A few questions about our first Princess Cruise

[Tayscot]

Due on our first Princess cruise shortly and have found this forum very helpful in answering queries we have had. Here are a few more some of you can perhaps answer for us.

 

1) Is it worthwhile booking Speciality Dining prior to boarding and if so can anyone advise when the two Formal Nights are likely to be ?

 

2) We are not heavy 'drinkers' but enjoy a bottle of wine between us at dinner. We know that an unfinished bottle can be set aside for the next evening but can we, if we so wish, take the unfinished bottle from the MDR to a bar or to our cabin ?

 

3) Although it is our first Princess Cruise we are 'Elite' tier due to the 20+ cruises we have done with P & O. We therefore get a minibar set up which we are going to change to all beers for the alcoholic drinks and coke for the rest. Do these drinks have to be consumed in the cabin or e.g. taken on deck on a sea day?

 

4) If you buy a soft drink package it appears that this is only applicable to bars and restaurants. Can you, however, fetch your own drinks under the package and take them to your room/balcony ?

 

5) The soft drinks package includes mocktails. What of these are on the bar lists ?

 

Thanks to anyone for replies.

[scott4020]

1) You can't pre-book on Princess

 

2) Yes.

 

3) You can take them anywhere.

 

4) The package does not include cans of pop but you can get your cups filled and take them anywhere.

[moki'smommy]

Mocktails are any cocktail made without liquor. There is a mocktail menu, but you are not limited to this menu. For instance, you can order a "virgin Pina" which is not on the menu. If they are not busy, the bartenders will make virtually anything for you and will give you some suggestions.

 

Remember, no alcohol doesn't mean no calories. These can become addicting!

[Alaskan Joe]

Due on our first Princess cruise shortly and have found this forum very helpful in answering queries we have had. Here are a few more some of you can perhaps answer for us.

 

1) Is it worthwhile booking Speciality Dining prior to boarding and if so can anyone advise when the two Formal Nights are likely to be.

 

I have been looking into this myself and it appears (on normal 7-10day cruise) that the first sea day is the #1 and not sure about #2. If you only have 2 sea days then I think those are the days. However, if your like us and have 3 sea days not sure about #2. It most likely will be on sea days.

[Alaskan Joe]

Due on our first Princess cruise shortly and have found this forum very helpful in answering queries we have had. Here are a few more some of you can perhaps answer for us.

 

 

 

5) The soft drinks package includes mocktails. What of these are on the bar lists ?

 

Princess Beverage Package Evaluator rev0 posted 5-7-2014.xls

 

He is a beverage package evaluator (not that you need that) from another fellow CC. However it has a list of what is available including 'Mocktails'. I will say this also the list was made about 2 yrs ago but will give you an idea. Hope it helps

Edited May 15, 2016 by Alaskan Joe

[Cruise Raider]

The first formal night will most likely be on one of the first 2 full sea days but could also be scheduled for a port day when they sail early in the day.

 

The second formal night is also usually on the last full sea day but again, depending on your itinerary, it could be on a short port day. It will never be held on the last night. It is hard to guess without knowing the particular itinerary.

 

We always plan a specialty restaurant for formal nights as we choose not to participate. When booking your specialty restaurant, they will definitely have the list available of what nights are formal and which are smart casual.

If you call Princess, they might be able to tell you ahead of time. I called RCCL recently for an upcoming cruise and they offered this information up without me even asking.

I wish Princess would let us book the specialty restaurants ahead of time ... even if we had to pay for it at the time of booking. Same thing with the wine packages -- alas, we have to wait until we are onboard.

 

Also, you are able to swap your liquor bottles out for beer and other soft drinks out for the type you want. They also allow you to swap out your mini bar for one bottle of wine up to $40 (not really worth it) or 2 coffee cards. Just call room service to make the exchange ... and it usually they will take care of it that evening or the next morning....depending on how busy they are. The room steward does not take care of this swap. And yes, you can take your soft drinks or beers wherever you choose.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Cruise Raider

[Shogun]

Hi Tayscot

 

What cruise are you doing,

 

yours Shogun

[peety3]

1) Is it worthwhile booking Speciality Dining prior to boarding and if so can anyone advise when the two Formal Nights are likely to be?

 

As another person posted, Princess only accepts specialty dining reservations while aboard the ship. As far as Formal Nights, the schedule will be listed in the Princess Patter found in your cabin upon boarding. You can usually whittle it down through a relatively simple process:

 

1) It won't be embarkation day. Too much chaos and muster drill is essential for safety.

2) It won't be the night before disembarkation day. They want your suitcases in the hall.

3) It won't be two consecutive nights.

4) It won't be on a night when your ship is in port past 5pm.

5) It probably won't be on a port when your ship is in port after 2pm.

6) If this still isn't enough to help you figure out, think about which days offer the best opportunity for spa sales. Formal night will be on those nights. Think "best photo sales opportunities" and best "Platinum Studio" looks as well.

[Shogun]

Hi peety3

 

Have had formal night on embarkation day, only once though.

 

Ship was the Royal.

 

yours Shogun

[Tayscot]

Hi Tayscot

 

What cruise are you doing,

 

yours Shogun

 

 

11Day Baltic cruise on Regal to and from Copenhagen starting 3rd June.

[skynight]

To change the Elite mini Bar you have to call Room Service. They will come and make the exchange.

 

When you board there will be a Princess Patter in your cabin. It will show which evenings are formal. Visit the specialty restaurant on boarding day afternoon. They can get busy. You can also call the DINE line, but it may be busy on boarding day. Realize that the dress code for specialty restaurants is smart casual every evening, so on formal nights you may see some passengers in smart casual dress.