Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[Iamcruzin]

How did Princess secrets end up on the tipping issue again. Perhaps it is time for this topic to be removed

You're right. We should move on to other topics like the secrets of getting around the dress code.....Only kidding:D. Tomorrow this thread will be a year old. I can't believe it's still so active.

[gracie65]

How did Princess secrets end up on the tipping issue again. Perhaps it is time for this topic to be removed

 

 

Agreed, getting way off topic!!

[dfields1814]

Regarding the Comment Card. On our last cruise my grandson was in the Pelicans. He had a great time At the end of the cruise my daughter gave the Pelican staff a very nice cash tip and showed them her glowing comment card. My daughter said that they seemed to be more interested with the comment card than the cash. This is not to imply they were not happy with the tip. But rather that comment card is a big deal to the staff.

[betterthanworking]

I always take the auto tips off. I only tip the Waiter, busboy and cabin steward. I do not believe the head waiter or the maitre d should get a tip for supervising. We also tip room service.

 

\I hope you realize that for every dollar you give him he will only get to keep about 30 cents! When he only makes less than $100 per month he should be rewarded properly unless he is totally incompetent.

[Scotoco]

\I hope you realize that for every dollar you give him he will only get to keep about 30 cents! When he only makes less than $100 per month he should be rewarded properly unless he is totally incompetent.

 

What if I give it to him as a gift than I tip (say Christmas). I can just say I waived my tips but I gave them christmas cards with money inside. Could something like that work. I just hate seeing those employees who make a lot more than stewards/wait staff get a tip. Why does a maitre d deserve a tip anyways. They make good money.

[floridarob]

That would be like asking why does the conductor of an orchestra get paid, he just moves a stick around and the musicians do the work.

 

His salary is also dependent upon tips and it's his MANY years of experience that gives you the result that you see, he and the head waiters are the ring masters and trainers of these people that would otherwise MAYBE be capable of working in a fast food place.

 

Believe me, I've experienced seeing the newbies work in the crew mess and what goes on behind the scenes until they move up to the buffet and finally to the main dining room. The percentage split on the gratuity is so minor for them but they make it in volume... there are so many untipped positions on a ship, I kind of wish they had a way to be included, they help in the final experience....and I know everyone says just pay a decent wage and increase the price of the cruise, yeah right..... that's why Wal Mart does so well right, they charge more than the mom & pop stores:rolleyes:

[robgvic]

Curious to now hw you got to see their work in the crew messes, Florida rob. Did you work for Princess?

[5326jan]

What if I give it to him as a gift than I tip (say Christmas). I can just say I waived my tips but I gave them christmas cards with money inside. Could something like that work. I just hate seeing those employees who make a lot more than stewards/wait staff get a tip. Why does a maitre d deserve a tip anyways. They make good money.

 

If you've ever been seated at a bad table, the Maitre d' is the "go to" guy that can make your life tolerable again. He works very hard to maintain the waitstaff's ability to do their job well. Any dining room that functions well, probably has a great Maitre d'! Don't discount their importance~

[floridarob]

Curious to now hw you got to see their work in the crew messes, Florida rob. Did you work for Princess?

 

 

Yes I did, there is a lot of good information here, some posters in particular give spot on advice, while others just speculate....if you are into cruising, I'd recommend trying to work onboard for at least 1 contract.... and if you are one of the petty complainers, I'd challenge you to give a try ;)

[mrspaper]

DH and I are one of those people who always tip the head waiter and maitre 'd. We find they remember us from cruise to cruise and our service is always impeccable, not to mention the special dishes they bring out night after night.

[compozer]

Curious to now hw you got to see their work in the crew messes, Florida rob. Did you work for Princess?

 

On the Ship's Tour

[betterthanworking]

What if I give it to him as a gift than I tip (say Christmas). I can just say I waived my tips but I gave them christmas cards with money inside. Could something like that work. I just hate seeing those employees who make a lot more than stewards/wait staff get a tip. Why does a maitre d deserve a tip anyways. They make good money.

 

Same thing. He/She is obligated to turn it in to the pool. Just leave your aotip on and tip extra to those who deserve it. $10.50 per day is not even 15% if you put the value of just the food service down on paper.

