Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You - 2013 version

[CCFC]

When we were on the Ruby in June people were surprised to see us doing a ship made Sudoku and Quiz when sat around a bar. If you go to the library there are daily quizzes and Sudoku's. Don't forget your pen though!

[paul929207]

Nice. Thanks for the reminder that this forum gave me I purchased 100 shares of stock yesterday, faxed notification of the purchase to Princess in the afternoon yesterday, and just spoke with Princess this morning to confirm that hundred dollar credit has already been applied to my cruise that I'm taking next Friday. They were very professional!

Thanks!

BAbs

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

Congrats Shareholder!! Glad you got your first OBC

[Kentchikan]

When we were on the Ruby in June people were surprised to see us doing a ship made Sudoku and Quiz when sat around a bar. If you go to the library there are daily quizzes and Sudoku's. Don't forget your pen though!

 

I love the ship's quizzes. In the "olden days" if you turned them in you could get prizes.

[Kentchikan]

Nice. Thanks for the reminder that this forum gave me I purchased 100 shares of stock yesterday, faxed notification of the purchase to Princess in the afternoon yesterday, and just spoke with Princess this morning to confirm that hundred dollar credit has already been applied to my cruise that I'm taking next Friday. They were very professional!

Thanks!

BAbs

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

Way cool. They should sell it in the gift shop.;)

[Fletcher921]

What is so funny is that we have the stock years ago for the very same reason and during one of the stock market dips my husband got scared and sold it!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[maz48]

They renew the stockholder credit every year so that won't be a problem.

as to only giving the OBC to US cruisers - it doesn't make sense. A stockholder is a stockholder.

(Don't call 800 Princess - the people who answer the phone are wrong more often than they're right!)

 

I just found this in my Princess file:

It refers to British benefits so I think you're good.

(I know it's from 2012 - ignore that)

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=191663&d=1302820056

CCL Stock.pdf form.pdf

 

 

 

CARNIVAL SHARHOLDER BENEFIT REQUEST FORM

Princess is pleased to offer a special Carnival Corporation Shareholder onboard credit program. This program is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc.* This benefit is applicable on sailings through July 31, 2012. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2012 and proof of ownership (photocopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate or a current brokerage statement or nominee statement) must be provided. Additional benefit information may be found at Carnival.com

Onboard Credit Amount Per Cabin

*The onboard credit is converted to the operational currency onboard the vessel

Restrictions This offer is good for only one cabin occupied by the shareholder. Can only be applied to bookings under deposit. This offer cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities. Offer is combinable with most Onboard Credit offers. This offer is Non-transferable. Applications to receive this benefit must be made no later than 14 days to cruise departure date.

Procedures

Please provide your name, reservation/booking number, ship and sailing date with proof of eligibility as outlined above.

Booking Number: _________ Ship Name: ______________ Sailing Date: __________ Last Name: ________________________ First Name: ____________________ Telephone Number: _______________ Email Address: _______________________ Required Proof of Eligibility

Included is a photocopy of: Please check one Shareholder Proxy Card Current Shares Certificate Current Brokerage Statement Nominee Statement

Submit via Email, Fax or Mail Submit this request together with your required proof of eligibility c/o Princess Cruises Booking Support Dept. via:

Cruise Length

OBC AMOUNT PER CABIN

USD

GBP*

6 days or less

$50

£25

7-13 days

$100

£50

14 days or longer

$250

£125

In the US and Canada Email: shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com Fax: (661) 753-1394 Mail: 24844 Avenue Rockefeller,

Santa Clarita, CA 91355 U.S.A.

In the UK Email: shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com

Mail:

Tel:

Carnival UK, Carnival House 100 Harbour Parade Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1ST United Kingdom 44 (0) 8453 555 800

Requests will be handled within 7 days. Once your request has been processed, an updated Booking Confirmation will be forward to you or your travel agent.

*Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced rate or complimentary basis are excluded.

 

Thank you for the info!!

[Nessa55]

I really appreciate this tip because I hate the buffet experience and try only going there when it is absolutely necessary. On embarkation day it is a mad house no matter what cruise you are on so I honestly appreciate this.

[Nessa55]

My favorite "secret" that many newer Princess travelers aren't aware of is lunch in the main dining room on embarkation day. It is a wonderful menu including a lovely salmon and a sliced beef tenderloin entree. It is offered in only one of the dining rooms, usually the one located at the back of the ship (that is hard to find!) and only goes until 1:30.

