Pootimer

Grace #11, please post how your new Bernie Mev's work out; do they have plenty of support for all-day walking on shore excursions?

Thanks!

Is it possible to just walk around St. Peter's? I understand it does not have an entrance fee, but unsure if we can walk into it without going on the museums tour first. Thanks very much for any advise.

I am interested in knowing if ANY size bag, even a small purse, must be checked to get into St. Peter's. We're going to Rome in October 2016.

Thank you!

I was on the Regal Princess last November for a one-week Caribbean cruise, and booked the Enclave, which includes the therapy pool. I liked the therapy pool, showers, and stone beds (which were not heated) very much. I have arthritis and recently had bilateral knee replacement and the therapy pool was nice.

However, I don't think I'd pay for it again (it was expensive - ~$150 for the week), as the weather was beautiful throughout the cruise and I missed being out on deck. If I booked a cool weather cruise (i.e. northern Europe, Iceland, perhaps even Alaska), I would use the Enclave more, so it might be worth it. Hope this helps.

Thanks very much, Judy. Have a wonderful cruise.

I found a Hampton Inn and I found a Best Western Plus on Google.com. But I could not locate a Hampton Inn Plus in Seabrook, TX. Please clarify or send link.

Thank you.

I would also like to know about Ground Link; am searching for reliable, low cost transfers for family of 7 from IAH to hotel in LaPorte and back. Thanks!

Thank you!!

Thanks, Hornet, for your prompt response. I will certainly check into this hotel package; it's our first time in Houston so we're unfamiliar with how to get around, etc.

Cheers

And does anyone who has cruised out of Bayport during the past cruise season recommend spending the night of disembarkation, a Sunday this coming season with Princess, in downtown Houston (before flying home the next day) before transferring to Bush Airport? Someone on these boards mentioned there's not much to do in downtown Houston on Sundays, but there must be some museums or theaters open? Any hotels that are in a good location for sight seeing?

For last season's Port of Houston cruisers, did any of you purchase a Princess hotel/transfer package? What hotels were offered, and how was your experience (i.e. promptness of van, quality and price of hotel, etc)?

What is particularly interesting on a Sunday afternoon/evening in Houston if you stayed at one of the Princess hotels?

We're spending the night of disembarkation after our Emerald Princess cruise in November in Houston, and wondering if we should spend the night in the city of Houston, or go straight over to an airport hotel on Sunday instead of spending the night downtown.

Any comments are very much appreciated.

Unfortunately, we won't have a car. I based my comments regarding Houston Hobby Airport hotels on other forum comments. Since I have never visited the Houston area before, I only have these boards for port info.

I'm not going to worry, but know it won't be a Ft Lauderdale kind of experience (which can be good, as sometimes there are five or six cruise ships in port on weekends - what a mess!).

Thanks for your input!

Thank you for your comments.

We are looking at a cruise departing from Bayport this fall, and I'm nervous about sailing out of and returning to this port. No hotels near port, weather delays, Houston Hobby in less than desirable area (so not many nice hotels to stay at the night before).

Can anyone who had a successful sailing out of this port chime in with their experience(s)?

Thanks Pam and Loonbeam; your responses are very much appreciated.

I'd like to purchase the full week in the Sanctuary for my upcoming Royal Princess cruise, but probably wouldn't use if every day. Is another family member able to use my pass for an afternoon when I'm not planning on using the Sanctuary?

I'd like to reserve the Sanctuary for the full week on the Royal; could my adult daughter use the Sanctuary on one of the days if I'm not going to use it?

Pam, I believe I read somewhere on these boards, while doing research, that you are in the same "sideways" inside cabin that we've booked for our November cruise on Royal. How do you like it? any noise issues?

I love the Parazul handbags and scarves! Online they run between $250-$350. Can you get a better deal at Diamond International? Thanks

I love the Parazul handbags on-line, as well. Can you bargain and ask for another 15 - 20% off in a shop in port? What's the best store for price in STT for these handbags? So many stores and so little time in port!

Another thing - someone said on one of these boards that sometimes you can find perfume or cosmetics for the same price and possibly better than shops in port. Has anyone purchased perfume, for instance, on a Princess ship gift shop (while in the caribbean) for less than a port/town store? I'm considering purchasing a Guerlain fragrance ("Insolence") while in STT or Phillipsburg. Any advise?

Go to Parazul.com From what we were told on the cruise it comes from France I believe. If you go to Parazul.com you can check them out. I bought a medium size one in pink trimed in beige with a pink scarf. I believe I paid $195. If you go on line it runs about 250 I believe. Inside the handbag there is a zipper compartment on one side and on the other there is a place for two pens, a cell phone compartment and another compartment. Diamonds International had them in one of their stores located on the second floor. Check them out.

 

Enjoy shopping

The Parazul handbags look beautiful! Did you "bargain" for yours, or are their prices firm? Have you ever purchased cosmetics in either St Thomas or St Maarten? I'm wonderfing if the MAC or Estee Lauder prices are firm; is it unacceptable to offer lower?