Fisherman's Wharf. Pricey, but very good. Nice ambiance. We really enjoyed it.

See this show if you can. It is very funny and a lot of fun. It is topical and changes a lot over time. It is in North Beach.

Take a walk over the Golden Gate Bridge, if it's not a foggy day. It is a fun thing to do. You can walk just halfway over if you want; don't need to walk to the far end. Take a Hop On Hop Off bus the whole circuit to see everything, before deciding where to get off.

Wow, that sounds terrible! Can I ask, what ship/cruise line was that on?

If I do make a little train, I would make it very short for sure.

That sounds just terrible! And could have torn the dress.

I think when most thinks of "trains", they imagine a long, sweeping part of the dress...perhaps needing an attendant to help lift and move it! You do NOT want that sort of thing on a ship.

 

You do NOT need a ball gown or train to be "formal"....any evening dress will do....the slinkier and sexier, the better! Easy to pack and wear!

Yeah, for sure. I just thought, since I apparently have the fabric, I could have a little bit of "sweep" trailing out the back. Nothing like Princess Di on her wedding day going up the aisle! :)

I have to start sewing and altering to see what I really think.

Thank you for your reply.

This is a a gown with a sweep train.

As you can see it just drops slightly (by a few inches -not feet) in the back.

It did not get stepped on (even in a crowded elevator) and it did not get dirty at all.

 

Well, I will think about my dress. You look very nice, it actually looks like there is no train! If I do this, my dress will only drag out a few inches I imagine. I find it very interesting it did not get dirty? Wow, that's pretty good on the cruise ship. I was thinking of doing a little something to elevate the hem in back, like "float" it on a little something, like they do on wedding dress trains. Something just to elevate it off the floor a little bit. But maybe that is not necessary.

I probably won't do this, but I could have a short train on a long formal for formal night. This is a dress I'm altering for myself. It is 3 inches too long, maybe more, so I could have a short train in the back if I wanted. The dress is basically a loose column shape falling from an empire waistline; it is not tight or clingy. On one cruise I saw a lady with a short train on a full skirt. This is just an idea and I would like to get some reactions to it. The cruise will be a Caribbean New Year's Eve cruise on Princess. The dress is sort of a champagne color.

Well, I can probably look this up somewhere, but which side is *my* butter plate on in the dining room? I would sit down at a big table, the plates are close, and it wasn't clear which was my butter plate. My husband and I had differing opinions.

I read that some big designer - maybe it was Vera Wang - puts pockets in wedding dresses. Like an inconspicuous side opening in a seam. What a great idea I thought. You can't really carry a purse with a wedding gown but you still want to carry stuff.

This type of thing bothers me. Most of us are tourists at some time, and the politicians look at passing-through tourists as sheep to be sheared. I am embarrassed at how much San Francisco charges for "hotel tax" to people who stay in hotels. But hey, they're not local voters, so who cares, right?

Pretty soon nobody can go anywhere without being fair game to have your pockets picked legally, with fees and taxes for every little thing you want to do.

I had the greatest robe ever on a Princess mini-suite long cruise. I was looking forward to their robes again. Then, on a later cruise, the robe was like for a nine-year-old. Couldn't barely overlap. I figured it shrank like mad in the laundry. I didn't complain because I don't want to be a nuisance, always complaining to the poor stewards. It was livable. But lucky I didn't have to evacuate the room late one night. That could have been very embarrassing.

The picture at the beginning of this thread, that robe looks big compared to what I had!

I loved the canal trip (November 2013). But what was unexpected to me, was how much I loved the Gatun lake part. Nobody even mentions that. We glided through silently and slowly, for quite a while saw nothing else but unspoiled tropical nature, islands, etc. Not even other craft. It was amazing. A wonderful experience to sit on the balcony with the wonderful room service brunch. It felt like I was back at a time before man. How it looked for the first explorers. It also reminded me strongly of the Disneyland jungle ride!

I think you can get it various ways. You can get it in lumps, or crabs that you pick at, but I believe they are somewhat cracked to start. I looked on the internet before and there were many pictures of dishes you can get and the view from the windows. They probably have a menu online to peruse. During daylight, of course your view of the bay is better. At late night, could be black with lights. If you go to their site, you can probably ask them directly. I don't think you have to dress up so much, they are used to tourists. You can see customers in the photos too to get an idea. I don't know about the Crab House at Pier 39. On general principles, I would expect it to be even more informal. Some people were a little dressy when I went to the Franciscan, but of course they will take people any way. It is a major tourist area. Lunch time would be even more casual. I think you would enjoy this experience (but check prices beforehand). Read the reviews on google and yelp for some ideas. As something to do at night, you could go for a cocktail at the top of one of the downtown hotels and look at the views.

I second the recommendation for that show. It is very funny and good. Take an Uber or Lyft company ride to the show - much better and I think cheaper than a standard cab. The show is not far from the ship, but it would be quite a walk.

I really loved this restaurant. It is not real cheap, but it is close by at Pier 43-1/2, right on the water. Best to make a reservation if you can. A seat by the window is really good. I just thought the food was fabulous. Of course, they have other things than crab. I would be happy to go back there. They have an elevator, you don't have to go up the stairs if you don't want. The restaurant has been there a long time.

admittedly, slightly askew of topic, but what's the rule (proper etiquette) for guest wearing white to summer wedding? is it OK for female guest at wedding (not a cruise ship wedding ;) ) to wear a white/off-white/cream color dress? app. considered a BIG no-no in USA. interested in knowing if same 'rule' in other countries where brides traditionally wear white, off-white bridal gown, as I recently encountered this dilemna - or is it dilemma:confused:?

 

better stop here, only getting further off-topic & more spelling issues...but still interested in hearing what the cc fashion experts' have to say re: white at wedding, pls.:o

Well, I have always heard don't wear white, because it upstages the bride. That is her color for the day. I am going to a wedding in October in Napa and am trying to figure out an outfit, and I keep thinking of something white on top (yes, that seems ok even after labor day :) ), but then I think I am not supposed to do too much white, or maybe even any white, because that is the bride's color for the day. One thing I won't do is wear the now often-seen (fashionable?) black to a wedding, but that is a whole 'nother topic.

The more ingrained rule to me was no white shoes after labor day. I have to admit that I still feel this. Like, even if it is now considered ridiculous, I probably can't wear white shoes in the fall/winter. Growing up in California, this might be related to it doesn't rain in the summer. In the fall it starts raining and white shoes would get muddy easily. This applies only to nice shoes. I can wear light-colored jogging shoes and feel ok.

The explanations of the rich and their light white clothing in the summer in the 1800's seems to be a reasonable explanation to me. But, for whatever reason, white clothing in fall/winter is still kind of a taboo that you have to think about, to me. I guess white just feels summery and not wintry. And if you don't see other people doing it you are less inclined to do it yourself.

I don't personally believe in this rule now, yet I kind of follow it!

I bring a different formal night outfit for every formal night. Sometimes a piece might work on another night, sometimes everything is just on the one night. A lot of my things are lightweight and don't wrinkle, and it's not hard to do. I like the variety.

Maybe find a regular bra that the cups fit perfect. Then go to the store (fabric stores likes Joanne's have these) and buy bra extenders. They are separate hook and eye pieces about two inches long. You might need to extend the bra with 10 or more of them but it might result in a good solution? Or add a big piece of elastic in between just to get a longer extended bra. A fine department store might have a good bra fitter to help with this problem.