ChutChut

UMMMM - it's in very large lettering. There's no excuse not to read the passport requirements for one's cruise.

Again - there is NO ambiguity. Princess website is very clear about needing a Passport Book for any type of Panama Canal cruise. Unfortunately, your friends made a mistake. Unless they have something in writing from Princess or their travel agent stating otherwise, I'm afraid they're out of luck.

Panama Canal cruises always require the Passport book. Princess' website is very clear abut Passport Book being required for partial/full Panama Canal transit. I'm afraid this error is on the cruisers.

Slow during the day - pretty fast in the middle of the night.

I think if the ship departs from Pier 2, all will be fine. It's just when Princess is forced to use Pier 21. We disembarked at Pier 2 and it was smooth and efficient.

Yes. I was in a mini-suite L108 or 107 (I believe) on a 26-day transatlantic cruise to the Baltics. Crossing the Atlantic on a top deck and in the absolute front was a nightmare as the winds literally shook the cabin. The floors and bed vibrated so much I thought I was in an x-rated motel. Moreover, the wind howled and disrupted my sleep. Once we made it to Europe, the winds subsided and everything was fine. It's hit or miss but given the relative slow speed in the Caribbean, I wouldn't hesitate to book in the front (unless there's a storm and then who knows?).

I think it's adjacent to the Piazza or under the Princess Theater (or some other music venue) and there was loud bass noise, etc. all throughout the dinner. It was very jarring. Cielo was a better, more intimate dining room with no noise.

My daughter (age 13) and I departed on the Sky (November 19, 2022) from FLL for a seven-day Caribbean journey over Thanksgiving. We are Platinum and had Princess Plus. We booked a deluxe ocean view on the Sun deck (best and quietest deck onboard) and drove to the port from our home in Destin, FL. BOARDING - Sky was docked at Pier 21 as Enchanted was at Pier 2. Boarding was chaotic and could be deemed a cluster****. Princess did not have my customized Medallion wristbands at boarding (more on this later). CABIN - S102 - this is, probably, the best cabin I've ever had on Princess. Floor to ceiling windows and so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Would book this cabin again in a New York minute. CABIN BED - bed was split into two "sort of" twins beds. I dreaded this as I'm tall and like my queen bed at home. My dread was unfounded. Bed was akin to a dream cocoon and I slept like a baby every night (and took naps every day). Best sleep I've had in a long time. Mattress was heavenly and seemed it was steeped in Ambien I slept so well. Another poster recently said the mattresses were horrible. My experience was the opposite. PRINCESS PLUS - this is very subjective. I got a good deal on this through a travel agent so it was worth it to me but if I had to pay retail, I probably would pass next time as I'm just not a heavy drinker. FOOD - surprisingly good. Ate in the main dining room almost every night (loved Cielo dining room - Estrella - not so much). Ate at Alfredo's (yum) and International Cafe frequently (great). Buffet (meh). Overall, pleased with food and quality. CRUISE DIRECTOR - Matt from England was terrific. Very memorable and personable. ACTIVITIES - lots of good things to do on sea days. Princess has even brought back galley tours, etc. CUSTOMER SERVICE - Something happened onboard that could have injured my daughter (a malfunction). Princess guest services manager handled it like a pro and I was delighted to find several wonderful treats and gifts in my cabin. A big A+ to Jody. He's such an asset to Princess. Overall, room steward was terrific, same with bar staff, waitstaff, etc. Princess even called us on the second day and said they found our customized wristbands. They delivered them to our cabin and we did received them gratis. Now we have two great wristbands each. DISEMBARKATION - Sky docked at Pier 2 (it embarked from Pier 21) and Princess had many shuttles to take those of us who had parked at the Palm Garage back there. Very efficient and no problem at all. Disembarkation took five minutes. Very efficient. I was sort of anxious going on a cruise given Covid, etc. but I had the time of my life on this cruise (so did daughter). Feel great afterward (didn't catch anything) and crew were always cleaning, etc. I booked another cruise onboard and would be delighted to sail on the Sky again.

It's none of your business who's vaxxed or unvaxxed. Princess has made a decision. Either accept it and cruise with whatever protocols make you feel safe (without imposing them on other people), or don't cruise. It's that simple.

So - we no longer have to bring our vaccination cards, etc. with us?

It seems part of Princess' website has been updated but another part still reflects the testing for unvaxxed requirement. Regardless, this is good news!!

Appears testing still is required of unvaxxed passengers.

Also, NCL lost the mandate requirement case in Florida (11th Cir. just sided with FL), so cruise lines cannot reimpose any mandates out of FL.

Thank you so much for detailing your wonderful journey! Hope your shoulder is better!

I reserved my excursions with OBC but Princess charged my CC for specialty restaurants. However, if you change your mind within 5 days (I believe) of the cruise, Princess will automatically credit your cc for the amount.

Just did mine - expedited. Took a little less than three weeks. Meant to write - I just did my 13-year-old daughter's. Had to appear, send in the paperwork, etc., and it only took three weeks before she received her new one.

I'll wear a white shirt and my daughter will wear her yellow/gold dress. Together, we'll fulfill the "requirement."

There is a discrepancy on the Princess website. I've always understood the beach house to be for teenagers 13-17. Perhaps the FAQ page is a typo? This is a hard one as it certainly suggests twelve year olds are allowed be with the teenagers. Princess customer service might give you one answer but the final answer will be on the ship and by the head of the kids program.

Test results only if unvaxxed (or on one of the "special" enumerated cruises).

Maybe akin to a security blanket?

Yep. Back to the CC.

Thanks for the thorough and well-balanced review. Covid will never to "over." Will be like a cold/flu for vast majority of people. We just have to learn to live with it.

I don't think there are many loungers in the very front area.

"Widow" Suite? Interesting....

This is the standard upcharge for both "plans." You shouldn't have paid more than $50 per day (per person) for Plus. If you did, I would talk to someone about it.