XBGuy

8 minutes ago, 57eric said:

Is Sabatini's standardized across the fleet, or is it likely to vary by ship?

Definitely not standardized.  Each ship has its own unique staff.  My experience with Sabatini's (and the Crown Grill is the same) is that there is variation between service level and, even, food preparation from one ship to another, and I attribute that variation to differences in personnel--especially, in management.  Also, you cannot generalize by the ship.  Personnel are moving in and out from one cruise to another.  So, the headwaiter who did an excellent job of ensuring that his diners received top service, might leave the ship and be replaced by one who is lazy and gets by with minimum effort.  That will send an unfortunate message to the service staff, and the ones who suffer are the diners.

I take Cruise Critic opinions on every venue with a grain of salt.  The only opinion I trust is my own.  Also, I do not trust my memory of any venue from a previous cruise.  On every cruise, I will go to these venues with very little expectation.  Whether or not I make a subsequent visit to that venue during the rest of the cruise depends on my experience on that first visit.  

56 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We went up to the Sterling Steakhouse for our complementary specialty dinner and while we waited for the various tasty courses, we were entertained by shipping containers being loaded and unloaded on/off the trucks next to the ship! As you can see it doesn’t take much to keep us entertained! 😂

 

I am so with you.  I think it is fascinating to watch the empty trucks drive under the cranes, stop at exactly the right spot for the the containers to be precisely dropped on the truck's empty bed.  That is so cool,

I am looking forward to our first visit to The Catch.  A quick question to anybody in the know.  I notice that several of the menu items have an asterisk (*), but I can't see a footnote at the bottom of the page that explains the asterisk.  Does anybody know what that denotes?

I had to chuckle when I saw that the menu included Oysters on the Half Shell.  Our one Royal Class cruise was on the Royal Princess some years ago.  Prior to the cruise we were pretty excited to see that Oysters on the Half Shell were offered in the Ocean Terrace seafood bar,  On the second or third day of our cruise we made our way to the Ocean Terrace.  We found seats (it was, actually, pretty busy). and a waiter came over.  As much as we like oysters on the half shell, my wife is pretty fussy.  So, after I ordered a bottle of Albarino, she asked, "Where are your oysters from?"

"Texas," was the reply.

I immediately thought, "Uh oh.  Well, this is September, and, so, there is an 'R' in this month."

No go,  We did not order oysters.  

Mrs, XBGuy will only eat oysters from cold waters.  

18 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

 

I understand that there is staff for only a given number of these each night.

If there is a specific night, like while in Port, a special occasion, then it might be a good idea to go ahead and book, and let them know which night you want to plan.

Once onboard, then you might want to confirm all of the arrangements right away.

 

Yes, I think they do four UBDs per night. If you take the responses in this tread as a poll. you can guess that port days are quite popular.

The first time we pre-booked before the cruise was on a California Coastal cruise--in fact it was our 40th anniversary celebration.  On that occasion the Room Service Manager actually came to our cabin on embarkation day to work out the details.  The very last question was time and date,  After asking he audibly mumbled, "Please, not San Francisco."  That is when I first realized that having the UBD in port was so popular,  We wanted it on our anniversary date (the evening before our San Francisco port stop), and, so, he was quite happy to accommodate us

I'm looking forward to your reports, @sonomaphil.

Yes, I do know about Friday evening Los Angeles traffic.  Last night  we drove into town to have dinner with friends visiting from North Carolina.  We did make our 6:30 reservation though.

Bon Voyage.

This is going to repeat some previous advice, but I love encouraging people to try the Ultimate Balcony Dinner.  Without doubt it is the best dining experience that Princess offers.

We have enjoyed the UBD four times.  The first three of them were inside our cabin.  We felt it was much too windy to enjoy dinner on our port/starboard balcony.  The servers set up the table just inside the slider, and we had a terrific experience--all three times.  On our fourth UBD, we had an aft-facing balcony.  So, that was wind protected, and the dinner was, of course, excellent.

Book it yourself.

It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.

@J13C85 gave the best answer.  Take advantage of the Suite Concierge.  When you arrive to your suite on embarkation day, you will find a note outlining your Suite Concierge benefit and the location of the Suite Concierge Lounge,  I would suggest that you visit the lounge and introduce yourself to the concierge.  Explain that you would like his/her assistance in arranging specialty dining reservations--including your complimentary embarkation day dinner.  Believe me, Princess wants to take care of suite passengers.  Every night there are tables available that were not allocated to the app's reservation system.

You will also find that the Suite Concierge Lounge is also a terrific getaway.  Coffee, tea and noshes are available all day, and there is a cocktail hour in the late afternoon.

