RNCheryl

We were scheduled on the Constellation for a Thanksgiving cruise from Tampa.  12 nights, a lovely itinerary.  Got a wonderful price, with TA throwing in $$$ OBC.

Sadly, cruising is not in our immediate future.  We will wait until a vaccine is widely available before sailing again.

Best wishes.

Red Neck Bob, still hoping to cruise with you to the ABC islands in November.

First I've seen it  (and I live if FLL).  Doesn't make it any less concerning.

Eagerly following your report as we have this cruise (on the Crown) next July.  Especially interested in your private excursions.  We have visited London twice, and just love everything about it.

Just random thoughts, after our Bliss Alaskan adventure.  Book everything you are able to beforehand.   Shows, specialty restaurants (our granddaughters loved Teppenyaki).  Then immediately on boarding, try to reserve other adventures, like race cars.   They also liked the lumberjack show in Ketchikan.  You might look into the Cruising Duck phenom, not sure if that is still a "thing", but could be fun for little ones.  Soft serve ice cream cones were a big hit!  Not sure if you would be able to pull it off, but the adults LOVED the Beatles in the Cavern Club.  Kids were hit and miss on the Kids club.  They did hang out there when we were doing adult stuff, but preferred to be with us.

I love you, and I especially love your daughter!  Keep on cruising!

" I want to do the river cruise, maybe hop on hop off, Tower of London, Westminster abbey, buckingham palace...should I stay in Westminster."

I think you need to seriously reconfigure your one day sightseeing.  The HOHO might be nice, but London traffic is horrendous, and you could be stuck in that traffic.  Tube gets you quickly from one place to another.  My choices, considering the ages of your kids would be Tower and Westminster Abbey.  There is an excellent verger tour of the Abbey, and of course the Yeoman Guards tours of the Tower.  Do NOT waste your time waiting for the changing of the guards at the Palace.  Agree with a previous recommendation of the London Eye (marvelous views of greater London), and walking/dining on the south bank.

Enjoy London; it is a marvelous place to visit!

Previous answers on point.

Couple of suggestions for your tour excursions.   Lumberjack show is fun.  Easy to walk to the venue from the ship and purchase tickets, or can do so on line.

We took this excursion in Skagway, and highly recommend.  http://tntours98.com/index.html

Prohibition must be booked on board.

We chose the Orkney Island option and are sailing July 1st.  Chose this one because of Edinburgh option.  Have been to Dublin before, and really wanted to maximize Scotland.

Was about 50-60USD more expensive than the early June sailing.

Traveled with grandchildren ages 12,10 and 7 last summer on Bliss, early July.

First, there are great things for kids in Seattle.  Make sure to check it out.

Kids did some Kids Clubs activities.  Not really fans, but gave the parents some alone time.

LOVED the gokarts.  

The best recommendation would be to check excursions from your ports of call.  Ours loved the Ketchican Lumberjack show.  In Skagway, we took the Trail of 98 Tour.  The driver was amazing about tailoring the trip to meet the needs of the kids.

This is a great family tour.

Bob, this is the first time for following your cruises.  You and Holli sound like delightful folks who would be great cruise companions.

Is cruising your main vacation choice; seems you could afford to do almost any guided tour you chose.

Hope to see you on board some day!

Aperol spritz, from the Atrium bar.

If we are not interested in the Medallion, can we opt for a regular 
"card" that will open our door, get drinks, etc.

Two of our party cancelled Prohibition just an hour or so prior to start.  No problem, they got refunded with OBC.

Reserved both karts and Prohibition in the same line, if I remember correctly.

Also posted on Princess Forum.

We are not loyal to any one cruise line, choosing rather an itinerary and cost comparing.

Spring/summer 2021.  

1.  June 7.  Crown Princess.  12 day.  Southampton, Guernsey, Cobh, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, SEA, Orkeny Islands, Invergordon, Edinburgh, SEA, Le Havre, Southampton.

          Refundable deposit, Wi fi, Grats, premium beverage, balcony $7798

          VERY concerned about the age, wear and tear of the Crown, especially bedding.

          Otherwise the itinerary is ideal.

2.  July 31.  Celebrity Reflection.  12 day.  Amsterdam, Dover, SEA, Cobh, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, SEA, Inverness, SEA, Bruges, Amsterdam

          Refundable deposit, beverage package, $300 OBC, grats. Balcony $6758.

          Have been on Reflection and liked it.  However, recent reviews show long waits for dining due to new cabin creation.

Would appreciate your recommendations.  Is June 7 too cool, is July 31 too warm.  Ships, ports, what do you prefer.

By the way, 70's retired, still very active, don't mind a port intensive cruise, but would like things to keep us occupied on SEA days as well.

We have been to Amsterdam and Dublin and London and Paris and Normandy, otherwise all new.

We are not loyal to any one cruise line, choosing rather an itinerary and cost comparing.

Spring/summer 2021.  

1.  June 7.  Crown Princess.  12 day.  Southampton, Guernsey, Cobh, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, SEA, Orkeny Islands, Invergordon, Edinburgh, SEA, Le Havre, Southampton.

          Refundable deposit, Wi fi, Grats, premium beverage, balcony $7798

          VERY concerned about the age, wear and tear of the Crown, especially bedding.

          Otherwise the itinerary is ideal.

2.  July 31.  Celebrity Reflection.  12 day.  Amsterdam, Dover, SEA, Cobh, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, SEA, Inverness, SEA, Bruges, Amsterdam

          Refundable deposit, beverage package, $300 OBC, grats. Balcony $6758.

          Have been on Reflection and liked it.  However, recent reviews show long waits for dining due to new cabin creation.

Would appreciate your recommendations.  Is June 7 too cool, is July 31 too warm.  Ships, ports, what do you prefer.

By the way, 70's retired, still very active, don't mind a port intensive cruise, but would like things to keep us occupied on SEA days as well.

We have been to Amsterdam and Dublin and London and Paris and Normandy, otherwise all new.

1 hour ago, Scuba_Tom said:

 

This looks like an absolute blast, thanks for sharing.  We won't be able to do it this time as we're booked for an island food tour on St. Maarten, but we'll put it on the list for next time.

We have done that food tour, and you will have a great time!

Love Reflection, and have been to several of your islands.  Following with anticipation

Don't want to hijack your thread, but did you find the Crown have comfortable bedding, minimal signs of wear and tear, etc.

On 1/23/2020 at 7:49 PM, Jilliebean28 said:

We got off the Crown last week and, sadly, we were disappointed.  The ship is in desperate need of updating....our mattress was so soft that I sunk into it.  Very uncomfortable.  We had a permanent black ring in our toilet.  Peeling paint all over the place.  

That being sad I must say the staff was amazing and the food was the best we have had on any Princess ship!

Kind of what I was afraid of.  And having just been in dry dock in 2018??

2 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Is it $500 higher than it was two days ago?

No, about $200

We have cruised with Princess in the past, twice on Coral and once on Royal, but it has been several years.  Looking at 12 day British Isles in June, 2021.

Pricing for balcony cabin comes in about $325pp/pd, which is a little higher than I like to go.  Includes Wifi, grats and premier beverage, with refundable deposit.

How do you like the Crown (we LOVED Coral!)?  Any recommendations for cabin choice?

Sigh:  my updated fare today is $500pp HIGHER than when I booked in September.

At least, it's not Gweneth Paltrow