Grand Princess Information..I'm Sailing On Her Now.

[4cats4me]

11 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Joe is the DR/Buffet now tuning into Del Boca Vista?  It gets earlier and earlier.  😳

 

I think it closed at 10:30 on the Royal back in April.  I could be wrong, but we are nighttime snacking people and we didn’t want to wait in the long IC line, so wecwent  up to the buffet around that time and they were vacuuming and washing walls, et cet.  

 

I was so mad when they changed from the 24-hour format , and the IC just isn't the same when you want a snack after leaving the nightclubs. It was always so nice and festive , like being at a coffee shop after all the bars close. LOL

[caribill]

On 9/30/2019 at 6:47 AM, Belle said:

and they didn't build a center stair case...

 

Yes, there is a center staircase. However, it is only available to crew above deck 7.

 

(It is open to passengers in case of a need to muster as stairs are supposed to be used instead of elevators.)

[Belle]

Cari

[Belle]

Caribell..Know there's a middle staircase but not for passengers to use everyday and some

complain. You know that but you had to say.

 

Right off hand don't remember Chefs name. Sorry.

 

Also wine package...I think there's one but not sure.

 

Food I said  OK. What I meant it's good mostly. I have my favorite dishes. Some just not as

good as they were. Some meat very tender others not. Small servings but can ask for more if

you want. Same veggies every night.  It's fine doesn't take away from the cruise. 

 

Buffet is a buffet..Lot's of things for salads, lots of fruit then all the hot food and meat plus soups

As usual some better than others. you won't go hungry.

 

Casino..There has been lots of winners this cruise. I even won more.

 

I love the Grand and know you'll have a good time. The main thing your on a cruise. Not everything

goes right all the time. (that's life)  Just be happy you can cruise (others can't)  Don't let one thing

 you don't like ruin your cruise (like some do) Be Happy!

 

The ones joining us tomorrow (Oct. 3rd)  Last cruise everyone seem to get off in time pretty well

always a few that don't of course but seems like some were boarding between 11:15 and 11:330.

Hope that happens for you but remember each cruise is different so it could be later this time.

Just hope for a early time.  Bon Voyage!

 

 

[Go-Bucks!]

On 9/30/2019 at 7:47 AM, Belle said:

Escape room is now $8 pp

 

What is the Escape room?

[caribill]

6 hours ago, Go-Bucks! said:

 

What is the Escape room?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_room

 

Princess started having this activity last year. It was free.

[tlovesdis]

The Grand has an escape room????

[caribill]

9 hours ago, tlovesdis said:

The Grand has an escape room????

 

They use a venue as an escape room for a few hours; not sure which one they use.

[nanwel]

Thank you for the Grand updates - cruising to Vanc on the 20th - looking forward to the cruise!

[jbeth]

BELLE!

Any news about Givonni in Club Class dining being there the end of January? Thanks! 

[LARGIN]

1 hour ago, jbeth said:

BELLE!

Any news about Givonni in Club Class dining being there the end of January? Thanks! 

He left the the ship around the end of September.  Did not know when and where he would be returning.

[jbeth]

thanks Largin!!!!!!

[brisalta]

5 hours ago, jbeth said:

BELLE!

Any news about Givonni in Club Class dining being there the end of January? Thanks! 

 

I heard he retired.

[jbeth]

darn. he was fantastic!!!!!

 

[brisalta]

On 10/1/2019 at 8:00 PM, sfpd3000 said:

Who is the current executive chef?

 

Joel Directo

[brisalta]

On 9/30/2019 at 4:47 AM, Belle said:

Sabatini's new menu is good

 

I was on the Grand from Sept. 23rd to Oct. 3rd. I tried Sabatini's one night and thought it sucked.

It may have been because I ordered the seafood in parchment. The seafood was bland and did not have the correct texture. Nothing like anything I have had in Italy. (The seafood cooked in an Italian style  served in the MDR was much better). The fresh rolls were good and the desert OK.

 

By the way I was amused by the cioppino that was served in Horizon Court. It lacked any spice!!!! In addition there was a gentleman fishing out the scallops and putting them on his plate!! I guess he and the cook were unclear on what a cioppino is.