Ordering room service off the dining room menu, or off the Crown Grill menu is OK, but keep in mind your entire order is delivered in one visit.  So, the delivery person will leave a stack of covered dishes--starters, mains and desserts--for you to serve yourself.  In some ways it is nice to enjoy your meal in the quiet of your suite, but it's not like you will be pampered by servers.

Have a great cruise.

@Newbie333, welcome to Cruise Critic.  I am going to offer some opinions, but I should admit that I am not a planner.  From that bit of information, you will understand much of my decision-making process.

Since the early 1990s we have been on six Alaska cruises.  The worst one was wonderful.  We have cruised on five different ships for those Alaska cruises--including the Royal Princess.  I can't say there is anything about any of the ships that we found disappointing.

Our first AK cruise was in an what I will describe as an ocean view cabin,  In the last 20 years, or so, Mrs, XBGuy will not cruise in a cabin that does not have a balcony,  I will heartily endorse your strategy of booking a balcony cabin.  Many feel that it is silly to book a balcony for an AK cruise, because the best viewing is on the open areas on the upper decks.  There is some truth to that,  However, I can tell you that Mrs. XBGuy loves to bundle up on the balcony and watch the scenery pass by.  When she gets chilled, she just steps inside the slider and watches from the much warmer cabin.  I get antsy pretty quickly and like to wonder around the open decks.  If you are cruising Glacier Bay, one of the rangers will be on the bridge providing narration which you can hear on your cabin TV.

Regarding the view from different cabin positions, every cabin has it's compromises.  Do not be disappointed if you are in your port-side cabin and you hear a PA announcement there are whales on the starboard side.  You'll get your chance when the next announce advises of the bald eagles in the trees off the port side.  As several contributors have already mentioned, the captain will rotate the ship near glaciers to provide a good view to all the cabins on the ship.

Many people who are susceptible to motion sickness feel that it is best to pick a cabin that is closer to the water and amidship.  We don't suffer from motions sickness.  So, we are always on one of the upper decks and, generally, as far forward as possible. 

We do not partake in many excursions, but the ones we have taken have always been through the cruise line;  This, of course, goes back to my "I am not a planner" mentality.  I am more interested in ease that I am in perfection.  I certainly understand the rationale of others' preferences, though.

Mrs. XBGuy likes to have Wi-Fi.  So, we usually have shipboard capability for a single device, and it works adequately for her need, but she's not streaming or Zooming or anything that requires lots of bandwidth.  Every three or four days on a cruise I will log on and check my email.  It is not clear where you live, but if you have a U.S. cell phone plan, remember that Alaska is U.S.  If you would just like to have occasional internet access, you can use the 5G capability of your cell phone to do so at any of the ports.

You don't mention what time of the season you are considering.  Most of our AK cruises have been early or late in the season.  Mrs. XBGuy is always hoping for big storms, but we have only hit one, and that one was in early August.  It is, generally, warmer during the mid-summer months.  A friend was disappointed on her AK cruise around the 4th of July one year when they encountered what she described as "sweltering heat."  Keep in mind, also, that the odds are quite good that you might encounter some rain somewhere, but that us usually transitory.  Heck, Ketchikan, which I imagine is on every itinerary, is in a rain forest.  On the other hand, I have experienced 80 degrees of sunshine in September in Ketchikan.

Your going to have a wonderful cruise, @Newbie333.

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I've seen really mixed reviews w/some saying it is not a true seafood boil. But DH has enjoyed it 

There is such a thing as a "True Seafood Boil?"

I'll be darned.  As a person who enjoys Seafood/Shellfish boils very much, I am now wondering what that means.  Can anybody explain to me the difference between a "True" version and a "False" version?

I have similar confusion when people discuss whether or not the Italian food or the Mexican food is "authentic."  Those seem to be the two national cuisines that attract the most questions about authenticity.  Who cares?  The evaluation that most interests me is whether or not it is good.

Thank you to the contributors who have shared the pictures on this thread, and thank you to @Haljo1935 for posting the menu description.  The description sounds terrific to me, and all the pictures support that opinion.  The one bark I would have, is that if I was going to be having a seafood main, I think I would prefer a salad for my starter rather than the clam chowder.  Again, though, that is just a personal thing.

I am usually able to deflect conversations away from politics.  Actually, I do that to preserve my dignity.  I am the guy who gets loud and will soon be embarrassing my wife.  There is no upside to that.

I have no problem if somebody asks what I did for a living.  My prior life usually leads to a conversational dead end, but I then get to learn about my table mates.

