juakkers

In my opinion the short answer is yes.

Very dated decor - especially in the cabins & the furniture has definitely seen better days. We were on board in July.

Hi

Our cruise on the Diamond from Singapore to Asian ports was in $USD however our cruise departing Sydney was in $AUD so it depends on the exact itinerary.

However when it comes to tips the crew will happily accept either - we've even tipped in $NZ before now

A really interesting and well written review - thank you!!

We were on the Regal in August - I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Congratulations on your fantastic upgrade :)

We were on the Ruby's Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale cruise this past fall and we docked in Brooklyn. I agree with others - the views are incredible and we were lucky enough to be on the starboard side of the ship which was facing lower Manhattan (I don't know if the ships always dock in one direction or not).

 

There is an alternative to a car hire but it depends on whether you have any mobility issues and if the weather cooperates: public transportation. Being fit and blessed with beautiful weather (if it had been raining we would have taken a taxi -- there were a number of them waiting for passengers when we disembarked), we (a group of 4) opted to take the subway after receiving assurances from many on the East Coast Departures Board. The subway is about a 30 minute walk and I think we paid $10 per person in fares (Brooklyn to Ground Zero, Ground Zero to Times Square, Grand Central Station back to Brooklyn). We received great guidance from the folks (especially smeyer) on the East Coast Departure boards. The directions were easy:

"you walk out the walk in entrance to van brunt make a left to summit street make a right cross over the brooklyn queens expressway on the foot bridge keep walking until smith street and carroll street f train to manhattan."

Here's my 'thank you note' to the folks that helped:

We had a fabulous day in NYC yesterday. The weather was gorgeous and we walked about 1 - 1 1/2 miles (half hour) to the Carroll street station- half a mile to get out of the port (we walked out the vehicle entrance of the port since it was in the direction we needed to go), 2 blocks on a street thru an industrial area and then thru a neighborhood with kids going to school, crossing guards at every corner and lots of folks pushing baby strollers (a little baby boom in Brooklyn!). The neighborhood was lovely - tree lined street with big brownstones decorated for Halloween. We're so glad we followed your advice! Everyone we met was helpful - we just needed to look the least bit confused in a subway station and someone would offer to help us. After a long day we returned to the ship where our balcony had a spectacular view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The breath taking Sail away was the end of a memorable day.

We had a starboard cabin on our 2013 Quebec - Ft Lauderdale trip and had the Manhattan view as well so I would go for starboard if you can..

We also did the walk as described by cappricio and I agree completely - we enjoyed exploring Brooklyn once over the freeway and we carried our walk on over the Brooklyn Bridge. This was good for us as we had been to Manhattan a few times before and were looking for a different experience.

I also agree however that there weren't many taxis, so if you don't want to or can't make the walk then it would be best to book a car in advance as others have said.

Julie

Hi All

I was also on the first leg of this cruise and noticed some of the new changes on the Sapphire that have already been mentioned.

This is what the kettle looks like. Note that the cups are Asian style and don't have handles so they do get a bit hot!

In addition to the extra Asian dishes on the MDR menu there was also a new Venue you could pay extra for. This was called the Ocean View Hot Pot and was advertised along with the Crab Shack:

There was also a new 'Royal Afternoon Tea' offered. It was $10 (or $20 with Champagne) and at first I thought it was replacing the normal free afternoon tea, but it turned out they were in different dining rooms. I'm not sure if it was worth the extra $10 as we didn't meet anyone that had been.

We got the slippers and new style bath robe but we are also Elite so still not sure if everyone gets those.

For the ports we did the following:

Singapore:

We had 5 nights pre cruise and used the Metro to visit all the main locations: Orchard Road, Raffles, Sentosa Island, National Orchid Garden, Botanic Gardens, MacRitchie Nature Trail and Marina bay.

The metro is cheap, clean and safe and I would highly recommend using it as you can reach all the sights easily and you get a real feel for the city (plus it's air conditioned!)

