Mrs. Wilburforce

Yes, some people have reported being moved, even with a "do not upgrade" note -- it's very rare but it could happen. So why go through all the angst; just choose another room There are a bazillion balcony staterooms on the ship.

 

Plus, there aren't all that many cabins for 4: not to be all holier-than-thou, but why take up a cabin with extra berths you don't need when they're a scarce resource and might be wanted by someone else? Especially when there are plenty of other cabins you could book.

Agreed. I don't know why it wasn't caught. We have no desire to be quad room hogs and I will be okay moving. As long as there's no price change tomorrow, I'll be changing. I wonder why Princess doesn't block those rooms for fewer than 3 if that is their intended use. Can anyone book a disabled accessible cabin only to find out later that they have to move?

Whatever happens I'm not going to toss and turn over an honest (not sure if this qualifies as a mistake) booking glitch which I'm happy to resolve.

My only thought was, "maybe it's a good time to get a deal". I figure, one person's fear is another person's opportunity, so yeah, I'll do my part to fill the empty airline seats, occupy the empty hotel room, book DH's b-day cruise.

On the other hand, I would never have an issue with any of our travel plans being altered due to an abundance of caution in the interest of public health.

I'm a retired nurse so I prefer to see overreaction when it concerns Ebola.

We are about to book a 1/18/15 cruise on the Regal Princess. We have no experience with the Sanctuary and were wondering how much it costs for a full day. We know we're booking late and it might be full, but we wanted to know just in case.

My sisters and I reserved our entire Panama Canal cruise ( minus canal day) in the good old days when it was cheap. Even with the new fees I'd do it again. Loved it! Just make sure it's the first place you go after you board. Good luck!

Since the cruise is so far out and since you're already concerned about being upgraded out of that cabin into someplace unknown, why not just go ahead and switch to a two-berth balcony cabin now?

My understanding is that quads are for more than two people, however can they move us without notice since it was there for the taking and is indicated as no upgrade? I am all for wheeling and dealing if they want my room but I'd hope they would honor the "do not upgrade" and work with me.

I do intend to call the TA tomorrow and either change the cabin or just take our chances based on what she tells me, which, as we all know, can sometimes be about 75% correct :(

I didn't even see that it was a quad until a closer inspection of another deck plan. Apparently the TA didn't either.

If anyone has any experience with this situation please let me know.

Thank you all so much for you prompt answers and helpful suggestions :)

I must say I am impressed that you were able to book a quad cabin for 2 people.;. as much as I have tried I was not ever able to do so

is your sailing soon>

I was a little surprised as well. And it isn't until next Nov. 2015. I was thinking about switching to another cabin because it is a bit concerning. I know that if they can get more revenue from four people, they'll probably bump us to do it. It is marked as no upgrade but I'm wondering if my TA may get a phone call a few months from now and where that will leave us. I haven't given them a deposit yet.

I'm glad you brought that up.

Everyone must go through immigration. Customs is not involved and as a continuing passenger you should not fill out a customs form for that day.

 

If everyone shows up when scheduled, the time between meeting and returning can be as little as 30 minutes.

 

However, check with the Sanctuary folk before the first segment ends to see if they can reserve your spots for the 2nd segment.

Excellent! Thank you for the great advice.

Hi - whether you book as 2 5-day segments or 1 10-day cruise you will still need to disembark in the middle - all passengers on a B2B regardless of how its booked must clear through immigration. Its usually relatively quick and painless (unless someone forgets to show up) and since you won't be moving cabins you wont' have to worry about packing up. Others who have more experience with this feel free to chime in!

I didn't think you had to go through immigration and customs unless you disembark, or is that the rub... Everyone has to disembark for turnaround? Can we make our exit and return in relatively (emphasis on relatively) quick order? We were hoping to be able to get a spot in the Sanctuary for the second five days. If not, no biggie. I like the Sanctuary, but I wouldn't be crushed if we had to miss it. DH's b-day is a sea day (I'm a poet :p ) so it would be icing on the cake. Ugh...sorry! I'll stop :o

Thanks so much for your quick responses.

