arizonaperson

@KarmaCruisers 2+ hour commute one way? That’s a rough one. You deserve a cruise vacation for that reason only. I just read somewhere( so it must be true🤣) that Americans don’t take enough vacation days from their job and also feel that they don’t deserve it ,compared to other countries.

@remydiva. Here are a few photos of drink menus, but the price may not be correct ,but at least you get the gist of the menu. Of course it probably varies from ship to ship.

@latebuyer on Princess I tend to choose mid ship or aft . I had a forward cabin once and did not like it at all, but that’s why there’s cabins in every category and every deck to choose from, all up to you. Not sure if it’s like real estate . location, location, location. But forward cabins are not my favorite at all. Only way to decide -is to try what’s comfortable for you.

@KarmaCruisers hang in there,enjoy your cruises and ….. about your “ family life” Life goes on,cruise on,enjoy life whatever that is for you.

@KarmaCruisers looking forward to your Live. I followed along on your last one.

Nice job on platinum status. you should get a card in your state room with all the information of location, time, and the menu for the week. If you don’t -ask your cabin attendant for that piece of information.The only night that it is not held is when the captain circle party is happening. Sometimes it’s held in skywalkers and the hours vary ship to ship, but you may want to check and see if anybody’s got a live from the Sapphire or a review of the Sapphire ,maybe they’ll mention the venue or hours. If you don’t have a drink package and you drink alcohol, I believe there might be certain drinks that you can get for cheaper as a special at the platinum, elite, and suite lounge, Also some nice ( my opinion) appetizers which are complimentary.

@Seafan22 I believe these are the sodas available on most Princess ships.

I believe OP is on Royal Princess October 2024,round trip from Australia on a 13 day S. Pacific itinerary. So hopefully he got the correct information that he was seeking for the plus package? But maybe he just wanted the plus drink package? I know Princess doesn’t make their package names user friendly,too many of the same/ similar names for different products.

I’m not sure anyone knows with the new launch of dining reservations that was suppose to launch today -all the ins & outs. Time will tell if you need to be paid in full or if priority is given for Elites,etc. I’m sure we will all learn as the app/ computer rolls out for the “ new” program. Just keep trying to make reservations ,even if your cruise is not until 2025

I would say tips are not expected and honestly, I don’t think it matters how the musicians are hired -not really what I need to know as a passenger on a cruise ship . I love live music…. At the moment, Princess does not have anything in place for the musicians for passengers to tip. Thank goodness in my opinion. How many of us on a cruise ship carry around cash ? Usually all that goes in the safe until I get to port and even then it’s minimal cash carried. Entertainment is part of your cruise fare.

Great answers & photos .Basically it should already be set up in your cabin when you board, but you can always swap things out just like most people say ,just ask your cabin steward or room service. You should receive 10 alcoholic items ( 2 beers,2 gin, 2 vodka,2 VS, 2 whiskey or brandy)and 10 non-alcoholic items (2 tonic water,2 bottles of water, 2 bottles of Perrier, 2 Diet Coke or regular or a mix, 2 sprites) for a total of 20 items. If you don’t like a certain alcohol, you can swap it -one for one for something else. If you don’t drink alcohol at all, you can swap it out to something nonalcoholic that you like. And if you get Sprite and not Diet Coke, you can swap that out. Just ask if you prefer something different. All brands subject to change,but this is something for you to go on so you can compare when you get your set up. You say that you’re on the Sky Princess ,I believe there’s a concierge lounge ,you can always check with them as well.

@Torfamm such good news. But Princess could make it a little bit easier to communicate if you would be getting one or you wouldn’t be, but so glad that it worked out for you & your family and perhaps a semi live or live thread you could start? Have a wonderful cruise

@mattR I know not what you were asking ,but are you sure all 12 people want to dine at the same time every single night? And I do believe I saw on one of the LIVE From’s in the patter/newsletter on embarkation day there was, someone to see in one of the dining rooms ,but I don’t remember what ship that was or when I saw it, but it was recently . Perhaps like others have said just wing it the first night and see if you can be accommodated for all the rest of the nights or call the dine line and try to speak to someone. I just find it hard to believe that everybody would agree on dining at the same time all together ,every night . I know -that would be a lot of opinions and perhaps maybe you have a long excursion day and you’re tired and you want a nap and you don’t want to eat with the rest of the group. That basically takes away dining space for somebody else potentially if you reserve and don’t show up. What if 4 of you you want to go to specialty dining & the rest of the group wants to go to the dining room or if 6 want to just grab a snack from the buffet and not do main dining room dinner? Or maybe somebody wants to catch the production show ,the comedian,the magician,or the marriage show and your dining time is not good for them? So many choices for a group of 12 ,but if you can make that work ,great. Perhaps after you sail in July, you can come back to this thread and fill others in what actually happened. Because other people do tend to ask how this works for large groups, might be helpful for the future.

@Malcolm142 probably google is the best way. Princess cruises drink menu. Here is a few I have. Each ship has different bars,so at least you will get an idea of pricing to decide on a package. If you drink specialty coffee or soda make sure you include that as well.

@Torfamm hope your crib situation works out well for you today.Happy cruise.

