Royal to Princess

[never_cruised]

Previous cruises have always been with RCCL so a few questions if I may.

 

1. The alcoholic beverage package on RCCL has to be took by other adults in your stateroom is that the same with Princess ?

 

2. What’s the buffet on Princess like for dinner ? Does the food change regularly from night to night ? I know we may shock some but we can’t always be bothered with the main dining rooms ?

 

3. Is it easy to get seated in the buffet at breakfast and lunch times ? On the RCCL ships we’ve cruised on this can be a challenge at particular times.

 

4. What’s the entertainment like on Princess ?

 

5. What type of price do draft beers start at and glasses of wine start at just interested to weigh up whether the drinks package is worth it for us or not.

 

6. How does the onboard WiFi perform and is it expensive ?

[Shmoo here]

20 minutes ago, never_cruised said:

Previous cruises have always been with RCCL so a few questions if I may.

 

1. The alcoholic beverage package on RCCL has to be took by other adults in your stateroom is that the same with Princess ?

 

2. What’s the buffet on Princess like for dinner ? Does the food change regularly from night to night ? I know we may shock some but we can’t always be bothered with the main dining rooms ?

 

3. Is it easy to get seated in the buffet at breakfast and lunch times ? On the RCCL ships we’ve cruised on this can be a challenge at particular times.

 

4. What’s the entertainment like on Princess ?

 

5. What type of price do draft beers start at and glasses of wine start at just interested to weigh up whether the drinks package is worth it for us or not.

 

6. How does the onboard WiFi perform and is it expensive ?

2.  Buffet menu changes every day.  The items available at dinner are often the same (or similar) to what's offered in the main dining rooms.  

3.  We've never been unable to find a table at breakfast or lunch in the buffet.  Certainly it could be a problem at a very popular time, but we've always found table space.  Sharing is a good option.

4.  Your basic Vegas-style musical review.  Although we did see a couple of new shows on our recent Crown cruise that were very opera-oriented.  Other entertainment options (individual musicians in the lounges/piazza, trivia games, etc) were varied and often.

Edited December 11, 2018 by Shmoo here

[paul929207]

1. No. each person makes their own decision to buy or not.

 

2. Yes, the buffet changes, although some things like salads are there everynight

3. Usually not a problem as long as your are willing to share.

4. 

5. Wine about $7 and up

6. Wifi is being upgraded, so the answer will vary by ship. Older set up is slow and expensive. Have not had the new yet.

[skynight]

1 hour ago, never_cruised said:

Previous cruises have always been with RCCL so a few questions if I may.

 

1. The alcoholic beverage package on RCCL has to be took by other adults in your stateroom is that the same with Princess ?

 

2. What’s the buffet on Princess like for dinner ? Does the food change regularly from night to night ? I know we may shock some but we can’t always be bothered with the main dining rooms ?

 

3. Is it easy to get seated in the buffet at breakfast and lunch times ? On the RCCL ships we’ve cruised on this can be a challenge at particular times.

 

4. What’s the entertainment like on Princess ?

 

5. What type of price do draft beers start at and glasses of wine start at just interested to weigh up whether the drinks package is worth it for us or not.

 

6. How does the onboard WiFi perform and is it expensive ?

2. Yes, different selections each evening. On the Royal & Regal the buffet area is very large and there are many more selections. Buffet is open from 5am until late evening every day, never closes during that time. Just about every ship has the International Cafe, grill and Pizza. These are other no charge dining options. The Royal & Regal, Grand and Sapphire also have Alfredo's, also no charge and waiter served.

3. Not really. Very seldom have difficulty finding a seat. Since the buffet is open all the time there isn't really a rush at a particular opening time, although there are peak periods, such as breakfast just before docking on a port day. One DR's is open every day for breakfast and for lunch on sea days. Never an issue with seating.

4. Good entertainment including production shows, singers, instrumentalists, comics, magic. All shows are open seating, no reservations. Arrive 30 mins. early for mid evening shows and some more popular productions shows. Late evening shows tend to be less crowded. Live music all around the ship in various lounges, including pop, piano/singer, classical, easy ballroom. Theme nights, trivia games, game shows, karaoke, deck parties, balloon drop parties, all the normal stuff. Comic in one of the alternate show lounges or lounge draw large crowds.

