RubySlippers85

Hi guys, has anyone used the babies and Tots offering on Royal? Looking at booking Ovation for next year when my youngest will be 1 but can't find much info on price etc. 

Hi! We're thinking of taking a cruise on Ovation in 2024 with a one year old and four year old. I've got a few questions please 

1) how much is the baby and Tots program? Can't find a price

2) is there a paddling pool a toddler in swim nappies can use?

3) how child friendly is the food for such small kids?

Thanks 😊 

How much are the non alcoholic packages on RCI?

Thanks guys!

On another note - so you guys get better deals booking directly with the cruise line or through travel agents?

Hi guys! 

Does anyone know when the schedule for 2025 is being released for 2025 for Aussie port departures for RCL?

Also do you think we might get an Oasis class ship?

Finally thinking of cruising again post getting married and having kids and I've got a big birthday in 2025 to celebrate lol.

I'm going on a P&O cruise with a friend in 3 weeks and just wondering if you guys know whether we can each link our credit cards to our cards/accounts? Not just 1 for the room? Would prefer to keep the spending separate if possible...

Just came back from cruise May 2018 so these prices are up to date ,most cocktails $12, draft beer schooner $8 , glass of wine $8 , best bar to have a quite drink the Oasis , you can here the music !

Do they have happy hour anywhere on P&O? I don't remember whether it was only Princess that did or both. :D:D

This is just a guess but with a cruise ship in town the local bus company may put on extra evening services between Cable Beach and the township where the shuttle buses go.

 

Zanders at Cable Beach has nice food and overlooks the beach.

When I was there in January on Sun Princess the ship provided a free bus to town that also stopped at cable beach. You could return to the ship from either location. Very convenient and free!

We book a sunlounger for the whole cruise because we love being up there all the time. Often they will just charge you for the days or half days you are there at $40/$20 and that often works out cheaper than paying $30 per day flat rate, especially if there are quite a few port days. Also we have our favourite spots in the Sanctuary.

 

However on the Aussie-based cruises the Sanctuary is quite quiet so you could just wing it if you aren't sure. Sun Princess doesn't have a big Sanctuary though.

Good to know on Aussie-based cruises the Sanctuary isn't too busy - I may just wing it then. Thanks for the tip! :)

We often book an inside cabin on Princess and then spend some of the savings on the Sanctuary. We feel we get more value out of the money we spend on the Sanctuary than we would having a balcony cabin. We have had balcony cabins and, although we enjoy being able to go out on the balcony when we choose, we find we spend more time out and about the ship and don't actually spend that much time on our balcony. Plus the Sanctuary sunloungers are far more comfortable than the balcony furniture. Also the Sanctuary stewards look after you very, very well.

Do you book a sunlounger for the entire cruise in the Sanctuary? Or just wing it?

My thinking exactly... i can always splurge on the sanctuary if i need time out etc. Plus more drinks lol

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Rubyslippers do let us know what you choose to do.

What a dilemma. To down grade to an oceanview (which are ok cabins) or stay in your balcony and know that you could have gotten half the fare back as OBC.

You will have to think about how much time you would actually spend on the balcony and do you need that fresh outside air.

 

What line are you travelling on?

 

Is this downgrade offer a new thing for the cruise lines to offer?

I haven't come across it before.

Travelling on Princess (Sun Princess). I decided to take the offer - as a solo-traveller I did pay quite a bit for the balcony so getting some $$ back works for me. Should be interesting!

Ive never heard of a downgrade. New one on me.

They must have someone who wants to pay more .:eek:

or they have run out of guarantee balconies.

Yep they've overbooked balcony cabins! Sailing on Sunday so I'm guessing not enough people cancelled.

Got a downgrade offer today... down from Balcony to Oceanview and 50% of fare back as refundable OBC. As it's a 14 day cruise I'm really torn!

How different is the experience from balcony to oceanview? (I'm a newbie to cruising)

The Sun class ships have always had pizza available:

 

Room Service Pizza

 

Whole, made fresh to order 12" pizzas are available for consumption in your stateroom via room service from 12 Noon to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10:45pm. Pepperoni, Cheese, and a rotating daily special are available. Please specify choice of extra cheese and chili flakes.

 

A nominal service charge of A$3.00 per delivery will be applied to your shipboard account.

