irisheileen

I see that you're embarkation was switched to 12:30 from Port Everglades as well as our January 7th Panama canal Cruise. Could you tell me if that really was in effect? We wanted to get there at 11:00 as originally planned and are willing to wait if we could be first in line or so as we want to run up to the sanctuary to reserve.

Also what time did you actually sell? Was it the 3:30? I can't imagine that all those people could be handled in 3 hours. Thank you so much!

1 hour ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Day 4&5 patters and Panama Canal info

Thank you thank you so much for these patters! 👍

31 minutes ago, mfanderso said:

If you are on a ship with Sky Suites, book one of those and the reservations will be taken care of for you.

Good to know thank you.

31 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

We understand, and know that a Princess or Sanctuary newbie wants to know all the tips possible.

I think you should have good luck getting the cabana for days where you might not be able to get available loungers. 

 

Know that full shade in the Sanctuary on most ships can be hard to find.  And, the shade moves with the direction of the ship, and the morning and afternoon sun.   Some of the shade could be these huge tarps, which are not a real SPF.   So, a cabana might be a good bet for that too.  If people want those front row seats, up at the bow, they might be the ones that get the most sun!

 

Your itininerary might give you a good idea which parts of the Sanctuary might have some shade at peak times.

Thank you. I am all about figuring out and where shade is going to be in my life! First of all I have melanoma, and also a genetic skin condition that wildly flares up in ugly red lesions all over my arms and legs if I'm out in the sun. So I'm all about the shade and figuring out where it's going to be ahead of time. 😎

On 12/10/2022 at 7:44 AM, Kopy said:

We will doing the same cruise Jan 7, if it not too much trouble could you please post the patters so we can see what we can expect on our cruise. Thank you

Our party of six will be traveling on January 7th ceiling as well! It would be great to have very clear patters for us as well.

On 12/10/2022 at 4:15 PM, Wishing on a star said:

Irish,  To answer the first question, can one person in your party book for all of you.

Again, it has always been first come, first served, and at least one person for that cabin must actually be there.  So, if you have family or friends in another cabin, I believe that one from each cabin  do have to go to the Sanctuary in person.   Especially with the medallion and everything being automatic and electronic, I don't see how anyone could be able to book for somebody else.

 

As you can see, booking of the coveted best loungers in the Sanctuary, and being able to find availability, is kind of a hot topic.  I think you can see why, now.

 

It might not be as tight on longer cruises.  We have not booked on a longer cruise.  Since there are more days during the cruise, and not everyone wants to book the Sanctuary for every day.   So, more days, more opportunities, to book.

On one week itineraries, especially when they are more often booked as back-to-back cruises.  Then I think the odds for a person who is not elite/platinum or on the next sailing(s) of a back to back(s) , go down a lot.

 

We have boarded immediately as early as possible, as Platinum, gone right up to the Sanctuary, and while we have always found some loungers, the best ones seemed to already be booked up.  Especially on sea days.   There have always been a few in line before us.   Those who could not, or did not, board as early as we did, might not find availability.

 

Irish, you will probably not have any problem booking a Sanctuary Cabana.

I am assuming you know about these, and have seen photos and video.

Most people are not as willing to pay that cost.

So, YES, one person who is traveling on the cruise (but not your booking) can book a cabana, which would have a max occupancy of at least four, I think.  So, if they are able to board early, and would want to share and split the cost, that might work.

Thank you for your reply. I have $880 shipboard credit for our cabin so booking a cabana as many days as possible would be my first choice of how to use that credit. I can't be out in the sun directly and I have central nervous system issues where I need quiet if at all possible.

23 hours ago, MJSailors said:

 @irisheileen  In the past, preCovid, we booked the Sanctuary with two ways.

One, once we had priority boarding due to loyalty status, we had early  boarding of the ship. We went directly to the Sanctuary and we’re able to book two loungers for DH and me.

Before we had priority boarding, we would get up very early to get to the Sanctuary in time to book loungers for that day.

Please!

Do not think friends on the cruise previous to yours would be able to book the Sanctuary!!!!!

I am certain that the staff there would not accommodate such a request if there was a way to check on the departure day of your friends’ cruise.

