shiner6

Would all of this advice pertain to traveling from Naples in November, or does the weather impact the ferries?  We have 3 nights scheduled free after flying into Naples before heading to Rome.  Herculaneum is on my must do list as well as the Veiled Christ. Everything else is open as this is my first trip to the area.

3 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Groups are starting to come back post covid.
 

There is a huge group at the Kapalua ritz Carlton right now. Last night they took over the entire beach bar area. I’d be ticked paying 2k a night and having the hotel amenities reduced.

 

Unfortunately hAl isn’t the only line doing this. NCL reserved their observation lounge (same concept as crows nest) for the entire voyage of an Alaskan scenic cruise, and I believe the room was reserved 24 hours a day.

 

Not saying it’s right, just saying that this is happening across the industry (land and sea). I always check for big groups before booking and avoid if possible.

 

Sorry the OP had this experience. Just because it’s fairly common doesn’t make it pleasant. 

 

 

How does one check to see if any of these groups are on a sailing?  I would not be pleased if I am not permitted to use the advertised areas of the ship. The crow's nest is number one reason I book Holland.  

We booked the transfer to the FLL airport along with the Everglades and Botanical Garden tour. We felt it was good value. The garden and train ride were very nice. Beautiful surroundings, entertaining and polite staff. The bus was comfortable and had a/c.  We thought the everglades ride was just MEH.  They do not guarantee that you will see wildlife-we did see one alligator and a few birds, that was fine. The part they don't tell you about is,----the boarding and exiting of the boat is extremely difficult for older individuals. I had to get on my hands and knees to get in and out of the boat.  My husband who is 6ft 3, had a very difficult time trying to board without hurting himself. If you have any mobility issues, this is not for you. I wish someone had posted this for us to see before went.

This happened to me on the Ruby on our Panama cruise in February. I made the reservations ahead of time (since I wanted a particular time slot) and got charged for both dinners.  When I boarded the ship, I explained my dilemma to guest services. I spent a minimum of 4-6 hours on this problem with no resolution. Just sucked it up after all that hassle.

On 4/1/2024 at 12:46 AM, northbeachgirl said:

I was worried that all deck 5 ocean view cabins were going to be noisy but we are currently in 5318 and all though it does have some noise when we are underway once docked it is quiet. I love the window seat but I would never book an ocean view again. I would prefer an inside cabin on a higher deck. Guest services has been a struggle for us as we are onboard for 3 b2b’s. Every 10 days we had multiple communications with guest services struggling to get a place to sleep because 5429 was uninhabitable due to the noise issues.

 

 

I am interested in hearing more about the ocean view room experience. I have 2 of them booked for next year and am also concerned about noise. We do not spend enough time in our room to warrant the extra money for a balcony. I usually am fine with an inside room, however, the ones on the Sun appear to be claustrophobic. Can anyone elaborate on the pros and cons of these 2 cabin types?  Noise is a huge issue for me.  Thanks! I just did an 11 night on the Ruby in an inside cabin and had a wonderful experience.

We just returned from the Ruby on a Panama cruise with an inside cabin. Loved it!. We were in our room only to sleep and wash up---so much to see and do outside of the room.  We were aft-I love that part of the ship. 

11 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I’m beginning to cave as my DH loves those little ducks and has found quite a few of them.  It’s almost like collecting throws at a Mardi Gras parade. 
The crew absolutely love the collecting the ducks.  
However, I want to see these little ducks made out of bird seed or at least something that won’t cause any trouble in our environment! 
 

I would love to see homemade-hidden objects that are environmentally friendly, not plastic ducks purchased from China on Amazon. 

On 3/3/2024 at 6:10 AM, Robkat said:

Hope you're finding this thread as interesting and as useful as I have!

The idea of makeup tattoos is intriguing ... like eyeliner and such?  

And what is bar products for hair?  Wracking my brain but can't remember ever seeing anything like that.

Oh, and thanks for the Wool and Prince suggestion ... will definitely check it out.

Enjoy your upcoming TA's ... we're really looking forward to them!

Robcat, Just wondering which part of Florida are you from? I will be in Cocoa beach visiting my sister soon--anywhere near there?

We just finished a cruise with Princess. For the first time, I did not see any chair hogs or table hogs. Princess placed small cards on the tables to remind everyone of their purpose. What a great idea!

6 hours ago, Robkat said:

Hope you're finding this thread as interesting and as useful as I have!

The idea of makeup tattoos is intriguing ... like eyeliner and such?  

And what is bar products for hair?  Wracking my brain but can't remember ever seeing anything like that.

Oh, and thanks for the Wool and Prince suggestion ... will definitely check it out.

Enjoy your upcoming TA's ... we're really looking forward to them!

