knbcruisers

I’ve gotten better at the packing of clothes as I try to pack 5 days worth of day and night clothes and then use the on board laundry or the elite perk. It’s worked the last 2 trips of 10 days and 7 days. We took 2 regular size suitcases plus back pack with meds, electronics, camera and 1st day stuff like hats, sunscreen, and swimsuits.    BUT my problem comes with the extras: 12 packs of water, soda, case of wine, bag of snorkel stuff.  We drive to the port so it’s easy to overload !   

St Thomas has lots of shopping, cafes etc near the main port. Otherwise it’s easy to grab a cab and go to a nearby beach for a few hours.  It’s been a while but I remember lots of taxis available in St Marten also.  I would suggest you check out the specific port boards for more details.  Also many of the Caribbean Islands have websites run by their tourist board with lots of information including maps of the port ares, transportation information etc.  Try https://www.visitusvi.com/st-thomas or Trip Advisor.

Alternatively, what is the latest you can board?  I’d suggest dropping the bags as early as you can and then spending 3-4 hours in town.  You can see at lot in that time frame such as Public Garden, Faneuil Hall, lunch in the North End or one of the Irish pubs, Union Oyster House,  tour  the Capitol building. Most of this is walkable or easily accessible using the T...   October is a great time to be in Boston.  

This is great news...my morning coffee time just got much  better. I have been following along for several years.   I hope you both have a wonderful travel season!!!!

In 2015 we used ACT transfers, the price was very reasonable especially if you can book before the season.   It was less than the Princess transfer. I thought it was well organized...you picked up your luggage, look for the ACT signs, and a staff member would direct you to your assigned bus.  I think we were on the way by 8:45 am or so.   Whittier departures are directed by the tunnel entrance times, as it is one way, so the traffic pattern alternates.  If this is for next season, sign up on their website for coupons, they start to come out in January.  The bus was a full coach and very comfortable. 

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I am usually comfortable with booking on my own. However I always consider how far the port is from the tour location/activities.  If it’s more than an hour I seriously consider the ship tour.  I also consider how rugged the terrain may be.  As an example in Costa Rica we did a ships tour to the rainforest park and I am glad we did.  At least an hour by bus each way, and the road to the park was one lane and rough.if the bus had broken down we would have been in trouble on an independent tour.   As a contrast in Cartagena, Columbia I booked a private drive/guide which was more expensive. It was much more worth the additional cost, as it was only our group of 4. We were never more than a 20 minute taxi ride from the ship. I heard complaints that evening from other cruisers that the ship tour was crowded, too short and they really didn’t see anything. Several felt it was a wasted stop, while it was one of my favorite stops on all of our trips and my group agreed.

I am usually comfortable with booking on my own. However I always consider how far the port is from the tour location/activities.  If it’s more than an hour I seriously consider the ship tour.  I also consider how rugged the terrain may be.  As an example in Costa Rica we did a ships tour to the rainforest park and I am glad we did.  At least an hour by bus each way, and the road to the park was one lane and rough.if the bus had broken down we would have been in trouble on an independent tour.   As a contrast in Cartagena, Columbia I booked a private drive/guide which was more expensive. It was much more worth the additional cost, as it was only our group of 4. We were never more than a 20 minute taxi ride from the ship. I heard complaints that evening from other cruisers that the ship tour was crowded, too short and they really didn’t see anything. Several felt it was a wasted stop, while it was one of my favorite stops on all of our trips and my group agreed.

I am usually comfortable with booking on my own. However I always consider how far the port is from the tour location/activities.  If it’s more than an hour I seriously consider the ship tour.  I also consider how rugged the terrain may be.  As an example in Costa Rica we did a ships tour to the rainforest park and I am glad we did.  At least an hour by bus each way, and the road to the park was one lane and rough.if the bus had broken down we would have been in trouble on an independent tour.   As a contrast in Cartagena, Columbia I booked a private drive/guide which was more expensive. It was much more worth the additional cost, as it was only our group of 4. We were never more than a 20 minute taxi ride from the ship. I heard complaints that evening from other cruisers that the ship tour was crowded, too short and they really didn’t see anything. Several felt it was a wasted stop, while it was one of my favorite stops on all of our trips and my group agreed.

This must be an error.  Club class is for suite passengers and those in the specific Club class mini suites.  It may resolve itself when you get on the ship. I’d let your booking document be the guide. 

7 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

Welcome friend!

I may drop a link on the Princess board...

Norris

I am so glad you linked to the Princess board otherwise I would not have found this thread!!!   I am interested The Celebrity experience as we have only cruised Princess.  This northern itinerary is on our list once we’ve seen Italy and Normandy.

