georgiacat

We were on the Carnival Horizon recently, and the only electrical outlets were across from the bed. This is our solution for plugging in the CPAP machine. Magnetic hooks from Amazon. Water can be ordered by calling Room Service once on board ship. You must be in room to receive it. Price about $3.95.

Ship - Carnival Horizon Deck - 9 Stateroom # - 9473 Stateroom Category – Havana aft balcony Starboard or Port Side - aft Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – quiet, small movements from ship felt; no problems, like rocking to sleep. Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – aft view of Havana pool area; nice view. Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - large balcony, totally covered. Shaded most of the time, some full sun. Was wind a problem? - no If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - no Any specific problems with this cabin? - very LARGE step up into bathroom; problem for my arthritis. Any other comments? - larger than usual room; full couch; cool (kept curtains drawn). Outlets across room from bed. Last pictures show how we connected CPAP machine.

We will be cruising the ABC islands soon for the first time. I have scheduled ship tours that include a tour of the island and short beach time, Eagle Beach (Aruba) and Mambo Beach (Curacao). If you have visited these beaches recently, what are the facilities (bathroom/changing rooms) like? Is it better to wear the swimsuit under the clothing (convenient) or to change into swimsuit at the beach (more comfortable for tour, time consuming). I think I have read that you could stay at the beach beyond the bus pick up time and catch a taxi back to town/ship. Is that true? Is it easy to grab one? I am aware of the no sand or wet swimsuits on the bus or taxi rule.

We were in mini-suite B515 in June, 2022 on the Royal Princess. It was very nice. The balcony was small; we used it to take pictures and check the weather. The couch was full size (sleeper sofa). We rearranged the coffee table and the chair to the foot of the couch. I was able to lie full out and gaze out the sliding doors at the beautiful scenery. I took several naps there. We asked for blankets and extra pillows on the first day. Pictures attached (I hope).

Love your review. Princess has laundry rooms too. We use them.

thanks for the information.

In 2018 we used Halifax Cruises Ship Taxi Tours. Contact them; I am sure they could fix something up for you. We were very pleased with our small tour (3 couples).

We did this independent tour with a few other couples in 2018. We really enjoyed it and would recommend it if you are looking for an organized tour. I could have used more time in the cemetery to learn about the Titanic information. All can be done independently, of course. 8 am private tour with Halifax Cruises Ship Taxi Tours Went to Peggy’s Cove lighthouse, lots of rocks, bagpiper Whole lobster for lunch at Ryer Lobsters Ltd. Stopped at maple store for souvenirs Went to the Fairview Cemetery to view the Titanic graves, impressive City tour We were dropped off a mile from the ship; walked back on the boardwalk to ship, stopping for ice cream

Thursday, August 16, 2018 – Le Harvre, France Beaches of Normandy Spearhead Tours Our tour left at 8 am. There was a mini-van with 3 couples. We had enough room. Another couple arranged this excursion. We met on Roll Call on Cruise Critic. We visited the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and a couple of churches. We had lunch at a café Le Roosevelt at Utah Beach. Our guide and driver Florin had good commentary and stories. He had a book with pictures of events. We were not able to visit the museums and no shopping time. There was a long ride back to the ship Royal Princess, arriving about 5 pm. We really enjoyed this excursion. I think you can customize the tour to what you want. Check them out on the internet. I can't guarantee that they are still in business after Covid changed so many things. The driver collected cash fee and tip at the end of the trip. I don't remember price and I am sure it has changed.

pcvtmom, Check the ship that you are cruising on. We are going with Pride of America. I believe that they have a luau excursion on one of the islands (not Oahu). I feel sure that other cruiselines would schedule luaus also. That is such a "Hawaiian thing". We are planning to stay in Waikiki for 3 days before the cruise. I have not made reservations or bought excursions yet, but I am thinking about one day Circle Tour and another day Polynesian Cultural Center with luau and their transportation. I am sure we will be tired from trying to get too much in. There is always the beach and the pool. Then get on the ship and go some more. Thinking of the Pearl Harbor transportation tour from ship to airport at end of cruise.

babs135, I was concerned about the fatigue and effort needed. My husband and I both use sticks; we cannot do stairs easily (only a few for boarding, etc.), age 71. I read very carefully the effort, stairs, length (I gave up all day adventures some time ago). I love coming back to the cabin or room for a rest or nap. No hiking for us. We enjoy what we do and plan very carefully. We really enjoyed our 15 day cruisetour to Alaska. You can do it. The key is lots of planning and a positive attitude. You can sit on the bus (or bench) while the others go on their walk. Enjoy what you can. Even if it sitting in a chair waiting for the mountain to come out. (We do a lot of readying.)

