Sapphire Princess, helpful tips, secrets, ideas, etc

2010_cruisers · May 22, 2011

last updated May 21,11 at 9:45 pm, pacific

Sapphire Princess Tips-Suggestions Sheet:

dial DINE telephone line or in person at the dining reservations table set up on the first day of the cruise
On one or two of the afternoons, they serve an old fashioned British lunch complete with fish and chips and Guiness.
It is in one of the dining rooms and is very enjoyable. Look for the announcement in the daily printout.
The Wakeview bar, located below Club Fusion. Not much of a view but a good place to get away from the crowds.
Do take advantage of the teak loungers on the Promenade deck for a quiet read (or nap or watching the water go by.

Do visit the Lobby Bar and get your brewed coffee. If you enjoy a nightly cocktail this is also a good place get to know the bartenders and waiters. It's not an International cafe, but they do have a few plates with the wine flights and cookies in the afternoon.
Do find your way up to the deck over the bridge for terrific views. No secret door, just go forward on Deck 15.
You can get waffles from the ice cream counter at breakfast time just outside the Horizon Court. The breakfast menu in the dinning room seems limited, but get creative, they will make most any type of omelet you can imagine or any combinations.
They will walk around with trays of pastries in the dinning room too. Keep an eye open for the cookie cart being pushed around the pool area during the afternoons. You will want to watch for the special food being offered outside the Horizon Court on some days, examples are special pastas, oriental/sushi buffet or exotic chef creations depending on their whim

Breakfast and lunch are served in the International Dining Room for anyone who wishes to eat there for those meals. There is a nice menu and you will be served by the wait staff. We enjoyed eating there over the buffet in the Horizon Court.
Next to the Passenger Services desk there is a computer where you can swipe your key card and get a print out of your account statement -- any time! Good to check once or twice during the cruise.
The library has a nice selection of books and board games (e.g. scrabble) that you can check out so you needn't haul these along.
You can order breakfast to be delivered to your room by completing the breakfast card in your room and hanging on your outside cabin door knob before retiring for the evening. Preprinted choices on the breakfast card are for a Continental type breakfast BUT you can pencil in omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc and it will be delivered.

Skywalker's Nightclub is a great place to read during the day - lots of light, quiet, and great views!

The Lotus Pool in the middle of the spa is a great place to get away. It is open to all passengers, whether or not they are using the spa"
Orange or Grape Juice ‘it is complimentary at breakfast time (except fresh squeezed OJ). After breakfast hours, there is a charge, even for regular (non fresh squeezed) juice.
Headphones are a must if a movie is playing in the "Calypso Pool". There's free popcorn at the "Calypso Pool" during the movie.
Near Neptune Pool on Lido Deck, Prego Pizzeria features fresh-excellent pizzas are found here from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Trident Grill: on Lido Deck from 11:00am until 6:00pm, this is the best place to order a burger!
The Santa Fe dining room offers the main dining room menu, but also prepares guacamole for you table side.
Pacific Moon dining room on Deck 6 pulls Asian themes into play. The overall effect is a very upscale and unpretentious. Best place to find Mandarin Duck, Tiger Prawns, fresh sushi, spring rolls, and pot stickers.
The Savoy is located aft port on Plaza deck 5. A signature is the prime rib.
Vivaldi dining room serves Italian dishes to include ravioli and foccacia!

In-Between Meals: Patisserie (7:00am to 11:00pm at the Lobby Bar in the Grand Plaza on Promenade Deck), Sundaes Ice Cream Bar (nominal fee 11:00am to 6:00pm.), Wine and Caviar, Afternoon Tea (3:30pm to 4:30pm - in the main dining rooms. Pastries and finger sandwiches accompany an excellent cup of tea), Room Service (24 hours a day)
more Quiet places Lotus Spa-Sun Deck (Deck 15), Library- Plaza Deck (Deck 5), Writing Room-Plaza Deck 5
$150 'The ULTIMATE SHIP TOUR is awesome,last 3-4 hours, they gue gifts at the end and serve some champagne & hors d'oeuvre
Chef's Table tour and dinner. It's $75/pp, but well worth the cost. It includes a special dinner made by the head chef and hosted by the maitre'd. You'll get a special galley tour while the galley is in full production where you'll eat some scrumptious appetizers and have free-flowing champagne.

They serve free ice cream at the buffet around 3:30 each afternoon
Beware that the thought of awesome food- a late night snack at the buffet may or may not be a let dow (they have very few items then ad nothing to significant), maybe best to order room service then. (Actually the late night buffet isn't that bad - it is snack-y kind of food - chips and guac, desserts, cookies, hot dogs, fruit, some entree types of food - but there was a fairly good variety and if you're just looking for a snack before bed)
Read the Princess Patter newsletter every evening when it is delivered to your cabin. Bring a highlighter pen to mark the events that you want to catch the next day.

