tammymacb

I'm playing with airfare (though mine isn't actually released yet) and it appears a lot of the flights leave Heathrow around noon.

We arrive in Southhampton at 0500 and per Princess's table, it suggests my earliest flight be at noon.

Is this a case where I should absolutely book a Princess transfer? Will this make it any more likely that I'll get to the airport and aboard my flight?

Thanks

That side by side comparison is making me feel so much better!

I'm sailing with a friend who owns an agency (that specializes in Disney) and her disney loving husband.

A friend who's only done 5 DCL cruises in his life. (No other line).

And two friends who joined us on their first cruise to do 9 nights on the Magic in Norway.

This was a scary proposition. But, so far everyone is going in with a positive attitude and we're hoping to have a second excellent option. Because, I am NOT paying those silly prices DCL is currently throwing out there.

Thank you!

I too jumped ship from DCL to do the BI cruise with Princess. As a platinum cruiser, I'm going from what I know to knowing nothing. And it's scary.

This review makes me happy with my decision.

uuugg. ^^ sorry folks. That last response was not meant for that thread. And of course I can't edit/delete it.

All the snarky comments could easily be avoided. The question was answered by the first poster.

Neither my husband nor myself would show up in the dining room in "cut offs and thongs". If I had to guess my husband would wear dark pants, a white button down and a tie. I'm encouraging leaving the suit coat home. I'd wear a dress. Nothing beady or viva Las Vegas. Easy to pack and simple with black sandals. That's as formal as I have any intention of getting.

If this isn't formal enough, I'll eat somewhere else. Easy peasy.

I'm always shocked by "if you booked the cruise you'd know you were supposed to bring those clothes". I know and if I choose not to, I'll go somewhere else.

On casual dinners I wear a skirt or capris and a simple top. DH khakis and polos or button shirts. We always look presentable.

If you all want to fly extra suitcases for beaded gowns and tuxs have at it. Not my thing.

But try to be as pleasant as you feel you look when you're dressed.

All the snarky comments could easily be avoided. The question was answered by the first poster.

Neither my husband nor myself would show up in the dining room in "cut offs and thongs". If I had to guess my husband would wear dark pants, a white button down and a tie. I'm encouraging leaving the suit coat home. I'd wear a dress. Nothing beady or viva Las Vegas. Easy to pack and simple with black sandals. That's as formal as I have any intention of getting.

If this isn't formal enough, I'll eat somewhere else. Easy peasy.

I'm always shocked by "if you booked the cruise you'd know you were supposed to bring those clothes". I know and if I choose not to, I'll go somewhere else.

On casual dinners I wear a skirt or capris and a simple top. DH khakis and polos or button shirts. We always look presentable.

If you all want to fly extra suitcases for beaded gowns and tuxs have at it. Not my thing.

But try to be as pleasant as you feel you look when you're dressed.

Thanks!

Simple question. I have no interest in starting drama.

We're sailing the BI in 2017. Party of 7. We've got to fly to Europe. Quite frankly, I'm not excited about packing formal clothes. (Quite frankly, I'm not excited about formal clothes when I sail from FLA, and drive there).

I know that in the MDR a jacket will be required.

Other options? Would we need a jacket in the paid dining venues? Or should we just hit the buffet that night?

Luckily we've only got one formal night. I'm reading I have to pack for all seasons and I don't really want to deal with black tie too.

Thanks.

Thanks for all the responses! So helpful!

I'm booked on this cruise on the 17th of Aug, 2017. Thank you so much for this review! It's great!

Hi Tammymacb,

 

Come join the Roll Call for the Caribbean Princess - August 17, 2017 British Isles cruise here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2326305

 

Jonathan

Will do!

Hi !!

Just wanted to say we jumped ship as well from DCL (platinum) to Princess for the British Isles cruise. I liked the itinerary better on Princess and cost was almost half what DCL wanted for a verandah cabin.

We sail this year though (May 20th, 2016) so I will be able to answer any questions you have when we return June 1st.

 

-Laurie

I'm dying to hear your comparison. I'm excited (and nervous about switching from the Magic but I will not pay $14000 for a balcony.

Did you get your drink package when you booked? Right now there are really no deals on my cruise but I'm assuming as time goes on some will be added.

Thanks!

I hope I don't get too annoying to you all but I'm starting my planning mode for summer 2017. I've never sailed Princess before though I've sailed X, DCL (platinum cruiser) RCCL, NCL and CCL.

We have a party of 8 now sailing the 12 night British Isles cruise departing Aug 17.

I'd love some advice.

Let me say that I'd planned on sailing this itinerary on DCL but just couldn't justify the price. I've sailed Europe with DCL in the past. I've been told I'll love Princess though.

Anyway..On the Caribbean Princess, is there specialty dining not to be missed? When can I book it? Do they offer mixology? Do they have a nightly show? I'm pretty sure I won't go to all of them and the experience won't be comparable to DCL but I'm still interested in some shows...

I've heard good things about the service on Princess, mixed reviews on food (though DCLs food isn't awesome by any means so I'm sure it'll be fine).

Also, from those who've done this itinerary any "not to be missed excursions? I'm planning on booking as many excursions as I can on my own but there are so many options.

