Deck plan maps onboard, laundromat, carrying key card safely...

[Laughing Gull]

On another cruise they had credit card sized fold out maps that were so useful. Does Princess have these or should I print some?

 

How are the laundry machines on CB? Do they take forever like NCL's? Do we need quarters?

 

I had a lot of problems with my key card not working until the Purser advised me not to store it in my camera case (darn) or on the counter next to our computer. Has anyone else had this problem? I am really hoping to find a tiny neutral shoulder bag, just big enough for camera, card and lipstick.:rolleyes:

[bhopal21]

You will be given a small folding map of the ship when you check in, before you board.

 

Never had a problem with cruise card and also never used the laundry.

 

Mike:)

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Laundry on the CB - yes you need quarters. They sometimes have change machines that work in the laundry room. They are average laundromat time as far as time goes. Obviously you can't pack the dryer full and expect you have it dry in one cycle.

[delta_glenn]

There are ship maps by every elevator as well. At least there were on the CB and EP.

[flamomo]

Cabin key cards will demagnetize and not work if exposed to a magnet. I had it happen to me twice in one cruise before I realized that the bracelet I was wearing had a magnetic clasp was the culprit. Needless to say, I no longer take that bracelet on cruises.

 

I like to have a hole punched in my key card and wear it on a lanyard around my neck. I always know where it is that way. Lanyards are sold in the onboard giftshop, and they usually have a hole punch available for just that purpose.

You'll see quite a few passengers with their card on a lanyard. But there are some who consider it "dorky" and wouldn't consider doing this. To each, his own!

 

Also available in the gift shop, Princess offers a nice small "purse" with the Princess logo on it, that has multiple pockets, and an adjustable shouder strap. It's big enough for a point-n-shoot camera, maybe a small coinpurse, a few tissues, etc. Not fancy, but very practical. I have two of them in different colors, and one of them always goes with me on cruises.

[ggprincess2004]

Laundromat times - 25 to 35 min for washer, depending upon the cycle, 35 to 40 for dryer, again depending upon cycle and level of stuffing.

We always take a roll of quarters, and our own detergent, fabric softener and stain stick. The new Purex detergent and fabric softener in one sheets should make this simpler going forward.

[Layla]

Be careful, too, of purses that have a magnetic snap. I used to carry one to dinner each night and several times during the cruise my cruise card didn't work. It had gotten demagnetized when I put it in/took it out of my purse.

[billet]

Your welcome aboard package in your cabin should contain the fold out map. If you need they are normally sitting on the pursers desk or just ask a purser for one.

 

I also use a lanyard for my key card so that I never have to hunt for it and it does not demagnitize. The pursers desk or the shop will punch a holefor you.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Also, don't put two key cards close together in your pocket or purse.

[Laughing Gull]

Thanks :)

[helenb]

I didn't realize that wearing a lanyard around my neck was 'dorky'. Does that mean I'm an even bigger dork? ;)

 

On our last cruise I used a silver chain instead of a lanyard to wear my cruise card. I had a number of women ask me where I got it. Of course, it was just a necklace that I had brought from home.

[wizard-of-roz]

Look for the red or blue carpet in the hallways.

 

Red: Port side of ship

 

Blue: Starboard side of the ship

 

There's nothing more amusing than watching people get off the elevator and seeing them go from one side to the other looking for their cabin.

[rdsqrl]

Lanyards are only dorky on land, never on a cruise -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Actually, I think using a lanyard that's labelled Princess may be a teeny bit dorky -- much better to bring one with you. I have one from my alma mater, as well as one from the institution from which, god willing, I'll be awarded my doctorate. I take one or the other, depending upon how well their respective athletic teams are doing immediately pre-cruise as I don't wish to be embarrassed by association (so needless to say, I won't be sporting a Washington Redskins lanyard any time soon. . . ).

[stoneharborlady]

Roz, I only had that problem for six days. Was that you hiding round the corner snickering at me???

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

There's nothing more amusing than watching people get off the elevator and seeing them go from one side to the other looking for their cabin.

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you can find a lanyard with a plastic sleeve, you can insert your cabin card in that. I didn't have to bother with getting my card hole-punched. And I always knew when I had my card...it was within eyesight.

[skf]

I recommend you bring your own or get quarters for laundry at the Purser's or Casino. The casino rarely has a line, & the laundry coin dispensers may or may work. Though the cashier at the casino kept telling me that I should use my cruise card, I insisted on quarters.

[Doug R.]

For those who are still concerned about "dorky", you can loop the lanyard through a belt loop and insert keycard into pants/shorts pocket.

[Setme2sail]

I am really hoping to find a tiny neutral shoulder bag, just big enough for camera, card and lipstick.:rolleyes:

 

Hi Laughing, Don't know if you have time to mail order before you leave for your cruise. But, check out baggallini dot com. They have various sizes. They are just the right size for the little item you always need. Have a great cruise.

[Laughing Gull]

Thanks! I'll check Baggallini now and see if there's time for shipping.

[SingerEsq]

Thanks! I'll check Baggallini now and see if there's time for shipping.

 

Lanyard Dork: Check (after losing my key card the second time ....)

Princess (small) bag: Check. (it's great. take it on all cruises).

Baggallini: Check. (great backpack that folds up on itself 5 x 7 flat)