Just booked our 1st Princess cruise!!

[divaofdisney]

Hi there!

 

We just booked our first princess cruise- we have been on many other cruises but have always wanted to try princess. Can you please tell me what is not included in the cruise line fare. I know the specialty dining is extra, liquor but what else is not included?? What about what's in the international cafe'? We are going on the royal princess next March. We will need all the advice we can get. Thanks in advance.

[JF - retired RRT]

Hi there!

 

We just booked our first princess cruise- we have been on many other cruises but have always wanted to try princess. Can you please tell me what is not included in the cruise line fare. I know the specialty dining is extra, liquor but what else is not included?? What about what's in the international cafe'? We are going on the royal princess next March. We will need all the advice we can get. Thanks in advance.

Food in the IC is "free". Drinks are not. If you like lattes, etc. buy a coffee card.

Soft serve ice cream at Scoops is free, shakes & malts cost $2.50. Also, on ships that have gelato in the IC, there is a charge ($3.00 for 3 scoops?), but it's included with a coffee card or one of the drinks stickers (not sure which one, never bought one).

Some of the craft classes (if offered) have a charge.

Some exercise classes in the Fitness Center have a charge.

The Sanctuary costs $$

Beauty Salon, shops, bingo, casino, photos, "art" auction, internet...ditto.

You can literally take a cruise and not spend an additional penny. We did that our first couple of cruises.

[casofilia]

Just about anything other than food in the buffet, the MDRs and the International Cafe and the simple drinks, tea and coffee, will cost.

[divaofdisney]

Food in the IC is "free". Drinks are not. If you like lattes, etc. buy a coffee card.

Soft serve ice cream at Scoops is free, shakes & malts cost $2.50. Also, on ships that have gelato in the IC, there is a charge ($3.00 for 3 scoops?), but it's included with a coffee card or one of the drinks stickers (not sure which one, never bought one).

Some of the craft classes (if offered) have a charge.

Some exercise classes in the Fitness Center have a charge.

The Sanctuary costs $$

Beauty Salon, shops, bingo, casino, photos, "art" auction, internet...ditto.

You can literally take a cruise and not spend an additional penny. We did that our first couple of cruises.

 

 

 

Thanks very much for the reply. Are there any adult only pools one can access during the day that you don't have to pay extra for? Thanks so much.

[neverbeenhere]

I'm thinking the gelato is $ 1.5 for three scoops, but I could be confused. Kid free pool will Co$t you.

 

Juices in the morning are generally free, ask.

 

 

 

Don't sweat anything...Enjoy your cruise.

[Lucky TGO]

Thanks very much for the reply. Are there any adult only pools one can access during the day that you don't have to pay extra for? Thanks so much.

 

Yes there is it's called the Retreat Pool on Sun deck 17 for adults only. I like it there but at times it gets a little windy. Just get up there early on sea days because of all the chair hogs. One day I counted 41 chairs with everything but people on them.

Tony

[LeeW]

Gratuities are around $13 per person per day (although you can prepay these if you want).

The big costs are alcohol and shore excursions.

 

The buffet and deck food outlets (pizza, grill, scoops) are open continuously until late evening and free.

These have much longer open times than other cruise lines. Royal and Regal have truly impressive buffets.

[easyboy]

No extra pay for the use of the Retreat Pool but use of the Retreat Pool Cabanas are for a fee.

[caribill]

I'm thinking the gelato is $ 1.5 for three scoops, but I could be confused. Kid free pool will Co$t you.

 

 

 

Only on one ship, the Coral Princess.

 

 

On all the other Princess ships the adult pools have no charge.

 

Price of Gelato is higher on the Royal and Regal.

[umuva]

You can use a coffee card to get banana splits, etc on the Regal and Royal. Alfredo's restaurant is free. Good pizza and some other Italian dishes. Mongolian stir fry buffet in the Horizon Court is excellent.

 

 

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[IECalCruiser]

Only on one ship, the Coral Princess.

 

On all the other Princess ships the adult pools have no charge.

 

Price of Gelato is higher on the Royal and Regal.

You should clarify that there is a pool inside the Sanctuary on the Coral that can only be accessed from the Sanctuary which is adults only. You can't pay to just access that pool but rather access comes with the cost of the Sanctuary which is $30/day if purchased for the length of the cruise or $20/half day or $40/half day.

 

 

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[IECalCruiser]

Food in the IC is "free". Drinks are not. If you like lattes, etc. buy a coffee card.

Soft serve ice cream at Scoops is free, shakes & malts cost $2.50. Also, on ships that have gelato in the IC, there is a charge ($3.00 for 3 scoops?), but it's included with a coffee card or one of the drinks stickers (not sure which one, never bought one).

