New to Princess!

[Mrs. Ram]

Hi all!

 

My fiance and I are getting married in Nassau on March 7th. We will be cruising on Carnival Fascination. This is my 13th (or so) cruise but I have never been on Princess, only Royal and Carnival. I'm kind of bummed that we chose such a small, old ship for the wedding but it was based on price and location so that more of our friends and family could attend so now I'm hoping to jump on a beautiful ship for the honeymoon as soon as we get back from our wedding cruise. I am looking at the Royal Princess and I was hoping you all could tell me things about Princess that a newbie won't know such as what will cost extra $ onboard. I don't know how ANYthing works onboard a Princess cruise so any info is great info!

 

Thanks!!

[nukesubsailor]

Hi all!

 

My fiance and I are getting married in Nassau on March 7th. We will be cruising on Carnival Fascination. This is my 13th (or so) cruise but I have never been on Princess, only Royal and Carnival. I'm kind of bummed that we chose such a small, old ship for the wedding but it was based on price and location so that more of our friends and family could attend so now I'm hoping to jump on a beautiful ship for the honeymoon as soon as we get back from our wedding cruise. I am looking at the Royal Princess and I was hoping you all could tell me things about Princess that a newbie won't know such as what will cost extra $ onboard. I don't know how ANYthing works onboard a Princess cruise so any info is great info!

 

Thanks!!

 

On Princess ships you will be charged an automatic gratuity of about $11.50 - $12 per person per day for the cabin steward and those whose work supports your cabin cleaning and laundry. You will be charged for any alcoholic drinks, sodas, and specialty coffees and those charges will incur an automatic 15% gratuity. You will be charged for any purchase you make in the ships various boutiques. You will be charged for any Princess sponsored shore excursion you reserve. You will be charged a $20 - $25 per person cover charge if you dine in one of the specialty restaurants such as the Crown Grill, Sabatini's, or the Crab Shack.

[Mrs. Ram]

On Princess ships you will be charged an automatic gratuity of about $11.50 - $12 per person per day for the cabin steward and those whose work supports your cabin cleaning and laundry. You will be charged for any alcoholic drinks, sodas, and specialty coffees and those charges will incur an automatic 15% gratuity. You will be charged for any purchase you make in the ships various boutiques. You will be charged for any Princess sponsored shore excursion you reserve. You will be charged a $20 - $25 per person cover charge if you dine in one of the specialty restaurants such as the Crown Grill, Sabatini's, or the Crab Shack.

 

 

Thanks nukesubsailor!!

[skynight]

Royal Princess Here is a dining review.

Free Dining:

MDR’s Breakfast & Dinner are served each day. Lunch on sea days only.

International Café: Order at counter and carry to table there are waiters to assist, Open 24 hours with cont. breakfast items, then salads & paninis and desserts for lunch & dinner, snacks overnight.

Alfredo’s, waiter service, open from 11am to 11pm serves individual pizzas, calzone, salads, desserts.

Wheelhouse: Serves Pub Lunch some days. Watch the Princess Patter for details.

Pregos Pizza on the Lido Deck pizza by the slice, open from 11am to 11pm

Trident Grill on the Lido Deck, burgers, dogs, brats, chicken, fries, serves a BBQ menu from 6pm onwards. Open 11am to 11pm

Horizon Ct/Horizon Bistro/Pastry Shop buffet areas; Open continuously from 6am until around midnight.

Afternoon Tea every day in the MDR for no extra charge. Royal afternoon Tea served some days in the Piazza area charge, is $20 with champagne, $10 w/o.

Room Service

 

Surcharge Dining:

Crown Grill(steaks, seafood, chops) $25/pp

Sabatini’s (Italian) $25/pp

Crab Shack & Fondues served some nights in a section of the buffet area, $20/pp.

Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar. A la carte pricing.

Gelato, nominal costs.

 

If you like specialty espresso drinks take a look at the coffee card. 15 espresso drinks for $31 including the 15% tip and includes unlimited brewed coffee and special teas. The card can also be used for gelato. A 15% service charge is added to the price of all beverages, alcoholic and non alcoholic.