The makeup tattoos I had done are eyeliner (both upper and lower), eyebrows and lips. I cannot say enough great things about them. They are a life changer for me. 

Amazon has lots of bar shampoos-The ones I use are from Hibar-they do not hurt my color treated hair/ very good quality.

The Wool& (women's) clothing is very fine quality, the men's is Wool and Prince--requires little washing, no ironing, odor free and very versatile.  I am plus size and find it difficult to find quality clothing in my size. If you look at their website, they have a special 100 day challenge offer. At first, my husband was a skeptic, but now, he wants to change his wardrobe over to all Merino.

I think we might be in the same situation. Our first TA is to Rome in November also. I  booked another TA from Barcelona to Florida in February.  So, today I stated looking for advice and found this thread. I always take a homemade first aid kit. I do not wear makeup (I have makeup tattoos) lol!  Our hair products are in bar form (they work really well).  Since we limit ourselves to one carryon and 1backpack, we also limit our clothing to mostly Merino wool which can be worn multiple times between laundering. A great site is called Wool & Prince. I take a few silk scarves and jewelry to dress up with. Hope this helps!

2 hours ago, ggprincess2004 said:

We simply request real butter "salted butter" and get it the dining room. It is also on the buffet. They are rectangular or square pieces. If you manage to have the same waiter in the MDR for the length of the cruise, they will remember. 

 

Not true, we asked for butter every meal in MDR and only 1 waiter could find some for us, the others said "no, it is not available".  I just got off the RUBY after 10 days of cruising. I thought that it is a sore point because I was served such wonderful food everywhere else.  In the wheelhouse bar, they had those expensive wonderful cherries that I love! Just seemed peculiar to have most nicer condiments and accompaniments' but not REAL butter. 

Ok, I just returned from my Panama trip on the Ruby.  What a wonderful cruise! I said I would report back on my experience, so here it is.   NOT real butter!!!! It tasted nasty!  I requested real butter and received it only once.  I then decided to ask for Balsamic vinegar and oil instead. That was much more palatable than the whipped oil stuff.  Princess did have a lot of good menu items, I found the food in the MDR to be very good, just lacking the butter!

We purchased the Premier package on the Ruby last week and felt that it was well worth the extra cost. The drink selection alone was impressive.  We did not care for the desserts or use the gym, but everything else was used. Would have liked to have another casual dining experience available, but only Gastropub at Salty dog available on the Ruby. (I do not count charcuterie at Vines, a meal).

22 hours ago, cruisepest said:

It is a Texas sate law regarding the alcohol sales. It is not that you can not buy alcohol, you can buy wine and beer 7 days a week but not hard alcohol on Sunday's. It is a tax thing that the state wants the sales tax for the drinks that are sold on board ship until it is out to sea. The other thing to remember is when you sail back there were 2 nice ladies from the state of Texas that want to charge you tax on any alcohol you bring off the ship. Yes this included my duty free Patron we bought on board.

Yes! we just learned this the hard way!  we purchased special bottles of Rum in December and it was irritating to pay taxes in Galveston. Never again.

I have stayed in all types of cabins from inside to expansive aft suite.  Here are some of the things I have learned.

1. An inside cabin is cozy and allows for very good sleeping (if you choose the right location).

2. I bring a tropical printed shower curtain and hang it on the wall with magnets. Makes my own "window". Plus you can use the TV as stated earlier.

3. The money I save is used to splurge on activities, since I am not in my cabin most of the time on certain itineraries.

4. I found a regular balcony cabin to be good for certain itineraries. Upgrading to a mini-suite was not worth it IMHO.

5. Am obstructed window or balcony is a good choice between needs and wants. $$$$. 

6. Most important to choose location of your room. I would not want a guarantee cabin.

7. Splurge on the expensive suite for special occasions.

Question for CRless: Was it difficult to obtain your Sanctuary passes?  I have never reserved a spot there,but would like to do so next week. What area would you recommend?

Thanks for your review, it is very useful for planning. 

On 2/3/2024 at 8:00 PM, suekel said:

When I did a partial a few years ago, we took the excursion that took us on a ferry all the way through and they bussed us back to the ship.  It was long, it was hot, it was amazing.  I read The Path Between the Seas before I went which really added to my appreciation.  It was so hot that I told my husband next time we're doing a full transit so we can go back into our cabin into the air as needed.  Which we're doing on th Ruby in March.  Plus, a ferry cannot go through the locks alone so you have to wait for a larger vessel which added hours to the trip.  The beer man on board was our new best friend and he sought us out for pictures at the end.  Then the bus broke down on the way back to the ship, they had to wait for us.  The dining rooms were closed, thank goodness for a mini bar and room service.  If you can handle the heat and don't mind a really long day, this was a great excursion.  

