princess for the 1st time, suggestions on ship?

[rclcruzer]

Hi, Our family of 5, Me, DH and 3 teens, want to "venture" out and cruise a line other than RCCL (which we love) . We want to do the Caribbean, but are clueless on what ship would be a good one for us.:confused: RCCL's mega ships and Freedom class have spoiled us. Could you give us some insight on what Princess has to offer? I know you CC'rs can help me! Thanks for all the helpful info you can give! :D

[Times Prince]

We have not found a Princess ship that we didn't like.

 

Choose the itinerary that you want for your family, and let Princess supply the ship. Most of the Caribbean ships are the Grand class anyhow.

[katier825]

If you like the mega ships, you should like the Caribbean Princess. It's one of Princess' biggest ships, not too old. I think the Crown will be moving down to Fort Lauderdale next year and the Ruby will take over the Crown's spot in NY. The Emerald is another option, it's a sister ship to Caribbean I think.

 

But they are different than what you are probably used to on RCCL. They don't have the rock climbing wall, ice rink, mall-like atrium area. My kids are grown, so I haven't paid attention to the kids programs. I'm sure someone else will comment on that for you. Also, no singing/dancing waiters or towel animals, if that's important to you.

 

I've found Princess to be very consistent for service, food, entertainment, etc. regardless of which ship I was on. Some people don't like the auto tipping (it can be removed at your discretion). Personally, I like it and have always had excellent service.

 

If you go to Webshots, you can search for photos. There are lots of nice ones out there. There is a website just for Caribbean Princess, but I can't find the link. Hopefully someone out here will post it for you.

 

:)

[christinelee]

Everyone has different taste (Thank God) if we all had the same everyone would want to be married to my DH........choose where you want to go, then find the ship that is going to take you......all of the big girls are out there for what ever ports you wish to go........Muts (Movies Under The Stars) is a great way to spend the day or night on board..... great searching!

[Co. Cruisers]

I agree, been on 8 cruises so far with 9th coming up 11/26 - 12/06 on Emerald. 8 out of 9 on Princess. Emerald is sister ship to Crown, been on Crown - GREAT. Here's a previous posting from a CC cruiser that tells you just about all you need to know about Princess. Read, book, enjoy! We're cruising!

 

Pre-boarding:

 

Make sure you complete the immigration information for your family in the Cruise Personalizer on http://www.princess.com (you’ll need your booking number), and then print the e-tickets, or boarding passes, at least 5 days prior to the start of your cruise. You’ll need a separate boarding pass for each family member, regardless of age. That boarding pass, your passport or other proof of citizenship, and a credit card are all you’ll need to present when you check in at the pier. Make sure you keep all these items in your carry-on.

 

You may pre-reserve shore excursions in the Cruise Personalizer up until 5 days prior to the start of your cruise. A nice thing about Princess is that shore excursions are charged to your shipboard account; you are not asked to pay for them right away when you pre-reserve them online. Your excursion tickets will be delivered to your cabin the first day on the ship. If you are going to cancel your excursion, it must be done prior to the closing time for that port, always listed in the daily program (generally at least 24-36 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in port). If you miss that closing time, you will be unable to get a refund; otherwise, refunds are easily and quickly obtained.

 

You may request robes and fruit bowls for your cabin in the Cruise Personalizer. These are nice Princess perks that some other cruise lines don’t offer. If you note any special celebrations (i.e. birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and retirements) in the Cruise Personalizer, celebratory balloons will appear outside your cabin door during your cruise. Even if the occasion doesn’t occur during the cruise, you can simply pick a date during the cruise on which to celebrate and note it in the Cruise Personalizer. Please note: if you would like a special cake in the dining room after dinner, it is always best to mention this to the Assistant Maitre De the night before you wish to celebrate, particularly if you have Anytime Dining.

 

Princess supplies umbrellas and binoculars in full suites only; tote bags are not provided. You’ll find eucalyptus scented bath gels, lotion, shampoo and conditioner in each cabin, as well as bar soap, and a low powered hair dryer near the vanity in your cabin. There is generally only one outlet per cabin…we pack an inexpensive power strip to facilitate the recharging of our myriad of video and audio equipment and cell phones

 

Princess only has two dinner dress codes…formal and smart casual. For formal nights, if you wish to dine in the dining room, you will be most comfortable (socially, not physically) in (at a minimum) dark sport coat and tie for men and dressy outfit for women. You’ll see a lot of tuxes and suits and long dresses and cocktail dresses. All other nights, men will be fine in Dockers and polo shirts; women can wear slacks, capris, or skirts. Jeans are not allowed in the dining room at dinner at any time. Remember….the buffet is always open for dinner if you choose not to dress up…t-shirts and shorts are always appropriate attire there.

