Disappointment with Sapphire Princess alaska 9/15-9/22/12

[FunShipCruiser05]

Is this an alaska thing, extreme limited food and/or drinks after 12am? Seemed like it on Sapphire Princess. Which is a forewarning to all you future sapphire sailors. So just being back from the sapphire cruise 9/15-9/22...

 

No beverage service after 12am at any of the bars as they all closed at 12:00am every night. International Cafe was the only 24 hr thing aside from room service but they didnt serve soda or juice. Had to get that from room service for a fee. No thanks, passed up on it. Got my last drink every night at 11:55pm to last the remaining couple hours before bed.

 

I also noticed all food serving stopped by 11:00pm except international cafe and room service obviously. International cafe only had tuna sandwiches, ham and cheese on a croissant, and one other sandwich... then all the little desserts you can think of to choose from. Room service had the cheeseburger and fries. That's all there really was for food after 12am.

 

I am wondering if this an alaskan thing that princess does. Limits the food service and drink service because this alaskan cruise brought in an older age demographic that typically may not stay up til 2 or 3 am to eat. I would think in the carribbeans, princess would not get away with this. Never seen this lack of service on royal or carnival. They even had 24 hr pizza when I cruised with them. Something this princess didnt have.

[1025cruise]

This is standard with Princess. Though, I suspect that there must have been a bar open somewhere on the ship.

 

With that being said, I don't have first hand experience, as I'm usually asleep by then.

[SwissDave]

On all ships with an international cafe, Horizon court closes at 23:00, sometimes midnight. This should not have been a surprise as it is clearly mentioned onthe Princess website under the 'dining options'. It has been this was for nearly 2 years now.

 

I have always been able to get drinks after midnight, either at the nightclub bar and often in the casino.

 

As you mentioned, room service is available 24 hours a day if you really need to eat at 2am.

[Griller]

Room service had way more than cheeseburger and fries last time I looked. Other than that its been the way the Op describes for quite a while now.

I only go on 14 day and longer cruises and have noticed the Princess pax turning into an older age group than before, I thought it was maybe just the long cruises but it seems that shorter ones are also affected, and the ships are pretty much dead after the last show turns out - and those are usually very badly attended if there are 3 shows.

So the buffet closes at 11pm or midnight by which time its mostly been crew in there catching a meal.

International cafe works well for many people including myself, tasty and fresh - and free unless you use your coffee card for a special coffee. Around 4am they have half an hour of no food as they change to a breakfast menu but other than that its 24 hour.

[azdmelani]

Is this an alaska thing, extreme limited food and/or drinks after 12am? Seemed like it on Sapphire Princess. Which is a forewarning to all you future sapphire sailors. So just being back from the sapphire cruise 9/15-9/22...

 

No beverage service after 12am at any of the bars as they all closed at 12:00am every night. International Cafe was the only 24 hr thing aside from room service but they didnt serve soda or juice. Had to get that from room service for a fee. No thanks, passed up on it. Got my last drink every night at 11:55pm to last the remaining couple hours before bed.

 

I also noticed all food serving stopped by 11:00pm except international cafe and room service obviously. International cafe only had tuna sandwiches, ham and cheese on a croissant, and one other sandwich... then all the little desserts you can think of to choose from. Room service had the cheeseburger and fries. That's all there really was for food after 12am.

 

I am wondering if this an alaskan thing that princess does. Limits the food service and drink service because this alaskan cruise brought in an older age demographic that typically may not stay up til 2 or 3 am to eat. I would think in the carribbeans, princess would not get away with this. Never seen this lack of service on royal or carnival. They even had 24 hr pizza when I cruised with them. Something this princess didnt have.

 

Unless something has changed, you can order a pizza from room service for a nominal fee. I had issues finding things to eat on RCI after midtnight, and they charged for room service at that time.

 

Also, I think skywalkers bar was open later than midnight on our last cruise.

[TracieABD]

The IC has a bar attached... can you not get a drink there?

[Griller]

The IC has a bar attached... can you not get a drink there?

On Caribbean P. recently I did not see the bar by the IC open during the night.

[TracieABD]

On Caribbean P. recently I did not see the bar by the IC open during the night.