My cruise 3/22/20 is listed on the flyer but not showing on the website.  I have found sometimes that the website is not fully loaded the  first day of a promo. I’d keep checking back later today. Princess is in west coast time.  I am hoping for a mini suite at  my current balcony price 😉....I can dream right?  We actually have excellent OBC so it will take a big drop on the balcony price to make it worthwhile.  

Yes the pier is one of the longer ones I have seen. There are pedi cabs there and believe they work for tips.  If you are taking an excursion you will then need to walk through the shopping area out to the buses/cabs.   Some tour operators do not pay the fee to be inside the port area, and those are picked up outside the gate which is another long walk.  There is a port map, I don’t have it but do a search on this forum and you should be able to find it.

The sugared donuts, tuna sandwich, mozzarella and tomato sandwich, and the quiches. We usually pick something up late night to take back to the room....like cookies and sandwiches.  Just ask the staff to cover with plastic wrap.   DH frequently wakes  up hungry In the middle of the night...😁 and it’s nice to have a fresh snack available right away. He likes a glass of milk too which I think you can get there. Cover it and put it in the fridge. 

You can use Island Tram independently.  There is a rep on the beach next to the walkway from the ship.  $25 for a 2 hour island tour, not a HOHO but with a few stops. The only downside is it’s a bit of a walk to the pick up the tram outside the main gate.  The driver/ guide was excellent.

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Does the 3FF include mini-suites where we get the cheapest M rate regardless of which mini-suite we book? If the answer is yes, can we have our TA refare our existing bookings to get the discount if the math works in our favor?

It should include mini-suites, and yes you can refare, just contact your TA.  Not sure if clubclass minis would be included, but the regular categories should be.  Of course Princess can change things at anytime!

Checking my cruise prices and EZAir prices is my coffee time in the morning and a mental health break during the day😊....you never know!!

I prefer the 3 for free. I find the included tips and booking the best cabin grade for the cheapest (within the category) to work out to the best per person/per day price.  That’s how I compare offers.  The Sip n Sail is good if you were going to purchase the package anyways.  I have never booked under the Landmark  sale because it doesn’t seem to be offered on the cruise we have or when I am actively searching for our next trip.   I drink mostly wine so I bring my own ,DH is the only  one who gets the $ worth from the package.

Rumor has it 3 for free is early September

4 minutes ago, puppymama1 said:

Thank you so much!  I was planning on going online at 9:00 am EST and looking at it... can I do a courtesy hold online or do I have to call them?   

Using the link above I was able to place the courtesy hold until 8/16. Try booking each leg separately also, you may have better luck

Thank you for that link. I was able to put a hold on the 2 cruises we’re are interested in.   I’ll call my TA tomorrow.   Same ship, Enchanted Princess, but I could only pick a cabin if booked each 7 day leg separately.  We are not sure if we want to do 7 day Barcelona-Rome plus 7 days on land, or 14 day Rome-Athens-Barcelona.

i was getting the same response that pricing was not available on the regular site, even though we are elite.     

I’d suggest checking the Alaska board. There is a lot of detailed info there on all of the tour options.  You may be better off booking independently.   Key question is how much time do you have that day? We were able to do two separate excursions in Juneau: 3 hour whale watch on the MV Scania which was excellent (max 9 people just google it) then the flight tour tour to Taku lodge.  I do remember when I was researching that a lot of the whale watch trips had the option of being dropped off at Mendenhall instead of the port. You’d then just have to take the bus back from Mendenhall (lots of details about this on the Alaska board). You’d be on your schedule that way instead of tied to a group.  In my opinion large group tours  are not the way to go in Alaska.

Thanks that is good to know, we are on a 7 day in March, I wish it was available . Much easier than finding time to buy 6-10 bottles in SF and then get it to the ship. We drive to FLL so I have my wine packed days ahead of time 😁

1 hour ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

   People laugh at me for saying have a map.  But, it helps a bunch when the freeway is a parking lot and you want to get off and find surface streets.  A GPS screen just doesn't allow you to do that.  

THIS!! I agree totally. My dad taught me how to read a map and it’s one of the best life skills I have.      

Excellent advice, especially having back up routes identified.  Thank you 

We don’t always eat in the MDR, so I take my wine with me to Buffett or to the lounge prior to dining.  In theory could I buy several or all of the bottles at one time to be sent to my room so I’d have them available? 

Try posting this on the West Coast Departures forum, you may have better results. Also check long term parking at the airport. Most airports can accommodate over sized vehicles in some of their parking areas.  You could then taxi, Uber to the port, or take ship transfer.