What can I expect from Princess?

[asalligo]

Good afternoon, I am working on booking next year's cruise. I am taking my fourth Carnival cruise on the Pride next month, but would like to try something a little more upscale next year. My schedule limits my choice, but I have narrowed it down to the Celebrity Constellation or the Princess Caribbean Princess, both 5 day cruises in February 2015 out of Fort Lauderdale.

What I have enjoyed about Carnival:

The near all inclusive nature of the cruise

Activities around the clock during the day, even if not very interesting, there is always something to do.

What I could do without:

The raucous activities, hairy chest contest, loud parties on the Lido.

Princess looks great, but I have a few questions.

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included? How many specialty restaurants are there?

Will I be bored? I do not like the raucous activities of Carnival, but I very much enjoy afternoon tea, trivia contests, bingo, and the shows even when they are bad.

I like wearing my tux for formal night; can I expect a more upscale dress on Princess?

Thanks

[Kamloops50]

Good afternoon, I am working on booking next year's cruise. I am taking my fourth Carnival cruise on the Pride next month, but would like to try something a little more upscale next year. My schedule limits my choice, but I have narrowed it down to the Celebrity Constellation or the Princess Caribbean Princess, both 5 day cruises in February 2015 out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

What I have enjoyed about Carnival:

The near all inclusive nature of the cruise Princess is much the same

Activities around the clock during the day, even if not very interesting, there is always something to do.

 

What I could do without:

The raucous activities, hairy chest contest, loud parties on the Lido.

 

Princess looks great, but I have a few questions.

 

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included? How many specialty restaurants are there? There are usually 2 -3 specialty restaurants that run from 20$ to 50$ per person.

 

Will I be bored? I do not like the raucous activities of Carnival, but I very much enjoy afternoon tea, trivia contests, bingo, and the shows even when they are bad.

 

I like wearing my tux for formal night; can I expect a more upscale dress on Princess?

 

Thanks

 

You'll find Princess upscale and more sedate then Carnival. Both cruise lines are much the same to what done on board . You won't find many raucous activities on board . Princess formal nights are more formal and Tux's are common as well dinner jackets.

This could go out the window it is during spring break.

[Pam in CA]

"Something to do" of interest is subjective. There are plenty of activities and things to do on sea days, not as many on port days. There are usually a number of options in the evening, from a show to a comedian to a piano bar or whatever. Not to mention MUTS up on deck.

 

There are usually two specialty restaurants on Princess ships. The small ships (Ocean and Pacific) have two that rotate nights, the others have a grill (either Crown Grill, Sterling Steakhouse or Bayou Cafe) and a northern Italian fine food restaurant, Sabatini's. Most ships have an International Cafe which is open 24/7 and is free (except for the gelato available on a few ships). It has wonderous pastries, donuts, muffins, salads, sandwiches, etc. Princess pizza is the best at sea.

 

Princess has a more laid-back, mature, "escape completely" vibe. If you don't want to participate or go to entertainment, there are other places to go. Where depends on the ship. Ship spaces are designed for a more intimate feel rather than big, open spaces. For instance, the dining rooms are all one story and are sectioned into areas so you feel like you're in a good restaurant. Perhaps they lack the "Wow!" factor but then no one is staring down to see what you're eating and it feels more like fine dining.

[Jim Avery]

Good afternoon, I am working on booking next year's cruise. I am taking my fourth Carnival cruise on the Pride next month, but would like to try something a little more upscale next year. My schedule limits my choice, but I have narrowed it down to the Celebrity Constellation or the Princess Caribbean Princess, both 5 day cruises in February 2015 out of Fort Lauderdale.

What I have enjoyed about Carnival:

The near all inclusive nature of the cruise

Activities around the clock during the day, even if not very interesting, there is always something to do.

What I could do without:

The raucous activities, hairy chest contest, loud parties on the Lido.

Princess looks great, but I have a few questions.

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included? How many specialty restaurants are there?

Will I be bored? I do not like the raucous activities of Carnival, but I very much enjoy afternoon tea, trivia contests, bingo, and the shows even when they are bad.

I like wearing my tux for formal night; can I expect a more upscale dress on Princess?

Thanks

 

If you like wearing your tux (as I do too) you might want to take a look at Cunard. Most adhere to the formal dress codes there. I did not see any tux clad gents (including me) on Star Princess recently. I did take a dark suit and wore it once. :D We loved our Princess cruise but I would not consider it "formal" at all. Admittedly a limited experience with Princess but I will not be taking a tux to Alaska either. Have to have room for my long underwear.:eek::D

[AKman2495]

Good afternoon, I am working on booking next year's cruise. I am taking my fourth Carnival cruise on the Pride next month, but would like to try something a little more upscale next year. My schedule limits my choice, but I have narrowed it down to the Celebrity Constellation or the Princess Caribbean Princess, both 5 day cruises in February 2015 out of Fort Lauderdale.

What I have enjoyed about Carnival:

The near all inclusive nature of the cruise

Activities around the clock during the day, even if not very interesting, there is always something to do.

What I could do without:

The raucous activities, hairy chest contest, loud parties on the Lido.

Princess looks great, but I have a few questions.

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included? How many specialty restaurants are there?

Will I be bored? I do not like the raucous activities of Carnival, but I very much enjoy afternoon tea, trivia contests, bingo, and the shows even when they are bad.

I like wearing my tux for formal night; can I expect a more upscale dress on Princess?

Thanks

 

As others have said, there is plenty to do on Princess.As for formal nights, yes, you will find many who will wear tuxes as well as nice suits. small minority wears a jacket/slacks with or without ties and some even in a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt.

 

But, those last few are the exceptions. Expect to find Princess cruisers better dressed on formal nights.

[Pia1913]

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included? How many specialty restaurants are there?

 

There are usually 2 -3 specialty restaurants that run from 20$ to 50$ per person.

 

Just excerpting this portion. I only know of two specialty restaurants on any Princess ship and none are $50.

[asalligo]

If you like wearing your tux (as I do too) you might want to take a look at Cunard. Most adhere to the formal dress codes there. I did not see any tux clad gents (including me) on Star Princess recently. I did take a dark suit and wore it once. :D We loved our Princess cruise but I would not consider it "formal" at all. Admittedly a limited experience with Princess but I will not be taking a tux to Alaska either. Have to have room for my long underwear.:eek::D

 

Unfortunately no chance of that next year. I have a 6 day window for a cruise.

[Jim Avery]

Unfortunately no chance of that next year. I have a 6 day window for a cruise.

 

I know that feeling. So many cruises, so little time. (and money:eek:).:D

[caribill]

What can I expect to pay for on the cruise that is not included?

 

Tips

Alcoholic beverages

Soda

Photographs

Shore Excursions

Spa services

Specialty coffees

Juice at times other than breakfast

Bingo

Casino gambling

Specialty restaurants

Gelato on the ships that have it

Party platters from room service

Botique purchases

Some gym classes

Beauty salon services

Buying art at the art auction

[dorisis]

I think you and Princess make a perfect couple. And the only extra charges after the price are government fees and taxes and a daily service charge of about $11 per day per person. Very much the same as Carnival.