Just Off Caribbean Princess Aug 4 - 11 Brief Review

Just got off the 7 day Caribbean cruise. My wife and I live 45 minutes from PE. We cruise frequently on Princess. We cruise to eat, drink and gamble. Do not get off the ship much. The cruise was great. Service excellent in all areas. I have no complaints about the food. If you don't like what your eating, just ask for some thing else. Weather was great, seas pretty much like glass. The ship was clean and in pretty good shape. Certainly there are small areas where you might see some rust, but I wouldn't call the CB a rust bucket.

This was a VIP Ocean Players Cruise. Title sounds bigger than it was.. Special fare, some gambling free play money, special events for VIPs (free slot tourney, special drawings, free drinks as long as your playing in the casino). There were also a lot of kids and overall everyone was well behaved.

We got to the port about 10 AM and we were on board by 11 AM. No line or wait at the terminal. Walked right through security, quickly checked in and headed up to the lounge to wait. As many pointed out on the boards, you cannot get to your cabin much before 1PM We got in by 12:50. We were in Caribe 437 I just started my Clorox Wipes wipe down of key items (phone TV remote, etc) when I heard a thump out side the door. WOW our luggage arrive in record time. We did not have ocean medallion although I did see a few behind the check-in counter. Did not see any in use around the ship during the cruise. As previous stated by others, the mailboxes outside the cabins are gone. There is now an Ipad size device mounted in that space and the screen read "Coming Soon Ocean Medallion". When you enter or exit your cabin you hold your key card up to the screen and the door unlocks. Lots of techies on board working on *****. When boarding everyone had to scan their card twice, same at muster drill. I guess one time for the “old way” and one time for *****. They are using ***** in the casino on a limited basis also.

As I have been reading a lot about extension cords and the surge protectors being confiscated I decided to take two different ones. I usually take a power strip that looks like a surge protector, but is not. This time I took the power strip and a basic cord. Both made it on board. Also thanks to CC for info about the outlet behind the TV. Also thanks for the hint about battery tea candles for night light in bathroom.

We had lunch at the International Cafe, not at all crowded, as everyone coming on board headed to DR or Market place. Purchased our "Coffee Card, which is now put on your cruise card. A hassle for couples because it is only available on the buyer,s card. When you want specialty coffee your spouse must be there (depending on whose card it is loaded on) with you.

Wife went to see the Hotel Maitre'd to reserve our table. We always do anytime dining and we like a favorite specific table at the same time on the Grand class ships. That was accomplished and we got our table and ate in the Coral each night at 7:30. At the end of the cruise we gave the staff extra tips for taking good care of us.

The new suggested dress code seemed ok. There was a wide variety of dressing. Formal nights had a majority of people in the dining room dressed appropriately, with a few shorts and t-shirts. Staff didn’t intervene or turn them away.

We didn’t see any shows. There was a comedian who only performed one night. We had planned to see him the next night (we were at sea both nights) but he never did another show. Other entertainment included production show Fantastic Journey, a Ventriloquist, production show Bravo, and A. J. Clarke. Clarke performed in Crooners all week. Looks like Princess moved him to the theater to pass him off as a major show.

Princess had a promo on board that doubled your future cruise credit if you booked on board. We booked a 7 day cruise on the Regal in Nov.

Disembarkation was a breeze. Our scheduled time was 8:10 from Coral DR. We left the location on time and were off the ship through customs and home by 9AM. Ten minutes from Coral DR on the ship to parking garage.

In conclusion we enjoyed ourselves and had a great cruise. The weather was excellent. The staff were all excellent from servers to bar staff to room steward and any others we interfaced with. Enjoyed the food. If I happened to not like something I merely had to tell the waiter and if I wanted he would bring me something else. Also, they have no problem mixing or changing sides. If I ordered the duck but found the accompanying sides to exotic I could get a different side. I especially love the choice of appetizers and soups.

I will try to answer any questions

Thanks for your review. I'm considering CB for next year, so am happy to hear you enjoyed the cruise.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. I was on Caribbean Princess in May and really enjoyed the ship.

Just got off the 7 day Caribbean cruise. My wife and I live 45 minutes from PE. We cruise frequently on Princess. We cruise to eat, drink and gamble. Do not get off the ship much. The cruise was great. Service excellent in all areas. I have no complaints about the food. If you don't like what your eating, just ask for some thing else. Weather was great, seas pretty much like glass. The ship was clean and in pretty good shape. Certainly there are small areas where you might see some rust, but I wouldn't call the CB a rust bucket.

 

 

 

 

 

This was a VIP Ocean Players Cruise. Title sounds bigger than it was.. Special fare, some gambling free play money, special events for VIPs (free slot tourney, special drawings, free drinks as long as your playing in the casino). There were also a lot of kids and overall everyone was well behaved.

