annmarz

We were on Caribbean Princess last week.  We had several elaborate and very cute towel animals in our stateroom during the cruise.  They even had a "Towel Making Class" in the Piazza that was well attended!

9 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

From the videos that have come out, it seems the Sun Princess has smart elevators.  I just recently had experience with them in HNL.  What a great invention!  I detest the middle elevators where you have to push the button for the glass elevator AND the other banks.  Then play elevator roulette.  I've missed so many open elevators.

 

Princess never had towel animals.  There are a few who know how to, but by request or rare.

Have at least one pool that has zero depth entry.  Devote less space to the art gallery!

I forgot to add more outlets and USB ports.  Good reading lights by the bed.

We did an excursion to the Rainforest last week.  We did not think it was worth the time and drive.  We drove on a road up the hills and stopped at an old tower which could be climbed for views.  It was cloudy and not much to see. We thought our time would have been better spent in town.

A pool  with a retractable cover. An aft pool. 

A forward observation lounge or deck.  A full promenade deck. A larger library - in a quiet place.

My better half and I were on the Caribbean Princess last week to Princess Cays; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Turks and Caicos which we couldn't dock at due to weather and high waves.  This was my 28th Princess cruise although I have not been on Princess since 2011.  We are mid-sixties and fit right in with this mostly older crowd.

We enjoyed our cruise very much!  The ship was in great shape and looked like the "old" Princess ships I remembered.  The crew was extremely friendly, as were the passengers.  The food was great in the dining rooms and "casual dining" venues.  The buffet was just average.  Fruit was usually over- or under ripe and food was often not hot enough, but there was plenty of variety.  The omelet station at breakfast was wonderful.

The Medallion worked well and was the most expedient way to get drinks when bars and lounges were crowded.  The comedians were a riot - standing room only in Club Fusion AKA The "Laugh Lounge."  The production shows were good but the ABBA singer brought the whole theater to their feet!  I never knew how much I appreciated ABBA before this show!

We did have problems making dining reservations onboard - one was lost and the TV and App didn't work great. But we always were able to "walk-in" and get a table for 2.  (We eat early.)  Next time I will make the effort to reserve dining ahead of time.

Our cabin was an aft Balcony on Deck 10.  Very quiet and just fine.  The balcony was surprisingly deep and had nice furniture.  There was plenty of storage and a very comfy bed.  The automatic night lights didn't bother us, but I was frustrated by the Automatic closet light.  It was on a timer and would shut off while I was rummaging in the closet, so I had to walk back and forth to turn it on.

The bathroom was small of course, but the shower curtain didn't bother me - there was no flooding from the shower.

We returned from our cruise with an unwelcome souvenir - a nasty bug which hit us a day or two later.  I will discuss the ports and the tours we took when I have more energy.  In the meantime, I am happy to answer any questions.

I don't think it's that long.  It is shorter than many other piers, like Cozumel.  They have pedicabs which will transport you for tips.  

The Del Oro Chocolate Factory was a very worthwhile stop.  Lots of samples, interesting presentation, clean restrooms, good A/C, nice gift shop. The chocolate prices were very good too.

In the very crowded  Club Fusion for the comedy shows on Caribbean Princess, the only way to get a drink was via Ocean Now because the bartenders and waiters were so busy that they ignored you..  It worked brilliantly on this cruise.  

6 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

Sailing on her the end of April.

so are we!

following

I really enjoyed both of these islands.  Particularly if you are a history buff, you will enjoy seeing the fort in St. Kitts and Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.

Many years ago, my husband, son, and I went to the upper level of the theater for a show. There were about 5 people in the whole level. There were tons of empty seats.  I had placed my evening bag on the empty seat next to me.  A couple entered the room, and in a huff the woman came right next to me and sat on top of my bag, saying  "You are not supposed to save seats!"  To this day I do not know how I restrained myself.

It has to be a scam

I just cancelled a cruise that was  going to Brazil (on another cruise line)  because they require US citizens to apply for an eVisa where you have to send bank statements to prove you can "financially support" you stay in the country. 

I am booked on a cruise in April.  Should I download the app now or wait till the new one?  Does it matter?

I broken-heartedly and with a few tears cancelled my March 9 Voyager cruise over this issue.  My financial advisor advised me not to send this info to Brazil.  This may be extreme, but I was truly uncomfortable doing so and did not want to take on the stressful application process that so many seem to be experiencing.  I hope all of you get good results and have a wonderful cruise.  I will be following along in spirit.  This was to be our fist Regent cruise and I hope I can rebook another in the near future.

For what it's worth, I have applied for visas for many countries over the years, including China, India, Egypt, and one in southeast Asia that I am not sure about, maybe Laos?  Providing flight info is

common, but I have never been asked for financial records.  This is a deal-breaker for me.  My financial advisor said it would be beyond stupid to send personal information like this to a foreign country.  I shred my statements before I put them in my trash! I am certainly not sending them off to be seen by who knows who!  Hoping that Brazil will modify the Visa requirements for cruise passengers.

Frankly I am aghast at the requirement to prove financial stability.  I am seriously considering cancelling the cruise. 

7 hours ago, forgap said:

When we were much younger (and poorer) we were in Gordes, a hilltop town in Province - very chic and pricey.  It was late and we found a hotel above a low key village restaurant.  Looked at the room before committing and it was really nice.  However, as the night progressed, the room got hotter and hotter.  Little did we know that our wall shared the chimney to the restaurant pizza oven.  We opened all the windows, draped cold towels over our sweating bodies until about 3am when the chimney cooled down.  
 

Then the nocturnal soap opera began as a betrayed young woman started screaming at her unfaithful husband/lover.  It was a night to remember and the village was certainly talking bout it the next morning as we blearily sipped coffee in the cafe.  I learned some new colorful vocabulary, too!  

That is the stuff of which some of the most memorable and funny travel experiences are made, after the fact of course!

4 hours ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

I hesitate to post something not serious, but will anyway.
As you know, there is usually a jigsaw puzzle or two in the common areas of the ship, and people work on them. Completion usually takes a few days.
A 7-something girl saw a partially completed puzzle and thought it was obviously messy, so put all the pieces back in the box.
I thought that was sort of cute.
The children-haters were outraged.

Many years ago I was on a cruise with my then 12 year old son.  He loved jigsaw puzzles and completed the one in progress in the common area.  An older grump passed by and made a very rude comment that children should should not  be allowed to play with the puzzles! 

Gorgeous photos!  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

If you don't get Regent Air, can you purchase a transfer to the airport?

11 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

Yes, I have thought the same about Barbados departures. In fact, I wondered if Regent cannot book hotels and transfers there, how could I book them? 

Ask your TA!