Reina del Mar

Royal Caribbean offer included ‘instant’ / ‘syrup’ coffee at their equivalent of the International Cafe. Not sure why Princess cannot offer the same… well I am pretty sure…money ! Maybe fill a thermos flask in buffet and take it to IC. If you don’t want to buy a package or coffee card.

Totally off topic..but that is the excuse I use for taking more shoes than I actually need, in case one breaks !! I have read on here that people have had suitcase wheels/ handles repaired on ships, so there must be some sort of ‘handyman’ who could help out in an emergency.

If You go down the road of a ‘No show’ you would need to pay the final balance..not sure whether you have done that ? It has been discussed on here that “no shows” receive their port taxes and fees , as well as any paid excursions and drinks’ packages refunded to passenger to the original form of payment.

Has been a problem for many for a long time. Way back in the 70s, can remember mature passengers being told to sleep with their life jackets under their feet to elevate them and reduce swelling. At the time as a teenager, thought it quite strange ! Haven’t faced the issue yet myself .

Again..pre Covid…we stayed at the hotel and were picked up at the hotel. …was to Bayport at the time. Princess reps in arrivals area and in hotel. Depending on numbers, you could have a long coach journey as it might double back to airport to pick up further passengers,

You are lucky to be able to do this. I have been cruising since 1969 and still manage to overpack both clothes and shoes…. I like to have choices !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Far too many compared with previous posters !!! Never wear same footwear two consecutive days Day sandals- two pairs (Possibly one pair of wedges for evening) Evening sandals- two pairs (one black / one metallic or cream) Trainers- Two pairs if cold/wet countries (South America- Falkland Islands etc) (Wear one pair to travel) Leather Flip flips- two pairs Possibly water shoes for places like Princess Cays.

Depending on your itinerary..you can buy swimsuit coverups on most Caribbean Islands..basically knee length T shirts. Useful for nightwear too. Usually less than $20 or 2 for $20 in Cozumel !

We ‘stash’ some cereal, milk, bowls and spoons to eat breakfast in the cabin on disembarkation day. Room service not available and lets us avoid the crush in the buffet.

Christmas bauble, souvenir spoon , decorative plate from any new ports. Shame we are running out of space on the Welsh Dresser and 100 spoon spoon rack. Keep the tree and its’ baubles up all year as it’s made from drift wood. Friendships- I still keep in touch with someone I met as a teenager in1970 on Union Castle’s TSS Reina del Mar.

Oh OK..was just trying to be helpful…we have booked (not Princess) transfers to San Antonio for next Spring, so hope they don’t change ours. 🥹 Have a great cruise and look forward to hearing all about it.

Please check..thought Princess now sailing from San Antonio ??????

Without thinking, I once wore a dress which had some metallic decoration on the front of it through security. It caused me to be pulled to one side and ‘wandered down’ by a female officer. If you think the trousers might cause a problem, I’d advise wearing something else.

Used this company in March. Excellent service-professional and helpful staff. In and out in quarter of an hour , clutching paper negative certificates.

If you are in UK, there is £100 admin fee to change your booking…you are only allowed one change.

We sailed Wonder during May half term. Windjammer was okay but not wonderful. We managed to get a table for our party of seven whenever we used it. The MDR on the other hand hand had tables jam packed together..certainly not following Covid suggestions. Service was very slow. We chose not to return after one visit and ate at the Coastal Kitchen where space was plentiful and service impressive.

I have found that Princess and Royal Caribbean have dealt with me directly, even though I use a travel agent to book…it’s all about the attitude you show them..polite but determined works for me !!!!

Booking.com Is now offering transfers from some airports. We used a pink taxi service from IAH to port and return..they were very informative, punctual and professional..a husband and wife team but sadly think they have re located. We used both Princess transfer to Bayport and RC transfer to Galveston from the airport hotel..were quite expensive, very long as we went round in circles picking up from airport as well, but very well organised at the hotel…not sure about reverse journey. We have hired a car but that wasn’t easy as Enterprise seems to be the only care hire place on Galveston Island. One way drops are not cheap. Agree with previous poster, probably best to book a private car/mini bus service. Sorry I am unable to recommend one.

We used Dayuse.com for a post RC cruise stay in Barcelona. Just turned up at the hotel after disembarkation. Needed to make the hotel aware it was for day use only as they seemed to think we were staying for one night. Needed the email showing that it was for day use to explain to them as our Spanish isn’t good…..I would contact them for an email giving the information that it is a day use reservation and the date, as well as the name of the hotel……especially if you are travelling in a busy season. Just to cheer you up, they seem to send us emails every week or so asking if we want to book another hotel room for day use !!!!!!

We stayed at the Hyatt Place in March, having previously stayed at the Embassy Suites. Depends what you are looking for and the price you can find. Both hotels are ready for renovation. Embassy Suites has breakfast and evening socials as benefits, as well as the pool area. Hyatt was fine too. Breakfast Ok but not as wide a choice as Embassy. Pool area is disappointing and certainly wouldn’t classify it as clean or well cared for. Took a taxi from Embassy Suites but being a smaller hotel, the shuttle was easier to use,,,just us and one other couple in the van. Staff most professional in both hotels.

Depends which terminal you are flying using..Terminal five has a Sofitel with covered walkways to the concourse. Have used the Hoppa bus pre Covid and wasn’t particularly impressed as timetable not followed. Reminded me of a car rental shuttle in USA airports, but certainly not as frequent. If we weren’t leaving a car, I would go for a taxi …Just my thoughts, as we usually leave car in airport car park, these days.

We used Lab Doctor in March. They were wonderful. Arrived for opening at 8.30 am. Short walk from our hotel. Had help filling in online form (They realised we might not have internet, being from GB). Test by gentle technician. Paper copy of result within 15 mins. Cost $49 per person. Not sure whether still open, but possibly as they offered non Covid tests too. Might be worth ringing/ checking on line they are still operating.

We have two ‘transaction free’ cards that we use just for holidays…. Santander Zero and Halifax Clarity cards… there are others available but we are happy with these. Depending on where you are travelling, you need to consider what cash to take…USD for Caribbean/USA, Australian Dollars for Australia Euros for Europe etc. For South America, we took small amounts (£100 equivalent) of the currency for each port to be visited. The amount you need depends on your plans for each port and whether you are doing ship or private excursions or doing your own thing just wandering around the port, taxis, cafes (restaurants usually take cards)…so many variables. Always make card purchases in the currency of the port…as long as you have a ‘transaction free’ card. Their rates are more generous than others offered.

I would be tempted to use Princess EZ Air if you are at all concerned the cruise you are looking at might be cancelled.

We have found it is sometimes cheaper top book it yourself and other times Easy Air is cheaper…worth doing some research. In these post? Covid times might be easier to have a package, especially with airport chaos.