[gracie65]

Okay everyone, the topic of this thread is supposed to be about Princess Secrets they don't' tell you about.

The OP was very considerate to start this thread and I have truly enjoyed reading since it started. Also thanks so much to all of you who have shared wonderful secrets along the way, they have been so helpful.

The last several pages have gotten totally off topic with the tipping subject. Would those of you wishing to talk more on the subject please start a thread with tipping do's and don't or something? It is just making this thread way too crowded for those that have never sailed Princess and are interested in learning about the secrets.

 

Thanks!!

[gracie65]

This list was posted much earlier on this thread which I saved for future reference. H2ere it is again to refresh everyone's memory. I apologize in advance to the poster who originally gathered all the information. I missed saving who it was but thank-you very much!!!

 

GRAND PRINCESS TIPS

 

• Check out the Sanctuary $ (search the boards for description using the word Sanctuary) but you have to get there as soon as you get on board if you want to reserve for the entire cruise.
  
• Also Chef's Table is fantastic ($75 per person) but it includes all wine, food, a cookbook, a photo, and a rose for the ladies. I have done it twice and once on the Ruby, and it was the highlight of the cruise. You have to call the DINE line and ask to be put on the list, and there is no guarantee you will get it
  
• Ask your travel Agent to fax a request for the egg crates for bed tell them you want a top sheet as well, as I don't like the duvet cover without the top sheet.
  
• I always ask for a terrycloth robe and usually get it
  
• Most of the evening entertainment is focused on Deck 7, Promenade, with the Princess theater, Crooner's piano bar, Wheelhouse, Explorer's and Club Fusion. But, the entertainment on Deck5 in the Piazza also offers an alternative. For a really lovely place to have a pre-dinner or sunset watching cocktail, try the little area outside (aft) of Adagio. Also, Skywalker's offers incredible views if you prefer to be indoors.
  
• The International Cafe on Deck 5 is not the only place that you can use the coffee card. Use it in the dining rooms for espresso based coffees, and also on a few of the bars on Lido deck for same and brewed coffee. If you ask at one bar and they don't have same, they can tell which ones do.
  
• In the morning, you can get waffles at the pizza stand.
  
• Princess makes lovely ice cream and sorbets, which are on the luncheon and dinner menus. My favorites are the pink grapefruit and honeydew sorbets. They also make lovely soufflés.
  If you want a breakfast (or for us hot tea) delivery before the times that are listed on the order card, just write in the time you want delivery. It will arrive on time, or most likely a few minutes early.
  
• Most importantly, don't disembark without a couple of future cruise credits.
  Have a wonderful cruise!
  
• On our last cruise on the Grand we learned that you can have escargot anytime but you need to let the dining room know 24 hours in advance.
  
• That's true for most dishes. I know we missed crab legs as they were the same night as our chef's table. So the maitre D took the order for us for the next night.
  
• I don't know about the bigger ships, but the small ships have ice cream at the buffet from 3:30 to 4:30 each afternoon
  
• If the ship has "Scoops" or an Ice Cream Bar on the Lido Deck, the ice cream there is now free and they have discontinued the free ice cream at the buffet. Thankfully, I was able to get free chocolate or vanilla hard ice cream at Scoops since I didn't care for the soft-serve. If you don’t like the cones, bring a small, empty dish from the buffet and tell them you have a wheat allergy. They'll put the ice cream in the dish.
  
• At dinner, you can ask to see the menu for the next night, if you don't like what is on the menu you can ask for something different and they will make it for you, they are very accommodating. I also ask for fresh berries for dessert and they are usually very obliging.
  
• Many people think that the salads, sandwiches, and pastry in the International Cafe cost extra, but they are free!
  
• You can order a complementary plate of assorted stuffed olives at the martini bar.
  
• If you bring wine onboard you can pick up wine glasses at any bar or just leave your room steward a note to always leave clean glasses in your room.
  
• If you pre purchase internet minutes before you leave you will get free minutes based on the package you pick.
  
• If you are staying in an interior stateroom leave the TV on the bridge cam channel it will give the illusion of a window and if you leave it on all night it will serve as a night light.
  
