Jez1982

Thanks so much again for all the fantastic advice everyone!! I'm looking forward to my first cruise!! Very exciting...!! 🙂 : )

Thanks so much everyone for the answers so far! You've been very helpful. I guess the Zoom classes won't be happening...! And...now I have a follow-up question about the passport. The reason I asked is that, through Princess, I can get an excursion to fly over the Nazca Lines...for $800!! But online I've found companies that do it for (I can't remember the price, but it's much cheaper). These companies, though, require my passport, and not a copy. If they take away my passport at the beginning of the cruise, can I request it when we reach that port...? This forum really is so fantastic! I thought I might have to wait hours/days for replies, but so many of you have already answered, and I thank you for that!!!

Hi all! I'll be going on my first cruise with my mom on Dec 2, Princess Sapphire, 17 days South America. As a first time cruiser, I have a few questions. I called ***** (where I booked the cruise) and the person didn't know the answers. And then I called Princess itself, twice, and both people didn't know the answers (it seems they were just searching a computer to find the answers, ie, they hadn't ever been on a cruise themselves). So I found this place and decided to ask people who have actually gone on cruises!! So hopefully you can answer them for me! 1) Just how strong and reliable is the MedallionNet internet? I teach online with Zoom, and wasn't planning on teaching, but the school just contacted me and asked if I would teach a class on two while I'm on the cruise. Is the internet strong enough to have a two hour Zoom meeting? It says you can stream movies, and I'm guessing if we can do that then having Zoom meetings is doable? What do those of you who've used the internet onboard think? 2) I've read online that, with some cruise lines, you must 'surrender' your passport when you board. Is Princess like this? 3) I've also read that if you buy cigarettes at duty free at one of the ports, you must hand the carton in when you board the ship, and they give it back to you only when the cruise ends. Is this true? (and, please, for those anti-smokers out there, yes, I know it's a bad habit, so no comments about how I should just give it up...I've read the anti-smoking thread here...) Many thanks!! 🙂