wendy

I am planning a cruise for March of 2001...I have narrowed it down to the Grand Princess Eastern Caribbean cruise...Is the ship as wonderful as they make it out to be?...are there lots of hidden costs that they dont tell you about?...I know drinks are not included but I also read something about other chrages for some snacks and some drinks?...also, it is absolutely necessary to dress that formal at night...suits, tux, and long fancy dresses?...Ive read only good things about the ship but would like to hear from some first hand experience...especially that particular cruise...the ports are St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Princess Cays...Is it easy gettting on and off the boat?...I have travelled the caribbean quite a bit but never by boat...any help or opinions would be helpful...Thanks

Theresa

I hope I can help. I am sailing on the Grand this December. I have sailed on the Sea Princess and also Fascination. Between these - I can tell you about the ports. St. Thomas is an easy city to get around. There are shops right off of the port but the real shopping requires a taxi but the taxis are very inexpensive ($2 person). I felt very safe taking them and walking around. We also took a taxi to Megan's Beach. Princess Cays is a beautiful island. You have to get a tender ticket which tells you the order you get off of the boat. Make sure you get your tender ticket right away if you want off the ship early. You have to take a small boat to the island. It takes about 1-2 hours before everyone who wants off can get off. <BR> <BR>The only hidden costs that I have heard of is with the alternate dining which costs $3 a person I think. Also, on the Sea Princess they had haggan daaz ice cream and they charged extra for that. Though the ice cream in the restaurants are free. <BR> <BR>I have heard nothing but great things about the ship - I can't wait. I had a great time on the Sea Princess and hope this will be the same or better.

Rick

Just returned from a 11 day Panama canal cruise on the Sun Princess. Stopped in St thomas and was docked right behind the Grand,,and yes its "grand". Don't think you will be disappointed. To answer some of your questions,,getting on and off is easy.. <BR>you well get a "cruise card" when you board..its your room key, credit card, and boarding pass..you show it when you get off and return to ship, no need to take passport with you.. <BR> As the previous poster mentioned they do charge for ice cream at the ice cream shop, but not in the dining rooms. <BR> Iced tea, coffee, and juice is free in the dining rooms, or buffets, but you will pay for juice if you order at a bar. Pop, beer,wine,bottled water,mixed drinks, all are extra. <BR> As for dress....only about 25% of the men wore tuxes on formal night..the rest dark suits,,women were all over the scale..some VERY fancy, but most just had nice "sunday best" dresses.. <BR> Enjoy...

Rick

oh one last thing...they add a 15% gratuity to all your bar bills,

Sue

We sailed on the Grand to the Eastern Caribbean just over a year ago. <BR>Since then nothing has compared to that fantastic ship. We will be spoiled forever! We thought that maybe this ship would be too large and so went with reservations as to whether we would like it or not. <BR>It was the best cruise we have ever been on. <BR>The mini-suites/outside cabins w/balconies are perfect. The service outstanding and the dining room and buffets, the best we have ever seen on any of out 10 cruises. <BR>You are going to love it! <BR>Sue

maggie

We sailed the Grand Princess in March 2000 and what a Grand ship she is! <BR>YES...the ship is as wonderful as they make her out to be. Ours had a Shah on board! The ship was filled to over capacity (3300) however it did not feel crowded at all. People actually look at this ship when it is docked! You will be proud that it is YOUR ship! <BR>Formal Wear: Yes, people do dress up, very formally...but what a wonderful chance to have a picture taken of you and your travel companion! If you didn't make it to the prom, here is your chance. <BR>HOWEVER...you don't have to dress up...they will let you out of your cabin if you don't and you can eat in the Horizons Restaurant (actually you can eat in your assigned dining room if you wish, but a lot of people will be dressed formally.....I did NOT have a formal dress however I had dresses that were adequate for semi-formal wear. <BR>Hidden Costs: I don't think they are outrageous in price...the drinks are reasonably priced especially the drink of the day. Soft drinks are xtra...coffee, tea is free. Juices in the AM are free. There is a large container of water in your cabin and you are charged $2.95 for this if you use it, which I did. They do say the 'tap'water is safe to drink, supposedly. Tips are not included in the price, but the service is so good you will want to tip! The suggested tips are not really that bad considering the level of service you receive. If you want a can of coke delivered to your stateroom at 3:00 AM you will get it immediately... Of course, there are the stores onboard, etc., etc...casino, pictures, and all that, but its like any other vacation...only better...Wait until you see the buffet!!! <BR>St. Thomas: you get off the ship right onto the dock where there are hundreds of taxis just waiting for you-- cheap. You can actually walk to the downtown shopping area if you wish, about two miles. There are also different excursions you can sign up for...on board ship or a few months before...they will send you the stuff... <BR>St. Marteen: You are tendered from the fourth deck which is access via elevator <BR>Ditto Princess Cays... <BR>Don't miss Princess Cays...it is beautiful. Get there early for a good spot. <BR>There are at least six crew members to help you board the tenders..In St. Marteen, the tenders are privately owned but in Princess Cays, the tenders are the on board life boats, which are pretty big. <BR>March is a busy travel month with spring breaks and all. If you can, try to get to Fort Lauderdale the day before you sail. You don't need the experience of an anxiety attack caused by flight cancellation (it happens) or flight delay. <BR>One family on our cancelled flight missed their cruise. The ship isnot on a foundation. At some point, it sails away...one family missed their cruise because of the flight cancellation (there were actually two that morning, not related to the weather, either)... <BR>TAG YOUR BAGS with the Princess tags you will get before your travel. If I hadn't done this, I would have missed my ship since our flight was cancelled, (I already said this) Princess Reps gather the luggage and bring it to your stateroom only if it is tagged, obviously. If I hadn't tagged my luggage with the Princess tags,(I wasn't going to) I swear it would still be at the luggage pick up area at Delta! (A whole other story!) March is a very busy month with spring break and so on. <BR>