We did a 14 day cruisetour with Princess this June (2022) on the Royal. We did the land part first (recommend). Previously we had done the same tour in reverse in June of 2011 on the Coral with land part second. We had a balcony mini-suite that we felt is worth the money. The land part is definitely worth the money, and there is plenty to do. I would recommend staying 2 or more nights at each lodge. We liked them all. we prefer the smaller ships (Coral), but were assigned the Royal with all the cancellations and changes that Princess made. The weather in June was good, still snow on the mountains. It was warm in Fairbanks (70's) and cool on Glacier Bay (high in the low 50's). We saw whales, eagles and lots of wildlife. In June we did not see salmon and bears (fall is their season, I hear). We are not electronic people. We used the medallion to get in the room and on/off the ship. We had a wonderful time on the cruise without checking into the medallion. Princess still does paper daily notices of events. Be sure to go the the naturalist talks; some are better than others. Check the Alaska boards and read everything you can find on the internet; check out youtube videos.

Agree with 1025cruise. We just went on Alaska cruisetour, and reported pacemaker to no one officially. Just avoided the walk through scanners, and asked to be hand scanned because of pacemaker.

Thank you for this review. I enjoyed reading about it.

Another time to do laundry is during the traditional dinner time when lots of people will be eating. It the machines are busy, try another floor. the worst time is a sea day. Do keep your eye on the time. If your machine stops, and you are not there; sometimes others move your clothes. I do not stay in the laundry, but I try to arrive 5 or more minutes before shut off time.

We took the cruisetour in June with the land part first. We paid for our meals. If you want more information about what, where and how much the food was, I will be glad to answer. There are a lot of comments though. We enjoyed the Natural History Denali Park tour. It was a type of school bus, but not as bad as what some people are saying. They stopped frequently for bathroom and other breaks. (Yes, a couple were hole in the ground toilets. When you got to go, you go.) No seat belts. We saw a young male moose in the parking lot of the visitor's center to start with. Lots of other animals along the way. Did not see Denali; can't control the weather. The weather was good in June. The lodges/cabins do not have AC. They do have heaters. We did not need the AC in June. The hottest place was Fairbanks where Princess Riverfront Lodge did have AC and food. We did not get sick on the land part. Both of us came home with a "cold". We did not test for covid; it was mild, whatever it was. Send me questions, if I can help any.

Yes, in your personalizer I believe it is under "dietary requests". This seemed strange to me, but that is where I think I found it. There was no charge. Princess sent me an email confirming my request, and the water has always been in the room (or delivered shortly). Bring an extension cord with you; many ships the only outlet available is across the room from the bed.

I have read about several of the luaus. Right now I am thinking of booking the all day Polynesian Cultural Center with the luau at the end of the day. Does anyone have comments about the Polynesian Cultural experience?

Kelly68, Please let me know how it is, how far is the beach, and want kinds of restaurants are withing walking distance.

thanks

Does NCL have discount sales on excursions, etc., like maybe Black Friday? We are sailing POA next May. Do you recommend their excursions vs. private excursions in ports?

rg123, Did you book this Polynesian Center tour including luau directing with the Polynesian Center? You said it did include transportation, right? thanks

We stayed 3 nights at the Princess Fairbanks Lodge in June 2022 prior to our cruisetour. A few comments follow: Fairbanks: Not many stores are open on Sundays. Lots of construction downtown. Great place to eat: The Crepery. Hubby had the Bavarian and I had the crab, both delicious, $13 each, large. They were very busy. Fairbanks Princess Lodge: I think we were the first people of the season there. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Room 261 was very good. Use credit card to pay for things (cashless place). Dining room breakfast buffet - very good, $20.95 pp. Dinner buffet - not so good, ran out of food, tasteless, slow service, $34.95 pp Grill - limited choice of about 4 sandwiches - good food, slow service, about $15-20 per sandwich with chips. Gift shop - coffee and snacks (did not try) Shuttle service: Call for shuttle, about $5 pp; usually full. Got phone number from front desk. No city bus service on weekends. A tour guide told us that the city bus route is complicated, the bus does not go directly from Lodge to downtown, must make changes. Gold Dredge tour and Riverboat Boat tours both very nice.

Thanks, we are 3 adults (2 are seniors). We do not plan to rent a car. I am investigating tours and attractions.

Thank you for that information.