Whats new on Princess over the last 5 years?

Looking for info on what's the latest and the greatest on Princess since I last sailed about 5 years ago as in the best promotions, the newest and best specialty restaurants or venues and pretty much any other inside info on Princess specifically on Emerald Princess but other ships secrets are fine too. I don't read these forums often any longer and haven't kept up on what's new.....thanks in advance!

more cabins are replacing public spaces...

drink package is more expensive with more restrictions

coffee card now has a expiration date

butter is rationed...:halo:

Crooners replace by a French bistro

steak replaced by a hamburger as an everyday item on the mdr menu

surf and turf in the mdr... could be the smallest "filet" you have ever seen and a couple of skrimps..

I do recall reading about the great butter conspiracy on here about a year or 2 ago! LOL And a French Bistro sounds good...is it?

more cabins are replacing public spaces...

 

drink package is more expensive with more restrictions

 

coffee card now has a expiration date

 

butter is rationed...:halo:

 

Crooners replace by a French bistro

The latest that I consider greatest is the addition of Planks specialty restaurant to the Caribbean Princess.

The latest that I do not consider great on the Emerald Princess is the addition of the Salty Dog Gastro Pub to the Wheelhouse bar and replacing Sabatini's with Share. It has been my observation over 4 weeks aboard that both have taken space away from more popular venues. For example---you want to enjoy the entertainer performing in the Wheelhouse bar but can't find a seat because half the area is occupied by the uncomfortable tall tables and stools that make up the Gastro Pub which are rarely occupied by passengers dining there.

Also, I have never seen Share even half full of diners on either the Emerald Princess or Ruby Princess.

I do recall reading about the great butter conspiracy on here about a year or 2 ago! LOL And a French Bistro sounds good...is it?

The stupid French Bistro is only on a couple of the brand new ships. It sounds as if you are actually sailing on Emerald so that particular venue doesn't enter the picture. On Emerald they have removed Sabatini's and replaced it with Share. We did 28 days on Emerald last year and never tried Share. Since you asked about the difference between 5 years ago and today the loss of the BOGO won't matter as it wasn't in place 5 years ago and is again not an option so no change there.

I don't remember when they started the All Inclusive Beverage Package - possibly not there 5 years ago. It's been changed to the Premier Beverage Package. From Princess:

Our Premier Beverage Package is a great value! Enjoy a wide array of cocktails, wine, beer, bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, fountain sodas and more for just $59.99 USD^ per day ($68.99 per day with a 15% service charge included). If one clicks for more info you will find that there is a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day with the package. (You can have more but you have to pay for them and they reserve the right to cut you off if you are drunk or unruly.) The package only includes small bottles of water - no liters - including San Pellegrino and Perrier.

One other change on Princess ships that seems very popular to those who are eligible to use it is the Club Class dining for those in certain mini-suites and all full suites.

the 'new' smoking policy in Jan 2012 - so maybe over 5 years now...but that was huge and very much appreciated by all

I like the added opportunities that were put into the personalizer....for a non cruiser to be able to purchase a gift for sailing family members or friends, pre pay dining, shore excursions and such. Its a lot easier on my personal pocketbook to be able to pay as much before we get on the ship, so we don't get ship sticker shock when we get off.

Looking for info on what's the latest and the greatest on Princess since I last sailed about 5 years ago as in the best promotions, the newest and best specialty restaurants or venues and pretty much any other inside info on Princess specifically on Emerald Princess but other ships secrets are fine too. I don't read these forums often any longer and haven't kept up on what's new.....thanks in advance!

Emerald Princess

SHARE by Curtis Stone, believe it was introduced in 2015. On the Emerald it occupies the former Sabatini's location.

New Production Shows

Club Class Mini Suites

Club Class dining for Club Class mini suites and full suites

No more pork chop in Crown Grill

Re-vamped and re-priced Premium Beverage Package

BOGO is gone for now

Voice of the Ocean

Different DR menus, no parm bowl for the Fettuccine Alfredo

Butter is NOT rationed you can get as much as you need

Somewhat higher prices for cocktails

There is now an Entertainment Director that handles all the paperwork which allows the CD time to run activities.

and more

I don’t know if this is ship wide, but on the Grand Princess a couple of weeks ago, we were escorted onto the ship after checking in and led by a white gloved gentleman onboard, passing all passengers, including those that were mobility challenged. We were in a Window Suite.

