Three hour tour. Really, one Day cruise

[Gallivanting Souls]

Anyone who has been on a one day cruise, can you please tell me what it's like.

I know short will be first answer. We are doing a one day costal Seattle to Vancouver. Normally I wouldn't bother with anything under 7, but we had these vouchers to use and can't take a real cruise this year. Next January, we will get our real cruise, so not too bad.

Will there be normal main dining room meals? Shows? Is the soda and more package available for just the one day?

We just wanna cruise :rolleyes:

Thanks!

ps, I did a search and I was unable to find anything on one day cruises (princess)

[fishywood]

More information (and photos) than you may ever need about the one nighters can be found on these live-from threads by a member who sailed three of them last year:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2353115

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2402871

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2403465

[jeromep]

Well, you found yourself a repositioning cruise. Princess is getting the Ruby positioned for 7-days one way Alaska cruises, Vancouver to Ancorage and then Ancorage to Vancouver. It will do that all summer long until the Alaska cruise season ends.

 

Anyway, I suspect that it won't be too laid back. My guess is that the HC, IC and MDR will all operate as normal. There will probably be a show or two, and all the bars will be open. I've heard through the grapevine that this one day repo cruise is really a lot like staying overnight at a 4 star hotel, eating on property and checking out the next day.

 

I can think of worse ways to spend 20 or so hours.

[gotta cruise again]

I enjoyed my solo 1-day cruise on the Ruby. It was the same as any Princess cruise except no past passenger party (got a drink voucher instead so I had a nice glass of wine with dinner in MDR) and no champagne waterfall/welcome aboard party (that really wasn't missed).

 

I went to see the platinum/elite/suite lounge and met a lovely couple; the 3 of us then went to see the comedian's early show. I went back for the later show too.

 

The only thing I didn't expect were the crowds in the public areas! You would think the folks hadn't seen a store ever in their lives--all the stores were full of people as were the atrium areas, making it difficult to walk around. It wasn't enough to make me not want to do a 1 day or short cruise again...but I just hadn't considered there would be such rabid shopping crowds!

 

In Seattle's terminal, a lot people just had a small carry-on bag for the one day cruise and could easily handle it. However, there were many, many people who had TONS of stuff they were carrying aboard. It appeared they had been visiting for a number of days already and had added the 1 day adventure to their itinerary. I share this so you bring your patience to the terminal even more so than on a longer cruise! Here I was (as always!) eager to board and carrying far, far less (and smaller too) than I usually do but had to wait in line to go up the escalator (no preferred access downstairs on my trip) and they wouldn't let you go ahead of the folks with suitcases, carry-ons, even a couple of portable massage tables in boxes that were quite large!

 

The above weren't complaints...only things I wished I had known might be possibilities so I'd have mentally prepared for them :)

[AZ Ocean Lover]

It's very much like staying in a very nice hotel overnight but with a really early checkout. We wanted to try a true aft balcony to see if we would like it so this was perfect for us. We ate at the Crown Grill for dinner and everything was just like it would be for a longer cruise. I don't know about the Princess Theater but we saw a comedian in the Explorers lounge. The casino was not open for this cruise. Sorry, I can't comment about the soda package. I don't really remember if it was offered or not.

 

The price was very reasonable for a fun trip north to Vancouver. We stayed a couple of nights in Vancouver and then took a repositioning cruise south to LA.

Edited February 1, 2017 by AZ Ocean Lover

[LeeW]

We really like these cruises, especially if we can take a one day up, stay a day or two in Vancouver, and take a three day south. You get all the food and shows of a normal cruise. Generally they don't take luggage at the curb, carry-on only, for the one day. Casino probably will not open (might, just don't count on it). Tends to be more party-ers than a longer cruise. Frankly the dinner alone is worth the price of the cruise.

 

If you are elite you still get a full minibar setup, which is impossible to drink up in one day.

 

Going south we have found that rental cars are expensive, but train and Quickshuttle work quite well.

[Tiggerontheseas]

I have done three one-dayer Seattle to Vancouver (or vice versa) trips on Princess and had a really good time on them.

 

Our first cruise the beverage packages were brand new and they were selling it for the day. The last two none of the packages were offered. I guess they quickly realized that people are really good at maximizing the value when it's just overnight.

 

Dining rooms are open for dinner and one is usually open for lunch. They very aggressively direct you to the Horizon Court for lunch though so don't be surprised if you ask and they flat out lie to you. Go check it out before you give up. :)

 

The Princess Theater will have a production show and there will probably be another show in one of the lounges (comedians or magician). The bars and lounges will also have entertainment (piano, singers, etc.). One cruise they had karaoke happening for a short time. If you are on a ship with Skywalker's it will be open late.

 

The casino was not open during any of trips between Seattle and Vancouver.

 

I hope this helps. You'll have a great time.

 

Oh, the poster who mentioned the stores and public areas being packed was definitely correct. The duty-free store especially was crazy. They were running out of certain brands of booze the one time we checked it out. :D

[redtop101]

Well, you found yourself a repositioning cruise. Princess is getting the Ruby positioned for 7-days one way Alaska cruises, Vancouver to Ancorage and then Ancorage to Vancouver. It will do that all summer long until the Alaska cruise season ends.

