crochetcruise

On ‎10‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 4:13 AM, Host CJSKIDS said:

If you pre-purchase OBC through Princess you will see it on your booking information.  I would suggest that you print out the information.  

They will also send you an email with the purchase that I would also print out, just in case.

 

If you don't use it, it is refundable and will come via check.  You can also "cash it out" at the casino and get cash. 

 

If you pre-purchase the soda pkg for yourself, it will already be loaded onto your card.  That will also show up in your personalizer. I believe as special on board services.

THANK YOU! I am cruising on the Ruby Princess February 2020,and only knew to go to the Calypso Bar and buy the Soda and More Package. Purchasing through the TA when I go in to make a payment will be much easier for me!

On the previous cruise I was in a Window Suite on the Golden Princess, and had my cruise card in a provided wallet. I shocked the crew member scanning cards at the Muster Drill, I approached him and held up the opened wallet for him to scan my Blue card, the startled look on his face was priceless! He hadn't expected a newbie to know what to do! Thanks to Cruise Critic I knew enough to advise the 3 friends I was travelling with-different Muster stations-what to do. The 2 males got into trouble-1 was seasick BEFORE we got out of the Heads leaving Sydney Harbour and the other fell into a pool fully clothed!

21 hours ago, GKGKeri said:

THANK YOU for this. I see my preferred tipple of Crème de Menthe included. My booked exchange rate is USD$100 = AUD$130, and I'm working on the AUD$16 Cocktail price budget-wise when I indulge in February 2020 aboard the Ruby Princess. I have a money box that regular receives small coins cleared out of my purse, the result will go toward purchasing On Board Credit as I can't get the Premium Beverage Package on a 3-night cruise in Australia.

To  my knowledge the Majestic has 8 Penthouse Suites on Rivera Deck in the 400s, 1 of which is Handicapped Accessible. I'm interested in this Suite for my 60th or 65th Birthday Cruise, when I have qualified as Elite with Princess Cruises. Equally those photos of the shower look good, with the grab rail I should be quite safe. Thanks to those who provided such detailed photos. I now have another location option if the Handicapped Accessible Penthouse Suite is already booked!

55 minutes ago, Vincruise said:

Hi Vickie, 

As far as I know the Penthouse Suites are located at the stern of the ship and should be similar in decor but a smaller than the Owners Suites. Take a look at this picture. The suite in the bottom corner is the Owners Suite E728 on Deck 7 so yours may two decks above. You can check the deck plans to find out exactly where it's locate

1 hour ago, V_icki_e said:

That is simply AMAZING!!  Do you happen to know the different between the Owners Suites and the Penthouse Suites on the Majestic?  (I am in a Deck 9 Penthouse in a months time 🙂 🙂 ) Thanks so much. 

 

56 minutes ago, Vincruise said:

Hi Vickie, 

As far as I know the Penthouse Suites are located at the stern of the ship and should be similar in decor but a smaller than the Owners Suites. Take a look at this picture. The suite in the bottom corner is the Owners Suite E728 on Deck 7 so yours may two decks above. You can check the deck plans to find out exactly where it's located. 

That's helpful.Thank you.

The Panorama is coming to Australia, so a Cloud 9Oceanview Stateroom is a possibilty for a future cruise. I'm keeping a watch on the boards for any useful information.

Thank you for confirming my impression that the Solo cabins are NOT suitable for someone using a Rollator for mobility.

I found negotiating the crowd on the golden Princess sometimes a challenge, and other times easy.

Motion activated battery powered nightlight for the bathroom. I don't want the bright light when I get up in the middle of the night. After completely missing the toilet & landing on my tailbone on the shower ledge, I will always take my nightlight.

Ouchie!

Motion activated battery powered nightlight for the bathroom. I don't want the bright light when I get up in the middle of the night. After completely missing the toilet & landing on my tailbone on the shower ledge, I will always take my nightlight.

OUCHIE!

I plead guilty to a snort of laughter at the mental image of your landing. NAUGHTY ME!

4cats4me,

THANK YOU for this information!

I am from Australia, and have been looking for this information to help with my budgeting for my cruise on the Ruby Princess-3 night round-trip out of Sydney, in February 2020.

