Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[robgvic]

I don't think you will be missed smee. It will be your loss and not princess's or its passengers

[butternut1]

No it certainly was not our first cruise, but it will be our last on Princess..:eek:

Sorry to hear that you are upset with Princess. I have a feeling that it's more than just the gratuity on the drinks that is bothering you. I believe that you mentioned that you sent your complaints to Princess. Maybe they will be able to take care of whatever complaints you may have with them. I can tell you that there were a couple of things that I experienced on our last cruise a couple of weeks ago that I wasn't completely happy with and I have brought these things up to Princess as well. Sometimes they aren't aware of problem areas until we bring it to their attention. I'm sure that there will always be something that one doesn't agree with or questions on any cruiseline. Even though as I mentioned that we had a couple of issues, I absolutely love Princess and will continue booking cruises with them. I have faith that the issues that my husband and I have will be addressed and IF they can be changed, they will do so. I do hope that the problems you encountered will be addressed and answered to your satisfaction.

[mfk68]

We have just returned from two weeks around the Caribbean on Sea Princess, I do have several issues with Princess which are the subject of a letter of complaint that they will receive tomorrow.

But be aware that every time you buy a drink, coffee, beer, soda ect., on top of the already inflated price you are charged an extra 15%...:eek:

That is not a secret, its widely known and widely publicized. It is an industry standard tip on services rendered. Maybe you shouldn't be cruising if you can't afford or are not willing to pay the gratuities.

[NJRonbo]

I don't understand the complaint either.

 

Every cruise line adds gratuities for the reasons explained above.

 

Heck, when I eat out, I find some restaurants add a 15% gratuity when they present the bill to you.

[Ima Cruiser]

Don't know if it's a secret, but you can bring on one bottle of wine per person in any port. We bought wine in Barcelona, Cinque Terre, Mykanos and Sorrento to drink in our room. If you take it to the restaurants you are charged a $15 per bottle corkage fee. We actually bought limoncello in Sorrento and no one even checked the bags to see what we were bringing on. It was great sitting on the deck at night with our wine!

 

 

Well actually each passenger is allowed 2 bottles per port and at embarkation - it doesn't matter what size either. We had 3 in our party for the 2010 new Year's cruise and were able to bring 6 of the 1.5 liter bottles in our carry on. Whoo hoo! Also, one of the parties did not always go ashore and we would pick up extra wine for him as well. No issues with that.

 

One of the lesser known secrets is that the ships have x-ray machines on them in sick bay. And if you have a disabled traveler who occasionally needs a wheelchair the ship is usually able to accommodate that request. And if your disabled passenger finds themselves up on Lido by themselves over lunch the deck staff will be happy to fetch lunch for them if they ask. Nice :)

 

Another thing - if you want a larger cabin, book a handicapped one. You may get bumped up to another higher category one but you will end up with a much larger stateroom if you don't.

[Ima Cruiser]

My hint from my experience on the Coral Princess...don't try to get into Anytime Dining between 6 and 7:30 without expecting a long wait. They gave out pagers and even, several nights, ran out of pagers.

 

Best time is about 7:45 to walk in without waiting.

 

 

You can make reservations for ATD - just call the dining desk in the morning and let them know what time & how many people. Works like charm!

[Bebet]

Another thing - if you want a larger cabin, book a handicapped one. You may get bumped up to another higher category one but you will end up with a much larger stateroom if you don't.

 

Why would you do this? There are only a limited amount of handicapped rooms on the ship, if you really need one, don't book it. How selfish can you get.

[Ima Cruiser]

BoPippy-is the store you bought your beer within walking distance? Also, does it sell wine? If so, what's the name? Would like to find a place for our September cruise.

 

In Ft Lauderdale the Embassy suites has a Winn Dixie and wine store just across the street. There is also a little hole in the wall raw bar too - yummy!

 

Another tip, not really a secret is that the Purex laundry sheets are great for traveling with. Nothing to spill in the suitcases.

[Ima Cruiser]

Another thing - if you want a larger cabin, book a handicapped one. You may get bumped up to another higher category one but you will end up with a much larger stateroom if you don't.

 

Why would you do this? There are only a limited amount of handicapped rooms on the ship, if you really need one, don't book it. How selfish can you get.

 

They will bump you if a disabled person needs the room - durr! If not, you end up with a nice big cabin

[Smee]

I don't think you will be missed smee. It will be your loss and not princess's or its passengers

 

My complaint about the drinks prices is only one of eight complaints I have sent a letter to Princess about.

Two of them are far more irritating and other cruise lines do much better. When I have a reply from Princess I will publish the content of my letter and of course their answers....:cool:

[robgvic]

Why don't you tell us your other complaints now?

[UandMe4Ever]

We have just returned from two weeks around the Caribbean on Sea Princess, I do have several issues with Princess which are the subject of a letter of complaint that they will receive tomorrow.