 

 

 

 

 

We got to the port about 10 AM and we were on board by 11 AM. No line or wait at the terminal. Walked right through security, quickly checked in and headed up to the lounge to wait. As many pointed out on the boards, you cannot get to your cabin much before 1PM We got in by 12:50. We were in Caribe 437 I just started my Clorox Wipes wipe down of key items (phone TV remote, etc) when I heard a thump out side the door. WOW our luggage arrive in record time. We did not have ocean medallion although I did see a few behind the check-in counter. Did not see any in use around the ship during the cruise. As previous stated by others, the mailboxes outside the cabins are gone. There is now an Ipad size device mounted in that space and the screen read "Coming Soon Ocean Medallion". When you enter or exit your cabin you hold your key card up to the screen and the door unlocks. Lots of techies on board working on *****. When boarding everyone had to scan their card twice, same at muster drill. I guess one time for the “old way” and one time for *****. They are using ***** in the casino on a limited basis also.

 

 

 

 

 

As I have been reading a lot about extension cords and the surge protectors being confiscated I decided to take two different ones. I usually take a power strip that looks like a surge protector, but is not. This time I took the power strip and a basic cord. Both made it on board. Also thanks to CC for info about the outlet behind the TV. Also thanks for the hint about battery tea candles for night light in bathroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had lunch at the International Cafe, not at all crowded, as everyone coming on board headed to DR or Market place. Purchased our "Coffee Card, which is now put on your cruise card. A hassle for couples because it is only available on the buyer,s card. When you want specialty coffee your spouse must be there (depending on whose card it is loaded on) with you.

 

 

 

 

 

Wife went to see the Hotel Maitre'd to reserve our table. We always do anytime dining and we like a favorite specific table at the same time on the Grand class ships. That was accomplished and we got our table and ate in the Coral each night at 7:30. At the end of the cruise we gave the staff extra tips for taking good care of us.

 

 

 

 

 

The new suggested dress code seemed ok. There was a wide variety of dressing. Formal nights had a majority of people in the dining room dressed appropriately, with a few shorts and t-shirts. Staff didn’t intervene or turn them away.

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t see any shows. There was a comedian who only performed one night. We had planned to see him the next night (we were at sea both nights) but he never did another show. Other entertainment included production show Fantastic Journey, a Ventriloquist, production show Bravo, and A. J. Clarke. Clarke performed in Crooners all week. Looks like Princess moved him to the theater to pass him off as a major show.

 

 

 

 

 

Princess had a promo on board that doubled your future cruise credit if you booked on board. We booked a 7 day cruise on the Regal in Nov.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disembarkation was a breeze. Our scheduled time was 8:10 from Coral DR. We left the location on time and were off the ship through customs and home by 9AM. Ten minutes from Coral DR on the ship to parking garage.

 

 

 

 

 

In conclusion we enjoyed ourselves and had a great cruise. The weather was excellent. The staff were all excellent from servers to bar staff to room steward and any others we interfaced with. Enjoyed the food. If I happened to not like something I merely had to tell the waiter and if I wanted he would bring me something else. Also, they have no problem mixing or changing sides. If I ordered the duck but found the accompanying sides to exotic I could get a different side. I especially love the choice of appetizers and soups.

 

 

 

 

 

I will try to answer any questions

What is the new suggested dress code?

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Princess has formal and smart casual nights. Formal attire is tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits for women. Smart casual attire includes pants and open-neck shirts for men and skirts or dresses, slacks and sweaters for women.

The code is not “new”. It is merely trying to soften the concept of mandatory by using the term “suggested”. I suppose the only way this would ever be clarified is if Princess publicly stated “The dress code is wear whatever you want as long as the cloths are clean”

what was the tip about the outlet behind the tv? What movies were playing on muts? We board aug 25th.. Cant wait.

Princess has formal and smart casual nights. Formal attire is tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits for women. Smart casual attire includes pants and open-neck shirts for men and skirts or dresses, slacks and sweaters for women.

 

 

 

 

 

The code is not “new”. It is merely trying to soften the concept of mandatory by using the term “suggested”. I suppose the only way this would ever be clarified is if Princess publicly stated “The dress code is wear whatever you want as long as the cloths are clean”

I just wondered when you posted “new” in your original post! Getting ready for our 50th Princess cruise this fall and thought I missed something about a change in the dress code especially when you mentioned shorts and T-shirts!

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Princess had a promo on board that doubled your future cruise credit if you booked on board.

 

Thank you for taking the time to report your experience to us, Sherman. Can you give some clarification to the above sentence?