 

Most people tend to run up to the buffet for lunch, but lunch in the dining room is one of our favorite experiences and a lovely civilized way to kick off our cruise!

 

 

I am reposting this reply since my original post did not have who I was actually responding to - I love eating in the dining room at every opportunity, I hate the buffet if I can avoid it so thank you so much for this priceless piece of information.

[caribill]

I just found this in my Princess file:

It refers to British benefits so I think you're good.

(I know it's from 2012 - ignore that)

 

 

In the US and Canada Email: shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com Fax: (661) 753-1394 Mail: 24844 Avenue Rockefeller,

Santa Clarita, CA 91355 U.S.A.

In the UK Email: shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com

 

Requests are no longer accepted by E-mail. Must FAX or snail mail.

[Kentchikan]

I am reposting this reply since my original post did not have who I was actually responding to - I love eating in the dining room at every opportunity, I hate the buffet if I can avoid it so thank you so much for this priceless piece of information.

 

I agree we haven't even gone near the buffet on our last cruises. It makes the trip more serene and civilized plus you aren't tempted by just a dab of that and a tiny spoonful of that until your plate looks like Mt. Everest. Not that anyone would ever have such a plate. ;)

[namracmom]

I loved the Royal Dutch and Indonesian teas on HAL.

Sometimes the scones on Princess are delicious. Other times dry which is unusual since their baked goods rolls, etc. are one of their culinary strengths.

 

Tea Time on the Emerald Princess was from 3:30 - 4:30 every day. I agree that the scones were great; served with cream and jam. The scones were the last items served. The waiters started with mini sandwiches, followed by cookies/slices of pound cake, and then the scones. So, save room for them. The only disappointing part about the tea time was that the tea was Lipton, poured from a silver teapot. When you are seated, you walk past a beautiful display of different types of tea (Darjeeling, English Breakfast, etc.), so I found it peculiar that they served Lipton.

[namracmom]

Anyone have any secrets about emerald princess? It's my first cruise in Baltic and to that area!

 

I'm not sure how secret these tips are but I found them helpful while on the Emerald Princess.They are probably true for many of the other Princess ships as well.

 

As other posts mentioned, you can eat in the dining room on embarkation day. We found that the dining room was also open on disembarkation day. This was a relaxing way to end the cruise, especially if you don't need to be one of the first passengers to get off the ship. We brought our carry-on bags to the dining room and disembarked when we were done eating and enjoying our coffee without all of the crowds at the buffet.

 

You can get bags of popcorn on the Lido deck when 'Movies Under the Stars' is scheduled. You can take the popcorn with you and don't need to watch the movie. But, the Movies Under the Stars is a fun activity. They bring you a warm blanket and even came to serve pizza slices and cookies/milk. Sit on the upper deck so you aren't distracted by people walking by and having conversations while you are trying to hear the movie.

 

As others mentioned, if you don't see anything you like for dessert on the menu, order a volcano (from the children's menu). It is a banana split served with fudge, whipped cream, cherries, chocolate chips, etc. It was larger than any of the desserts from the adult menu. It was great watching everyone's surprised reactions when they saw it served to me at the table.

 

If you are traveling with others and have cabins next to each other, ask your room steward to open up the balconies. We had four cabins in a row and enjoyed having the "long balcony" between the cabins.

 

As mentioned in other posts, stop by the library each day to get a daily crossword puzzle, sudoku puzzle, and brain teaser.

 

If you like to order soda and non-alcoholic beverages, buy the ultimate soda card on the first day (they were selling them on the Lido deck). It cost $7.00 + 15% gratuity per day and came with a free insulated Princess Cruise tumbler on the first day. After purchasing, you get a sticker that goes onto your cruise card and enables you to receive unlimited sodas, non-alcoholic drinks (fun options printed on their drink menus such as "nojitos", a chocolate banana drink, virgin pina coladas, strawberry daiquiries, etc.), hot chocolate and milkshakes (from Scoops). Without the card, the drinks would have cost $3-4.75 each.

[weaselwatchr]

Some of the ships have a princess book club. There is a schedule on their website. They have multiple copies of the same book and towards the end of the cruise there will be a date listed in the patter to discuss the book. It is not mandatory to go to the meeting however.