OP is sailing on the Royal. There are no milkshakes at the ice cream bar which is called Swirls on the Royal. No gelato on the Royal but ice cream is extra charge at Gelato which costs $3.50 for three scoops of ice cream with toppings or one punch of a Coffee Card. I believe the coffee card is still $35.65 for 15 punches and complementary "fresh brewed" coffee and Mighty Leaf teas.

 

On the Royal there is complementary fresh brewed coffee and hot chocolate in the Horizon Court as well as a decent selection of Twining's and Bigelow tea bags. Unless you want specialty coffees like espressos, lattes, and the sort or are going to buy a lot of ice cream at Gelato you probably don't need a coffee card.

 

 

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Edited March 4, 2017 by IECalCruiser

[IECalCruiser]

Just about anything other than food in the buffet, the MDRs and the International Cafe and the simple drinks, tea and coffee, will cost.

In addition to those areas, there is no charge at Alfredo's, Prego Pizzeria, the Trident Grill, and Room Service (except for a $3.00 delivery fees per pizza order). There are complementary juices at breakfast and lemonade the rest of the day in the MDRs and the Horizon Court.

 

 

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[divaofdisney]

My goodness...thank you all so much for the awesome feedback and replies. They are so much appreciated. I think I have a better handle on everything now. What was your overall impression of this princess ship and when was her last drydock. Are the areas kept updated from that perspective. I know RCCL does an excellent job at upkeep on all their ships just wondering about Princess. I know we will be very happy as we are very easy going and easy to please. Thanks so much again for all the great feedback!!

 

also.. how much does it cost for the cabana's at the Retreat pool for the day and how do you go about renting one for the day?

Edited March 4, 2017 by divaofdisney

[easyboy]

also.. how much does it cost for the cabana's at the Retreat pool for the day and how do you go about renting one for the day?

 

 

$50 for a half day.

[keithm]

Hi there!

 

We just booked our first princess cruise- we have been on many other cruises but have always wanted to try princess. Can you please tell me what is not included in the cruise line fare. I know the specialty dining is extra, liquor but what else is not included?? What about what's in the international cafe'? We are going on the royal princess next March. We will need all the advice we can get. Thanks in advance.

 

 

Café was included. Food was nice in appearance, but a bit lacking in flavor. Sanctuary is extra cost but WELL worth it. Real comfy loungers are for use at about $20 a half day. Do check where it's located. We don't like too much sun, so it was a bit of sampling. The staff can move them a bit if necessary. At $40/pp/per day, I thought that was a bargain. They bring nice healthy snacks at lunch & a nice tea service in the mid afternoon. You can get an IPod for music of your choice. You do need to make reservations quickly as it fills up real quickly. Since you've cruised other lines..what's extra on them will likely be what's extra on Princess. If Princess has one true stand out, it was the staff. The nicest & most caring of any line we've been on.

[divaofdisney]

Café was included. Food was nice in appearance, but a bit lacking in flavor. Sanctuary is extra cost but WELL worth it. Real comfy loungers are for use at about $20 a half day. Do check where it's located. We don't like too much sun, so it was a bit of sampling. The staff can move them a bit if necessary. At $40/pp/per day, I thought that was a bargain. They bring nice healthy snacks at lunch & a nice tea service in the mid afternoon. You can get an IPod for music of your choice. You do need to make reservations quickly as it fills up real quickly. Since you've cruised other lines..what's extra on them will likely be what's extra on Princess. If Princess has one true stand out, it was the staff. The nicest & most caring of any line we've been on.

 

 

I am quite sure the Sanctuary is quite nice and quiet but for us- we can't justify spending any extra money for those extra's. There is a pool for adults there- The Retreat pool and this will be just fine for us and serve us quite nicely. I know that as long as there are those willing to spend the extra bucks for a service like this, they will continue to exist, but honestly we are very simple people and are not extravagant by any means. To us this is just another way the cruise lines can get more money out of people. We are simply not willing to accommodate them in this regard. But to each their own. This isn't just Princess but there are others that have this on their ships as well. That being said, we are VERY much looking forward to this cruise and anxious to check Princess out as well as what they offer. Thanks so much to all who responded. It is much appreciated. :hearteyes:

[susancruzs]

Don't forget to try Alfredo's early in your cruise. It gets busier as the cruise goes on when people discover there is no charge.

[Corinda]

I was on the Royal last summer and really the only thing I really missed was the promenade on deck 7. there is a walk/run track on deck 17 but it's just not the same for me. Also no aft pool but the Horizon Terrace is a FABULOUS place to chill and watch the world. Royal does have an amazing buffet.

 

ALso if you get the All Inclusive Beverage package, Gelato's and the Ocean Terrace are included

 

I will also second the comment about the staff. They are the primary reason that I keep coming back - friendly and warm like most of the passengers.