forfamily

Thank you, Sailaway John! I saw the stock pictures online, and found actual pictures of the Grand and the Sapphire. Hoping they'll be similar!!

Hi All - We are booked in a mini-suite (!!!) for this 7 day coastal. We've previously sailed in an interior (2 Adults, 2 Teens), and a balcony. Both were tight squeezes, but fun. Tight quarters are better than no quarters!!

This mini-suite is a real treat for us, our last family cruise before daughter goes off to college.

I know we'll love it no matter what, but I can't seem to find any photos of this room online. I'm just curious and really ready to leave on vacation! Anyone have any inside or outside pictures of this?

Thanks in advance!!

When our family of 4 sailed in 2011 (balcony) and 2013 (inside) we were not allowed to put the beds together because of safety issues. We had actually put the two twins together thinking they hadn't gotten it right, and the porter was very kind and didn't make us feel stupid when he explained that if we needed to disembark in the dark during an emergency it could not only cause obstacles for us but any emergency personnel that would be helping.

My mom and sister and I sailed in an oceanview room in 2014, and the porter joked with us that it was a good thing we didn't need beds together since it was against code.

It took some adjustment, but it was ok. The beds are close enough to hold hands! It was a tight squeeze for 4 people, but 3 was doable, especially since we spent very little time in the cabin.

Havin said all that, never hurts to ask!

I knew it couldn't be a simple point and shoot, your pics are way too good for that! Your camera purchase paid off!

I forgot to ask if you are using a small point and shoot camera or if these photos are from a bigger/nicer camera.... ?

I thought my husband and I were the only ones who staked ourselves out in Sky Walkers. We were there everyday for a few hours at least, never saw another passenger during the day.

Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone!

Haha!

I am loving your review! I've been on the Sapphire twice, and am counting down the days to an Alaska trip in 2 weeks.

I thought I was impatient before, but now I can't think of anything else! Your photos are fabulous and your writing is just the right blend of sarcastic and funny!

And anyone that routinely quotes Monty Python is someone I want to know!

Thanks for a wonderful review, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment!

--Kim

Thank you everyone for the reassurance and quick response! I have been so worried about this....and we will definitely get those passports in time for any future vacations. We've just never had a need for them before, Canada and Mexico used to be easy to get into, and neither of us have ever been anywhere else! Yet.....I'm hoping that my hubby will get the cruising bug that infects so many people!!! I've got it already from reading the boards!

Thanks again, all of us appreciate it!!

Hi Everyone-

I realize that having valid passports on you is the smartest thing to do....but my dilemma is this:

We decided at the last minute (relatively) to do a family cruise to the Mexican Riveria - the first week in April.

I called our county clerks office today for passport information, and she told me it would take a minimum of four to six weeks to get them back, and she couldn't guarantee we'd have them in time.

If we use the "rush" service - we could have them in two to three weeks, but the added fee makes it MORE to obtain all four of us passports than the actual cruise is going to cost. There is no way we can do both right now.

So, if our cruise is a closed loop from LA to the MR back to LA.....do I HAVE to have them according to the new rules? If not, then do I need them to return to our boat after a shore excusion? If the only reason we need them is *in case* of an incident while we are out of country, then we may take the chance on using our certified birth certificates instead - for this cruise. Otherwise, we will have to cancel our plans and try for next year, and I really really dont want to have to do that....

What do you all think? Any personal experiences or links to actual laws and\or policies out there? Our TA said we should 'be fine', but I hate to take that chance on just his word alone.

(The cruise line is Princess, if that makes any difference.)

Thanks to everyone in advance!

Kim:confused: