Wishing on a star

To the original poster. Many people have offered very good an helpful advice! May I recommend that you just disregard those who might want to argue opinion.

I don't want to be the one to start a thread about the food and food quality on Princess. But, I think that many here know that Princess really is not the greatest. Other lines, even NCL in some cases, Celebrity, etc. all have a consensus who report that these other lines have better food. I heard thru the grapevine that there was somebody currently or recently on a Princess ship, who reports that there is a new person, like a main chef, onboard who is actively working on bringing up the level of dining on Princess. They reported that most of the food onboard has been excellent. Let's hope that maybe this is true, and upgrades to the dishes on the menus and dining will be in the works for all Princess' ships!

Yes, I know that the Princess menus are pretty much 'institutional'. But, that doesn't mean that there are not significant differences in quality and presentation from ship to ship. Most likely due to the leadership and preferences of the head chef onboard. (whatever that official title is) First time on Regal, a lot of the stuff was way over cooked, very over salted, just strange and barely edible. Yes, it was the same menus, same suppliers, but big differences in quality, preparation, and presentation. Our last cruise on the Regal, pre-shutdown, the food was mostly the same menus, but was much better. Also, for people who have crused for any number of years, we know the different changed and 'updates' that are made at the corporate level. Things are not always the same. As a matter of fact, I know that there were fairly recent posts here from somebody who had sailed two of the newer ships in a short time period. They even posted detailed descriptions and pictures of how it was much better on one ship than the other.

I found this comment about similar cabin C614 on the Royal. Somebody had asked if what appears to be an indentation/cutout in the cabin size at the doorway mattered. "Hello! We just got off the Royal (7/28 -8/10). We were in C614. There was no difference between this cabin or any of the other deluxe balcony cabins. It does look like it on the deck plans, but the way the door is...it makes no difference. Great cabin!"

Yes, getting the Deluxe Cabin (with the bit of extra space and the little two seat foldout mini sofa,, in this location, as a free or very discounted upgrade is great! It is a mid-deck, near to mid-ship cabin. Between the middle (Piazza) elevators and the rear elevators. No venues either above or below. I think you know the standard balconies on these Royal Class ships are small. But, that is fine, since I am assuming you had the same 'standard' balcony booked before. Assuming you had not booked one of the ones with the larger balcony, most of which are categorized as 'premium'. Enjoy the slightly larger cabin!

A lot of good info here! I will add a couple of comments. Dining: DMW will work, as you are the one making your reservations. To get that prime 7:00 hour, you should go to your APP as soon as it will allow. (Not sure if for new cruisers without status if that is when you have paid in full???). These in-demand reservation times will fill up. Yes, you can get a two-top. Again, reserving early might be key. Once onboard, on the first night, you might want to re-affirm with the wait staff and head of the dining room that you would like to keep your reservations at the same table for the next evening, for the duration of the cruise. Specialty Restaurants: I notice that you are not big on these. And, with Princess for you that might be a good thing. I have no experience, but understand that the higher end dining on Celebrity surpasses Princess. Drinks and Wine: If you want bottled spring waters, special coffee and coffee specialty drinks, juice, soda, a few alcoholic beverages, then the Plus Package would work out. Wine seems to be a drawback on Princess right now. I hear that many who upgrade to the Premier Package for the better wines might be disappointed. If wine is a factor for you, you might want to bring some of your favorites onboard. One bottle per person is okay, then you would pay corkage for each additional bottle. If you are big on that pre-dinner drink, then dining off the Piazza in those two main dining rooms might be a plus. The Aft dining room, which is not directly accessible from the Piazza and the bars, might be less crowded, or have more availability. But you might want to focus on one of the mid-ship dining rooms. Evening entertainment/music before dinner: I think there should be some lighter entertainment going on in the main atrium/Piazza before dinner. You might also want to look at the bar at the Crown Grill. It has been many years since I have been on the Ruby, but I think you might find a nice pre-dinner experience in both of these places. Other thoughts... The main pool areas could be busy, crowded, or loud. Ruby has the nice AFT. pool and bar. As well as the Adult Retreat Pool. If you are interested in the Sanctuary, it is really great. But, those with Princess Captains Circle Status have the benefit of early boarding and can go up there and reserve. So, it can be booked up. It is recommended that you go up there, first thing, as early as you can board, to reserve loungers. There is also a small chance that there could be a cancellation, so you might want to check back.