 

 

Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App

[Kentchikan]

Tea Time on the Emerald Princess was from 3:30 - 4:30 every day. I agree that the scones were great; served with cream and jam. The scones were the last items served. The waiters started with mini sandwiches, followed by cookies/slices of pound cake, and then the scones. So, save room for them. The only disappointing part about the tea time was that the tea was Lipton, poured from a silver teapot. When you are seated, you walk past a beautiful display of different types of tea (Darjeeling, English Breakfast, etc.), so I found it peculiar that they served Lipton.

 

Perhaps someone remember the long ago slogan for Lipton tea: "I'd Sooner Lipton." ;)

[Kentchikan]

Some of the ships have a princess book club. There is a schedule on their website. They have multiple copies of the same book and towards the end of the cruise there will be a date listed in the patter to discuss the book. It is not mandatory to go to the meeting however.

 

 

Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App

 

When do you get the books? Is it listed in the Pitter Patter?

[paul929207]

When do you get the books? Is it listed in the Pitter Patter?

Yes, the book club will meet early in the cruise on a sea day. At that time, the book will be distributed. Then there will be a meeting to talk about the book towards the end of the cruise. Both meeting will be announced in the Princess Patter.

[Kentchikan]

Yes, the book club will meet early in the cruise on a sea day. At that time, the book will be distributed. Then there will be a meeting to talk about the book towards the end of the cruise. Both meeting will be announced in the Princess Patter.

 

Thanks. I'm glad that Princess kept the name Patter. I liked Carnival Capers better but Fun Times isn't bad.

[Cruise Starter]

My. Princess secret is about pre-purchasing Internet minutes prior to boarding the ship.

 

You get more bonus minutes by pre-purchasing the Internet minutes online from the gift shop on the Princess website. You access this by clicking on the "Booked Passengers" then "Gifts and Services " then "Communications". You can then purchase the Internet minutes from this website. You can then sometimes get additional bonus minutes once you are on board using a coupon from the book in your stateroom.

 

Also you can have your remaining wine stored in the dining room for another day. They then retrieve it for when you ask at the next dinner. We have also been told that if you order a bottle in vines you can have the rest stored and retrieved for dinner, but we have never tried this.

 

Gail

[Kentchikan]

My. Princess secret is about pre-purchasing Internet minutes prior to boarding the ship.

 

You get more bonus minutes by pre-purchasing the Internet minutes online from the gift shop on the Princess website. You access this by clicking on the "Booked Passengers" then "Gifts and Services " then "Communications". You can then purchase the Internet minutes from this website. You can then sometimes get additional bonus minutes once you are on board using a coupon from the book in your stateroom.

Did not know that. Good tip. Thanks.

 

Also you can have your remaining wine stored in the dining room for another day. They then retrieve it for when you ask at the next dinner. We have also been told that if you order a bottle in vines you can have the rest stored and retrieved for dinner, but we have never tried this.

Gail

 

You can actually get your wine anywhere order it in the dining room drink the rest in the Crown Grill etc.

[Fletcher921]

I am curious. I was going to purchase some Internet time but now wonder... I have a data plan with AT&T on my iPad as well as the option to use wifi. Will the Internet be available through my data plan or must I purchase Internet time from the ship?

[Wateron]

I am curious. I was going to purchase some Internet time but now wonder... I have a data plan with AT&T on my iPad as well as the option to use wifi. Will the Internet be available through my data plan or must I purchase Internet time from the ship?

 

Your data plan would be just for the US

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Fletcher921]

So no need for my Alaska cruise! Thx.

[Wateron]

So no need for my Alaska cruise! Thx.

 

You also need to be in range of a cell tower

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[IECalCruiser]

I am curious. I was going to purchase some Internet time but now wonder... I have a data plan with AT&T on my iPad as well as the option to use wifi. Will the Internet be available through my data plan or must I purchase Internet time from the ship?

Your AT&T data plan only works when you are connected to an AT&T cell tower. On board you will be connected through Princess and need to purchase minutes. There is AT&T service when you are in the Alaskan ports and you can check you e-mail or whatever then. We sailed out of Vancouver and there are many coffee shops and other locations with free WiFi. You can also use your iPad at those locations. You should have Data Roaming turned off.

[Cruisin Oma]

Yes, the book club will meet early in the cruise on a sea day. At that time, the book will be distributed. Then there will be a meeting to talk about the book towards the end of the cruise. Both meeting will be announced in the Princess Patter.

 

I didn't realize they give you the book. I assumed the reason they post it on their website a couple months in advance is to allow folks to go out and buy it/ read it/ and then have the book club discussions on board. That was a complete surprise to learn they give you the books.