HUNKY

I see that beverage packages and coffee cards can now be purchased in advance online. Do you think they will begin to offer precruise online specialty restaurant and Sanctuary reservations/purchases too?

I really did not like having to beeline to the Sanctuary on boarding to make our reservation for the week. (Although, thanks to the couple who decided not to book the awesome spots on Regal last December.)

Have to disagree about the "overflow" terminal - a tent is not very modern, and a muddy temporary floor is not clean. The fog and Noro cruise WAS memorable!

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/510/thumbs/Bayport_Tent_Interior.jpg

Try the Fossil website.

$55

STYLE: FOS3013S0003

Bayport cruise terminal is nice, but too small. You may be waiting in the overflow tent!

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/510/Bayport_Tent_Interior.jpg

Uber Black is awesome!

My other half got in a fender bender with a cab several years ago, surprise, surprise, the cab driver had NO valid driver's license! Competition is a wonderful thing...

Is the Enclave open 24/7?

The Bayport Cruise Terminal is too small for modern cruise ships, even though it was built just a few years ago. As such, you may find yourself waiting OUTSIDE the actual terminal in a temporary tent! No heat or air conditioning.

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/510/Bayport_Tent_Interior.jpg

I would be amazed to see USDA Prime grade beef in the Crown Grill. The menu would most definitely state Prime if that is what is served.

ALARM! On vacation???

Thankfully not concerned with tying up my credit, but I always use a card that has "closed" for the month a day or two prior to the end of the cruise.

I then have almost two months to withdraw funds from the kid's college accounts and pay the card off!

How much does the Crown Grill or Sabatini's charge for a no show, or late cancellation?

I'd expect to see that status would also have to be earned each year or two to maintain whatever level. Which means if you take an extended break from cruising, you would actually lose your status.

Of course, the cruise lines could monetize the upper level perks. Similar to Carnival's "first to the fun", or US Airways "Preferred Access" offering priority check in and expedited security lanes. I can see having paid access to the Elite lounge, even as a lowly Blue Card holder!

My expectation on any mainline cruise ship (Princess, Celebrity, Disney, Royal or NCL) is 3 star quality and service. Once in awhile, decor or service is a bit better, but still not 4 star. A buffet can only be 2 star due to the lack of "service", not because of the food offered.

Yes, a cruise line can do 4 and almost 5 star. Certainly Remy on Disney, and Murano on Solstice and Century are worthy of 4 stars. When only two are dining, wine pairings are a FANTASTIC way to go. Although, we have finished nice bottles on a second or third night in the main dining rooms.

We cruise about once a year, maybe twice. We almost always fly in the day of the cruise when leaving from the East Coast. Why? Since we would have to pay for a hotel, food and transport. Over time we would have spent as much as on a cruise.

Cruising with folks who may never cruise again, we fly in the day before.

Thanks for all the info!

Might just have to bring a bottle of some good wine on board too!

Near what port?

As all cruise lines have pros and cons, and everyone's expectations are different, please detail why you hated Getaway in comparison to your Princess voyages.

Because wild caught salmon, Florida grouper and swordfish prices start at about $13 a pound!

In the United States barramundi boneless and skinless filets are $6 a pound, much less than ribeyes or sirloin strips.

Princess' per diem per passenger is most likely well below $20 per day.

As Princess plays catch up with technology I expect that their offerings will be better executed from the start. To meet customer demand Princess will have to have a pre cruise reservation system in place. In addition, full payment in advance for excursions and specialty dining will improve cash flow and purchase forecasting.

These changes may be uncomfortable for long term Princess guests, but they are inevitable - IMHO.

Gosh, I didn't get a smartphone until 2012!

Action stations, no defined line, pop in and out. More spread out.

Similar to the Solstice class on Celebrity, or a Vegas buffet.

Hawaiidans wine prices remind me of the "King of the Hill" episode where Hank was getting the special deal of paying sticker price for a new car and not one penny more!

Although I imagine wine, like everything else, is a bit more expensive on the islands.

Margee...as you are leaving from California you should have no trouble finding Caymus Special Selection before you board. Two bottles per cabin can be brought onboard without a corkage fee.

Ok, any idea how much taxis charge per minute for waiting in Ft. Lauderdale?

I know the trip between airport and port is about $10-$15, but I'd like to know how fast my shopping spree needs to be!

In response to Caulder60... I would suggest tipping for each individual night at a hotel. Most likely a different maid will service your room over the course of a week. Especially if your room is serviced at "off hours".

In response to Raxter54... "In America, being a waiter/waitress is not considered a good job and most likely attracts a less than enthusiastic group of workers." While this statement may be true at cafes and pancake houses, four and five star restaurant servers are considered professional wait staff with commensurate income. (Look at my cruise history for example, btw I'm a waiter). 18% of average gross sales of $1,200 per night is not too shabby.

If you frequent the same crowded bar or club on board ship, an extra dollar or two in cash will work wonders. As in, most bartenders will serve you immediately without a wait during a busy evening. Try it!

If you can put up with the soot problem you might be interested.

Ask what specific cabins Princess is offering.

Thanks to our friend Google Maps, I noticed that the North Port entrance is off the 17th Causeway at Eisenhower Blvd. Just before Eisenhower is a Chevron gas station/mini mart, there is also a Publix grocery store at the Harbor Shops.

We are taking a taxi from FLL to Port Everglades and would like to pick up a 12 pack of soda, and some snacks along the way. Is there a convenience or grocery store along the way?