WatchHill, am I among the few who have had a halfway decent Prime Rib on embarkation night??? And, I am a bit of a wanna-be foodie, so I am not one who would say this just because it comes billed as Prime Rib. I am not sure if mentioning that other cruise line is a fair comparison. Traveling Sisters, What you said sounds like what I have described (quoted below) from the one in charge of Food and Dining on those two occasions. Really bad. I hope this person is no longer with Princess. There is usually information about all of these people who are in charge on the sailing. I am thinking the odds of others having the German heritage are very very slim. So, that could be telling. "I have also noted that the person at the head of the kitchen/dining makes a big difference. A few years ago, on Regal, everything was just bad. Over cooked, WAY over salted, just to the point of barely being edible. Years ago on Coral, had an amazing experience in the MDR. (before the last big changes/cutbacks a few years ago). But, the Buffett was not good. And I think it was the same person, with some German heritage, who was in charge of both bad food quality experiences."

Negative generalizations of that magnitude are usually 'SILLY'. The old saying applies... Never ASSUME anything...

Parmesan chicken, in the MDR on Italian night... unfortunately, that would be what I might expect, and would order something else or pass on the MDR.

I have had decent prime rib on embarkation night. The only thing that I just did NOT like was, I think, one of the Curtis Stone dishes. And, I don't think that it was a one-off. Hated the taste/seasoning. Everything about it. It just was not good. Never been inclined to try SHARE. I have also noted that the person at the head of the kitchen/dining makes a big difference. A few years ago, on Regal, everything was just bad. Over cooked, WAY over salted, just to the point of barely being edible. Last cruise on Regal was much much better. Years ago on Coral, had an amazing experience in the MDR. (before the last big changes/cutbacks a few years ago). But, the Buffett was not good. And I think it was the same person, with some German heritage, who was in charge of both bad food quality experiences.

Yes... Spring for one of the Premium Balconies like on Caribe, if at all possible, and enjoy!

During the roaring 20's people loved to enjoy themselves and live on the edge. Bubbles will eventually burst. Always happens.

There are a lot of people younger than your generation who do work, have worked, and who do have a lot of money! They might also be in debt, and do not begin to understand the concept of saving. But, they do have spendable money. People have opined about the younger generations, I think, since the beginning of time! The negativity is rarely helpful. Yes, there are HUGE differences, cultural, etc. between the younger generation and these 'old folks'. And, these can be troubling. But, that has been the case before, as well. Even my son, seeing how things were going with everybody in his age group, said the other day... "Is this the new normal?" If things were only for the 'older' generation, then things would not last very long.

Not a lot of truth regarding Alaska. The brand new Discovery sails the Inside Passage. Preferences are what they are. Prefer smaller... Great. Choose the older/smaller ships. But information that is untrue or is misleading is not helpful. Which brings me to a new point, with Princess, yes, the decision is between older or larger. No sign or hope of new smaller ships.

PS: Just in case this is something you aren't aware of... The best way to get a drink package is to book with the PLUS package, where you get Plus drink package, Gratuities, WIFI, for a flat rate of $50. per day pp.

Yes, 'Sales' will be shifted around and come and go. No real Black Friday deals. It is a matter of which promotion benefits you the most. Drink/Plus package, Third and fourth passenger free, Onboard Credit.... You can refare to get some new Promos before Final Payment. Technically I believe the current Love Boat Sale is 'new bookings only to get the additional $100. OBC'. If they require you to totally cancel the old booking and re-book, then you would loose any perks that were associated with your old booking. That is when you get out the old calculator and do the numbers.

