Karkies25

We just got off Ruby on 11/30 and it was great! Hubby and I are both Platinum Captains Circle and we both thought this was in the top 3 cruises we’ve been on.
 

Go and enjoy. 

I’m a long time Princess cruiser but haven’t sailed since they introduced the medallions. We sail soon and need help. 
 

There are so many accessories to carry/wear the medallions on Amazon, Etsy, Princess, etc. 

what accessory do you recommended and why? Any photos to share of your accessory?

thanks! 

I work in the ocean cargo shipping industry and this is top news right now.
 

I wonder if it Will it affect Canal cruises? Yikes.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/09/panama-canal-shipping-pileup-due-to-drought-reaches-154-vessels.html

Currently booked for Fantastica (B2) balcony on Belissima in December.

In September, was offered $550 pp (minimum bid) to upgrade to Yacht Club Deluxe Suite.

So I bid $555 pp ( $5 over, just to not put us at the bottom against other minimum bidders) LOL

No response yet if we will or will not get upgrade.

No biggie if we don't get it...

This will be our first MSC cruise.  We are long term Princess cruisers with Platinum status. We got Gold match with MSC.

Stay tuned!

Thank you Anne! 🙂

Thank you Anne. I appreciate your kind feedback and excellent perspective. 
 

our all aboard time is 11pm, so I think we will have enough time?

If we go with the plan, do you recommend a hire car or should we get a car/driver?

thanks again!

Hello!

If Anne from Dubai is reading or any other experts on Dubai....please help! 🙂

We will be in Dubai on a Saturday on MSC Belissima cruise ship. 

Is it realistic and doable to rent a car at the port and:

—11am: get rental car near port

—drive 40 mins to Camelicious for short tour and visit for approx 1 hour

—drive 30 mins to Camel race track to see races and camels. stay 1-2 hours

—drive back 45 mins to cruise port / car rental return before dinner ~7pm on the ship

This is a basic loop drive from the port. Route map below.

Doable?

Better to rent car or hire a driver?

We’ve driven rental cars internationally. Any concerns on driving in Dubai?

Thanks!

thanks for the replies, still debating whether we will dress up or just go to the horizon court on formal nights

We are used to the usual level of "formal" on Princess' Cruises in the Caribbean and Mexico 7 day itineraries: men in suits or nice shirt/tie/slacks and ladies in nice dresses (yet still not black tie IMO)

So, my question: on our upcoming cruise on the Diamond, RT Singapore to SE Asia 7 night, should we expect same level of "formal" as Caribbean or not? Will men be in tuxedos and ladies in full gowns? Or not?

thanks!

Thanks everyone, so many great suggestions!

Thanks for your quick replies.

What about a recommended airport transit hotel where we could get a day room?

Hello,

Our cruise ends on Sat March 11 and we get off the ship at approximately 9am...with all of our luggage.

Our flight out doesn't leave until 6pm the same day (Singapore Airlines back to the USA)

We will have done 5 days pre-cruise in Singapore so I am not sure we will want to see anymore sights in Singapore.

What recommendations do you have on spending a day at a hotel? At airport? Perhaps relax by a hotel pool and nap?

What to do with luggage too?

Thanks for your help! :)

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your responses.

Our ship arrives at 7am (Diamond Princess on March 11

2016. A Saturday)

How long does disembarkation process take with customs/etc?

Will we make a 1 pm flight departure from SIN airport?any tips or tricks or

Recommendations to make this doable?

We are used to the usual Ft Lauderdale Princess disembark process when there's 4+ ships in port. On 3/11 our ship will be only ship in cruise port.

Thanks!

After the 3.5* failed in San Pedro, I added Long Beach Airport (knowing that there is not a 3.5*) hotel at the airport.

3.5* San Pedro, tried $95 and was rejected, upped to $97 and added LGB and won Crowne Plaza San Pedro.