One time I decided to have a little fun.  Mrs. XBGuy likes to sleep late, but I tend to get up and go have something to eat.  We have a similar routine when we are on a cruise.  I often have breakfast in the buffet.  When searching for a table, I usually look for one that has two or three people but with a few empty seats.  I invite myself to have one of the empty seats.  I've only been denied once.  That was OK I found a seat 20 feet away.  

But I diverge.

One morning I was at a table with a charming couple when I was asked what I did for a living.

"Me, oh, I'm a Viking.  I love being on a real ship--not a floating hotel like this--feeling the salt air in my beard which my wife asked me to shave for this trip.  Of course, the pillaging is great."

The lady sitting across the table from me did not miss a beat, "Oh, I just love your uniforms."

As has been previously stated, there is risk in booking any cruise.  Yes, the delay experienced by the Sun Princess is sobering.  However, on the positive side, while we on Cruise Critic do not know the specifics of what caused the delay, it is reasonable to assume that at least some of the delay was a result of the fact that the Sun Princess is the first of a new ship design.  So, it is equally reasonable to assume that lessons learned on the Sun Princess build can be applied to the Star Princess build, and the risk of delay can be mitigated.

What do you have to lose?  As long as you are prudent in making your arrangements and have travel insurance, you should not suffer any financial loss.  So, the pain will be the disappointment you would suffer if you could not go on this inaugural cruise.  However, if you cancel your present booking, you won't go on this inaugural cruise. either.

Updating the days.  Today is the 268th anniversary of the birth of composer W.A. Mozart--actually, his give name was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.  While he was quite a prodigious composer--there are over 600 works in the catalogue attributed to him--his life was tragically short.  When Mozart was my age, he'd been dead for 41 years.  (Yeah, I stole that joke from Tom Lehrer.)

The Crown Grill menu has had only very slight changes in all the years that we have been cruising on Princess.  The dessert menu has been revamped a couple times.  (I was really disappointed when the berry crisp went off the menu.)  Appetizers have come and gone,  However the basic red meat selections have always been available main course choices--ribeye, filet, porterhouse, lamb chops.  Years ago there was a pork chop on the menu, but that has been removed.  There have been some variations in the preparation of the sea bass, but that may just be dependent on the chef.

I figured I would post the menu from the Princess web site, but I was surprised when I went to the discussion of Crown Grill under Specialty Dining, there was no link to the menu.  So, maybe changes are happening.  With luck somebody smarter than me will provide updated information.

I selected "No preference."

I am retired.  To me weekends and weekdays, pretty much, seem the same.  OK, there is more motorsports events on TV during the weekends.  So, that helps.

I can see where working people and people traveling with families having multiple schedules to manage might have a preference for weekends. but I have no data to support that assumption.

Whenever, we have cruised in a suite, we have received special attention from the various shipboard services.  I have never had a problem booking the embarkation complimentary specialty dinner by calling the DINE line from my suite.  It also seems that when I call from the suite, the line is answered immediately.  Every time I have done this the agent knew that I was in a suite and made a point of stating that there would be no charge for this dinner.  Lately, multiple posters have commented that even though the Princess Premier program would seem to increase demand on specialty dining, they have had no problem waiting until they were onboard to make their complementary embarkation day reservations.  If you are cruising on a Royal Class ship that has the Suite Concierge Lounge, then, yes, you can go there and ask the Concierge to make reservations for you.  I have only done that once, and it worked fine.

@Traderboy, multiple posters have stated that you can take your documentation to the Guest Services desk and get reimbursed for this expense.  However, to me, going to the Guest Services desk for any reason is a pain.  Why don't you just cancel your reservation, get the charge credited to you credit card account, and make your reservation after you board?

9 hours ago, ExPhotog said:

 

executives get their bonus.

 

As it has been for generations, still the highest priority item in the executive suite of any corporation.

3 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said:

 

I don't know but I noticed the same perk listed in the Reserve Collection benefits as well.    How many people can they accomodate with 'priority specialty dining reservations'?

 

I see that you are right @Paula_MacFan.  I don't pay much attention to the Reserve Class benefits since I have never traveled in a Reserve CLass MiniSuite.

Your question is reasonable.  I am coming to the conclusion that it doesn't mean a thing.  I would be happy if Princess could demonstrate me to be wrong.

2 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

They have never done this in the past - this must be new. They also should change their Suite Brochure which does not stipulate any exceptions to the free specialty dining benefit.  

https://www.princess.com/learn/ships/staterooms/suites/

@HBCcruiser, I know that you are an experienced Princess cruiser.  So, I am sure that you are aware that the "old" Suites Benefits brochure did specify that the complimentary embarkation day specialty dining was only available on cruises of 6 days or longer.  Here are some images from the old brochure

Notice the footnote reference at the end of the benefit description.

