Pacific Princess Questions

[DJVKN]

PescadoAmarillo, my husband and I (we are in our late 50's and very active) did the 10 day RT from Papeete on the Ocean Princess this past November.

The islands and the water was amazing. We did all private snorkeling excursions and had a blast.

As far as small ship sailing, I can say it was a totally different experience for us. (there is very little to none as far as night life goes after the show). Sea days are fine for us because we love laying around the pool.

The staff was amazing and know you by name pretty quickly. There is no anytime dining which was also fine for us. The buffet food was much better than on other ships IMHO and they alternate nights for the Crown Grill and Sabatini's.

Americans, Canadians and Australians were the largest demographic population. Most were older than us. There was a young couple with a toddler on our trip and that was the only child.

We met a few Canadian couples and a couple from Washington State around our age who we spent a lot of time with.

There were a few honeymooners but they pretty much stayed to themselves. :)

We had a great cruise and would go on the small ship again with the right itinerary. It was good just different than we had previously experienced.

[shellbeachjim]

Try to follow me on this one. The only true decent tables for two will be those that back into the club bar. Otherwise the others are so close to each other that they may as well be called tables for four. There is hardly breathing room between them. There are also tables for two when you walk into the dining room just before the step up to the center section. Those sit right below and you wouldn't want to be there. It's like an afterthought and being out in a corridor.

 

 

For the most part I agree with Pia. We always try to get a table for two. We've had the ones which back up to the club bar and they're nice and quiet. We've had the ones which are 6 inches from the next table - not so nice. We've had a 4-top in the center section converted to a 2-top - excellent! On our last cruise we had one of the tables just below the center section. It actually was wonderful table. Yes there's a bit of floor traffic, but we are people watchers and were constantly entertained by the "floor show". It may sound strange but there's also quite a bit of privacy at those tables as no one near you can hear your conversations. I'd gladly take one of those tables again.

 

 

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[PescadoAmarillo]

Thank you for all the information! We are seriously considering the 10-night cruises out of Papeete. We've twice been to Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahiti (on transpacific cruises on the Sapphire and Diamond) but have never done the other islands. I don't see us ever getting to them except by cruise. And I am not counting on these small Princess ships doing these itineraries forever, either. I think this is one opportunity that has a fairly narrow window.

 

DH is quite concerned about the small ship experience, particularly with regard to availability of tables for 2, so this thread and Caribill's photos have helped quite a bit in that regard. If we do this, it would be during the fall season, which I know is the rainy season, but I'm not certain I care about that. If we stay long enough, we're almost certain to have a few sunny days.

[Wehwalt]

On my last cruise on her, I went to "D.J. Yang"'s 11 pm in the Pacific Lounge. Twice. I was the only passenger there, some of the cruise director's staff were around the bar. The DJ was in the sound booth, and played fast modern music that I gather is danced to.

[shredie]

On my last cruise on her, I went to "D.J. Yang"'s 11 pm in the Pacific Lounge. Twice. I was the only passenger there, some of the cruise director's staff were around the bar. The DJ was in the sound booth, and played fast modern music that I gather is danced to.

 

The lounge is where you want to be during the day for magnificent views.

[caribill]

On my last cruise on her, I went to "D.J. Yang"'s 11 pm in the Pacific Lounge. Twice. I was the only passenger there, some of the cruise director's staff were around the bar. The DJ was in the sound booth, and played fast modern music that I gather is danced to.

 

I am sure the DJ would have played any type music you wanted if you had asked.

[chelsea922]

Thank you to everyone for your input. It is very very helpful.

 

Shellbeachjim, we are people watchers too, so it sounds like those tables could work for us. It's more the privacy that's important. Traffic wouldn't bother us much (unless someone falls on our table :eek:)

 

We're usually in our cabin by 10 so we might not make it to the late night lounge ;).

 

Based on your help we've decided on the port side forward mini-suites and a late seating table for two and are just waiting for the TA to call us back. (We're forward people:p). We'll see what we can get.

 

Thank you to all of you for your help.

[shellbeachjim]

Thank you to everyone for your input. It is very very helpful.

 

Shellbeachjim, we are people watchers too, so it sounds like those tables could work for us. It's more the privacy that's important. Traffic wouldn't bother us much (unless someone falls on our table :eek:)

 

We're usually in our cabin by 10 so we might not make it to the late night lounge ;).

 

Based on your help we've decided on the port side forward mini-suites and a late seating table for two and are just waiting for the TA to call us back. (We're forward people:p). We'll see what we can get.

 

Thank you to all of you for your help.

My advice is to visit with the Maitre 'd on the day you embark. The time will be printed in the patter. You want to verify you table assignment and make sure you get a table for two. With the limited number of 2-tops available, it isn't always possible. Based on our experience, you have a better chance because you have late seating. It goes without saying (so I'll say it anyway) - be very polite when you meet with the Maitre 'd. They are much more inclined to help you if you're nice. ;)

[chelsea922]

My advice is to visit with the Maitre 'd on the day you embark. The time will be printed in the patter. You want to verify you table assignment and make sure you get a table for two. With the limited number of 2-tops available, it isn't always possible. Based on our experience, you have a better chance because you have late seating. It goes without saying (so I'll say it anyway) - be very polite when you meet with the Maitre 'd. They are much more inclined to help you if you're nice. ;)

Thank you for the advice and we'll be sure to do that. I couldn't agree more. It's all in how you approach it. :) We'll hope for a good outcome but not be too expectant.

[Tweedy]

We're considering a cruise on the Pacific Princess and we've never been on one of the smaller ships. I know that a lot of people love them. Perhaps, some of you can help with my questions...?

 

We are considering a mini-suite. All are on the deck below the pool area. Is there any problem with noise from either parties or chairs being moved?

 

Is there a side of the ship for smoking or a room like Churchill's for smoking? We don't smoke and try to stay away from smoking areas as much as possible for our comfort.

 

Any help will be much appreciated.:)

 

 

We just disembarked off the Pacific this morning (May 3) and we had a mini-suite below the pool midship. We did hear them putting out the lounge chairs about 5am every morning but I was usually just getting up and my Mom always fell back to sleep for a couple of hours. Sailing on the Pacific was our first experience with the small ships and are seriously contemplating looking at booking a cruise to Alaska late summer this year. We were also located below the ping pong tables and could hear them when they were playing but it didn't bother us at all. I'd stay in a mid-ship mini again.

 

The smoking section of the ship seemed to be forward on the pool deck, port side. Also, they do still allow smoking in the mini-casino but do have smoke free nights on formal night. The Pacific Lounge also seemed to allow smoking. Those were the only areas I noticed smoking as I am not a smoker.