 

In addition, Princess has self-serve washers and dryers, generally located on each passenger cabin deck, for about $1 per washer and dryer load. Laundry detergent and softener are available for purchase on board, and there are change machines accepting US currency in each laundry room. I’ve heard that there is an iron and ironing board in each laundry room (although I couldn’t personally attest to this fact!). Between the simplified dress code and the self serve laundries, you really can pack fewer clothes for a Princess cruise.

 

Once on board:

 

On Princess, you will be directed to your cabin location when you first board, but not accompanied to your cabin. Your cabin steward may not be around to welcome you, but he (she) will be certain to introduce himself the first evening, confirm your dining time and ask about any special requests. We always ask for extra pool and bath towels, and we ask that two of the daily programs be delivered each evening. Be sure you ask for whatever you’ll need to be comfortable on your cruise.

 

There is a small refrigerator in almost all Princess cabins, with an ice bucket that is filled twice a day. However, these ice buckets are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between cruises, and yours may not be there when you first board. If that’s the case, you can call room service for ice in the interim.

 

Your robes (if you requested them in the Cruise Personalizer) may not be in your cabin when you initially board. This is because they are being laundered from the prior cruise. They are generally delivered the first night or second day of the cruise. If you requested them and haven’t received them by the evening of the second day, be sure to mention this to your cabin steward.

 

Your fruit bowl (if you requested one in the Cruise Personalizer) will generally be delivered to your cabin the second day of the cruise. Your cabin steward will keep this replenished throughout the cruise.

 

Even if you did not request either the robe or the fruit bowl, you may ask your cabin steward for either after you board. You’ll get the fruit bowl with no issue; however, the robes are more limited, and you’ll get one providing they are still available.

 

Princess does the mandatory muster drill very well. There is no roll call, no going out on the open decks with your life jacket on. You will simply be directed to carry your life jacket to a public lounge and invited to sit while the evacuation procedures are explained. Unlike other cruise lines, you will NOT put your life jacket on to walk to the lounge, until you are instructed to do so at the very end of the muster drill. If you put it on when you first leave your cabin, you will be instructed to take it off. Muster drills generally take 15-20 minutes on Princess, and you must attend it for your own safety.

 

Princess’s daily activity program is called the Princess Patter, or the Patter, for short. There will be one in your cabin when you board, and one will be delivered every evening by about 9pm with the next day’s port description, any tender information (if necessary), the entertainment options for the day and evening hours, and any special boutique and buffet offerings. Even if you are not a participative cruiser, you’ll want to check out what’s going on each day. Usually in the first Patter of the cruise (the one that is in your cabin when you board), the itinerary and dress for each day of the cruise will be listed, to aid your planning.

 

In the blue Princess binder in your cabin is a ship’s map and a schedule of dining and bar venues. You’ll want to remove these and keep them close at hand. Also in that binder is the room service menu.

 

There is an unlimited soda sticker available for $3.95 per day for the entire length of the cruise, plus 15% tip. It is well worth it if you are a pop or club soda drinker, as you will never have to finish a drink or carry it around the ship with you…just get another. If you’re going to buy it, definitely buy it as soon as your board…the total price is the same regardless of which day of the cruise you purchase it. It is only good for fountain drinks (not cans), and it is not good on Princess Cays (the private beach resort). The soda sticker cannot be used by more than one person. Also, you don’t have to carry around the Coke tumbler you’ll get unless you want to…just get your soda in a glass and you can leave it behind as you move around.

 

The only free beverages available with meals are coffee, tea, iced tea and milk. During breakfast, some juices are available in the buffet. There are more juices available in the dining room. Like most cruise lines, their coffee is pretty bad (it’s made from syrup).

 

There is generally a specialty coffee card good for 15 specialty coffees (i.e. lattes, cappuccinos and espressos) for $25 plus 15% tip. This can be shared by several people. The specialty coffees are very good, and can be prepared decaf and nonfat, and flavored with syrups.

 

Princess is one of the rare cruise lines that allows you to bring on board your own bottled water, sodas, and wines. Any wines that are opened in the dining room are charged a corkage fee ($10 at the time of this writing). You may also phone room service to have any wine or other drink glasses delivered to your cabin as needed.