Brunei:

We did the ships Bandar Seri Begawan on your own tour. We had a guide tell us information about the country on the journey to and from the ship. We were dropped in the centre of town where the Mosque, Royal Regalia Museum and Water Village were all in walking distance

Na Trang:

Whilst we didn't get to stop here we have been before. The shuttle drops you off within walking distance of the market and main town area. It is possible to walk to the Long Son pagoda and the other temple area but only if you are reasonably fit and can stand walking in the heat. If not it would be better to organise a tour.

Phu My:

Because we had been to Ho Chi Minh City previously we chose to take the ships tour to the Cu Chi tunnels which had been used by the Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam war. This was a fascinating trip which we felt was well worth the 3 hour drive each way!! You got to see a lot of the countryside and also a drive through tour of Ho Chi Minh City.

Sihanoukville:

We took a ships tour to the Ream National Park and this was a spectacular trip. We cruised down a beautiful river, toured a waterside village, trekked through the untouched jungle,had a BBQ lunch and time on an unspoiled beach and visited a mountain Temple. It was a fantastic way to spend Christmas day, and one we won't soon forget.

Laem Chebang:

We did the ships tour to an Elephant Sanctuary near Pattaya. Again this was a fantastic experience. We got up close with these beautiful creatures and could hand feed them and also ride them bareback!

Koh Samui:

Here we took the ships shuttle to Chaweng Beach. I completely agree with Amelia on this one. It was a terrible crowded beach and I wished we had gone somewhere else. This was the only trip I would change if we did it again.

I've mentioned what we did as some things are different to what others have reported, so I might be able to answer different questions if you have any.

For those who have upcoming trips, I hope you have as fantastic and unforgettable time as we did and I'm not at all jealous of you.....honestly.....;)

Please do let me know if I can help with any information, and sorry to Amelia for butting into her thread :o

Julie

Hi

When we were on the Regal in September there was loads of variety in the buffet. Indian food was almost always available and was very tasty but not particularly spicy.

There was also lots of Mexican options I recall. Also a fair few stir fry options

I hope you have a great cruise!

Julie

Hi

My change from Platinum to Elite took less than 48 hours to show in my profile online so I agree, I think you should be fine :)

Hi Norris

Can I ask were you and Carol able to get a table for two each night in the restaurant?

I have read previously that you prefer them and so do we - I'd be glad to hear they were attainable on one of the little girls.

Thanks & still loving the review

Julie

Please let me add my thanks to the others for such a well thought out and interesting review.

We did this very same cruise in August and enjoyed it immensely so thank you for helping to bring back some lovely memories.

The first time my husband and I went to Kusadasi we did just as you did and used it as a 'rest' day, however this time we did the trip to Ephesus and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Both of us enjoyed it as much (if not more) than Pompeii so if you do get chance to see it in future it could be another 'magical' day for you :)

Hi Norris

Please let me add my thanks to everyone else's for another of your thoughtful, humorous and captivating reviews. We do appreciate the hard work you put in!

I'm finding it very interesting to see your photos of the Ocean - I don't recall ever seeing either of the 'small ships' reviewed in such detail here on CC so it's incredibly useful for those of us who have never sailed on them to see how different they are from the bigger boats.

We came back from a med cruise on the Regal at the end of August and Venice is fresh in my mind, so it was lovely to share your experiences as well.

I see what looks like a fabulous private yacht in your pictures of Valetta harbour - did you happen to find out anything about it? I can only dream of owning such a beauty!

Julie

Thanks for a nice review.

I too would wish for the opportunity to cruise more often with no flights involved so am glad you managed to take the opportunity :)

They were available on a cruise I did on the Star Princess once, but haven't been on any others I have been on. Hopefully you will get lucky.

Here in the UK I haven't got my Atlas yet either :(

Count me in too! And my thanks also for taking the time to do this. Can't wait :D

Today I received some info from Princess regarding 2015 Europe sailings and in it it says:

"FREE drinks package worth $56pp per day available with Caribbean Princess cruises sailing round trip from Southampton"

None of the others in Europe (Emerald, Island, Regal, Royal or Ocean) have this free offer, but it is not mentioned if it will be available to pay for.

