Robkat

At Salty Dog Gastropub, we had the sauteed mushroom appetizer (the description of it on the menu sounds bizarre, but it was delicious.). We then had the short ribs, I had the spicy one and DH had the poutine one. They were both so yummy that we had the exact same thing on our next visit. Everything was hot enough, and we took our time over the meal, but we didn't notice that people looked like they'd been waiting a long time. At Steamers, we both had the Fisherman's platter ... really good, although on our next visit we did plan on trying the steam pots. At Planks, I had the pulled pork and ribs, DH had the brisket and ribs, and it was all delish. Really enjoyed both and wanted to return to both, but DH started feeling crummy towards the last days of the cruise, so we passed on them. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did. We'll actually miss these options on our next cruise next month on the Enchanted P!

Anita, Just as an FYI. This sign below was always in front of both areas where Planks and Steamers set up. This was for a 14 day cruise, so not sure how it would translate specific day-wise for your cruise, but it does show how they set the days up. Although you have to make reservations over the Dine Line, you could go up there, see the schedule, and then use your dates to call your requested days in. Hope this helps. Have a great cruise.

You can call the Dine Line from your cabin, but if you want to jump on it immediately when you board, there's a desk to the left of the Guest Services desk (as you face it), deck 6 just past a shop, and there was a girl standing there with a clipboard who was taking reservations. Also, right beside her, at the desk called (I think) either Future Cruises or Captain Circle (don't remember what the name was, but it wasn't dining-related), there was a phone right there that we used to get through to the DL.

So your post made me ask DH about reservations for the SDG. He also thought we'd been told that we needed to make reservations, but admitted that we might have just made them since we were already reserving for Planks & Steamers. However, I will repeat that I'm really glad we did reserve as, on this two-week cruise, it was very busy. On the Emerald, it's located right in the front part of the Wheelhouse bar, right off a main thoroughfare, so having it so front and center may have contributed to how popular it was. Nevertheless, we enjoyed both our meals there, and remarked how good the other food looked too! Different strokes, I guess.

We're just off the Emerald a week ago. Steamers and Planks alternated availability for most nights of the cruise, with some Crab Shack options replacing both of them on certain other select dates. You can only find out which days they're available once you get onboard. We immediately called the Dine Line, were advised which was available and when, and we made reservations right then. You must make reservations for Planks, Steamers and Crab Shack. Salty Dog Gastropub was open every night and we also made reservations at the same time. Not sure whether SDG would take walk-ins, but we're glad we booked on that first day, as it was a very popular and busy place. We enjoyed Planks, Steamers and SDG, but didn't try Crab Shack as it's not included in the Premier upgrade as a Casual Dining venue.

Oh ... That's an interesting bit of info. Hopefully if they (the ship) opt to do that, they would note it in the daily Patter. Otherwise, we'd never know as we tend to steer clear of the buffet as much as we can.

See that @PacnGoNow recommends that you call the Dine Line when you board, as they'd be able to tell you if they've got a Crab Shack pop-up planned, and I agree completely. Being a Canada/New England cruise, Princess might feel that it would be good "theme-wise". We're also getting on a C/NE repositioning cruise next week, so we'll take this good advice ourselves too! We can hope!

Us too! We were on the Diamond, and from when we arrived by bus from Anchorage, they had us on the ship lickety split. OP's experience is awful to hear, but hopefully it was one-off.

On our Enchanted cruise a month and a bit ago, there was no Crab Shack pop up that we saw. That's too bad, as we'd have loved to try it.

😅😅. Sometimes "by chance" is how the greatest ideas happen!

These are all good ideas! We also use a binder clip on that wayward shower curtain, but the addition of the shower magnet (to hold the always-flapping-around curtain closed) is great! Thanks! 👍👍

Totally agree with you ... these balconies are the best! Thanks for posting this photo ... we'll be boarding after you, and now you've got us all excited to be enjoying our own Caribe deck balcony! Let the packing begin! Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Once the excursions have been paid, is the Elite 10% discount automatically refunded to your onboard account? Or do we need to go to the GS or Shore Excursion desk to request it? Isn't it just the silliest to thing that the 10% isn't just removed and discounted when the excursion reservations are originally made?!!!? SMH!

Thanks for letting us know. We are not avid production-show people, been there, done that and for the most part, we liked the big Broadway production shows that seem to have faded. But we did love Rock Opera, think it was mostly because of the featured guest performer. His name is Steve Major, and he has long, Peter Frampton-type hair, and he's so good! Was he the lead for the show you saw?

Very interested in your review as we'll be boarding shortly, so thank you for doing this. Hope you enjoy Steamers tonight, really looking forward to hearing about that and about Planks, if you'll be going there. Will you be trying out the Salty Dog Gastropub? Did you have to make reservations? How about the production shows... have you seen what they'll be for your cruise? Have a wonderful time, hope you enjoy the rest of the cruise!

It sounds like you've got yourselves very well sorted! If you liked the Sky P, you'll find the Enchanted P to be almost identical; we actually liked it a little bit better than the Sky, although they are so similar, we couldn't tell you why! Just the overall feeling. So, there really isn't anything for you to be apprehensive about ... enjoy these new ports of call! Have a great trip over and cruise, and maybe we'll see you onboard!

Yes, thanks for this info. Very useful in helping us to plan our first hour onboard! 😅😅

Thanks so much for your review, which we read with great interest as we're boarding the Emerald in just about 2 weeks for the Canada/New England. We did that same cruise last year on the Caribbean P and we're interested to see how similar (or, what the differences are) between these two ships. Is it necessary to make reservations for the Gastropub and for Planks/Steamers? Were they very busy when you went? Given where Planks/Steamers are located (at the back of the buffet), do you feel they do a good job of making them feel like a nice dining space, as opposed to just an extension of the buffet? Thanks again and good to hear that you enjoyed your cruise.

Thanks for your reply. Good to get input from those of you with experience.

Thanks for your insight. Appreciate it.

@Wiseask: We were just on the Apex in February, followed by 2 Princess cruises, and I'd say that the clothes that both DH and I bring on either line are pretty identical. DH was overjoyed to say bye bye to bringing a tux, and then subsequently to bringing a jacket on a cruise. He wears dress pants and a long sleeved dress shirts for the dressier nights, on both X and Princess. As for me, dressy black pants with various dressy tops for "formal" nights. As most have said, smart casual dress will be appropriate for all nights. Nothing wrong, though, with being a little dressier if you feel like it.

👏👏👏👏👏 No flaming whatsoever ... We're in utter agreement with your statement. We stand in support!

Thanks @SailorJack for this entertaining and very interesting review of your cruise. We've never considered this particular itinerary but your review has us looking at it very seriously. In 2025, we see that this same itinerary on the Sapphire is offered in both in April and in October. Do you think the time of year is important for this cruise, especially weather-wise? Any other benefits to either of these month options over the other? Thanks again for a really fun follow-along to your adventures!

Thanks for your reply. We were on Enchanted the week before you, and had a great time. So, glad to hear that overall, on balance, you enjoyed the cruise. Hope you enjoy your August cruise.

Wow, I've read all the way to the end of the Costa Maya/Catch by Rudi post, and it's surprising that you're still considering the 14-day cruise on this ship in August. The impression from your review is that you're not very enamoured with this ship or with being back on Princess. After all your concerns, it certainly seemed like you wouldn't be too keen on doubling your time and experience on her.