Questions, Questions and More Questions

[MsTabbyKats]

First time on Princess...Island Princess 6/25 to be exact

 

I have a few questions/confirmations etc

 

In room toiletries.....according to the website, we are supplied with shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.  Please confirm...and if so, do they replenish as needed?  I'm not fussy....just don't want to bring unnecessary bottles and tubes.

 

Embarkation....according to the website, we just need the medallion.  Do they send us documentation...as to arrival time and address of the port?

 

Casino.....on every other cruise, one needs a room key card to play.  How about on Princess?  Do I scan the medallion or something?  Can I charge the money to my cabin?  If so, is there a fee?

 

If I think of more, I'll add to this thread!

[skynight]

1. Yes, it is supplied and replenished. The shampoo and shower soap are in pump bottles in the shower. I find it difficult to get enough amounts through the pump. The shampoo is just ok. Suggest you bring your own. The body lotion is nice quality.

2. Complete all your pre-boarding information on line or in the app. U.S./Canada residents can have their medallion mailed to them, $10 fee. Fee is waived if you have the plus or premier fare. You can also select to pick up your medallion at the pier. It's a few minute detour.

3. Arrival time. Depends on the port, but at most ports boarding begins around 10:30/11:00am. Bring along a copy of the travel summary as a backup, but probably no one will ask to see it. Attendants may ask to see your passport. There are no boarding times or boarding passes. Once boarding begins it moves quickly.

4. Slots. You scan your medallion. You can either charge to your on board account, no fee, or insert cash. To charge to your account all you have to do is select the amount you wish to charge. No matter how you decide when you cash out the funds go to your casino account which you set up when you scanned your medallion. You take the slip to the cashier to get cash.

Table games. Similar. If you wish to use cash just drop it on the table. The dealer probably will ask for your medallion so they can track play and maybe you will receive a casino offer in the future. If you wish to charge to your account provide the medallion to the dealer and request the amount you want. The pit boss will process your request. You will sign a paper and then the dealer will provide you with chips. When you wish to end play you just take the chips with you, you should trade small value chips for higher value ones, and cash them in at the cashier, or save them for future play.

[JimmyVWine]

26 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

First time on Princess...Island Princess 6/25 to be exact

 

I have a few questions/confirmations etc

 

If I think of more, I'll add to this thread!

In room toiletries.....according to the website, we are supplied with shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.  Please confirm...and if so, do they replenish as needed?  I'm not fussy....just don't want to bring unnecessary bottles and tubes.

There will be large bottles in the bathroom that will be refilled as needed.

 

Embarkation....according to the website, we just need the medallion.  Do they send us documentation...as to arrival time and address of the port?

Boarding is paperless.  You need your passport and medallion (mailed to you free with some Packages, or for a fee without a Package, or can be easily picked up in the boarding area.)  Even though everything is paperless, I still bring my Travel Summary showing a zero balance for my cruise fare with me.  Can't hurt.  Boarding times are not given out, and aren't enforced even if they are.  Generally people start to get on board around 10:30-11:00.  Suite guests and those with preferred status from prior cruises get on first, but the "general population" isn't far behind.  Maybe 20 minutes or so.  

 

Casino--I'll let someone else weigh in.  It's not something we do.

Edited May 29 by JimmyVWine

[geoherb]

There is not a separate conditioner. It's a shampoo/conditioner combination. I take a small bottle of conditioner with me. I also bring along a bar of soap. I don't like body wash.

[suekel]

1 hour ago, skynight said:

1. Yes, it is supplied and replenished. The shampoo and shower soap are in pump bottles in the shower. I find it difficult to get enough amounts through the pump. The shampoo is just ok. Suggest you bring your own. The body lotion is nice quality.

2. Complete all your pre-boarding information on line or in the app. U.S./Canada residents can have their medallion mailed to them, $10 fee. Fee is waived if you have the plus or premier fare. You can also select to pick up your medallion at the pier. It's a few minute detour.

3. Arrival time. Depends on the port, but at most ports boarding begins around 10:30/11:00am. Bring along a copy of the travel summary as a backup, but probably no one will ask to see it. Attendants may ask to see your passport. There are no boarding times or boarding passes. Once boarding begins it moves quickly.

4. Slots. You scan your medallion. You can either charge to your on board account, no fee, or insert cash. To charge to your account all you have to do is select the amount you wish to charge. No matter how you decide when you cash out the funds go to your casino account which you set up when you scanned your medallion. You take the slip to the cashier to get cash.

Table games. Similar. If you wish to use cash just drop it on the table. The dealer probably will ask for your medallion so they can track play and maybe you will receive a casino offer in the future. If you wish to charge to your account provide the medallion to the dealer and request the amount you want. The pit boss will process your request. You will sign a paper and then the dealer will provide you with chips. When you wish to end play you just take the chips with you, you should trade small value chips for higher value ones, and cash them in at the cashier, or save them for future play.

There is no slip when cashing out slots.  You just download the amount to your medallion (done by pushing cash out button), they then scan your medallion at the cashier to give you your money.  There is only a slip if it is a hand pay (big amount).  

[wallyj]

@MsTabbyKats, on my recent sailings, it seems Princess has changed to some sort of ‘clear’ body wash AND shampoo/conditioner. I feel it has a sort of ‘industrial’ smell and now I bring my own. They are no longer as seen in post #3.

[MsTabbyKats]

Another question...I got the Plus package.  On the OceanNow delivery menu there a few things with a small surcharge.  Is the surcharge waived with the Plus package?