Edited October 8, 2019 by brisalta

[Belle]

Sorry haven't been on, internet not working as good this cruise.

 

Escape Room I did it when it was free and was held in the Chapel.

 

Sabatini's..It's become where there making it mostly about pasta dishes. I liked  my pasta and soup.

I got and I liked the dessert. Sampler of three. My opinion only yours might differ.

 

Sorry didn't make the M & G on Oct. 4th.

 

Who's ever is coming on the Grand you will have a good time. Staff is very friendly and always saying

Hello ans seeing if they can help you.

Those doing the Pacific Northwest next, you'll enjoy it. I did it last year in the end of Sept. We had good

weather. A hint..There's the Space Needle that can get busy but there is an office building that has a

Starbucks on the 40th floor for free and can then pay for a ticket to go to the top. higher than the Space

Needle, a little cheaper to. The view is outstanding. If just going for the view do this but if really want

to see the needle, that's different. Right now can't think of the name. Google it. Plus bet you can ask

someone there and they will know.

 

[grapau27]

On 9/30/2019 at 12:47 PM, Belle said:

New door handles, no slots for keys. Hold key to screen by the door

TV is on demand now

Escape room is now $8 pp

Still have Heist game

Computers work, slow some times but fast at other times ...Luck of the draw

No balloons starting in Oct.

At IC coffee lids and cups are paper

Straws are paper now most times you have to ask for them

Sabatini's new menu is good

Alfredo's good as ever

To me and others the Crown Grill not as good as use to be

Salty Dog is good

Dining room and buffet..OK

Times..The ship has put the Dining, Buffet and Elite lounge starting an half hour earlier..so then they close earlier. Just in case your use to the old hours

Formal night..Some really dressed up others looked nice. Smart Casual..lets say it means a lot of different things to people  Being hot it's been more casual I would say

Blue Brothers show is a good one to see (new with Steve and Lee)

Still lots of music around the ship

Trivia and other games still played

Some elevators and bathroom stalls out at different time....and they didn't build a center stair case...so just go with it...Relax..Enjoy!

John Smith is Captain now

Steve still CD

All the crew around the ship are friendly and helpful

 

If doing next cruise Mexico it's hot and the humidity makes it seem hotter.

1st formal night 2nd sea day...2nd formal night sea day after Cabo

A hint if you have an inside cabin..if you split the beds with night stand in the middle it makes your room so much bigger and more room to walk in.

 

I've been on the Grand since 9-13, getting off 10-13 (plus sailed Grand many times) If you have any question I'll answer if I can.

How Formal is Formal night?

I usually wear a long sleeved shirt and tie on RCCL formal night and a suit and tie on P&O formal night.

We are on Grand next month SF to Hawaii and would prefer to wear short sleeve shirt and no tie.

Thanks.

[Cruise Raider]

On 10/12/2019 at 2:14 PM, grapau27 said:

How Formal is Formal night?

I usually wear a long sleeved shirt and tie on RCCL formal night and a suit and tie on P&O formal night.

We are on Grand next month SF to Hawaii and would prefer to wear short sleeve shirt and no tie.

Thanks.

 

We just disembarked from the Grand yesterday ... have yet to write a review or go through my photos but can answer your question about formal night.  

I think you would get away with a collared shirt without a tie on formal night ... most likely, nobody will say anything to you however, a long sleeved dress shirt (with or without a tie) would probably be more appropriate.  I didn't see them refusing to seat anyone depending on their dress, though.  

There was a woman that showed up to dinner every night wearing cut off jean shorts.  Once seated, who cares but it definitely wasn't within the dress code and she was still seated.  I saw her later in the cruise and she did have black capri pants on ... so why not at least that level of dress at dinner?  Alas, I digress!  

 

[ldubs]

On 9/30/2019 at 5:29 AM, Negril60 said:

We will be on her next May , sailing Alaska. We have always loved the Princess ships. 

 

Family group is talking about doing the same but maybe in July. 

 

Belle, thanks for the info.  It has been a while since we have been on Princess.  The Grand is one of our favorite ship classes.  We look forward to coming back after so many years.  

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

We just disembarked from the Grand yesterday ... have yet to write a review or go through my photos but can answer your question about formal night.  

