Reina del Mar

Or maybe fifteen cruises!

Hopefully not..you can use their check in though !! Many people have spent a huge amount of money to gain Platinum status and should not have to wait for those who haven’t. If everyone who is P/E took friends through with them, no wonder it is a long line..please don’t make it longer !!!!!!!!!!! However, sometimes the non Platinum/ Elite line is shorter than the P/E line.

I think that may be because Princess has charged you an inflated currency conversion rate. Try getting a credit card which does not carry a transaction fee and pay in the currency of the ship (USA Dollars) in this case. Some credit cards which do not charge transaction fees include: - Santander Zero card, Halifax Clarity Card, Post Office ( this may have changed), Monzo (don’t know anything about this one).. Look on Martin Lewis site for further information.

I would think the majority would seek out the dress code before deciding what they need to pack.

I am presuming you mean 2023. ??? We fly to Fort Lauderdale and manage to pack everything we need for a cruise and a few days pre and post cruise in 23kg hold suitcase each and carry on bag each. Be aware Princess has self service laundromats on each deck. Some will tell you to pack for 7 days and use those. As a serial over packer I manage. We did East/ West Caribbean -14 nights this year.(Emerald Princess) The three formal nights were formal, with most people wearing a suit or cocktail dress. The very least was long trousers and long sleeved shirt for men and possibly black trousers and sparkly top for ladies. We chose not to ‘dress’ for the third formal night and felt under dressed. (Not enough to go back to change but enough to take ourselves to the buffet.) The smart casual nights were anything from casual to smart with men even being allowed into the MDR (Main Dining Room) in shorts..which is not what Princess’ policy says. We have been on other Princess cruises in the Caribbean where men wearing shorts have been refused entry. (Caribbean Princess) Ladies tended to wear summer dresses. Although Princess posts a ‘suggested’ dress code, it is not uniformly enforced..depends on the ship and either the hostess /Maitre D’ who is sitting you. Many people will tell you it’s your holiday, you have paid for it so wear what you want.I personally think if there is a printed dress code, the cruiseline should enforce it, but that is not what happens in reality.

Might worry that mobile phones may not synch with ship’s time..especially where ports have different time zones. You could always use the old fashioned way of taking a travel clock if not happy to use cabin phone and wake up call. We use alarm feature on mobile and hope time zones align.

Don’t do many shows or participate in the entertainment. If CD wasn’t there, we wouldn’t notice. Might be more room available in the buffet if CD and entertainment staff ate in crew quarters.

If you say where you are sailing from, someone might be able to suggest a local test centre.

`Seems you don’t need a test to fly into US but do need one to board cruise ship.

We were on Emerald Princess on the Caribbean East/West cruise prior to the Transatlantic. Unfortunately many passengers were not wearing masks then either. I mentioned almost daily about the recommended number of six people in lifts several times and needed to get out myself on a couple of occasions, as not everyone wanted to stick to the recommendation. Some sheepishly withdrew. We were fortunate not to catch Covid and did not know anyone who did. However, reading these boards since returning, it seems there were quite a few cases on our cruise and those which followed. Cruising, like life, is a risk in these Covid times. You can be lucky..or not !!!

Sorry to say but I am under the impression that in UK , we are only allowed to make one change to bookings, even with the £100 admin fee. Good luck with whatever you decide. Would be interested to know if you are able to make additional changes.

Recently returned from a RC cruise (Wonder in the Med)and did a Princess (Emerald in the Caribbean) one at Easter. Not quite comparing apples with apples because RC was a Junior Suite and Princess was a deluxe Balcony. These are our observations.- we made a list out of curiosity while still on the ship. RC better for cabin, soaps, shampoo, lotions, gowns, wardrobe, choice in buffet, in room coffee, number of sockets, balcony size, bathroom light, number of lifts available. Ice show, entertainment in general, Coastal Kitchen. Princess won on cabin and pool towels, pool/deck area, Princess Plus- Drinks, wi fi, tipping package, space in both buffet and MDR, library, laundry rooms. Both were equal regarding staff professionalism, fridges, food in general, steward service in cabin and around ship. If travelling as a couple I would probably go with Princess but as an extended family with young adults and children would choose RC. Everything is subjective and depends what you are looking for.

Absolutely horrendous queues (1.5-2 hr) to get through passport control when arriving from UK into Barcelona…obviously due to the UK passports rather than European passports. Almost lost our pre booked mini bus as he had waited almost an hour and a half after our booked time. First couple from party were eventually allowed through European passports due to being unable to stand any longer and were able to catch minibus driver and persuade him to wait longer until others came through. On return much easier although still needed an extra layer of Passport control as we hold UK passports. We had booked a Day Use hotel and wandered Las Ramblas as flight was early evening. There was a change of carrier from BA to Iberia (Code share) and then technical issues which resulted in a two hour delay. However, we realise this was nothing compared with the problems faced by many other travellers.

Just another issue where T&Cs are different for UK passengers. Sorry to say, I moan about this at every opportunity, in the hope someone from the cruise line eventually takes notice!!!!!

Thank you.

If you don’t tell anyone, how will they know to refund the taxes/ Fees ?

Our cabin steward on March/April Emerald Princess cruise did two services a day…without us needing to request it, and without a huge ‘bribe’ on the first day. We had Princess Plus, so tips were included and we left additional tip at the end, as he had been so good.

Check the cancellation policy for your country. UK T &Cs different and the re pricing option does not exist.

Have a look at the Roll Call section of Cruise Critic. Roll Calls Princess Emerald Princess Sailing Date

We usually travel internationally for cruises and have 23kg weight allowance. We do not struggle to take formalwear within this allowance. As an aside, a light weight suit (Trousers and jacket) weigh less than a pair of denim jeans !!!!!! I have said previously and will repeat..if the cruiseline has a dress code (whatever it may be) they need to enforce rather than suggest it.!!!!!!!!!

Copied and pasted from their website. CONTACT US TODAY 954-530-4447 855-LABDOCTOR We provide discounted medical lab tests to consumers and employers. VISIT OUR FACILITY LAB DOCTOR. 1425-A SE 17th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 4 miles from Ft. Lauderdale Airport Click here to fill up our forms online (up to 24 hours before your visit). WE’RE OPEN Weekdays 8 AM – 6 PM Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM – COVID TESTING ONLY

Wish the same repricing T&Cs were applicable in UK

We have been checking the passport office site every hour on the hour..during working hours, and even tried to refresh at 2am as we’d been told appointments were released then. Only one has come up..after our departure date across from the mainland of UK - in Ireland. !!!!! Sorry if I sound defeated, there have been so many issues with this booking. Your suggestion of asking an elected official might help..he doesn’t live close to us, so will suggest that to him. Many thanks.

Good suggestion, but he is in home country now, where there is a huge problem getting passports, even if prepared to pay top dollar for an emergency appointment. Can’t get an appointment for love nor money. Had been out of country to visit family, and came home ready to cruise.. a shame the passport didn’t make it. Was allowed in using Driving Licence but can’t use it to leave and then return again. Such a pain !

We paid by Visa card, didn’t pay too much attention to how others paid, sorry. Too busy crossing everything for a negative result.