Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[Smokeyham]

 

I went ahead and compiled a new list and figured I'd share it here. Some of these things date back to the beginning of the thread so if there is anything that has changed that you know of please update and let us know! This list is 10 pages long in Word!

 

 

Princess Cruise Tips & Secrets

.......

 

Thanks so much for organizing this, and posting the consolidated list! There are so many good ideas here. I am organizing a group to go on our next cruise, including some people who are brand new to cruising, and will share this list with them.

[rphdeb]

Hi Mocha-

We are traveling on the Island Princess in June. We will be a group of 12- from 75 years down to 18 months. I would love to hear how your cruise goes- and any tips or suggestions you may have. We are also spending 3 nights in Vancouver first, and have the 4 day land tour after the Cruise. Thank you, and have a great vacation!

[hubofhockey]

Staggered Boarding is a secret they didn't tell me. I had to dig deep into the personalizer. :mad::mad::mad:

[outerstace]

Staggered Boarding is a secret they didn't tell me. I had to dig deep into the personalizer. :mad::mad::mad:

 

What do you mean by "staggered boarding"? Are some people allowed to board early? Or, do you mean it's not first come-first served?

[paul929207]

What do you mean by "staggered boarding"? Are some people allowed to board early? Or, do you mean it's not first come-first served?

On some of the larger ships, they are scheduling boarding for the different decks. So Deck Z might be at noon, Deck Y at 12:30pm, etc. It is intended to reduce the congestion at the port.

[Arizona cruisers]

I pasted your information into a word doc...lots of great information and you did all of the work without me having to read all of the pages! :) This will be our first on Princess so thank you to everyone for sharing your tips!

[burtie]

Jaive,

What a great list and thanks for allowing us to use a shortcut and not have to go through over 1400 posts!! I owe you a drink if we are ever on the same cruise!

Thanks,

Burtie

[bonsai3s]

Jaive,

What a great list and thanks for allowing us to use a shortcut and not have to go through over 1400 posts!! I owe you a drink if we are ever on the same cruise!

Thanks,

Burtie

 

Wow! That is incredible...thank you for the list JAIVE! We'd love to meet you and perhaps share a table with you someday. Happy Sailing...:)

[mrspaper]

Cruise Critic Secret:

Right click on the number of the post to print that post

Click on Print Target

[Arizona-Cruising]

One another dinner secret... instead of the Bread Basket you can request a plate of fruit and cheese.... after the first night the wait staff brought each family a plate of fruit and cheese left more room for the dinner!!!

[paul929207]

One another dinner secret... instead of the Bread Basket you can request a plate of fruit and cheese.... after the first night the wait staff brought each family a plate of fruit and cheese left more room for the dinner!!!

Reminded me that we get a crudite (fresh veggies and dressing) each evening. It is delivered as we arrive.

[Mapu]

Yes, Princess cust serv. has stated to me that is unlimited, as well as it is a 2 bottle MAX. 2 diff answers..

On Holland America its unlimited. Can anyone clarify what is the deal on Princess?

 

We brought on 10 bottles of wine boarding in Ft. Lauderdale. Cases were also loaded onboard.

[Mapu]

Cigar and pipe smokers have no outdoor venue to smoke as of 4/23 on most ships. There are still designated deck areas for cigarette smokers but not for those smoking cigars or pipes. We found this out boarding the Emerald on 4/26 when there was an insert in the Patter with the new policy.

[falcon10156]

On our Grand Princess cruise in January they would not give the playing cards out free. We would have had to purchase them if we really needed them so it may only be the Grand but no free cards there.

 

Barry

 

If you want cards - check the casino. Some cruiselines offer the cards they have used once for free or minimal cost. I think we paid $1.00 for a deck. Nice souviener to take home.

[sable1]

MRSPAPER, Thanks for the tip about clicking on the post # to copy it. Wish I had known about this before.

And kudos to JAIVE. Much appreciated.

 

And if you are a chocoholic like me, go to the Buffet in the evening. Check out the whole cakes with the fancy chocolate decorations. I asked if I could have them and the server placed them on my plate. If no one asks for them, I believe like any other buffet item, they can't be taken back to the galley and recycled. So I was actually preventing them from being discarded. But, please don't do it on a cruise I'm on. Just kidding.