Emerald Princess

Different DR menus, no parm bowl for the Fettuccine Alfredo

Our experience...you can ask for a parm bowl the day before and it will be done.

I don’t know if this is ship wide, but on the Grand Princess a couple of weeks ago, we were escorted onto the ship after checking in and led by a white gloved gentleman onboard, passing all passengers, including those that were mobility challenged. We were in a Window Suite.

Wow!!

I thought they stopped doing that.

more cabins are replacing public spaces...

On some ships. I don't think they've butchered the Emerald...yet.

drink package is more expensive with more restrictions

 

coffee card now has a expiration date

Reports are mixed. Some are getting cards with expiration dates, some not. No one knows what will happen at the end of the year when the cards expire. If anyone in the crew knows, they're not talking about it.

butter is rationed...:halo:

 

Crooners replace by a French bistro

Not on the Emerald

steak replaced by a hamburger as an everyday item on the mdr menu

There are a couple of other changes that have been mentioned in other threads.

surf and turf in the mdr... could be the smallest "filet" you have ever seen and a couple of skrimps..

In addition, Surf N' Turf in the Crown grill has a $10 upcharge. Any additional has the upcharge.:(

see above.

On some MDR menus, a Curtis Stone item was included as an entree choice.

butter is rationed..:halo:

Butter isn't "rationed" you can eat as much of it as you want. They simply limit how much they bring at one time since whatever is brought to the table and isn't eaten is not reissued to later diners due to health and safety rules and thus must be thrown away. Limiting the amount served at one time reduces waste thereby saving money.

Tom

Norman Love Chocolate Journeys deserts. Love 'em!

In the next five years, Princess will get the ocean Medallion system working on one of the ships. Actually, it likely will take ten years.

No smoking in cabins or on balconies.

Like the OP, I have not been on Princess for 5 or 6 years. Sorry to hear they did away with Crooners on some ships. That was one of my hang outs. Shucks. :(

Like the OP, I have not been on Princess for 5 or 6 years. Sorry to hear they did away with Crooners on some ships. That was one of my hang outs. Shucks. :(

Crooners is not gone, yet. I believe it has been replaced on the majestic. And I think the the new Sky is going to sail without a crooners. So, don’t fret. Yet.

Someone will correct me if I’m incorrect.

You are no longer required to take your life jacket to the muster drill although you still must attend. Instead it’s a short film...

I’m not sure about this Alfredo’s on the Royal Princess introduced in 2013.

Everything on the menu Is sooooooooo good...:):):)

Tony

New to Princess are the miniature balconies found on new ships, Regal, Royal and Majestic. So small that you must sit at a severe angle or sideways and stare at each other rather than the water or other view. We certainly don’t book a balcony to stare at each other. We do that enough at dinner! Ha!

I also think the big screen and sound system are used too much at the main pool in the last few years. I don’t mind a live band or even a good DJ for a while but when you add in a video concert, a dumb pool game and a movie during the day, it’s just too much loud noise at the pool after a while. No way is it a relaxing experience. And the loud sound also leaks over to the adult pool next to the Sanctuary. This from a former wedding and adult party DJ who still loves to dance to good music. But I am getting older.......

Most everything else on the new ships is really good though. I liked the Regal very much, but not the miniature balconies. :-) I just don’t think new ships need to continue to grow just to carry more passengers. It benefits the cruise line much more than the passenger. Ocean Medallion looks like a marketing ploy to get us to spend more money. Not sure why it’s been presented to us as some great improvement. I don’t want 4 new apps on my full phone. Cheers!

.

Thanks for all the replies so far and if any have been forgotten please post it....I do have a question though, embarkation lunch in the MDR, it used to be advertised but you used to have to fight the staff to actually get in, what's the situation now, the same or has it been eliminated or did the throw in the towel and actually allow what they had previously sold you?