HUNKY

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?

Enjoy the perk while it is in effect, but don't cry if it disappears! Elite cruisers most likely can swing a few bucks for cleaning!

Not Elite on any line, but laundry is really not that big of an expense in the grand scheme of things. I admit I felt very odd ironing while on vacation the one time I didn't send my tuxedo shirts out for pressing.

If you are Elite on a cruise line, I would think you might have status on an airline and be able to bring extra luggage at no charge.

Disney's Castaway Cay has a functioning post office. It is only open a few hours each day a ship is docked.

As I was relaxing on the adult beach I missed getting my postcard stamped and mailed.

So, I thought I'd try something. I slid my postcard and two dollars through the mail slot. That was on December 7th, the postal worker properly stamped it with a Bahamian stamp, it was postmarked on January 31st, with a Castaway Cay, Abaco postmark. I received it back home in the US in early February!

Unlikely as Eleuthera has fewer than ten thousand people on an island over 100 miles long. It is very undeveloped compared to New Providence, where Nassau is located.

Hmm...I see an opportunity for Princess to monetize the departure process.

For only $100 per cabin, be the first off the ship. This WILL include luggage service and a personal escort, or course! No charge for passengers in a premium suite.

Carnival already has FTTF (first to the fun) which gets guests onboard early.

I personally don't use the ship's internet much, other than checking in or changing my return flights, but the improvement in speed will be appreciated!

Looking forward to sailing on the Regal (hope Pam is right)!

There is the possibility that your airline will change your flight to a different time.

My original US Airways flight was departing at 11:20AM, that was cancelled and automatically rebooked with a 12:58PM departure.

Plan ahead!

Many airlines allow the purchase of priority or expedited "first class" security screening. Sometimes you can purchase an upgrade to first which also includes quick screening.

If you are concerned about a taxi, a limo could be waiting for you at the port.

Worst case scenario, you miss your early flight, and you wait in the airport for a bit.

Another reason to have online dining reservations available before boarding, with "some" times held back for onboard.

There are several different types of Uber. Uber (black) are licensed chauffeurs of luxury sedans and SUV's.

Fire...you are referring to UberX, where ordinary folks drive their personal vehicles. Ride sharing, like paying your friend for gas when they take you to the airport.

Anyways, as Uber is not a taxi, but a prearranged service, I don't see how/why those drivers would need a "hack" license.

So, is Uber (black) in Ft. Lauderdale yet?

I'm good with traditional or anytime dining, just wish I could reserve my specialty restaurants in advance online from home. I can't imagine anyone would think of walking up to a popular or iconic restaurant in a major city without a reservation.

While they are at it, go ahead and allow online reservations for the Sanctuary, Enclave and Retreat cabanas.

I'm not too old, or young, but I love being able to do things online. By myself, without a travel agent (51 btw).

Rotary - As of now, Princess does not have advance reservations for their specialty restaurants. :(

At least we don't have to pay in advance for our booked shore excursions!

Just make your reservations at the same times as traditional dining. There will be an early and late show, sometimes a third later at night. Generally, 7PM, 815PM and 10PM.

As the economy improves, you will see a reduction of OBC and perks. Both of these were used to increase overall revenue. Just look at how airline frequent flyer programs have changed!

Refunding in cash of OBC is just stupid on a cruise lines part. The "cost" of OBC is what Princess pays for the item, alcohol or excursion. In other words, a $100 bottle of perfume paid with OBC probably costs Princess only $20 or so. To refund $100 OBC in cash, costs Princess $100. BIG difference.

I would use my OBC now, don't rely on it being available for future use.

Good review!

Were there delays for paid laundry service?

The prices for lunch in Europe don't seem out of line. It's very easy to have a $20 per person lunch at the Guggenheim in NY, or here at the NC Museum of Art (although with tax and tip).

Regarding the airport, here at RDU only private vehicles are allowed to drop off at the departure level. If you are in a shuttle bus, taxi or limo, they only drop off or pickup on the first floor arrival level.

Ibfern - According to the Port Authority webpage for LaGuardia, same thing. Your bus was not allowed on the departure level. I'm surprised they didn't have porters, or at least those rental carts.

YES

Travel agents are "sales" agents. There are incentives to book particular cruise lines. Incentives vary by season, number of cruises booked, commission rates, etc.

As such, agents benefit by steering their customers to particular cruise lines or voyages.

I imagine the soot emitted from the Regal's stacks are due to the use of bunker fuel which is high in sulphur. As allowed by the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Upon nearing the US and Canadian coasts (200 miles) the Regal and other cruise ships must use cleaner fuel with a much lower sulphur content.

As of January 1, 2015, cruise ships must use even cleaner fuel. The soot problem should be self correcting. However, transatlantic and transpacific voyages would again have much higher levels of soot.