Randycurit

We have gone with and without the AIBP - for our 10 day cruise I was thinking it would not be worth it however when you add in the specialty coffee and bottles of water it became a deal for us. We are not huge drinkers but our break even we feel is 3 to 4 alcoholic drinks per day based on having the specialty coffee, a few sodas and a bottle of water per day. We will have a glass of wine at Vines before dinner and usually a drink with dinner or at the show after. If it is a late night in the casino I may grab a beer. On a 42 day cruise I would have to really think long and hard to make that decision.

Kingofcool - I don't know that answer off hand - I will try to ask around to see if anyone of my connection know the answer.

In 2012 there was a limited amount purchased by several cruise lines - Now it is my understanding that there are talks to increase the presence of "Maine" lobster on cruise ships. I am sure it is a cost issue.

Living in Maine and being a lobster dealer gives me a unique prospective and a little inside info. There was a big deal brokered between a lobster dealer and some cruise lines. It was my understanding that "Maine" lobster was going to replace the warm water lobster. I seldom eat the lobster on a cruise ship since I prefer to eat my lobster when they are a soft shell and steamed live.

For those wondering yup we do ship and have our own wharf.

hello -

My little advice would be to have meds and your shorts/swim suits in your carry on. When flying in on the day of the cruise (from the northeast) we always have our shorts in the carry on that way a quick change and up to the pool for that first toast to our cruise! we always observe those few people stuck in jeans with sweatshirts tied around their waist while waiting for their luggage to show up!

Here is the BEST kept secret of cruising (it is a big one) your on vacation ENJOY yourself! Yes there will be a few little bumps in the road (cruise) let them roll off your back - vacation is what you make it! Just remember you could be working like the rest of us not on vacation at that time.

have a great time!

Randy

enjoy your cruise - we will be following your thread! we re on the Regal jan 8th

The upgrade fairy has visited me several times including my up coming Regal cruise Jan 8th. We booked gty bal obstructed view and were placed in a deluxe bal aft. We got greedy and tried to move to a mini but the price was out of line and had to give up the perks we received so we stuck with the free upgrade. Last yr on our short cruise we had 3 cabins booked inside. I received an upgrade to balcony so called princess and did an up-sell deal to move the other cabins to bal.

it does happen and there seems to be no logic to it. Watch for price drops and decide if it is price or amenities you are looking for.

We booked a gty obstructed balcony for our Jan 8th cruise on the Regal as the price was awesome. We received our assignment and where upgraded to a Deluxe bal aft! I would say as many have, if you are not fussy about the location then book the min level gty you would want and roll the dice!

At any point you can apply cash to your ship account. On a recent cruise the casino gods blessed me, so I went to guest services and put $500 on my account. I had a surplus on my account at checkout!!! There is a first time for everything.

We booked a gty bal on Regal Jan 8,17 last week got assigned to Deluxe Balcony on Marina deck - called Princess and inquired about mini - 249/ pp so passed but rep put us down for upgrade if available. We will see what happens still 83 days out.

While we are not huge drinkers, we chose the alcohol package on our last two cruises and it seemed to work to our advantage. My gf enjoys a specialty coffee every morning which is included. When we went on shore we took water which saved us while on the islands. I did find that I drank a little more alcohol than I have in the past. I drink mostly soda during the day but enjoy a beer or mixed drink in the evening while on vacation. My break even would have been 5 or 6 alcohol drinks per day assuming I did not have anything else. When I figured the soda, waters, coffee (gf drank), gelto and the beers watching my New England Patriots play while in the pool on lido deck it was a no brainer for us! The old days of sneaking alcohol on board are long gone for me!

Hope this helps you with your question!

The ability to order a drink without paying for it by just signing on your cruise card can have a big surprise at the End of your cruise! I feel it is just a personal accounting for your needs vs cost.

Great video - looking forward to the rest of them! We will be aboard the Royal one week from today for a 10 day cruise!

We just stumbled upon this thread. I have cruised several lines and for my two cents the reason I have returned to Princess over and over again is due to the higher standards and classiness of the ships. We are not strictly formal in our daily lives but totally enjoy the formal nights on Princess. I wonder if PJ's and slippers will become the norm???? Welcome to Walmart ............ where the dress code allows people to walk around in PJ's ,slippers and belly shirts!!! I believe it is a slippery slope and what is a smart casual for one person is a pair of ripped jeans, local beer slogan tee shirt and their favorite teams logo ball cap!(on backwards)

OK any questions where I stand on this subject????

A quick thank you!!! We have been glued to your posts and looked forward to them every morning before work and again every night after dinner!!!! Thank you again!

Randy & Shellie