Princess secrets...

[Casshew]

Casshew - I would love to pre-purchase casino certificates. How do I do that? I was trying to find it on the Princess website and couldn't. Thanks!

 

Hi there... here is the link

 

Just click on 'download' and then print the page - fill it out and fax it to the #

[vic49]

You can order shrimp cocktail any night, and in fact, you can also sometimes get things that are not officially on the menu--like fruit plates, pasta with marinara, etc.

 

Ice cream is free in the dining rooms and in horizon court from approx 3:30-4:30 (varies by ship) in vanilla and chocolate with toppings. If you go to their ice cream parlor you will pay for it.

 

Sun class---you can order premium tequila (petron) in your drink at poolside bars for no extra charge.

 

You can order pastas from the main menu in appetizer size to try them (I highly recommend this one).

 

What is "Sun class?" Never mind, I figured it out.

[viviandr]

Is there any tip or secret to the timing of sales and promotions in the on board boutiques?

 

I know that spa treatments are often discounted on port days....

[noobiecruiser]

Just returned from the Sapphire Princess. The hallway carpet on the port side has a pink border and the starboard side had a light blue border. This was especially helpful early in the trip when we were always using different elevators and it made it so easy to see at a glance which way we needed to turn. NCL also used a different border on each side of the ship, so this must be a standard practice and maybe not even a secret except to a novice like myself! ;)

 

I found that tip before my first cruise - and the easy way to remember it is "red" for "port wine" = "Port" ... :p Definitely makes things easy.

[Casshew]

Is there any tip or secret to the timing of sales and promotions in the on board boutiques?

 

 

My daughter bought a crystal bracelet on the 3rd night of the cruise, by the 9th night everything was 40% off. She brought her receipt back and they gave her the refund/credit.

[RKMJDJ]

Can you prereserve the thermal beds, scented showers etc. in the Spa area or do you have to wait until your onboard? Thanks

[viviandr]

My daughter bought a crystal bracelet on the 3rd night of the cruise, by the 9th night everything was 40% off. She brought her receipt back and they gave her the refund/credit.

 

Ah! Good reason to keep the receipt! Thanks for the tip!

[cezovski]

On the Dawn, you can get Shrimp Cocktail every night. And you can get as many as you want, too!

Just ask! Also, I don't know if this is mentioned on the menu (I didn't notice), but you aren't restricted to the pizzas they offer. You can have any and all toppings on it you want. Deck 8 is where the pizza parlor is.

 

On the Aloha Deck, if you go all the way Aft, you will find two doors. Go through them and there is a small deck with good viewing there. Not too many people know about this. This is on the Dawn. Not sure about other ships.

[Cruiser7772]

Casshew - thank you for your help. :D

[Casshew]

You're welcome :)

[rogerc20]

One secret that Princess doesn't tell their passengers is that they now stop at Crown Bay in St Thomas and not the pier in Charlotte Amalie as they previously did. Nothing much open at the new port and it will cost you $8 round trip to shop at Havensight where you once could get off the ship and walk to for free. The only way we knew about the new pier was from reading it here on Cruise Critic. Princess isn't telling anyone.

 

Was on the 7/19 cruise, rear starboard and woke up at Crown Bay to the sound of roosters crowing. Looked out the balcony and it appeared we were in somebody's backyard. Much different than the pier at Charlotte Amalie.

[skf]

Is there any tip or secret to the timing of sales and promotions in the on board boutiques?

 

I know that spa treatments are often discounted on port days....

You'll find good sales on Area-specific items (Baltic, Caribbean, etc.) when the ship is leaving on a repositioning cruise to new waters. They have to move out the old to make room for the new.

 

Steve

[Colo Cruiser]

Was on the 7/19 cruise, rear starboard and woke up at Crown Bay to the sound of roosters crowing. Looked out the balcony and it appeared we were in somebody's backyard. Much different than the pier at Charlotte Amalie.

 

 

Great description!!! :D

[SFParrtHd]

I don't know if this is already posted, but I just did this today so it is fresh in my mind.

 

If you have a rewards type credit card (ie: My VISA gives me points for flights on Air Canada) you can send yourself a Casino credit via your credit card and get the points as if it was a purchase.

 

I sent money to myself for my upcoming cruise, not for the Casino necessarily, but for spending money for shore excursions etc... I sent 2000.00 today and I will get all the rewards points, plus I don't have to carry all that cash around with me enroute to the ship.

 

You get $ certificates in your cabin when you board and you cash it in at the Casino.

 

Casshew - thanks, this is one of the best tips. I am assuming you can also use a Princess rewards CC and get double points :)

[DocM3]

Can't you get cash on board (at the Casino) and charge it to your credit card? My husband charged to the onboard account and paid with our credit card at the end of the voyage (QM2)- and ofcoourse, we got our points for the whole amount of the bill.

[caribill]

Can't you get cash on board (at the Casino) and charge it to your credit card?

 

Yes, with a 3% Princess service fee.

[Crusin Karen]

Isn't this the same thing if you use a reward credit card for your sign and sale card? If I take $ to use at the casino via my S&S, that amount is going to go on my reward credit card anyway, right? The total amount of my S&S card post cruise is going to be charged to my credit card :confused: :confused:

[Casshew]

Well I guess it all works out the same in the end, but for me it is so convenient to send the money ahead of time. Pay off my VISA, when I arrive the money (by way of $ certificate) is waiting for me in the cabin.

