HUNKY

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.

I totally agree!

The four Florida ports I've departed from understand guest satisfaction. Port of Tampa, Port Everglades, Port of Miami and Port Canaveral all do an excellent job. I was in NO WAY impressed with departing from Bayport outside of Houston. San Diego was convenient but the facility itself was poor. Although I understand they now have one modern pier.

The only improvement I can think of for departing from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale would be to have a light rail connecting the airport and cruise ports.

MSU...it is VERY important to note that this service is ONLY for flights departing AFTER a certain time. I believe 11AM for domestic flights.

From what I understand, cruise lines do not make money on the base fare, but on all the extras. Especially alcohol and the casino. Many cruise lines have great rates on the short five night voyages. That way they fill the ship, which is paramount. Empty cabins produce zero revenue.

Correct, they put your stateroom number and name on a tag which is placed on the bottle. In no time your bottle appears the next evening!

My former boss, who was always well dressed, wore a Rolex. I figured it was authentic based upon her title and the size of her office. She chuckled when someone complimented her on the watch. She said her husband, who was a pilot with Delta, would pick up a fake Rolex for her on the streets of NYC about once a year. They always seemed to freeze up after about twelve months. It was probably just the battery, but it was easier just to toss.

Enjoy your watches, and hopefully their batteries will last until your next cruise!

Late seems to have more advantages to us than early. I can't remember ever eating dinner before 6:30PM, especially at a restaurant. There are fewer children and fewer guests at the late seating. They never need to rush your table to get ready for the next seating. We aren't farmers and need to get up before sunrise! No need to rush back onboard ship after an excursion. Who wants to have cocktail hour at 4:30PM, that would mean getting dressed for the evening at 4PM or so.

Since you are paying top dollar to go over the New Year's Eve holiday - I'd book a Disney ship. Second choice NCL. Princess would be last after RCCL and Carnival.

Hmm...guess I have to hope no one wants the Sanctuary or Chef's Table on my Regal cruise. Thought the BVE would be my ticket!

There's still time for Princess to take the leap and make those options available online though. I'll just watch CC, the news, and my cruise personalizer.

We are in the same exact situation. I've been watching the My TSA app for security wait times, so far so good. If average wait times increase over the next few weeks I might book a limo or use Uber since there would be no line. On Sunday 03 August 2014 at 9:15AM checkpoint E the wait was 11 - 20 minutes, for instance.

It would be AWESOME if Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport got together and built a light rail system since they are so close!