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We tried to change an excursion on the Princess Cruise Personalizer, but it was too late. When our documents came, the excursion that we originally ordered was confirmed. Has anyone changed a confirmed excursion while on-board? If so, did you have any problems? Thanks. :huh: Howard

I saw this article on another board, and thought it might be of interest here: Automatic Complimentary Upgrade Program CONTENTS Overview Automatic Upgrade Decline Box OVERVIEW Princess offers complimentary automatic upgrades. Occasionally, a voyage is set for automatic upgrade, and bookings are selected to be upgraded to higher categories at no additional cost to the passengers. These upgrades are automatic and based on availability. Since we are not able to upgrade every booking, you should book your clients in a category in which they will be happy to sail. There are two factors that increase the likelihood of an upgrade (if one becomes available): Date of booking Membership in the Princess Captain’s Circle If an upgrade occurs, it will be automatically added to the booking some time prior to sailing, and a confirmation will be sent to the agency. We do not guarantee the following: That cross-referenced bookings will all be upgraded, or that they will be upgraded to cabins near each other. That an upgrade will occur. AUTOMATIC UPGRADE DECLINE BOX We recommend declining the automatic upgrade if the passengers are cross-referenced and would like their cabins near each other or if the passengers have very specific requests regarding their cabin (side of the ship, near the elevators, etc.) In order to decline the upgrade, click the “AUTOMATIC UPGRADE DECLINE” box. Declining an Upgrade That Has Been Assigned When the complimentary upgrade is given, a confirmation is automatically sent. If your clients are not happy with the new cabin and category, you may call Princess to have the booking changed. The Reservations Agent will advise the correct department, who will address the issue. In most cases, the booking will be moved back to the original cabin if we are notified promptly. However, if the booking was originally a guarantee, the passengers must accept the upgrade, since there is no cabin to which the booking can be returned. Howard

The most interesting tablemates that we had was a mother and son from Berlin, Germany. He was in his 60's and mother was in her 80's. She didn't speak one word of English and neither the other couple we sat with nor my wife and myself spoke any German. Luckily, the son spoke perfect English and translated the whole cruise. He never married, and spent his life taking care of mom. He was a high school principal in Germany, and they took cruises on all of his vacations. He said that they never missed a year over the last 35 years, and most years they had 2 or 3 cruises. He wasn't sure exactly how many cruises they were on, but he figured that they were getting up toward the 100 mark. We spent quite a few dinners on that cruise getting different cruise stories from him. They were all quite interesting and fun to listen to. It gave us another reason to look forward to dinner. :grin: Howard

I always look forward to the lobster. It is something that we don't have at home. You also can't beat a good steak. :wink: Howard

As I said earlier, we were on the Legend. The ship is a beautiful ship. It is large, but does not have an over-crowded feeling. The layout is very nice, and pretty easy to find your way pretty quickly. The food was good, but the service in the dining room was just OK. I think that after every cruise I take, I feel that the service got worse. Still, not bad. The entertainment was good, and even with rough water, we felt very comfortable. Enjoy. :smiley: Howard

Hi and Welcome, We were on that same cruise last September, but unfortunately, Hurricane Isobel diverted us to Key West, Nassau, and Freeport. We never got to San Juan, but because you are getting there so late, your choices of tours becomes somewhat limitted. If you plan to hoof it on your own, then get out as early as possible. From the research I did, there is lots of the attractions which close pretty early (forts and such). I can't tell you much about the other Islands. I have never been to Tortola. I was in St. Thomas on a cruise in 1975. I'm sure that much has changed there since then. The Island is beautiful and has wonderful beaches. We were going to go over to St. John's, if we ever got there. Oh, Well. :undecided: Howard

I read where people give little presents to the cabin stewads and stewardesses. I was just wondering if you ever did that, and if so, what did you give? We're leaving in a couple of weeks for our cruise and I would like to get something to give to them. :undecided: Howard