[mtnesterz]

Skynight mentioned this, but I would like to emphasise it.

Do either print your Travel Summary or keep a digital copy on your phone or tablet.

No, they will not request it, but we had a discrepancy as to what was pre-purchased and having the Summary settled the question in our favor.

These days, I think the only thing to print is your luggage tags, from the Princess website. Either cover them with clear packing tape and staple or if you find a clear holder, do that. But the paper by itself will tear off.

 

Here is what Plus provides:

https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages

Edited May 29 by mtnesterz

[alwalaska]

46 minutes ago, suekel said:

There is no slip when cashing out slots.  You just download the amount to your medallion (done by pushing cash out button), they then scan your medallion at the cashier to give you your money.  There is only a slip if it is a hand pay (big amount).  

I don't go to the casino, but someone on another thread posted that there is a "convenience fee" if you cash out to cash, rather than just letting the statement settle everything out at the end of the cruise.  Is this true?

[suekel]

9 minutes ago, alwalaska said:

I don't go to the casino, but someone on another thread posted that there is a "convenience fee" if you cash out to cash, rather than just letting the statement settle everything out at the end of the cruise.  Is this true?

Nope

[dreaminofcruisin]

16 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question...I got the Plus package.  On the OceanNow delivery menu there a few things with a small surcharge.  Is the surcharge waived with the Plus package?

 

You do have to pay the charges listed for food (if there is one), but the beverages (up to $15) are included with the Plus package and you should see them removed as you 'check out'.

 

[JamieLogical]

For the casino, things are a little different than the lines you have sailed before (I know you have been on MSC). When you are ready to "cash out" from a machine, it does not print a ticket. It puts the funds into your "Casino Bank" which is a separate pool of money from your regular onboard account. You can transfer money to your casino bank from your onboard account or you can add to it by inserting cash into the machine. You need to make sure that you cash out your entire casino bank the last night of the cruise.

 

I personally hate this system because I gamble with a daily budget. On other lines, the ticket at the end of the night went into my safe and I waited until the end of the sailing to cash in all my tickets, that way I didn't accidentally gamble with the previous day's money. On Princess, I have to make sure I cash out my casino bank before transferring in my next day's budget, otherwise, the money will get all mixed up.

[reedprincess]

2 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question...I got the Plus package.  On the OceanNow delivery menu there a few things with a small surcharge.  Is the surcharge waived with the Plus package?

No, the food charge is not waived. It's the delivery charge that's waived/covered by Plus/Premier Cruise Packages.

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, alwalaska said:

I don't go to the casino, but someone on another thread posted that there is a "convenience fee" if you cash out to cash, rather than just letting the statement settle everything out at the end of the cruise.  Is this true?

NO! If you keep an open account in the casino on the last day of the cruise the $$ in the account is gone.

Some report that they got a call to close out the account, but don't "bank" on it.

[alwalaska]

3 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

NO! If you keep an open account in the casino on the last day of the cruise the $$ in the account is gone.

Some report that they got a call to close out the account, but don't "bank" on it.

Good to know. Thanks. 

[MsTabbyKats]

Another question....I assume there will be a full mini bar.  I assume the Plus Package would include the contents of the mini bar.

 

Is my logical assumption correct?

[chrysalis]

only a full mini bar if you are either in a full suite or are Elite.

[skynight]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question....I assume there will be a full mini bar.  I assume the Plus Package would include the contents of the mini bar.

 

Is my logical assumption correct?

No mini bar at all. Nothing for sale in the fridge like you may see in hotels or maybe some other cruise lines. Mini bars are set up in any category cabin for those with elite loyalty status and all passengers booked into a full suite.

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question....I assume there will be a full mini bar.  I assume the Plus Package would include the contents of the mini bar.

 

Is my logical assumption correct?

 

The mini-fridge in your cabin will be empty. I like to stock mine up with water bottles throughout my cruise.

[HotRoot]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another question....I assume there will be a full mini bar.  I assume the Plus Package would include the contents of the mini bar.

 

Is my logical assumption correct?

If you have the plus or premium package, you can order from room service and stock your own fridge.  Nonalcohol drinks are free and unlimited.  Alcohol drinks are limited to 15 per day.  So. if you don't reach your limit, you can order for stocking your fridge.

[skynight]

One other point from the terms 

• "The package does not apply to Mini-Bar items."

 

Those small 50ml bottles of spirits are not included. You can stock the fridge on your own by ordering alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages unopened at a bar and bringing them back to your cabin. 

[MsTabbyKats]

Another pressing issue....how does Princess do muster drills?  I hope we don't need to congregate and see a demonstation......

[Spudd]

7 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Another pressing issue....how does Princess do muster drills?  I hope we don't need to congregate and see a demonstation......

You watch the video on your phone or your cabin TV, then check in at your muster station. Easy peasy.

[BamaVol]

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

You watch the video on your phone or your cabin TV, then check in at your muster station. Easy peasy.

Checking in at the muster station involves scanning your medallion.  That’s it. Muster stations are inside, located in bars and restaurants for the most part. 
 

Watching the video on your phone, you can be anywhere.  Pool. Bar. Gym.

[skynight]

On the Island Princess your muster station will be on deck 7, promenade, starboard side. Forward, midship or aft depending on the location of your cabin. When you board while waiting to go to your cabin just pass by. You will see crew with yellow hats. If you are at the wrong one they will direct you. Once at your muster station you scan your medallion and you are done with that step. You then watch the muster video on your phone, device or cabin TV to be totally done. I watch the TV when unpacking.