suekel

I use EZ Air to get to the port just in case there is some delay. Last cruise I booked my own flight home because it was a better flight.

Thank you, Suekel :).

You're welcome. Be aware that all of these resorts are huge and set back from the street so you'll take a lot of cabs/uber/lyfts. Even next door can be a long walk.

here it is! http://www.tix4tonight.com/showcase-mall/

Looking at the map of Vegas, I would say yes. Right on the strip. As an FYI, there is a stand outside the MGM, under a big coke sign. They sell tickets for shows that night that have not sold out for a discounted price. I'm not sure what time the tickets go on sale...in my head I'm thinking 1 or 2 but it could be later. You might want to check that out if you're not too picky about what you see. We saw a Cirque show in the New York New York last summer that was good...rated R, don't take the kids.

Have fun!

There is an Alfredo's on the Grand also

https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=AP

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

Complimentary private portraitsitting with onboard photographer

One of the suite perks is a private photo sitting. Is this done on formal nights or can you arrange a time to get this done? Is the photo free afterwards or is this another one that you must purchase?

Thanks

I don't know of a Tapas place. The only places that charge extra are the 2 specialty dining, the seafood bar and the crab shack. The international cage is open 24 hours. Alfredo's and the 2 places up by the pool are open into the evening, not sure what time they close 10 ish?

Suite passengers get 2 splits of Korbel Champagne

Can that be swapped out for wine?

Yeah, that's expensive. For 2 it was $68.

Before i was elite i traveled with friends that were. They let us board together.

Do you know of any private transfer companies that could accommodate 7 pax plus luggage?

 

We are visiting in August and have found the hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf to be very pricey. Looks like the best area to stay in though to see the main tourist attractions.

I ended up hiring Five Emerald Limousine service. They have different sizes of vehicles. For the 2 of us it's not much more than an Uber.

Ok. We can do Alcatraz the night we arrive and Napa the next day. Sounds perfect. Thank you all.

thanks for the quick response. That's sort of how I was leaning but I thought I should ask first.

I'm looking at ideas for a Napa tour the day that we land in San Francisco. First, we don't land until 12:30 and I read that the vineyards close at 4:30. Is there enough time for me to hire one of the tour services to pick us up at SFO, get to Napa and have the chance to stop at 3 or 4 vineyards? It will be in January and I don't know what time it gets dark out there. Or would I be better off planning it for the next day when we have all day? We only have a day and a half and we also want to go to Alcatraz.

Thanks!

An upgrade offer that comes in the form of an e-mail from Princess or a phone call/e-mail from your TA is real. These offers are not a scam. They typically occur when one cabin category is "full" and a better one is not selling and the cruise date is nearing. Princess has some nice computer algorithms that tell them how much they can expect to sell at what point before a cruise.

 

SO' date=' if interior cabins are sold out but there are lots of balconies left and the computer tells them it is time, Princess will send these notices. You have to respond on the phone (or at least we did). The will offer a move from an inside to a balcony at a much lower price than you would have paid to book a balcony initially. If you accept the offer, you'll pay them the stated amount and they can now post an available inside cabin for sale. They are betting that they can sell that inside cabin while someone looking at the price of a balcony might decide to not book.

 

There is no way you can "make" an upgrade offer happen or improve your chances of an offer.

 

Charging the price of a cruise is a personal matter. I believe in living debt free and would not change that philosophy in order to go on a vacation, while others would think nothing of it. Do remember that if you charge that vacation, you'll ultimately pay a lot more than what is on your invoice. And the cruise will cost more than the invoice cost--air transportation, a hotel the night before, transportation from airport to the port, excursions, alcohol, adult beverages, etc....will all add up. Not everyone will use all of these costs, but most people will have at least some of them.[/quote']

 

That's why I love booking early and making a payment every payday. It's nice to have everything paid for before you go.

I just saw your post. The Lombard Motor is in the Marina which is an excellent location. I have visiting friends that stay there often. Look for Mel’s Drive In, a 50 style restaurant, where they filmed the movie “American Graffiti “ in another location in the city. I don’t consider it walking distance to the wharf but one block away on Chestnut Street, many shops & restaurants, there is the #30 Stockton bus 🚎 which will take you a few blocks of the wharf, pier 39, & if you were to stay on you would reach China Town, the largest community outside China.

Tom😎

I ended up moving us to the Courtyard by Marriott. A bit more expensive but reasonable I thought.

Staying by the wharf is definitely a good plan. Everything is pricey but you would be sorry if you came all this way and stayed over by the airport or in a skanky part of town.

The ferry isn't cold, it has a lot of indoor seating! It is cold out on Alcatraz, though. We had a nice January this year but now it is just freezing cold. Mix that with the wind and fog, it could be quite chilly over on the Rock. The night tour could be downright unbearable. But for the day tour, the temps might be between mid 30's to mid 60's .... just depends. I've been over there a couple times, once in the pouring rain and quite chilly in March and the other time, it was sunny and beautiful ... in the mid 50's in Sept. Just wear layers out there and scope out some of the sunnier trails if it you are so lucky as to have a bright sunny day. It does happen!! If rainy or too cold, you can spend most of your time inside the actual prison building and that will shield you from the rain and any wind.

Thank you very much!

Got my flight booked today, coming in 2 days early. Decided to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott by the wharf. How chilly will the ferry be to Alcatraz in January? Bear in mind we're coming from the midwest so anything over 40 degrees will feel warm.

In January there were so many people that they had at least 4 of these events and on all the lines were horrendous. We skipped it and went to Vines.

I got one in the fall that I was very tempted but I promised my husband we would do a ski vacation instead. Maybe next year.

Usually it will be the first sea day

Just give me a card to take to Vines to order a glass of my choosing that doesn't impact my PBP, and I'm good. And for non drinkers, a card for the International Cafe to get at the time of their choosing.

I would have no problem with F301 if it were the only window suite available. However, I prefer the larger ones if available.

 

I have not stayed in F301 myself. I have booked it a couple of times, but both times I was able to change to another window suite before sailing. Since all of the window suites are the same S7 category, you can change from one to another if available with no change to your cruise fare or other booking incentives (OBC, PBP, free gratuities, or whatever). Just check online and call Princess (or your travel agent) if you see another one come available for your cruise.

It was the last one available but I'll keep my eyes open to see if that changes.

Nice upgrade enjoy your cruise. I hope you have a great time.

Tony

Thank you. The suite perks sound amazing.