Just off the Diamond Princess inaugural... any questions?

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paljoeysmom

Guest
Sandy,

Hubby just booked the Sapphire Princess this morning. We are doing the Mexican Riviera & CA coast in October. I love Mexico. Anyway, how much was it to rent a taxi/driver in Cabo and P.V.? I did the ships excursions in the past.

BTW, I am going on the HAL Zuiderdam in May as well. I have a husband that spoils me. Am I lucky or what?
 
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Sandy G

Guest
Paljoeysmom... since the Sapphire is a sister ship to the Diamond, you're going to love the ship! We paid $60 round trip including wait time in both P.V. and Cabo and there was only the two of us... we like it better that way. We spent about 4 + hours in P.V. and about 2 1/2 hours in Cabo. We would have spent more time in Cabo but the ship is only there a short time and we didn't rush to get off, so we didn't get an early start.

I sure know what lucky is, too... we've booked the Diamond for August in Alaska (can't wait) and we're waiting for the 2005 Star itineraries for August/September to come out so we can book Venice to Rome. There's jsut no better vacation than cruising!

Sandy
 
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gardeningqueen

Guest
Great information. Thanks.

Our TA has given us a choice of a mini suite on the Dolphin Deck or the Emerald Deck. Which do you suggest for a first time cruiser?

Other sites state they prefer the Emerald as the balcony is private compared to the Dolphin which is totally exposed.

Thank you.
 
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Sandy G

Guest
Gardeningqueen... different strokes for different folks. We personally like the Dolphin mini-suites. My husband likes to be able to look at the stars at night without a covering obstructing his view. Our experience is that the only time anyone from above can see you, is if they're at the railing of their balcony. And, very few people from above purposely stare down at you, most are considerate of your privacy. It's also fun when the ship sails out of a port, to be able to talk to those above and beside you. We're going to Alaska in August and booked a Dolphin mini-suite again, although the weather could be iffy. Also, Emerald mini-suites are toward the aft of the ship, which could have more motion, where as the Dolphin mini-suites take up the whole Dolphin deck so you could opt to be more in the center of the ship. There are those that swear by the Emerald mini-suites and since there are fewer of those, they do book quickly.

Sandy
 
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gardeningqueen

Guest
Thanks so much for the info. regarding the Dolphin deck vs. the Emerald deck. It's a tough choice. We booked our trip a few days ago and won't know our exact room for another month or so. Our TA said it could be either deck. Now you have me leaning toward the Dolphin deck.

I've never been on a cruise so I'm not sure if I will have motion sickness. I was nauseated on a ferry from Cozumel to Cancun but I was 3 months pregnant so it's hard to know! Plus I'm sure a ferry rocks a bit more than a large cruise ship.

Thanks for all the info. you have recently posted. Sounds like the weather in August is a bit rainy so I'll be gathering up the rain gear just in case.

I can't wait....
 
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Pittypat

Guest
We reserved our cruise on the Diamond Princess for September 4, 2004, with BJ's Vacations (similar to Sam's Club). This was for a guaranteed AE category (mini-suite). I specifically requested a covered balcony. I was later informed by e-mail that we had been upgraded to a category AB cabin number 326 on the Dolphin deck. We are very inexperienced cruisers and didn't know anything about categories, but from the posts I have read on this board, I thought that most of the balconies on the Diamond Princess were covered, with the exception of the ones on the Dolphin deck. When I e-mailed the travel agent back and told her that the balconies on the Dolphin deck were not covered, she sent back the following e-mail (see message below). Has anyone there been on the Diamond Princess and could they tell me if this is a correct statement?

----- Original Message -----
From: <customerservice@bjsvacations.com>
To: <patmassengale@comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 11:56 AM
Subject: RE: Confirmation from BJs Vacations - Questions

> Hi Pat,
>
> Thank you for your email! I have reviewed your reservation in our system
as well as with Princess Cruise Line, and have confirmed that all balconies
on the Diamond Princess are open air. The ship does not offer a covered
balcony in any category. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
>
> I am sure you will have a great vacation! If you have any additional
questions please feel free to contact me. You can also contact our Customer
Service department at 1(800)836-9800, and select prompt # 2.
>
> Sincerely,
> Emma Huesgen
> Customer Service
> BJs Vacations
 
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Sandy G

Guest
Pittypat... your TA is mistaken. Mini-suites on Emerald deck are all covered... Why not call Princess, they'll set you straight. Don't say you already have a reservation... say you want to book a cabin. Then call your TA and set her straight!

