Diamond Plus going on PRINCESS

[barbie5401]

My husband and I need to get away so we booked two 4 night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale in December 12/18 and then 12/30. We love cruising and just like to relax. We enjoy a good dinner and will give away some money in the casino. Please tell me what I need to know, that the travel agent doesn't tell you!

[Nan_Sea]

Do you know about OBC for veterans and stock holders?

[barbie5401]

No we are totally green! I have been collectively on over 100 cruises from 1972 until 4/12 and never on princess - I guess I will have to keep reading!:confused:

[Nan_Sea]

If either of you are a USA or Canadian Vet you are entitled to OBC. The amount depends on the length of your cruise. Also, if you own 100 shares of Carnival stock you will get more OBC. While on your cruise you can buy FCC ( future cruise credits ) they are $100 each and when you book your next Princess cruise you would use the FCC as your deposit. Using FCCs also gives you OBC.

I suggest you research these things on the Princess web site.

We are booked for a 2 week cruise in Sept. And using all of the things I just mentioned we have $650 in OBC. That will cover our tips with around $300 to spare.

[caribill]

Go to the Princess web site and down load the Cruise Answer Book.

 

Upper left publication at https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/brochureRequest.page

[skynight]

My husband and I need to get away so we booked two 4 night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale in December 12/18 and then 12/30. We love cruising and just like to relax. We enjoy a good dinner and will give away some money in the casino. Please tell me what I need to know, that the travel agent doesn't tell you!

Don't quite understand your dates. A 4 night cruise that departs on Dec. 18th returns to port on Dec 22nd. Are you going on Dec 12th and then again on Dec 18th with one day in between?

Anyway on Princess arrive at the pier between 10:30 and 11am. Check in normally starts around 11am. You will be checked in and sent to a waiting area. Around noon boarding starts, with priority passengers first then all others in the order they arrived. You should be on board by 12:30pm. Go directly to your cabin it will be ready. Drop your carry on, lock your stuff in the safe, and start your cruise. No cabin call, no carrying around baggage. One DR will be open for lunch from noon to 1:30. Other free options include the International Cafe, Grill, Pizza, & buffet. If you are on the Royal or Regal they also have Alfredo's. The muster drill will be held in the indoor lounges not on the open deck. Carry don't wear your life jacket to the drill. Your muster station is shown on the back of your cabin door. If you provide the name of the ship(s) additional information can be detailed.

Edited August 18, 2014 by sknight

[caribill]

Don't quite understand your dates. A 4 night cruise that departs on Dec. 18th returns to port on Dec 22nd. Are you going on Dec 12th and then again on Dec 18th with one day in between?

 

I assume these are two separate cruises on the dates the OP listed.

 

OP lives about 25 miles from the port, so easy to get to the port on two different dates.

[Bizziecruzer]

Try this link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1984783

There's also an earlier version of this, but my search isn't working.

"Secrets Princess don't tell you". Enjoy

[taxatty]

IMHO, the similarities between RCI (we're Diamond) and Princess (Platinum) are more than the differences. The "wow" shopping and entertainment factor isn't there on Princess as much it is with RCI (no Royal Promenade, mini-Broadway shows, ice skating shows, etc.) but Princess seems a little more luxurious and classier. One exception is MUTS for day and night movies and shows on the top deck--if the weather is nice, go.

 

It looks like you're on the Caribbean Princess. If you like Chops, try the Crown Grill--it's very comparable with excellent service and gives you a respite from the MDR/buffet madness.

 

The well-hidden Outrigger Bar/Terrace Pool area behind the Horizon Court is a fun place for adults to hang out. You get sun or shade depending upon the ship's direction and the time of day. If you use the Solarium pool area a lot to get away from the hordes of kids, consider the Terrace Pool (or the extra cost Sanctuary).

 

Princess serves great ice cream in the MDR. Princess also has far better pizza and serves good burgers, brats etc. on the Lido deck grill, but there's nothing like Johnny Rockets (if you're a fan).

