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meechelley · Nov 1st, 2009, 09:07 PM

I'm looking for advice on better or worth it shore excursions through the cruise ship. We're going to the western Caribbeans (Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel, Princess Cays). So far I've been thinking about doing the snorkeling in cayman and the all-inclusive beach resort in Cozumel (I believe it was Playa Mia.. the one where you cook with a chef and includes all beverages) through the ship. I can't seem to find many reviews on Princess Cruise excursions so, if anyone has experiences or advice on other excursions in these islands/areas I would be glad to hear them!! TIA!

dr. twiggers · Nov 2nd, 2009, 06:56 AM

Hey there....check out: www.cruisecritic.com

They have forums devoted to discussing each cruise line and excursions, etc.

beljwl · Nov 2nd, 2009, 11:58 AM

Agree with twiggers... Cruisecritic is the best. I was addicted to the site before we went on our last cruise.

meechelley · Nov 4th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the link! Another question.. I know Princess Cruises puts a mandatory tip daily on your bill... but what would be the "proper/reasonable" amount if we wanted to tip extra?

ellacoach · Nov 4th, 2009, 04:23 PM

I've been on a Princess Meditterranean cruise. It was fabulous! The staff was fantastic, food was amazing. The only thing we didn't care for was that the bed in our room was not comfortable at all.

Christiflora · Nov 4th, 2009, 10:01 PM

I am a Platinum member, so you can guess that I cruise with Princess often. I love Princess. Overall, it is great, decent food, entertainment, accomodations, service, and all. The only complaint that I have is the expensive excursions, especially for Alaska and Australia/New Zealand. For Western Carribean, the excursions are quite reasonable. Snorkeling, kayaking, and whitewater rafting are fun and RELATIVELY inexpensive. Of course, the cost is less if you do it on your own. Given the limited time and the headache/rush associated with getting back to the ship on time (and safety), it it worth paying a little extra for Princess excursions.

As others have suggested, check out cruisecritics.com and do a search on the top fun things to do in each of the ports. Don't forget to sign up for the rollcalls via cruise critics board. You can ask questions and have discussions with your future fellow cruise-mates.

I just joined my rollcall for Australia/New Zealand. I have already signed up for two private excursions arranged by fellow cruise passengers. Of course, the cost will be less, and there is freedom to do more sightseeing and fun things.

Christiflora · Nov 4th, 2009, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by meechelley

Thanks for the link! Another question.. I know Princess Cruises puts a mandatory tip daily on your bill... but what would be the "proper/reasonable" amount if we wanted to tip extra?

I think the tips are $10.50 or $11 per person (even for babies) per day. The amount will be added automatically to your bill. For fixed time dining, we have the same waiters and assistant waiters serving us for every meal. Thus, at the end of the cruise, we tip them extra separately. Same situation with our cabin stewards. Princess has special white envelopes for you to put your tips. You can hand the envelope directly to the person or give the envelope, sealed with the person's name, to the bursar's office.

In terms of amount, it is up to you.

meechelley · Nov 4th, 2009, 11:46 PM

Wow thank you for the responses! I'm really excited now! hah.. I just signed up for cruisecritics and already see 53 people who will be cruising with us ^__^. There just so much to do in the Grand Cayman and Cozumel islands... that its hard to choose what excursion to go on.

dr. twiggers · Nov 5th, 2009, 06:52 AM

I need to sign up for the roll call on my upcoming cruise! Thanks for the reminder :-)

meechelley · Nov 5th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by dr. twiggers

I need to sign up for the roll call on my upcoming cruise! Thanks for the reminder :-)

Np.

^__^ Hope you have fun on your cruise!

lv-lover · Nov 6th, 2009, 10:26 PM

Ooooh, you know what you should do in Grand Cayman? Go to Sting Ray City! Do you like animals? I was going to go last time I was there, but there wasn't enough time.

meechelley · Nov 9th, 2009, 08:44 AM

lv-lover, ty for the suggestions. From all the reviews I've read about it, it seems its the thing to do. So for the Grand Caymans we've decided to do snorkeling ^__^. For Cozumel we decided to do the Resort Day because it includes unlimited beverages (which I think my future FIL would enjoy lol.. I'd probably enjoy it for the first two drinks). And in Roatan I believe we've decided to either do a spa day or go ziplining. Thank you for all the suggestions, especially for the link to cruisecritic it was really helpful!

flashy.stems · Nov 9th, 2009, 07:32 PM

have fun on your cruise! i've been on princess a few times. its not my favourite, but its super fun!! :)

meechelley · Nov 10th, 2009, 07:42 PM

thanks flashy ^__^! i was thinking of doing another cruise next year if we end up liking the experience on this one.. which cruise line/ship would you recommend?

