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Hello Everyone, I know this is a way off yet, but I've heard that Princess Cruises Ground Transportation between any of the main New York Airports and the Port of Brooklyn is 80 dollars per person!! Is this correct? If it is, that's almost treble the cost of a taxi! Good Lord! We are scheduled to sail mid May on the Caribbean Princess and are working out our budget for 2008 cruises. I do realise that if traffic is snarled downtown NY on the day of the cruise, the ship will wait if you are on one of the Princess buses, whilst if one is travelling privately the ship could sail without you. Still, 80 dollars that's absurd. Regards, James.

It's a shame you couldn't defer your Princess Cruise until May. That's when the Caribbean Princess starts her first season out of New York to St Thomas, Turks and Caicos and Bermuda replacing the Crown Princess. I agree with the previous posts. The Eastern Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess is a great trip with a final stop at Princess Cays. Regards, James.

Are you talking of a sitcom similar to "Love Boat" or documentary? If it is the latter I personally would like to see brief interviews with cruise directors, cabin staff, waiters,bridge officers, bartenders as well as selected passengers. Also the history of the ship and the various modifications perhaps it has undertaken during it's lifetime. Perhaps follow a couple or family during their stay on the ship and their activities. Shore excursions could also be covered but I would prefer to see life on the ship. Regards, James.

Will tell ya when we've seen 'em all!!!! Regards, James.

Well fortunately I can't really say we've experienced a full rainy day at sea as yet. We had a shower or two when on the Maasdam but they closed the roof over the pool and we enjoyed our normal swim activities. Otherwise I think we would browse the shops or take a leisurely walk around the ship. That's always enjoyable especially on the bigger ships. By the time you have finished your walk the rain has stopped!!!(you hope) Regards, James.

Great question. The norm: for us has been 7 days or less. Next May we will be taking our longest to date at 9 days. Hope I didn't feel like I did after an 8 day Caribbean out of New York off the Carnival Legend back in 2004. Then I'd had enough of the "sameness" of the daily schedule,announcements,food-yes even the food. I longed for the mundane home cooking we normally have!!! Regards, James.

Aw Gee, I'd love to contribute to this. Some of the photos submitted are great. However I video my memories and have a stack of really wonderful film of the Carnival Triumph, Caribbean Princess and Celebrity Century and the activities that took place aboard. Looking at still photos doesn't come close to live video-for me anyway. My wife is the still photographer and has a stack of ship photo albums as her memories. Regards, James.

See Hazelson's 'Have you ever had your picture with the Captain' for my reply to your great question. Regards, James.

ANOTHER great question! Yes I think a "Ladies Only" evening is a great idea! What you get up to would be none of the guys' buisness. LOL From a guy's point of view maybe an English pub with darts and skittles. And British beer!. Regards, James.

No, no picture but I wonder how many Crazies had the Captain come and sit at THEIR table!!! It happened to me on board the Carnival Legend out of New York 3 years ago. I was having an early morning coffee on the Lido deck at about 6-30 a.m. when Captain Capusti appeared on his own doing an early morning inspection of the ship. I greeted him with a hearty "Good Morning" and he answered "Bon Journo" As i was the only passenger around at that time of morning, we started to talk about the ship and before I knew it, he sat down at my table and we talked about Italy, soccer, ships and the sea. Our conversation lasted about 8 to 10 minutes with no one else around. I was so taken aback with his friendliness.A lovely man who will always be a wonderful memory on Carnival Cruise lines. I wonder if any of our members have had that experience. Regards, James.

Very interesting question and from my point of view a little difficult to answer. Personally I would like to try a Trans Atlantic trip or even a passenger freighter for a change. My better half thinks differently!!! For her it has to be the Caribbean or maybe Hawaii. So naturally of course my wife wins out!! I don't mind really. It's just the crowded islands that get to me especially if 4 or more mega liners are in port. So to sum up, the main factor is my wife and where and when she wants to go! Regards, James.

Welcome to our web site. As a first timer may I suggest Carnival. Why? Bigger staterooms, great entertainment and a good amount of young people your kids age. Their food is very good and appeals to all tastes. As regards intenary-yes Western Caribbean sounds great. Lots to do in Jamaica, Cayman and Mexico. Although after Hurricane Dean, there may be a few parts of the Islands that have had to postpone the shore excursions.Anywhere you go in the Caribbean can be fun for you and the children. You'll have a blast and for sure you will return home a confirmed "Cruise Crazy"!!! Regards, James.

And what's next? Thongs, bikinis, mini shorts!!! At one time cruising was a class act. A different vacation that stood out from the resorts and holiday camps. Nowadays the "anything goes" attitude prevails. If ever all cruise lines rid themselves of formal nights that would be the end of cruising for me. I'm not a snob by any means but seeing well dressed people in a ship's dining room adds a touch of class not found anywhere else. I'm sure many of you enjoy NCL but I have never liked what I've read about them. This dress code thing just drops them another notch. Regards, James.

Yes, embarkation day is the FOR SURE room assignments. If you are lucky you may even get an upgrade! Regards, James.