This is from a Live from The Sun Princess June 2024 @Drdarkknight We had purchased the shuttle tickets from Princess for $8.95 to ride in and out of town all day. It ran efficiently. The buses were easy to find and we were on in no time. It was a very quick drive and we were dropped off at the Old Port. It was a quick walk from there into Mykonos. We spent most of the day just wandering the various streets and shops. Everything was so cute. Last time I was in Mykonos I stayed in Kalafati and was mostly just in town for dinner and nightclubs (and getting attacked by a pelican but that’s a story for another day) so this was a great way to see a different side of it. There were also lots of cats. Compared to yesterday it felt a lot cooler and we definitely took a couple beer breaks to try their local Greek beer, Mythos. I made the comment that I was starting to enjoy exploring independently more than excursions, mostly because I appreciate the freedom. We had a late lunch around 2:30pm at Katerina’s, an iconic spot - and well deserved reputation. My husband and I split the fried cheese, feta and pepper stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari and it was fresh and delicious. Several of my family members got the mussels and raved about them, which is saying something because we’re from the east coast of Canada and our mussels are the best. Half the group also split two bottles of wine. We chose two different bottles so we could try two different indigenous grapes. We wandered awhile more after this, including up to the famous windmills. We finished our day in Mykonos with a (very expensive) cocktail at Semeli Bar. Then it was just a matter of walking back to the shuttle bus. We were back onboard the Sun Princess by 6:30pm

@Tranquility Baseunless you plan on getting back to the airport -that’s where transfers happen on the day that your cruise departs. So if you’re flying in three days early and you’re not near the airport, you should just probably get your own transportation from the airport to wherever you’re staying ( hotel?)and then from wherever you’re staying to the port. Unless you have a Princess hotel package booked then different scenario.

@NavyVeteran great perspective. I was giving answer to author/ op and nothing was mentioned about mobility, so did not include that information. But totally respect your answer as well. And usually if you take a taxi/Lyft/Uber they drop you off right where the porters are to collect your large luggage and so therefore you would only need to, tell/ask one of those porters to hopefully get a wheelchair for your wife,but again for your situation Princess transfer has worked the best for you.

There should be a Princess representative in the baggage area when you claim your luggage. They will tell you exactly what to do. It is advised to not put your Princess luggage tags on until you collect your baggage from carousel. Sometimes the representatives take your luggage for you and some tell you ,you need to walk it out to the bus and they’ll put it underneath the bus or some have box trucks that the luggage goes in ,but the representative will be able to tell you exactly what to do. Of course, always keep your hand luggage with you ,with all your important “stuff “, change of clothes anything you may want access to before you actually get your luggage in your cabin ,and medicine. I know this is not what you asked, but I find that it’s easier and better for me to take a taxi, Lyft, or Uber to my destination, especially if you have two or more people. Most buses hold 40 to 50 people and they try to fill the bus as much as they can before they leave -so sometimes it’s a long wait ,sometimes it’s not .The ship transfer in my opinion is just too chaotic and much more personal service with a taxi, etc. I’ve done the cruise ship transfer and public transportation, and almost always “public “Transportation wins for me.

Thanks @geoherb. They ( crew members) just thought Halifax and Charleston was the place to be -to end their own contract and they never rejoined the ship, got it .thanks for the verification.

@geoherb. I have enjoyed following along on your voyage. when you say 2 crew members jumped ship, you mean like physically jumped in the water or just never came back on board in both of those ports? I know you don’t have first hand knowledge, but inquiring minds…. and wow, either way, if it is true ,very sad.

@5onadime what date are you looking to cruise? I am assuming after September 14,2024 ? Here is what is on the Princess news website. Our guests have been delighted with the dining flexibility aboard Sun Princess and we’re pleased to extend the concept to all the other ships in our fleet,” said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises vice president of food and beverage. “Now whether guests prefer an early seating every evening, or change things up every night, or even change their mind, these flexible dining options ensure that their dining preference is effortlessly accommodated.” Starting on April 15, 2024, the new approach will launch on Princess voyages departing September 14, 2024 and beyond. To support these changes and the transition to the new system, main dining reservations that already have been made for voyages sailing September 14 and beyond for any ship except Sun Princess will be cancelled. Main dining reservations for guests sailing through September 13 will not be affected. Starting June 17, booked guests will be able to use the app ahead of their voyage to opt for traditional seating in a dedicated dining room with the same waiter, same table and same time each night, or flexible dining, allowing them to enjoy dinner at any available time and table size of their choosing in either the Reservable or Open Seating dining rooms. This change does not affect guests booked in specialty dining restaurants or suite or reserve collection accommodations, who enjoy a dedicated dining room on Princess ships, where no reservations are required.

Here is what they look like. Available in the gelateria,coffee and cones, or swirls depending on what ship you are on.Cakes at International cafe.

Check out the Bordeaux dining room on deck 5 mid ship, that is the one that is probably open on embarkation day from noon till about 1:30 approximately. @geoherb describes in one of their very first posts(#6 )that they went there on embarkation day.

@sunnielang37 AK beer tasting sounds good, I did not know that was available. Grapevine wine tasting -I participated once for a fee-$ & once as Elite for free. Both times it was just okay. If you didn’t just go bar to bar or lounge to lounge etc & it was a true fee ($)tasting then no it would not count as your plus/ premier package drink limit. Why not use your package and do your own tasting of wine or beer? I think you would potentially be able to try better wines. I don’t know anything about AK beers,onboard only in AK? Or on all Princess ships? I have sampled AK beers, just not on a ship. Have fun.