I will be honest, and chime in here. We would choose to sail on newer ships. I prefer toilets that flush, newer cabins, less rust. Like the larger public areas and amenities. Just me. That being said, Princess has totally ruined their newer ships with things like small balconies, no Crooners, closing in the adult Retreat Pool area to fit in a few more cabins to sell (good god, no!). Everything is relative... Pros and Cons.

Yes, I wasn't surprised at all, but, those numbers!!!!! Again, not surprising.... But. Ohhhhh my!!!! These people have slept with people, and cheated on people, more times than they have brushed their teeth!!! Hahahaha!!!!! Stupid reality show for sure, but the entertainment factor was there on this one. And, good gracious, how flipping 'photogenic' is that new model guy.

We have stayed at the Hyatt and like their shuttle service. thanks for that info above. I had never heard of that parking service for non-guests. I know that they have always had hotel guests sign up for the shuttle, so I hope that means that (if we stay again) we would have priority and not have any problem getting on the earliest shuttle departures!

Yes, the above is a good point. (wine or drinks in the MDR aren't always fast or seamless) The midship dining rooms are right there with the bars, music/entertainment etc. If you don't mind the walk, you can still stop by the atrium/piazza and then go to dinner. The plus for us, on our last cruise (Regal) the aft lower dining room was half empty, unlike the other two which were busy. The ambiance and service was great.

I am not sure if it will show the Plus package. I know it shows all the drink package options. If there isn't an option there, and you are still within the window before sailing, then call Princess or your TA. The PLUS package is $50. pp per day, and the Premier is $75. pp per day. The better wines are one of the things people like about the Premier, but it seems that many of these aren't to be found onboard. We have brought our own bottles of wine. There is a corkage fee for bottles of wine except the one bottle per person allowed with no charge. (to be enjoyed in cabin, not restaurants)

I believe that, technically, once you make a bid, if they accept it and assign a cabin, it is a done deal. But I have see a couple of comments where maybe bidders have been able to stay in their original booking, or to change location. I would love to consider an upgrade, but I like a mid-ship location, so if I were to get, for example a far forward upgrade, then I could only move to another forward cabin. Since categories go along with mid, mid-forward or mid-aft, forward, or aft. It would all depend on what the exact category (or subcategory, the second letter, like BA or BB... BE etc...

I noticed that!!!! Kills me!!! Hahaha! Why did they do that? This is an exclusive area where everybody has their own reserved loungers anyhow. Maybe that thought that would make the image look more real....

I have seen them setting up for this once, several years ago. I think it was the Regal? It was in the one circular area in the Piazza, and they had it all set up and decked out with tables, nice dishes, white tablecloths, rose(s) on each table. It did look special. Something that I would want to do, but always so many other things on a cruise! I would consider it on our next cruise. But seems they don't offer it any more?

It sounds like you are very laid back and casual and you are 'doing you'! The patters and the Voyage app should give you decent info on all the little things that are going on, like the usual trivia, etc. If you want to up your game a little bit, and haven't tried these... Watch what is going on in the Piazza on ships with the nice Piazza. You can get drinks, or coffee drinks, food and snacks from the International Cafe, and just take in what might be going on there. You can do that in the evening, and still then go up to the Buffett for supper. Also, if you like the R&R, then definitely try to get some time reserved in the Sanctuary. Main dining rooms are no longer traditional seating, and you might want to try them more often now. It is not gathering with everyone else to go to supper and walking into the dining room for a structured service. Check for menus for the cruise at the customer service desk on the first day. You probably know that the menus will probably be posted in front of the dining rooms each day. How about checking out the lighter entreatment that might be going on at the Steakhouse (Crown Grill) bar area? If you aren't into the main Shows, then look for other things going on at the Theater or the Vista Lounge. I am thinking that later at night in the Piazza or public area, when there is nightly main entertainment, (The ships party band or other major event), that might not be for you.