 

I just got off the Sun in Fremantle 18 Dec 2016 and Curtis Stone's Share restaurant ($40 per head) has replaced the much loved (free) pizza restaurant. I saw no one at Share when I looked but I didn't hang around to see if anyone showed up.

How was the ship? There are very mixed reviews on the Sun on this forum... I'm boarding on the 8th Jan :)

I am pretty sure I remember reading that Princess ships based in Australia do not charge the usual gratuities directly to ships bill - we are on the Sun in Feb and just want to make sure this is still the case as I can't actually find it in any Princess literature.

I'm pretty sure it depends which country you book from... If booking through an Australian Travel Agent then grats are already included in the fare - which is why the price to book from Australia is higher than from overseas.

I think I've read on here that those booking from overseas still have the grats added on for the Australian cruises with Princess - but not 100% sure.

Might be best to call Princess directly and ask?

Hi guys,

I've just done this for a Great Barrier Reef tour - where Princess uses a local provider. The provider charges $80 less than Princess - I filled out the form (takes like 2 mins) and have already gotten confirmation that as soon as I pay for my excursion in the Personalizer I get my 110% price difference back in OBC :).

So - yes it is definitely possible and I have just done it myself. :D

For me the shower over the tub is a deal breaker.

On the balcony cabin or Mini-Suite? Looking at the Princess website - the floorplan shows separate shower and bath for the Club-Class Mini-Suites on the Sea Princess

Glad you went for it. From the language of your post, be aware that a mini-suite is not a full suite and doesn't get full suite privileges, even if it is almost as spacious as a full suite.

Definitely aware it's not a full suite - but it has club class benefits so a little bit extra which is nice :).

Thanks for the advice guys! I went for it and am super excited to try my first suite experience!

Good solo cruise deals available on Club-Class Mini-Suites and Balcony Cabins on Sea Princess Treasures of Asia cruise in October 2017 - on TA website...

Forgot about the Club Class part.

 

Is it $1100 more PP?

$1,100 more per person up from the cheapest balcony (BY class) - including solo supplement if sailing alone.

It is actually cheaper than a normal interior per person at the moment - the cheapest balcony class BY are the unpopular ones where the beds are bunks.

I should say - these prices are for the "Treasures of Asia" cruise in October 2017 in case anyone is looking to book a deal :).

Not on the Princess website - but through a TA...

From the Princess Website on the Club-Class Mini-Suites:

UPGRADED AMENITIES & SERVICES

Exclusive Club Class Dining for dinner each night, plus breakfast and lunch on sea days

The Princess Luxury Bed

Priority Embarkation & Disembarkation at the beginning and end of your cruise

Full access to the Priority Disembarkation Lounge

Complimentary one time wine set-up on embarkation day, 1/2 bottle of red and 1/2 bottle of white*

Complimentary Premium Evening Canapés (upon request)

Upgraded Terry Shawl Bathrobes

*Not available for China voyages.

PLUS OUR STANDARD MINI-SUITE BENEFITS

STATEROOM

Spacious staterooms up to 323 square feet with balcony

Upgraded balcony with patio furniture (table and two chairs)

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors

Separate seating area with coffee table and a sofa bed

BATHROOM

Private bathroom with combination tub and shower

Massage shower head

Shampoo, conditioner and body lotion

100% Egyptian Cotton Terry Towels

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Welcome glass of champagne

Fruit Basket (upon request)

Refrigerator

SERVICES

Twice daily housekeeping service

Evening bed turn-down with chocolates on your pillow

ACCESSORIES

Two 42” flat-panel satellite televisions

Hair Dryer

Phone & Desk

Tote Bag

Digital Security Safe

110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings

What would be different in a Full-Suite? The laundry service?

Mini's on Sun Class ships are the same as some suites on Grand Class ships.

Not even close to a normal mini as we know it.

Awesome cabins. ;)

So I take that as a - go for it? haha

Hi guys,

Just found a deal where a Club-Class Mini-Suite on the Sea Princess for a 12-night trip costs $1,100 (AUD) more than a Balcony Cabin. Is this worth grabbing? My gut instinct is YES but I'm not sure if it's worth it?

Maybe the experts can assist? :D

Thanks :)

Ruby