The minute you board the ship and put your bags in your room...Don't go to the Buffet!! First of all it is crowded, second of all... Go make all your reservations! Dining, Spa, and Excursions!! helpful travel tip: take binoculars and extra memory for your digital camera

The Lotus pool is an "Adults Only" pool.
Pacific Moon (Ginger Prawns), The Savoy(pork chops) and the Santa Fe(Faijitas)...all yummy.
For the SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM LOVERS......go to the SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR on LIDO DECK 14 mid-ship between the NEPTUNE POOL and the CALYPSO POOL...unlike some cruise ships who charge an extra fee for ice cream temptations outside of the "buffet" offerings, there is NO CHARGE for the ice cream here!

...if you prefer your SOFT SERVE "sundae" style in a dish rather than a cone, be forewarned...there are NO DISHES at SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR...but...you can easily grab a bowl from the adjacent HORIZON COURT BUFFET and the server at SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR will be happy to fill the bowl for you and add some toppings
if you planned on using the Wifi connection, then bring your laptop instead of IPad, for those who have the IPad and planned on using it. There's a constant disconnection problem with the IPad. RC internet staff informed me that it's IPad interference problem and there's nothing they can do about it.

Princess Spa tip: There will be drawings throughout the cruise for free services. Most of the time, you have to be there at the appointed time to win. It is worth showing up. This is especially true on sunny days in port where drawings may be offered before leaving port. Some people will still be off the ship and enjoying the sights. That will increase your odds of winning.

Staying Informed for Children: The Fun Zone, the home of kids' activities, has their own newsletter detailing specific times and places of the kids' events. It's available just outside the pick-up/drop-off areas for the kids.

If you have more then a couple of sea days consider the thermal spa pass. They only sell a limited number so get it as soon as you board the ship. It is a great way to relax.
If you have anytime dining and want to eat late there is never a wait after 7:45. If you do that you could arrange to have the same table every night and get to know our wait staff.
If you like coffee the coffee card is a great investment. It allows you to have unlimited fresh brewed coffee and 12 specialty coffee drinks. The mass produced coffee in undrinkable.
We did not attend but I believe the English lunch is in the Savoy dining room.

On the Lido Deck where the Pizza and Hamburger Stands are ( good quick lunch and tasty) they are open in the morning - one is a made to order omlette station, the other is a belguim waffle station - good start to the morning with out having to deal with the buffet!

New Tip:

Packing TIP: They said the self serve AND valet laundry would not be available until our final day at sea. They closed the laundry rooms the last 2 days of the cruise, so might as well pack more than enough undies and essentials clean clothes left for travel home.

---------------------------Corrections......changes...are below:---------

You can order breakfast to be delivered to your room by completing the breakfast card in your room and hanging on your outside cabin door knob before retiring for the evening. Preprinted choices on the breakfast card are for a Continental type breakfast BUT you can pencil in omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc and it will be delivered. No guarantees that you will get what you write in.
Orange or Grape Juice ‘it is complimentary at breakfast time (except fresh squeezed OJ). After breakfast hours, there is a charge, even for regular (non fresh squeezed) juice. There are many juices available such as apple, cranberry, prune and other available for breakfast in the DR or the HC if you ask.
Headphones are a must if a movie is playing in the "Calypso Pool". There's free popcorn at the "Calypso Pool" during the movie. The Sapphire will not have MUTS until next January so no movies at the “Calypso Pool”
Pacific Moon dining room on Deck 6 pulls Asian themes into play. The overall effect is a very upscale and unpretentious. Best place to find Mandarin Duck, Tiger Prawns, fresh sushi, spring rolls, and pot stickers. No longer true - the separate menus were discontinued about two years after launch.
The Savoy is located aft port on Plaza deck 5. A signature is the prime rib. No longer true - the separate menus were discontinued about two years after launch.
Vivaldi dining room serves Italian dishes to include ravioli and foccacia! No longer true - the separate menus were discontinued about two years after launch.
They serve free ice cream at the buffet around 3:30 each afternoon. Not since the soft serve was made free at Sundaes.
Read the Princess Patter newsletter every evening when it is delivered to your cabin. Bring a highlighter pen to mark the events that you want to catch the next day. You can get an extra copy of the Patter at the Passenger Services Desk on Fiesta deck
Pacific Moon (Ginger Prawns), The Savoy(pork chops) and the Santa Fe(Faijitas)...all yummy. The Vivaldi’s special dish is Osso Bucco
if you planned on using the Wifi connection, then bring your laptop instead of IPad, for those who have the IPad and planned on using it. There's a constant disconnection problem with the IPad. RC internet staff informed me that it's IPad interference problem and there's nothing they can do about it. There was a tip on another thread on how to close programs on the iPad to free up memory. This might correct the WiFi problem.

treasure4two · May 22, 2011

Fantastic~!! Thank you!

