JG&Lcruisingnewbies

Also from the UK, new to Princess and going on a Fjord cruise (although this year) thank you so much for this breakdown! I had an idea of what it is and how it works- but you have put together everyone in the most understandable and succinct way I’ve seen & It feels much clearer now I don’t know what cruise @Trixie21 you are going on but if it’s a 2 week midnight sun one it’ll be practically the same as mine im hoping to add some kind of review during or after our cruise so if you want, keep an eye open for it & if you have any questions I’ll try to answer 😃

Thank you. That makes sense now 😊

I don’t drink alcohol but these drinks do sounds good. I was wondering what cocktails would make decent Mocktails please? (In addition to the Mocktails they officially have) any other non alcohol recommendations most welcome too, thank you😃

If guests arrive prior to their check in time too. Not just before the terminal opens. The holding area had later arrival times on sign posts next to them. I arrived when check in was open. Others were directed to areas based on their later check in times doesn’t always happen. But it can

Agreed. Southampton Port, UK has been getting strict. Can’t comment for other ports. Or if other ports will begin to do he same. I think it depends on how busy the ship is. I have seen people being directed into a ‘holding area’ when they have turned up too early. I mainly travel in School Holidays. It’s my home port. I know people who have had to wait. And people who just walk on whenever they arrive

I’ve taken some Some screen grabs of you coming into port this morning Live from ‘Solent ships’ webcams (find on YouTube) for anyone interested. Some live Weather/ tide data running along the bottom of a few. in order 1. Passing the Town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. I’d love this view! 2. from Netley sailing club, following in The Iona into Southampton Water. You’re just passing the tiny Calshot Castle 3 also from Netley Sailing Club now in Southampton water 4 & 5 Itchen Cam. Southampton Sailing club, across the River Itchen. just arriving into Southampton port itself

Thank you so much for this live thread. All three of us, myself, husband and 10yr old are doing this itinerary and have been following along. It’s been wonderful to travel with you from post to post, port to port, picture to picture. We’ve picked up some great tips. I love how you just take everyday as it comes, and do your own thing at your own pace. You are always so positive and appreciative, it’s made me happy to read such a positive blog/ thread on Cruise critic. If you do decide to do more, and I hope you do, I’ll be following along those too 😃 We’re now even more excited for our August cruise. 7 weeks today, yay! Enjoy your time in London, safe travels hope and have a wonderful time in Alaska

Hi, I think the club will open for teens. mid august is school holidays in England, N. Ireland & wales. (Scotland break up & return to school earlier in the year) Although to be honest I’m not sure how many brits with kids go on a cruise around Britain. I think more of us prefer to go s’hampton to other countries. im sure there will be some British teens though BUT most of mainland Europe are still on school holidays too. So they’ll be teens from there too As well as other teens from outside of Europe like yourselves. i hope they have a great time 😃

Definitely meant Myself 😂 however, seriously, I hadn’t thought about charging my devices outside the cabin silly me. thanks for that info about the AC outlets. I now know I can chill out and read while I charge my iPhone, so it’s fully ready for the next million photos I’ll take on it! 😃

The UK is notorious for not tipping anyway but on the handful of cruises I’ve been on, all in Europe, I’ve not seen anyone tip. Of course I’m sure some do. But we don’t often sit at the same table in an MDR, or even at the same time, so we don’t have the same wait staff. nor do we frequent the same bar over and over. if you do and that’s what you prefer, that’s great. Personally We don’t stick to any kind of time scale on holiday but that’s just us. we have tipped our cabin attendant on a few occasions for looking after us brilliantly one occasion quite a lot. We’d travelled across the Bay of Biscay on a bad day & 2 out of the 3 of us got seasick. Not me. But Including my then 5yr old. The cabin attendant went above & beyond checking on us & helping with whatever was needed. I felt so bad for the trouble he went to. and we’ll be sure to leave reviews mentioning staff we’ve had great interactions with, now I know just how important it is 😃

Thank you for asking the question and all the answers. I was wondering if I would be able to find a quiet spot when I need to recharge, other than going back to cabin. Pleased to see that I can 😃 The Cruise in August I’m on looks to be full. I’m guessing, like ours, many of the cabins that can accommodate more than 2 people will be because it’s summer holidays

