Skip or splurge on Princess?

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

To each his/her own. Looks like we would be just the opposite with most of the list. :confused:

1. Skip: Alternative Dining

2. Splurge: Internet.

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Splurge: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Skip: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Skip: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

Like you, we'd disagree with many these as well.

We don't have the same priorities as the person who did this article! :rolleyes:

LuLu

We are pretty much with billco except for the casino. It's a good thing people have different desires or everything would be crowded.

I would go the other way with everything but #1 and #2. Clearly, these are individual preferences.

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

For us it's

1. Splurge on alternative dining
   
2. We are platinum so we get free internet. That and the hot spots in port are more than enough for us
   
3. Skip Spa treatments
   
4. Skip corkage fees
   
5. On the fence with spending in on board shops. If we saw something we like we would buy it.
   
6. Wouldn't waste the time or money for the Sanctuary or other cabanas
   
7. Wouldn't buy a photo unless it came out really well
   
8. Skip Gambling
   
9. Splurge on beverage package
   
10. Open to shore excursions.
    

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

 

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

 

2. Skip: Internet.

 

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

 

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

 

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

 

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

 

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

 

8. Skip: Professional Photos

 

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

 

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

 

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Splurge (I get it for free so why not?): Internet.

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Skip: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas (only the Sanctuary)

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions (either private or ship's tour. I can't imagine going to an interesting or historic port and not wanting to see everything you can.)

It's a good thing people have different desires or everything would be crowded.

Agree

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services - Skip

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees - Skip

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo -Skip

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

#2, we get enough minutes between the two of us so that is a wash.

To each his/her own. Looks like we would be just the opposite with most of the list. :confused:

 

1. Skip: Alternative Dining

2. Splurge: Internet.

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Splurge: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Skip: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Skip: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

Billco president (or at least sergeant). I'm with you all the way.

Er, except once in awhile, when no one's looking, I might buy a tacky souvenir from the shop, and there's an off chance I'll try a beverage package on the 3-day getaway we've booked. Gotta try these things out at a low risk level.

Jim

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining ... a must for us several times.

2. Skip: Internet ... Elite so it's free but NEVER use it.

3. Skip: Spa Treatments & Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine & Beer Tastings... get free tickets for the Wine tasting but never go.

5. Skip: Corkage Fees. We never bring our own just buy on the ship.

6. Skip: Souvenirs & Onboard Shops ... unless we run out of something

7. Skip: Private Cabanas & Adult Only Areas... boring to us. Rather be around people.

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling & Bingo ... Only occasionally gamble

10. Splurge: Beverage Packages... The All Inclusive Drink Sticker! :D

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions ... For sure!

LuLu

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

Different strokes for different folks. Mine would be:

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Splurge: Internet

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer tasting

5. Skip: Corkage fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from onboard shops.

7. Typically skip but wouldn't mind splurging: Private cabanas and Sanctuary

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11 Splurge: Shore excursions (preferably private but cruise line excursions as well)

I'm surprised most said skip the Bingo... it's always packed!

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining (at least once)

2. Splurge: Internet (but only our free minutes)

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services (DW did occasionally in the past but no more)

4. Splurge: Wine and Beer Tastings (we have grown tired of the Grapevine and Maître d' wine tasting but will probably do something at Vines)

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Skip: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas (we did once but won't do again after they raised prices)

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages (the one bottle of wine per person and Elite mini-bar is almost all we need)

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions (but usually private excursions)

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining At Least once a cruise - really splurge for UBD (really worth it) or chief's table

2. Skip: Internet. Find wifi ashore I can live without it for a couple of days

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services did it once no big deal They tried to upsell you stuff

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings Did it once not impressed

5. Skip : Corkage Fees We just but the wine on ship

6. Skip and Splurge: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops I skip it. My wife splurges.

7. Skip : Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas Don't use the pools

8. Skip: Professional Photos Generally a rip off. But there are exceptions Mainly with family

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo Big gambler here I may lose $10 a night Generally break even Its fun until the smokers sit next to you

10. Splurge: Beverage Packages soda package is a good deal if you drink 3 or more a day lunch dinner and at a bar at night

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions Big splurge here I prefer private tours and being on our own. But will take a Princess excursion when I am not sure of returning on time. I think it is crazy to spend all this money on a cruise and not see anything. (If you are talking just about Princess excursions I can see a skip only if you are willing to to the research to hire your own guide or do it yourself.)

And the different responses is why the cruise lines keep offering them all.

Personally I don't drink alcohol but always buy the soft drink/soda package and why not for me. Under $10 cans about $2-$3 a can or a bit less if it's post-mix at home I pay about $3 a can at the club or pub and would easily have 3 or 4 drinks if I go for dinner, and then add a few during the day so it's a no brainer. But to each their own.

I also love the art auctions, if I buy anything or not, but I understand they are not everyone's cup of tea.

My wife loves a visit to the spa, she rarely finds time to go when we're at home so why not.

