BDRebel

After a poor experience with my original TA, I decided to try another who was recommended by friends (out of state). After the first introductory email, she wanted to know what I was looking for (type/location of cabin, general itinerary, length of cruise, budget). She quickly had a cruise lined up with an ideal cabin.

The quoted price was the same as was on the line's site, but she also kept an eye on refares.

On that cruise she saved me over $1000. On my next cruise she has ensured that the line gives me 1000 OBC (I would have been able to do either of these myself, but I would have had to pay attention daily to the pricing changes, which I do not care to do).

Upon completion of the cruise, she followed up to ensure that everything met my expectations and how to make it better next time.

I could probably find another TA that would give me a free dinner, but why change when I currently have one that cares about my experiences?

(And yes, they do have cruise experience).

A good TA would here you out and try to help you, hoping that you end up booking through them.

I think I would email the YouTuber a not saying, "Thank you for your kind advice. I will continue to search for a TA who desires to work for his customers."

You may have to go through several TAs until you find one you are comfortable with.

Also, if you are using their services, you should also book with them. I am not talking about a simple question, but anything requiring research on the part of the TA should be rewarded.

On several cruises, I have taken the individual sized liquid hazelnut creamers in their original box and put it in my checked bag. I've never had a problem with the creamers breaking during the flight. More recently, I have switched to the hazelnut powder creamer that's in a plastic container that I put in a gallon plastic bag, and it goes in my checked bag. The creamer works just fine in my coffee and there's no worry about it spilling during the flight. I take a couple of small plastic bags, and each day, I pour some of the creamer in the bag and take it with me for my coffee.

I wonder what the Customs officer would think if, when he opened you suitcase, he was greeted by a gallon bag full of white powder?:evilsmile:

(Not to worry though - they would test it before coming after you)

I agree with flying in the day prior if possible.

As far as the documentation, I simply use a gallon size ziplock bag..

You will need to go through your TA if Princess has them listed as your TA.

Also, with a week out from your cruise, I do not think Princess will do a simple refare -- they will likely cancel your original booking and then rebook at the new fare -- by cancelling the original you will lose quite a bit (75 - 100% of the booking)

If this discount was instituted after you had already paid, then they are in the right.

On the other hand, if you feel that the cruise line is disrespecting you, then let them know with your wallet -- book a different line in the future.

I tell my TA where I am leaving from, where I am going and when. They generally find me a ticket at better than half the price I could find on my own.

I have a British Air flight and several on American next April. I was able to reserve my seats on the American flights when I booked them on EZAir. As far as the BA flight, I was able to reserve them on the website after I signed up for their frequent flier program.

Your best bet would be to talk to the Maitre d' about using the anytime dining. They will probably be OK with it, but there may be a rule against it.

I'm hoping they get the Regal up and running by next April.

That's OK -- the answer I was about to give differed from Princess' answer.

princess must think i am too old for the coloring book. they must also think i am too old for birthday card.. first time i have not received a birthday card for my birthday which was on tuesday.

Happy Belated Birthday from your friends at CruiseCritic!

By the way, you are never too old!

While I have not received anything like that from Princess, it may be because I have already mastered staying inside the lines. I would suggest that your partner just needs to practice, practice, practice and he will move up the birthday gift chain to get, maybe, a magnet.

They must know that I sadly lack any artistic ability:D

I've only received the emailed cards. A nice thought, though.

The funniest thing about this 600+ post thread, is that so many people are dead set against carrying an RFID medallion, but are completely willing to carry an RFID card.

We had relatively rough seas one day making it difficult to walk in the corridors. The movement seemed to be the same from the front of the ship to the doors to the pool area.

Royal class L-101 or 102.

Normally less expensive than a normal balcony, they are forward facing, deluxe balcony cabin, and the balcony is about as large as the cabin. The only limitation is that the rail is steel rather than plexiglass.

L-103 and 104, as well as M-101-104 are the same size cabin, but the balconies are slightly smaller (although still huge).

I booked economy EZAir through American and British Air. I have no status on either line, nor have I paid yet for the tickets.

I have been able to reserve seats on all flights (flights are not until April/May of next year).

Although they do often change the prices for the "sales", the price is still in keeping with demand.

I booked a 15 day TA when they first opened for reservations. There have been two sales since - one offering OBC and now another offering a free beverage package. The price has remained the same throughout.

I changed my booking (for free) during the OBC package -- for no additional cost, Princess is giving me and my wife $1000 OBC. This is in addition to $100 each for future cruise deposit (give them $100 per passenger while you are on a cruise, it will pay for the deposit on a future cruise, in addition to giving up to $100 OBC on that future cruise) as well as Veterans OBC (Princess will reward those who served in their armed forces (US, Canada or GB) up to $250 per veteran (defined as serving at least two years with an honorable discharge). They also offer OBC to anyone who owns at least 100 shares of CCL stock.

This cruise, I am walking away with over $1400 OBC, not including whatever may be given by my travel agent.

Unlike RCL owned lines, Princess will allow you to stack OBCs.

Some friends and I did a taste test using Ketel One vodka purchased on the ship and the same from a bottle smuggled onboard. The bar tender showed us their bottle and it said 80-proof (40% alcohol), but clearly we all could taste the difference. The bottle from home was clearly stronger.

This likely has more to do with the quality of the spirit rather than the alcohol content.

We were on the Royal in L101 -- the motion was not any more troublesome there than anywhere else but the middle of the ship. Even then, it wasn't bothersome.

I'm not sure if Princess will allow you book the teens in the balcony, thus allowing your DH to book in the suite. Some cruise lines allow it. Have you talked to Princess about it?

The shower stalls are made of pre-formed fiberglass. Magnets will not work. Some have used binder clips to weigh the curtain down a bit.

I love that the IC doesn't serve Starbucks!:D

You will not need your passport in a Caribbean port until you need it.

If you end up having to return to the US by a means other than the cruise you left on, you will need a passport - a copy of the passport will not work, nor will a birth certificate and drivers license.

As valuable as the passport is to thieves, as many times as I have visited the Caribbean islands, I have never had my passport taken from me.

I always take mine with me -- plan for the best case, but prepare for the worst case.