Wishing on a star

Yes, that appears to be true. There is no mention of this Irish theme on the cruise on the Princess web-site. So, yes this appears to be a private group. I would imagine that these group events would be set up in the Vista Lounge, in the Theater, at Princess Live. That kind of thing. With people showing that that are with this group to get in. If they wanted a whole catered meal, Maybe Irish foods, maybe like the Pub Lunch, for this group, with hosts and maybe entertainmant, I could see this happening as a luncheon in one of the Dining rooms that is not open for lunch. I believe that usually one of the mid-ship main dining rooms off the Piazza is open for lunch service, for all passengers, on embarkation day and on sea days.

No, not Polka... Seems to be Irish musicians and entertainers. Check out the link somebody posted earlier. I am not sure whether this cruise is billed as an Irish Entertainment cruise for all onboard, or if most of the actual performances will be for those booked with the group only. Those with the group should be receiving some kind of schedule of events, from entertainment shows, meet and greets, etc. I certainly would not think that this will involve taking over an entire dining room for a group dinner. If this were the case, those who are booked would have the info about when and where.

That number could be an error. That should be a standard balcony cabin with the standard size balcony.

We buy very nice ground sirloin at maybe 7.99 when on sale. Wouldn't touch cheap 'hamburger'. So, while steak is incredibly expensive, at our regional chain that has butchers in all stores, this is a birght spot. I use this to make some country fried sirloin and southern gravy, and also make a nice salisbury steak and gravy. It is delicious!

Because, even though Princess doesn't usually even consider to try to seat a group of 700 people, groups like this cause very significant disruptions with the events and the venues that they do take over. Venues are often 'closed' to accomodate that group. And, any group of that size that tries to navigate around as a whole, let's say, hitting the pool deck after the mornings planned event, causes very real problems. There is a very real thing as 'group think', and 'pack mentality'. Some of us have seen this before. Believe me, if you have ever seen this, you know it. We have been to adults only, couples oriented, resorts that actually refuse to do anything to handle groups of more than eight. One night, we were dining, having a very nice meal, and a group of about 16 all trouped by, like a heard of hyenas, talking and carrying on at the top of their voices to talk over one another. The staff politely refused to be able to sit them, and then, again, as a 'group', they paraded right back past our table. Many people know to try to avoid cruises or resorts that are hosting such a huge group.

I think the Princess ice cream is history, given their new alliance with a 'celebrity' to sell their expensive ice cream. I am glad to hear of good food on the Sapphire! I believe this is one ship where somebody in charge of dining with Princess was onboard, working on improving the food. Hopefully, somebody there will master meringue. This could be a staffing thing. New person, or the experienced person is no longer onboard or (HOPE NOT!!!) quarantined.

The AFT, wakeview facing cabins have larger balconies. Aft balconies are larger, deeper, on some decks than others. The interior cabin size is the same standard cabin as others on the ship.

Sometimes I am seeing this, and sometimes I am seeing the standard bread basket. I am not sure if those rolls are warm. What have you recent cruisers seen in Crown Grill on the different ships?

No, it's the BACON.... anybody priced bacon lately!!! Hahaha!!! They actually had limited bacon on some cruise lines for a while!

Here is a video of the layout of those forward facing, unique layout mini suites. I have no experience, but I could see how that would be really neat sailing Glacier Bay! Any other sea days that have glacier viewing would be stopping at the Glacier. But, the speed while underway might be a factor when not stopping for scenic viewing. I think the layout is fine, if there are just two. But, not as much private area for a third, as the sofa is directly across from the foot of the bed. Of course, you would have the wake-view in the Aft Deluxe Balcony, for viewing while departing, and not approaching. And there would not be the metal balcony, that are necessary on front facing balconies. Decisions, Decisions!

One viking ship, please!!!!

Yes, this new chef is not really new. His entire claim to fame seems to be cruise ships. He has been with HAL cruise line, and now is just 'adopted' by Princess. I expect the same old cruise fare. ( aka: fancy plated cafeteria ) Kluv... I am glad that you enjoyed the bacon wrapped meatloaf!!! Thanks for the great photo. Food, of course, is very subjective. But, for me, meatloaf... bacon wrapped meatloaf... and the presentation. Was there an accident and all the vegetable sides got spilled all on top of each other. While I am glad it was enjoyed, and that is great!!! I just wouldn't call bacon wrapped meatloaf with mashed potatoes and basic (canned?) corn and some green beans to be finer dining. At least it was served with a decent amount of gravy/sauce. That is often where the flavor is. Nothing worse than food that is plated dry, as necessary with mass service to control drips and spills, and then kept under hot heat lamps before serving. I can remember those 'potato coquettes' that were fancy squirted mashed potatoes that were then toasted/braised under a boiler, and then kept under heat lamps. HOCKEY PUCK!!!! So, yes, that meatloaf and mashed potatoes dish is a huge mile better than that was!!!!