5. There are only a few draft beers available, around $7. Wine $7/glass and up into the teens. Bottles of wine from mid 20's up to $100. All beverage purchases have an automatic 15% gratuity added to the price. Basically 95% of all beverages offered on the ship are under $12. Only exceptions are some wines and some special whiskeys. The $12 limit on the beverage package is the menu price, not the menu price plus the 15%. You pay the 15% when you buy the package. It takes about 6 to 7 cocktails per day every day to break even.

6. Some ships have the new fast wi-fi with unlimited packages, some do not. Really have to know the ship to answer this question.

 

If you mention the ship you can receive more pointed focused replies.

[neverbeenhere]

shows don't require or accept reservations, but you need to go at least 15 minutes early to find a seat.

 

 

[never_cruised]

15 hours ago, skynight said:

2. Yes, different selections each evening. On the Royal & Regal the buffet area is very large and there are many more selections. Buffet is open from 5am until late evening every day, never closes during that time. Just about every ship has the International Cafe, grill and Pizza. These are other no charge dining options. The Royal & Regal, Grand and Sapphire also have Alfredo's, also no charge and waiter served.

3. Not really. Very seldom have difficulty finding a seat. Since the buffet is open all the time there isn't really a rush at a particular opening time, although there are peak periods, such as breakfast just before docking on a port day. One DR's is open every day for breakfast and for lunch on sea days. Never an issue with seating.

4. Good entertainment including production shows, singers, instrumentalists, comics, magic. All shows are open seating, no reservations. Arrive 30 mins. early for mid evening shows and some more popular productions shows. Late evening shows tend to be less crowded. Live music all around the ship in various lounges, including pop, piano/singer, classical, easy ballroom. Theme nights, trivia games, game shows, karaoke, deck parties, balloon drop parties, all the normal stuff. Comic in one of the alternate show lounges or lounge draw large crowds.

5. There are only a few draft beers available, around $7. Wine $7/glass and up into the teens. Bottles of wine from mid 20's up to $100. All beverage purchases have an automatic 15% gratuity added to the price. Basically 95% of all beverages offered on the ship are under $12. Only exceptions are some wines and some special whiskeys. The $12 limit on the beverage package is the menu price, not the menu price plus the 15%. You pay the 15% when you buy the package. It takes about 6 to 7 cocktails per day every day to break even.

6. Some ships have the new fast wi-fi with unlimited packages, some do not. Really have to know the ship to answer this question.

 

If you mention the ship you can receive more pointed focused replies.

Emerald 

[BarbinMich]

We haven't been on Princess for a year due to DH's health, but we've done 30 cruises with them over the years.  We nearly always eat dinner in the buffet because it's quicker (we like to attend many of the night-time activities like game shows, theater shows, etc. and fine dining isn't one of our priorities).  Some nights are ethnic theme nights like German, Italian, etc. with entrees like sauerbraten on German night with appropriate sides.  It's very uncrowded up there at night and often you'll see ship employees like singers/dancers, etc. eating up there, too.  Finally, usually there's a waiter coming around offering appropriate wine for a fee.

[EDDY0827]

Both adults in the same cabin are not required to buy the same beverage plan. Just one person can buy it but there is no sharing plan benefits. No buying your partner a drink. Of anything. Staff will be paying attention that there is no sharing going on.

Do the math and make sure that you will be drinking enough products (non-alcohol and alcohol drinks) to make it worth it.

[skynight]

Additional information specific to the Emerald Princess:

The buffet is split into two sections, Horizon Ct. and Cafe Caribe. Both service areas are normally open during peak breakfast and lunch times, one area for dinner. Check the back page of the Princess Patter for times. I think made to order omelettes are prepared in the Cafe Caribe section. You can sit anywhere.

No Alfredo's on the Emerald Princess.

Wi-fi - In your cruise personlizer you should have the option of purchasing either the "by-the-minute" plans or 3 different levels of unlimited plans. We are booked on the Emerald for February and these options are showing for our voyages.

Entertainment, The Emerald has one theater where production shows and guest entertainers will perform. Believe the Emerald has the show Magic to Do, nearly an hour long. Arrive at least 45 mins. early. I don't remember, but if they have either Bravo or Encore, similar shows, arrive very early for these shows. Additionally there is Explorer's Lounge and Club Fusion. These lounges may have comics, magic or some other entertainment. They are smaller so arrive early. There will be sets live music every evening Club Fusion, Explorer's Lounge, Crooner's Lounge, Wheelhouse Bar, Piazza. Adagio Lounge may also have a piano player. Watch the Princess Patter for times and locations. There is a late night DJ in Skywalker's. Skywalker's and Adagio Lounge are nice quiet locations for daytime reading or just sitting and doing your thing. Skywalker's has great views. 

