knippsel

And if one of you is 85 or so (though healthy) just try to find Medivac (or any other) insurance that doesn't cost more than the cruise. Doesn't look very promising. But we'll just have to wait and see and hope for the best. Really miss cruising!

if you book through a TA, they can see it in their system.

Will they print something out for you if requested?

It just seems so shortsighted, as copies were always in great demand. And with cutbacks in daily activities, it was a nice way to spend time.

Just coming back to this board ahead of our upcoming Alaska cruise this May, and I see talk that the daily printed newspapers (NY Times, Canadian, Australian, German, etc.) are supposed to be discontinued? Is that true for all ships?  We love sea days and enjoy reading the papers from all over the world every day with our morning coffee.   (And no, I don't like to have a phone on when we cruise. And DH doesn't use electronics...)Did they really go through with this? Very disappointing, if true.

If you do get an upsell offer you'd like to take, you might try checking for the open cabins in the category. Make a list of any you'd take and email back with, "We'd like to take advantage of the upsell IF you could confirm cabin xxx or xxx.  Worked for us recently. They did try to accommodate us.  YMMV but worth a try.

Seems that they only work through emails now.

Nope. We've sailed on her twice since the March drydock 😄.  The stairway situation is the same as ever.🙄

But the ship did look just fine otherwise. 

I wish Princess would actually assign and confirm a table for 2 (late traditional dining) in advance.   You have to  check on boarding every time, and hope they can accommodate your wish even though it's written on all your documents.  For some it is important (think hearing issues) to the enjoyment of your cruise.

Thanks, Ine and Hank.  Hoped you both would answer.  Looks like we'll just have to pop in to the Cathedral on the day and see what might be going on. At least there might be some nice decorations.  Probably won't see too many buses (how we usually get around) later in the day, either! 

The Solmar beach is definately NOT swimmable.  Strong undertow.  But the beach itself is nice to stroll and enjoy.

We'll be in PV on the Grand Princess on Dec. 24, sailing out at 11PM - so All Aboard 10PM or so. Are there any particular Christmas Eve events there that we might be able to visit? Hoping to experience a Posada or attend Mass, if there is one early-ish on Christmas Eve.  Is there a Christmas Fair there? Princess is just offering their "normal" excursions that day.

Since some of you are fortunate to spend the winter in PV, perhaps you might know where we can find info about holiday happenings? 

Many thanks.

Kathy

Thanks much! Covered (though small) will do us just fine.

Having resisted the mega ships for a few years, we've finally decided to maybe give one a try.  So my question for the Regal experts:  Which decks would have covered or partially covered balconies? We'd probably look for a Deluxe Balcony, since it's important to us to have decent seating in the cabin, too.

Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions

Kathy

Last time on the Grand, our wonderful steward had his own form for us to fill out with what we wished to swap. That was a first!

For those who know the Grand and the Ruby, what are the main differences? I see that Ruby has no covered pool, and no Alfredo's.  Are the Caribe deck balconies  half covered on the Ruby?

Sorry we're losing the Grand, which we preferred to the Star, but perhaps we'll learn to love the Ruby.

Does anyone remember which bottled water is available on the Grand? I seem to recall it was Calistoga. Recently on HAL it was Evian, so I thought maybe Carnival Corp. has changed. Also, Princess' Water Package seems to only be 12 500ml bottles.  Has anyone seen liter or quart-sized bottles available?

Thanks!

Kathy

On Royal Class ships, which balconies - Balcony or Mini-Suite - are covered? For us the covered  is more critical than balcony size.  Any info appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi all -

We have a Medicare HMO which covers us out of the country and until now we have always traveled with extra travel insurance, too - GeoBlue Annual Policy, for "just in case". But next year DH turns 85, the cutoff for coverage by GeoBlue (and Medjet Assist) Has anyone found good supplementary coverage for a relatively healthy, able 85-year-old?  We do take cruise line insurance, too, but that seems inadequate in case of a real emergency.

Any suggestions where to look?

That's all good news!  Thanks, everybody.

Sorry - another silly cabin question. Have had success with magnets on the newer ships, but not on the Amsterdam, so thought that might be the case also on the Maasdam.. Wondering if anyone remembers if one can use magnets on the Maasdam cabin walls.  I like to put up maps, some pictures, etc.

Right. Thanks.  Has anyone experienced the smoke drifting down to the deck below? Just realized that our assigned cabin is aft on the starboard side. It looks to be right below the smoking area.

Does anyone know if the smoking area is still at the aft sea view pool? If so is it the entire area, or on one side or the other?

Thanks, everyone, for the info.  With us it's not so much a matter of volume, (normally have to use earplugs for shows in the theater), but clarity. So we were hoping for a gizmo that allows an earbud or similar (without a hearing aid).

Guess we'll have to wing it!

HAL says they offer an "Assisted Listening System" for folks with hearing difficulties to help hearing in the shows, lectures, etc. Has anyone tried  using this? If so, how did it work for you? Does it vary ship to ship? We are considering asking for it on the Maasdam.  Appreciate any info.

Thanks.

Kathy

Having only been in OV cabins on the Zaandam, now deciding between an OV or a Vista Suite on the Maasdam (Deck 9 or 10). How is the motion up there - say compared to the motion on the higher decks on the larger ships like Oosterdam or Zuiderdam, where we've been quite comfortable higher up ?  Are the little ships as relatively stable as their larger sisters? We've happily sat in the Lido "round the Horn" on Zaandam, as well as on the larger ships with no ill effects. Would the Maasdam be relatively as stable?  Of course, there are always unforseen times of really rough seas, etc., but would be interested in others' observations. The dilemma:  OV for stability or Vista for the fresh, clean air. And yes, we do tend to spend time enjoying our cabin.

Thanks for any thoughts!

On 1/27/2019 at 11:35 PM, Modern_Viking said:

In a C, I would want a cabin no further aft than 615. 

Why might that be?  Just curious. Checking  for a cruise later this year.

Thanks for any info!

Kathy