 

I get all the reward points :) and I don't have to carry all that cash around with me, or pay any princess fee's.

[Crusin Karen]

Oh, that's true...you have to pay that service fee. DH is in the casino EVERY NIGHT and it annoys me that we have to pay $ to use our $ :( So that's a good idea. Maybe I'll do that for him!

[swanlady2000]

Just got off the Sea Princess and two "secrets" come to mind.

 

First the soda card included a drink called a "shirley temple" which the kids like to order - it was basically sprite (lemonade to us brits!) and pomegranate (I think syrup) - seemed to be very popular anyway.

 

Second - The sterling steakhouse moved outside once during the 14 day cruise for dining with MUTS at the riveria grill. I managed to secure a reservation the 1st day onboard - there are only around a dozen tables available and all were fully booked early on. We could watch the steaks being cooked on the grill and we absolutely loved it! Would post a piccie, but don't know how - lol.

[Casshew]

swanlady, email me the pic and I will post it for you

 

cass@casshew.com

[cdngrl]

Just got off the Sea Princess and two "secrets" come to mind.

 

First the soda card included a drink called a "shirley temple" which the kids like to order - it was basically sprite (lemonade to us brits!) and pomegranate (I think syrup) - seemed to be very popular anyway.

yup, 'syrup' is`called grenadine.it can be made with sprite or 7-up. btw (i was married to a bartender in my other life) a real shirley temple is gingerale, grenadine and oj.:D

[CruisinChris]

In cold weather cruising steamer blankets are available up by the pool. You sign them out and then return them at the end of the cruise. Suites will have them delivered to the room. If you ask, your room steward may get them for you.

 

Room service will deliver bar snacks - chips, oriental mix - to your room to go with your late afternoon drinks. No charge. just call and ask. they will also deliver cut up lemons and limes.

 

tonic water is covered by the soda card

 

room steward will bring more hangers to the room on request (rarely an issue but occasionally needed)

 

Your room steward will bring extra beach towels to the room on request. Also about a year ago or so Princess began having trolleys with extra towels up by the pool. The only issue I see with this is that the "unaware" leave their used towels all over the deck and chairs (makes it hard to tell what's occupado or not). What's nice is that you can ditch your wet towels and grab nice dry ones as you head back to the room.

 

Bring back late afternoon snacks from Horizon Court or international cafe or even cafe caribe. (lobster claws and crab on seafood night are great little munchies, cheese, crackers, mini sandwiches, etc). PS Please leave your dishes in your room and not placed on the floor in the hall. This is customary in HOTELS but ships 'companionways are much too narrow and they present a tripping hazard. Either call room service or your steward to remove or cover with a napkin. Your steward will get it removed while you're gone.

 

Suitcases fit under the beds - even my huge 36" roller bag fits. No need to stand them in the closet have their dirt rub off on your clothes

 

Expect your suitcases to take a battering when you travel by ship. They are tossed about a good deal more than simple air travel. Make sure your bag is in good condition - especially zippers and the frame. Don't expect cheap bags to last more than one or two voyages.

 

Fried scallops are a tradition on the welcome aboard buffet in the Horizon Court. Without exception - every cruise since 1998 on the grand. Check it out - it's true. Perhaps by writing this they will mix it up....

 

Captain's Circle Hostess has extra voyage/destination stickers for your "Captain's Circle Passport"

 

Sometimes for small fee you can get canapes or cheese in the bars with your pre-dinner drinks

 

In Vines the raclette (melted cheese, a swiss specialty) and cheese and crackers are free. many of the things are the international cafe are also free - don't be intimidated by the counter or afraid to ask. Items with a fee are clearlly labeled. You can get caramel apples (very gourmet styled) and chocolate dipped strawberries.

 

with 6 hours notice room service can bring you a wide range of snacks like chilled shrimp, guacamole and chips, canapes, etc. the quantities tend to be much bigger than described and there is a nominal fee.

 

Special occasion cakes can be requested through your head waiter - even for delivery in one of the specialty dining rooms (like Sabatini's or Sterling Steakhouse)

[Casshew]

 

Second - The sterling steakhouse moved outside once during the 14 day cruise for dining with MUTS at the riveria grill. I managed to secure a reservation the 1st day onboard - there are only around a dozen tables available and all were fully booked early on. We could watch the steaks being cooked on the grill and we absolutely loved it! Would post a piccie, but don't know how - lol.

 

This is swanlady's photo of the the 'special outdoor' steakhouse :) with a great view of MUTS

 

[sultan_sfo]

If one orders any item from Room Service, Room Service will take them and the cabin steward can and will call Room Service to clear them. However, we feel uncomfortable leaving the dishes (except mugs) we bring from the buffet for the Cabin Steward to clear up. Imagine the extra workload for the Steward if all 17 cabins left dishes in their cabin. There is no room on their cart. So as a courtesy, we bus our buffet dishes back to one of the soiled tables on Lido Deck. Or we arrange to tip the Cabin Steward extra every time we leave dishes in the cabin. BTW, the design of dishes used by Room Service is quite different from those at the buffet.

 

...

Bring back late afternoon snacks from Horizon Court or international cafe or even cafe caribe. (lobster claws and crab on seafood night are great little munchies' date=' cheese, crackers, mini sandwiches, etc). PS Please leave your dishes in your room and not placed on the floor in the hall. This is customary in HOTELS but ships 'companionways are much too narrow and they present a tripping hazard. Either call room service or your steward to remove or cover with a napkin. Your steward will get it removed while you're gone.

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