I am not certain what info is stored on the medallion.

How unfair to even think of doing such a thing!😱

Enjoy your cruise! 

MJ

I agree with you. In retrospect, it was unfair of me to even consider. I stand corrected. I mentioned in another response I have nervous system sensitivities due to vestibular migraines and finding a quiet spot wherever I go is so very important to me.

On 12/10/2022 at 12:00 PM, mnocket said:

I know there are frequent post warning that you must rush to the Sanctuary immediately upon boarding to reserve the Sanctuary.  I don't have any experience booking the Sanctuary on shorter Caribbean cruises, but I have booked it twice on longer tropical itineraries for all sea days and the Sanctuary was never close to fully booked.  The Cabanas were always available.  imho if you go to the Sanctuary once you board, you will have no problem making your reservations.  

That's wonderful to hear. Thanks so much. I have vestibular migraine issues with sensitivities of large crowds etc so that's why sanctuary is so important to me.

Everybody loves the sanctuary apparently and I would love to get a cabana or at least loungers. If one of our parties make it up to the sanctuary in line first can they reserve using our cabins booking number for that cruise?

Also, friends of ours are coincidentally going on the same cruise but the sailing before! Before they disembark would they be able to reserve a cabana or loungers for us like back to back cruisers do? That would be using our booking number.

Thanks in advance

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Absolutely, you would not be denied.  A lot of people pickup at the port, like Canadians and overseas guests too.

There are several lines, like Elite/Suites and really it goes very fast.  
 

At the port, if you need To pick up, you just tell them you need to pickup your medallions and they direct you to the right line. It’s a checkin counter area.

I’ve picked up there before, because it didn’t arrive in time.  It took about 2 mins.

Don’t worry.

 

Over the holidays, they mail out a little earlier, because the mail is slower.  

Do not worry about it…no big deal.

 

Thanks I appreciate your help.

10 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

You could order the medallion to arrive at your home in PA, as they usually arrive 10-14 days before sail date. If for some reason you do not get them before you leave, no worries!  You can pick up at the port…..very easy and takes a couple of minutes.  Not a big deal at all.  
 

You can certainly pick an arrival time to match your daughter’s time.  If it’s not available, again….no big deal.  Just go with your daughter.  They are not restrictive on arrival times at all.  No one asks.

 

FT Lauderdale is a very easy port for embarking and disembarking.  
 

Enjoy your cruise!

😍 Thank you! I think I'll have it mailed to Pennsylvania If you're saying I don't get it in time they won't deny me at the port. And there's not a separate line for that pickup is that correct? Just the one check in? Thanks again

Hi everyone! Today is December 2nd 2022 and we are sailing out of Port Everglades for a 10-day Panama canal cruise on the Caribbean on January 7th. We are snowbirds in Florida in which we will arrive January 1st. We will be home in Pennsylvania until then. I mention this because I'm not sure when it would arrive/what address I should use.

My question is: right now I have it set up with our travel agent to pick up the medallion at the port itself.

*Will that delay our assigned "arrival time"? We will be able to be at the port as early as 10:00 a.m. if need be because we want to run up to the sanctuary and book a cabana or whatever we could get. I cannot sit in the sun! I'm working through a travel agent so I can't find out when my arrival time is or have this question answered, I think she has been on vacation since Tuesday before Thanksgiving! 😥 Our daughter, who booked online and not through the travel agent, has an arrival time already that she has. If our time is later can we just join her in her " line "? Not sure how all this works. Thanks in advance!

47 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Have you asked on the Princess board, as this is specific to a Princess ship, and their policies on opening the bow?

 

Most ships will open the bow if possible, as entering a lock and viewing that from the bow is a great experience. However, not all ships have an area appropriate for the public to gather.

 

Yes, staying on your balcony alone is not recommended. As discussed here frequently, you need to be all over the ship. Be on the Promenade (or similar) deck when the ship is going up or down in a lock...another special and unique location to get a feel for what the locks are doing.

Thanks, I did just watch a YouTube video about going to several different locations on the ship. I like your idea of the promenade. Thank you!