I also request our room steward leave extra pillow chocolates. There are usually some pax. who don't/can't eat chocolate, so Princess's bottom line isn't affected.

 

Joanne, the chocoholic

[mrspaper]

MRSPAPER, Thanks for the tip about clicking on the post # to copy it. Wish I had known about this before.

And kudos to JAIVE. Much appreciated.

 

And if you are a chocoholic like me, go to the Buffet in the evening. Check out the whole cakes with the fancy chocolate decorations. I asked if I could have them and the server placed them on my plate. If no one asks for them, I believe like any other buffet item, they can't be taken back to the galley and recycled. So I was actually preventing them from being discarded. But, please don't do it on a cruise I'm on. Just kidding.

I also request our room steward leave extra pillow chocolates. There are usually some pax. who don't/can't eat chocolate, so Princess's bottom line isn't affected.

 

Joanne, the chocoholic

I am a terrible chocoholic, so I try not to start

On the Caribb. Princess, they had a chocolate shop. I stopped, but didn't buy

[Momfong]

You are correct. Yo ucan bringwine, champagne, soda/pop and water onboard Princess ships.

 

On some other cruise lines, you must carry these items on. Does Princess allow you to check them in? Thanks in advance for your answers.

[mrspaper]

On some other cruise lines, you must carry these items on. Does Princess allow you to check them in? Thanks in advance for your answers.

You can put it in your checked bags, but I always stick my stuff in a bag with wheels and take it in myself. At TJ Maxx, they are selling a nice bag large bag with wheels that you can fit lots of stuff into. It folds nicely into your suitcase for plane travel

 

Linda

[Waverunner20]

They used to be free, but in the past year they have started to charge for them.

 

We just returned from Ft Laud. to Rome, 14 days on Crown Princess. We were not charged for food at the International Cafe on Deck 5.

[RickEk]

We just returned from Ft Laud. to Rome, 14 days on Crown Princess. We were not charged for food at the International Cafe on Deck 5.

 

As far as I know, there is a charge for gelato on the ship's that serve gelato in their IC's (Crown, Emerald, Ruby).

[caribill]

They used to be free, but in the past year they have started to charge for them.

 

We just returned from Ft Laud. to Rome, 14 days on Crown Princess. We were not charged for food at the International Cafe on Deck 5.

 

The post you are responding to (in italics above) was about playing cards, not food at the IC.

[NCMtnGal]

Red=port=left

Green=starboard=right

 

Easy way to remember is that the shorter words all go together. Yes the starboard carpet is more blue than green but the rule still applies. Same pattern goes for aircraft and ship running lights. That way you know if the craft is facing you or not.

 

 

RED PORT WINE! Got it!

[GweninTX]

When we boarded the Coral in Alaska I had brought extra luggage tags and tape and put tags on a case of water and a 12 pack of Pepsi. I hand carried our wine in a padded shopping bag I had brought with me, but checked thru the water and pop to our room with our luggage! Worked perfectly!

[dropframe]

We were unable to get escargot. They said no longer available for 7 day cruises.

 

Now tips for Alaskan cruisers.

 

If you have an inside cabin and must go on deck to view glaciers, go to deck 7 starboard side ONLY, all the way forward right beside the Princess Theater. The warm exhaust from the theater air conditioning is there and you will be toasty! This was on Island Princess but most ships are similar.

 

If you have a balcony, you will find that the provided deck chairs are at just the height to have the railing block your view. Instead take the chairs that are inside and put them on the balcony. They are perfect height for viewing while seated.

 

If you want to do horseback riding at the McKinley Princess Lodge, don't book thru Princess. Call D&S Alaskan Trail Rides (907) 733-2205 Talkeetna and book direct. Print out their $10 off coupon on their website. Together you will save at least $20. You will hop on the bus with the Princess Group for the same experience at less money.

[Cruise Raider]

RED PORT WINE! Got it!

 

unfortunately, they seemed to have redone some of the carpeting -- at least on the Star.....no more red stripe....never felt so lost in my whole life.