[JF - retired RRT]

Another difference (2 actually)...

1) if you choose anytime dining you do not have to prepay your grats.

2) If you book an excursion through the ship, it is not charged to your folio until the day before the excursion.

[born2cruize]

Another difference (2 actually)...

1) if you choose anytime dining you do not have to prepay your grats.

2) If you book an excursion through the ship, it is not charged to your folio until the day before the excursion.

 

Just got off the Emerald Princess, all excursions were credited to our folio on embarkation day.

[barbie5401]

Thanks so much for the responses. Yes they are two separate cruises. I love the idea you can go to a dining room for lunch on embarkation day. We have been to almost every island, so just the relaxation is what we are looking for. Unfortunately in the last 9 months, I lost my Mom to Lung cancer, my Uncle to Rectal cancer, my Aunt to Stomach cancer and my MIL to breast cancer, so Kirk and I need just a couple days together. The last two years have been not the best to say the least!

 

Thanks again for your help!

[linedancer]

Thanks so much for the responses. Yes they are two separate cruises. I love the idea you can go to a dining room for lunch on embarkation day. We have been to almost every island, so just the relaxation is what we are looking for. Unfortunately in the last 9 months, I lost my Mom to Lung cancer, my Uncle to Rectal cancer, my Aunt to Stomach cancer and my MIL to breast cancer, so Kirk and I need just a couple days together. The last two years have been not the best to say the least!

 

Thanks again for your help!

 

Sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose someone to cancer.

 

I am also Diamond Plus on RCCL and this will be my 5th cruise with Princess. I was on the Caribbean Princess in May and will be going again in Sept. we had a great time and the prices are to good to pass up. You will enjoy it.

Irene

[lovevacadays]

Thanks so much for the responses. Yes they are two separate cruises. I love the idea you can go to a dining room for lunch on embarkation day. We have been to almost every island, so just the relaxation is what we are looking for. Unfortunately in the last 9 months, I lost my Mom to Lung cancer, my Uncle to Rectal cancer, my Aunt to Stomach cancer and my MIL to breast cancer, so Kirk and I need just a couple days together. The last two years have been not the best to say the least!

 

Thanks again for your help!

 

Given the losses you have had I think Princess will be a good choice for you in that there are many places onboard you can find peace and quiet. The aft deck outside of the buffet area in the early morning is one of my favorite quiet places. Enjoy your cruises.

[Happy2cruise]

Just got off the Emerald Princess, all excursions were credited to our folio on embarkation day.

True, but there is a time frame before the actual excursion that you can cancel with no penalty.

[Pam in CA]

On Princess, you can go directly to your cabin as soon as you board. No waiting up in Lido.

 

All OBC is combined regardless of source so if your TA has given you OBC and you have CCL stock and/or military OBC, it can all be combined.

 

Princess allows TAs to discount cruises plus give OBC and other perks. There isn't much room for them to discount on a 4-day cruise but it's something to keep in mind if you choose to cruise on Princess in the future.

 

Princess ships are designed very differently. Dining rooms and you feel as though you're in a nice restaurant and not as aware of all the other people there. Lounges are smaller and more intimate and there are more of them. There are lots of places you can go for quiet time away from the crowds. Skywalkers is one. It's used only in the evening and sailaway and is a great place to go to read a book, relax and chat or just look out at the almost 360-degree views.

 

Princess cabins are also designed very differently. The "bedroom" area is smaller but there's a large, walk-in open closet outside the bathroom door that doubles as a dressing area. The closet bar is the width of the cabin minus the hallway and there's a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe with shelves for storing things not to mention a shelf above the closet bar. The bathroom opens into this area rather than the hallway which means less disturbance for the other person in the cabin if they get up during the night or leave earlier in the morning. Bathrooms are small with just a shower unless you book a mini-suite or full suite.

 

The vibe on the ship is laid back. Personally, I much prefer the old Princess tagline, "Escape completely" rather than the new one, "Come back new." Either way, I hope you have a relaxed cruise and enjoy Princess.