We are taking the Caribbean princess 10-day Panama canal cruise this upcoming January 7th. We have a starboard balcony. Could sit there and watch but I have a feeling that it's going to be a lot better at the bow of the ship for example. What viewing areas are open on the ship please? Any hidden secret suggestions?

TIA

2 hours ago, Wrh2016 said:

Sailing on Explorer (same itinerary) February 7th.  Thanks for doing this and posting!  This will be my 5th RC cruise.  All on Freedom or Voyager Class.  Love this size ship.  🙂  Best wishes to you and your family for wonderful cruise!

Bob and I are also on Feb 7th sailing with you!

Eileen

1 hour ago, sisocialworker said:

we are ready to leave....explorer is in port waiting for us......time to shut down everything in the house, lock it up, and have a relaxing cup of coffee while we wait for car service.....see ya in the port..also follow me live on periscope, if possible...@socialwork911

 

 

Wait! You forgot to pick me up! I'm all ready to go....😉😁 I don't want to wait until February 7th.

6 minutes ago, sisocialworker said:

will try for cruise compass....but I've found that most pic's are too small to read the details....I think some other site have them posted as enlargeable pics....in addition I'm not a great picture taker, but I'll try

Thanks, what I'm really interested in is the times for the Evening shows, please.  If you could post the times of any evening shows, that would be great. TIA

On 12/9/2019 at 7:57 AM, berbician said:

Thank you so much for doing this.  I will be on this same itinerary on January 10th . Would absolutely love if you could post to Cruise Compasses and advise if the drink card was offered for your cruise.    

Yes I also am hoping that you will post these clear pictures of the Cruise Compass! Thank you for doing this and looking forward to following. We are going on the February 7th sailing.

24 minutes ago, Mibele said:

One time my mother and I were on a 10 day cruise to Mexico in a Balcony cabin and got surprised by the upgrade fairy three days before the cruise with a Mini-Suite.  When we got on board, we found out it was a handicap accessible mini.  HUGE.  It was nice for my mom as she sometimes has mobility issues, but generally, she does not need that.  

I hope that the upgrade fairy sprinkles some pixie dust on us!

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

this might help

https://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-transportation.asp

Thanks!

2 hours ago, bup1224 said:

After you cross the floating bridge 

Thanks, I googled the floating bridge- it looks so cool!

On 9/29/2019 at 2:29 PM, bup1224 said:

There are tours right as you cross over the Queen Emma floating bridge that are much cheaper than those at the port. 

Casper Tours stands at/near the info booth and does a short city tour/stop at the original distillery,  bus tour of Jan Thiel area and a (1 or 2 hour stop) at Mambo beach. 

Currently it's $15 per person

Thanks for the heads up.  this is our 1st time in Curacao so I am not familiar *yet* with the layout at the port.  Are you saying that casper tours is after you cross over the floating bridge?  Or is it at the port?

5 hours ago, Noxequifans said:

The Port of Miami is the safest and most convenient place to park your vehicle. Why park elsewhere and worry about your vehicle during your cruise. 

Will we need to arrive there by a certain time to have the best chance of available parking at the port itself?  We are driving in from Sarasota which is a 3.5-4hr drive. We sail on the Explorer of the Seas and these other ships are in port that day, 3 of which also leave at about 4-5pm:

On 11/8/2019 at 6:53 PM, LHT28 said:

 You may want to park at the port  & not in that location

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/118+NE+2nd+St,+Miami,+FL+33132,+USA/PortMiami,+Miami,+FL+33132,+USA/@25.7773467,-80.1897922,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d9b69e9547a2ef:0x179c9cae3197b52!2m2!1d-80.1916475!2d25.7759512!1m5!1m1!1s0x88d9b43c1f91e039:0x5ec9aa159b63625a!2m2!1d-80.1708802!2d25.7745435!3e0?hl=en-US

Thank you very much for that information. A had Googled Miami cruise port parking and that's where my location that I had posted came from. I've never driven into Miami I did not realize that they had parking right there. Will be driving in from Sarasota so I will need to get the exact cruise port parking.

23 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

If anything you may get an upgrade.

That would be sweet!🤞