• On all the cruises we've been on, we have asked for Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice in the MDR at breakfast, and there was no charge.
  Much better than the frozen concentrate
  
• This no longer exists. They now charge for fresh squeezed. Sorry!
  
• Cookies and milk about 3pm.
  
• Onion soup is available every night
  
• I use room service as my wake-up call. I hang the request on my door before I go to bed, they knock on my door at the time I request and they have coffee and pastries for me.
  
• Yes they have pineapple juice
  

`` I have requested it on the card you fill in for room service breakfast. It isn't one of the choices on the card. Sometimes I get it and sometimes not.

• Yes, you can bring wine, soda and water on board with no problem....enjoy
  
• volcano dessert, available on children's menu basically a huge banana split – yum
  
• - books in the library are free to borrow, as long as you return them before you get off
  

And has anyone mentioned that if you've finished with your own book, there is a little cupboard in the library for 'passenger exchange'? This is open even when the rest of the library shelves are locked and - particularly at the beginning and the end of the cruise - you can find an interesting selection of those paperbacks which people have read and don't want to carry home.

• - popcorn during muts(MUSIC UNDER THE STARS)
  
• - always ask for what you want, the staff try to accommodate to the best of their abilities
  
• I bring packets of Crystal Light [so light to carry] and mix it with water and ice from the buffet and, I'm all set with my drink.
  

You can bring an insulated mug [also very light] and use that to put your ice tea or your soda in. We also bring cans of caffeine-free diet coke.

• One of the dining rooms will be open for lunch on embarkation day although you are usually directed to the buffet. We think the dining room is a better experience and starts the cruse off perfectly.
  
• No one has yet mentioned what we thought was a Big Secret! Our TV on the last 2 cruises wouldn't shut off so called pursers desk. They talked us through how to unplug it, leave it alone for a minute and then replug! Now that in itself was great but, when you open the little door under the TV for the plug, well, there are extra outlets not being used! This was great when the shortage of outlets to recharge everything we needed to recharge was a problem! Not any more.
  
• sit at a slot machine and insert your cruise card (which is also your cabin key) and ask for money from your account to be loaded to the slot machine. The charge that will appear on your account is the amount you asked for with no service fee added. If you go to cashier a 3% fee will be charged. When you are finished at the slot machine, be sure to upload any remaining money to your cruise card (actually, it is to a ship's computer so if you lose your card, the money is not lost -- the cruise card is the vehicle to identify yourself). Then you can bring your cruise card to the casino cashier and ask to be given cash for the money that has been uploaded.
  
• I like being able to launder my own underwear.
  
• Dumb and Dumber on some of the ships with the really good C/D's.
  
• The white pizza day.
  
• The grilled chicken on the LIDO deck at a table for two. The spa/wave pool without the wave machine going
  

· If you want to find out about when your favorite item will be on the menu, ask your waiter or headwaiter, they know and are usually very willing to tell you.

· And beer. We were told beer is not considered alcohol, go figure, and allowed to bring on board at every port. Once not even in a bag.

• When you get to your cabin and meet your steward you can request topsheets for your bed (I don't like having only a duvet over me), extra pillows, ice bucket for chilling wine of champagne, extra shampoo etc., wine glasses, and you can borrow a corkscrew if you want to ask the steward for it.
  
• Some of the first things we do after boarding, is we always request that the steward remove the soft drinks and bottled water from inside and on top of the fridge to make room for our own drinks.
  
• Also, another request right after getting to the cabin is extra hangers. Even if they don't have wooden ones, they do have plastic and metal. Easier to hang things up (evening tops, golf shirts, etc) than making piles in the closet.
  
• Unpacked suitcases usually fit fine under the bed and leave more room on the floor of the closet for shoes. Another stop we make is a trip to the PSD and have them make a hole in our card which we hang on lanyards. Finally, whenever we fly to or from a destination to board the ship, we always include a weight hook to make sure we're not over whatever the allowance is when we check in.
  
• Under your bed is there is stored more bedding - only found it prior to disembarkation when checking that we hadn't left anything behind. Would have been useful as we did feel a bit chilly at night going through the fjords.
  