Will do (so you can eat your heart out). :grin: :grin: Howard

This weekend I found out something interesting about the way time works. We are now less than 3 weeks until we cruise. Until this point, it felt like the cruise would never come. All of a sudden this weekend, we felt like we did not have enough time left to get everything done that needed to get done. We almost found ourselves (but not quite) wishing that we had another week or two to prepare for the cruise. Oh well, I'm sure that everything will get done :grin:

I bought my tux this weekend. I spent a little more than I planned, but that was because my wife helped me shop. :wink:

That's a great reason to book your next cruise on-board. As a matter of fact, I'm going out this weekend to buy a tux also. We figured that as many cruises that we're going on, it's worth every penny (and I plan to book our next cruise on-board). :wink:

The Celebrity commercial about this being a temporary exile is right on the money. When we come back from a cruise and go to a restaurant, we get confused when we find the napkin on the table and not on our lap. :grin: Howard

You just have to be content with the knowledge that you have a cruise to look forward to. Enjoy all of the photos that other people bring back and share on line, and read their reviews. While your reading, picture yourself there and get a momentary reprieve from the wait. Good luck! :undecided:

The only thing harder than living day-to-day waiting and anticipating going on your cruise is not having a cruise booked at all. For those of us who don't have multiple cruises booked, the day we come back is twice as bad. At least those of you who are multiply booked have something to anticipate. :smiley: Howard

Great pics! Makes me want my cruise to be here even sooner. :smiley:

We haven't been to too many, but as of now , Bermuda is our favorite. You can't beat a balcony stateroom there. Howard :smiley:

That's great news. I almost know how you feel. Just talked with my TA and she said we can pick ours up on Wednesday. So we'll be dancing with you. :grin: Howard

We'll be sailing on the Island Princess on June 26th for a 13 day Alaska Cruise-Tour. Never been to Alaska, but I have never heard anyone say one bad thing about an Alaskan Cruise. Already planning a spring cruise to the Caribbean. :smiley: Howard

Somewhere between January 1 and December 31. The best is between Jan, 1 and Jan 31, or maybe between Feb 1 and Feb 28 or maybe between mar 1 and mar 31.... or maybe between dec 1 and dec 31. It's hard to tell :grin: :grin: Howard

When we walk into our cabin, we give each other a big hug and kiss and wish each other the best cruise we ever had. Then we walk out on the balcony to survey our surroundings. Then it's off to eat lunch and find a drink. Howard

When you're viewing photo galleries of cruises on-line, do you prefer to see pictures of the different ports, or would you rather see pictures of different parts of the ships? :smiley: Personnally, I would rather see the ships. To me a cruise is about the ship, not the ports that you stop at. Certainly, I do enjoy the ports also, but the ship is what I come on the cruise for. Getting there is most of the fun. :cheesy: :cheesy: Howard

Has anyone ever been invited to dine at the Captain's Table? I've read about it, but never experienced it. If you have been invited, what is it like? Just curious. Howard :smiley:

:smiley: Some things overheard by 1st-time cruisers: 1. I have no idea why we didn't do this before!!! 2. Where can we book our next cruise? 3. This isn't a ship, it's a hotel !!! 4. I can't believe that we just got on the ship, and there is already a party going on !!! 5. Where do we throw the streamers? Howard :smiley:

A couple of other things to bring are a nightlight to put in the bathroom. Onr thing you won't be used to is that you have to step up to get into the bathroom. A nightlight may make it easier fot you. Also, a pair of binoculars is a must for me. even though you're out in the "middle of the ocean", there is plenty to see. Enjoy, Howard :smiley:

Michelle, The best thing is that the next time you go on a cruise, you will get the same exact feeling. Actually, when you realize that the cruise is everything you thought it would be, and then more. the feeling may be stronger the next time. I will be going on my 5th cruise and the people I work with can't wait till I go already. Howard :smiley: