rocker57

We have stayed twice at the Best Western and have found it to be a very nice hotel. The rooms are very large, the beds are extremely comfortable. The lobby has a lot of antique furniture and we found it to be clean. They have the typical BW free breakfast in the mornings. It is number 22 out of 339 for LA Hotels. Crowne Plaza is 123, Doubletree is 106. They have a free shuttle to the cruise port, I found the staff at the front desk very helpful and friendly. I agree the area can be a bit hinkey at night, but I walked to the McDonald's down the block, and the 7/11 across the street at nite no problem. During the day I found no issues. If you want to go to a nice restaurant at nite, get a cab.

It should be the exchange rate you paid at the time of the booking. For example, our cruise coming up in February was booked at the 20% exchange rate, so on my personalizer, I pay $120 Canadian for $100 U.S. it makes for a much better deal, so I am trying to load my OBC before we leave, as long as our dollar is still low. Checked my bank, for $120 Canadian, gives me $85 American, so I am making money :D

I notice that when you look at the package, it says it includes canned Root Beer, has that always been the case? I've never noticed that before, and if it includes canned Root beer, because it is not on the fountain, then why not diet Sprite? I would also prefer diet sprite as I am not a big Coke fan.

We were on the Crown this February in the same room (no the magnet wasn't there :) ) We did notice some vibration, but wasn't too bad, I wake up early anyways. Didn't have any noise from Club Fusion, but I don't think anything was really gone on there at nite. I love the extended balcony, so much so that I booked the same cabin on the Caribbean Princess for February next year.

I do have to agree with the Crown Grill. I thought the service was terrible there, right from the Maitre D' when we reserved it. It was like it couldn't be bothered to lift his head up from the computer. Our appetizers were brought out, and before we even finished them, our meal was out, which I thought was very poor. The steak I agree was not very good. I disliked the meal so much, that I don't know if we will even try it again.

I did complain about it in my survey, but no response.

I know I didn't know I had a casino rate. I was looking at a cruise, it came up a really good price, and thought well I'll book it and let my B-I-L know, see if this was the one they wanted to go on, and thought if they didnt, I would cancel the booking.

They booked it, but didn't get the rate that I received, couldn't figure it out, then found out I had the casino rate. Also found out when I called was that it was a non-refundable deposit, nothing came up on the booking about that, so I was very happy that they picked that cruise, and I saved a few hundred $'s over them. I didn't think I spent that much in the casino on our last cruise, but glad that Princess thought I did :D

I did a California Coastal last year with 2 friends. We had a mini-suite, which was the last one on the emerald deck so it had the extended balcony. The couch is a fold out bed, so no one had to sleep on a roll away and we had the twin beds.

I found having the larger bathroom as there is a bathtub easier, as there was more room for 3 women and their different products,and having the sitting area and the larger balcony worked out perfectly. There was plenty of storage for our belongings, but then it was only a 4 nite cruise, so we didn't have that much.:D

So we booked our cruise under the casino rate (but not my b-I-l) this was at the 20% rate (thank god I'm an early booker)😀 I had been checking for my in laws and got them a couple of small drops, but now that it has gone to a 30% rate, it would appear no further deals will occur for them, have you found that to be true, as the cruise went from $800 and something to over $900

Actually, I find you have to watch it. When I booked our cruise for February, it was at a good price. My B I L booked as well but not at the price I did. When I called Princess, that was when I found out I had a casino rate. I did not realize it, nothing came up online when booking, and it was only when she told me I had a non refundable deposit. So it is in the booking summary, but by then it would of been too late. Fortunately we all decided on that cruise, so no harm. But it is something I will be checking in the future:rolleyes:

Thanks for your reply Patkins1, also, is the walk hard to do? My sister in law had a knee replacement done a couple of months ago, and I think she still has trouble walking. This was something she was thinking of doing, but I don't know if she would be up to it.

Can you see anything when going through the cave? From what I can see in videos, it is pretty dark. thanks very much

There were some plumbing issues, particularly in the aft mini-suites on Emerald deck. I think that on almost every ship I've been on, there have been plumbing issues somewhere onboard. Fortunately it has not happened to me.

Can you say what kind of plumbing issues? We have a cruise booked for February and we have the aft mini suites, what was done to combat the problem, anything you can say, would be appreciated

I personally like the mini. I hate wrestling with the shower curtain and not having any room to put our shower stuff. My husband likes to have a bath because of his back and I like the couch.

this is what the receipt says:

Thank you for planning your cruise vacation with Princess Cruises. Please keep this email as confirmation of your onboard reservations payment on the credit card shown below. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Payment Summary

Details for this transaction for your Visa Card ending with xxxx

Charge amount: $120.00

So it doesn't really say in US funds. And surprisingly, it is in the Onboard Reservations section, it does show that a Onboard credit was purchased for $120. I just think it is a good way by purchasing a bit every month. Thanks for your replies!

I purchased online some OBC today. You buy it in Canadian for $120. It shows up in my Cruise Personalizer as $120. I am assuming this will be for $100 US as our cruise is in February and I paid a 20% exchange rate.

Has anyone purchased this online and can confirm if it is $100 US? I know I can phone Princess, but the chances are, they won't know what I am talking about. I just don't want to find out come February that the exchange rate for the $120 will be based on the rate of the day - which is okay if our dollar goes up :)

Thanks!

Use this link, lots of useful information on there.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1968249&highlight=canadian+cruisers

Deposit was non refundable, it was more because I thought there would be something to say it was for new bookings. I am not going to scream to the world as it was only $58, and we got it for $600 cheaper than my BIL's because of the casino rate:) but thanks

I booked a cruise for next February, and I received a very good casino rate. When checking on the price today, the price is $29 cheaper each, not a lot, but any little bit helps. When I called Princess, the rep said that was for new bookings, so fine. But when I check the site, no where does it say it is for new bookings only, shouldn't it show?

I went on this cruise on Princess last October with 2 friends, we left the husbands behind. What we noticed was there appeared to be lots of women with friends on board. I think with it being 4 days, it is easier for women to leave their home and just have fun with friends. As others have pointed out, do the anytime dining and ask to sit with other people, if you have lunch/breakfast at the buffet, perhaps look for a table to share. And above all, have a good time

We did Carnival a couple of years back, although overall it wasn't my favorite, I must admit the pizza was delicious and nice to be able to get it at midnight. We hit one adult comedy show and it was the funniest. Perhaps people would stay up later if there were more shows like that on board.

Many years ago when I first started traveling overseas, I was given some great advice. I was told that when I get to a different country to look around and remember that I'm not in the U.S.A. Things will be different. So what? Just accept the differences and move on. The trip will be much more enjoyable. Getting upset about paying €5.00 to leave the port of Livorno will not change anything and will not help you enjoy your cruise. If this type of thing bothers you, then maybe going to foreign countries is not for you.

Where's the like button :D

Do you play in the casinos?

Yes I did, although I didn't think I had spent that much :) I called Princess and that is what is was, the casino promotions, so they couldn't apply it to my BIL's. Oh well, this just means I will watch the price and it drops later on, tell them to see if they can get their price dropped.

For the room next to yours, check your booking to see if it has the "share the fare" (or similar words) which ewould allow another booking by someone else at the same rate you have.

No it doesn't have it. No where on my confirmation, or even when I do a fake booking does it mention about a special price, great for me, but I'd like to see if my BILs get the same deal

Okay, I've booked a cruise for Feb. 14. When I booked it, the mini-suite was showing $1400 or so, but when I clicked on the cabin it came up $1130. So I booked the suite, my husbands brothers are also going on the cruise, they have both sailed Princess before. The one brother has booked the room next to us, but his price is the $1400 or so, the other brother has booked an interior room for $840 or so, but when I look at the price it is $548.

I do not see anything under my profile why I am getting a deal or why it is showing me a different price. Can I either book the room, or do you think we can phone Princess and explain why they are not getting the offer. This is only my 4th cruise with Princess, one of the brothers it will be their 3rd at least and the other 2nd, so I am very puzzled.

Good luck in trying to find them. Just off the Crown, asked a couple times about them, just received a blank stare. I only saw in one of the bars by a pool with a menu for the drinks. Too bad, I was willing to spend the $12 to try them:confused:

We were on the Miracle a couple of years ago. the staff were very diligent on marking the empty chairs with belongings. They would put a sticky on the chair with the time, then come back in half an hour or so and move the stuff. I did not see any problems or yelling over this, people knew it was being enforced. I don't understand why all ships can't do this.