 

The cruise director and his deputy cruise director host a morning TV show shown on your cabin TV every morning from about 6:00am to 10:00am. Depending on the cruise director, these shows can either be incredibly funny, or incredibly grating (like a trip to the dentist’s office). I always try to watch it at least once during the cruise, to see if it’s any good. Princess cruise directors are very approachable, and if you are celebrating a special day on board, drop them a note a day or two ahead of time, and you’ll most likely get it announced on morning TV!

 

Princess’s pools are filled with fresh water (not salt water, as on most cruise lines except Disney). This is great for kids and adults alike. However, children who are not potty-trained (even if they are wearing swim diapers) will not be allowed in any Princess pool or hot tub. And some pools are Adults Only. If you think the “no swim diapers in the pool” rule will be a burden on your little one, I suggest you take along a small, inflatable wading pool for your toddler’s use (and just throw it away at the end of your cruise). You can place it near the big pool and ask someone from the deck staff to help you fill it. Your fellow passengers will thank you for your thoughtfulness!

 

All Princess ships except for the very smallest ones (Pacific, Tahitian, Royal and Regal Princess) have a 24 hour buffet. There is no midnight buffet on Princess; however, on Island night, you’ll want to stay up for the beautiful Island Night buffet (usually starts about 11pm or so). The regular buffet generally has 2 separate sides, and a sign will be posted outside each side indicating which one is currently open (during main meal times, both are). During the changeover from breakfast to lunch items, lunch to afternoon tea, and afternoon tea to dinner, Princess will shut down one buffet line to get the next meal ready…there is always one side open. In addition, on days at sea, there is frequently a special lunch time theme buffet…watch the Patter for notice of these.

 

There is a special children’s menu available for all meals in the dining room, with can’t miss items such as mac and cheese, chicken nuggets and hot dogs and fries.

 

The Island Night party is a definite “must see”…pack at least one tropical or island-type shirt/outfit to wear to dinner that night and for the rest of the evening. There is generally a country hoedown night and a 50s sock hop night too; few passengers bring special attire for these, but you will definitely make the “cruise in review” DVD if you do!

 

There will be a Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail party the first formal night of the cruise, offered twice, once for early diners and once for late diners. There is also a champagne waterfall held about 11:30pm the last formal night of the cruise. It is a Princess tradition, and is fun to attend at least once in your Princess cruising career.

 

2 or 3 flavors of ice cream are available after every lunch and dinner in the dining room. In addition, free ice cream (generally 2 flavors plus toppings) are available every afternoon in the buffet, generally from 3:30p to 4:30p. Just follow the line of men heading that direction.

 

Formal afternoon tea is offered every day (except embarkation day) on Princess cruises, in one of the dining rooms. Watch the Patter for location. T-shirts and shorts are fine for formal afternoon tea.

 

Princess’s main theater (the Princess Theater) and other entertainment venues are notorious for not having enough seating. One reason is that, unlike other cruise lines, Princess offers multiple entertainment options every evening. You can go to as many as 3 different shows on a single night. Additionally, many shows are shown for two evenings (i.e. once the first evening, and twice the second, or vice versa), so you don’t have to attend every thing every evening. The Princess Patter will indicate which shows are “one night only” and which ones will be shown again the following night. However, if you are seating a large group, or are picky about your seating (as I am, for production shows and magician shows), you will need to arrive in plenty of time (e.g. 20 minutes early) to get the seats you want. The entertainment is always most attended the first night of the show, and the show between 8:15 and 8:30pm. The second, or later shows each evening, and the second night shows are generally less attended, and arriving early might not be necessary.

 

Princess generally does NOT have stacks of towels by each pool. You’ll need to bring your pool towel (a blue and white striped towel) from your cabin when you head to the pool or hot tub. Your cabin steward will supply you with as many as you need once a day…we always ask to have 3 per person in our cabin. If you get caught short, you may page your steward to get more delivered during the day. We generally return the used towels to our cabin, unless we are returning from a day on the beach. Sometimes, the ship has a bin as you reenter the ship just for towels, to keep the sand from spreading. You will not be charged if you don’t return your towels to your cabin…they are not tracking your towel usage. They are just trying to cut down on chair hogs by the pools by not having stacks of towels there.