I would not know. I am asleep by 11 pm... thus perpetuating the stereotype of the "typical Princess (or HAL) cruiser"!:o

[Steven_&_Daniel]

This sounds like all the Princess cruises we've been on. I think the Princess cruisers are more the early-to-bed type, LOL....so we fit right in. I think if you're an active late night person, you might be better suited to another cruise line. I don't say that to sound mean or anything...just that Princess ships don't really cater to the late night crowd.

[TracieABD]

This sounds like all the Princess cruises we've been on. I think the Princess cruisers are more the early-to-bed type, LOL....so we fit right in. I think if you're an active late night person, you might be better suited to another cruise line. I don't say that to sound mean or anything...just that Princess ships don't really cater to the late night crowd.

Judging from the OPs name and past cruises, it sound like s/he has cruised with Carnival extensively. A cruiseline with an active and vibrant nightlife may be more his/her cup of tea.:)

[Griller]

I would not know. I am asleep by 11 pm... thus perpetuating the stereotype of the "typical Princess (or HAL) cruiser"!:o

The passengers on Princess now are the same age group and activity level of the passengers when I was on HAL 10 years ago, I hate to think what the HAL people are like now...can't be too many left?

[Doug R.]

People stay up past 10 pm????:eek:

[mintjulip123]

Is this an alaska thing, extreme limited food and/or drinks after 12am? Seemed like it on Sapphire Princess. Which is a forewarning to all you future sapphire sailors. So just being back from the sapphire cruise 9/15-9/22...

 

No beverage service after 12am at any of the bars as they all closed at 12:00am every night. International Cafe was the only 24 hr thing aside from room service but they didnt serve soda or juice. Had to get that from room service for a fee. No thanks, passed up on it. Got my last drink every night at 11:55pm to last the remaining couple hours before bed.

 

I also noticed all food serving stopped by 11:00pm except international cafe and room service obviously. International cafe only had tuna sandwiches, ham and cheese on a croissant, and one other sandwich... then all the little desserts you can think of to choose from. Room service had the cheeseburger and fries. That's all there really was for food after 12am.

 

I am wondering if this an alaskan thing that princess does. Limits the food service and drink service because this alaskan cruise brought in an older age demographic that typically may not stay up til 2 or 3 am to eat. I would think in the carribbeans, princess would not get away with this. Never seen this lack of service on royal or carnival. They even had 24 hr pizza when I cruised with them. Something this princess didnt have.

 

Did you at least have fun aside from the eat and drink situation? I am on the Sapphire this Saturday.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Did you at least have fun aside from the eat and drink situation? I am on the Sapphire this Saturday.

 

Don't let the OP scare you away... The Sapphire is a beautiful ship! If you do want to stay up later, usually Skywalkers is the place to be...

 

Do try the four anytime dining rooms, they are wonderful, and we have had the best service there! We have had wonderful Irish coffees prepared tableside....

 

As for the OP, I truly think he would be much happier on another cruise line.

[MTJSR]

Your cruise included alot more than food, did you enjoy the ports, scenery and the typically excellent service onboard? How was the port lectures, entertainment and dinning room food. Did you see the whales at all. Hopefully everything else was outstanding and made up for a lack of certain items late night.

[Coral]

Unless something has changed, you can order a pizza from room service for a nominal fee. I had issues finding things to eat on RCI after midtnight, and they charged for room service at that time.

 

 

There are specific times when you can order pizza on Princess through room service.

[Pam in CA]

Not having all the bars open after midnight shouldn't be a deal breaker. Isn't there enough food available between 5:30am - 11:00pm plus the IC 24/7 and room service? There will be a bar open later than midnight. It sounds like Carnival is a better fit for you. With that said, there's nothing wrong with the Sapphire as she's a wonderful ship with lots of amenities and activities.

[Astro Flyer]

Unless something has changed, you can order a pizza from room service for a nominal fee.

I seem to recall that pizza may only be available when the Lido deck pizzeria is open but not having any experience with late night pizza ordering could be wrong.

Judging from the OPs name and past cruises, it sound like s/he has cruised with Carnival extensively. A cruiseline with an active and vibrant nightlife may be more his/her cup of tea.:)

Well said & thought the same thing...Carnival & Princess core passengers expect different things. Having the buffet closing at 11:00 makes sense to me & it's open many more hours than some other cruise lines. On the Sapphire in March it shows bars open until 'close' so not specific but don't see a reason to staff them if only a few are there.

