Goldenfox

On 2/24/2019 at 2:46 PM, Jeremiah1212 said:

I used Spotify and Amazon last week with no issues at all. Even when webpages were really slow to load, music streamed without buffering.

Was this using the Surf Internet Package or the Unlimited?

I've been sailing on Princess since my mid-30's (am now 40). My husband and I like the ambience, though we loved Holland too. We've sailed on Carnival as well and had a wonderful time. I think you can't go wrong on a Princess cruise, and as you're celebrating your 50th you'll be in good company. Cruise passengers are getting younger, even the more upscale ones previously associated with the older crowd. There's definitely nothing snooty about Princess, nor its passengers, at least in my experience. I'm a 6th and counting repeat passenger and with every cruise I find more and more diversity in age and ethnicity.

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Dutch side, last month, Dec 2013 and Nov 2012. French side, Dec 2013 and Nov 2012. Didn't go this last time.

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Was on the Regal this December and the Royal in Dec 2013. The only time I ever felt crowded was the first formal night in the Piazza, when most everyone turns out for the champagne waterfall (or at least all the newbs). However, as one who doesn't do crowds well, I still managed to have a great time. I must say I love the Royal over the Regal, the service and the food just seemed a lot better on the Royal compared to my most recent experience. For the shows in the Princess Theater, go to the early or the late sitting, you'll never have a problem getting a seat.

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USD and cards accepted everywhere. No need for Euros, at least based on my experience.

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Is it cheaper to buy minutes before the cruise or on-board?

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Hubby and I did it last June, best excursion ever! Truly was amazing to see the glaciers from above, flying over the mountains, the feast at the lodge was amazing, and to top it off, seeing bears in the wild in person, c'est magnifique!

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I did HAL Westerdam last summer and the DWTS dance competition was, as someone mentioned, a joke. It's fun if you're not a dancer and wanted to learn a few basic steps. The competition aspect was disastrous in my opinion, as it seemed as if you're pretty, perky, 18, and willing to show your underwear, you win the competition, and got to go on a free cruise this month on the Niew Amsterdam for the finals with some of the pros and stars of DWTS. The very much more talented dancer, a 20-something male math teacher, who should have won, didn't stand a chance with the male crew judges who knew virtually nothing about dancing.

I also cruised the Royal in December and it seemed there was always dancing in the Piazza. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with the Royal. I'd see these older couples dancing for hours every night! Very heartwarming! Hubby and I have vowed to take some ballroom lessons so that we'll not look like idiots when next we cruise on the Royal or the Regal. Such was the caliber of dancing, we didn't even venture out. But next time, i definitely hope to be on the dance floor!

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I cruised the Royal Princess just about a month ago. I never felt unsafe. In fact quite the opposite. I felt as if the crew went out of their way to ensure my comfort and well-being. Practice common sense as others have mentioned and open yourselves up to experiencing a fantastic honeymoon on a very beautiful ship. I can't wait to go back on her. That said, I'm sailing the Ruby next week. It will be my fifth cruise in a year across 4 lines. Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival and Princess. The only ship I might have felt slightly concerned about safety was on Carnival because of the party atmosphere, but once on board, any concerns I had quickly disappeared. My point is, crime can happen anywhere and if there was any discontent I would not be cruising this often. However, using good judgement, knowing your surroundings, not drinking till you pass out, are things you should do in general, just stick to it on the ship. I've never had a steward enter without knocking, and hubby has left me in the stateroom many a time. I've wandered the ship alone at all hours. The staff on a cruise ship, particularly from poorer countries more than likely won't do anything to jeopardize a job that feeds their family back home . Congratulations and I know you will fall in love with the Royal Princess!

Fantastic photos Dave, thank you for sharing! I can't wait to sail again on the Royal and for sure on the Regal. I'm sure my time on the ship was made even more special by all you lovely Cruise Critic folks, but boy, isn't she a beauty? Who wouldn't want to return? I was whining earlier about how long I have to wait before going on another cruise and my hubby spoilt his surprise so I'd quit whining! Lol!! Seems he's been planning to take me on the Ruby next week for my birthday! It's a quick getaway, but I'm so excited!

WOW, I think I got exhausted just reading your account! I thought I had the speed traveling thing down, but you guys are amazing! By day three i'm sure I would collapsed! I'm calling you to plan my next itinerary! Great trip review, your family is very fortunate to have had this experience. Thank you for taking me along on your holiday!

While I know that London has so much to offer and does, being a fan of Harry Potter myself, the highlight of my trip there was the Harry Potter Studios!

Great review Dave! I agree on all counts (minus some of the paid venues as we didn't do those). It was such a pleasure to meet you and spend time with you!

Dave, it was so wonderful to meet you and spend time with you this past week. You are as lovely in person as you are on this forum, full of good humor, informative and a pleasure to know! Thank you for your kind generosity of spirit! Hope I have the opportunity to cruise with you again!

Lovely video, beautiful pics - job very well done! I can't wait to board her on Sunday!