LV-PRADAfanatic · Nov 10th, 2009, 08:20 PM

ii have never been on it...wish i can

Nov 1st, 2009, 09:07 PM	#1
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	Anyone been on a Princess Caribbean Cruise? I'm looking for advice on better or worth it shore excursions through the cruise ship. We're going to the western Caribbeans (Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel, Princess Cays). So far I've been thinking about doing the snorkeling in cayman and the all-inclusive beach resort in Cozumel (I believe it was Playa Mia.. the one where you cook with a chef and includes all beverages) through the ship. I can't seem to find many reviews on Princess Cruise excursions so, if anyone has experiences or advice on other excursions in these islands/areas I would be glad to hear them!! TIA!
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	__________________ My growing collection ^__^! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-453881.html

Nov 2nd, 2009, 06:56 AM	#2
dr. twiggers Finally Done! Joined: May 2006 Location: The Library Posts: 21,852	Hey there....check out: www.cruisecritic.com They have forums devoted to discussing each cruise line and excursions, etc.
	__________________ November Goals: 1. Get credit card to $4500 (or less) - done! 2. Add $500 to emergency fund - added $600! 3. Add $500 to vacation fund - done! 4. Stay under grocery budget - not going so well

Nov 2nd, 2009, 11:58 AM	#3
beljwl Springsteen Fan!!!! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Walking distance to Rodeo Drive Posts: 21,018	Agree with twiggers... Cruisecritic is the best. I was addicted to the site before we went on our last cruise.
	__________________ ATTN SoCal MEMBERS: FOR AN EVITE TO THE NEXT SoCal TPF MEET PM ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

Nov 4th, 2009, 01:35 PM	#4
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	Thanks for the link! Another question.. I know Princess Cruises puts a mandatory tip daily on your bill... but what would be the "proper/reasonable" amount if we wanted to tip extra?
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	__________________ My growing collection ^__^! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-453881.html

Nov 4th, 2009, 04:23 PM	#5
ellacoach East Coast Girl Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Posts: 4,253	I've been on a Princess Meditterranean cruise. It was fabulous! The staff was fantastic, food was amazing. The only thing we didn't care for was that the bed in our room was not comfortable at all.
	__________________ "I know you won't be alone for long, but without you I'll be alone forever." - Don Draper

Nov 4th, 2009, 10:01 PM	#6
Christiflora Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,225	I am a Platinum member, so you can guess that I cruise with Princess often. I love Princess. Overall, it is great, decent food, entertainment, accomodations, service, and all. The only complaint that I have is the expensive excursions, especially for Alaska and Australia/New Zealand. For Western Carribean, the excursions are quite reasonable. Snorkeling, kayaking, and whitewater rafting are fun and RELATIVELY inexpensive. Of course, the cost is less if you do it on your own. Given the limited time and the headache/rush associated with getting back to the ship on time (and safety), it it worth paying a little extra for Princess excursions. As others have suggested, check out cruisecritics.com and do a search on the top fun things to do in each of the ports. Don't forget to sign up for the rollcalls via cruise critics board. You can ask questions and have discussions with your future fellow cruise-mates. I just joined my rollcall for Australia/New Zealand. I have already signed up for two private excursions arranged by fellow cruise passengers. Of course, the cost will be less, and there is freedom to do more sightseeing and fun things.
Christiflora Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,225

Nov 4th, 2009, 11:46 PM	#8
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	Wow thank you for the responses! I'm really excited now! hah.. I just signed up for cruisecritics and already see 53 people who will be cruising with us ^__^. There just so much to do in the Grand Cayman and Cozumel islands... that its hard to choose what excursion to go on.
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	__________________ My growing collection ^__^! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-453881.html

Nov 5th, 2009, 06:52 AM	#9
dr. twiggers Finally Done! Joined: May 2006 Location: The Library Posts: 21,852	I need to sign up for the roll call on my upcoming cruise! Thanks for the reminder :-)
	__________________ November Goals: 1. Get credit card to $4500 (or less) - done! 2. Add $500 to emergency fund - added $600! 3. Add $500 to vacation fund - done! 4. Stay under grocery budget - not going so well

Nov 6th, 2009, 10:26 PM	#11
lv-lover Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,385	Ooooh, you know what you should do in Grand Cayman? Go to Sting Ray City! Do you like animals? I was going to go last time I was there, but there wasn't enough time.
lv-lover Member Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,385	__________________ "On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux"

Nov 9th, 2009, 08:44 AM	#12
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	lv-lover, ty for the suggestions. From all the reviews I've read about it, it seems its the thing to do. So for the Grand Caymans we've decided to do snorkeling ^__^. For Cozumel we decided to do the Resort Day because it includes unlimited beverages (which I think my future FIL would enjoy lol.. I'd probably enjoy it for the first two drinks). And in Roatan I believe we've decided to either do a spa day or go ziplining. Thank you for all the suggestions, especially for the link to cruisecritic it was really helpful!
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	__________________ My growing collection ^__^! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-453881.html

Nov 9th, 2009, 07:32 PM	#13
flashy.stems Hermès Hottie Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 2,122	have fun on your cruise! i've been on princess a few times. its not my favourite, but its super fun!! :)
	__________________ “I’m the worst wife in the cooking department. I always thought you can’t be good at food and sex, but you can always order the food in. I’d rather he didn’t order in the sex.” "You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many handbags." UHG!!! CL Black Mad Mary 37

Nov 10th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#14
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	thanks flashy ^__^! i was thinking of doing another cruise next year if we end up liking the experience on this one.. which cruise line/ship would you recommend?
meechelley OP Member Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 264	__________________ My growing collection ^__^! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-453881.html

Nov 10th, 2009, 08:20 PM	#15
LV-PRADAfanatic Built Hot for LV Joined: Oct 2007 Location: That's ME ^_^ Posts: 14,739	ii have never been on it...wish i can
	__________________ All so LoVely, so little time to get them all

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