 

Each person over 21 may carry on one 750ml bottle of wine at no charge for use in your cabin. Additional bottles can be carried on board and are subject to a $15/bot corkage charge. No beer or spirits can be carried on board.

It has been reported that some bars have buy one get one free deals each afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. Ask around once on board.

That’s enough for now.

Any specific questions, just ask.

[sandy999]

I seem to remember lovely salads in the solarium area, not sure if this is on the royal?

 

Afternoon tea is well worth saving room for.

 

Loved the international, we bought the coffee card, and tried very hard to resist the fantastic desserts served here. Also great lunch options here.

Edited December 9, 2014 by sandy999
...

[cubfan63]

I seem to remember lovely salads in the solarium area, not sure if this is on the royal?

 

Afternoon tea is well worth saving room for.

 

Loved the international, we bought the coffee card, and tried very hard to resist the fantastic desserts served here. Also great lunch options here.

 

 

Solarium is an area on the cruises ships of Royal Caribbean, which is different cruise line and not part of Princess Cruises or specifically the ship Royal Princess.

 

Perhaps you mean the Sanctuary?

[Iamcruzin]

I thought the Crown Grill was $35pp. Did they drop the price?

[Bimmer09]

I thought the Crown Grill was $35pp. Did they drop the price?

 

No, it's $25, up from $20 a couple of years ago.

Worth every penny.

 

Norris

[OCruisers]

You've cruised enough to easily make the adjustment from Carnival to Princess. ;)

LuLu

[srlafleur]

Basically, most everything you get charged extra for on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, you will be charged extra for on Princess, as well.

The names of the various dining venues are different and what they serve. That's about it.

[skynight]

More

Boarding

You can arrive at the pier around 11am even if you get a notice of staggered boarding. Check in normally starts around that time. You will be checked in and then be sent to a waiting area. Priority boarding starts around noon, then general boarding. If you arrive around 11am you should be on board by 12:30 or sooner. Go directly to your cabin it is ready. Drop your stuff, place valuables into the cabin safe and start your cruise. There will be a Princess Patter in your cabin or in the cabin mailbox. Review for the day’s activities. Most passengers are on board by 1pm.

Princess will hold the muster drill indoors on decks 6 and 7. Carry, don’t wear your life jacket to the drill.

 

On board costs

*Hotel Charge (autotip) $11.50/day/pp; $12 for those in mini or full suites. Covers all normal tipping for room stewards, DR waiters as well as all other waiters in all dining locations. Some passengers do provide extra cash tips to their room stewards, waiters if they have the same ones for the entire cruise, surcharge restaurant waiters, and room service waiters.

*Photos, the cost can add up

*Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. There is an all inclusive beverage package for $56.35pp/day it’s expensive but if you plan to drink a lot it might be worth it look here: http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/cellars_culinarydelights/princess_cellars/index.jsp. There are also other beverage packages, but if you get the all inclusive pack no need for any other package.

*Casino

*Tours, many private tours are far less expensive than the Princess ones. Join the Cruise Critic Roll Call for your exact cruise.

[skynight]

Still More

On Board Credit (OBC)

Active or retired military can receive OBC: http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Military_Personnel_Benefit_US.pdf

If you own Carnival CCL Stock you can also receive OBC: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

Edited December 9, 2014 by sknight

[Iamcruzin]

No, it's $25, up from $20 a couple of years ago.

Worth every penny.

 

Norris

in 2010 I paid $35 for the Crown Grill and $25 for Sabatini's.

[Coveguy4]

in 2010 I paid $35 for the Crown Grill and $25 for Sabatini's.

 

I've never paid more than $25 on any ship for the Crown,Sabbitinis or Bayou. That was including multiple sailings on the CB,Coral,Emerald,Diamond,Star,Sapphire,Golden.... and I didn't go to any of the specialty restaurants on other ships too many years ago to remember...lol

[Cruisin' Chick]

We didn't eat in the Crown Grill on the Golden, but somehow I seem to remember it costing $20 or so -- less than Sabatinis. That was in 2012.

 

I really love the International Cafe. Basically as set of display cases in the Piazza so you have to take your plates elsewhere (on the Golden there are some tables, but often these are already taken by passengers enjoying the entertainment that goes on there for much of the day and evening). For ships that have the gelato, there's a charge for that. A charge if you want to buy specialty coffees, teas and hot chocolate. But everything else, you just point to what you want (or say what's on the sign), and it will be plated for you. Open 24/7 and is great for light meals or snacks.

 

The Horizon Court (the buffet) had some themed buffets in the pool area on some of the sea days on our last cruise (again, we were on the Golden but maybe other ships do this too) -- Asian, Mexican, Dessert, Tropical Fruit.

 

There's a minifridge in every cabin (we didn't have one on any of our Carnival cruises, but maybe that's changed since 2002, when we last sailed on that line).

 

There's far less PA announcements about activities (dependent on the cruise director -- but it's a nice change from being told every three seconds about the last change bingo game or art auction...there seems to a last change one every day:eek::rolleyes:). There wasn't stuff the bikini or lip synch with bananas as microphone games.

[stoneharborlady]

When did the 10.00 charge for afternoon tea start? Is this across the fleet, or just on Royal?

 

Whoops, read it incorrectly. Didnt realize there is a special for fee tea.

Edited December 9, 2014 by stoneharborlady

[msmoger]

in 2010 I paid $35 for the Crown Grill and $25 for Sabatini's.

 

Did you save your receipt?? ;) You was robbed. On 8 Princess cruises we have always paid $25 at Crown Grill and Sterling Steakhouse. When we first started cruising Sabatini's was $20 but then went up to $25.

[Iamcruzin]

Did you save your receipt?? ;) You was robbed. On 8 Princess cruises we have always paid $25 at Crown Grill and Sterling Steakhouse. When we first started cruising Sabatini's was $20 but then went up to $25.

Actually I checked my pholio. in 2008 on the Caribbean Princess I paid $20 for Sabatini's and $25 for the Sterling Steakhouse before it was the Crown Grill. In 2010 on the Caribbean Princess which was the last time that I sailed on Princess I paid $25 for Sabatini's (old menu) and $35 for the Crown Grill.

[AZbeachboy]

The charges are pretty much the same on each ship. The difference that I like is a more calm atmosphere on Princess. Centainly not like Carnival for activities. There are still plenty of activities, just not 20 at a time.

 

Lately I have found the entertainment much better on Princess. I would not have said that five or six years ago, but carnival has changed.

 

Also, Princess is not as controlling. Meaning that on Carnival that even if you get a pool towel or items for activities, you have to stand in land and sign everything out.

 

I have also found that Princess embarkation process to be easier and smoother.

Edited December 10, 2014 by AZbeachboy

[IECalCruiser]

Actually I checked my pholio. in 2008 on the Caribbean Princess I paid $20 for Sabatini's and $25 for the Sterling Steakhouse before it was the Crown Grill. In 2010 on the Caribbean Princess which was the last time that I sailed on Princess I paid $25 for Sabatini's (old menu) and $35 for the Crown Grill.

That is very strange. The Crown Grill used to be $20 but increased to $25 several years ago. We have eaten at the CG on almost all of our 13 cruises on 7 Princess ships since 2009. We paid $20 and then $25 for the meals at the CG and never more.

 

 

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[caribill]

Actually I checked my pholio. in 2008 on the Caribbean Princess I paid $20 for Sabatini's and $25 for the Sterling Steakhouse before it was the Crown Grill. In 2010 on the Caribbean Princess which was the last time that I sailed on Princess I paid $25 for Sabatini's (old menu) and $35 for the Crown Grill.

 

Could that $35 have been $25 plus a $10 tip you added?

[Iamcruzin]

Could that $35 have been $25 plus a $10 tip you added?

No I tip in cash I just figured that the price went up because they just renovated the ship and changed the name from Sterling to Crown. Maybe it was a test on that ship to see if they could get more for that restaurant. The Crown Grill did look more up scale than the Sterling Steakhouse. Well even at $35 it was worth it. As a matter of fact I think the specialty restaurants on Princess are very reasonably priced compared to Celebrity.