nojoke

About 3 years ago we docked in Barcelona and had a hotel near the Ramblas reserved for us.  We picked up a taxi at the port--he drove us to the hotel--he waited while we left our luggage--then he drove us to Sagrada Familia.  I think we gave him about 25 €.  On another occasion we paid 15€ (with tip) from a taxi stand by our off-Ramblas hotel to dock.  Taxis in Barcelona are pretty easily available at the Taxi stops.  

We are probably older than you are--so I think you could manage a taxi transaction in Barcelona.  haha.

How do I access the S-class cabin spreadsheet?

Last May (and on previous trips) we stayed near LAX (a late night arrival).  We reserved online at a site that chose the hotel for us--it was 4* and very nice including free shuttle from LAX. 

We had made arrangements to be picked up at 10 a.m. the morning of the cruise by Karmel Shuttle.

We chose a "shared van" and we were the only passengers.  The cost was about $45 including tip.

for our total of 2 people.  The driver was prompt, drove carefully, and was friendly.  

Last May we sailed the Pacific Princess and loved it.  We were also on Deck 7–so convenient!  

The best thing I can say about the buffet is that it is small.  I loved being able to choose my food without wandering in and out of hallways.  The variety was decent, and the adjacent outdoor tables were our favorite place for breakfast and lunch.

we are  Early.”anytime dining “ people, but the maitre D was lovely and found the perfect assigned dining table with  very neat dinner companions for us.  

The area where the shows take place has armchair seating.  Go early to the left side and visibility is pretty good from anywhere.

This would be a wonderful ship for Alaska.

We have seen OBC on our “official “ documents, but not seen it on the Personalizer. It showed up a couple days into the cruise. I actually asked at the Main Desk and were told this was their system.

A couple of years ago we took an upsell to M106 mini suite on the Royal.

The Princess employee who spoke with us when we accepted this cabin emphasized 3 times that we were not to use the balcony while the ship was at sea.

Actually, we were able to enjoy being on the balcony at any time if we just sat near the glass door--and not the railing.

This cabin was just one room--no separate bedroom. We did enjoy being at the railing as we approached port.

This has been our only minisuite--not sure if we would pay "retail" for it. But the upsell was a decent price and we did enjoy the little extra space and the huge balcony.

We always prefer ATD. We eat early—usually around 6 pm and enjoy sharing a table with others. We never wait for a table. However, in May we sailed on the Pacific Princess and they only have traditional dining. So we were put on a waiting list for Early Dining. We were #157 on the list! Upon boarding we spoke with the. Maitre D, and he said we could come at 6 pm and he would find seats for us. After 3 nights, he had found a permanent table for us in Early Dining. (It was the best group of people ever!). So my message to you is to speak to the Maitre d immediately upon boarding and I bet they will find a table in Traditional Dining.

In May we used Karmel shuttle for that route. $42 for 2 people. It was not booked as private, but we were the only passengers. The van was on time and very efficient. I think it took about 40 minutes at 10:30 a.m.

Recently we purchased a knife at a port--a gift for our 10-year-old grandson--never thinking it would cause a stir on reboarding! We filled out paperwork, got a receipt, etc. before disembarkation in FLL we were sent to several people--none of whom seemed to know what to do. Finally, as we were leaving after luggage pickup, still nobody knew what to do. We went back in and saw an open door in the terminal (just before exiting) and asked, and the knife was brought to us. So, do yourself a favor, mail the knife home!!

We are "confirmed" Any Time Dining people! In April we sailed on the Pacific Princess which has only assigned seating for dinner. We were assigned to a table for 8 of the most fun and interesting people ever! We were the last table to leave the dining room every night--we were laughing so much. The ages ranged from 60's to 80's--but that was really the average age of the passengers--it was a 17-day itinerary--so would not attract many younger people. On a shorter cruise, you will surely be assigned to a table of like-aged or multi-aged tablemates. Hope you have as good luck as we did!

We just completed 17days via the Panama Canal on the PP. we are anytime dining people—so reluctantly we conformed to Traditional dining. We were seated at a table of 8 and it became the highlight of our day. We laughed and visited so much that we were always the last table to leave after dinner. The crew were friendly and helpful. The Cabaret Lounge was the main venue for shows and we sat in arm chairs in a semi-circle. Our balcony cabin was the same size as on other ships. The bedding was very comfortable. Every place was walkable. I didn’t use the elevators but they weren’t crowded. Th pool is small but seemed to have a good supply of loungers. Dancers double as craft teachers and entertainment staff—patient and friendly young people. Our room steward was fun and efficient—speaking excellent English. Probably the only negative (a very small one) was the TV. We never caught on how to navigate and find a list of shows. A movie had to be watched at only one time. But this was not why we were cruising, the entire ship seemed to be in good repair. The buffet was small and had those premade sandwiches at lunch 🙄 but it was easy to put a meal together for breakfast and lunch. ( I was able to make a fresh sandwich from ingredients available.). Lovely little ship.