• You can get cocktails for $2.99 in all the bars after 8.00pm - limited range but includes Pina Colada and Long Island Ice Tea. PC in the Crooners bar was good as it was frozen.
  
• Get your coffee card on the 1st day - this entitles you to 15 coffees but also unlimited pots of tea and I think hot chocolate. You can sit in the peaceful surroundings of the International Cafe -get proper tea in a nice pot and save your coffee for when you really need it.
  
• You get a lovely hot and tasty cup of tea in the dining room at afternoon tea - the only good tea we got on the ship!!
  
• There is another electrical point under the bed. If you forget your adaptor as we did, you can get one from your room steward but this is hit and miss. We forgot ours but Steward told us he wasn't able to get one for us - other passengers managed to get one though.
  

[charlielinda]

Thank your reminding everyone and thanks for the list!

[robgvic]

Than you gracie65 for getting us back on topic. Let's hope it stays that way

[BJAMINGIRL]

If you are looking for the Skywalkers for the great view on the Grand Princess...you will be looking a long time. They removed it:eek:

 

I loved the Sky Walker, but looking forward to seeing the changes in November

[IECalCruiser]

gracie65, Since I was one of the off topic posts on this thread I thought I should correct some of the information on the list you posted.

 

GRAND PRINCESS TIPS

 

• Also Chef's Table is fantastic ($75 per person) but it includes all wine, food, a cookbook, a photo, and a rose for the ladies. I have done it twice and once on the Ruby, and it was the highlight of the cruise. You have to call the DINE line and ask to be put on the list, and there is no guarantee you will get it Cost has increased to $95 per person
  
• Most of the evening entertainment is focused on Deck 7, Promenade, with the Princess theater, Crooner's piano bar, Wheelhouse, Explorer's and Club Fusion. But, the entertainment on Deck5 in the Piazza also offers an alternative. For a really lovely place to have a pre-dinner or sunset watching cocktail, try the little area outside (aft) of Adagio. (Adagio Bar only on Crown, Emerald and Ruby) Also, Skywalker's offers incredible views if you prefer to be indoors.
  
• In the morning, you can get waffles at the pizza stand. Waffles are actually available at the ice cream stand, not the pizza stand. However, on the Crown, Emerald and Ruby the pizza and ice cream stand have been combined at one location.
  
• Princess makes lovely ice cream and sorbets, which are on the luncheon and dinner menus. My favorites are the pink grapefruit and honeydew sorbets. They also make lovely soufflés. A strong second for the quality of the fresh ice creams and sorbets, soufflés and crème brûlées in the Dining Rooms.
  
• I don't know about the bigger ships, but the small ships have ice cream at the buffet from 3:30 to 4:30 each afternoon To the best of my knowledge, only the Ocean and the Pacific still have ice cream at the buffet in the afternoon
  

• No one has yet mentioned what we thought was a Big Secret! Our TV on the last 2 cruises wouldn't shut off so called pursers desk. They talked us through how to unplug it, leave it alone for a minute and then replug! Now that in itself was great but, when you open the little door under the TV for the plug, well, there are extra outlets not being used! This was great when the shortage of outlets to recharge everything we needed to recharge was a problem! Not any more. I don't know what door is being referred to. There is an outlet behind the TV with one space free.
  
  

· And beer. We were told beer is not considered alcohol, go figure, and allowed to bring on board at every port. Once not even in a bag. This can vary by ship

• You can get cocktails for $2.99 in all the bars after 8.00pm - limited range but includes Pina Colada and Long Island Ice Tea. PC in the Crooners bar was good as it was frozen. Cost has increased to $3.99.
  
• There is another electrical point under the bed. If you forget your adaptor as we did, you can get one from your room steward but this is hit and miss. We forgot ours but Steward told us he wasn't able to get one for us - other passengers managed to get one though. The electrical outlet under the bed is for a 220V European schuko plug and the lamp for one of the nightstands is plugged in there.
  
  

[podemos]

I vouch for the ice creams. Most of the ice creams are super rich and thick; the nutella and straciatella are very good. I believe, however, that the "gelatos" and ice creams are the same thing as the textures were the same. The chocolate soft serve in the ice cream/pizza bar was too powdery as well. But generally the dining room ice creams are high quality. The sorbets are alright. The peach one was not good. The champagne and lime-vodka ones were great. Also, the palate cleanser they serve on the chef's dinner night is actually a delicious sorbet which can be ordered as dessert!

