Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[cruiseron36]

Please share your information/ instructions on how to do this. We want to know too. Thanks S.

 

Count me in too. That is way cool!! I have used my cruise card to get cash via the slot machines but I had to then go to the cashier to get the cash and it was charged to my cruise card account, but to get it free without getting charged to your account is way better.

 

Please share!!

[bhopal21]

Count me in too. That is way cool!! I have used my cruise card to get cash via the slot machines but I had to then go to the cashier to get the cash and it was charged to my cruise card account, but to get it free without getting charged to your account is way better.

 

Please share!!

 

There is no way to get money in the casino without it being charged to your onboard account unless you happen to win it.;)

 

Mike:)

[jagoffee]

There is no way to get money in the casino without it being charged to your onboard account unless you happen to win it.;)

 

Mike:)

 

Are you really sure about this comment? Are you confident that you cannot put some dollar value on your machine charging it to your cabin without the extra fees?

[bhopal21]

Are you really sure about this comment? Are you confident that you cannot put some dollar value on your machine charging it to your cabin without the extra fees?

 

Yes I am positive about that comment.

 

There are no fees involved in a slot account but it WILL be charged to your shipboard account.

 

Mike:)

[Nana G]

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 pursars 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.

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

[kymbakitty]

There is no way to get money in the casino without it being charged to your onboard account unless you happen to win it.;)

 

Mike:)

 

Yes, of course it gets charged to your shipboard account....you are not using a credit card or ATM card so where else would the money be coming from?

 

I love this though....I want points for everything I spend money on and if I can get CASH and have that show up as a "charge" (without fees attached to the transaction), I'm in 7th Heaven!!!!

 

The fee for this transaction would have been $6 or $10 (can't remember now) and it was the same whether I got $20 (seriously) or $200!

 

And the other poster was correct...it really only took him about a minute to do. And yes, the card (not mine...a card from the casino that undoubtedly had my information on it by the time he was finished) was handed to the cashier and she handed me the cash--without any fees though...that is the point of this event--not actually get CASH without it going to our shipboard account (still don't even know how that part got thrown into the mix).

 

Dawn

[bhopal21]

Count me in too. That is way cool!! I have used my cruise card to get cash via the slot machines but I had to then go to the cashier to get the cash and it was charged to my cruise card account, but to get it free without getting charged to your account is way better.

 

Please share!!

 

This poster asked how to get money without it being charged to his account.;)

 

Mike:)

[cruiseron36]

This poster asked how to get money without it being charged to his account.;)

 

Mike:)

 

An earlier poster stated that an employe showed him hown to get $200 and it didn't cost him a penny. I was asking in jest as I know it will get charged to your account but there are no transaction fees as there are when going tonthe cashier (3%).

[dotheyes]

volcano dessert, available on children's menu basically a huge banana split - yum

 

Can anyone order from the kids menu? thanks:D

Ole Ole Dot

 

I have started a word document and am saving some of the ideas that would apply to us. (my memory is terrible) thanks to all

[TracieABD]

I have started a word document and am saving some of the ideas that would apply to us. (my memory is terrible) thanks to all

When you get it done, will you share it with us?:)

[dotheyes]

When you get it done, will you share it with us?:)

but it has lots of things from other threads too

ole ole Dot

[DaisyRose]

Getting back to the wine that Princess allows you to bring on board - it is one of a few reasons why Princess is my favorite cruise line. I believe in following the rules, and I really enjoy pouring myself a glass of wine while I sit on my balcony. Since Princess allows you two bottles per stateroom, I do look at Princess first when looking for a cruise. Other things enter into the picture, too, of coarse, but since most other cruise lines don't allow it, I think it is one thing that sets Princess a notch above the others.

[skellis]

Daisy:

 

you are allowed to bring more than one bottle of wine aboard. The cruise contract does not specify one bottle per person, the FAQ which states one bottle per person does not trump the cruise contract. I have brought as much as a case of wine and champagne onboard without a question being raised. Just pack your wine in a carryon or put a luggage tag on a box of wine (either boxed wine or bottles of wine) for delivery to your cabin and give it to a porter at the pier, you will see it outside your cabin later. You can also bring on sodas or water.

[Dryhopped2]

Wow, such good tips. Thank you all!

[mjwcruising]

Getting back to the wine that Princess allows you to bring on board - it is one of a few reasons why Princess is my favorite cruise line. I believe in following the rules, and I really enjoy pouring myself a glass of wine while I sit on my balcony. Since Princess allows you two bottles per stateroom, I do look at Princess first when looking for a cruise. Other things enter into the picture, too, of coarse, but since most other cruise lines don't allow it, I think it is one thing that sets Princess a notch above the others.

 

 

I will be new to Princess, but am usually a Celebrity cruiser. Celebrity allows 2 bottles of wine per stateroom.

[deppong]

but it has lots of things from other threads too

ole ole Dot

 

Who cares what other info is on it. It is still great info. Please post it!!!

[wanderingjew]

I bring my wine on because they don't have thunderbird on board :)

[TracieABD]

I bring my wine on because they don't have thunderbird on board :)

Mad Dog 20/20 or Boonesfarm?!?!:eek:

[caribill]

Does the casino usually charge you a fee when you get cash to gamble with? On another ship we always get money in the casino put on our sail card(only when open though) and then go to cashier and cash out the card. Never a charge. Does Princess work the same way?

 

a) There are two ways to get cash from your onboard account to use in the casino.

 

b) First way is to go to the casino cashier and they will give you the money. The charge that will appear on your account is the amount you were given plus a 3% service charge.

 

c) Second way is to sit a slot machine and insert your cruise card (what you called a sail card) 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. 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.

[dotheyes]

[as promised :p heres what I have so far, hope it helps

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.
  
• Our best tip:
  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.
  

[BoPippy]

WoW,I want you looking after me.Any chance of adoptoion,marriage,live with me,anything.I thought i put things in order.I could go thru the rest of my life and not a worry in the world.:D:rolleyes::eek: Nice job...actually..

[cruiseron36]

Our last cruise on the Ruby in March they told me that there was a charge for fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast. Does anyone have any more recent info.

[kymbakitty]

Our last cruise on the Ruby in March they told me that there was a charge for fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast. Does anyone have any more recent info.

 

This has been addressed...most recently by the very thorough post about 3 messages up (with the entire list).

 

See the sentence in RED.

 

Great tips everyone!!! Enjoyed reading them.

 

Dawn

[IDRATHERBCRUISN]

Mad Dog 20/20 or Boonesfarm?!?!:eek:

 

 

Hey now, what's wrong with a cheap bottle on Boonesfarm?:confused:

[TracieABD]

Hey now, what's wrong with a cheap bottle on Boonesfarm?:confused:

Nothing a half a bottle of Motrin won't cure!