New Cruiser Needs Advice, Please!

[Breindel]

Hi,

This will be, not only my first Princess Cruise, but also my first week-long cruise!

The shore excursions sure add up, and I was wondering what activities are available to keep us busy on the ship while we're in port? And are they free or do they cost extra?

THanks a bunch! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Breindel

[cusyl]

They have a lot of activities..cards, internet, music, dance lessons, arts & crafts, puzzles, games, casino, video arcade, trivia,spa, gym, swimming, entertainment, library, shopping and most of all eating LOL. These are all free of any additional charge. Be prepared to become hooked on the cruising way of life. It's wonderful.

A bad day at sea is better than a good day at work
27 cruises since 1964 -Proud member of O.A.T.C.

Queen Mary 2 Maiden Caribbean Voyage 1/31/2004
Zuiderdam 3/27/2004
Caribbean Princess 8/28/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;08;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] <center>
Carnival Miracle from Tampa 11/7/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;11;07;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] <center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[LARGIN]

You can leave the ship when you are in port without going on an excursion. Most shopping areas are within an easy walk from the ship and there is lots to see.

9/5 Coral Princess Alaska
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;4;21;30;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]

[sue d. miller]

You have the choice of lots of stuff to do. Each evening, the patters, letter that tell you what and where all activites will be, is delivered to your cabin, so you will know everything that is being offered. Great library too!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Sue
7 days on Star 10/24/04
GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

[DoniaG]

You might want to get a copy of Frommer's Caribbean Ports of Call. It has lots of activities for cruise ship passengers, including ones that are within walking distance of the ship's landing. It even gives you a range of taxi costs and information about local transportation if you want to leave the port area. Some of the same information is available at Frommers.com, but the book is much easier to use.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

[mii]

The main thing is that you receive the Princess Patter ( newspaper) the night before and they have all sorts of activities and times for things to do while on the ship. Or you can get a magazine or book go out by the pool or in the shade and just sit back, get a drink and do absolutely nothing if you wish.


Marilyn

[BJS]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I was wondering what activities are available to keep us busy on the ship while we're in port? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sceduled activites are very minimal when the ship is in port. Mid afternoon there is frequently a movie in the theater and very late afternoon they may schedule something but not much. Most people go ashore or just laze around the pool or find a quiet spot and read. The ship's casino and shops are always closed when in port.

[B] Future cruises:[/B]
9/04 [B]Star Princess x2[/B]- Med. Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
11/04[B] Dawn Princess[/B]-Southern Caribbean
1/05 [B]Diamond Princess[/B]-Mexican Riviera
7&8/05[B]Star Princess x2[/B]-Baltics

[B] Past cruises: [/B]
04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska
04[B] Dawn Princess x2[/B]- Southern Caribbean
03[B]Grand Princess x2[/B]- W.Caribbean
03 [B]Sun Princess[/B]-Mexico
03[B]Tahitian Princess[/B]-Tahiti/ Cook Islands
03 [B]Royal Princess x2[/B]-British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland
03 [B]Island Princess[/B]-Panama Canal
01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio
00 [B]Sky Princess[/B]-China/Orient
79 [B]Sitmar's Fairwind x2[/B]- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[srphnx]

Two words:

Afternoon nap.

We love port days, we don't do much in the way of excursions, having been to the places we go to a number of times,we like having the ship more empty feeling, we spend time on the promenade deck on loungers or playing gin in a nook somewhere, a cruise isn't about doing "stuff" for us it is about coming to the end of day more rested than when it started and having accomplished NOTHING.

Don't assume you have to be scheduling every minute or even every day, let it flow.

[B] Life is at it's best when your address floats [/B]
One MORE open Booking(s).
[B]<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>[/B]
Sapphire Princess 09/04
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
[B]<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>[/B]
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02[B]<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>[/B]
Ecstacy 09/01
[B]<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 12/97
[B]<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>[/B]
Century 9/96

[CruiseFever]

[I]"The shore excursions sure add up"[/I]

Boy, you got that right.

There are lots of things to do on the ship while in port. One big attraction is that, depending on the port, the ship may be comparatively empty. The lines and crowding you might feel at sea will be gone ashore leaving you free to easily use all the ships facilities. The casino and shops won't be open but about everything else will be.

Still, I'd encourage you to go ashore if for no other reason that to buy a refrigerator magnet and be able to say you did. Our best shore experiences have been from hiring a cab and a good local driver to give us a tour, maybe stop at some places of interest and come back to the ship. In the Caribbean, time on the beach is golden and not to be missed for us.

We've only done a few of those expensive shore excursions more choosing to go it on our own when we can.

Personally, I look at going ashore kind of like participating in formal night; its a rich and memorable experience that really adds to the quality of your cruise.

If the budget is of concern as it should be, plan ahead, research here and online for things to do ashore that are rich in experience and inexpensive in cost, there are a bunch of them.

Happy Cruising

Chris
[email]Chris@LifeIsCruising.com[/email]
[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Now Playing-
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Coming Attractions-
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Sapphire Princess June '05
Caribbean Princess 09/17/05
(CC Hounds Group)
Carnival Valor 10/30/05
(CC Vampire Group)