We generally use a big online agency. Once they passed on an upsell offer to us, and it was followed up by a call from Princess. They generally give OBC in an acceptable amount to us, and this last cruise we found $30 OBC on our statement labeled something like "group rebate"--small, but unexpected. Our OBC--from Princess AND the online TA-- pretty much covered our shore excursions--so yeah, we'll stick with this agency--but keep doing our own checking on a regular basis.

We don't want the soda, so they have replaced the mini-bar with 20 bottles of water. Works for us.

yup

Mine has already been applied to my fall cruise.

I’m so pleased to find out that we can prebook excursions and pay for them from OBC! I have been waiting until boarding so we can use OBC.

So just now I was able to nail down an excursion we really want. Thank you CC members 😊.

In January we requested a swap for water. They brought us 20 bottles!

We are such wimps! We live in Central Florida and drive to Fort Pierce to spend the night--hotels are reasonable there. And it's only 2 hours from the port. For the last two times, we have parked at the Renaissance Hotel--1 mile from the port--excellent courteous shuttle drivers--never have had to wait. Check it out on: airportparkinginc.com. Choose Fort Lauderdale cruise port--scroll down to the Renaissance listing. It is in a garage (which DH loves).

We have friends that always use Park and Go. It has a good reputation--as others have said.

But we love using the garage. And we love being dropped off right at the ship--not having to get there from terminal parking (which is at least twice the cost of off-site places.)

We cruised on the Royal Princess in January. I would give the bed a 5--just right--all the bedding was lovely--especially the pillows. And yes, do book the 10 days! We love 10 days, and not being reminded about disembarkation on the second day!

I am aware of the WW system--even though I don't really count points. I eat lots of veggies (there are always one or two vegetarian choices per night--some not healthful!) and even a desert. You can also request a vegetable plate instead of the menu choices. I do not drink alcohol--giving more points/calories for food. I ask for dressing on the side for salads--then only use about 1 or 2 teaspoonsful. I try to get 10,000 steps/4 miles/day on stairs or the

track or shore excursions. I really do not feel underprivileged--always have plenty to eat. One cruise I lost 2 lbs. Other times I have maybe gained one or two lbs. As others have said, salt is used very generously. Wait a couple of days after you get home to weigh. I would rather walk outside than go to the gym--but have done both. You can probably guesstimate the WW points in any food if you have been following the plan for a while. Go and enjoy the cruise--and don't think too much about sacrificing!

We have had to change cabins on B2B several times. It was very simple for us. We put everything that wasn’t hanging into suitcases. Then we took a ship tour. The stewards move everything while you’re out enjoying the port. Don’t sweat it

Last year I had occasion to visit the ship doctor. I submitted the claim to both my cruise line insurance as well as Medicare. Medicare paid most of the bill. Admittedly it was only $160 bill total, but I was surprised that Medicare did cover me.

It is understandable that you would be frustrated! The website is not as user friendly as the Princess website.

And, you had so many problems not usually found on a regular booking.

However, we have never encountered the amount of issues you have (we have sailed Celebrity many times.) I guess that our "secret" is that we usually book after final payment. They have only about 4-8 weeks to screw up on our bookings! And we don't have to wonder if we got the best price. If the price doesn't come down by 6 -4 weeks before sailing, it probably won't come any lower. And if the price for that particular sailing we are eyeing increases in price, we just look at other options. That said, we are pretty flexible as far as dates go. Everyone doesn't have that option. I do hope you take a deep breath and enjoy the ride!

We do love the S class ships. Recently we cruised on 2 other lines on newer ships--and, although they were pleasant, I still missed the S class--and can't wait to book another sailing.

I use a combination of packing cubes and ziplock bags. Bought the cubes at a discount store--they are flimsy and very light weight. As others have said, I leave most items in the bags/cubes and store them on the closet shelves.

I also take 2 compression bags to bring dirty clothes home--use one for white, and one for dark clothes. We pack these on the last day of the cruise. Easy peasy to do the laundry. I also have an inexpensive pop-up laundry "basket". BTW we only travel with 21" carry-ons plus a backpack each.

We booked a Balcony Guarantee on Royal for a cruise beginning this weekend. We were assigned an "upgrade" to BB class (upgrade from BE, they said)--an unobstructed balcony a few rooms from the stairs/elevators. I consider it a good "upgrade"--but nothing extraordinary.

we would have settled for obstructed balcony.

Last year we were offered an Upsell ( on Royal) from obstructed balcony to mini for $160 pp. we looked online and saw 2 minis on the very front of the ship available. Told TA the only cabin we would accept was one of those (they were a higher category mini). Princess called giving us one of them. We loved being out on the balcony on arrival at a port. The balcony was gigantic. The room was fine—nothing special, but the location was worth it to us for that one sailing.

You can do it!! We do it all the time, using many of the already written ideas. My DH only takes 2pair of shoes, 4 shirts, 3 pants, plus washable underwear. I take 4 shirts (rolled) for every day plus 4 really thin tops that also roll up for evening, 3pants, plus easily washable undies, 1sandals,1gold colored sandals for evening, 1 walking shoes. I roll most things and put in see-through plastic bags and leave them like that on the ship. We take a21” roller bag plus a backpack each. We do use the ship laundry, but wash our own undies.