[never_cruised]

So no pizza place on this ship ?

[skynight]

23 minutes ago, never_cruised said:

So no pizza place on this ship ?

By the Lido pool there is pizza by the slice and soft ice cream. No charge. These are open 11am until mid evening every day. There is also a grill by the Lido pool. Get your slices, find a table and dine away. No waiter served pizza restaurant like Alfredo's.

Edited December 12, 2018 by skynight

[LeeW]

The grill serves fresh-made burgers, chicken, brats, hot dogs, best fries at sea all day and evening.  No cost except they have a new specialty Ernesto burger/beer combo for around $6.  We are not fond of the pizza, but a lot of people like it.  GF is available if you ask for it and are willing to wait a while.

 

Royal tends to serve same food in buffet at each meal and just relabel it each day.  Princess has a lot more variety and the casual meal venues are open for most of the day - no closures like you see on RCI.  As others have said, Regal and Royal Princess have a huge buffet area, probably double the size of other ships.  If you liked the dessert in the main dining room you can often get another later at the buffet.  More souffles on Princess.

 

Internet - old style, purchase by the minute on most ships.  Can be as slow as a 1200 baud modem, if you remember those.

[satxdiver]

Each person decides whether they want to buy any of the beverage packages or none at all.  

 

The buffet (HC) is open from 5:30 PM to 11 PM and has a nice selection which usually changes by the day but lately on other ships we have been on that does not seem to be the case.  Food offered in the HC is not the same as what is offered in the MDR but is good.  The HC is open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM changing what is offered according to the time of day (breakfast to lunch to snacks to dinner).   Pizzeria by the slice is available near the pool on the Lido deck as is the grill for hamburgers, hot dogs etc.  Soft serve ice cream station also near the pool.  They are open 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM with the evening closing times sometimes changing a bit.  International Cafe (IC) on deck 5 (plaza) is open 24 hours with changing offerings depending on the time of day.  Afternoon and evening it offers a selection of premade sandwiches and some salads as well as sweet things.   Generally easy to get a table in the HC but on busy times may have to share a table.  There also are tables out around the pools on the sides available.  We generally like the tables out around the pools.  

 

Keg beer is very limited and available mostly only on the Lido deck bars and the Wheelhouse bar (deck 7).  It has been awhile since I have bought it but around $6 as I recall.  Wine is available at $7 and up.  There is a wine bar called Vines on the plaza deck with a great selection of wines.  

 

Unless the Emerald has updated their WiFi, it is s l o w not unlike the days of 9600 baud.  The new WiFi on some ships is around 20 mbps but most likely not on Emerald yet.  

 

Onboard entertainment has a piano bar usually with the pianist singing, 5 piece band playing country to easy to rock, 2 piece band playing dance music or jazz, pianist playing more traditional music, some kind of entertainment in the piazza on deck 5 varies by time of day and the theater with different shows from production types to magicians to comedians depending on the day.  If you want to go to the theater at night particularly the earlier show, you need to be there 30 minutes early to get a reasonable seat.  After 10 pm up in Skywalker's is a disco with great views since it is on the highest deck.  

 

On deck 7 there is Wheelhouse bar, Explorer's lounge, Crooner's (piano) and Club Fusion.  Deck 5 has the piazza with changing entertainment.  Deck 16 Adiago with piano and deck 18 Skywalker's near the aft.  Theater is in the bow on decks 6 and 7 (no balcony).  

[never_cruised]

On the subject of entertainment do all the Princess ships do The Voice at sea ?

[skynight]

3 hours ago, never_cruised said:

On the subject of entertainment do all the Princess ships do The Voice at sea ?

Voice of the Ocean basically is offered on most U.S. based sailings where there are enough sea days to fit in the rehearsals and the show. I have also seen it on a sailing from Southampton and also on South America voyages. I don't know about sailings from Australia and Asia. I would expect that not all of these ships have the rotating chairs and voting devices. 

Edited December 13, 2018 by skynight