JimnKaren

Not trying to be a snot! But, are you cruising for the ports of call or the ship?

We have been on Maasdam for more than 70 days. We would not return except that the size and the layout fit our lifestyles. We have also been on Ryndam and Statendam (sister ships). Really, really like the Crow's Nest and the Library (coffee bar).

Think about what you want from a cruise. Getting into the Sea of Cortez is wonderful. You should fall in love with Loreto. La Paz is so different from the other ports in the Baja area.

Just do it!

Jim

Yes, we experienced a delay due to mechanical issue between the Bahamas and Port Everglades. Departure was delayed a few hours, but that was the only significant thing. Yep, we stood in the terminal and watched, but there was absolutely nothing that could be done. We knew nothing about it until we reached the pier!

It was better than boarding at 5:00 p.m. Image that!?

Jim

It is one of those cruises where one has to pack differently. Leave Boston in sweaters and jeans and end up in shorts and tee-shirts. It is fun to sail that itinerary. Realize that you probably won't be on the open deck much during the first 48 hours. Decide where you want to be during sailaway.

Jim

Not on Grand Princess, but on other Princess ships. Generally, there is a big ceremony in the atrium with balloons, etc. The CD does a generic ceremony.

Alternately, you can purchase from Princess a vow renewal ceremony. Flowers, photos, bubbly, etc. Lots of points can be scored with the person you are with for that thing. They used to also offer a tour of the bridge, but I believe that has been discontinued.

Jim

The last couple of cruises we were on (two this year - both Princess), there were no health questionnaires to be completed. My guess is that they were rarely looked at, and it would be too easy for passengers to misrepresent their conditions.

Jim

We were on Island Princess from Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale beginning in mid-September of this year.

Live Music was everywhere. In the atrium, Wheelhouse Bar, Bayou Cafe, etc.

We had to miss Puntarenas CR due to weather, but that was OK.

My biggest concern was the dining room situation. We went anytime and sometimes we were taken to the other dining room and other times there was a looong wait for a table for four. Many times, the Club Class area was not full. It is my opinion that the Club Class area takes away too much space for the number of non-Club Class diners. I believe that the addition of all those extra cabins conflicts with the amount of space devoted to dining. I rarely saw a full dining area at Sabatini's and Bayou Cafe, could the price be keeping people away?

Jim

No need to.

Jim

As has happened with us on a HAL Thanksgiving Day itinerary...ask your waiter for 'family style' service. Bowls and platters of food, rather than individual portions. Not a big thing for me, but it was for him and his wife (table of 6).

I have also taken that meal in the Lido. OK, no rush on anything.

Jim

If you want, I can wave to you as we get off Pacific Princess. Tell me what you will be wearing!!

Jim

Oh yeah, the folks on the ship will know when those evenings are scheduled. Do it once you get on board. And...be prepared for folks to ask a lot of questions about what your special occasion is.

Jim

I second the car rental option. If you are an AARP member, you get discounts with Budget. BUT, ya gotta do some research on where you might want to go. Only you can determine that.

Jim

And...welcome to Cruise Critic. Be sure to let us know how it went for you.

Jim

Car rental is the most practical price-wise. You also get to go when you want and the way you want.

Jim

We were on Island Princess for 22 days beginning in mid-September.

I concur with issues with anytime dining and the inability to be seating within a reasonable amount of time.

I do have a new belly-ache: La Patisserie does not have anything to eat. The title is absolutely wrong. It is a beverage bar and nothing else!

Jim

According to marine tracking (on-line sources), Eurodam changed its itinerary and is nearing San Francisco.

Jim

I am wondering if Eurodam will actually call a Mazatlan, ya know that hurricane went through yesterday.

Jim

We have two cruises set up where we board on day 1, but we don't sail until the afternoon of day 2. What restrictions (as to boarding time on day 1) might there be? One port is in Europe and the other is South America.

Would we be able to board initially after the evening meal on day 1? Or, would it have to be before 'x' time on day 1?

Jim

Just off Island Princess (about 2200 pax). The Zinger Quartet offered music in the Wheelhouse Bar most evenings (they got one night off in the 22 days we were there). Often, there were as many as 15 couples on the dance floor. They indicated that they would be taking a break in a couple of months and then return to Princess for 9 months (I believe they said Royal Princess). Regal Princess also has a good dance floor.

Jim

About the time that we retired, we decided that we were no longer tied to time constraints. We elected to cruise the itinerary. It takes a bit of research to narrow down the options: time of year, number of days of the cruise, whether to fly or drive to the port, how big a ship (we prefer smaller rather those floating cities). As a result, we have discovered that Princess and Holland America offer the itineraries that appeal to us.

We moved from Illinois to Florida so that we are now close to several ports of embarkation. We can pick and choose. Recently, most of our cruises have been to fly one way, and cruise back to Ft. Lauderdale. We rent a car and are home in time for an afternoon nap on the sofa!

Our next cruise begins in Venice in November. Much cooler than what we have in Florida. I sails back to Ft. Lauderdale (29 days). Just about right for us.

Jim

We just completed a 22-day Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale itinerary. Only two new ports for me, I managed to get off most of them, but did not spend the entire day ashore.

Naps are good (at my age); but I also read. Lots of good books on the shelves on the ship, I managed 12 books, which included the night prior to boarding in a hotel. Met some nice folks at dinner and listening to music after dinner. Already emailing back and forth.

Jim

We have cruised with Jim McF before and always enjoyed his knowledge and his ability to easily share what he knows. Interestingly, he is from Canada, his breadth of knowledge is amazing.

Jim

I am wondering...if lots and lots of passengers showed up at the dining room 15 minutes AFTER the posted time for TD, what would happen? The old way was to allow passengers in up to 15 minutes after the posted time. The new way?

Just off Island Princess and we had flex dining (whatever it is called) and twice we were escorted to the fixed-time dining room. Why? Who makes that decision?

So, if half the dining room shows up 15 minutes after the posted beginning time, might the powers that be learn something from that?

Jim

You should be able to access tours from your Princess personalizer for your itinerary. Then you will be able to see all the options prior to getting on the ship. Read lots of stuff here and then you will be the smartest person in your cabin!!

Jim

When we signed up for the cruise that you will be on, Princess was offering a 3 for free incentive. Our gratuities were free, free on board credit, etc. Since I am vet, I get OBC, too. Along with stock ownership, more OBC. More than $1000 OBC for a 22-day itinerary. No too shabby. Especially with no gratuities at the end.

Jim

The farther south the route is the warmer it will be, just like the rest of the year. It could be stormy one day and calm the next. One never knows, and neither do the weather forecasters.

Jim