1st cruise with Princess

[Jsim2011]

Sailing on Royal Princess in just about 5 weeks. It will be our first cruise with Princess.

 

 

Any tips about this cruise line or ship?

 

 

Is there something we should not miss?

[Jsim2011]

I forgot to add we have booked a Balcony and are on deck 10.

[Highwaydude]

-take the tour of the Lotus Spa Enclave when you get on the ship. They sell a week pass now for only $149/person and you get access all week to the Enclave Spa to relax in all week. You also get a free gift taking the tour. -Book a dinning night at the Crown Grill and book the night early as the Crown Grill reservations fill up quick. That is if you enjoy a good steak!

 

 

Enjoy your first cruise on Princess!

[Jsim2011]

Thanks! That sounds like a good deal :)

 

 

Will check out the grill too.

[cruiser113]

If you enjoy wine / or cocktails visit the Vines Bar the Regal and the Royal are full service bars. Alfredo's is awesome. On the lido deck the aft section of the horizon court is an open fully covered area...with tables , bar and lounge area....very nice. Check out the sky walk and the bar. Bellini's has wonderful bubbly drinks.

 

 

If you are a foodie ...chef's table or wine tasters dinner.

 

 

horizon court buffet is so good.........

[JF - retired RRT]

If you like frou frou coffee, fancier teas than standard bag tea, hot chocolate, etc. buy a coffee card.

[Woobstr112G]

Vines, Alfredos, The Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar, and Bellini's are "Must Do's".....:):):)

Bob

[casofilia]

Afternoon Tea in the MDR

[Robinsoncruiseso]

The bartenders at the Seaview Bar put on quite a show. I believe it is at/around 2:30 on the final sea day. Watch the patters for the exact day and time. Get there early to get a seat at the bar.

[sailco]

I love threads like this. It allows us all to share our best tips and experiences and what we love about sailing with Princess. And get excited for the new cruiser as if it was really us going :-)

[cheeseclan]

One night there should be a dinner at the crab shack. Good and lots of food and i think it is now $29 a person but worth it.Also, since you have a balcony try the balcony breakfast ($45) for the 2 of you or do the ultimate balcony dinner. It is $100 but awesome.

 

 

GO and see the shows as well. Some pretty good ones last time we were on the cruise.

[Jeremiah On a Cruise]

One night there should be a dinner at the crab shack. Good and lots of food and i think it is now $29 a person but worth it.Also, since you have a balcony try the balcony breakfast ($45) for the 2 of you or do the ultimate balcony dinner. It is $100 but awesome.

 

 

GO and see the shows as well. Some pretty good ones last time we were on the cruise.

 

Question about this: I've never been, but the balconies on the Royal/Regal have a reputation for being tiny. Are they big enough to comfortably enjoy the balcony dinner in your opinion?

[cheeseclan]

Sorry should have read more closely. If you have the extended balcony yes it would be great. If not then might be too small. Someone who has been in these cabins would have to chime in. It is an awesome experience.

[Parrottdizes]

Question about this: I've never been, but the balconies on the Royal/Regal have a reputation for being tiny. Are they big enough to comfortably enjoy the balcony dinner in your opinion?

 

Recently was on the Royal, balcony cabin on the caribe deck and IMHO the balcony is too small to have dinner on.

[Luke Dawg]

Long time CCL cruiser, wife and I are in our mid 40's, sailed our first Princess 11/27/16 E Carr. We all loved it, very relaxing. We had C616, C618, C620 Deluxe Balcony. Great location, elevators around the corner, takes you to all decks. Location right across from the laundromat. Made washing clothes very convenient. Will pick this location again. Lido Horizon Court/Bistro lots of choices, food was great. MDR was great. Ship was amazing, did not feel crowded at all. Lots of trivia options, shows, music, all great. Ate a Sabatini's very good. BOGO for $1 twice a day, we never made it but wanted to. Beer buckets come with 5 beers for the cost of 4.

[Luke Dawg]

BTW, the laundromat takes your sail and sign card not coins or dollars necessary. If I recall $2.50 for wash and dry, $1.50 for detergent,

[Jsim2011]

Thanks for all the replies so far, I am getting more excited after reading these, it sounds as though we have a lot to look forward to and explore.

[OCruisers]

The IC (International Café) is open 24 hours a day with tasty things anytime hunger strikes. :)

[jpihota]

Watch for the mini fruit Pavlova's in the International Café and their strawberry meringues. They sometimes serve them in the "Dessert Room" in the spectacular Horizon Court Buffet. You can also use your coffee card in that room for specialty coffees to go with your dessert. Also check out the gelato sundaes in the Gelato Shop by the chocolate shop and Vines on deck 5. You can get a big sundae with only one punch on your coffee card. There is a fluffernutter sundae that is to die for - I've taste tested it many times.

 

Alfredo's should be one of the first places you eat lunch (or dinner, for that matter). It is on deck 6, right by the gangplank they often use for embarkation. The Royal Princess individual pizza is simple and perfect. We always request fresh basil and more parmesan to enhance it even more. The Eggplant Parm is good, too.

 

Watch the Princess Patter back page for special Horizon Court buffets served for lunch and dinner. They serve a Mongolian Grill up there that is awesome, as are the special Chocolate Breakfast Buffet (chocolatey goodness) and a special Seafood buffet.

 

Someone mentioned the Crab Shack as a good bet. It certainly is! You can ask for seconds on the crab legs if you want, although it isn't well-known :)

[Jsim2011]

mini fruit pavlova's

 

Be still my beating heart!!

 

Oh you have no idea what those words just did to me.

[Cruisin' Chick]

The best chocolate cookies are available at the International Cafe. BTW, it's not an enclosed venue. Look for the display cases...just tell the server at the counter what you want, and you'll get it on a small plate that you can take just about anywhere on the ship (including your cabin).

[stepmor99]

Recently was on the Royal, balcony cabin on the caribe deck and IMHO the balcony is too small to have dinner on.

 

We were on the Regal in October 2016 on the Rivera Deck in a balcony cabin. We purchased the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and even though the balconies on the Royal class ships are smaller than other Princess ships we have sailed on, the meal and attention to detail exceeded our expectations! Did we miss the larger balconies? Sure. Did the size of the balcony detract from our UBD experience? Absolutely not! Would we do it again? Definitely!

[Jsim2011]

Thanks again for all of the tips, sailing in one month :D:D:D

[Girlloves2cruise]

FL cruisers taking our first Princess Cruise aboard the Island Princess cruising Alaska in late May. We will going to Fairbanks and doing the EB4 Tour first before we take the train and board in Whittier/Vancouver. Any input on this itinerar or land tour would be greatly appreciated. What to take, what to do, weather, ship details etc. Booked on 9th Floor Dolphin in a Mini Suite. We have cruised many times but mostly on RCL and in the Caribbean.

Thanks in Advance for any info.

[Lucky TGO]

Go to Club 6 and see Kev White he is a great DJ. Please say hi to Kev from Tony from Boston.

Tony