Ok this is a unique question. I am Elite, but would much rather attend the past passenger parties held in the theatre for Gold and Ruby. Obviously I don't need the raffled elite benefits (unless I can give them to a friend), but they just sound like more fun. They get a preview of the upcoming shows instead of a slow parade of folks who have been sailing every other week since I was two (good for them, but still not exactly a preview from the singers); a drink coupon for whenever they feel like usining it (instead of a hard sell for watered down rum punch and maybe a real drink--but right then--if you insist). And the last two I went two the Captain didn't even come, so we got a lecture from the hotel manager and captain's circles hostess.

 

Can you change and go to a different party? Or just get the drink coupon? Anyone else who wants to do that?

Yes you can change - I did it on the Emerald as my parents that I was travelling with are Gold and I am Platinum so we were invited to separate parties. I asked the Circle Host and she said no problem. They didn't even look at my invite at the door.

We'll be in London a couple days before embarking at Dover. Could you recommend a good brand of box wine available in the UK? I am also a fan of black box, but have found others I enjoy too. I'm not a connoisseur of fine wines, but if I find one I like, I prefer to have it conveniently packaged in boxes!;):) PS I prefer Sav Blanc or Chardonnay, but any white wine is fine

Hi

Apologies for the late reply - I have only just seen your question. All the supermarkets in the UK (Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's etc) have their own brand boxed wine which is variable in quality but very reasonably priced. The chardonnay is usually the best and of decent quality so you may want to gamble!

Hardy's and Banrock Station are probably the two most readily available Australian boxed wines that you can find in any of the supermarkets in the UK and are very similar. The Hardy's is marginally nicer in my opinion, but of course it's all very subjective. They are generally very popular though. They will cost you around £19 for 3l but sometimes have special offers on. The Hardy's chardonnay is my favourite

Other brands are Kumala and Namaqua - they are South African and not as popular (or as nice in my opinion) as the Hardy's and Banrock station

You will find there is a lot less choice in boxed wine than by the bottle in the UK but the ones I've mentioned above are perfectly enjoyable for a glass or two on the balcony :D No doubt some would disagree but like you, I'm not a connoisseur - I also prefer the convenience

I hope you enjoy your trip across to this side of the pond :)

Where will ISLAND PRINCESS be dry-docked??

In Europe?

It looks like she may be in Eruope in 2015 - she is showing up in the port schedule of Funchal the 18th of Nov, 2015:

http://www.portosdamadeira.com/index2.php?t=2&l=uk

 

It is very confusing, because temporary you could book her until May 2015!! :confused::confused:

 

She is also showing up in Rome!! :eek: :eek: Sad that she may leave Alaska :( - but Princess needs a ship for Venice.

Island Princess is also shown as scheduled on March 29th 2015 in Funchal - but on the Princess website it's showing the Panama canal transit :confused:

Definitely looks like a possible move to Europe.....

Thanks for a nice review Tim - we did this cruise a couple of years ago so it brought back lovely memories (except my flight memories, which are those of cattle class, so very jealous of your first class experience!)

I too always have the bircher museli - i've never found it as nice anywhere on land

Julie

Why do people go to all the trouble of smuggling boxed wine on board that is inferior to that available on the ship?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Please don't presume that we are all "smuggling". There were 4 of us in my party and therefore the box of wine between us was within the rules of the Princess wine policy - I was simply responding to the OP's question about practicality.

Personally I find the wine on board to be over priced for the quality and much prefer my boxed New Zealand or Australian wine. It is also much more convenient for transporting and drinking on my balcony

As with most things it is a matter of personal preference and opinion.

We had a 3L box of wine in our checked luggage on our recent Emerald cruise from Quebec

Nothing at all was said and it made it to the cabin no problem.

I found some photos posted on Flickr.com with some of the changes made to the Star Princess during her recent overhaul in Trieste.

 

 

There are also many other pictures from Princess Cruises at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesscruises/

Thanks for the photos & links bdenni - looking good!