Hi everyone,

I'm coming over from Cruise Critic and was glad to find out about this board from Hopeful Henry! Would you believe they banned me beause I posted too much my first week there?!?! What's the point of having a message board if I can't ask questions?! Henry assures me that it's different over here.

So, just be forewarned, I will be asking LOTS of questions!

As I said, I'm a first timer and I'll be posting this over on the Princess board too since that's our first cruise. We're going on our first cruise during the holidays on Grand Princess in 2008 and, we're excited!!

So here are my first set of questions:

1) Everyone keeps telling us to get to Florida at least one day early (we're traveling from New York City). Can someone recommend a hotel that is close to the pier and it won't cost an arm and a leg in cab fare to get from the hotel to the pier. I've never been to Fort Lauderdale and the only knowledge of Florida I have is of Walt Disney World. It doesn't have to be fancy, just clean and in a decent location.

2) I'm traveling with my parents and my Grandmother, we currently have traditional first sitting, but, I've been told to consider Anytime Dining. In your opinions, which is better?

3) Formal nights - I'm completely lost. I mean, I know enough to get a long, formal gown but, how dressy does the ship get? Will I be out of place with a gown from JCPenney or Macys?

4) JetBlue - Would you chance waiting for JetBlue who only put their seats up for sale a few months before departure or would you book with one of the other carriers who allow you to book almost a year in advance?

Ok I'll stop now, I don't want to scare everyone here like I did on Cruise Critic!

Hi Ugly Betty Fan,

I enjoy that program too Now, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...

This forum is NOTHING like Cruise Critic and I mean that only in the BEST possible way! No one is going to ban you here because you asked too many questions, I can't believe how out of control CC has become and, I am sure in time, we'll see more and more defecting to other sites including this one. Ok, I'll get off my now and start answering your questions.

1) When traveling from any cold weather destination like NYC (by the way, I'm up in Westchester in White Plains), it's always very smart to get to your cruise port a day or two early - just in case of snow, hail, icing - you know the routine, I'm sure. In Fort Lauderdale, we usually stay at either the Hyatt Pier 66 - here's the link http://pier66.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp or the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel (formerly a Marriott) here's the link to that one -
http://www.fortlauderdalegrande.com/ Both are very close to the cruise terminal and, are clean and easy. My best recommendation is to try to get a hotel via Priceline.com you'll get a much better hotel than you would paying standard rates online.

2) Personally, I perfer traditional seating, regardless if it's first or second. I like having the same tablemates and the same waiter every night but, that's just me. Others love Anytime Dining, it's really just a matter of your personal needs and tastes. The menus are identical so if you decide to go with Anytime Dining don't think you're going to "miss" anything by not having traditional dining.

3) I've seen it all on Formal nights! You'll be just fine in a gown from Macy's or JCP - if you want to be a bit more dressed then just add some jewelry to the outfit

4) Personally, I like to book as early as possible so, it's my opinion to go with one of the major carriers but, that's me. I know lots of people swear by Jetblue.

And don't be afraid to post, we want you to ask questions and feel:w:

Thanks Westchester, and thank you for taking the time to respond in length to my questions. I can already see the difference between here and CC and let me add I think I am going to like it here!

Welcome Ugly Betty Fan, I'd believe ANYTHING they do to ANYONE over there on CC. Relax you're among friends now!

As far as hotels, Westchester gave you two good one and, I agree with her advice on Priceline.com I've booked wonderful hotels that way for a lot less than I'd normally pay, even got upgraded to suites a couple of times too! So don't think just because you use priceline.com you're going to get the worst hotel in the joint, that's not normally the case in my experience.

Thanks for making me feel so welcome everyone. And, yes, I'll try priceline.com

As a matter of fact one of the reasons I didn't try priceline is because I just assumed that i'd be given the worst room at check in because i'd get the room at such a discount but, I'm glad to hear that isn't the case.

Here's another question, I see you guys have a group cruise here on cruise freek on our sailing. Can we join even if we booked with another agency?

Hi Betty,

Love that show! Welcome to Cruise Freek Forums! If you booked with another agency you'll have to get permission to transfer the reservation to another agency. Not all agencies are willing to do that but, if you can, all you need to do is contact Host Bob (Screen Name RDeagazio here on the boards) he is the travel agent in charge of the group and, he'll walk you through the simple steps to transfer your reservation to the group.

Hi Ugly Betty Fan,

Welcome, you're going to find it much friendlier here than on Cruise "Cynic"!

You post as many questions as you can ask! And, we will all be happy to answer you!

Welcome to Cruise Freeks!!

I'm not surprised, but am shocked, that CC would ban someone for asking questions.

I'd believe anything that "person" (and I'll refrain using foul language here) would do. It's no longer a message board over there, it's turning into a club for the queen bee's special pets!

Wow, that feels good to get that off my chest!

Amen Joe!!

Ugly Betty Fan.. if you'd like information on our group cruise on the Grand Princess, please feel free to email me at the address in my signature line. I'll be happy to help you in any way I can. Welcome to Cruise Freeks!

Finally have a free minute at work to check all your responses out. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me in such great lengths. This board is THE BEST!

I'll take everything you guys have told me into consideration in our plans.

Now, here's my next set of questions:

1) What exactly happens at Princess Cay? Is it like a giant beach party? Are food and drinks available? How about Restrooms?

2) Shore tours - is it better to book with the cruise line or is it better to go off on your own with a tour company that you've been recommended?

3) Religious Services - we're Catholic, I'm hoping that some type of Christmas service will be held but, I'm not holding my breath that a Catholic mass will be available. Does anyone know how Princess handles this type of thing?

Ooppss - gotta run but will post more later.

To answer some of your questions:

1. Food and drinks are served on Princess Cays ... I spent my whole day lounging in a Beach Bungalow when I was there (loved it) but they do have other activities.

2. This is pretty subjective ... some folks prefer booking through the cruise line, they feel a bit more secure that if the excursion is late in returning (doesn't happen often) the ship might wait for them (whereas if you go wandering off on you own and aren't back in time, the ship can leave without you). Others prefer booking excursions direct with the tour operators, or through an operation like Shore Trips.

Another New Yorker here - to answer your question about mass, we're also Catholic and have been on several Princess sailings during the holidays. Yes, there is a midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Here's a link directly from Princess:

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na627&submit=pk

Great Screen name Ugly Betty Fan