First of all, I want to thank you for posting this realistic review. This is exactly what I have done in planning-read the book and plan the excursion. However, If it really is going to be miserably hot and humid with no easy place to cool off, then this is not for us.  As wonderful as it all sounds, I'm not sure we are up to the challenge. I am really torn about this. I wish I would have booked a full transit to begin with. Maybe this is a sign that I will need to return some day.

On 1/27/2024 at 1:57 AM, snag said:

Surely this is a first world problem. I mean really does it matter that much whether we have butter or not when we are lucky enough to be on a cruise.

 

Well, I can hardly wait for the "Plant based protein" to replace my meat selection and still be grateful that I am on a cruise (and paying for it with my hard earned $$$, which I am also grateful to have).  This thread is not about being grateful, it is about corporate politics (just in case you weren't aware). Corporate administration ultimately decides what trickles down to the public. They determine how much less we are willing to tolerate, while still paying for the experience.

On 1/30/2024 at 12:04 AM, LoveBoatLvr said:

That is hysterical! . I had a good laugh at this. I know we sound like spoiled kids, but hey, Corporate should pay attention to their customers. Going a meal or 2 without something expected is ok, but I believe most Princess cruisers have "butter" in their expectations and should not have to point out to management that it is a noticeable downgrade.

On 1/31/2024 at 10:08 AM, TAW1963 said:

I haven't been able to get through on chat lately either, even if I try and the 9:00 am EST starting time.  I can be the next in the queue, but it puts me in a loop and keeps asking me if I am still waiting and to type "Yes" if I am.   However, in the past I have used the chat and the staff on chat have all been very competent.  I have had some very competent staff by calling and some utterly incompetent staff by calling.  I called two days to re-fare a future booking and the staff member, although really nice, confused things to the point that she wasn't even looking at the correct booked cruise anymore and was trying to change a cruise I have booked for March.  She wasted an hour and a half of my time.   I called back the next morning and the agent had my booking re-fared in just a couple of minutes.   My suggestion to the OP is to kindly (finish call) hang up if the staff is not competent and call back and hope you get a more competent one.  I know that this a burden, but some are far better than others.   

This has been my experience as well. I politely say thank you, hang up and try again until I find a competent staff member. I agree, the wasted time and frustration is not worth booking through Princess , she almost cancelled the wrong cruise! I am back to the big box, where customer service has improved dramatically this year.

11 hours ago, crusinpeg said:

No matter it tastes nasty not at all like butter. Whipped or not! I have purchased whipped butter and it doesn't taste like the stuff on princess. Doesnt matter anyway cause their rolls have no taste!

If it doesn't taste like butter (even after being whipped), then I would suggest that in fact, it is not butter!.  I will find out for myself in 2 weeks and I will report my gastronomical findings. I am a foodie and frequently make my own whipped butter.

4 hours ago, BillB48 said:

Shiner, I am only familiar with one of the vessels used in this excursion, they have more than one.  The Pacific Queen does have and air conditioned area, however I don't know about the others.  The only advice I can offer is there is almost always some shade to be found and as long as you are out of the sun even the slightest breeze will provide some relief. 

 

Much of the time the waits occur when the tour vessel arrives at the locks way before the larger ship that they will normally lock with arrives.  In times when water wasn't an issue they would often lock the excursion vessel through alone.  Conserving water is a high priority now, so the excursion vessel will wait if necessary.  Also when there are delays they usually are not one long delay but a series of shorter delays.  It all can translate into a longer excursion time.

 

Not all of these excursions end up being some sort of lesson in testing your patience, but it can happen.  As they sometimes will remind you ship happens!😉

BillB48, 

  Your information is very helpful.  I have discussed with Hubbie and he is in agreement. We will keep the excursion. After all is said and done--The reason we booked this trip is to see the canaL.

  BTW, I am reading "The Path between the Seas", by David McCullough.  After all the time involved in reading this novel, I owe it to myself to see it up close and marvel at the historical significance.

 We will take every precaution to remain cool and hydrated. Of course our patience will travel along with us on this journey.  Thanks again!

6 minutes ago, Mississippian said:

It actually matters a lot. Most middle-class people would never use oleo in their home because it tastes bad. It used to be illegal to dye it yellow to keep unscrupulous companies from doing exactly what Princess is doing. As long as they charge First World prices they should be held to First World standards.

Absolutely well said!

On 2/2/2024 at 6:27 PM, dmwnc1959 said:

I did a TON of research and of all the Princess Cruises shore excursions from Fuerte Amador this is the one I wanted to do most. Even though you transit the canal on Coral Princess, I personally thought seeing the Miraflores Locks and Culebra Cut from a small boat at water level would significantly augment my canal experience. Maybe we can also get @BillB48 to chime in with his favorite.