Caribbean Princess Resources

If you want to know anything else about the Caribbean Princess or have any questions about cruising or Princess Cruises, just ask.

 

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Booking Your Cruise

Anyone can have a great time on a cruise. But not every cruise is a good fit for every person. To find the cruise right for you, ask yourself these five questions before you book that trip.

1. Where do you want to go? 
No matter where you want to go - Alaska or South Africa, Iceland or Tahiti, Greece or Australia - there’s probably a ship to help get you there. Is the Panama Canal calling your name? Perhaps you want to see first-hand to see if the Leaning Tower of Pisa really does lean.

Choosing the right itinerary is important. Don't forget to consider the port day/sea day ratio when deciding on a cruise. Sea days can be crowded yet relaxing. Port days can be exhausting but fun.

2. Where do you want to sail from?
The embarkation port is also something to consider. You may have a particular city closer to where you live and would like to sail from there. Maybe there is a city you've always wanted to visit. Why not head to the port city a couple days early to explore it? It's like a bonus vacation.

Just check out all the options for embarkation cities for the Caribbean this month:

You also have the option of roundtrip cruises that begin and end in the same port. There are others doing a one-way itinerary. How about spending extra days after (or before) the cruise exploring the interior of Alaska?

3. What is your idea of a great vacation?
Different cruise lines and cruise ships really do have different "vibes". It is crucial to research different cruise lines to see which one best fits both your expectations of a vacation and your budget. Check the features offered on the ship. Some cater to active families with zip lines, water slides, and ice skating rinks. Other ships are traditionally elegant with fewer activities for kids. Some cruise lines are known to have a party-like atmosphere (cheaper) and others are known for luxury (pricier). If comfortable in a three-star hotel most cruise lines will exceed expectations. If a quiet five-star hotel is more your style many lines will be able to meet your needs but a higher end cruise line might be a better fit.

4. How much do you want to spend?
Cruising can be cheap and cruising can be expensive. One of the biggest misconceptions is that cruising is so expensive it’s out of reach of most travelers. Not true. Sales are frequent and sometimes offer pre-paid gratuities, beverage packages, or onboard credit. Great values in cruising can come from booking off-season cruises, booking very early, or booking last minute.

Hotels base pricing on a nightly per room basis; cruise pricing is a per person basis for the entire voyage. A third or fourth person within the same cabin may pay a lower per person price than passengers one and two.

Be aware of what amenities are included in the final cruise cost. Despite the add-on costs cruise vacations can be cheaper than land-based vacations. 

5. What kind of cabin do you want?

Hotels typically have a few room types. A room could have two queen beds or one king bed or have extra space like found in a suite. A room near the elevator or an upper floor may be requested. All rooms have a window and sometimes there is a balcony or patio.

Cruise ship accommodations are different. On a cruise ship passengers can pick the exact cabin location long before sailing. The cruise line even provides the up-to-date availability online.

Not all cabins are created equal. The size, bed configuration, and the location on the ship can be important. Prone to seasickness? A cabin in the middle of the ship might be best. Claustrophobic? A cabin with a view of the outside world might be a better choice than an inside cabin without a window. A light sleeper won’t want to be underneath the nightclub.

Twin beds are standard on most ships but can be converted into a queen bed. While some cabins can accommodate two people and others can fit more, a cabin holding up to four passengers has upper berths attached to the ceiling or wall. The beds fold down to create bunk beds. If you have three or four people traveling together, be forewarned.

No matter which cruise you choose, make sure you've done your research ahead of time!

The Friday 15

I think I'm getting close to the end of my free magazine subscriptions. While I loved getting free magazines through T-Mobile Tuesdays I realized I just can't keep up with them. But I'm caught up now!

Add those to a bunch of things I no longer need or use, like some shelving and a wicker hamper? Yep, 15 more things are outta here!

Make Chocolate Bunny Rabbit Candy and Treat Pouches - Tutorial Tuesday

Looking for a quick and easy Easter project? These homemade Easter candy and treat bags look just like chocolate bunnies but they're made from paper bags. No sewing required!

For this project you will need:

• Paper bags. I’m using a paper bag from my local grocery store but you can also purchase them here. I cut it into 9" X 12" pieces
• 15" ribbon for each bunny
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Scissors
• Template downloaded from HERE

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Looking for something else? 

Check out some of my other bunny sewing and crafting projects!

You find the step-by-step how to video instructions for the chocolate bunny candy and treat pouches paper bag project right here:

Sewing for Good Sunday

Despite hubby getting in the way a few times, I made some pretty good progress on the charity quilts today.

As you know, when we travel we are away for extended periods of times. Like months at a time. But when we're home, we're home. We don't go anywhere and we don't do anything outside the house. We don't go out to dinner, we don't go to shows, and we certainly don't do anything exciting. We go to the grocery store every couple of weeks, the drugstore once a month, doctor appointments here and there, and occasionally venture out to the thrift store. In fact, we drive so little that I am still on the same tank of gas from when we filled up after our last trip. That fill-up was on Christmas Eve. Almost three months on the same tank is a record for us, I think.

So when I told hubby this morning that if he could find a coupon for a restaurant near his Monday appointment, he got pretty excited. Started searching the coupon flyers we received in the mail, even. (Him looking at coupons? Had to be a first.) But he spread them right on top of the quilts I was basting. (Maybe it was my fault for doing my basting on the kitchen counter, but gee whiz. Couldn't he do that at his chair? Didn't he see I had fabric and batting and quilt tops all spread out there?)

After more than one prodding, he finally moved along with his pack of coupons. He found one, then disappeared to go cut it out. And was gone a long time. I know it was a long time because I was getting close to cussing him out. Why? Because before he left he put his dang coffee grounds right next to the other area I was using for fabric and batting. Seriously, who puts coffee grounds this close to batting and fabric?

Despite those hiccups - and time wasters - I still basted four quilts. And I got all four quilted. 

I was able to follow the lines on the John Deere quilt and did some double lines on the pink one.

On another one I was able to not follow lines and still make it work. (This is the back.)

And again worked late into the night and neglected to get a picture of the fourth one. A productive Sewing for Good Sunday before our first restaurant meal of the year on Monday.