 

In the dining room, you can also order the very yummy iced fruit soups as drinks. They come in glasses with straws.

[gracie65]

gracie65, Since I was one of the off topic posts on this thread I thought I should correct some of the information on the list you posted.

 

GRAND PRINCESS TIPS

 

• Also Chef's Table is fantastic ($75 per person) but it includes all wine, food, a cookbook, a photo, and a rose for the ladies. I have done it twice and once on the Ruby, and it was the highlight of the cruise. You have to call the DINE line and ask to be put on the list, and there is no guarantee you will get it Cost has increased to $95 per person
  
• Most of the evening entertainment is focused on Deck 7, Promenade, with the Princess theater, Crooner's piano bar, Wheelhouse, Explorer's and Club Fusion. But, the entertainment on Deck5 in the Piazza also offers an alternative. For a really lovely place to have a pre-dinner or sunset watching cocktail, try the little area outside (aft) of Adagio. (Adagio Bar only on Crown, Emerald and Ruby) Also, Skywalker's offers incredible views if you prefer to be indoors.
  
• In the morning, you can get waffles at the pizza stand. Waffles are actually available at the ice cream stand, not the pizza stand. However, on the Crown, Emerald and Ruby the pizza and ice cream stand have been combined at one location.
  
• Princess makes lovely ice cream and sorbets, which are on the luncheon and dinner menus. My favorites are the pink grapefruit and honeydew sorbets. They also make lovely soufflés. A strong second for the quality of the fresh ice creams and sorbets, soufflés and crème brûlées in the Dining Rooms.
  
• I don't know about the bigger ships, but the small ships have ice cream at the buffet from 3:30 to 4:30 each afternoon To the best of my knowledge, only the Ocean and the Pacific still have ice cream at the buffet in the afternoon
  

• No one has yet mentioned what we thought was a Big Secret! Our TV on the last 2 cruises wouldn't shut off so called pursers desk. They talked us through how to unplug it, leave it alone for a minute and then replug! Now that in itself was great but, when you open the little door under the TV for the plug, well, there are extra outlets not being used! This was great when the shortage of outlets to recharge everything we needed to recharge was a problem! Not any more. I don't know what door is being referred to. There is an outlet behind the TV with one space free.
  
  

· And beer. We were told beer is not considered alcohol, go figure, and allowed to bring on board at every port. Once not even in a bag. This can vary by ship

• You can get cocktails for $2.99 in all the bars after 8.00pm - limited range but includes Pina Colada and Long Island Ice Tea. PC in the Crooners bar was good as it was frozen. Cost has increased to $3.99.
  
• There is another electrical point under the bed. If you forget your adaptor as we did, you can get one from your room steward but this is hit and miss. We forgot ours but Steward told us he wasn't able to get one for us - other passengers managed to get one though. The electrical outlet under the bed is for a 220V European schuko plug and the lamp for one of the nightstands is plugged in there.
  
  

 

As is stated at the beginning of the post this list was from another poster done quite some time ago. Thanks for any updates though I am sure some things may have changed since the original list several months ago.

[Smokeyham]

• If you order any extra charge drinks (soft drink, specialty coffee, wine, beer, etc.) there will be a 15% mandatory service charge added.
  

 

However, you can go to the service desk and have the 15% service charge removed for specific transactions, if you wish.

[betterthanworking]

However, you can go to the service desk and have the 15% service charge removed for specific transactions, if you wish.

 

Why would anyone do that?

[robgvic]

Looks like someone is trying to start the tipping garbage again

[megs1954]

I just got an email from Princess and it included a link to the Bon Voyage Experience on Princess Sapphire. Has this been around and I didn't know it? I can bring guests onto the ship on sail away day for up to four hours. It includes lunch and a photo and is $39 each. The money can be applied to a future cruise of the guests. If this is an old feature, it is a secret.

[robgvic]

It has been around for about a year, I think,Meg.

 

I have not used it but know friends who have used it and said it was very good.