RNGALNG

 

The other factor that influences use of OBC include how one spends the money onboard. If you don't take Princess excursions, don't drink or gamble much, and have pre-paid gratuities, then it can be an interesting exercise using OBC under the "use it or lose it" rules. But, as my wife says: "they have a jewelry store onboard, don't they?" ;)

We had lots of 'leftover' OBC this past winter with our cruising. I had someone show me how to play the slots. I put all of my OBC into the 'bank,' played for a little bit, then cashed out and took all the non-refundable OBC home. The refundable was then sent to our credit card we used onboard. A great way to cruise!

Afternoon tea. . . . If you like to do that sort of thing, you can have it delivered to your room when in a suite. Tea will come with small sandwiches, scones and assorted cookies. A very civilized way to spend a day at sea!

For those who think they can't afford the stock, we got ours through our 401K. We had wiggle room to move our investments around within it and got our shares that way. Still were able to get the OBC each time we cruised. Great investment!

Just like in a church. . . . 'we've never done it that way before!'

Reading the first live, I too thought it wasn't going to be my 'cup of tea.' However, I said that about the Regal as well, and I enjoyed her immensely. Would love to go on her again. So, I will keep an open mind and think good things about the newest ship.

To the OP- Don't let one experience keep you from trying again. That waiter must have been a fluke. Yes, sometimes the food is hit or miss, but we've never had an issue with the staff! If the food is not cooked to your liking, send it back to be done correctly. A good piece of beef cooked not to your liking can ruin a meal.

Pish-posh! Folks, I saw the dots to continue on with the sentence from the title. Let the OP tell about his cruise! I thought it was eye catching and I'm ready to sit back and read all about it!

Life is too short to not stop and enjoy the flowers!

We call these things 'first world problems.' Go and enjoy!

They told us in January that they will be interactive tvs like on the Royal and Regal.

I hope they are working right away and not waiting till January with the medallions! We will be on her in the fall!

This is slightly off topic for this thread but I'm curious if any other frequent B2Bers with Princess has had a similar experience. We did B2B 7-day cruises out of LA on the Ruby end of Feb into March. We went to the Muster drill the first day as usual. Then on turn-around day, we just hung out in our cabin until the muster drill was completed (as we always have). That night when we got back to the room, we had a letter saying something like "our records indicate you did not attend the muster drill today". Then it went on for a full 2 pages of why it's so important to attend the drill and basically a printout of the entire drill copy. Even the transit instructions we got said we didn't have to attend. We felt like we'd been chastised for skipping. We took the letter to the desk because we didn't want our names marked with "non-compliant" or anything. The guy at the desk didn't understand why we thought it somewhat offensive to get the letter. We've done over 30 cruises with Princess and many, many B2B's. Just wondered if anyone else has had this experience?

 

 

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We did a B2B2B this winter (January) from Ft. Lauderdale. Went to the first, remains in room for remaining two drills. No letter in our room. I'm thinking they just put this letter in the wrong room.

With all these upgrades, wires and wifi, do you think there will be new TVs with the same system that is onboard the Royal and Regal now? I would love to be able to start a movie when I want to watch it and then come back to it at that same point after an activity. . .

We've done B2Bs in Florida before. Very easy, if you stay in the same room. A tad bit more to do if you are moving to a new cabin.

If moving, you will have worked things out with your steward(s) about what you need to pack up for the move. (Friends did this this past winter with us) They took their valuables out of the safe and got them stored in the new one right away. The steward and possibly your new one will come early in the morning and just pull the drawers out and replace with the ones from your new room. Hung clothing will be placed on a rod and rolled along with the drawers to your new room. Simple! They were done in about 30-45 minutes.

If you plan on getting off the ship, you can go down to the main dining room, have a 'civilized' breakfast and then get off the ship. Take your cruise card as well as the slip of paper you will receive the night before saying you are a returning passenger. When you return, to get back on the ship, there is usually a different door you go through so you don't have to go through the long lines of those checking in for the first time. Show your card and paper, go through the security, and you get back on. (Usually an employee entrance, so look for other employees getting back onboard)

If you plan on staying aboard, there will be a time and place listed to be so that the ship passenger list can be closed out. I highly recommend that you are not late to this. You will stay in that room until all passengers are accounted. You don't want to be the one who comes in late! Bring a book or something to do as you might be there for awhile. . . or not. Once everything goes back to zero, you are free to go back to doing whatever you want to do!