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

Well, we have differences with the list too:

1. Splurge - alternative dining

2. Splurge - internet (Elite it's free anyway)

3. Skip - most spa treatments and salon services the vast majority of the time

4. Skip - wine and beer tastings, unless we feel like using our Elite pass

5. Skip - corkage fees, we might bring on a bottle or two but choose from the wine list when enjoying wine with dinner or we splurge on wine

6. Neither - we collect Xmas tree ornaments, including one of each Princess ship, they aren't expensive enough to constitute a splurge

7. Skip - private cabanas on Princess Cays, sometimes splurge on Sanctuary

8. Skip - professional photos most of the time

9. Skip - gambling and bingo

10. Skip - beverage packages, with the exception of the coffee cards, we just cannot drink that much alcohol and don't drink soda

11. Splurge and/or skip - shore excursions, depends upon what we feel like doing

Skip or splurge on Princess?

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining Skip

2. Skip: Internet. Skip

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services Skip

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings Skip

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees Skip

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops Splurge

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas Skip

8. Skip: Professional Photos Skip

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo Splurge

10. Skip: Beverage Packages Skip

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions Splurge

GUT2407 mentioned 12. art auctions. Skip

I'd add one: 13. Pre-ordered gifts (like flowers, alcohol for the cabin, canapes, celebration pkgs, robes, childrens items, etc.) Splurge - flowers and alcohol for cabin

I'm surprised most said skip the Bingo... it's always packed!

Agree it is surprising that most said skip to Bingo. We very seldom go to Bingo but when we do it's always PACKED. :confused:

LuLu

I mostly agree with everything on this list except #8 & #10!

 

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining SKIP

2. Skip: Internet.

3. Splurge: Spa Treatments and Salon Services SKIP

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Splurge: Corkage Fees SKIP

6. Skip: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops

7. Splurge: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas SKIP

8. Skip: Professional Photos

9. Splurge: Gambling and Bingo SKIP

10. Skip: Beverage Packages

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1584

We enjoy the Princess experience, and seek only to 'enhance' the visits to the ports on the itinerary. It's great to optimize our time visiting places we've never seen OR to try something different on a subsequent visit.

:D

Isn't is great that we all have different tastes! I would be almost the opposite of the OP!

Wow, we skip almost everything on the list and don't feel deprived. We do use the internet, but it's free for us and usually buy one or two pictures, if they are any good. We do some shore excursions, but almost always private and much less in price than the ship tours.

The rest of it is all useless to us. Sometime we might do a specialty dinner, but we're very satisfied with all the other food options.

Ours are:

1. Splurge: Alternative Dining...maybe 1 per cruise

2. Skip: Internet....we get it free as Elite members and use it.

3. Skip: Spa Treatments and Salon Services

4. Skip: Wine and Beer Tastings

5. Skip: Corkage Fees

6. Splurge: Souvenirs from Onboard Shops...DW will by a fridge magnet if the ship is new to us or if she sees a top she like on the sale rack (why it has to be only from the sale rack, I don't know), but that's it.

7. Skip: Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Areas...balcony or pool area is good with us

8. Skip: Professional Photos...unless we have a gift coupon from TA

9. Skip: Gambling and Bingo...just not gamblers

10. Skip: Beverage Packages...used to purchase wine packages but have stopped drinking wine in attempt to lose weight and seldom drink beer anymore.

11. Splurge: Shore Excursions....always but generally independent tours.

It is great that we all have different tastes and interests ..

It depends on the Alternate Dining .. there always seems to be one night in the MDR that has a real clunker of a menu and that is the Sabatini's night for sure .. and we usually find a night for which ever steak restaurant is on the ship .. I always want the sides and soups more than the steak but it is usually elegant.

On the Spa . I am not one for most of the massages at the spa, but after a day on my feet walking around a foreign port I want nothing more than a foot soak and massage between excursion and putting on dinner shoes !!! Some days I just want a shoulder massage .. I find that neither of those are break the bank services and no one wants to sell you anything.

Our next cruise is the perfect blend of port every other day and sea day every other day . so we will use the internet to upload web pages and pictures to our cruise site for our families and friends to keep track of us. We also both work over the internet so we will both need to check emails.

And then there is the shore excursion .. it always amazes me how many people just want to cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean and lay on a beach at a resort all day. When I go somewhere I want to see everything and we all know there isn't time so I do a ton of research ahead of time. Then I join a roll call and often that results in joining groups for a private tour instead of the ship excursions and sometimes the easiest way to go is the ship excursion (I remember Cairo to the Pyramids being escorted by armed guards but feeling very safe!), For a lot of people, the cruise is the destination and honestly we have done that too, but mostly the cruise is a means to see the world and there is such a lot of world to see!

Oh and the Sanctuary .. and Cabanas. We did have a private cabana on Princess Key one time and we invited people and had a fabulous time. On the Sanctuary everything I read makes me feel like you have to get up before the break of dawn and wait in line and hope .. and that just sounds like a lot of work. I suppose it is a fair system, but it is too bad they can't come up with something better. I have never yet been to the sanctuary .. but then I can always take sanctuary on our balcony!