Canuker

I recall, many years ago, going to a variety show at a (land based) theatre in which most seats were empty. Before curtain-up, the manger invited everyone to come to the front stalls to watch the show. All did; we moved from the balcony to the third row. We were surprised and very happy about that, and enjoyed the show the more for it. And, clearly, I remembered their good gesture after all this time*. I'm wondering if a cruise line like Princess might operate on the same principal, i.e. if there are larger, higher-priced cabins available just before the embarkation date, they move people into them from smaller, lower-priced cabins. From their perspective, the operating cost increase is virtually zero but in terms of goodwill towards their brand, the delight of those passengers and the post-cruise word-of-mouth publicity they may get, it seems a very good idea, not to mention the opportunity to perhaps perform needed maintenance work on a whole block of now empty cabins all at the same time (they are otherwise rarely empty). As one who owned a business before retiring, exceeding the expectations of the customer - even in a just a small, but meaningful, way - is a great way to build customer loyalty and repeat business. They remember that*.

Agreed, Em. Try them out. If they are not built exactly right or have been jolted, the image may be either blurry and/or doubled ; not good. Ensure the focusing works properly by focusing on something very far away (over 100 yards/metres) and something close by (say about 10 yards/metres). Generally, you get what you pay for. Since they will last a lifetime with proper care (always use the neck strap and keep a lens cloth in the case) think of it as an investment rather than an expense. They are priceless for getting that bear/crocodile/whale/bird/ so much closer to observe and enjoy.

I pack a mono-pod. Not as stable as a tripod (you have to hold on to it) but good enough (the ship is moving anyway) plus a gizmo that allows the binos to be mounted to it (essentially a right angle bracket with threads). The mono-pod is also good for taking jog-free camera photos, of course, particularly when the light is poor and the exposure relatively long.The big advantage over a tripod is size and weight - both for packing and for toting. And less expensive than a tripod. The other advantage is that it is easy to tilt to any angle you want. It telescopes in and out, rather like a radio antenna; I can extend mine far enough that I can rest it on the floor and have the binos or camera at eye level while standing up. Handy.

Given your distinction (+/- 1,000 pax), nbt, in what ways (other than mere size) are they materially different? E.g.: Accommodation F&B Entertainment Well-being Itinerary Calendar Crew (naval, hotel) Seaworthiness Other? Best, Canuker

By no means unique, but one of the ways to keep track of your cruises is the "Signature" feature in your Profile account for this Cruise Critic website. For brevity, I have my signature closed (i.e. it does not appear at the foot of my posts). If I toggled it to open, it would like like this: Enchanted Princess: Fort Lauderdale - S. Caribbean - New York, 24.08...Celebrity Silhouette: Miami - W. Europe - Southampton, 23.04... Queen Elizabeth: Vancouver - Alaska - Vancouver, 22.07...Independence of the Seas: Fort Lauderdale - E. Caribbean - Southampton, 19.05…Celebrity Reflection: Fort Lauderdale - NOLA & W. Caribbean - Fort Lauderdale, 19.03...Queen Mary 2: Southampton - New York, 18.07...Queen Mary 2: New York - Southampton, 18.07...P&O Aurora: Southampton - Baltic - Southampton, 17.05...Norwegian Jade: Tampa - Cork, 17.04...Queen Mary 2: Southampton - New York, 16.08...Queen Mary 2: New York - Southampton, 16.07...Queen Mary 2: Southampton - New York, 15.08...Queen Mary 2: New York - Southampton, 15.08...Norwegian Pearl: Miami - E. Carib - Miami 15.03...Queen Victoria: Ft. Lauderdale - Southampton, 14.04...Queen Mary 2: Southampton - New York, 13.08...Queen Mary 2: New York - Southampton, 13.07...Rotterdam VI: Ft Lauderdale - Rotterdam, 12.04...Crown Princess: New York - Quebec, 11.09...Serenade of the Seas: San Juan - E. Caribbean - San Juan, 11.05...Ocean Princess: Dover - Greenland - New York, 10.06...Splendour of the Seas: Lisbon - Sao Paulo, 09.12...Emerald Princess: Ft Lauderdale - S. Caribbean - FL, 08.11...Celebrity Galaxy: Miami - Rome, 08.05...Carnival Spirit: San Diego - Hawaii, 07.06...Legend of the Seas: Tampa - Southampton, 06.05...Carnival Holiday: Mobile - W. Carib - Mobile, 05.04...QE2: Southampton - New York, 02.05...M.S. Odessa: New York - Montreal, 76.06 So many wonderful memories are elicited from this list. Best, Canuker.

Cruise ships are far more remarkable for their similarities than their differences. Much of the 'differences' are artificially created niche marketing devices.

If anyone has experienced a genuine muster call (not a check-in or drill), how did pan out?

If my ship docks at the Brooklyn cruise terminal, about how long before that docking time will we pass under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, please?

DRO stands for Director of Restaurant Operations. Mr. Nicola Furlan is above the Maitres d'Hotel

Voyager1964, thank you for your detailed review. May I ask, can you share where you enjoy snorkeling in Curaçao, please - and why?

I'm sure this question has been addressed but I can't find anything specific. We are on the ship 24-08-10. Which of the 3 MDRs offer fixed time dining, please? We much prefer a large table, making friends and discovering their stories and to kick the day's activities around with them. We will plump for the late shift supper. Seems they all offer the same menu, so any one will do, as long as it has big (about 8 people) table seating.. Thanks for your input. Canuker

Talkorpi: thank you for all your wonderful, up-to-the-minute information and tips and views. Greatly appreciated. I know you're going to be busy with many things then, but if you could post your debarkation day Patter, it would 'complete the set', as it were. Best, Canuker (EP, 2024-08-10)

We're new to booking this ship. Looking at the deck plans, I don't see a forward-facing observation lounge. Am I not looking hard enough? There appears to be an outdoor forward-facing area on deck 19? Thanks, Canuker

This looks to be just what we're looking for. Thank you to all who have shared this. Can anyone state whether day visitors have access to snorkel gear and to bicycles. If so, I'm guessing there'll be an extra fee?