 

Anyway, I suspect that it won't be too laid back. My guess is that the HC, IC and MDR will all operate as normal. There will probably be a show or two, and all the bars will be open. I've heard through the grapevine that this one day repo cruise is really a lot like staying overnight at a 4 star hotel, eating on property and checking out the next day.

 

I can think of worse ways to spend 20 or so hours.

 

 

I believe Ruby Princess will be sailing out of Seattle and return to Seattle for the Alaskan summer schedule. Our niece is one of the Princess dancers on that itinerary.

 

Star, Island & Coral Princess will be sailing out of Vancouver.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

A ship's cabin is NOWHERE near as nice as a "nice hotel"....unless the cost was equal to a hotel, I'd forgo the very short trip! Too much trouble, IMO!

[Tiggerontheseas]

A ship's cabin is NOWHERE near as nice as a "nice hotel"....unless the cost was equal to a hotel, I'd forgo the very short trip! Too much trouble, IMO!

 

True, but that doesn't really matter so much on a one day. The 'resort complex' and the food are generally awesome and well worth the cost. I spent almost no time in my room. Too much to do, too little time. :)

[cruisequeen4ever]

It makes you wanna cry it's so short, BUT it's so worth it! Lol DH disagrees, but to me, I'd live on a ship if I could, so I'll take any cruise. I did this with my hubby last year and am doing it with my best friend this year. It makes for a nice weekend getaway. Yes, they have the soda and more package, which was my big spend for the cruise! ☺ They did have traditional dining on ours, but it looks like this year's may not. All venues were open as per usual except the darn casino never opened. [emoji35] There was a theater show, karaoke, DJ in the club, and you could even do the thermal suite in the spa! Happy cruising! [emoji924]

 

 

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[Robinsoncruiseso]

We do these all the time...well at least two times per year. The ships go South from Vancouver in May and North from Seattle in September. We normally carry only a bag or backpack. Many will wear the same clothes from embarkation till they turn in for the night...so casual is th dresscode..all over the ship. Many on the ship are from Washington or British Columbia, so many passengers will have alot in common.

 

Most difficult part of the cruise is starting and stopping in different ports. We use the BOLT bus from Bellingham. Usually grab the $1 fare so it costs us about $20 for two people for transportation to/from Bellingham to each port. Parking at the ports are expensive. Parking in Bellingham is free, so might be worth driving to B'ham - Bus to Seattle - Cruise to Vancouver - Bus to B'ham.. Spend the rest of the weekend on the west side of the Cascades.

[jeromep]

I believe Ruby Princess will be sailing out of Seattle and return to Seattle for the Alaskan summer schedule. Our niece is one of the Princess dancers on that itinerary.

 

Star, Island & Coral Princess will be sailing out of Vancouver.

 

 

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My mistake. I had to go find my Cruise Atlas and check it out. The OP didn't mention when they were sailing. If I'm reading the Cruise Atlas correctly, this would be the September 30 sailing which is repoing the ship from the RT Seattle Alaska cruises to California Coastals and Mexican Rivera cruises.

 

Sorry.

[Wehwalt]

I've done I think five of them (my "elite qualification" was three cruises in four days with a hasty flight YVR-SEA in the middle). You get a lot of people who are trying to cram all the cruise ship experience into one night, thus the crowds at the shows, shops, restaurants. The casinos are often closed, which was a pain as it is a good way to use OBC and as a 51-plus cruise credit passenger and a shareholder, I can't step on a Princess ship without getting $150 in OBC handed to me. I think I bought clothes, ground coffee and a bag or two of gummy bears ...

Edited February 2, 2017 by Wehwalt

[Robinsoncruiseso]

Some might hate me...but look what one day cruises can do.

 

Total Princess Credits* : 15

Total Princess Cruise Days* : 30

 

In all fairness, we have 2-7 days, 1 -10 day and 1 - 1 day booked. Recent empty nesters with one wedding and college costs behind us. Yea! Overnighters were all we had time for.

[trinaM]

It makes you wanna cry it's so short, BUT it's so worth it! Lol DH disagrees, but to me, I'd live on a ship if I could, so I'll take any cruise. [emoji924]

 

 

So I'll take any cruise. YES for me , it is the same. I know they are short. but there is fun times to be had on a ship even for one long long day!!! :)

[Turtles06]

OP: I can't help with your question, but I wanted to say that I loved your clever thread title. :)

[Gallivanting Souls]

Thank you to all that replied. I enjoyed reading the reviews that someone posted as well. Our dates are the Sept 30th.

Yes, I was able to buy the soda and more package. I believe it was all of around $9 for the day. Even if it is a quick trip, we will have fun. My son's girl friend has never traveled and never been further than Idaho or Washington. She is very excited. She ordered and got her birth certificate and is applying for her passport. She has found a man that enjoys travel and wants to have her along. At age 12 he traveled as a People to People Ambassador for Washington to Australia. The young man at almost 26 has been way further than I have. I must catch up! I am looking forward to seeing Vancouver. He has already seen in. DH is just looking forward to a long weekend with no work. Don't worry, I won't be like the rest of the passengers on Gilligan's Island and bring so much luggage. One small carryon or backpack will suffice for DH and I combined.

Happy Sailing

[Gallivanting Souls]

OP: I can't help with your question, but I wanted to say that I loved your clever thread title. :)

 

If there were only a "Like" button! Thanks!