 

Princess’s room service menu is limited to continental breakfast items, and the items on the menu found in the blue binder in your cabin. Unless you are in a full suite, you will be unable to order from the dining room menu and have it delivered to your cabin. Sorry! There are extra charge “balcony” breakfasts and dinners available. Both include champagne and specialty food items not always found in the dining room. The Balcony breakfast is $25 per couple; the dinner is $100 per couple (and you don’t have to have a balcony to enjoy them).

 

Princess does not have interactive shipboard account viewing or shore excursion ordering on your in-cabin TV. I advise that you go to the Passenger Services Desk to get a paper copy of your statement at least once midway through your cruise and the last full day onboard. If there are any discrepancies, the final morning of your cruise is not the best time to discover and resolve them.

 

You’ll encounter hand sanitizer dispensers every 10 feet or so on the ship. If you’ve never cruised before, you may find this a bit disconcerting, but they are a fact of life on all cruise ships these days, to prevent the spread of illnesses, particularly the noro virus. Be smart about hand washing while on board and use every sanitizer dispenser you pass, and you’ll be way ahead of the game. Also, be aware of what you eat and drink in port…you won’t want to be sick on vacation.

 

Princess does have onboard internet and WiFi service (in the atrium) available in case you bring your laptop, but the offering varies from ship to ship. Either check the Patter or ask at the Passenger Services desk for details. The price per minute is generally about $0.75; speed varies significantly based on the part of the world in which you’re cruising. You may also download photos from your memory card to be emailed (a recent service addition).

 

On almost every Princess cruise, the navigational map of your cruise, signed by the captain and all the officers on the bridge, is auctioned off during the final art auction of the cruise, with the proceeds going to charity. If you like maps, or really enjoyed your cruise, you might want to participate in this auction (it will be announced in the Patter). I’ve seen the maps go for as little as $100 and as much as $500, but it would definitely be a unique piece of wall art, and it’s for a good cause.

 

Princess has the best on board booking program in the industry. If you are enjoying your Princess cruise, and believe that there is any chance at all that you’ll be taking another one within the next 4 years, you’ll want to visit the Future Booking representative on board (hours and location noted in the Patter). Here’s how it works: For just $100 per person, you may reserve any Princess cruise, even though the required deposit would normally be much higher ($250 to $900 per person). You’ll still pay the same cruise fare in the end; it’s just that less money will be tied up until final payment. Also (and here’s the really good part), you’ll get an onboard credit (OBC) when you take the cruise, from $25 to $150 per person, depending on the cabin category and cruise length. If you’re unsure about when/which cruise you might want to take, you can also book an “open booking” onboard, good for 4 years. When you do decide on a cruise to take, you simply call your travel agent and ask them to apply the open booking to that specific cruise, and get the same OBC. All deposits are fully refundable at any time until final payment date.

 

As soon as you complete your first Princess cruise, you are automatically enrolled in their loyalty program, called the Captain’s Circle. Information should be delivered to your cabin toward the end of your first cruise. Princess has the best loyalty program benefits in the business, in a stepped program. The real value comes after the 5th cruise, at the Platinum level (limited free onboard internet) and after the 15th cruise, at the Elite level (free laundry, free dry cleaning and priority tendering). Those levels may seem a long way off, but help explain while you’ll encounter such Princess loyalists while on board.

__________________

We're cruising!

[edleigh]

We did the Crown Princess out of San for New Year's 07. Highly recommend it.

[Starz723]

Co Cruisers..That was great..

 

I will be a first time Princess Cruiser. Ive been on 3 Carnival Cruises.

 

My son wants to know, can he bring his Nintendo Wei and plug it in the TV and play games or his guitar hero game. I know the answer, but he is standing over me and I promised I would inquire. LOL He is 15.

 

I told him there must be a really nice teen club for him with video games and he doesnt have to bring MORE STUFF!

 

I hope I have fun by myself. I am a young widow, unfortunately. But life goes on and I do love cruises, and I have to think of my son.

 

Any suggestions for a single parent with a 15 yr old?

 

Marge

Starz723

[motherchic]

Thank you for posting Co. Cruiser.

I just booked my first Princess cruise today. Prior I have been a loyal Celebrity

cruiser. Looking forward to my 14 days on the Grand. We got cabin C753.

Your post was full of info. It seems like I know all the little secrets of Celebrity- what not to miss etc......and my journey of learning Princess is just starting. That REALLY helped

Many thanks

Nadine

**question

On celebrity I did not use the internet, too expensive. But I could log on to the computer and send an e-mail for $1, and receive e-mails for $1/ e-mail.

Is their that availability on Princess? Sure helped communicating with the kids

again thank you for taking the time

Nadine

[willysgrandma]

Try the Crown or the Caribbean Princess. Plenty for the kids to do.

[Pam in CA]

On celebrity I did not use the internet, too expensive. But I could log on to the computer and send an e-mail for $1, and receive e-mails for $1/ e-mail.

Is their that availability on Princess? Sure helped communicating with the kids

again thank you for taking the time

Nadine

On Princess, you would go to the Internet Cafe and purchase a "package" of time. I haven't cruised on Princess since the new packages were introduced so I forget what the costs are. Then, you just sign on and send/receive email at your regular email account.

[jdarcy]

Thanks Co. Cruisin! that may have been the best post I have seen yet on Princess's subcultural protocols. Each cruise line has there individual quirks...nice to know about some of Princess's. We are sailing on the Dawn in December. Flying out of Colorado Springs into S.D. First time on a Princess Cruise. I am more a Carib fan than a West Coast fan but the timing was right and I thought my girl should see Cabo at least once. (My last trip to Cabo was in 1977...drove from San Francisco in a VW Bug...dirt roads and trails once you left Ensenada. They told me it might get sorta bumpy... 5 days from S.D at that time...sleepy fising village with about 4-5 hotels and NO cruise ships or really any tourism that I remember...except the insider sport fisherman...I understand it has changed a little...well, I guess we all have in 30 years...) I know we are going a little early for much whale watching but I am hopeful as my girl is from Nebraska and hasnt ever seen one in the ocean, with a little luck maybe a few porpoise...c'mon Neptune, show us your treasures.

So Here are a couple of questions I am a little confused about.

1. Personal choice Dining. Do we just show up when hungry? Make a reservation? what's the wait like w/o a reservation? We took a 4person table because we love meeting different people. Really one of the best parts of our last cruise on Nor. Dream. At first we req. 2p tables until we realized how much fun it was to dine with other couples from all over...really a treat. Hope for the same experience with Princess.

2. Deck BBQ's? Do they have any outdoor deck BBQ's or somesuch thing?

3. Onboard Music. In the Carib. it leaned toward steel drum Carib. In the Pacific I would think it would be different?

4. Entertainment. I'm not much of a comedian/juggler/magician guy but I do like the broadway style venue shows. Are there any of these types of show available?

5. Games. Not Cards but yatzee and the like. Is there a game room/area where people play pick up games with others..you know what I mean?

 

thanks for your help and the great tips. I will be sure to take care of some of the details you mentioned before we sail.

 

John and Angela

[breezer]

Co Cruisers, thanks for your post. Lots of info for first timers to Princess like me. I'll be on CB 11/4.

[Co. Cruisers]

To all, it was my pleasure to post "insight to Princess Cruises". I've got to admit I am NOT the originator but when I saw all that helpful and interesting info., I felt others could benefit from it! To ALL who are cruising - have a great time. We're cruising - Emerald, 11/26 - 12/06! Regards, John

[rclcruzer]

OP here, just wanted to say thank you all so much (especially Cocruiser) for your replies! This really help us so much. It's going to be so different for us when we go on Princess, we are so used to RCCL, like I mentioned before,

but we really want to try something new! :DI'm sure we won't be dissappointed!

[christinelee]

We'll give it a go.

 

1. Personal choice Dining. Do we just show up when hungry? Make a reservation? what's the wait like w/o a reservation? We took a 4person table because we love meeting different people. Really one of the best parts of our last cruise on Nor. Dream. At first we req. 2p tables until we realized how much fun it was to dine with other couples from all over...really a treat. Hope for the same experience with Princess.

Any time between 6 & 10 (nine in reality some times a wait, but not very long, except maybe formal nights (good to get a reservation) Dining with other makes the trip.

 

2. Deck BBQ's? Do they have any outdoor deck BBQ's or somesuch thing?

Only one night (island night in the caribbean) Tropical Deck Party in the Pacific

 

3. Onboard Music. In the Carib. it leaned toward steel drum Carib. In the Pacific I would think it would be different?

Mexican (salsa, rumbas, etc)

 

4. Entertainment. I'm not much of a comedian/juggler/magician guy but I do like the broadway style venue shows. Are there any of these types of show available?

broadway show: Undercover, singer Tony B, broadway show: Piano Man, the only ones I can remember.

 

5. Games. Not Cards but yatzee and the like. Is there a game room/area where people play pick up games with others..you know what I mean?

yes there are games available