1st Timer!

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moonmullins

Guest
We are booked 0n 8/28/04 for Caribbean Princess! I have been reading these boards for a while and even tho' I haven't sailed I think I'm hooked! Have so many questions! This is for our 20th Anniversay and I want to make this a special as possible.

We have chosen Personal Choice dining. Do we have to make reservations for each night or just show up?

We have our cabin assignment it is on the Caribe Deck midship w/ balcony, however it is near the lifts. Any noise?

We have decided to just explore our ports on our own. Opinions?

My husband is an avid Diet Coke drinker, will I be able to bring cans on board so he will have one in our cabin 1st thing in the am? We plan to do the soda card (I think that is what they are called). I plan to bring a couple bottles of wine for myself (not first thing am!) any problems there?

I sure I will have many questions before August that all you experts can help out.

If anyone has been on the ship, we would love to hear all about it!

Thanks in advance for all the advice!
 
S

sailboat

Guest
You should love sailing with Princess! When we've sailed from San Juan we always visit the Walgreens in Old Town and pick up cans of soda -- my husband is also an avid soda drinker, but he likes his sodas at night while relaxing in the cabin. We also get the soda card which works out well around the ship. I've not tried bringing wine or spirits on board, but judging by other posters' comments, the major concern is breakage with bottles in checked luggage. You can always pick up a bottle or two in port or just order it from ship where it may (or may not) cost more than if you bring your own. I get the sense that the ship won't make a big deal about having your own spirits in your cabin. They might have a problem with pax bringing their bottles into public areas--especially the bars!

On exploring ports on your own. Go for it! Most ports are well organized with taxi fares posted clearly. We have never had a problem with cabbing around and have had many enjoyable beach excursions. The cab driver has always returned for us as promised. Exploring on your own is a great way to experience places. Just remember that you are responsible for getting yourself back on time because the ship won't wait for you.

Re noise in cabins: I've never had a noisy cabin, but we are usually so pleasantly tired after a day of exploring/snorkeling/eatring/dancing that I think there could be a Sea Lion convention in the hall and we would not hear it!
 
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Natalia

Guest
Congrats on your upcoming first cruise, and =welcome aboard! We are glad you have joined us. I've sailed with Princess twice, LOVE them! You will surely have a great time. You can in fact bring soda on board, no problem. Last time I was on Princess, you could purchase a sticker to place on your cruise card, thats what you show to get soda at no charge from that point on. However, from what I understand, alcohol is another thing entirely. I dont bring it on board, but what I understand is that they will take it from you if they know about it, and not return it to you until the last night. Any bought in port, same thing. So, from what I hear, you have to "smuggle" it on. Hopefully, those who do this will help you out with the details on that. Regarding being near the lifts.... I can't say, I've not been on that ship nor have I been right next to the lifts. I would assume there will be more foot traffic for sure in that area. Lets hope there isnt any mechanical noise from them also. Sure will be convenient for you though. Personal Choice dining means you do not have an assigned seating time or table. There will be certain dining rooms (not sure exactly how many are on that ship, maybe 3 or 4) that are only used for traditional dining, then the others will be for PC. They will tell you which ones are for PC in the "Patter" (daily newsletter you will receive in your cabin), and you just show up any time you like during the posted dining hours. I never made reservations, but I think I read a long time ago that you can. I can't offer any help on the ports, as I dont know which ones you will be going to. Hope you have a wonderful time, and congrats also on your 20th anniversary!
 
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lojo867

Guest
go to the princess website, and they have their liquor policies posted. from what i gathered, bringing wine on is acceptable, but not liquor. i have read other people bringing wine on with no problem. I think it is worth a shot. If they take your wine from you, you can get it back at the end of the trip. I would rethink bringing an expensive bottle on just in case. From a different perspective, there is no possible way they can carry every wine of choice. If you have a wine that you personally like to drink and they don't carry it, it almost becomes a disservice to you. I have a friend who only drinks Concillio Cab bc it doesn't make him ill. This is probably why they do allow wine on.
 
C

Cruise cutie

Guest
We brought wine and champagne on board openly on our 10 day Coral Princess Panama Canal Feb 2003 sailing and they are fine with that.Booze is another story but we drink very little..a sail a way glass of champagne and I have an occasional glass of wine in our room while getting ready for dinner...so 2 bottles of fWine, one bottle of Champagne on the sailaway is it..Good Luck with the research and Congratulations on your 20th Wedding Anniversary!!!, we adore Princess and have our 5/6 cruise booked for next February...:)..Joanne
 
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ljeanbrown

Guest
You can bring your wine onboard no problem :thumb they allow wine and champagne but no other alcohol can be brought onboard. Your husband can bring his diet coke also with no problem. Buying the soda sticker can be a good idea, just know that it is for fountain soda and not canned or bottled kind. Have a great cruise :wave
 
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