I only drink Crème de Menthe so I was delighted to read it is available. I do realise your prices are in USD, and plan to multiply the cost by 3.5 times for a more accurate approximation of what I would pay here in Australia.

As I am on a 3 night cruise, I cannot purchase the Premium Beverage Package, so must purchase the Soda and More Package, and budget to purchase On Board Credit for On Board tippling AKA drinking alcoholic beverages, and souvenir purchases.

Again, my thanks for taking the time to share this information with other readers on the Princess Forum..

If I ever become elite I will definitely use the elite line at the service desk. Why wait in a long line if you've earned the privilege of a shorter line? Anyone who doesn't like it can go butt a stump. Not elite yet, but working on it, & will enjoy the perks.

 

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I sailed on the Golden Princess in a Window Suite for my, so far, only cruise. I had no problem using the Suite & Elite line at the Service Desk when I needed to, I paid for solo occupancy of a Suite so accepted the line was a perk if needed. I'd enjoyed the PES function, and the breakfast at Sabatinis, and I still use the pen and card wallet I received when I got to my suite. Very handy size of pen to put in my purse so I always have a pen with me. :D:D

They don’t offer the bottled water or canned Soda package on Australian cruises, never have.

 

There has been a problem with pricing on the Soda and More and All Inclusive since time immemorial so they stopped pre selling those but are available once you board.

When I sailed the Golden Princess in 2016, I found IIRC, 6 cans for the price of 5 were available from Room Service, think AUD$11.50 from memory. I'm planning to get this on the Ruby in 2020, the 3-night round trip out of Sydney. HTH.

i never thought about last day. what time does RS start. unsure if id want the ultimate bfast the last day or not. may want to do early walk off with carryons

As a Suite occupant you can go to Club Class Dining on the last day.

I am Legally Blind with no passport, so I use a Proof-Of-Age Card issued by the Transport SA. I paid less than $40 for it-sorry don't remember the exact price from 2016. No problems at check-in at the OPT.

If I ever want to cruise to New Zealand, I must get a passport.

The easiest way is to enter the credit or debit card into the cruise personlizer when you are entering your immigration information, which allows you to print the boarding pass. The system does not allow the printing of the boarding pass without a credit or debit card number entered. The boarding pass gets you onto the pier. Without a boarding pass I assume there is another way to get on the pier, but I don't really know the procedure. You then go to special medallion check in. I have no experience, but would think that if you have a valid credit or debit card on file your medallion will just let you pass right on through.

 

If you want to pay cash then once on board go to passenger services and discuss. Another option is to purchase a pre-paid debit card and use that.

To my knowledge Princess Cruises does NOT accept pre-paid cards or use on board. Someone more experienced will surely verify or respectfully explain why my knowledge is inaccurate.

I'm from Australia and presume the rules are the same world-wide. Again, I may be corrected-and if wrong, delighted to be taught what I don't know.

Enjoy your cruise.

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't HC intended for those who have a scooter, wheelchair, or crutches, who need wider door ways, room to "park" the scooter, or a shower that is roll in or walk in (without a lip) a lower sink and a seat in the shower?

I know of people who do not have any of those "qualifiers" yet always get a HC. HOw are they doing this?

I use a walker for mobility and require grab rails in the shower for safety-certain body areas I must stand to wash, so the rails are very reassuring. The flexible shower hose is also most helpful in getting to areas I cannot easily reach myself, and feels WONDERFUL!

I booked through a TA, who phoned Princess to book. I've sailed with Princess before, so they know my requirements, and I update the details if anything changes.

For US cruises you can preorder canned drinks to be delivered to your cabin.

Don’t know about Down Under. But if you can, the price wasn’t awful.

 

 

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IIRC AUS and NZ passengers can order 6 cans for the price of 5 through Room Service. In 2016 when I sailed the Golden Princess-had to cancel my planned future cruise but booked in 2020-the price was IIRC AUD$12. I may be wrong, I only looked at the Room Service book as I had the Soda and More Package, but I remember thinking, "Pay the price of 5 cans, and get 1 free." And several choices, more than I expected-think Dry Ginger Ale and possibly Soda Water. Please do not plan based on this information, it's nearly 2 years out of date.

