CruiserBruce

The number of devices doesn't matter. You can only access the internet with one at a time, unless you pay an additional fee for additional devices. You can access the intranet with any number of devices. The highest level package is discounted if you buy in advance. The other two packages are the same price no matter when you book it.

Isn't the taxi flat rate of about 50 euros from airport to central Rome still in effect?

Similar, just not as well structured. You will be dropped at the curb. Stevedores will grab your bags. Check in will take place, just not in as pretty a location. Remember, cruises ran out of Pier 35 for decades. We boarded twice at Pier 35. It went fine, it wasn't delayed in any way. Just not as physically well presented.

Commonly recommended here is taxi. Tip nicely for the short fare.

Believe me, common sense can be in critically short supply in emergency situations.

As I mentioned in my post way back at #2, people reacting appropriately and according to directions is really pretty important to all this talk about being dressed warmly, etc. In our most recent experience with inappropriate behavior, we had a fire alarm sound at about midnight on a HAL ship, with their excellent 3 step procedures. The Watch officer (notably, a female) came on and directed the crew to respond to a fire in the Lido galley area (small fire, put out mostly by sprinklers) and directed passengers to return to their cabins and await instructions. We were asleep in bed, got up and dressed. After maybe 5 minutes we heard a disturbance in the hallway. I opened the door ( first looked out the peephole, saw people, no smoke) and observed about 20 people stumbling down the hall. They were stumbling because half had their life vests on, the other half were carrying their their vests, with belts dragging and tripping people up, which explains the stumbling. Very surprised no one got hurt. I went to our balcony and could hear people on the promenade deck, by the muster stations. Couldn't see the area, but heard a number of people talking and laughing. A couple minutes after that the Watch officer announced the fire was out, and the alarm had be ended. Back to sleep. Keep in mind, there were NO instructions to respond to muster stations.

Absolutely not needed, nor mandatory. 3 cruises this year, never used VeriFly, no real problems.

And, of course, there will be many more posts here from people complaining about nickel and diming, cost cutting and price increases...

May is a bit of a secret, so prices are lower. But kids aren't out of school, so families aren't going to cruise just yet. If you look over on the Alaska board, you will see many who swear by May being about the best time to go.

Just down the board:

No, many cruise lines start their Alaska season in early May. Or their season in Europe. If not starting their seasons in Alaska or Europe, the cruise lines are frequently moving their ships to those locations from wherever they spent their Northern Hemisphere winters. So repositioning ("repo" for short) cruises from Asia or the Australia area to Alaska. From the Florida ports to Alaska (most importantly through the Panama Canal) or to Europe. These can be very popular cruises.

Start by joining and posting on the Roll Call for your cruise.

There will be bow access on " scenic cruising " locations. There was on our sailing through Price Christian Sund in Greenland this July.

I would be asking this on the Princess board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/119-princess-cruises/ Some cruise lines operate tenders around the clock, just with a reduced number after, say, midnight. Other cruise lines shut their operation down, and the ship will pull away for the middle of the night hours, to return first thing in the morning. As this is a cruise line policy and procedure, best to ask on the Princess board. I believe, but don't absolutely know for a fact, that Princess is one that stays in port and runs the tenders all night.

The far better place to ask would be the Celebrity board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/16-celebrity-cruises/ If you do some research over there, you may find someone provides info on drydock schedules and projects, so you can see when the last, and next, drydocks are scheduled.

A quick look around the board:

This question is discussed frequently. No, there isn't a preferred side. You need to be out and about, seeing the transit from various viewpoints. The bow while in a lock. The promenade deck while in a lock, etc.

Didn't change a thing, other than we watch other's behavior in times of stress more than we used to. As retired emergency workers (ED Nurse and Firefighter) we have always been prepared, and always watched other's behavior during those times. Just more so. There is an old saying in our business..."you fight the way you train". Muster drills aren't very good training any more. Costa Concordia just highlights that. We have had occasional tests...fire alarms in the middle of the night, for example. Its very concerning when people absolutely don't follow the directions given. I am aware that wasn't the only problem on Costa Concordia, but in our most recent experience, the directions given were very clear, and many still didn't follow them. Everybody knows better that those in charge.

My understanding is you will get upgraded within the V category. Not necessarily to the HIGHEST within the V category.

Yes, you can book early or late, fixed seating for the cruise. Everyone wants a window seat...there aren't a lot. Same with Pinnacle, when you arrive, not in advance...although I am not sure Pinnacle actually has windows.

Commonly mentioned here...SAS, QLS, Jiffy Jeff, GO Shuttle and a couple others. Also commonly recommended...Uber/Lyft.

Based on the pics, I would say two people would be a crowd in that hot tub.

Who did you book with? A TA? Most TAs will remind you. Many TAs will process payments a little early to avoid late payments.

No hot tub in the Retreat on KDam. The tubs on the other ships are very small, from my understanding.

It follows the same red/green door system.