I am going to say it is maybe Jan. 29th. Even on large group cruises, I don't know if I have heard of them reserving a dining room for the cruise. Everybody could be free to make their own dining arrangements. Even if there are a lot of planned events. The person to ask is probably the person in charge of arranging the group.

I understand that they did, finally, over Covid, change out all the beds on Regal. We were on the Regal before Covid, and had a great cruise, but the old bed was insufferable!!! But, the thing is, these new Princess beds, if they have not changed them, they do not hold up. We had a wonderful, new, Princess Bed on Coral to Alaska. A couple years later, everyone was already complaining about them. I do not know if there is now a newer version than the original Princess Bed, or not.

Date, please....

We were on the Regal Dec. 2019. Food was good! Not outstanding, but good. The time before that, on the Regal, with a different person in charge of all food and dining, was NOT good.

I am assuming that you will be booking the room two, your son/daughter, and the person they might be sailing with. Yes, you can book the cabin, of course. The second name is not confirmed with any further information needed until closer to sailing. As mentioned, you might want to go ahead and book the room for two, so that you have another person accounted for. Cancellation, if a person is not coming, is no problem until final payment date. Also, if you are wanting to book several rooms close together, make sure that these get marked NO UPGRADE. And keep checking. As there have been some who have had Princess move their room.

It will be interesting to see about the ice cream.... Sadly, something tells me that it is gone, and the only option will no be the expensive ala-carte 'designer' ice cream that they are promoting. I will def. pass. Not interested in anything from that type of promotion.

I would look at the itineraries, and also all other factors involved. Ship. Time in ports. etc. Yes, the inside passage is a real plus. But, remember, the ship could either be going thru there at supper and dusk on embarkation, or pre-dawn on the return to Vancouver. And, there will be shortage of absolutely beautiful scenery throughout your cruise. Have you cruised Alaska before? I assume that you are looking at these itineraries because of Glacier Bay, which is always a 'must'. I know that there is one Northbound itinerary, with a long Port day at Juneau, which would allow you to also take the Adventure Bound boat tour up into Tracy Arm Fjord. So, that would get both of these highlights. This has been much discussed, and you will get a lot of thoughts and opinions. Many love the smaller older ships, many think that this route is a must. Others might have other opinions and priorities.

DiRonT, if you are still reading. Were you on a sailing on the Sapphire where Princess had some top dining officials onboard, working on upping the game on the Princess menus. That would me very much needed!

I think the difference might also be in putting in the request the day before. They probably do not make these and have them sitting ready, immediately upon request. I have never asked, as that is just not my thing. Love alfredo though! I saw a great recommendation for the veal stuffed pasta at Alfredo's. Has anyone here had that? What are the best items on the new menus at Alfredo's? I also saw that one cruiser thought the braised short-ribs at the Gastro Pub were one of the tastiest things he had onboard. (not all ships have this dining option)

This is a good thread, because it would be nice to know whether you wanted to make, and then keep, a booking for UBD. The thing is, there is a lot of Princess 'misinformation' out there. We are seeing a lot of it here in this board. On a lot of topics and questions. Whether the Ultimate Balcony Dinner is actually available onboard, or whether it is just 'dropped off'. (NOT ULTIMATE OR ROMANTIC OR ANYTHING AT ALL) could probably vary by ship, by sailing, and even by day. It has nothing to do with Covid protocols. It has everything to do with whether the ship is so understaffed that they can not spare any dining staff to deliver and serve the UBD. The number of these, per day, are limited, so it seems as if the thing to do is to go ahead and make the reservation, knowing in advance that it could be 'iffy'. Make sure you have printed out your reservation, your receipts for payment, the charge on your credit card. And, then, verify onboard with somebody who is staffing dining reservations, that this will be a fully served dinner. If not, then hit the Customer Service Desk, with all of the documentation, to be refunded. I would be afraid that if I just went to the front desk, that I might not get a real answer, as they might not know the current details on if, or how, the UBD is being offered.

You must have just won the lottery, because we haven't been able to get ours to even respond to us in MONTHS.... We know she is there... Just NO response, at all. Good luck stopping the SPAM princess planners. If I had no luck by calling Princess directly, I would be blocking numbers. The thing is, official Princess Planners often are all linked in thru the one main Princess number, with their extension. So, blocking that number will mean all calls from Princess thru that number would be blocked.

I think it all might come down to how full the sailing is, and if the ship has the available staff. If you can book it, then you can go ahead and do that, but I think your past experience shows that it isn't a real guarantee. Good Luck in getting it this time!

Do compare Princess, Big Box, and third party insurance. Especially regarding Covid, or Cancel for any reason, and other coverages.