SiliconCruiser

I think it is $2 for fountain and $2.50 for a can plus 18% gratuity.  I usually just pick up a 6 pack at one of the port calls.

Never heard of a "guarantee" for a specific portion of the ship.  It has only been recently that Princess started to offer the lower prices for the 'guarantee' cabins, that had previously only been offered by discount consolidators.  Prior to that, you always had to select a cabin if booking online, as well as booking through most travel agents.  Was also told by a future cruise consultant that the 'guarantee' cabins will almost always be forward or aft, and most likely on the higher decks, i.e. the lower priced ones that people would not pay to reserve.  In our case, we have to reserve a cabin because we require an ADA cabin.

10 hours ago, Laughingbear said:

Hi,

 

I'm going on a Princess cruise that will leave from Los Angeles and has two American ports in San Francisco and San Diego.

 

Princess allows you to bring 12 cans of soda with you in your carry on on embarkation day which is awesome. I plan on getting off the boat at both American ports and was wondering if I can go to a Walmart or another grocery store and purchase some more soda and bring it with me when I get back on the ship to restock for the rest of the cruise? I'm thinking maybe just grabbing 6 cans or a small number like that at one of the two ports. Is that allowed? I can't really seem to find the rules regarding Americans bringing things on the ship from American ports.

They don't really seem to care if you restock at port calls.  Canned beverages are fine, as are beverages in plastic or glass containers.  You'll see a lot of posts that quote "rules" from the Princess web site.  My observations, though, are from real life ... i.e. reality.  Security will be looking for weapons.  Some ports will have two security screenings (I think San Diego may be one of them,) where you will undergo screening by private security on shore, then by Princess security on the ship (they cannot work on U.S. shores.)  In both cases they are interested in weapons (even examining pocket knives that are classified as tools.)  Bottles or cans that may be in your carry-ons (plastic or glass bottles, or cans) do not seem to be of interest to them.

11 minutes ago, Qextor said:

I forgot to mention - each person needs to watch the video on their own account.  So any cabin mate you may have will need to watch the video themselves with their own login.

You can include everyone in your cabin if you watch it on the TeeVee machine.

3 hours ago, memoak said:

 double mini bars since we are also elite, 

Each passenger gets a mini bar setup if they are both elite?!

8 hours ago, edub said:

On a related note, has anyone found a number for Princess to speak to someone about passengers with disabilities? I find that when you call the general number they are unwilling to pass you onto someone who might have this expertise, and all my internet searching hasn't unearthed a number other than the general 1-800 one I've been using.

 I don't think Princess employs any phone agents that are able to provide accurate information. As I understand it, the call center agents that were employed pre-pandemic were all laid off.  The new call center agents either work remotely (from all over the U.S., mostly in states with low minimum wage,) or more likely an off-shore call center (I think it is located in the Philippines.)
But, as for boarding, people who need assistance (wheelchair, or their own mobility devices) are boarded first before Elite/Platinum/Suites.  So get to the port early.
If you need an ADA cabin, book early because there are very few on the ships.  You will need to submit a completed questionnaire to justify your need for the room, including wheelchair (or scooter) dimensions.  Rental scooters will usually fit through the doors of a standard cabin.
If you do not use your mobility device in the dining room, they will park it outside of the dining room and retrieve it when you are done with your meal.
We have always traveled as ADA passengers, on Princess cruises from ports all over the world.  I'll try to answer any questions you might have, and I'm sure other ADA passengers can probably help you as well. 

34 minutes ago, BamaVol said:

I’m not sure there’s a difference between filet mignon and tenderloin. If there is, I’m sure someone will educate me.

Filet mignon is a cut from the beef tenderloin, but it costs much more when it is called 'filet mignon' rather than beef tenderloin.  Educated and alert passengers will notice that there is some version of beef tenderloin served on most nights.  It is not the best quality beef, but it is probably the same as you would get from the Crown Grill for a surcharged price.  Additionally it appears that they've added NY Strip as an every day item on the MDR menu, so you can get an 8oz strip steak now any day of the week (you can also get two of them anytime your heart desires,) as opposed to paying $19 for a 12oz version (without refills) in the MDR or $39 for one in the Crown Grill.

On 5/21/2023 at 8:03 PM, mamamusings said:

Oh, and one more nit to pick—I thought the whole point of the medallions was that staff would know who we are and that we have a the plus package. But at nearly every place we’ve gone, we’ve been asked for our room numbers!

It is to confirm that you belong to the medallion that they are detecting.

2 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

Many people don't realize that the lower level of the theater leaves the last seat out in a number of rows for wheelchair or scooter parking. That allows one to stay in their mobility device while another person in their party sits next to them. It seems that most people just think the few spots all the way to the rear of the theater on the upper level are the only mobility device spots.

From looking at the deck plans, it appears that the Caribbean, like the Grand and Diamond, may not have 6th fl wheelchair access to the theater.  Had really gotten accustomed to it from the Royal class and the newer Grand class ships.  If someone has more information about ADA access on the Caribbean, we'd be appreciative of it; we're doing a B2B NYC to Quebec to NYC this fall.

29 minutes ago, TxChick51 said:

I’m very cold natured, so a little crazy cruising to Alaska, but going for it!

 

Does Princess offer bathrobes in Balcony (BB) cabin and if not, can one get an extra blanket for the balcony?  Trying not to over pack something I can get onboard😉

Bathrobes may be requested in advance or onboard from your room steward.

Extra blankets are usually stored in plastic bags under your bed (ask the room steward to get them for you, they'll know which bag it is in.)

8 hours ago, Coral said:

Someone did post on the last Crown Princess. I skipped last formal night so didn’t check. Thanks for confirmation.

Actually we were told that it would be a $19 upcharge for a second order of Surf & Turf, our waitress told us that just as we sat down (she was always more than helpful, so I don't fault her.)  I should have ordered the NY strip in addition just out of spite, but I had a second order of escargot just like I normally did.  The lobster tail is so puny, it's probably less than a couple of prawns.

The 'twins' on Princess aren't really twins at 36"x75", they're called 'small singles' at 30"x75".  When pushed together they are 60"x75" which is almost the size of a Queen which is actually 60"x80". 

Amazing how those dimensions are still fresh in my mind from selling mattresses for a major department store during college. 

11 hours ago, Stampgizmo said:

We are cruising on the ruby in December. As we haven’t cruised princess in a while, I’m wondering if they’re stilll formal nights??

 

Um ... we were on a b2b2b followed with an Alaskan cruise on another Princess ship.  There were six formal nights in total.  I did pack a tie, but I only used it once.  But I did use the same blazer on each of the formal nights.

On 3/24/2023 at 1:30 PM, Coffeeluvr05 said:

No, the first leg is SF to Vancouver and then the second leg is Vancouver to Seattle.  Is that still a violation?

Yes.

On 3/24/2023 at 12:39 PM, Coffeeluvr05 said:

By the way, if it matters, this would be a cruise from SF to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Seattle.  

We tried that as a part of a b2b2b2b on the Royal.  They canceled out the YVR-SEA portion as a PVSA violation.

On 5/15/2023 at 11:43 AM, Thrak said:

 

The scotch is the worst of the mini bottles they provide. It's truly abysmal. I love scotch but Dewar's white label is not good at all.

Dewar's is also the 'complimentary' Scotch that is served on most international flights as well.  And there are people that do drink it on a regular basis, though it may not be something of your preference.

When we book a cruise with a future cruise consultant, they usually book a FCC before booking the cruise and apply it immediately to the new booking.

I actually did observe some crew removing belongings from "reserved" lounge chairs on the Crown last week.  My inquisitive nature had to wonder why people were 'reserving' lounge chairs on an Alaskan Cruise when the temperatures were in the 40's and 50's.

3 hours ago, FairSkySmoothSeas said:

For those who have gone Up North to Alaska…I plan to wear a dark suit and tie for Formal Nights, but I was wondering if a flannel shirt is OK to wear in lieu of a polo shirt during casual nights. It being Alaska and all. Something like a Black Watch Plaid I’m thinking. Thoughts? 

Yes, a plaid flannel shirt is acceptable on any night including Formal Nights.

Went up there one afternoon, (actually more like stumbled upon it.)  So I thought I'd go in to see what they had.  Skywalker's was all but deserted and there weren't a lot of takers for their offerings (nothing appealed to me.)  No one was checking anything at the door, I'm sure they would have welcomed anyone.

On 5/14/2023 at 3:20 PM, tjcletzgo said:

I usually order both the formal night dinner of lobster and beef Wellington. Will there be an up charge for this???

They did not have the Beef Wellington or the lobster tail separately on the menu, only the surf & turf combo.  This was on the second formal night, same night as the Captain's Circle Party.

1 hour ago, stevenr597 said:

We have Club Class.  What we have been doing is going to the First Show, making sure we get to the theatre at least 30 minutes before the show.  When then go to the dining room for dinner.  Being Club Class there is no wait. 

After dinner we head for the Piano Bar, have several drinks.  

 

If you go to the first 7:30 show, it will let out at 8:15.  You are not likely to have to wait in any of the dining rooms at that hour, not sure what Club Class may have to do with it.

On the Crown, the self-service washers and dryers are free.  You only need tokens if you need soap or dryer sheets.

Forget about what boarding time you requested, just board as early as you can.  Drop your carry-ons in your cabin and then go to the 6th floor mid-ship dining room for lunch.  I recommend the beef tenderloin, but have whatever suits your fancy. If for some reason you can't drop your carry-ons in your cabin, just take them to the MDR.

On 5/16/2023 at 12:59 PM, lion1956 said:

We leave in a few days for a 7 day California Coast cruise with Princess and with stops in San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada Mexico, I know this question has been discussed multiple times but on this type of cruise, with less formal destinations than Europe or Alaska is it necessary to wear a suit or sportcoat or will a dress shirt and pants suffice.  I should tell you that we booked 2 specialty restaurants.  I have worn suits all my life and I now enjoy not wearing them at all.  What are your thoughts?

Having just gotten off a couple of those, I did not see a single tuxedo, a few suits, some shirts with ties, and some shorts.  I used to wear a tuxedo, but now I will sometimes bring a tie (not necessarily wear it, but I bring one along.)  I think I need to find a nice pair of black shorts and wear it with my tuxedo vest and an open collar formal shirt with my bow time hung around like you see in the after parties from the Oscars.  Maybe I'll bring the jacket just for effects.  But yes, I am an old person, but I'm not bound by the fashion police that occupy social media.