Sandy R
 
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ncara

Guest
Will be sailing on the Diamond in February. Have a mini suite on the Dolphin deck. Will we be able to have lounge chairs on our deck? Also, have never been on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera, are the seas rougher than the Caribbean? I am prone to sea sickness but use the patch. In Cabo and Mazaltan, what beaches would be good to go to? Is there a cigar bar on this ship? Thanks, Nancy
 
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marvholly

Guest
Thinking about Diamond for Alaska 05. I know they have 4 pools, 1 a lap. Are any of the other 3 covered or coverable like the Mercury or Carnival Destiny and Spirit class ships?
 
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Beryl

Guest
ncara, we are sailing in February too!! The 19th Feb is our date. Will we see you onboard? :grin

I have cruised the Western coast of Mexico twice and enjoyed it very much both times. We did feel some motion on the first and last night on both cruises. That seemed to be the only time that motion was a problem for some! Hopefully a little Bonine might do the trick for you and you will be able to enjoy the cruise to the fullest.
 
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ncara

Guest
We are also sailing on the 19th. That is a holiday week in the New York area for schools. Do the west coast cruises get affected like the ones that sail from floirida at that time. They become overcrowded with kids. Also, where is a good hotel to stay the night before the cruise that is convenient to the port? Nancy
 
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Beryl

Guest
Nancy, I'll be looking forward to meeting you. Let's keep in touch. Hucc will be aboard as well, and I think bostongal. I guess it is time to start a roll call! I'm not just sure where is a good spot to stay close to the port. We will be heading down a few days early to take in the sights of the Los Angeles area and haven't deciced what area we want to stay in just yet.

I can't say definitively about the schools. Are you travelling with kids? Ours have long since flown from the nest :) In our area they usually get their long break in March....but being from Canada we don't have President's Day either. I expect you will find children on board no matter what time of year you travel. Hopefully the ship will provide lots of activities to keep them busy and the ship won't feel "over-run" :grin
 
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teeree

Guest
HOW IS THE COFFEE. WE SAILED CARNIVAL LAST YEAR & THOUGHT THE COFFEE WAS GREAT!! I LIVE IN LOUISIANA & WE LIKE STRONG COFFEE!!! IS THE COFFEE FREE??? WE ENJOY COFFEE IN THE AFTERNOONS OUT ON OUR BALCONY.
 
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Alley

Guest
Hi,
Does the Diamond give you complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body wash? I know when I cruised Carnival they had dispencers in the shower and I was just wondering if Princess offers the same thing?

Alley
 
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GayleErmer

Guest
Alley,

We were on the Diamond in March and they supplied shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion in cardboard-like packets (replenished by our room steward as needed). No bodywash, though, just regular soap! Enjoy your cruise!

Gayle
 
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Alley

Guest
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for your quick response! So they give you shampoo and conditioner trial sizes or samples? I guess I'll pack my body wash! LOL

I would also like to know your thoughts on the PC dinining? Is it as bad as everybody says it is and if you tried it would you do it again?

Thanks,

Allison
 
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GayleErmer

Guest
Allison,

We did go with the PC dining on our March 20 sailing. If you want to know all the details, I have a review posted in the reviews section (link below). Overall I was happy with the experience - I really didn't want to have to be ready for dinner at a certain time every night. We just showed up at one of the dining rooms and were seated with very little waiting (except for the first night, when apparently everyone wanted to eat between 6:00 and 7:00 pm). If you do want to make reservations, you really need to do it immediately when you get on the ship if you want the more desirable times. Our experience of calling for a reservation in the afternoon was that choices were either 5:30 or later than 7:30 that night - we had better luck just showing up without reservations at 6:30 and were often seated immediately. I thought the service was a little slow in the PC dining rooms - but that may just have been because everyone was still learning the ropes (and I'm not sure if service in traditional dining was faster or not). I think I would probably do PC again - no setting an alarm for my afternoon nap in order to be on time for dinner! You'll love the Diamond!

http://www.cruise-addicts.com/reviews/readreview.php?id=0000003034

Gayle
 
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cathymct

Guest
We're going on the sister ship Sapphire to Alaska and have early seating for dinner. We would like to go to some of the themed restaurants. too. Do you know if we can do both or should we just take pc? Is there a charge for going to the restaurants?
Thanks for all the information.
 
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