Happy ks · May 22, 2011

Don't place dirty dishes in the hallway. Ever. Either leave them for your steward, OR call room service to request a tray pickup, OR, return to the buffet (a server will take them).

When we called room service to have our tray picked up, they told us to leave it outside our door. Our cabin steward left the tray sitting on the table.

One thing I kept reading about Sapphire Princess was to avoid uncovered mini suites. I'm so glad I ignored that advice, some in our group did not want to be that far aft on the ship. The uncovered balconies were absolutely fine. We did not care that some people may have looked down onto our balcony, we just chatted with them. You have to remember that we could also look up onto their balconies ;) The extra cabin space was well worth the uncovered balcony...we're not the type of people who are doing anything that would be embarrassing anyway.

The first Sapphire cruise we took was in an inside, the regular balcony cabins are the same size with a balcony attached. That cabin was really built for one person, not two.

2010_cruisers · May 22, 2011

Does anyone know about more about the Sapphire Princes (more tips or tidbits to share).

-------------Also, these obstructed view cabins, are they any bigger than an inside....and has anyone ever just gotten fed up on their cruise with lack of space ad asked to be upgrade or paid for the added space ....like went up to a bigger cabin...has that ever happened

Thanks .:)

2010_cruisers · May 23, 2011

One thing I kept reading about Sapphire Princess was to avoid uncovered mini suites. I'm so glad I ignored that advice, some in our group did not want to be that far aft on the ship. The uncovered balconies were absolutely fine. We did not care that some people may have looked down onto our balcony, we just chatted with them. You have to remember that we could also look up onto their balconies ;) The extra cabin space was well worth the uncovered balcony...we're not the type of people who are doing anything that would be embarrassing anyway.

2010_cruisers · May 23, 2011

last updated May 22,11 at 11:00 pm, pacific

Sapphire Princess Tips-Suggestions Sheet:

dial DINE telephone line or in person at the dining reservations table set up on the first day of the cruise

On one or two of the afternoons, they serve an old fashioned British lunch complete with fish and chips and Guiness.

It is in one of the dining rooms and is very enjoyable. Look for the announcement in the daily printout.

The Wakeview bar, located below Club Fusion. Not much of a view but a good place to get away from the crowds.

Do take advantage of the teak loungers on the Promenade deck for a quiet read (or nap or watching the water go by.

Do visit the Lobby Bar and get your brewed coffee. If you enjoy a nightly cocktail this is also a good place get to know the bartenders and waiters. It's not an International cafe, but they do have a few plates with the wine flights and cookies in the afternoon.

Do find your way up to the deck over the bridge for terrific views. No secret door, just go forward on Deck 15.

You can get waffles from the ice cream counter at breakfast time just outside the Horizon Court. The breakfast menu in the dinning room seems limited, but get creative, they will make most any type of omelet you can imagine or any combinations.

They will walk around with trays of pastries in the dinning room too. Keep an eye open for the cookie cart being pushed around the pool area during the afternoons. You will want to watch for the special food being offered outside the Horizon Court on some days, examples are special pastas, oriental/sushi buffet or exotic chef creations depending on their whim

Breakfast and lunch are served in the International Dining Room for anyone who wishes to eat there for those meals. There is a nice menu and you will be served by the wait staff. We enjoyed eating there over the buffet in the Horizon Court.

Next to the Passenger Services desk there is a computer where you can swipe your key card and get a print out of your account statement -- any time! Good to check once or twice during the cruise.

The library has a nice selection of books and board games (e.g. scrabble) that you can check out so you needn't haul these along.

You can order breakfast to be delivered to your room by completing the breakfast card in your room and hanging on your outside cabin door knob before retiring for the evening. Preprinted choices on the breakfast card are for a Continental type breakfast BUT you can pencil in omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc and it will be delivered.

Skywalker's Nightclub is a great place to read during the day - lots of light, quiet, and great views!

The Lotus Pool in the middle of the spa is a great place to get away. It is open to all passengers, whether or not they are using the spa"

Orange or Grape Juice ‘it is complimentary at breakfast time (except fresh squeezed OJ). After breakfast hours, there is a charge, even for regular (non fresh squeezed) juice.

Headphones are a must if a movie is playing in the "Calypso Pool". There's free popcorn at the "Calypso Pool" during the movie.

Near Neptune Pool on Lido Deck, Prego Pizzeria features fresh-excellent pizzas are found here from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Trident Grill: on Lido Deck from 11:00am until 6:00pm, this is the best place to order a burger!

The Santa Fe dining room offers the main dining room menu, but also prepares guacamole for you table side.