If staying in the same room, we have told our room steward to skip our room that day. We ask for fresh towels the night before and when they have all rooms done and have greeted the new passengers, for our ice bucket to be filled again. (We know how to make our beds and tidy our room and they are so overworked on turn around day.) This is our personal feelings. You can do yours!

First time we did an Alaskan cruise, we did a balcony room. It was nice but was very cold (in July!) It just wasn't used much.

On our second trip, we took an inside room. We were close to an exit to the outside and saw just as much. It was warmer (in September) than the first.

I think you made the right move. It's easy to get outside and you only seem to use your room when you clean up, change clothes, or sleep. Save the $500 plus to do something in a port!

Ahh. . . .someone after my heart! Sunsets are the best when onboard. I try to never miss one, taking at least ten photos each night! Beautiful! Thank you for your review!

Can't wait for more photos. If not cruising, I love looking at other peoples cruises!

I want to believe it was a true random act and on each cruise someone will be given one of these. What a thoughtful idea! Sharpie included!

Use stairs when possible. Avoid elevators. You will be surprised how much walking you do. Get your legs in shape.

There are washing machines onboard to use. ($4/wash, $4/dry, using your cruise card. I bring my own soap so don't know the price of the packets available for sale too.) So no need to over pack. Leave some room in your cases for trinkets you might get along your travels.

I bring a highlighter to use on the patters. Use Princess at Sea on your electronic devices. You can message each other that way - if you ever spend time apart. . .

I also downloaded an app to my phone that has floor maps of all the cruise ships. It is a much easier map to follow than the one you get when you board.

Have a fantastic trip!

I think that ship has sailed!!

Thank you for your time and effort reviewing your cruise. You brightened my day for the past couple weeks. Florence, stay healthy so you can travel again and review your next trip as well. Take great care of your travel companions as well. Until the next review. . . .

We use our own bathroom only. I bring a pump antibacterial soap with us we to wash hands.

When using elevators - use your knuckle to push the buttons instead of fingertips. (Something I learned from a friend who had a kidney transplant.)

If using the staircase, use a hankie or forearm to hold onto the railing. No hands.

We've been on many winter cruises when noro has been rampant on the ship. When at it's worst, they take everything off the tables and will come serve you your rolls, salt and pepper your food, or spoon the items you want on your pate in the buffet.

In our 15 cruises, we have never come down with it. Just use proper sanitary practices and you should be fine.

What could be better than a bloody mary at sunrise? A whole lot more! A margarita at sunset would fill the bill! (Not a morning person!)

Enjoy your travels to the east and on the ship. May I stay in your home in San Francisco while you are away? It's my hometown and I haven't been home for a few years!

I don't know about uber, but the lyft drivers all have gps so there is no getting lost. For terminal 2 they drop off and pickup right at the passenger pickup area on the side where the visitor/employee entrance is not more than 20 ft from the terminal building. All the cars are less than 4yr old and in great condition. I'll never grab a cab again if lyft is in town.

Both had their GPS systems on, both in Spanish, yet this last one couldn't even follow that! Talk about vetting people for employment! We think that if either service wants to hire folks in the Fort Lauderdale area, they should know the area and basic English. To not know where the port is and words like left and right. This guy couldn't follow the directions on his GPS in his own language!

I always bring dried fruit, granola bars, cheese and crackers, nuts, all in prepackaged little bags to take along on longer excursions. I'm diabetic and it keeps me safe as you just never know what you will find in new ports.

I too have my TA in town. I like to be able to talk with them at my whim if anything is amiss or want to get things done. I have worked with the same agent for years and love working with her.

The winter warm up will happen for us in February and on another ship instead. . . But it's all good!

We used Uber this year to get from hotel to port. And also used it last winter once to get from restaurant to hotel before cruise. Both were in Fort Lauderdale. Both times we had drivers who spoke not a word of English. The gentleman who attempted to get us to the port, did not even understand words as simple as 'right' or 'left' when we got lost, turned on our GPS to get us turned around and to the port. A very frustrating day!

leaving the port after a cruise there, we have used taxis to get to the airport. Quick, easy and only about $20. We did notice on three occasions, there were people with their cases, rolling to almost across the street from Walgreens to pick up their Uber or Lyft rides. I don't know if that is where they 'have' to meet, but those were our observations.

I just want to be snarky here and say Tuesday and Friday.

However, each cruise starts on a different day and has a different itinerary. As Cruisin' Chick said, it won't be the first or the last. Sometimes, they will try to work it in depending on what time you hit the next port or if it is a sea day. It all just depends.