Does that mean that if you booked a cruise with a $100 deposit on a future cruise, you were credited with $200 deposit, or does it mean that if you booked a cruise, again, with a $100 deposit, then, when you take that cruise, you'll receive twice the OBC that is normally given with a $100 Future Cruise Deposit?

The tip was there is a usable outlet there. Not easily accesssable, plugged one of the cords in it and used that to charge iPhone/IPad on the tv shelf.

Movies

Coco

Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tails

Avengers Affinity Wars

Concert Billy Joel Shea Stadium

Concert Brian Adams

I Feel Pretty

Wonder Woman

Cirque du Soleil Kooza

Black Panther

Cirque du Soleil Allegra

Book Club

ConcertLady Antebellum World Tour

Eddie The Eagle

Concert Crowded House

Movie Ready Player One

Thanks for you review.

No new dress code. It has not changed. We have always seen suggested in the description.

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Thank you for taking the time to report your experience to us, Sherman. Can you give some clarification to the above sentence?

 

Does that mean that if you booked a cruise with a $100 deposit on a future cruise, you were credited with $200 deposit, or does it mean that if you booked a cruise, again, with a $100 deposit, then, when you take that cruise, you'll receive twice the OBC that is normally given with a $100 Future Cruise Deposit?

The future cruise deposit is $100 per person as always. What the promo was for is the onboard credit you receive for booking a future cruise, the future cruise credit was doubled. For example, my wife and I each give a $100 future cruise deposit and when we book a cruise using that deposit we each receive a $50on board credit. With the promo, that $50 credit each was doubled to $100 credit each for the cruise.

I took a photo of the flyer but when I insert it into my response it doesn’t appear in the post

Thank you for posting. You are so lucky to live near the port. I am very jealous!:cool:

The future cruise deposit is $100 per person as always. What the promo was for is the onboard credit you receive for booking a future cruise, the future cruise credit was doubled. For example, my wife and I each give a $100 future cruise deposit and when we book a cruise using that deposit we each receive a $50on board credit. With the promo, that $50 credit each was doubled to $100 credit each for the cruise.

 

I took a photo of the flyer but when I insert it into my response it doesn’t appear in the post

Thank you for the clarification.

Thanks for you solid CB Review

Personally though, I try and avoid the CB now since experiencing the Marketplace fiasco last year in Europe. IMO you can add the Marketplace to the list of Princess blunders along with Share

Srpilo

Thanks for this thread. I get on 8/25; have a friend on now who boarded yesterday. I understand you had free unlimited internet (Elite). True?

BTW, I live in your neighborhood. I'd like to know how you got off the ship at 8:10, got your car and was home by 9:00. I don't think my lead foot could have done that. :D

Thanks for this thread. I get on 8/25; have a friend on now who boarded yesterday. I understand you had free unlimited internet (Elite). True?

 

BTW, I live in your neighborhood. I'd like to know how you got off the ship at 8:10, got your car and was home by 9:00. I don't think my lead foot could have done that. :D

Hi Pia

I cruise next week and have been following Vickie & Bernie's blog who now is in the middle of a B2B2B. She reported yesterday:

Thanks for posting your review. I enjoyed the revamped buffet area when we sailed on the CB last year. We had sailed it the year before and thought they did a good job at changing the layout and offerings over what we had previously experienced.

Hi Pia

 

I cruise next week and have been following Vickie & Bernie's blog who now is in the middle of a B2B2B. She reported yesterday:

 

 

 

"Once on board we see that when we log onto Princess’ site itis a bit different. We have to re register with Ocean Medallion wifi and we arethen on a new page that says because of our loyalty level we are entitled tounlimited wifi for this voyage."

I haven't seen Vickie and Bernie in years. Sounds like they will be getting off when I get on. Too bad. I'll look for her blog.

Thank you for the positive review! We sail 8/25 and are looking forward to a great week. We have been fortunate on every cruise with Princess and had a great time on each sailing. Guess this is why we booked the CB for the third time.

Great review. Thank you for taking the time. I was on CB in May and really enjoyed the ship.

I haven't seen Vickie and Bernie in years. Sounds like they will be getting off when I get on. Too bad. I'll look for her blog.

I will wave at you. :o

JI have no complaints about the food. If you don't like what your eating, just ask for some thing else.

 

I will try to answer any questions

Hi Sherman

Did you ever use the buffet? We use it for breakfast and lunch and after reading some reviews, we're worried.

Is there fresh whole or cut up fruit available (one review said no) and is there a decent salad bar?

Thanks for any help

ML

PS: I'd love to live close to PE!!

Great review. Thank you for taking the time. I was on CB in May and really enjoyed the ship.

I will wave at you. :o

Perhaps one of these days we’ll be on the same cruise