vickie_bernie

The only time i have seen a group renewal was on Valentine's day. No cost for this.

The one you book ahead is private and you can arrange your date and time as long as captain is available

Hi Vickie:

 

I embark on the 25th. Haven't seen you in years. Eventually. :)

Wow it has been a long time. Enjoy your cruise

Biggest issue we are having are all the large groups and families. We just are not use to it. Lots of running up and down hallways, sitting in stairways, plates left all over and drunkenness. And many are adults.

 

1) it's summer in the Caribbean, school is out - what did you expect ???:confused:

 

2) 7 night cruises are as low as $ 399 per person for an interior...

 

book in Oct/Nov - fewer kids, more expensive cabins...:rolleyes:

Gee i thought what i was posting was helpful information

Do not need your two cents, we usually travel when kids are in school. Bigger issue is inconsiderate adults.

I am well aware of the price as that is why we are cruising now. Just an observation.

Maybe try to be nice and helpful.

Have been on board caribbean princess since aug 4, get off aug 25.

Ocean medallion cabins are currently lido deck cabins.

Checkin and off ship is a bit slower as they are using old and new system for 3 weeks to ensure accuracy. This is the 2nd week using both so one more sailing.

We too really enjoy the food on board. Sure not every item is perfect but i have not gone hungry.

World fresh markeplace offers lots of options. I especially enjoy the small dishes if salads, focaccia with different toppings each day. The sandwiches are very yummy. Salty dog grill does have amazing tacos.

Dined at steamers last night and planks afew days ago. Great alternative for $12.

The new highspeed wifi rolled out this sailing. So fast we were able to stream a movie on youtube. I was able to post a video to my page and video chat is easy. As elite we get an unlimited package for one device.

Entertainment is great. Really love the new detourist program.

Biggest issue we are having are all the large groups and families. We just are not use to it. Lots of running up and down hallways, sitting in stairways, plates left all over and drunkenness. And many are adults.

Ship looks great i feel. Our cabins have been nice and the ine issue we had with second room being hot was resolved quickly.

Crew are amazing.

Follow along in my blog... link below

Also initially we had trouble getting package as it said we get loyalty pkg but kept saying they did not recognize. Gave our name and it is now cleared up. Seems to be an issue because we are in transit

Currently on caribbean.

On 2nd leg of back 2 back 2 back

A few around 45 were testing ***** last leg, they were not reg passengers.

Today some cabins are up and running *****. I was told lido deck cabins but can not confirm.

Yes internet is unlimited for platinum elite passengers for limited time they say.

Plan on sign in page for non platinum or elite says 9.95 per day for one device.

I am blogging so follow along on link for continual updates.

Also wifi speeds are very fast, comparable to home

I believe based on the post on my roll call post, it's a full ship rollout.

 

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Yes this is what i heard too

Reliable sources confirm ***** rolling out aug 4 on Caribbean.

Medallions are not being mailed out but will be there at check in.

You can believe me if you wish or just wait to see my live reports.

My sources are on board.

I will remain positive and look forward to seeing how it goes.

We are on for 3 legs so will see the progress.

I agree that getting your own car is the best option and driving. Going around the entire cabot trail probably is not possible unless you go really fast and don't stop. It is one lane each way and the roads are rather rough due to patches from winter conditions and making lovely pot holes.

But driving to the Bras D'Or lakes or seeing some of the Cabot Trail or even some of the many stunning views from all over the island is definitely possible.

Seeing the trail in a coach thru the ship is an option but you are much better looking out a car window than a bus window if you are able to rent/drive your own car.

We just moved to Cape Breton this month and it is stunning

We do occasionally give them a pass, but I guess you missed where I said my husband still enjoys the honor. At this point, we generally give our bottle of champagne back to be raffled off and decline the gift boxes. We did enjoy the crystals, and used to give away any duplicates. The wooden boxes just don’t have the same appeal as they are not destination specific.

 

Tony, assuming you mean Steve K, we haven’t seen them in four years. How is Peggy doing?

Hey PescadoAmarillo and honey! Thought of you often on the Royal this past season. Miss you both. We sailed with Steve K (on 3 of our 4 legs) he of course was MTP each leg. Sadly Peggy passed away last year. He decided to sail this season as it is something she loved. We really got to know him better this voyage and often sat and chatted with him.

I too don't care for the souvenir box you get for top 3. We have been giving it away to someone sailing for a special occasion (we learned this from you). I don't even think it is wood, I think it is a plastic resin. I do enjoy the bubbles though.

We almost always qualify for the top 40 event. Normally we do longer voyages. This year we were on the Royal 10 day voyage for 40 days and each leg you needed at least 500 days just to qualify. We enjoy the MTG event whether it is a lunch or cocktail party.

If we qualify for top 3 it is usually Alaska, Coastal or Mexican Cruise.

Cheers!

Vickie & Bernie

Can I book a Canada New England out of Quebec City to New York on the Royal Princess and then stay on for next leg New York to Quebec City.

Does PSVA apply here?

The cruise lines have said the port authorizes will not recognize them.

Very confusing and would love to hear from anyone who has been on a cruise recently using the Evisa's

since Brazilian consulate does not offer any alternative than to apply for the tourist visa electronically I would be interested to see what the cruise lines want.

Note it is NOT an actual electronic visa. It is a tourist visa that is submitted electronically. You still get a hard copy visa that you have to put in your passport.

i do agree the naming of it is not the best

Just applied for ours via the e site. A bit of a pain getting the pictures to the right size but after first one was easy to do second one. Yes it is a bit cheaper but the last time we got Brazilian visa it was $85 each and was good for 5 years. Now it is $40 and only good for 2 years. But it is easier to obtain, last time I needed proof of income, two references, at least for Western Canada consulate.

So done, and it should take alot less time and i don't have to go to the downtown consulate to drop off passport and retrieve.

It is important that when asking if they will accept E visas, the people may think it is an actual electronic visa. With this new system they send you a pdf file you have to print out and put in your passport so it is actually a real visa.

Vickie

Although the absence of the priority boarding line didn't seem to slow down the time boarding it might make a big difference during the really hot days. I've boarded at times when hundreds of people were in line without much of a wait.

 

What I don't understand is why some folks were denied leaving their carry-on luggage in the rooms lately after boarding. This appears to be a new move for Princess. It's not much fun dragging suitcases to the DR or buffet.

They did have queue roped off area inside that held quite a large group of people and it moved very fast so I don't think people have to stay outside for very long. Certainly better than it use to be.

I know on the last voyage they did have a location that people could leave their carry on. Can't recall where but it was somewhere like a restaurant. Maybe someone else can answer.

note on the last cruise the first show was moved to 7:15 as they required more time between shows to reset the stage.

So shows were 7:15 and 10:15 for Feb 18 sailing. Not sure if the current cruise had different times.

We have only sat with a complainer once. It sure put a downer on the wonderful lunch

I want to sit with you guys!

Just goes to show that money (considering how many days have to be sailed to make the MTP party) doesn't necessarily correlate with having class or even common courtesy.

So very true

We were on the same cruise as you . It is always interesting to read others reviews from the same cruise. Our experiences were very different so it shows that not everyone experiences things the same and what one likes someone else does not.

Yes lines on first day at Anytime are usually crazy, mainly because people shower and get ready after sailaway and hit the dining room at the same time.

You are right later is better for dining in dining room or go before 615 or after 7:30.

We went to most shows in the Princess Theater and never too early (except for the Secret Silk) and never once did we have trouble getting a seat - although we always went to the later show (first show was always full as the ship had a lot who dined early and went to bed early so they attended earlier show).

We also found the temp. in the theater to be just fine- but that again is a personal thing.

Your review is well written and again it is always interesting to read through someone else's eyes. Thanks for sharing.

We were on for the Premier of the Secret Silk. It was very busy that sailing and yes you need to get there early. But it was really hyped up. The next cruise it was not as crazy to get seats but still filled up fast. If you are particular about the seats you get go early.

The Feb 28 sailing has a presentation for the Press with people from land before they sailed. So I am not surprised they had reserved seating as they came on for only a few hours. Or was the reserved seating for the show during the actual cruise?

Here are my two reviews of the Secret Silk - second one has pictures

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2018/02/premier-of-stephen-schwartz-secret-silk.html

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2018/03/monday-evening-secret-silk.html

We were on the Royal Jan 19 to Feb 28 for four cruises. We qualified each leg for the Most Travelled Guest party.

The Cut off for each cruise was around 580 days.

The 1st cruise was a cocktail party, 2nd and 3rd cruise were luncheons and fourth was a cocktail party.

Usually the Royal alternates - lunch, cocktail party, lunch etc.

However this can change (as it did for us) because the 3rd leg featured the premier of The Secret Silk on the night the party would of happened so they had a lunch.

We always enjoy all the events but prefer the cocktail party mainly because we get to choose who to sit with. Often at lunches we are sat with people who figure this is the time to complain to the officers. Sadly one luncheon this voyage had us with two couples who complained to the Customer Services Director that their embarkation was horrible because there was no priority line for Platinum Elite before security and insisted HE take care of it. when CSD said that is an issue on land and you need to put this in your survey. The man's words were "No I am telling you! You let head office know"

I should add yes there is only one line to get into the port and go thru security but it moves very fast, then you are separated to priority line if you qualify. It took all of 15 minutes to get on board initially from curb to ship. Certainly better than most airports.

Here are my reviews of our experiences at the MTG Party

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2018/02/sea-day-most-travelled-luncheon.html

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2018/02/most-travelled-luncheon.html

http://vickieandbernietravel.blogspot.ca/2018/01/st-thomas-evening-most-travelled.html

We were on the Royal for 40 days and recently got off so we were probably on when you were. We used the Sanctuary regularly - probably 6 days each 10 day cruise. Although there were groups that would meet in the gazebo area and chat I never noticed it to be very loud and for very long.

One thing about the cruises at this time is we encounter numerous days where we had rain. When this happened people would rush under the gazebo and sit and meet others. This meant many made friends with others that were booked in the Sanctuary. So the next day you would often chat again.

The biggest issue I had this time for the entire time was people who would have their lounger but insist on having their stuff on couches/chairs under the gazebo "saved" for their use. So if someone wanted to use a chair/couch it was "reserved". But hey this is not a new problem.

So the numerous days with rain did cause people to congregate under the gazebo.

We rarely were there as we prefer to lay out in the sun and we enjoyed chatting with others but personally I just want to sit and read or sleep. Putting on headphones helped to send a message time for me to rest.

The manager in the Sanctuary was very good and I am sure if it was a problem she would of dealt with it.

Vickie,

 

I was on that “back-to-back” team on this cruise. I can assure you that no notebook (or any other reference material) was ever used during any of the trivia’s. In fact, I would catch hell from my teammates if I happened to have my phone out to show someone a picture when the contest was starting. “Put that away!!”

 

The lady with the notebook was writing down the questions and answers to use for trivia contests she put on back at home.

 

 

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I can assure that the people the original poster was referring to and that I commented to are those that are on for a LONG time. And they do have a binder that they keep track of all the questions and answers. Now whether they refer to it while playing i don't know.

We do lots of back to back and like you would never even consider cheating.

How many tile beds are in the Enclave? I see 4 in the photo, but are there others? We are on the Royal in April.

there are 8 in total, four in one spot and four in another spot

IMPORTANT NOTE - REALLY IMPORTANT.....at some point during this cruise around Ushuaia, you will cruise the Beagle Channel in the morning (Santiago to BA), or maybe evening (BA to Santiago). DO NOT MISS THIS!!!! It was not really announced but if you are on the Santiago to BA sailing, make sure you are on the left side (Port) of the ship, and if you are sailing from BA to Santiago, be in the right side (Starbord) of the ship. You will pass by 3 glaciers...two of which will absolutely blow your mind (especially the cliff hanging one (about 500-800 ft tall hanging on the side of the mountain into the ocean). You get really close and it is amazing!!!!!

I so agree, the two times we did this trip we spent the entire time enjoying the views. We skipped dinner and got room service so we would not miss anything.

I have written extensively in my blog the 2 trips we have done to south america. First was in 2012. Rio to San Francisco. Second was fort Lauderdale to LA 49 days in 2014. Blig link is in my signature.

We went to Peru early 2017 for a 10 night tour with a Shaman. That entire 10 days was $3,000 and included all accommodations meals, transport, sites, and ceremonies. It was life changing for the 5 of us on the tour.

We flew LAN airlines, yes basic but good to Puno, then Cusco then to Lima. Delays did not happen to us, but do happen regularily due to low level cloud in Cusco.

We are heading out next year again on the 49 day cruise. Again we can not wait.

Vickie

 

Junior Chef a disappointment for my kids this year. Chef didn’t let kids do ANYTHING but put sprinkles on and instead Chef did mostly everything himself. Kinda silly.

 

 

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apparently the Junior Chef program has changed because of Health inspectors. They had issues with food outside of the kitchen that people were touching. They shut it down in Alaska and no longer can do it fleet wide.

Thanks - I am interested in the blog. Where can I view it?

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You can find my blog in my signature below. Search function is on right or go to the bottom and click on ports i have visited

We're sailing in Oct 2018.

that is great! Enjoy. I have tons of blog posts about the Royal and Canada New England if you are interested.

Enjoy your trip