Hadn’t realised that ‘still water’ was a European term! So what would I ask for if in the States so I don’t get blank looks off of the poor server I’ve just confused? Just ask for water and it’ll be still water? Ps. in UK if you don’t want to pay for water at a restaurant ask for a jug/glass of TAP water specifically. Too many places don’t automatically bring water to the table although that’s getting much better

i don’t think I’ve ever seen this drink served in the UK despite it’s name. I’ve had to look it up! I can seriously see some British tea drinkers looking at this and going ‘you are doing what with Earl Grey? No’ It’s not usually drunk with a lot of milk here. If any personally I think they sound great so hopefully I can try one on board 🤞 do they do the lattes iced too? Unsure about the chai syrup 😬 but we’ll see

I’m a Tea drinker. A strange one who hates coffee in any form- including cake 😂 I’m cruising with Princess for the first time in August. Didn’t realise they do Chai tea lattes! This makes me very happy 😃

for some reason I had in my head that Andalsnes would be my least favourite and there wasn’t much to do there. I’ve no idea why. I didn’t do my research on this one clearly thank you for changing my mind! those views 💕 THAT is why I’m so excited to go to Norway. The scenery if I have weather like you are getting, I’ll have cheeks aching from the smiling too 😃 I am beyond excited, thank you 😊

Yes During peak times you can definitely not rely on having your luggage next to you RE strikes. we are having quite a few. we do now have July dates for anyone who may have already booked train travel or are thinking of doing so, this is the current train strike info for london/Southampton area 3-8th July Drivers are not going to be doing any overtime. This means that services will be reduced. I wouldn’t recommend train travel on those dates. trains will be busier, slower & may not run at all outright strikes dates 20th July, 22nd July & 29th July. Don’t bother trying to travel on those days even if you read there are ‘limited services’ If you have booked train travel other days in July you *should* be fine Travel in UK in August? Unions must give 2 weeks notice. We’ll know nothing yet if you feel safer, opt for bus travel. Just be aware that roads will also be busier on strike days so allow extra time for those too HTH 😊

Ditto! I'm feeling a bit more confident about exploring a few places on our own now too 😃

I’m loving that you posted about saving money, thank you. with current cost of living rises it’s really appreciated A lot of the time on CC I read reviews, see excursions, the speciality dining, packages, spa, and what to take onboard and feel like my cruise just doubled in price! So anyone reading, please keep the money saving ideas coming 😃

I wondered if it was cheaper to buy some things on board because of the exchange rates currently Obviously this depends on your rates on whatever card you are using for the cruise. that needs looking into. While you say online is £14.33, buying onboard at $14.99 is about £12 someone please correct me if I’m wrong here though

I don’t know if you are planning on going to Blarney Castle from Cork? Anyone who is, decent footwear for those steep castle steps is a good idea. I’ve seen people try it in flip flops. Not ideal if you want to kiss the Blarney Stone, be aware that you kiss it upside down, holding onto iron railings. I didn’t realise when I went lol 🙈 it was a bit of a surprise! Did it though. they do sanitise it between people It’s meant to give you the ‘gift of the gab’ and some think it’ll make your wishes come true! I hope it works for anyone on your cruise who gives it a go 😃 I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise! Loving the food pics 😋

Ah, the M25. Hate it Sometimes called The magic roundabout (circles around London) Often known as the largest car park in the UK because you can be stuck in one place for flipping ages 😬

I’m so pleased you are visiting when, after 5 years of work, the scaffolding around Big Ben is finally down so you can see it properly. & the bongs are back 🔔 London was weird without those For those interested, it’s officially Elizabeth Tower but no one says that really. Big Ben is the bell. originally it was St Stephens Tower but renamed Elizabeth when it was our late Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012 i’ll stop with the history lesson now sorry!

I think we were lucky. Not Alaska, but a very very popular train journey in Flam, Norway was sold out months in advance via Princess Absolutely no chance doing it independently because they were all gone also months in advance. I kept checking excursions via my booking on the Princess website for the train. Eventually a wait list opened and within a few days all three of us were off the wait list & booked. It’s the only Princess trip we are doing because it seemed the only way to possibly get spaces so I think if you see another Princess tour you fancy, keep checking for spaces/ wait list spaces. Enjoy your journey 😃

I knew there was another reason I don’t wear white. Pure simple & calm? Triple whammy of things I’m not 😆 that and I’m dyspraxic and it makes me terribly clumsy. That white dress would have stains on it less that 60 seconds after I start eating It would be white, gold & the MDR special! 😜

I’m British. Contacted my TA and asked them the same question. We definitely have to pay to upgrade. The upgrade just wasn’t worth it for us either. Juices i might have a few but I won’t have enough of to make it worth it. The desserts I’d prob try once. They don’t look all that special tbh. The fitness classes I wouldn’t bother