It's me!!! Missed out yesterday whilst the upgrades were taking place.I thought my computer had gone wrong!!. Glad our site is up and running again. Regards, James.

What a great idea. We have eaten at 2 of Carnival's clubs. I think if my memory serves me right, it was Scarlett's and The Golden Fleece (Valor and Legend). Both of course were very good value for money. However none of the Supper Clubs were sold out. Not the case on the Caribbean Princess whereby both Sabatini's and the Sterling Steak House were sold out every night on the cruise we were on anyway. For those of you who have not yet eaten in Carnival's Supper Clubs,give them a try-you won't regret it Regards, James.

Good Morning Frostboy, I see your next cruise will be on RCI. In my experience, in the past I have never worn a suit-in fact I don't own one! When attending formal nights up to 2006, I have worn my sports jacket and gray slacks along with white shirt and appropriate tie.However our last cruise was on Celebrity and I purchased a tuxedo ensemble.There was only one formal night and I joined most other male passengers all dressed up in their tuxedos.RCI, like Carnival, NCL Princess don't really mind how you are dressed when you show up in the dining room. I have witnessed every kind of attire except people in underwear!!!!. My wife and I always attend formal nights-they make for a great atmosphere. So to sum up-dress as you would for a night out with your spouse in a top class restaurant where you live. Regards, James

A lot of the bigger ships today with the exception of the QM2, have smaller drafts (that part of the ship which is underwater) in order to dock at the shallower piers. This results in a "rocky ship" sometimes in 6 to 8 foot seas.The QM2 has to anchor in the deep basin in St Thomas because of her bigger draft. Wind too can "rock" these shallow draft ships occasionally. Regards, James.

Hi Folks, Am not sure if this is the right spelling, but we stayed at the Bahia Mia Hotel which is right on the beach and the cruise ship terminal can be seen from the upper floors, Very nice hotel with a wonderful eatery nearby for sandwiches and deli stuff. Also just about 100 yards down the road you can take a small cruise on the inland waterways taking you passed the homes and boats of the very rich and famous who live in that area of Florida. It's a very enjoyable trip with an all you can eat buffet on a private island included in the fare. Great for the evening before you cruise. Regards, James.

Hi AngieAnn, Am wondering if your 9 day cruise is out of New York in the New Year as we are doing that cruise next May. Anyway congrats: on your booking-it's a wonderful feeling isn't it? Regards, James.

Hello Amanda once again, I just pulled up your photos of the cruise. looks like you had lots of fun. I see a photo of the pool band Oasys! We thought they were fine provided one had ample liquid refreshment!!!!! Actually we've found all our previous cruises had dreadful pool bands. On some songs Oasys were O.K. but others-awful! How did you find 'em? I'm hoping out of New York Princess will try out another band. Surely SOMEBODY can find a decent band who can play Caribbean music! Regards, James.

Wow! Now that's what I call a quick reply! Thank you. Basically Amanda, I think I said that we had taken the same cruise as you last year on the CP. We loved the ship. And strangely enough we are also booked next May on the 9 day Caribbean Cruise out of New York. Your review was really interesting and it brought back warm memories of that fabulous ship. Unlike your journey though, we had calm seas the entire 7 days and no rain at all-oh sorry with the exception of a monstrous downpour just as our tender landed at Princess Cays. I've read stories of her inability to handle rough seas due to the ship's shallow draft. So our sympathies over the seasickness. We became friends with Bert Stratton and he still e- mails us. You either like Bert or find him too much 'over the top' Sadly from our point of view, he will not be on the ship when it replaces the Crown Princess out of New York. I agree with the 'nickel and diming' for the extra buck. I have very strong views on this subject but will not say anything more about that!!The minor complaints you made I agreed with totally. However we are yet to go on a "perfect cruise". (We have been on 10.) We thought the biggest problem was with "Anytime Dining". Never again! We shall stick to traditional-late seating like we have done on previous cruises. I know some people like AD but we found it annoying having to wait sometimes for a table with our favourite waiters. Anyway I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise on this lovely" lady of the ocean" Regards, James.

Hi Mrs Amanda, Did you re write your review? The reason I ask is that I answered this post this morning and your heading was "Caribbean Princess Review" There is no sign of my posting. Regards, James.

Ah yes. Wonderful great memories of the Costa Riviera in 1990. As I was in between marriages, I took my then 16 year old son. We had a great time. Regards, James.

Hi Folks, No doubt many of you have been to the wonderful island of St. Thomas. We took the Skyride to the hill overlooking the harbour last time and WOW what a view. A photographer's paradise! However the very BEST thing on the top of that mountain is the BAILEY'S BUSHWACKER! This is an absolutely incredible cocktail made up with close to 9 different liquors with Bailey's Irish Cream at the base. I have never tasted anything like that anywhere. The ship tried to emulate it but their drink didn't come close. My wife Donna who is a very light drinker with maybe a Bailey's twice a year, thought this BB was out of this world! In fact she had a second one and almost danced her way back to the ship!!! So if you do take the Skyride on your next trip to St. Thomas, do try this fabulous drink at the bar-you'll never forget it! Regards, James.