BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 6, 2013 We have been on 5 cruises in the past, 4 with Carnival and 1 with Disney. Due to Princess now sailing from the Houston port we are looking into the February 8th cruise to Cozumel, Roatan, & Belize. We have never sailed with Princess so I am looking for any advice or opinions. We haven't booked yet, so my first question is when would be the best time to book? I did notice that todays price is slightly less than last week...would I benefit by waiting longer to book? It will be my wife and I along with another couple...we are all in our 30's and this will be our break from the kiddos. We are fans of interior rooms...all I plan to do in my room is sleep, so I like it to be as dark as possible. Is there a certain level that you can recommend for the stateroom? I am looking for any and all advice concerning this ship or Princess in general. Thanks, Brandon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted November 6, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Plaza Deck is great for interior cabins. Grab your cabin now, and if the price goes down between now and final payment you can usually get your price lowered to match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted November 6, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 6, 2013 We have been on 5 cruises in the past, 4 with Carnival and 1 with Disney. Due to Princess now sailing from the Houston port we are looking into the February 8th cruise to Cozumel, Roatan, & Belize. We have never sailed with Princess so I am looking for any advice or opinions. We haven't booked yet, so my first question is when would be the best time to book? I did notice that todays price is slightly less than last week...would I benefit by waiting longer to book? It will be my wife and I along with another couple...we are all in our 30's and this will be our break from the kiddos. We are fans of interior rooms...all I plan to do in my room is sleep, so I like it to be as dark as possible. Is there a certain level that you can recommend for the stateroom? I am looking for any and all advice concerning this ship or Princess in general. Thanks, Brandon Early booking prices can be adjusted up until final payment date. I recommend six specific inside cabins on Riviera deck. They are a tad larger, 182sft vs 162, and they have a much better layout. There's only six and they are well known so they sell out early. They are R403, R407 IB category and R507,R508, R514, R515 IC category. http://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=CB There are good pictures here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1728255 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Early booking prices can be adjusted up until final payment date.I recommend six specific inside cabins on Riviera deck. They are a tad larger, 182sft vs 162, and they have a much better layout. There's only six and they are well known so they sell out early. They are R403, R407 IB category and R507,R508, R514, R515 IC category. http://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=CB There are good pictures here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1728255 Thanks...those rooms look to be booked already. I am not too concerned with the room size as long as it has a bed and toilet:) Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmoger Posted November 6, 2013 #5 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Plaza Deck is great for interior cabins. Grab your cabin now, and if the price goes down between now and final payment you can usually get your price lowered to match. Hi, I was just wondering why Plaza Deck Insides are better. Also, does the same hold true for the Ruby, Emerald and Crown? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekamax Posted November 6, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Another idea if interested is you can tour the ship while in port with the Bon Voyage Experience. Your $39 pp to tour is then put to a future cruise you book within 3 months. Might be an idea as it is in Houston now so you could tour it first. You get the run of the ship till 3pm, lunch with wine and your boarding photo. We did this last March on the Crown to see what Princes was like and had a lot of fun touring but sure didn't like having to get off.... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted November 6, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Hi, I was just wondering why Plaza Deck Insides are better. Also, does the same hold true for the Ruby, Emerald and Crown? Thanks, Yes, holds true for all of those ships. Better, in our view, because it is convenient to the Piazza, the IC, AT dining rooms, empty elevators, theatre is close by.....and quiet (not a lot of hall traffic. We were very disappointed to learn that the new Royal would not have any Plaza Deck cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmoger Posted November 6, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Yes, holds true for all of those ships. Better, in our view, because it is convenient to the Piazza, the IC, AT dining rooms, empty elevators, theatre is close by.....and quiet (not a lot of hall traffic. We were very disappointed to learn that the new Royal would not have any Plaza Deck cabins. Thanks for the input!! I agree on all points. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Another idea if interested is you can tour the ship while in port with the Bon Voyage Experience. Your $39 pp to tour is then put to a future cruise you book within 3 months. Might be an idea as it is in Houston now so you could tour it first. You get the run of the ship till 3pm, lunch with wine and your boarding photo. We did this last March on the Crown to see what Princes was like and had a lot of fun touring but sure didn't like having to get off.... ;) Great idea...I will look into this. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Great idea...I will look into this. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Forgot to ask...where do I find info about the bon voyage tours? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argenta01 Posted November 6, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Forgot to ask...where do I find info about the bon voyage tours? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Here is the schedule for 2013. 2014 is not out yet. You can only book the BVE 60 days in advance. https://book.princess.com/BookingSystem/jsp/home/ship_visit/BonVoyageExperience.jsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sminfiddle Posted November 6, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Here is the schedule for 2013. 2014 is not out yet. You can only book the BVE 60 days in advance. https://book.princess.com/BookingSystem/jsp/home/ship_visit/BonVoyageExperience.jsp ...And the Caribbean Princess dates in Houston are listed at the very bottom of that page, under "Star Princess in SEA Caribbean Princess in GLS" :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollyMoz Posted November 6, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Another idea if interested is you can tour the ship while in port with the Bon Voyage Experience. Your $39 pp to tour is then put to a future cruise you book within 3 months. Might be an idea as it is in Houston now so you could tour it first. You get the run of the ship till 3pm, lunch with wine and your boarding photo. We did this last March on the Crown to see what Princes was like and had a lot of fun touring but sure didn't like having to get off.... ;) Am on hold with Princess now trying to book the Bon Voyage. It isn't easy to find on their web site and even my Princess rep is having trouble finding it...Fingers crossed as it sounds fabulous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LollyMoz Posted November 6, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Bummer...you can only do this if you have non-cruising guests, which, sadly, we do not. We are driving over from Tampa and don't have anyone seeing us off. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Well the cruise is now booked. What are some of the biggest differences I will see between Carnival & Princess? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolyn R Posted November 6, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Bummer...you can only do this if you have non-cruising guests, which, sadly, we do not. We are driving over from Tampa and don't have anyone seeing us off. :( The BVE is not something you would want to do if you are a passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonH Posted November 6, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Good news is that my wife was able 5o get rooms 507 & 515 afterall. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFCRUISER Posted November 7, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Well the cruise is now booked. What are some of the biggest differences I will see between Carnival & Princess? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Princess is more laid back & not as much of an all day party atmosphere & I'm a beer drinker!! No kids running the halls all night, & better food. This is just my opinion, we have found it's a much better experience. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjgdjg Posted November 7, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 7, 2013 We were on a number of cruises before trying Princess--several Celebrity, several HAL and one Royal Caribbean. We were pleasantly surprised at our experience on Princess--so much so that we're booked on our third with the line. They're very similar to the other three we've sailed with--the differences are slight. Food and entertainment, for example, are pretty similar. Some highlights of Princess: handsome ships (we've been on Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess), Movies Under the Stars, huge closets in the staterooms (although I've only been in verandah rooms) and especially good service in the cafeteria. In terms of the best time to book, we've found that the prices are the lowest far in advance and--depending how booked the trip is--towards the end. Hope that helps! - Diana, http://musingaboutcruising.blogspot.com We have been on 5 cruises in the past, 4 with Carnival and 1 with Disney. Due to Princess now sailing from the Houston port we are looking into the February 8th cruise to Cozumel, Roatan, & Belize. We have never sailed with Princess so I am looking for any advice or opinions. We haven't booked yet, so my first question is when would be the best time to book? I did notice that todays price is slightly less than last week...would I benefit by waiting longer to book? It will be my wife and I along with another couple...we are all in our 30's and this will be our break from the kiddos. We are fans of interior rooms...all I plan to do in my room is sleep, so I like it to be as dark as possible. Is there a certain level that you can recommend for the stateroom? I am looking for any and all advice concerning this ship or Princess in general. Thanks, Brandon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilter49 Posted November 7, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 7, 2013 We like the midship interior cabins on Aloha and Baha decks. We like to choose the deck 2 under the Lido. It is great to climb 2 flights to the pool. They are quiet and easy to access for bathroom purposes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chrismch Posted November 7, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 7, 2013 How do you check a specific cabin size since they say a range? The deck layout isn't helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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