Pacific Moon dining room on Deck 6 pulls Asian themes into play. The overall effect is a very upscale and unpretentious. Best place to find Mandarin Duck, Tiger Prawns, fresh sushi, spring rolls, and pot stickers.

The Savoy is located aft port on Plaza deck 5. A signature is the prime rib.

Vivaldi dining room serves Italian dishes to include ravioli and foccacia!

In-Between Meals: Patisserie (7:00am to 11:00pm at the Lobby Bar in the Grand Plaza on Promenade Deck), Sundaes Ice Cream Bar (nominal fee 11:00am to 6:00pm.), Wine and Caviar, Afternoon Tea (3:30pm to 4:30pm - in the main dining rooms. Pastries and finger sandwiches accompany an excellent cup of tea), Room Service (24 hours a day)

more Quiet places Lotus Spa-Sun Deck (Deck 15), Library- Plaza Deck (Deck 5), Writing Room-Plaza Deck 5

$150 'The ULTIMATE SHIP TOUR is awesome,last 3-4 hours, they gue gifts at the end and serve some champagne & hors d'oeuvre

Chef's Table tour and dinner. It's $75/pp, but well worth the cost. It includes a special dinner made by the head chef and hosted by the maitre'd. You'll get a special galley tour while the galley is in full production where you'll eat some scrumptious appetizers and have free-flowing champagne.

They serve free ice cream at the buffet around 3:30 each afternoon

Beware that the thought of awesome food- a late night snack at the buffet may or may not be a let dow (they have very few items then ad nothing to significant), maybe best to order room service then. (Actually the late night buffet isn't that bad - it is snack-y kind of food - chips and guac, desserts, cookies, hot dogs, fruit, some entree types of food - but there was a fairly good variety and if you're just looking for a snack before bed)

Read the Princess Patter newsletter every evening when it is delivered to your cabin. Bring a highlighter pen to mark the events that you want to catch the next day.

The minute you board the ship and put your bags in your room...Don't go to the Buffet!! First of all it is crowded, second of all... Go make all your reservations! Dining, Spa, and Excursions!! helpful travel tip: take binoculars and extra memory for your digital camera

The Lotus pool is an "Adults Only" pool.

Pacific Moon (Ginger Prawns), The Savoy(pork chops) and the Santa Fe(Faijitas)...all yummy.

For the SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM LOVERS......go to the SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR on LIDO DECK 14 mid-ship between the NEPTUNE POOL and the CALYPSO POOL...unlike some cruise ships who charge an extra fee for ice cream temptations outside of the "buffet" offerings, there is NO CHARGE for the ice cream here!

...if you prefer your SOFT SERVE "sundae" style in a dish rather than a cone, be forewarned...there are NO DISHES at SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR...but...you can easily grab a bowl from the adjacent HORIZON COURT BUFFET and the server at SUNDAES ICE CREAM BAR will be happy to fill the bowl for you and add some toppings

if you planned on using the Wifi connection, then bring your laptop instead of IPad, for those who have the IPad and planned on using it. There's a constant disconnection problem with the IPad. RC internet staff informed me that it's IPad interference problem and there's nothing they can do about it.

Princess Spa tip: There will be drawings throughout the cruise for free services. Most of the time, you have to be there at the appointed time to win. It is worth showing up. This is especially true on sunny days in port where drawings may be offered before leaving port. Some people will still be off the ship and enjoying the sights. That will increase your odds of winning.

Staying Informed for Children: The Fun Zone, the home of kids' activities, has their own newsletter detailing specific times and places of the kids' events. It's available just outside the pick-up/drop-off areas for the kids.

If you have more then a couple of sea days consider the thermal spa pass. They only sell a limited number so get it as soon as you board the ship. It is a great way to relax.

If you have anytime dining and want to eat late there is never a wait after 7:45. If you do that you could arrange to have the same table every night and get to know our wait staff.

If you like coffee the coffee card is a great investment. It allows you to have unlimited fresh brewed coffee and 12 specialty coffee drinks. The mass produced coffee in undrinkable.

We did not attend but I believe the English lunch is in the Savoy dining room.

On the Lido Deck where the Pizza and Hamburger Stands are ( good quick lunch and tasty) they are open in the morning - one is a made to order omlette station, the other is a belguim waffle station - good start to the morning with out having to deal with the buffet!

New Tip:

One thing I kept reading about Sapphire Princess was to avoid uncovered mini suites. I'm so glad I ignored that advice, some in our group did not want to be that far aft on the ship. The uncovered balconies were absolutely fine. We did not care that some people may have looked down onto our balcony, we just chatted with them. You have to remember that we could also look up onto their balconies The extra cabin space was well worth the uncovered balcony...we're not the type of people who are doing anything that would be embarrassing anyway.

last updated May 21,11 at 9:45 pm, pacific

Sapphire Princess Tips-Suggestions Sheet: