Loved cruise but a couple of small complaints

[Bridget2]

We took a Princess caribbean cruise a while back, our first. We love cruising and intend to take more cruises with Princess when we can afford it. I do have just a couple of things that bugged me; one is specifically Princess and the other is more general.

 

#1 At the Crown Grill (we were on Emerald), I requested a glass of red wine and was told they don't sell wine by the glass. Now SURELY we were not the first couple they have ever had there who wanted a glass of wine, in opposition to a bottle of wine? My husband is not a wine drinker and I wasn't going to drink an entire bottle! (No, I didn't want to buy the bottle and drink the rest tomorrow, as I don't know what I will be eating tomorrow or what variety I will want.) Now had I asked for a certain label of Bordeaux 1987, I realize I couldn't buy just a glass, but I just wanted red wine. They finally begrudgingly agreed to sell me one. But it seemed to me that if they TRULY had no bottle they could open, someone should have just gone and got me a glass of wine from another bar, without making a big deal of it.

 

#2 and this I think is all the cruiselines...what is the purpose of having an inclusive (no pay) eating venue, but charging for just a few items? For instance, everything at International Cafe was free as far as I know, except the gelato. Since we were on a budget and had to be careful how these little items were adding up, I found this confusing. I have no problem with the existence of some pay venues, but why make just a few items chargeable? Another example is room service is free, except pizza...what's up with that?

 

Just wondering if anyone else is irritated by these. Despite these little annoyances, we had a wonderful cruise and will definitely be taking more.

[Amuse Bouche]

Those all sound really odd.

 

I can kinda understand the CG wineglass policy, but it is designed to be a 'special event' venue for vacationers, and like say, foie gras or frogs legs, they may want that one perfect treat of an excellent vintage to accompany their special dinner. I love foie gras...doesn't mean I want the whole liver. :D

 

The other two are probably designed to overcome the wise traveler who purposely avoids the additional charge items. Their version of impulse spending. Cheap shot, but a typical marketing strategy.

I avoid all sales, and have only purchased men's dress socks (yup, guess what he forgot) in the shops, and kept my blinders on. I'll keep my blinders on in the places you mentioned also. The darn casino gets enough of my cash. :p

[Liz54]

I agree with the OP. I don't generally drink white wine but would prefer it with lobster. They are missing a marketing op to sell some nice wines by the glass!

[Astro Flyer]

We took a Princess caribbean cruise a while back, our first. We love cruising and intend to take more cruises with Princess when we can afford it. I do have just a couple of things that bugged me; one is specifically Princess and the other is more general.

 

#1 At the Crown Grill (we were on Emerald), I requested a glass of red wine and was told they don't sell wine by the glass. Now SURELY we were not the first couple they have ever had there who wanted a glass of wine, in opposition to a bottle of wine? My husband is not a wine drinker and I wasn't going to drink an entire bottle! (No, I didn't want to buy the bottle and drink the rest tomorrow, as I don't know what I will be eating tomorrow or what variety I will want.) Now had I asked for a certain label of Bordeaux 1987, I realize I couldn't buy just a glass, but I just wanted red wine. They finally begrudgingly agreed to sell me one. But it seemed to me that if they TRULY had no bottle they could open, someone should have just gone and got me a glass of wine from another bar, without making a big deal of it.

You apparently had a misinformed server at the Crown Grill as wine by the glass is available in the main dining room so it should be the same thing in specialty restaurants.

 

#2 and this I think is all the cruiselines...what is the purpose of having an inclusive (no pay) eating venue, but charging for just a few items? For instance, everything at International Cafe was free as far as I know, except the gelato. Since we were on a budget and had to be careful how these little items were adding up, I found this confusing. I have no problem with the existence of some pay venues, but why make just a few items chargeable? Another example is room service is free, except pizza...what's up with that?

I've been told that both of these have a service fee to reduce waste. They were having problems with room service orders for pizza and finding half of them being thrown out. It would be the same thing for the gelato at the international café which is more expensive than the free softserve on Lido deck

 

Just wondering if anyone else is irritated by these. Despite these little annoyances, we had a wonderful cruise and will definitely be taking more.

Glad to hear that you had a wonderful cruise and hopefully my insights may provide you with the reason for these extra fees because like you I also wondered why until learning that it's an attempt to reduce waste for these popular options.

[Loonbeam]

As to the actual question, I have seen wine by the glass at Sabatinis and Bayou, can't understand why Crown would be different?

 

Gelato-I view it more in the keep demand reasonable type of charge, although of all of the misc charges this is the one I'd like to see go.

 

And as noted, Princess had a huge issue with Pizza waste and implemented the service charge to adjust.

[wizard-of-roz]

Pizza is not made in the kitchen it is made in only a few places which requires someone to go away from their normal working area [room service kitchen].....it's time consuming for the staff and "time is money!" You can pick-up your pizza on the way to your cabin in the IC or on Deck 14 with no extra fee. I totally get the reasons for this.

The glass of wine not so much [but again, bring your own wine onboard, a white and a red to enjoy with no charge.] The gelato [another specialty item that brings in some extra revenue.]

Cruising is a business like any other but Princess is one of the few lines that doesn't hassle it's guests about bringing their own beverages onboard.

Your attitude is everything and you have a great one. :) Please try another cruise and do it "your way!" Bring your own wine & opener [your Steward will supply you with the glasses], and pick up your pizza on the way to your cabin [my DH loves Princess pizza and misses it when we're shoreside!]

[Shogun]

Hi There

 

The OP should have been given a glass even if awaiter had to to Vines to collect it,

 

 

On Princess fees are there to limit demand, and to make an item special,

 

think about ships tour, if free there would be a line of 1000 folk wanting to go on it,

 

like wise the Crown Grill would be full every night,

 

as to budgets most of us have to work to one, some folk are lucky in that thiers might be a lot higher than others,some folks save up for years to get a chance to go on a cruise, that is one reason some TA here only sell all inclusive holidays, because the price you pay means you do not need to take money with you on holiday. many folks on a low budget like that, no bar bill, no tips, no nasty credit card bills a month after you get home.

 

 

yours Shogun

[Beej29]

I went to the Crown Grill on the Emerald in early December and what I did was ordered one of those mini bottles of Brut to have with my lobster. It was about $7 or $8 and it was about a glass and 1/2 of champagne.

[centralcalicruzer]

I went to the Crown Grill on the Emerald in early December and what I did was ordered one of those mini bottles of Brut to have with my lobster. It was about $7 or $8 and it was about a glass and 1/2 of champagne.

 

Wow, I didn't even know they had those - can you get that in the MDR as well? That's about the same price as a glass of wine, I would really enjoy that and will have to try it on my next Princess cruise.

[Bridget2]

Thanks everybody. This clears up a few things for me and they make more sense now. Also some good ideas.

 

Overall, the service we received was wonderful. Just an example to balance out the CG waiter/wine thing...we walked into Skywalkers during mid afternoon, learned they weren't open, but the bartender insisted on getting us drinks from another bar and letting us sit and enjoy the view (even though they weren't open). Most everything was great.