If I may toss out another question. I booked a 10 day b2b as a single cruise as opposed to two 5 day segments. I doubt we will ever cruise enough to obtain the really nice benefits, and the idea of disembarking and embarking again the day before my husband's 60th birthday seems a bit tiring. We want to be in fine form for the big day

Would it be worth our while to do 2 segments? I have been reading the other thread on this topic, but am wondering if it will increase the expense as well.

This is a milestone birthday cruise, so with that in mind, would you just go for the most relaxing vacation or go for the possible benefits?

Again, many thanks

Hello to everyone!

I just placed a hold on a balcony cabin on the Emerald. I selected the Emerald after reading the opinion thread on favorite Princess ships and it was quite helpful.

My question concerns the stateroom I selected based on location, location, location. After I finished my call with my TA, I took a look at our cabin and it's a quad. Will the room seem tighter due to this arrangement? My hubby and I have only sailed together once on the QM2 and I on the Island with my DS and DSil in a mini suite.

We are on the caribe deck and are in a very nice mid aft position.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[quote name=PunkiC I was born and raised (for the most part) in the Midwest so I can empathize with your son. I hate the heat almost as much as I hate the cold (except when we are skiing), so Seattle is perfect for us with its mild winters and cool summers. We don’t have air-conditioning either and very rarely feel the heat, especially since we replaced all of the windows in our 100-year-old home with Low E windows. We do however have fireplaces in our kitchen, living room and in the sitting room off our bedroom and we love them on chilly evenings when we really don’t want to turn on the central heating, but want to make things feel all cozy.

Thank you for the compliment on our neighborhood. When I first came to Seattle in 1968, I fell madly in love with Queen Anne and decided that it was the neighborhood in which I wanted to live. Our first home, purchased after we married in 1971, was on the North Slope of Queen Anne Hill, overlooking Freemont. It was a wonderful first home but we knew we wanted eventually to be up on top of the hill so the kids would be able to walk or bike to and from school at St. Anne’s, and we would all be able to walk into the village for most of our needs. After three years in our first home, we were able to sell it at enough of a profit to buy our big house on top of the hill. We are so very blessed that we got in just at the right time as prices on the hill now days are astronomical. We can now walk to the grocery store, bank, dentist, hair dresser, and dozens of restaurants and coffee shops. We drive to Church as we take our elderly neighbor every Sunday, but for the most part we just walk around. By the time we arrive back home, there will be a fancy new Trader Joes in a new complex just four blocks from our home and we are very excited about that as DH loves so many things at Trader Joes and it is, of course, by far the best place to buy every day wines.

We will probably be passing you in the air as we fly back to Illinois in a couple of weeks to attend a 70th birthday party for the members of my high school class. Hopefully the weather there will cool down after Labor Day.

Thank you for joining me on my travels to the Baltic. I hope it helps you more enjoy it when you have an opportunity to visit in real life.[/quote]

We will indeed be ships er planes passing in the night.

My DS and DGD were here in July and were subjected to severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings with 2 passing just south of our community. DGD was nearly inconsolable with fear. We drove to Silver Beach in Michigan the next day and the downed trees and power lines were innumerable. Luckily, the beach area had power. It was weeks before some poor souls had their power restored. Nothing like the sound of generators running all day :eek:

We have been blessed with a relatively cool summer this year, although DGD would beg to differ with me. We're hoping we don't exceed the 108 inches of snow we received last winter. I have often wondered if the Baltic Sea generates snow like Lake Michigan. I doubt that the water/air temp gradient varies enough at that latitude to create weather systems like we see around the Great Lakes. Perhaps cunardaddict can answer the question of a Lake effect equivalent along and around the Baltic Sea coast.

I like to cycle but not enough to attempt the hills in Seattle :eek: Perhaps the Midwest can score a point for the flat terrain for cycling enthusiasts if you can stand the humidity and keep your seat through snow and ice :D

Thank you for your kind response. Your home sounds heavenly. I hope you and your DH enjoy many more years of travel and that you continue to share your experiences. My DH is very luke warm on cruising. We've done it, so he's ready to go back to land vacations, which is fine with me. I feel fortunate either way.