At the bottom of the page there are multiple footnotes that itemize various exceptions.

As you indicated there is no exception indicated on the brochure that is currently posted on the Princess site.  So. it is reasonable to question whether or not the "must be more that 5 days" exception is still the policy.

The other thing I found intriguing in this current version is the item that says "Priority Specialty Dining Reservations."

Does this mean that as a Suite Passenger, I do not have to make specialty dining reservations before I even board the ship?  I can just pick up the phone from my suite, ask for a table and be be confident that I will be accommodated?

It's funny, I have have always enjoyed the canapes.

I agree that if they are left out in the open, the bread and toppings, such as whipped cheese or pate, will dry out and a bit of a crust might appear, but I have never seen that problem.

I agree that the prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks that they used to serve in Sabatini's were consistently disappointing, but I don't think those are served anymore.  

Interesting.  Our first cruise in a suite was the same 5-day Cabo San Lucas itinerary.  This was some years ago on the Ruby Princess.  I see that you are cruising on the Discovery Princess--a newer ship with a few more amenities.

• Definitely take advantage of the Suite Concierge Lounge.  It is a nice getaway from the hubbub of many of the other venues.  It always has coffee, tea, juices and small noshes.  There is a "happy hour" in the late afternoon.  The concierge can be very helpful arranging specialty dinners or excursions.  He/She can also help with problems such as billings.  I mentioned an issue with the toilet in our cabin and within 20 minutes a plumber was knocking at our door.
   
• I don't think you will be offered a complimentary specialty dinner on embarkation day.  I am pretty sure that it is only available on cruises that are six days or longer.  However, there is no harm asking the Concierge and, if you get it, then you can come back here and call me a liar.  😉
   
• The Suite Breakfast is definitely better than going to the dining room.  It is a "restaurant experience" and can be enjoyed at your own pace.  I have an issue with the dining room experience in that I feel there is a rush for me to order, eat and get out--especially, during breakfast.  I find it hard to even get my coffee refilled in the dining room.  No such problem in the Suite Breakfast.  The staff is happy to let you linger.  They will stop by and ask if you would like anything more, and they are happy to refill your coffee cup.  I did surprise a server once.  Right after being seated, she asked if I would like something to drink.
  
  I responded, "Yes.  Coffee, please."
  
  She had a somewhat confused look on her face, and asked "What kind of coffee?"
  
  Now, I was confused.  "Black?"
  
  Well, that worked.  She brought me a cup and a carafe.  Apparently, most patrons at the Suite Breakfast drink specialty coffees or mimosas or, I suppose, both.
  
  Mrs. XBGuy likes to sleep late every day, and, so, I am, pretty much alone for breakfast.  To be honest, the Suite Breakfast thing is not that much fun by myself.  So, I usually grab breakfast at the buffet.  On our one suite cruise on a Royal Class ship such as the Discovery Princess, she found that she enjoyed having pastries and tea in the Concierge Lounge for her breakfast.
   
• Also on our one Royal Class cruise we were in Suite B101--a forward-facing suite.  It was fantastic.  Do not obsess about whatever the "best suite" might be.  The worst one we have ever been in was wonderful.
   
• This may or may not appeal to you, but as suite passengers order room service off the dining room menu.  So, if you decide you want to have dinner in your suite, and you would like to have expanded choices for your dinner, you can review the menu that is offered that evening in the dining room and have your choices delivered to your suite.
  
  However, be aware that that everything that you order will be delivered together in covered dishes.  So, if you order two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts, six covered plates will be delivered, and you will serve yourself as you progress through the courses.

I'm sure you will have a great cruise.  I am envious.

The USDA grading scale for beef is all about fat marbling.  From ask.usda.gov:

USDA Prime has abundant marbling (flecks of fat within the lean) which enhances both flavor and juiciness. USDA Choice has less marbling than Prime but is of very high quality. USDA Select is very uniform in quality and normally leaner than the higher grades. It is fairly tender, but, because it has less marbling, it may lack some of the juiciness and flavor of the higher grades. The protein, vitamin, and mineral content of beef are similar regardless of the grade. Retail stores may use other terms different from USDA grades.

The last sentence seems to give retail stores, and that would include grocers, restaurants and cruise lines, the freedom to call anything they want "prime" regardless of whether or not it was "USDA prime."

Also, as has been stated in previous posts, uncaring preparation can ruin any grade.

46 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks, but I’m not holding my breath! 😂

 

Very prudent.

Thank you for your contribution, @Ken the cruiser.  I did not know that about the HAL program.  Your idea about expanding the points program to all cruisers certainly has merit.  I can't see any reason why not.