I think you would get away with a collared shirt without a tie on formal night ... most likely, nobody will say anything to you however, a long sleeved dress shirt (with or without a tie) would probably be more appropriate.  I didn't see them refusing to seat anyone depending on their dress, though.  

There was a woman that showed up to dinner every night wearing cut off jean shorts.  Once seated, who cares but it definitely wasn't within the dress code and she was still seated.  I saw her later in the cruise and she did have black capri pants on ... so why not at least that level of dress at dinner?  Alas, I digress!  

 

Thank you for your reply.

I think I will take a couple of long sleeved shirts and ties.

Graham.

[cheezenip]

Can you comment on how cold or warm the public spaces and cabins are? On some ships, the theater and other public spaces are so cold (despite the warm weather outside) that my mom has to wear a sweater or light jacket. Other times, it's the opposite.

 

Just trying to gauge the current conditions on the Grand as we will be aboard less than 3 weeks from now.

[Cruise Raider]

18 hours ago, cheezenip said:

Can you comment on how cold or warm the public spaces and cabins are? On some ships, the theater and other public spaces are so cold (despite the warm weather outside) that my mom has to wear a sweater or light jacket. Other times, it's the opposite.

 

Just trying to gauge the current conditions on the Grand as we will be aboard less than 3 weeks from now.

 

I was very comfortable on the ship wearing normal clothing .... I would say it was between 68-72 degrees indoors, with just a few exceptions.  There were some reported issues with the AC in some of the cabins, but we didn't notice any problems at all in our cabin or in the public areas around the ship.  While we were up in the One5 Club while in Mexico, it was very hot up there in that room ... but it was also extremely hot outside and people were opening the exterior doors.  And, it was also hot there on deck 7 while we were in Mexico as there were doors out to the promenade deck ... so the AC had to do a lot of extra work.  But, all the public rooms away from the exterior doors were always very comfortable.  

 

[strobellayjam]

@Belle thanks so much for sharing!  My kids will be especially happy to hear about the on demand in TV staterooms now.

[Belle]

Formal Night Dress..Well..Some were dressed up and others not especially the Mexico cruises.

This was the most casual dressing for formal and smart nights that I've been on.

Everyone was comfortable. Long sleeve shirt will be fine but a short sleeve especially a Hawaii one

would be fine too on the Hawaii cruise.

 

Temps of the ship. Most of it will depend where your cruising. The Alaska cruise the ship was always

nice inside. The usual cold rooms weren't cold.

Mexico cruise you passed a door or window it was very warm and the rooms were fine but when

left Mexico the cold rooms were cold again. Always take a sweater because you never know.

Some if the people complained their rooms were to warm where my room was on the cool side but fine.

 

The on Demand TV was nice. Movies that were shown on Mutts came to the TV after.

 

To those talking about being on the Grand for Alaska. Grand is leaving SF and the Star will be doing the Alaska 10 day.

The Grand will be doing the 7 day out of Vancouver. The Ruby will be coming to SF to stay after the Alaska season.

 

I had a nice time on the Grand, love the old lady. The crew was good as usual. Only thing to me because I'm not a

early riser on cruises that they had things I would of like to do and Lee had them starting to early.. in my opinion only.

I'm a night owl. Still had plenty to do.  Those who like music..had it off and on during the day and starting at 5 pm

music for dancing or listening to until late then Music in One5 after 10:30 pm

Plus all the different games, the entertainment in Princess Theater and the Casino. Your days and nights can be full

or you can just relax. That;s what's nice about cruising...Can do what you want. Sleep, Eat, be Busy or Not!

 

Internet the 1st and 2nd cruises it was fine but the last cruise for a few days it didn't work right. Would just freeze and

then just go off. Then last few days working again.

 

Cruise Raider I was in One5 often bet we saw each other. Hope you had a good time too. It was hot with the humidity.

Enjoyed it, now I'm cold at home and it's in the 70's.

 

Everyone have a Great cruise when and where ever you go.  Can you believe I'm cruising again on Nov. 6th.

I know I'm a lucky person. Didn't expect to be cruising again this year but here I go...

Caribbean Princess to the Caribbean. Upsell to a Balcony. 14 days.