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This sounds like a great plan.

@KmomChicago I run cold, always, so my tips on what to take might not be helpful but things I was grateful for on our Quantum cruise last month are: 1. A light jean jacket to wear over every outfit 2. Black boots which went with most everything I wore so added extra protection against drafts. 3. Two hoodies 4. Spanx faux leather leggings which I wear with a hoodie for day and glitzy top at night. Easy, easy outfits which were warm AND they worked with the boots. What I wish I'd brought: 1. My cruising pajamas instead of beach cover-ups. On warmer cruises I take t-shirt type cover-ups to sleep in and was on auto pilot when I packed so went with those. My sleep cover-ups aren't worn outside of the room, they're in case I order early morning room service and want to appear fully dressed before opening the door. Would have much preferred my long sleeve, full length pajamas this time. 2. Fuzzy slipper type socks to wear in the cabin and to bed. I should have brought 10 pairs, one for every night...didn't bring one 😞 DH laughed at me when I packed the jean jacket but apologized after I received several compliments from other women who obviously run cold like me.

Yay, I've been looking forward to this.

One thing to consider is that a 7 day will most likely give you a newer, better maintained ship with more amenities. Our first cruise was a 4 day out of Long Beach on one of Carnival’s older ships. We had a good time but it wasn’t an experience I felt I needed to repeat. I did however want to take our son on a Disney cruise. At that time, 2003, they were only sailing out of Port Canaveral. No way we’re flying from Sacramento to Florida for a 3 or 4 day cruise on the Wonder. Took a 7 day on the DCL Magic and discovered I LOVED cruising! DCL isn’t my cruise line of choice any longer, I’m more a Princess or Cunard customer, but I’m thankful for that first 7 day cruise. I always tell people to do a 7 day over 3-5…better ship, ports, activities and a much better idea of what cruising is really like.

I love sea days. I’m a reader so love the uninterrupted time to immerse myself in good books.

Princess definitely needs to address it. It doesn’t bother me to ask someone to use earbuds but I shouldn’t have to. It is beyond rude to expect others to listen to your music choices.

I don't understand why bare feet are any worse than shoes? His feet have most likely been washed in the last 24 hours while his shoes could be carrying traces of dog feces, urine from a public bathroom from three weeks ago, etc... I agree no feet on a table but I wouldn't want shoes on there either. Hopefully his feet have had a pedicure recently but that goes for anyone wearing shoes that show their feet.

If you have the drink package they have energy drinks on board. I "buy" a couple each day to start the next morning.

I reached out to Jen Wright earlier today and she handled the cancellation of my bookings promptly and professionally. It is very unusual today to find the excellent customer service she demonstrated, it makes me even more of a Princess fan than I was. I didn't cancel because I thought the offers were unfair. I thought Princess handled a mistake...like all of us make...ethically. For those that say Princess shouldn't have erred, Princess should this or that...let's give them some grace.

How do you get it to list all cruises according to fare price? I logged into my account but didn't see that option. Thank-you.

Haven’t gotten the email on ths one yet but we booked inside guarantee. I checked and we still have the Plus package. I didn’t book this till Thursday morning so possible I’m late getting the email.

Good post. We're just off Quantum and the food was just ok. It looked good but no substance. Margerine instead of butter, bread which tasted cheap, desserts which consisted of mostly gelatine, etc...Well, the oatmeal raisin cookies were good 🙂 They need to spend more money on the food. I buy quality groceries at home, why would I want to vacation and spread margarine on bread? Eat cheap ice cream? Or cheese which is dry around the edges? Don't get me started on the skimpy cream cheese on the bagels in the Windjammer or the green glop masquarading as guacamole. How many times can they serve Spaghetti with Meat Sauce as a main in the MDR...many times it seems.

Just booked a 17 day Greenland and Canada on Emerald Princess. Killer casino deal, $0 which included plus...obviously happy about that...especially since I never gamble 🙂 I dearly love a promenade deck so really looking forward to this. Thanks to all who had positive things to say about this ship.

Just booked two cabins on Star 10/15/25, thank-you. We got standard but that is ok, great deal. Thank-you OP.

Glad to see this and I'll be paying close attention to your Havana text and pics. Thank-you!

@Hillmom I’d class myself the same as you…non-snooty red wine drinker and I agree, the wines on the Plus Package on Sky last summer weren’t good. I don’t know why they can’t have something drinkable…a Decoy, Apothic Red, Kendall Jackson..all are inexpensive and much better than what’s offered. I should be able to have a decent glass of wine without paying extra. Who steals a wine glass? What is the matter with people?

Thank-you so much @Bell Boy. That is exactly the information I needed.

Looking at an Alaska cruise on QE and really need connecting cabins. Have realized there are no interior connecting doors, hoping that balcony dividers can be opened to allow passage between cabins. Does anyone have experience with this situation?

I’ve always arrived day before a cruise and for 20 years that worked great for me. Given the state of flying I’m adding a day from now on to give myself a cushion. On a cruise now and at our departing airport someone maliciously cut lines which affected Southwest and Delta flights. An absolute disaster. I’d have been a basket case had I been flying either and only had that day. To me it’s not worth the chance anymore…all the anticipation joy is gone with stress.

I wouldn’t count on any port when booking with Norwegian.

I've never had a problem with sending out clothes that I'd wash on permapress at home. Many people that I've seen using the laundryrooms on the ships would be much better off sending it out...3-4 loads crammed into a washer, all colors and types of clothing, then dried till the clothes look like little rags.

@pirate4me2 great review, thank-you. I really want to try Havana but I’m so cheap…you’re pushing me to the dark side 🙂

If you do a search for Carnival Havana bar menus you’ll see them. They include the coffee drinks 🙂

I was wondering that too!

Happy cruise day @pirate4me2 The weather looks beautiful.