I like Princess logo merchandise also.

Always get Hubby a Princess Polo shirt.

Always but a ship magnet.

Always buy my Chanel Perfume on the ship. With Elite discount Chanel is a lot cheaper on the ship than I can buy it at home.

 

It's really personal choice. If people want to shop that's their choice.

My cruise, My Holiday I'll spend money where I like.

That's my 2 cents worth. :cool:

THANK YOU! I didn't think of a ship magnet last cruise on the Golden Princess! Unlikely I'll be able to cruise again on her before she leaves the fleet-budget restraints-but have booked a 3 night round trip out of Sydney on the Ruby Princess.

I've already noted

• mugs-picture and stats
  
• playing cards
  
• pens
  
• Princess Captain Bear
  
• Stanley Stowaway Bear and outfits if available and affordable.
  

I'm budgeting carefully, the currency exchange seems to be the same as when I sailed in 2016, which is a great help to my budgeting.

Alsop concerned about the cabins being added around the Retreat Pool.

 

 

Below photo shows the Retreat Pool area on the Regal.

 

 

 

THANK YOU! It's the first time I've ever seen steps with a handrail going down into the pool that ACTUALLY look shallow enough that I could manage clutching the rail.

 

I'm having some computer access problems at home so must try the library tomorrow to check the Majestic Princess which is sailing in Australia. I hope the same option is available.

 

Your posts are always very helpful. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge with others.

We learned a few cruises back to buy these https://www.walmart.com/ip/Purex-Complete-3-In-1-Spring-Oasis-Laundry-Sheets-22ct/16419328 Just throw one sheet in the washer for the detergent, then leave it with the wash in the dryer for the fabric softener. Not sure what the third part is but they do a great job and don't take up any space when you pack your luggage. We just take them out of the box and put them in a zip lock bag.

 

Be careful with the irons. Check the bottom before you use them. Some are filthy on the bottom.

 

On some ships, the machines take coins. On the newer ships or ones that have been updated, there is a box on the wall that you swipe your S&S card, then press the number of what machine you want to use. Then the machine starts. No need for coins.

 

I'm not sure but I have read on here that the machines won't work while in port. If you do a search it will tell you what floor and location of where the laundry rooms are located.

 

If you have any ironing to do for Elegant Nights, don't wait until the last minute. There will be people lined up waiting to use the iron.

 

By the way, the laundry rooms are very small. Just enough room for the washers and dryers, one fold down ironing board with an iron hard wired in and a deep sink. No folding table.

 

There is also the laundry bag in the cabin. I think it's $15 a bag for all that you can roll up tight and stuff in it. Don't put anything in it that can't take heat. They use extremely hot water and high heat to dry. It's great for socks and underwear and Tees. Leave it on your bed in the morning and the cabin steward will turn it in. It usually comes back later that night all clean and folded. Beats doing it yourself.

THANK YOU for this information. When I cruise Carnival-still trying to organise my budget, LIFE keeps getting in the way of my planning-I will need to have certain items done daily. I now have a good idea of what to budget for, yes I'm in Australia but planning on budgeting AUD $20 a bag. The drying alone is well worth paying for IMHO.

Pity there's no Oceanview staterooms or Window Suites, they're quite affordable on a tight budget when you DAREN'T do an Inside Stateroom due to a LONG history of unpredictable travel sickness.

Situations Dad expected me to get sick, I was ok, but on a routine visit to the State Capital for a Specialist Medical Appointment, I was inevitably sick without warning!

Would be nice if Princess would provide Handicapped Suites as either a Window Suite or a Vista Suite. I thoroughly enjoyed cruising from Sydney to Melbourne here in Australia in November 2016. I've had to cancel 2 planned cruises, currently don't have 1 booked, but I'm searching the cruises for possibilities, and have found a couple of itineraries I hadn't even THOUGHT of! Accommodation may be a challenge as I ABSOLUTE REFUSE to fly in the morning of the cruise-I'd rather pay for 2 nights hotel accommodation and know I'm ready to embark, than miss the ship due to a flight or traffic delay!