Safe and happy travels,

Julieann

We have 8 houses on our block and three of them have been occupied by the same families for over 60 years. We have now lived in our home for 40 years and are beginning to feel like real Queen Anne people. Of course most of the people who remember when we moved into the parish are now dead and we are all-too-rapidly becoming the older generation. The State of Washington hasn’t even been around for 10 generations although we do have many families in our parish that have been there for over 5 generations, while we are still praying we will make it

My son lives in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. We're heading there for a visit in a couple of weeks. That's what keeps us from cruising...very worthy and good reason :) His family can't stand the hot Midwest summers, nor the frigid winters. DS claims Seattle has made him soft :rolleyes:

We love your neighborhood. My DDiL and I always take a drive around to gawk at the lovely homes.

We've taken one 10 day cruise on QM2, and I joined my sister on a 10 day Princess Panama Canal trip. I slept on a roll-a-way cot on Princess to escape the hard mattress :eek: so I agree with your assessment of Cunard vs Princess. Each line has it's strengths and weaknesses.

I have really enjoyed your writing style and your attention to detail. If I only take one more cruise, and that may be our reality, this would be my itinerary of choice. Thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through your travel blog.

I hope the op hasn't been frightened off. I was enjoying her blog and hope to read more.

As far as her use of the term "ghetto", was it a bit jarring? :( Yes. Would she have gotten the stink eye on the commuter train into Chicago? :eek: Absolutely. Can we forgive her and move on? Please! :)

This has been a very helpful day to day summary. I appreciate the op including her struggles with jet lag, sea sickness, and pain.

I have always wanted to see Petersburg. What an amazing trip. If only I could convince DH.

Anyone cruising the Niagara Prince this August in Lake Michigan. We are trying it. Any input will be welcome. Thank You

I live about 15 miles from the southern Lake Michigan shore and would also like any info anyone has about travel on wild fresh water :)

I love freighters. I have more pictures and video of freighters than of people in my cruise photo collection. My family think I'm slightly off my rocker :confused:

I was in a force 10 gale on the QM2 and visited every deck to try to capture the storm with pictures. I was blown against the wall on the top deck trying to get to the indoor pool for pictures of nature emptying the pool!

Fishlover, The season is pretty short unless you can get on an ice breaker. Probably June through September and my suggestion is based on having lived here all my life.

It is strange. I don't think that it helped having been in perpetual motion for 11 days! I can't believe I'm using the Bonine I bought for the cruise after the cruise.

Thanks for your reply. I have to cook Christmas dinner. That should be interesting!

My sisters and I recently returned from our Island Princess Panama Canal trip on the 19th. We are all suffering from land sickness. Our inner ears think we're still on planes, buses, ships, and taxis so we feel like we're floating at night and we're stumbling around during the day.

Has anyone had this problem and, if so, how long did it last? None of us got seasick or suffered from any motion sickness, so this is weird.

On a side note, the cruise was wonderful. Some areas surpassed Cunard. I can't even think of cruising again until this issue passes. I felt like I was going to fall backwards while doing laundry today.

Excellent post. I've always been a midship person, but these pictures make want to change my stateroom! As if I could...

Thank you. Have definately made a few choices for the future :)

You had me at OCD :)

Wonderful pictures and great narrative of a lovely trip!

The complimentary coffee is made from a syrup concentrate. Some actually like it, so I would try it first before purchasing a coffee card. I have to admit, it does have a very strange smell and to me doesn't even smell or taste like regular coffee. But give it a try, the coffee cards are easily available for purchase if you decide the complimentary stuff is not for you. Good Luck!

Thanks :) My hubby accuses me of having a little coffee with my sugar, so who knows!

If they served a decent cup of coffee in the first place it would end all of this consternation.

I hope no one minds my asking in this thread, but how bad is the coffee? I'm a one cuppa day person with a taste for strong Columbia coffee.

If I only drink one cup a day, does it make sense to buy this card?

I'm saving my next cruise $$$$ for a ta on the QM2 (hubby loves the ship), so I don't have any plans to cruise again with Princess in the near future. Can you fill out a room service breakfast request and place it outside your door the night before? That's how I usually get my coffee. I'm not a morning person :eek: