SomewhereGirl

Seems like they always run an authorization when you check in. How did they do that on the first day and not subsequent days?🤷‍♀️

There are signs near the castle entrance that say 60 minutes from a certain point. Consider that if you're on a ship's tour (of which there is probably more than one bus), you could be #1 of 50, or #50 of 50. Of course, not everyone will want to kiss the stone but you're also contending with other tourists and your shipmates on private tours. Walk fast. It's quite aways from the coach drop off. I went end of last August but with a private tour company (Paddywaggon). Our busload was able to leave the port and get to Blarney Castle before the ship excursions. Got to the top of the castle and there were maybe 15 people ahead of me. I didn't want to kiss the stone though so didn't wait. Just wanted to see inside the castle and the view from the top.

And definitely go with the small group tour for the very slightly higher price. Well worth it.

You win. There's plenty of seating in the OL for a couple thousand passengers...and plenty of room in the Cavern Club...and the Atrium...because logically there's more room for everyone when then ship is at full capacity vs reduced capacity.

I doubt it's ever not like that on a non-port day, you know like when the ship is moving and there's something to observe. 🖕

Whenever I see people post recommending Bliss or Encore because of the huge observation lounge I want to say don't count on it. I can't even imagine it on a ship at full capacity. I was on the Encore to Alaska in 2021 after the restart at like 70% capacity. Walked through the OL on Glacier Bay day and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Had the whole lazer tag area to myself (weather permitting). OL was good for the banana chips at the breakfast "buffet".

This doesn't answer the exact question but I went with Paddywaggon tours in September. Our tour was able to leave and get to Blarney before the Princess excursions. Minimal wait at the top of the castle. Didn't not kiss the stone because gross. Suggest going with a non-Princess tour operator. The coach drop-off is a bit of a distance from the castle. Walk fast.

My experience is they assign the time based on your flight time but if you don't like your assigned time you can go to Passenger Services and request a different time. I wanted to ensure plenty of time to get to LHR and through security before flying back to the States so I exchanged my luggage tags for an earlier time to add a bit more cushion.

How old were these jerks? I'm guessing 20-somethings who thought they were being cute when really they were just being a--holes.

I was on the Princess cruise that same week of 2022. The combination of price and the ports for that sailing were great. We had really great weather. No rain except the morning of sailing from Southampton and then in Edinburgh. Sunny or overcast skies for the rest of the cruise. Mild, comfortable temps. I had been following the weather in the weeks leading up to my sailing. There had been a heat wave. The Emerald Isle wasn't as emerald as I expected. Fields were brown because there hadn't been much rain, and the heat. But as Bob said, weather is a lottery.

On my last cruise on Emerald one day I heard all these slamming doors. I finally poked my head out and asked the steward what was going on. It was HIM slamming the doors. He said he was checking them so he was opening and slamming every door in the vicinity. WTH. I was completely disgusted and still am.

I got the email also but these coupons are not listed under my coupons and credits.

Dr Google would suggest if you were on a sailing before those mentioned, and you didn't get sick, then you're in the clear because of the incubation period. That's not to say people on previous sailings shouldn't also be notified in case they did get sick. (Interesting reading on this thread that a shower head could do harm.)

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Was planning to but when I was last in Vegas the show was closed because of Covid. 😭 I'd be totally bummed if the ship shows were also canceled. On the Encore the only shows I went to were the Beatles at The Cavern Club twice and the theater once. The production quality just varies by group and ship. As another poster said, they obviously selected correctly.

I can see how it could be a big problem because you'd be occupying tables twice as much if you are only using one credit per table instead of two. Imagine if everyone did that. You'd also be occupying an additional table they could otherwise make more revenue off of. (This coming from someone who doesn't really do specialty dining so has no dog in this fight.)

Didn't realize the Joy had The Beatles shows. Saw them on the Bliss in 2019 (I'm of a younger generation and didn't realize the significance of the Cavern Club at the time) and then on the Encore 2021. The group on the Bliss was so good that I have basically learned everything about The Beatles since then, and even took a British Isles cruise in 2022 that stopped in Liverpool. May just have to start considering the Joy, if the Beatles aren't gone for good. Sounds like they aren't.

To clarify, the European, two-round prong outlets for the lamps were hiding on the wall behind the beds. Inside cabin.

Was on the Emerald within the past year. The bedside lamps are plugged into European outlets. There were no North American outlets by the bed. I used only an adapter (without converter) in the European outlet for keeping my USB travel fan charged. Luckily, I didn't blow anything up. 😮

Stopped to Kinsale last August on the way back from Blarney Castle with Paddywagon Tours. As we were waiting to reboard the coach at Blarney, the driver commented something to the effect of not sure why tours stop at Kinsale. I forget where he suggested as an alternative. I wouldn't go to Kinsale as a destination. It was a small town, clogged with people and traffic (is it always like that or just on Saturday?). Didn't take long to look around. Had a quick lunch. Sat around waiting for the coach. I'm thankful for the stop so I could visit a pharmacy to buy some plasters for my blistered toes. So thankful. That's my fond memory of Kinsale. 🤣 Cobh itself looked like a nicer place to walk around but there just wasn't time after the tour.

And someone else tipping $10 and $20 might say you should be ashamed of yourself. Maybe people should mind their own business. BTW, $5 and $10 sounds cheap, not generous. But it's none of my business

I wouldn't pick Bliss just for the observation lounge (the non-Haven one) because it can only fit so many people. People camp out there. I was on the Encore to Alaska soon after the restart in 2021. Ship wasn't sailing full. I can't imagine what it would've been like full. Luckily I'm not one to just sit around. Great views out on deck, weather permitting. Bliss is a big beautiful ship with lots of energy. Edit: I missed the part where you picked Sun.

And me. Glad to hear there was also some water in there. Hopefully some food too. My liver hurts just thinking about it. Not judging, just shocked. Per day? I know some people can handle it but wow. I do like a good value though. Good thing there's a choice in having the package or not.

I found on my last cruise that my Princess CVP was able to place a courtesy hold for 3 days when the website only gave 1 day. This was well within 90 days of sailing.

Did they say when they cancelled the reservation? Was it recently or around the time of booking (which I assume was within full payment period)?