Sarah, as with your Alaska report, I am loving your blog and your photos. You're absolutely fantastic, and your detailed info on Rome will prove very useful when I start planning my Med cruise. Can't wait to hear the rest of it!!

I posted "clotted" cream because it is just heavy whipped cream. Sorry for raising your expectations.

Oh bummer :(

Lol

They serve clotted cream on the ship?? I thought part of the issue about even importing it to the US was instability and storage?

If so I think I just may have to have Afternoon tea every day it's offered!! I'll have to allot a 1 pound gain just due to clotted cream, noms!! :D

Have a fantastic time Dave! See ya in a week!

"Best" is a totally subjective, personal opinion. From Keith's totally personal point of view, Princess or Celebrity. From ours, Holland America.

 

Most people will say Hawaii is best seen on a land tour.

 

Do you have any cruise experience? On what cruise lines? That would help you compare those cruise line's style to your Mom's taste.

I've cruised Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America, and I'm about to try Princess in a week. I absolutely loved Holland and it would be my first choice if not for it's very lengthy itinerary, I just can't be gone that long from work all at once.

My mom is just ecstatic being on a ship so she's not hard to please in that regard.

As for doing POA, I would probably spend as much as the cruise itself flying us both out to Honolulu R/T doubling my costs and from what I've heard, NCL isn't that great. We're not big on adventure and activities, just a little bit of sightseeing.

Sea days don't bother us much, it gives me a chance to unwind and relax and my mom finds things to do attending all the ship's activities.

From what I've read so far Princess seems well liked, anyone have experience with Carnival for this itinerary? Also what is Celebrity like?

I would like to take my mom for her 75th birthday next year, and I'd rather do a mainland R/T. From what I've seen there aren't any after April, is that about right? Is April a good time for a pleasant experience?

Hi Sarah! Very happy that you're back safe and sound and thrilling us with your detailed report of your trip. I'm loving it so far! Can't wait to hear (and see) the rest!

If I read between the lines, I'm suspecting the "let's buy stock to get $100 OBC" strategy might really be something like this example............

 

9am - buy the stock ($7 cost)

9:30 am - it shows up in your portfolio online - print a copy

9:31am - sell the stock ($7 cost)

 

The "investor" has spent $14 to gain $100 in OBC. The odds are unlikely the stock will move very much in such a short time.

 

Not exactly the most ethical way of doing things, but I wouldn't be surprised if people are doing this. Seems crazy to me, but seem people think things like that are a smart way to do things.

WOW!! It's unfortunate that folks would think to do that. I hope that, for the sake on ongoing shareholders, that all requests for OBC thru this mechanism is checked against a database of some sort to ensure being an Active shareholder.

By this logic, it would seem as long as you've ever held 100 shares regardless of when or for how long you can get the OBC, as long as you have a copy of the stock certificate from when you owned it.

I was thinking of purchasing this stock because I'm now a regular cruiser, but as a potential company shareholder, I think I need to do some more research.

For a one time cruiser who might plan to buy it get the obc and than sell think it it is a mistake as the stock could just as easily go down a few points and than you paid for the obc.

 

If someone cruised say twice a year and could afford to take a risk than I could see buying it.

 

However since it is close to a high and earning are trending downward dont see this as a buy right now.

 

We purchased our 100 shares in 2009 at a very low price and have made good money on paper and at this point only keeping it for the obc as we cruise usually 3x a year.

 

If they eliminated the obc would immediately sell it.

Precisely the point I was making. You and Swedish Weave pointed it out. If you're going to purchase the stock it behooves you to hold on to it to actually have a return on your investment. I just don't get why the OP wanted to

"

Well...I had a crazy idea of buying it at the $35, get the OBC approved- then sell it.

That way I dont lose much but I do gain the $100 OBC...:eek:

That makes no sense to me whatsoever. If you have $3500 to buy stock, surely you can afford to give yourself $100 spending cash on the cruise, rather than risk a loss or having to pay capital gains on any money made from the sale. Stocks of this nature for minimal reward, to me, is worth it only in the long term.

Well...I had a crazy idea of buying it at the $35, get the OBC approved- then sell it.

That way I dont lose much but I do gain the $100 OBC...:eek:

Just out of curiosity, why would you spend $3500 +fees to get $100 in OBC? I think I could understand better if you planned to hold on to the stock till you broke even with OBC and dividends.

Am I missing something?

I just now saw this. Thank you, Dave, for your kind words!

 

My DH and I have discussed the Royal Princess a lot over the last two weeks. He is totally sold on the ship; I am sold with some minor reservations that aren't going to change so I'm not going to dwell on them. We are looking forward to many cruises on the Royal next year!

 

ETA: I think there are aome service issues on the ship right now that some are encountering and other (luckily) are not. But those can be easily resolved with a change in crew members or practices. We've encountered several people (even some here in the hotel we're staying at) who liked the ship but weren't totally bowled over. I'm confident that things that can improve will improve.

I am completely enthralled by your blog and reading it has now become one of the highlights of my day! Have a wonderful cruise and I look forward to hearing all about it!