 

It's certainly appears that the OP would be much better off sticking with a Fun-ship Carnival cruise experience instead. And I'm certainly not demeaning anyone who prefers a Carnival experience...it's good to have choices so everyone can find a cruise that best suits their desires. :D

[BonnieSte]

People stay up past 10 pm????:eek:

 

HAHAHAHA. Too funny.

[TracieABD]

The passengers on Princess now are the same age group and activity level of the passengers when I was on HAL 10 years ago, I hate to think what the HAL people are like now...can't be too many left?

 

Scary, huh?:eek:

[bjboothman]

I hate to admit this, but the last time I sailed Princess over New Years Eve, I went to bed before they dropped the balloons in the atrium at midnight. I felt bad that I missed it, but I was just too tired to stay up for it.

[dcruisers]

We are on the Sapphire in Jan....and looking forward to it. We don't plan our cruise around eating late at night. We do stay up till after midnight=maybe even after 1am. But we have had enough food during the day not to panic if there isn't something to eat after 11pm. (Or to rate the ship/trip negatively)

I certainly hope the rest of the OP's cruise was enjoyable (like service, excursions, weather, sightseeing, entertainment etc). I agree with the majority of responses, maybe another line would be a better fit.

[FunShipCruiser05]

Did you at least have fun aside from the eat and drink situation? I am on the Sapphire this Saturday.

 

 

 

I loved the sapphire and Princess aside from their dining hours and beverage hours. Even despite having Hubbard and Glacier Bays wiped off the itinerary it was a dream trip come true for me. I drooled and rolled over in my sleep nightly for years thinking of alaska. Definitely will sail princess again and again. Despite being used to the vibrant carnival ships that party into the early hours of the morning, I would definitely look at Princess for certain locations in the world hands down first.

 

 

to who posted above, The bar next to IC closed every night at 12:00am so I was just surprised to see no soda service at the IC since it was 24 hours. The pizza was available by room service but for a 3.00 delivery fee. I think it said it comes in "whole" pizzas too, not like slices.

[FunShipCruiser05]

Your cruise included alot more than food, did you enjoy the ports, scenery and the typically excellent service onboard? How was the port lectures, entertainment and dinning room food. Did you see the whales at all. Hopefully everything else was outstanding and made up for a lack of certain items late night.

 

 

I did whale watching and glacier flight seeing in juneau. The whales were amazing, tons of them to see! First time I ever did it, with Harv and Marv too - Highly recommend. The glacier visit with Coastal Helicopters was amazing too. A once in a lifetime experience and definitely recommend coastal.

 

The shows that princess put on in the princess theater I think sometimes blew away Carnival's shows. So I enjoyed it and looked forward to them nightly. The dining room food was amazing as was the ship as a whole. I think it was much better than carnival food which I always swore that carnival was the best, over royal for example. But now i swear to princess. Just seemed always more fresher and filling then carnival's food. Maybe im dreaming and its the same food, same company they order from, just the difference if portion sizes. I dunno. Couldnt get an answer from anyone on the ship working for princess in the dining about that because would be curious to know.

[mintjulip123]

I did whale watching and glacier flight seeing in juneau. The whales were amazing, tons of them to see! First time I ever did it, with Harv and Marv too - Highly recommend. The glacier visit with Coastal Helicopters was amazing too. A once in a lifetime experience and definitely recommend coastal.

 

The shows that princess put on in the princess theater I think sometimes blew away Carnival's shows. So I enjoyed it and looked forward to them nightly. The dining room food was amazing as was the ship as a whole. I think it was much better than carnival food which I always swore that carnival was the best, over royal for example. But now i swear to princess. Just seemed always more fresher and filling then carnival's food. Maybe im dreaming and its the same food, same company they order from, just the difference if portion sizes. I dunno. Couldnt get an answer from anyone on the ship working for princess in the dining about that because would be curious to know.

I am glad you had a good time. I am not bothered by the food not being served late. Makes for a better chance of the pants still fitting by the end of the cruise ;)