JGmf

@grimace95120 Do you recall which bars were opened when in Canada?

Totally agree. Can't stand intrusive photographers on NCL or even on Princess. To me, it's a bit deeper: the notion of yet more photos of ourselves -- in the era of ubiquitous smart phone cameras -- is just bonkers. Enough already.

Please, never show up at my table. It's your prerogative to play like that, but I'll be gone after seeing it...and your bankroll will suffer over the long term.😗 Despite what you say, to keep a rhythm and a winning vibe/fun at table, yes, blackjack at a casino is a indeed a communal sport. Play basic strategy, alter your bets as appropriate....and worst of all, don't hem and haw and sit there thinking what you want to do on any given hand (geez, it not based on hunches people!), and everyone gets along fine....

These appear to be menu items off the "specialties" list. Not the omakase courses. Looks like soy-glazed chicken along with bowl of fried rice along with seaweed salad. Not sure of the others. Regardless, it looks amazing. I just put down a reservation for us in January. Can't wait!!

@beg3yrs Totally agree with your hypothesis. The backdoor discount of using cards to pay for a cruise -- as opposed to sharing cards as one-off gifts -- is likely the reason Princess stopped selling them. It appears like a logical business decision. I don't buy the notion that people discounting their cruise with cards then plow a ton of money into excursions and spa services and other things that they would not have done absent the card discount. I'm sure Princess has the analytics on that. That said, the heavy card discount users are educated consumers, seeking value where they can find it. More power to them, but that option is closed for now.

@latebloomer56 Can confirm the fruit bowl is refreshed based on our suite experience on the Enchanted this year. If it doesn't get refreshed automatically, the stewart will make sure it does. It's really nice to have. No one ever mentions that. Glad @Dani24 did so.

@RNRcruisers Oops yeah, January 25th. I'm lucky enough to be on the Enchanted this month...that one's the 26th! So absent minded...

@mrrom92 I too like a late night vibe, but understand that with Princess it's not as expected as much as with, say, Carnival. That said, I'm still looking forward to my Sun Princess sailing in January regardless. Crossing my fingers that there is activity at or around midnight, but we'll see. Note that on other Princess ships, if you find a similarly-minded group, you could still hang out somewhere and order drinks via the medallion even when bars are closed. @RNRcruisers I'm on the Jan 26 sailing. Maybe you're on the same one. If so, see you out and about!

@golden6911 to answer that question, we'd need to know what ship? Generally, the newer/bigger ships on NCL have better spas than Princess' newer ships. The big difference in the size of the facilities. NCL has far more heated loungers. However, if you don't actually need them, then the saunas, special showers, and large therapy pool is about the same.

Agree with @mistyPA. I've similarly jumped over to Princess after being Sapphire on NCL.. Princess wins: MDR food; buffet food and open hours; Lido deck pizza; expansive, value-focused drink package; technology with medallion and faster wifi; better room TV options; better, more transparent comps for casino players; adult-focused pool areas; ease of booking; the Piazza; lightning-fast embarkation; engaged/fun cruise director staff; and way fewer kids. Overall, better value for your money. NCL wins: greater breadth of specialty dining; Food Republic (deserves it's own mention); The Waterfront; and The Vibe (if you can buy a pass).

Have to disagree. What @Retired-N-Happy said was factual. I, too, don't drink wine and don't pay attention to wine selections, only to what kind of booze they have. Hence, Princess has a far better package for my priorities as well. Regardless, that's why we have choices. NCL or Princess or some other cruise line. We're just lucky to be splitting hairs over drink packages. That's a real privilege.

I'm assuming if it were financially beneficial for Princess, you'd see these discounted cards still appearing on AARP. Maybe again in the future when demand for cruising takes a dip? I have no insider knowledge, but I have to imagine the gift cards were intended as gifts, not a backdoor way to discount an entire cruise....not that there's anything wrong with that.

Amen to that. I'm a vodka drinker too, and Princess blows away NCL on that front.

I understand the disappointment regarding not being able to buy discounted gift cards, but what's in it for Princess if the ships would otherwise be booked?

@Mississippian Can't comment on wine (don't drink it), but compared to NCL of late, Princess entertainment is marginally better. NCL turned a corner and dropped the type of production shows that made it distinct. Their replacement shows, like "The Price is Right", are a cheap substitute that are rather lame.

I concur with @stinkyharriet. Other than the nightclub, it's very quiet elsewhere on the ship after midnight. The only exception are the diehards in the casino.

I used to be NCL exclusive, reaching Sapphire status by taking advantage of the proximity of the NYC port. No more. I like Princess way better. You get more for your money; and it feels like more of an adult vacation. IMHO, Princess has better (and longer hours) buffet, better food choices overall, a way more generous drink package (includes specialty coffees and water, yes water), more engaged and creative cruise director staff, and more adult-oriented pool areas and activities (for example, enrichment lectures). The wifi is way faster. All staterooms have a massive movie collection to watch on TV. The Lido deck pizza is great; and if you gamble, the casino comps are far more transparent and generous. Having laundry facilities is pretty cool too. We took advantage of that on our recent 10-day Med cruise. Oh, there are fewer children on Princess (read: no waterslides, go-kart tracks, laser tag, etc.). Accordingly, Princess does indeed have an older demographic than NCL, but I've seen and met plenty of cruisers in their 20's, 30's and 40's on the ship. That said; and I suspect on a TA you will definitely have an older crowd. The only thing I miss about NCL is The Waterfront. Princess ships don't have such a thing.

I have a question: was there any restriction on your using your Premier package when in port in NYC or in Boston? (I know about Canada and their limit on open bars).

Well, that puts a damper on day one on my NE cruise out of Brooklyn in October. Wonder what happens when we are docked in Boston?

Thank you so much for this review. Always love reading your posts!

That's why cruising is pretty great: the options. Me? I don't like the long, drawn-out time it takes in the MDR or specialty restaurants. Plus, I'm a picky eater. The buffet is best for me. There are more non-meat and plant-based selections to be found at the buffet...and it's way faster. I'm back at the bar or doing other things that much sooner.

I was on the 10-day med cruise prior to dry dock in early September 2024. As mentioned in other threads, given some people's reviews, I was expecting things not working and stuff falling from the ceilings. Nope, that didn't happen. It was (and assuming still is) a clean, well-run ship. We had a great time.

As others will invariably tell you, with the exception video poker, there's nothing you need to know prior to playing the machines: put in money, press button, lose money. Pretty simple...yet I still do it!

Please post the link to the video. That said, it's likely click bait on their part. Me? I'm a convert to Princess from NCL for many of the reasons mentioned moments ago by @memoak. In summary, Princess is my choice b/c fewer kids, value-based drink package, International Cafe, good buffet, many pools, fun and engaged cruise director staff, and good gambling comps.

On the matter of having a travel agent group on board getting their Princess certification or something with 'classes' during the day. For me, I would welcome it. They're fun. On the Enchanted Princess last April there was such a group. About the same size. What a blast! Way more lively and fun than the usual cruise crowd! I wish I had access to some information on when these things happen as I'd likely sign-up for that cruise.