Any advice on Princess in general or this cruise itinerary would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all.

We booked last night.

Because the price of a window or balcony was so close. We booked a balcony. We got side by side balconies on deck 10. I told them I did not wish to upgrade due to the chance of being separated.

We will be there during Tattoo! I have no idea how to plan that but we will be going.

Thanks for all your replies.

I've been on more cruises than I've counted: DCL ( where I'm platinum) RCCL, X, NCL and CCL. This is my first Princess and we're really looking forward to it.

Well, I'm a platinum DCL passenger who won't pay the summer rates on DCL this time. I'm sailing Princess 12 nights through the British Isles in 2017.

I've got a few questions and I'd really appreciate some answers!

First- I'd planned on booking an outside room. I think it will be too cold to book a balcony. But, it appears most of the windows are obstructed?

Second- If I book a balcony and my best friend books a balcony next door, can they open the separator between the two balconies creating one?

Third- The sale Princess is currently running isn't great. I'm assuming if a better deal comes along before June 4 (final payment) I can call and change my deal? Is it that easy? Or do I have to cancel and rebook? (Just making sure we don't lose our side by side rooms) Thanks!

I'm looking at sailing Alaska in 2017. I'll sail in a balcony. Question: should I choose a room high or low in the ship?

I sailed Disney through the Norwegian fjords in 2015 and sailed on Deck 7. I'd assume the scenery would be somewhat similar. Is there a reason to choose a higher or lower deck?

Thanks!

I'm looking at sailing Alaska in 2017. I'll sail in a balcony. Question: should I choose a room high or low in the ship?

I sailed Disney through the Norwegian fjords in 2015 and sailed on Deck 7. I'd assume the scenery would be somewhat similar. Is there a reason to choose a higher or lower deck?

Thanks!

Finally able to open the spreadsheet that Coral posted. We will be joining you on the May 25 cruise. The next one that includes Kirkwall is June 18. I grew up in the UK so am looking forward to visiting places that I've not been to. Hoping to have lots of independent tours :)

I'm hoping to do the same. I'm excited to start planning!

We're planning the May 25th departure.

I definitely DON'T want to be above a club. I did a GTY once on Celebrity and ended up in the "bass" room and it was awful. I'm not deep sleeper.

We had drinks with Mario and played trivia. We missed another show.

We had another good dinner and then went to our room. We ordered coffee, hot chocolate, croissants and danishes via room service for 0600 and set our alarm for 0500. Becky and Nancy would be meeting us on the balcony while we sailed into the famous Geiranger Fjords.

Another absolutely fantastic day in Norway.

*** Two DWIs in Norway and you lose your driver's license forever.

Puffins!! How cool are freaking flighted penguins! ( Sorry my pictures of them suck)

Seals! Squeee! I'm sorry, this was a bucket list thing for me. I've never seen a seal besides in a zoo. It made my day.

Birds. In high season over 750,000 birds roost here..

It was amazing!

Too soon it was time to return to land. And then return to the Magic.

[=http://s35.photobucket.com/user/tammymacb/media/IMG_0820_zpsg850wa3u.jpg.html][/url]

Alesund gave us a special goodbye..

So, some sightseeing and shopping and we brought our bags back to our staterooms and met up for our excursion for the day.

A RIB boat ride. I was so excited. Angus less so. He wasn't impressed with the idea of speedboats on vacation. (He drives a boat everyday). And it was pretty cold.

So, we went to check in and were told our party of four was it for the excursion. No one else signed up. Sissies.

While waiting to for our excursion, Angus decided he could be our tour guide.

Video..

We followed the CM to meet our guide. A young guy who would be driving the RIB. Since we were the only four going, we got to choose our day. Did we want to see seals or birds? Both of course! Well, to see both we have to go really fast, and the water is extremely rough and it's cold. That's ok. Lets see how we do!

So, he dressed us in exposure suits. We looked like minions.

And we headed out..

To say this ride was amazing is kind of an understatement..

Amazing scenery!

First of all, every time we woke up, the view was getting more amazing. No matter how many pictures I post, you can't imagine how truly beautiful the scenery was in Norway.

For Alesund.. I'd booked a RIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) that left the fjords and went out into the sea. My hope was to see seals. These are basically little speed boats. Top speed is around 70 MPH. The sea was way too rough to hit 70. High temperatures were expected at 50 degrees. My friends, it was freaking cold.

We got up, grabbed breakfast at Cabanas and jumped off the ship. Our excursion wasn't until noonish so we shopped and walked around the city a bit first.

The view from the top..

Coming back down..

And that, my friends, is what we did in Stavanger, Norway. It's not an excursion. It's a cardiac stress test. Be warned.

When we got back to the ship, we showered and dressed and hobbled (and I mean hobbled) to the Buena Vista to see, "Monkey Kingdom". I wanted to see the first variety act show of the cruise but we didn't make it. I think we were drinking in O'Gill's.

Dinner and bed.

Tomorrow as the excursion I was most looking forward to.

I was in love with Norway already.

*** The sherpas from Nepal make in 5 months in Norway what they make in 30 YEARS working Mount Everest.