I've always found the laundry benefit to be of no big deal - forget it. The sooner Princess do away with the number of cruises and just work on the number of days cruised the better. That will do away with all those who just rack up 1 and 2 day cruises in the US.

It is possible to qualify in Australia by taking the 2 or 3 day cruises-either Melbourne-Sydney or vice versa, or Sydney-Brisbane and vice versa.

What about those people who need to budget very carefully for their chance to enjoy a cruise? They may only be able to manage the shorter cruises. Why should they be penalized for enjoying the shorter cruises?

Check out cruise deck plans dot com. Lots of pictures and room floor plans some with links to YouTube. You need to be a member to get the best access to pictures, cost is about $8. I joined several years ago and only paid that once not yearly. Love their site!

OOOH! That's very useful information to know.THANK YOU! There have been many times when looking on cruisedeckplans that I've been interested in more pictures, but as a mere visitor, couldn't access them. I do have a Prepaid credit card for online purchases, so I must load it on Thursday-and join up.

Needing a Handicapped stateroom, it's quite challenging, and when it's a ship I don't know, it would be reassuring to actually SEE a photo, rather than rely on a verbal description, even though it's always very good, I prefer seeing for myself, and making the decision personally. I know what I can manage, and where I must behave myself.

Have learnt SUCH a lot here on the Carnival board. I have the option of cruising out of Melbourne or Sydney, so either the Spirit or the Legend at present. The Splendour also looks really interesting. As far as I can tell, there is a covered indoor pool with a handrail going down steps, I think in the Spa IIRC. That would be ideal for me, and I don't mind paying a daily fee for safe, indoor access-very fair skinned so I get sunburnt very easily, and a relative has had many battles with skin cancers, so I'm pro-active.

Can't you just bring your own plastic cup with a straw/lid and transfer the drink over? Just a thought

 

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Or politely request the bartender to put the drink in your personally provided cup? I have 1 I bought at the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia which has a pop top to seal when carrying it. Very useful, haven't YET managed to spill a drink, and I HAVE knocked it over several times. So long as it's not purchased from another cruise line, I should be ok to bring it when I finally cruise Carnival.

My plans have been disrupted about booking a cruise, so I'm relying on these boards for my cruising fix!

Please does anyone know if Carnival Legend stocks the liqueur Crème De Menthe? I'm hoping to do a 3 night cruise out of Melbourne, Australia in 2019.

I've learnt LOTS just from reading this thread, including a size to check my cooler bag that I usually use for frozen shopping. If it's the right size I'll bring it with me, it folds up quite small for packing.

Personally, I feel accomplished with a since of pride, knowing I earn my Elite status the old school way, of actually taking all the cruises. Doesn't seem fair, if you're a big spender, they accelerate your loyalty status. The only spending you will see me doing, is the spending of purchasing all my AWESOME cruises I get to go on. I also find it ridiculous they give you a full cruise credit for a 3 day cruise. So those who think they are out smarting the system by taking multiple cruises and or staying in suites giving them double the credits, whereas I am here taking 7 days or more and receiving the same amount of the 1-2 cruise credits in a cabin smaller than a suite. What to do.

With respect, your comment about taking the 3 day cruise annoyed me because I am handicapped and must budget very carefully to even afford a 3 night cruise. I did have a Window Suite on the Golden for my 1st cruise in 2016, and will again in October. From what I have been able to read of the new schedule, I will have to go to a 2 night cruise between either Sydney-Brisbane or Sydney-Melbourne on another ship as the Golden Princess is scheduled to leave the fleet in 2020 and doesn't seem-but I could be wrong-to have a 3 night cruise in the new schedule.

While the paid for Suite perks are very nice, and I DO enjoy them, needing to go down to an Oceanview stateroom isn't for me, a problem. I was warned by the friend who got me inspired to take my 1st cruise, that the balcony door is very heavy to open from the stateroom, and even more difficult from the balcony and she was concerned for my safety.

By choosing to spend money for a Suite on a three day cruise, according to Princess I can qualify as Elite on my next cruise. I am planning to take my Elite cruise-if I am able to continue to afford Princess cruises-to Tasmania to meet the friend in real life-we are friends on another online forum.