But be aware that every time you buy a drink, coffee, beer, soda ect., on top of the already inflated price you are charged an extra 15%...:eek:

 

Hi, This is the same tipping procedure on EVERY CRUISE LINE~ A 15% tip is added to the price of the drink, even soda! Just budget accordingly. No need for an extra tip....unless you are sitting at a bar and like your bartender!

 

JMHO

 

Safe sails

[Ima Cruiser]

My complaint about the drinks prices is only one of eight complaints I have sent a letter to Princess about.

Two of them are far more irritating and other cruise lines do much better. When I have a reply from Princess I will publish the content of my letter and of course their answers....:cool:

 

 

Why is this on the Princess secrets board ????

 

Their policy about tipping is no secret - in line with other operations you know.

[Smee]

It would not be right to list all my complaints until Princess have had a chance of reply............:cool:

[L38]

complaining about tipping. Stick to the thread. People on ships work damned hard and in the scale of things tips are the least of the cost. If you don't like it don't cruise. As for European customs not tipping.. rubbish. Myself and my family have always tipped and everyone I know... its called appreciation and its polite. Back to secrets please... loving this thread. ;)

[wrxrob]

If you want to win at the casino game "Flip It", accidentally bump into the machine before you sit down. I saw some old guy keep kicking and banging this machine causing an avalanche of quarters to come crashing down.

 

Flip it is the game where you insert coins that "flip" into the air, and land in area where mechanical pushers push the coins until they fall, or continue to stack up.

 

I was glad to see these machines on the Crown Princess as they have been absent from Las Vegas casinos for several years now.

[robgvic]

Sounds like you are jsut trying to cause problems here then , Smee

[Ima Cruiser]

If you want to win at the casino game "Flip It", accidentally bump into the machine before you sit down. I saw some old guy keep kicking and banging this machine causing an avalanche of quarters to come crashing down.

 

Flip it is the game where you insert coins that "flip" into the air, and land in area where mechanical pushers push the coins until they fall, or continue to stack up.

 

I was glad to see these machines on the Crown Princess as they have been absent from Las Vegas casinos for several years now.

 

 

I just wait for a rough sea day and meander on down to see if anything falls out.....

[5326jan]

If you want to win at the casino game "Flip It", accidentally bump into the machine before you sit down. I saw some old guy keep kicking and banging this machine causing an avalanche of quarters to come crashing down.

 

Flip it is the game where you insert coins that "flip" into the air, and land in area where mechanical pushers push the coins until they fall, or continue to stack up.

 

I was glad to see these machines on the Crown Princess as they have been absent from Las Vegas casinos for several years now.

 

Somehow, I get the feeling that this practice is not fully endorsed by the management!:rolleyes:

[gardenbaskets]

Every cruise except the first we've carried wine on board. At least 3 or 4 bottles. We've carried it in the luggage bubble wrapped if flying direct in or even in a paper bag from the liquor store when we've spent overnights first. The steward brings an ice bucket, glasses and uncorks the wine before sailing and then we have a party on our deck toasting at sail away. Most nights we also have a glass prior to dinner. There is a corkage fee to take it to dinner with you. Buying their wine is probably nearly the same price. (depending on your tastes)... Regardless, I won't pay for them to pour my wine in the dining room.

 

 

I'm a little confused. Everywhere on this board I read that bringing wine on board is permissible and even states this in the cruise contract. I know other lines don't allow it but in all my research as a Princess newbie I've read that you can bring wine, champagne, soda/pop, or water on board, per Princess. I don't want to start a big debate about that here, just looking for soemone to confirmthis, as there are now 2 posts by seperate posters joking about "who would ever bring wine onboard?"

 

Just want to clear it up for us newbs - also it might be considered a tip/secret to some! :)

[mfk68]

If you want to win at the casino game "Flip It", accidentally bump into the machine before you sit down. I saw some old guy keep kicking and banging this machine causing an avalanche of quarters to come crashing down.

 

Flip it is the game where you insert coins that "flip" into the air, and land in area where mechanical pushers push the coins until they fall, or continue to stack up.

 

I was glad to see these machines on the Crown Princess as they have been absent from Las Vegas casinos for several years now.

Hmmmm, it sounds more like cheating to me than a secret, but then again, most people who cheat tend to keep it a secret.

[lljpaisley]

And also if you leave it on all night with the sound turned off or down real low, you will know when it is morning and not have to wonder if it is time to get up.

Oh this is a really good one - we always stay in an inside cabin to save a little money. We bought a digital clock that projects onto the ceiling so we can tell what time it is without getting out of bed.

[Iamcruzin]

Those stuffed olives were to die for!:D

I know,and they taste even better with a Grey Goose Martini.

[coops]

This topic is Princess secrets, not complaining about your cruise experience. Please keep to the op topic. Thank you,

Dawn

[Katecat]

Thanks for everyone's contribution...I just wished that I had a tip to share with all...but they have been covered. Always looking for more.

Karen